Chen Yan’yun had only seen that Pacification Commissioner once, at a banquet in the Governor’s mansion.
The position of Pacification Commissioner of Shishi Wei had always been passed down through generations. Regardless of one’s character, as long as one had legitimate Qin family blood, one could obtain the position of Pacification Commissioner. This generation’s Pacification Commissioner was not only uneducated but also coarse and ugly, possessing nothing but brute strength.
If Gu Jinchao truly married him, she would likely spend the rest of her life confined to that small place.
Chen Yan’yun exhaled softly, feeling he was concerning himself too much.
What did this have to do with him? If she wanted to marry, let her marry. He had already shown mercy by helping her father once.
That evening after returning to Wanping, the Third Master Chen went to pay respects to Old Madam Chen.
Old Madam Chen reclined against a pillow, while Governess Zheng fed her a bowl of cooling mung bean soup.
After paying his respects, he stood beside the couch. A young maid brought over a stool for him to sit. Old Madam Chen pushed away Governess Zheng’s hand, indicating she didn’t want to drink anymore. “It tastes strangely sweet.”
Governess Zheng smiled and said: “Sometimes you complain it’s bland, sometimes too sweet. This servant doesn’t know what to do anymore.”
Old Madam Chen laughed: “I just don’t want to drink it. I need to find some excuse to refuse, don’t I?”
Chen Yan’yun looked at his mother, feeling there was hidden meaning in her words.
Old Madam Chen slowly lay down and asked: “Third Son, what did you think of the second daughter of the Liu family from Baoding that I mentioned last time?”
Chen Yan’yun replied: “Son hasn’t even met the second Miss Liu. How can Mother expect me to give a detailed assessment?”
Old Madam Chen snorted: “Don’t I know you? I raised you. Every day you use official business as an excuse, saying how busy you are. You simply don’t want to go see her! Next time I’ll have Old Madam Liu bring her granddaughter to watch a play, and you can see if she’s suitable…”
Chen Yan’yun was about to say something.
Old Madam Chen waved her hand: “If you refuse again, I’ll personally go arrange the betrothal for you.” She then scolded him, “It’s not that Mother is forcing you, but look at how you’ve lived these past two years, with no one caring for or attending to you. When you grow old, will you live with only lamps and Buddha for company? Do you want to make your mother unhappy?”
Chen Yan’yun smiled bitterly: “Mother, that’s not my intention.”
He paused and said: “Then let me think about it.”
Hearing a hint of compromise in her son’s words, Old Madam Chen was finally satisfied: “Fine, if you agree, I’ll invite the young lady to watch a play!”
Chen Yan’yun knew Old Madam Chen’s personality; without leaving some room for compromise, it simply wouldn’t work.
So did he need to remarry?
He had spent over ten years with Lady Jiang, with their relationship being quite distant. Nevertheless, they had spent so many years together, and he wasn’t entirely without feelings for Lady Jiang; they had simply worn away over time.
If he truly took another wife, he would need to care for another person’s daily needs. Chen Yan’yun didn’t want to do that.
The next day, Gu Dezhao came again to invite him for drinks.
Chen Yan’yun became somewhat impatient: “Next time he comes, drive him away with a broom!”
The messenger was startled and no longer dared to announce Gu Dezhao.
Having been turned away, Gu Dezhao walked dejectedly toward the Ministry of Revenue, encountering a colleague who greeted him on the way.
“Lord Chen still won’t see you?”
Gu Dezhao sighed: “Don’t mention it, I was completely rebuffed.”
The man asked curiously: “So are you going to marry your daughter to Qin Meng?”
Gu Dezhao said: “If she can marry far away, then if things are exposed later, she won’t be implicated.”
A light rain began to fall from the sky. Gu Dezhao and his colleague stood under the eaves to take shelter. They saw someone hurriedly walking through the rain with an umbrella. As he approached, they recognized one of Chen Yan’yun’s servants, who quickly said to Gu Dezhao: “Director Gu, I’ve finally caught up with you! Lord Chen requests your presence!”
Why would the Third Master… summon him now?
Gu Dezhao dared not delay and followed the man back.
The Third Master gazed at the fine rain outside, deep in thought.
In the courtyard stood a large vat planted with water lilies. The rain fell steadily, bringing a somewhat chilly feeling.
Standing at the doorway, Gu Dezhao saw the Third Master sitting in a Dongpo chair by the window, with his official documents placed beside him, facing an antique shelf with several old scrolls in a vase.
“Lord Chen…” Gu Dezhao cupped his hands in greeting, “What matter does Your Lordship have for this official?”
Chen Yan’yun glanced at him, tossing the document in his hand before him, “See for yourself.”
Gu Dezhao took it, opened it, and quickly read through it. His face immediately turned pale: “Third Master, this is fabricated! This official would not be so foolish. Please investigate clearly!”
“I haven’t said anything yet, no need to panic,” said Chen Yan’yun. “Sit down and talk.”
Gu Dezhao sat down anxiously.
“Let me ask you, did you personally appoint the Granary Director?”
Gu Dezhao nodded, then quickly added: “But this official never had him manage the grain…”
The Third Master smiled: “Did I ask you about that?”
Gu Dezhao shook his head repeatedly, his clothes nearly drenched with sweat.
The Third Master sighed: “Someone around you wants to harm you, and you don’t even know it?”
Gu Dezhao looked at the Third Master in bewilderment, truly not understanding what he meant. He was just a minor official; how could he be blocking anyone’s path, and why would anyone want to harm him?
“Never mind, just be careful in the future,” said the Third Master, seeing his reaction and knowing his words were futile. “Pay attention to your subordinates from now on. This time I saw it first, but next time if a censor reports it to the Censorate, it won’t be so easy.”
Gu Dezhao repeatedly acknowledged this. Chen Yan’yun waved his hand to dismiss him, then suddenly asked, “Director Gu, I hear you’re arranging a marriage alliance with the Qin family?”