CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 136: FATE (PART 2)

Sun An was also sneaking glances at Huang Sanmei.

That day during the public hearing, he stood behind the Commandery Princess.

The moment this filial and fragile pitiful woman tearfully said, "I want to get married," his heart suddenly started pounding.

Fate between a man and a woman is just as marvelous as that. Love at first sight, born of a single thought.

"Guard Sun," Huang Sanmei unexpectedly spoke first, "I have no dowry. Would you really be willing to marry me?"

Chen Sheren was blinking her bright eyes, watching from the side without any intention of avoiding it.

Since the man was unmarried and the woman was unmarried, meeting alone was quite improper. She was there as a witness! Besides, she could share it with the Commandery Princess later... It really wasn’t convenient for her, with the Commandery Princess’s status, to come watch the fun personally.

Sun An’s dark face turned a little red, and he coughed lightly: "I don’t mind."

"You may not care, but in the future, your parents-in-law would eventually use it to jabber," Huang Sanmei said softly.

Sun An immediately said, "My mother passed away from a serious illness four years ago, and my father died even earlier."

Thus, there was no need to worry about the in-laws being difficult or harsh. Because there weren’t any at all.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t, Huang Sanmei still felt a sense of relief in her heart. Her eyebrows curved slightly, and she looked up at Sun An: "Rest assured, I’m not a gluttonous or lazy person. Once we’re married, I’ll get up early every day to work, and two meals a day will suffice..."

"Sanmei," Sun An mustered up the courage to use a more intimate address, and his dark face reddened even more, "I like you, and I want to marry you. Once we’re married, I’ll give you my monthly salary. You don’t have to work so hard."

"Even if we have children in the future, I can support my wife and children."

"Also, in our Prince Mansion, we have three meals a day."

His words were dry and lacked the tenderness of many twists and turns, nor were they earth-shattering. Yet, Huang Sanmei’s eyes reddened, and she held back tears, gently nodding: "Alright!"

...

"And then what happened?" Jiang Shaohua asked intrigued.

Chen Jinyu shrugged helplessly, "Then nothing. The two of them said those few words in front of me, then each said goodbye and went back to their own rooms."

"It wasn’t at all passionate, as bland as water."

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "Do you think it’s a grand opera? If they can have such a meeting before an engagement and have some good feelings for each other, they’re already lucky. Most marriages are blind, with couples meeting for the first time when the veil is lifted. They have to spend their lives together without knowing the other’s appearance or temperament."

Chen Jinyu’s smile paused, and suddenly she went silent, thinking about something.

Jiang Shaohua understood in her heart, smiled, and glanced at her, "Why did you suddenly stop talking?"

"Sister Shaohua," Chen Jinyu couldn’t hold back, sighed, and admitted her hidden concerns, "My mother is convinced that a woman must marry a good husband to have a good life. She will definitely arrange an engagement for me early."

"I don’t want to get married at fifteen or sixteen. I want to follow you around and do my duty by your side. I’ll get married when I turn twenty."

Jiang Shaohua casually smiled, "That’s not difficult. You are now my housekeeper, and for you to marry, you certainly need my approval as the Commandery Princess. I can’t do without you by my side, so you’ll just serve a few more years."

Chen Jinyu was overjoyed, hugged Jiang Shaohua, and kissed Jiang Shaohua’s tender face, "Sister Shaohua, you’re the best to me."

Jiang Shaohua was rendered speechless with a laugh.

They had been playmates since childhood, often eating, living, and sleeping together.

For her, after experiencing a lifetime of trials and rebirth, seeing her once lively and innocent playmate after more than twenty years, she felt a kind of elder’s affection. But for Chen Jinyu, it was just like being close after a year apart from the Commandery Princess.

"Commandery Princess," Yin Zhu smiled as she came to report, "Chief Historian Chen has arrived."

Jiang Shaohua slightly nodded.

Chen Jinyu, with astonishing speed, let go, stood up, stepped back, and stood respectfully with her hands down, all in one swift motion.

Jiang Shaohua found it amusing and got up to greet, "Chief Historian Chen."

Chen Zhuo clasped his hands in salute, "I greet the Commandery Princess." His gaze incidentally drifted to Chen Sheren standing respectfully aside.

Hmm, today Chen Sheren was behaving according to the rules.

Jiang Shaohua pretended not to notice Chen Zhuo’s subtle movements, smiling: "We’ve been staying in Ye County for more than half a month, and it’s time to continue our journey to inspect the next county."

"Indeed," Chen Zhuo replied solemnly, "According to our previous plan, we would spend three months inspecting the Fourteen Counties. Time is more than halfway gone, and we’ve only inspected Wan County, Xi’e, Bowan, and Ye County. The schedule will need to be a bit tighter from now on."

There was no choice. At Wan County, they spent many days at the military camp; in Xi’e, they had to resolve the Tang Family’s issues; at Bowan County, they lingered a few additional days for Chief Historian Chen to reunite with family; and in Ye County, who’d have expected so many cases to come up?

Jiang Shaohua laughed and said, "Then we shall set off tomorrow."

Chief Historian Chen agreed, clasped his hands in acknowledgment, and then gave orders to start mobilizing all the personal soldiers and followers.

Before departure, County Magistrate Cui specially arranged a farewell banquet.

County Magistrate Cui was the first to raise his cup to toast the Commandery Princess, "I toast the Commandery Princess, wishing peace for Nanyang County, and well-being for the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently and raised her glass in return, "I only wish that the people can live and work in peace and happiness."

County Magistrate Cui immediately responded seriously, "Your teachings, Commandery Princess, I will keep in my heart. In the future, I will diligently serve and be a good magistrate for the people."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and drank her fruity wine.

No one is perfect. County Magistrate Cui was already a rare young talent, willing to endure hardships and do practical things, surpassing ninety-nine percent of Da Liang’s bureaucrats. As for some minor flaws, they could be corrected gradually.

The next day, the Commandery Princess led the group on their journey, leaving Ye County and heading towards Biyang County.

Now the Commandery Princess had Chen Sheren accompanying her, with Yin Zhu and Tu Bai sitting in the carriage behind. Huang Sanmei also rode in this carriage.

Once they were outside the city gate, Huang Sanmei lifted the carriage curtain and looked back, her eyes quietly reddening.

She was born here, grew up here, and for more than twenty years, she had never left Ye County. At this moment, sitting in the carriage, watching the city gate of Ye County grow more distant, she inevitably felt anxious and forlorn.

Yin Zhu, the clever little one, popped her head out from the other side of the carriage window and called out, "Brother Sanbao, go and tell Sun An to ride over."

Meng Sanbao winked and agreed.

After a while, Sun An rode over to the side of the carriage. He was clumsy with words, unable to coax anyone. And with Yin Zhu and Tu Bai’s big eyes watching, plus a crowd of personal soldiers sticking their heads out to watch, even if he had sweet words, he couldn’t utter them!

Sun An held in his words for a long time before finally saying, "Miss Huang, are you hungry? I have some pastries here."

Everyone: "..."

Meng Sanbao and Qin Hu nearly laughed themselves breathless.

Huang Sanmei also laughed.

No one knew, her greatest fear was being hungry. Having pastries to eat every day was the best life for her.

...