CHAPTER 430: CHAPTER 430: A JOYOUS OCCASION (PART 2)

Jiang Shaohua was amused: "What’s the matter this time?"

Doctor Sun scolding his son was nothing unusual. Sun Guangbai undergoing family discipline was also common. However, to make Doctor Sun this angry must have some reason.

As a Commandery Princess, Jiang Shaohua was not in a position to gossip everywhere, but Chen Jinyu was different. There was no news in the Nanyang Prince Mansion that Chen Sheren could not gather.

"Commandery Princess, please wait a moment, I’ll be back soon."

Chen Sheren dashed away and returned after about an hour, looking shocked.

Jiang Shaohua’s curiosity was piqued: "What exactly happened? Quickly tell me." Only in front of Chen Jinyu did she gossip like a typical teenage girl.

Chen Jinyu took a deep breath, leaned over, and whispered a few words.

Jiang Shaohua was surprised: "Is what you said true? Sun Guangbai wants to marry Shanxing?"

"Absolutely!" Chen Jinyu nodded vigorously: "Sun Zelan also returned to the Prince Mansion, and she told me this personally."

"According to Miss Sun, Shanxing has always admired Sun Guangbai, who previously avoided her. But this time in Pingzhou, Sun Guangbai had a persistent high fever, and everyone thought he caught the plague. Shanxing cared for him day and night for three days. Sun Junyi was moved by Shanxing’s sincerity and now wants to marry her."

"Doctor Sun was unhappy and executed family discipline. Sun Junyi, being stubborn, knelt and endured the beating, saying he would marry Shanxing as long as he was still breathing."

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment before saying, "I really didn’t expect them to become a couple."

Back then, she arranged for Lin Huiniang and others to assist the military doctor, indeed with some intent to help them start anew through marriage. Over the years, a few couples have formed. Take Bao Er and Fangniang, they are a loving couple. Last year, Fangniang gave birth to a chubby daughter, and Bao Er delightedly shows her off in the military camp whenever he gets a chance.

However, those who marry are still few. More are like Kong Qingwan and Lin Huiniang, who focus on their duties and work every day, unwilling to marry.

They are not unable to get married; they just don’t want to be scrutinized and live a stifled life.

Prejudice in people’s hearts is like a high mountain, difficult to overcome. They choose to rely on themselves and live independently.

Among this group of women, Shanxing is the youngest, turning seventeen after the New Year, right at the threshold of youth. She is remarkably gifted in medicine and, with proper honing, will be greatly useful in the future.

Who could have imagined Shanxing and Sun Guangbai would become a couple?

"The Sun Family is an apricot family," Jiang Shaohua said softly, "Sun Guangbai is now a seventh-rank medical officer with a promising future. Shanxing is also a good girl. Though she suffered in a bandit’s den, Doctor Sun disapproves of this marriage, and you can’t blame him."

Even ordinary families would want a daughter-in-law from a respectable background. It’s understandable that Doctor Sun is angry at his son.

Chen Jinyu, resting his chin on his hand, sighed: "I wonder if this marriage will come to fruition."

Jiang Shaohua said, "Let’s wait and see. I am not in a position to comment, and you shouldn’t investigate further to avoid misunderstanding with Doctor Sun."

...

The next morning, Doctor Sun came.

After spending over a year in Pingzhou, Doctor Sun’s hair had turned much grayer. Now, worrying about his headstrong son has cost him a night’s sleep, making him appear quite aged.

Sun Guangbai, his face swollen and bruised, followed behind his father with his head bowed.

In contrast, Sun Zelan moved with light feet, smiling and greeting: "Greetings, Commandery Princess."

While pondering Doctor Sun’s intentions, Jiang Shaohua smiled discreetly and said, "Rise and dispense with the formalities. You three have come together today; is there something important to discuss with me?"

Sun Zelan nodded but did not speak, glancing at her father.

Doctor Sun sighed inwardly but did not hesitate and said, "I come to see the Commandery Princess regarding my unworthy son. He privately pledged lifelong commitment with Shanxing in Pingzhou. I ask the Commandery Princess to act as a matchmaker, so their marriage may be arranged soon."

Sun Guangbai, his face swollen like a pig’s head, bowed to the Commandery Princess and said, "I implore you to grant this marriage."

Jiang Shaohua pondered briefly before saying slowly, "There are no outsiders here, so I won’t mince words. You are well aware of Shanxing’s background. You don’t mind now because of passion, but I fear that after the novelty of marriage wanes, you might regret it. At that time, you could divorce and remarry, or take a concubine. What would Shanxing do then?"

"This world is especially harsh to women. When I rescued those unfortunate women from the mountain, I promised to support and stand up for them. Some unpleasant truths must be addressed upfront."

"In the future, I will not stand idly by if anyone bullies Shanxing."

These words were meant for Sun Guangbai, but more so for Doctor Sun.

If you want to marry her, think it through clearly. Don’t reluctantly agree now only to dredge up past grievances later.

Doctor Sun understood immediately and responded: "The Commandery Princess can rest assured. Our family’s ethos is upright, and we’ve never had a precedent for divorcing and remarrying. Only at age forty without offspring is taking a concubine considered."

"This marriage, Guangbai is willing from his heart. Sons grow up and form their own opinions; as a father, I can only comply."

"I cannot guarantee their future, but I promise the Commandery Princess there will be no harsh treatment of a daughter-in-law."

Sun Guangbai promptly followed: "I will definitely treat Shanxing well. Please grant this marriage, Commandery Princess."

Sun Guangbai’s face was swollen beyond recognition, yet his eyes were filled with hope and eagerness.

No one knows what the future holds, but at least at this moment, he sincerely desires to marry Shanxing.

Jiang Shaohua surveyed him briefly and smiled slightly: "Since that’s the case, I grant it. The three matchmakers and six wedding gifts are necessary; the wedding should also be lively."

Sun Guangbai grinned, accidentally tugging at the injury at the corner of his mouth, and winced in pain, looking quite embarrassed.

Doctor Sun, on behalf of his son, agreed: "I will take advantage of the end-of-year leisure to prepare for the wedding. I plan to set the date early, allowing them to marry next spring."

As Sun Zelan said, the two being inseparable all day might otherwise lead to the joke of entering wedlock pregnant.

Doctor Sun and his son took their leave first, while Sun Zelan stayed behind to speak with Jiang Shaohua.

Before Jiang Shaohua could inquire, Sun Zelan laughed softly: "Does the Commandery Princess want to know how my brother convinced my father?"

Jiang Shaohua indeed wondered: "How did Doctor Sun approve within just one day and night?"

"My brother endured a severe beating, consistently kneeling before our father, insisting on marrying Shanxing despite being scolded." Sun Zelan recalled her brother’s battered appearance and spoke with a tone full of sympathy, then chuckled: "He even said if our father didn’t agree, he would castrate himself and become a eunuch."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."