Marriage before understanding each other was not common; a harmonious life after marriage was built over time.
But now, hearing Feng Jinyao's intention, if she didn't find someone suitable, she had no plans to marry.
If she were a son, she could let him try, but society already held many prejudices against daughters.
Once they reached seventeen or eighteen, they were considered old maids.
By then, forget finding a suitable person, it would be difficult to even find a suitable family.
She naturally wished for her daughter to live a happy and contented life, but if it meant delaying her entire life, that was not something she wanted to see.
Knowing her mother's concerns, Feng Jinyao did not intend to shut down the conversation completely.
After all, she still needed her mother's help. If her mother got angry and forbade her from leaving Dongdu City, many subsequent matters would become troublesome.
So, she changed her approach.
"Mother, I haven't even had my coming-of-age ceremony yet. Even if I become an old maid, I still have two or three years. Instead of staying in the backyard, constantly entertaining this lady or meeting that family, why don't I go out and see the world? Didn't we have a good time when we went to Jiangnan last time? I heard from Grandfather that Second Brother might be assigned to Jinling City this time. If that's the case, why don't we go with him? We can see the beautiful mountains and rivers and change our mood."
Just a moment ago, they were discussing her marriage, and now in the next breath, she was mentioning going to Jinling City?
Madam Feng had already been thinking about taking a trip. Now that her daughter brought it up, she felt a stirring of desire.
"Why don't we bring your father along too? We can say we're taking him to Jiangnan to find a famous doctor to treat his illness."
Feng Jinyao chuckled. She had originally thought it would be difficult to persuade her mother to let her go to Jinling City, but she never expected them to agree so readily.
Since they were going anyway, bringing her father along didn't seem like much trouble.
"I don't mind, but Eldest Sister-in-law is about to give birth. Is it appropriate for all of us to leave at this time? Will Aunt Wen think we are disrespectful?"
First, she piqued Madam Feng's interest, and then she used this strategy to make Madam Feng feel compelled to stay in the capital to look after her pregnant daughter-in-law, while she herself could leave with her second brother.
Such a plan, achieving multiple objectives, was indeed brilliant.
Madam Feng slapped her forehead. "How could I have forgotten about this? You're right, Xiao Er's departure was unavoidable, but if you also leave, won't the in-laws have opinions?"
As she spoke, she teased her. In truth, she had already agreed, but she felt she couldn't go herself, so she wanted to tease Feng Jinyao. Little did she know, her facade was seen through immediately.
"How could they? As an aunt, I'm traveling all the way to Jiangnan to pick out gifts for my unborn nephew and niece. If Aunt Wen knew of this intention, wouldn't she be touched?"
"You... you just know I dote on you, so you're always coming up with these schemes."
She gently tapped Feng Jinyao's forehead, her affection evident.
Before her own marriage, she had also traveled with her father and brothers. Therefore, she didn't have much objection to her daughter's idea.
After marriage, one's freedom was greatly reduced.
Having experienced it herself, she naturally understood what Feng Jinyao was thinking.
So, she said earnestly, "Let's wait for the imperial decree for Xiao Er's appointment to be issued. Jiangnan is a good place. If he truly goes there, then you can accompany him, and I will be more at ease. If it's somewhere else, it's best not to go. Who knows what the situation will be like?"
Her words were not fully spoken, but her meaning was clear.
If he were assigned to the Northwest or somewhere similar, then Feng Jinyao should forget about it.
She didn't object to sightseeing, but if it involved arduous journeys, then it was out of the question.
Daughters should be cherished and protected. Otherwise, if such a delicate and spirited person like a flower bud returned withered after a journey, it would be troublesome.
Feng Jinyao smiled. She trusted Prince Ding. Since he had said those words, he would naturally make proper arrangements.
As expected, within two or three days, the imperial decree for the appointment was issued.
Feng Jinlin, as he wished, was assigned to Jinling City. His official position was a seventh-rank county assistant, a rare honor.
According to past practice, a scholar who ranked third in the imperial examination would start at the eighth rank, yet he began at the seventh rank.
The reason why few in the court raised objections was that he was assigned to an external post.
Otherwise, the top three scholars were usually retained in the capital.
There was no surprise on his end, but the situation for Yin Canwen was quite astonishing.
His transfer order was not to directly enter the Grand Secretariat, but to be sent to Liangzhou in the Northwest as a prefectural assistant. A sixth-rank official was not low, but in terms of future prospects, it essentially severed his hope of returning to the capital.
The Northwest was already harsh and cold, and now it had just experienced a life-and-death battle. Many reconstruction efforts were causing immense headaches.
The principal officials in the city, besides the uncle and nephew Xiao Ji and Xiao Muqian, were also the Assistant Prefect Zhu, whose sixth-rank official position was not low.
Although the city was supported by the learned scholar Elder Chen's family and several loyal merchants, compared to the prosperity of Dongdu City, this place was indeed a desolate land.
Therefore, after the transfer order was issued, those families who had once flattered Yin Canwen scattered like birds and beasts.
Such was the fickleness of human relationships.
Yin Canwen first experienced the blow of unrequited love, and then was suppressed in court. For a time, he became disheartened.
He hid in Changchun Tower, drowning his sorrows in wine.
When Feng Er and Su Cheng found him, he was already insensible.
Looking at the wine bottles scattered all over the floor, not only Feng Er but even Su Cheng felt that he was too unlucky.
When others obtained the top rank, they were all high-spirited.
Yet, he was like someone who had failed the examination, which was regrettable.
"What should we do? Should we take him to your place?"
Feng Er said to Su Cheng. He couldn't bring Yin Canwen home again.
After all, his relationship with A'yao was a sensitive matter.
Su Cheng was somewhat troubled. "You know my mother has been watching me very closely lately. If she finds out I brought a drunkard home, no matter who he is, she'll skin me alive."
This was indeed true.
Su Cheng was neither married nor involved in court affairs. The rumors about him in the marketplace were unpleasant.
"Profligate son" was a mild description.
He was almost called a glutton and a drunkard.
Bringing someone home at this time was indeed inappropriate.
As the two brothers were contemplating what to do, Yang Zhao appeared from somewhere. Seeing Yin Canwen's self-indulgent state, he also frowned.
"Take him to Elder Xu's residence. The Elder has something to say to him."
Feng Er swallowed hard. When he looked at Yin Canwen, he couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy.
If the Elder saw him in such a drunken state, he would surely not get off lightly.
He was contemplating whether to let him go when he saw Su Cheng already hoisting him onto his shoulders and heading downstairs.
Before he even had a chance to refuse, the man was thrown into a carriage and sent to the Xu family.