CHAPTER 433: CHAPTER 433: URGING MARRIAGE (PART 3)

After Jiang Shaohua had bathed and changed clothes, she lazily sat by the bedside, flipping through a book to kill time.

Yin Zhu hesitantly approached and whispered, "Commandery Princess, there’s quite a commotion over at Chen Sheren’s courtyard."

Jiang Shaohua put down the book and looked up, "What happened? Is it Lady Chen causing trouble again?"

Yin Zhu nodded, "Indeed. Lady Chen was crying and was taken away by County Magistrate Chen. I heard that Chen Sheren has slap marks on her face."

Jiang Shaohua frowned, slightly displeased: "This Mrs. Yao, really muddle-headed and causing chaos!" After pausing for a moment, she instructed: "Go find the best wound medicine and deliver it to Chen Sheren. Let her rest for a day tomorrow, and come back to work once the marks fade."

At the end of the year, all the county magistrates came, making it the busiest time at Nanyang Prince Mansion. Chen Jinyu, as the Commandery Princess Attendant, was also quite busy. How could she face others with slap marks and continue her duties?

Seeing the Commandery Princess’s anger and displeasure, Yin Zhu felt equally indignant and whispered: "Having such a foolish mother is truly troubling for Chen Sheren. I will go deliver the medicine right away!"

After the time of an incense stick had passed, Yin Zhu returned, bringing with her another explosive piece of news: "County Magistrate Ma brought his housekeeper to see Chief Historian Chen."

Jiang Shaohua was somewhat surprised and sat up straight from the bed: "Both grandson and housekeeper went?"

Yin Zhu nodded vigorously: "Absolutely true."

After County Magistrate Ma arrived at Nanyang Prince Mansion, he stayed in Ma Yaosong’s courtyard. The official residences of the Prince Mansion were adjacent, so the commotion in Chen Sheren’s courtyard tonight naturally alarmed County Magistrate Ma. County Magistrate Ma personally took Ma Yaosong to see Chief Historian Chen, but for what purpose?

Ninety percent likely it was to propose marriage.

Jiang Shaohua thought to herself: "Let’s see what Chief Historian Chen’s reaction is first. For this matter, I won’t intervene yet."

...

The next day, Chen Jinyu took sick leave and did not appear.

Ma Yaosong came to serve the Commandery Princess, awaiting assignments. With the lively and charming Chen Sheren absent, he was all alone, appearing somewhat solitary.

Jiang Shaohua quietly sized up Ma Yaosong. He obviously hadn’t rested well last night, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, and his demeanor seemed listless.

It seemed the marriage proposal didn’t go smoothly last night.

A humble bridegroom and a high-born bride. Given the Ma Family’s status, asking for the beloved granddaughter of Chief Historian Chen was certainly an overreach. Chief Historian Chen couldn’t have agreed immediately.

Ma Yaosong noticed the Commandery Princess’s scrutinizing gaze, his heart in turmoil like a bucket in a well, up and down. He secretly worried about how he would explain last night’s events if the Commandery Princess questioned him.

Unexpectedly, the Commandery Princess quickly withdrew her gaze and began summoning the county magistrates for a meeting, showing no intention of questioning private matters.

Ma Yaosong felt a mix of relief and slight disappointment.

It seemed that the Commandery Princess didn’t particularly favor the marriage between him and Chen Sheren.

Ma Yaosong forced a smile as he performed his duties for the day, until he finally rested in the evening, walking with slightly heavy steps back to his courtyard.

Passing by Chen Jinyu’s courtyard, Ma Yaosong paused and peered inside.

A woman’s cold snort suddenly sounded from behind.

Ma Yaosong turned his head and silently thought to himself that it was not good, bracing himself to greet her: "Greetings, Lady Chen."

Mrs. Yao smirked without humor: "Ma, no need to be so formal. I am just a short-sighted and vain housewife unworthy of the title Lady."

This was what Chen Jinyu said during their argument last night. Remembering it now still stung Mrs. Yao’s chest.

Having been upset for a day and a night, Mrs. Yao naturally showed no kindness or pleasant demeanor towards the toad coveting her daughter.

Ma Yaosong maintained his smile sincerely: "I often accompany the Commandery Princess in her errands and have seen quite a few people. To me, Lady Chen is a dear and respectable elder, loving towards children, truly virtuous."

Indeed a flatterer.

Mrs. Yao replied irritably: "I can’t live up to Ma’s praise. I can’t even discipline my own daughter, what kind of virtue is that?"

Ma Yaosong remained earnest and sincere: "Only a loving mother could worry so much about her daughter. Lady Chen is wholeheartedly thinking of Chen Sheren, with a heart of maternal love that she understands even if she speaks harshly."

Mrs. Yao had slapped her daughter last night and regretted it by today. Ma Yaosong’s words quite resonated with her.

Of course, thinking that a few simple words could make her agree to marry off her daughter was impossible.

Mrs. Yao, with a cold face, said: "It’s late now; Ma has served all day and should go and rest. Don’t linger here, or when others see, it might lead to gossip. You’re a man, no need to worry about reputations. Our Jinyu, however, is a young lady who will need to marry properly someday."

Ma Yaosong indeed had a good temper, not angered even by such cold words: "Lady’s advice is taken; I will leave now."

He wrapped up by bowing and quickly left.

Ma Yaosong was tall and had a well-built posture, with an impressive silhouette.

Mrs. Yao couldn’t help but glance, thinking that the Ma family boy, despite his humble status and lack of education, wasn’t too bad in appearance or speech.

No way, she had to go remind her daughter not to be deceived by the Ma boy’s sweet talk.

Mrs. Yao murmured to herself and quickly walked to Chen Jinyu’s room.

Unexpectedly, she was met with a closed door.

Chen Jinyu’s door was tightly shut, and she spoke through the thick door panels: "I am sick, mother. Don’t risk getting my sickness, please leave!"

She even referred to her as "mother" in a distanced way.

Mrs. Yao angrily knocked: "Chen Jinyu, open the door."

There was no response from inside.

No matter how angry Mrs. Yao got or how hard she knocked, the door didn’t open, as Chen Jinyu remained silent like a clam.

Mrs. Yao was furious to the point of tears by the time she returned, complaining to her husband: "That ungrateful child, I am her mother and am thinking for her. Yet she doesn’t appreciate it at all. How is Ma Yaosong any good? She fights with me for him?"

County Magistrate Chen gently replied: "Jinyu has long said she wouldn’t leave Nanyang County. Why push her to marry off to the Capital City? It’s so far away, you wouldn’t get to see her for years. Would you bear that?"

Mrs. Yao choked up: "Then find a husband in Nanyang County, why must it be Ma Yaosong? A family that raises horses, how is that suitable for our daughter?"

County Magistrate Chen replied: "The Ma family’s status isn’t high, but Ma is decent. The Commandery Princess holds the Ma family in high regard. Ma is young and capable, and will surely have great prospects."

After a pause, he continued: "Last night, County Magistrate Ma took Ma to see my father and proposed marriage. My father didn’t agree immediately, saying he would consider and reply later."

"I know my father well; this indicates he is open to the marriage."

Mrs. Yao remained dissatisfied: "Others always marry up in prestige, why should our daughter marry down?"

County Magistrate Chen gave her a glance: "Miss Xue Liu married into our Chen Family and also married down."

Mrs. Yao: "..."