Chapter 218: Refusal

Chen Shiying looked at Chen Feng, who seemed apprehensive, and said, “I sincerely want what’s best for you. A young lady’s prime years are limited, and if you miss the opportunity, it might be hard to find another. I’ve identified two outstanding suitors for you. You should at least listen. If you’re not interested, I’ll continue the search.”

Chen Feng was certainly not interested in the suitors chosen by Chen Shiying, but she was curious about who he had picked and kept silent.

Chen Shiying continued, “Both these young men have excellent morals; they were carefully selected by me. One, surnamed Zhou, is the son of one of my subordinates. He’s sixteen, became a Xiu Cai at fourteen, and will take the provincial examination next year, where he’ll likely succeed. He’s well-mannered, academically gifted, and well-tempered, but his family background is modest. If you marry into the Zhou family, I’ll provide you with a substantial dowry. They will treat you well. Given your intelligence, you’ll be able to make a good life for yourself. This is the young man I favor the most. The other suitor, surnamed Li, is the grandson of the magistrate of Dingzhou Prefecture. He’s fifteen, a year younger than you. He’s also a Xiu Cai, has a good family background, and is upright and courteous. If you want a comfortable future, the Zhou family would be a better choice. If you seek a good family background and a pleasing appearance, then the Li family’s suitor is preferable. However, if you choose the Li family’s suitor, it’s best to have Jiang register you under her name. I’ve already discussed this with Jiang, and she agreed.”

After hearing about these two suitors, Chen Feng felt that Chen Shiying was somewhat reasonable. Not only had he refrained from using her for political alliances, but the families he chose had relatively low social status. She felt that he was genuinely planning for her. In her awkward situation, only families with lower social status or those seeking promotion would truly accept her.

However, she wouldn’t agree, even if they were exceptional individuals. She shook her head and said, “I still have a son, I won’t marry, but I’ll look for a spouse for him.”

Chen Shiying advised, “As long as the person is good, why insist on finding a spouse for your son? You can rest assured that I’ll provide a larger dowry for you, and I’ll cover the expenses for your son. Moreover, I’ll have the suitors recognize your son as their adopted child. With me as your support, neither family would dare mistreat your son.”

Chen Feng still disagreed, saying, “Mr. Chen, you need not concern yourself with my affairs. The young lady in your household isn’t much younger than me. You should think more about her.”

Chen Shiying blushed. His mother had taken the young lady’s and the entire Chen family’s dignity and thrown it out the window.

He collected himself and added, “Your younger sister is much younger than you. Once your affairs are settled, then we can think about theirs.”

Chen Feng persisted, “Thank you for your concern, but I won’t consider either of them.”

Chen Shiying, seeing Chen Feng’s stubbornness, said, “A’Feng, you are being too willful…”

Just then, a servant arrived to report that Chu Lingxuan’s senior attendant, Chu Huai, requested to see Chen Shiying.

Chu Huai entered, greeted Chen Feng with a salute, and then bowed to Chen Shiying. He said, “My master has learned of Mr. Chen’s arrival and invites you to Tangyuan for a drink and a chat.”

Chen Shiying didn’t want to meet Chu Lingxuan, seeing him would only remind him of his mother’s foolish actions. Moreover, Chu Lingxuan was too presumptuous. Although their family backgrounds were vastly different, and a marital union was unsuitable, considering their equal status, Chu Lingxuan should have personally invited him to Tangyuan. He had come to reconcile with his daughter. A brief conversation was not enough to reconcile their relationship.

However, Chen Shiying had always been gentle and accommodating, especially toward Chu Lingxuan, whom he didn’t want to offend. So, although he was inwardly critical, he didn’t show any displeasure. He smiled and said, “I just learned that Mr. Chu was at Tangyuan and planned to visit him later in the afternoon. Since Mr. Chu has invited me, I’ll talk to A’Feng for a moment and then go to Tangyuan.”

Chu Huai saluted again and went outside to wait for him.

Chen Shiying pointed to the two brocade boxes and said to Chen Feng, “The purple one contains a headdress for your mother…”

Chen Feng quickly refused, “Mr. Chen, I already accepted your ‘gift’ on behalf of my mother before. Please don’t give her anything else in the future. Last time, when I accepted your money on her behalf, she kept blaming me. If I accept this headdress, she will surely ignore me again.”

Chen Shiying looked disappointed and sighed, “Oh, your mother always blames me. Forget it, let’s talk about it later. If your mother doesn’t want it, you can keep it. Also, the red box contains a headdress for you.”

Again, Chen Feng refused, “Mr. Chen, please don’t give me anything anymore. I’ve already accepted your ‘gift’ before.”

Furrowing his brow, Chen Shiying said, “A’Feng, you are my own daughter. Even if you don’t call me ‘father’ out of anger, it doesn’t change our blood connection. As the saying goes, when elders bestow gifts, they should not be refused. Since I have given you something, you cannot decline it.”

Without waiting for Chen Feng to respond, he left the room.

He left the gates of Fengyuan, paused to glance towards Luyuan’s entrance, and then turned towards Tangyuan. His steps felt heavy, he had no desire to see Chu Lingxuan and couldn’t help but resent Chu Lingxuan’s lack of understanding of human sentiment.

……

In early February, his mother claimed to have dreamt of his father and wished to go to the Baoguo Temple in the capital to light a lamp for him. Chen Shiying couldn’t deny her this request. Initially, he wanted Mrs. Jiang to accompany her, but coincidentally, their son fell ill, so Mrs. Jiang couldn’t leave. Despite not aligning with the elder lady’s wishes, he arranged for Mrs. Tang, the concubine and Chen Yuhui to accompany her, along with several servants and guards. He insisted his mother could only stay at Baoguo Temple for a day and a night, fearing for her safety outside.

Coincidentally, when his mother went to Baoguo Temple, the Second madam of the Yongning Marquis estate, Madam Li, was also there, observing a three-day period of mourning for her deceased mother-in-law, and staying in the adjacent courtyard to old lady Zhao.

His mother excelled at networking. Upon hearing about the Yongning Marquis, she became eager. Wasn’t that the family of Chu Lingxuan? He was a young and accomplished man, handsome, from a prestigious family, everyone in Dingzhou Prefecture knew of him.

In the elder lady’s eyes, the Yongning Marquis estate was a prestigious and noble family, having even married a princess. A good relationship with their household would greatly benefit her son’s career. Besides, she had been planning something for a long time, it was an unexpected opportunity.

So, she ingratiated herself. One of her talents was to show excessive humility and speak eloquently when she wanted to curry favor with someone.

What his mother didn’t know was that, despite being the Second madam of the Yongning Marquis estate, Madam Li came from a humble background. She had small eyes and was just the daughter of a sixth-rank official. Moreover, her husband was disabled, and within the noble circles of the capital, no one paid her any attention. She managed the affairs of the Chu household, and on significant occasions, she would be present, but others merely tolerated her. Since the return of the Third Madam of the Chu household to the capital, who took over the household affairs, no one paid her any attention.