Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Siblings
Ma Yaosong, who was riding alongside, pricked up his ears and intermittently heard Chen Sheren’s deflated sigh from inside the carriage: "My mother will definitely scold and nag me... and she’ll say that women should marry and have children..."
Ma Yaosong inexplicably felt invigorated and unconsciously drew his horse closer, wanting to hear more clearly.
Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao immediately became alert, each casting a warning glance.
Ma Yaosong never dared to underestimate these two young trusted aides, as both were true direct descendants of the Prince Mansion, and their fathers were commanders of the Personal Guard Camp, deeply trusted by the Commandery Princess.
Ma Yaosong gave an embarrassed smile and immediately withdrew several steps.
That night, everyone lodged at the post house. The next morning, they arrived at Bowan County.
County Magistrate Chen had received the news early and was waiting to welcome them outside the city gate. Accompanying him was his son, Chen Haoran.
Chen Zhuo was an Advanced Scholar, and County Magistrate Chen was also successful in both rounds of the civil service exams. When it came to Chen Haoran, his examination luck was just a bit worse. Last year’s autumn exams, he ranked one position lower than Sun Shan.
The autumn exam takes place once every three years, and if you miss it, you have to wait three years.
Chen Haoran himself was still fine with it, seeing as he was still young, and planned to take the exam again if he did not pass. As they say, "Gold Scholar, Silver Advanced Scholar." In the civil service examination path, passing the scholar exam is the hardest hurdle. Many people in their thirties and forties are still taking the autumn examination!
The real blow was to Mrs. Yao, who had high hopes for her son.
When the results of last year’s autumn exams were released, Chen Haoran’s name was absent from the list, leaving Mrs. Yao distressed and sick for a while. During the New Year, only County Magistrate Chen visited the Nanyang Prince Mansion, leaving Chen Haoran to take care of his mother.
"Brother," after the greetings, Chen Jinyu impatiently stepped forward to speak with her elder brother: "How is Mother’s health?"
After all, she was her biological mother, and even though Chen Jinyu complained, she was still concerned about Mrs. Yao’s health.
A more slender Chen Haoran sighed helplessly: "Mother had been recuperating for a few months and was almost recovered. But a few days ago, upon hearing you were coming to Bowan County with the Commandery Princess, she fell ill again."
Chen Jinyu: "..."
Chen Jinyu and her brother silently exchanged a glance.
Chen Haoran coughed and quietly reminded her: "You’ve been on duty with the Commandery Princess for nearly a year, and Mother often talks about you. If you want to continue your post, don’t soften your heart."
Chen Jinyu looked solemn and nodded.
Jiang Shaohua witnessed this scene and also felt somewhat helpless.
It’s indeed too difficult for a woman to achieve something. Chen Jinyu was born into a family of officials, with an open-minded grandfather and father, yet even so, she faced countless obstructions from her mother while trying to serve by the side of a Commandery Princess.
On the way to the county government, Jiang Shaohua remarked to Chen Jinyu inside the carriage: "Sister Jin Yu, when we enter the county government later, I’ll go with you to see your mother."
Chen Jinyu was silent for a moment before softly saying: "No need. The Commandery Princess has already shielded me from a lot of storms. Some things I have to face myself."
"If I can’t even persuade my own mother, what talk is there of ideals and ambitions?"
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Alright then, you go by yourself. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask me."
Chen Jinyu smiled with a nod of agreement and made a silent resolve in her heart to face her mother this time.
...
Half a day later.
Chen Jinyu stormed into the Commandery Princess’s quarters, without speaking, poured herself a glass of warm water, and drank it down in one gulp.
She poured another glass and drank it just as quickly.
Jiang Shaohua asked with a suppressed smile: "What’s the matter? Did you argue with your mother again?"
Chen Jinyu was almost fuming: "I just said a couple of words, and my mother started scolding me, saying I was unfilial and worried her sick. She also said I was untamed, ambitious, and competitive, and that no man would dare to marry me."
"I was almost enraged! I simply said I wouldn’t get married in the future to ease her mind. Then she started crying and begging me to stay, or she’d hit her head against the wall."
"How unreasonable! How do I have such a mother! I’m so angry!"
The more Chen Jinyu spoke, the angrier she became, and she drank another glass of water.
But the indignation and injustice in her heart were impossible to extinguish.
Jiang Shaohua comforted her with a smile: "Calm down. If your mother makes a fuss, just ignore her. We’ll leave in a few days."
Chen Jinyu nodded vigorously, still looking frustrated.
Jiang Shaohua thought for a moment and said: "Your mother’s troubles, half come from you, and half from your brother’s failure in the autumn exams. This time she used scolding you as a vent for her frustration."
"How about this, you go and tell your mother that if she has a family in mind for your brother’s marriage, I, the Commandery Princess, will personally arrange the match."
Chen Jinyu visibly brightened up: "That’s a great idea, what my mother worries about most is my brother’s marriage. If the Commandery Princess helps with the match, my mother will definitely be pleased. I’ll go right away."
Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile.
Chen Jinyu, full of fighting spirit, went to see her mother.
Mrs. Yao, who had just cried and made a scene, was listlessly resting against a soft pillow. Upon seeing Chen Jinyu enter, her tears naturally began to fall again.
With a headache, Chen Jinyu immediately said: "Mother, don’t cry yet. I’m here for something important. The Commandery Princess asked me to deliver a message; if you’ve chosen a suitable girl for Brother, she is willing to arrange the match."
Mrs. Yao’s crying abruptly stopped: "Are you telling the truth?"
Chen Jinyu puffed out her chest: "Of course it’s true. The Commandery Princess always keeps her word."
Mrs. Yao, overjoyed, suddenly found her eyes no longer sour, her tears stopped, and she felt revitalized, quickly getting out of bed: "That’s wonderful. I do have someone in mind. Go call your father and brother."
Chen Jinyu responded happily with a sound.
When County Magistrate Chen and his son arrived, Mrs. Yao joyfully recounted the Commandery Princess’s offer to arrange a match.
Chen Haoran’s smile immediately froze: "Mother, I am still young and need to focus on my studies. We should discuss marriage after I pass the scholar exam..."
"You’re seventeen this year, and in two years you’ll be nineteen. What if at nineteen you still don’t pass? Will you wait until you’re twenty-two?" Mrs. Yao glared at her son with extra firmness in her tone: "Your sister is only fourteen and can afford to wait two years. Your marriage cannot wait."
Chen Haoran realized the situation, looking incredulously at his sister.
You don’t want to marry, so you’re pushing your brother into a pit? That’s just not right!
Chen Jinyu felt a rare pang of guilt and offered her brother an ingratiating smile.
Birth order dictates; marriage should naturally prioritize the elder brother.
County Magistrate Chen’s voice interrupted the sibling’s stare: "Which family’s daughter have you taken a liking to?"
Chen Haoran quickly looked over at his mother.
Mrs. Yao smiled softly: "When Haoran was taking the autumn exams, I accompanied him to Jingzhou for the test. With time to spare, I sent a greeting card to pay respects to Old Madam Xue."
"Old Madam Xue is devout and kind-hearted—she not only received me but also brought out her granddaughter."
Old Madam Xue is the mother of Governor Xue, who has five sons and only one young daughter.
County Magistrate Chen was somewhat shocked: "Don’t tell me you have set your sights on Governor Xue’s daughter!"