Dou Zhao was still preoccupied with the case involving Jiang Bosun and Song Mo. When she heard that Jiang Lizhu was seeking an audience, she immediately welcomed her to the inner chamber, dismissed the servants, and asked, “Do you have any urgent matters?”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Lizhu said, “Is Sister Yan’s marriage arrangement not going smoothly?”
“It’s a bit difficult,” Dou Zhao sighed. “Most of those seeking her hand have ulterior motives.” She continued, “I understand that Yan is remarrying, and those who come to propose have certainly given it much thought. Having ulterior motives is only human nature, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as there’s no malicious intent. But these suitors are either too old, with eldest sons almost of marriageable age, or cannot support themselves, relying on their brothers or elders. Given Yan’s gentle and naive nature, I’m not comfortable marrying her into such families.”
Jiang Lizhu nodded.
If the suitor was too old, the marriage might not last long; if he had to rely on his brothers or elders, there would be too many conflicts. Moreover, since Jiang Yan was remarrying, some mistreatment was inevitable. If her husband couldn’t stand up for her when she was wronged, it would be the worst situation.
She hesitated for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “Sister-in-law, may I suggest someone for your consideration?”
Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised, but she knew Jiang Lizhu wasn’t the type to speak without thinking. Since she had brought it up, she must have given it careful thought. So, Dou Zhao responded seriously, “Please, go ahead.”
Jiang Lizhu said, “Mr. Chen Jia from the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi, what do you think of him?”
Dou Zhao was furious.
She hadn’t expected Chen Jia to be this kind of person!
She had entrusted Chen Jia to handle Jiang Yan’s affairs because she trusted him, and now he was setting his sights on Jiang Yan!
His intentions were truly despicable!
Dou Zhao almost jumped up. But when she saw Jiang Lizhu’s sincere and honest expression, she calmed down.
Even if Chen Jia had such intentions and approached Jiang Lizhu, Jiang Lizhu wouldn’t have come to tell her this without careful consideration.
Could this be Jiang Lizhu’s idea?
Or perhaps Jiang Yan’s wish?
Dou Zhao felt a moment of panic.
She feared that Chen Jia might have sweet-talked Jiang Yan… Even if she exposed Chen Jia’s true nature, how could feelings that had already developed be easily retracted?
Jiang Yan had already experienced a difficult life, how could she bear to let her be hurt again?
Dou Zhao took a deep breath and asked, “How did you come to think of Mr. Chen?”
Jiang Lizhu then recounted the two occasions when she had seen Chen Jia and Jiang Yan together.
Hearing this, Dou Zhao fell into deep thought.
Jiang Lizhu continued, “I shouldn’t be interfering in this matter, firstly because I can see that both you and your husband truly love Yan, and secondly because I get along well with Yan and I’ve seen how much you’ve been worrying about her marriage. I know you don’t want to use Yan’s marriage for political alliances or to gain a good reputation for yourselves, which is why I spoke up. I understand your concerns, Sister-in-law, but I can assure you that both Yan and Mr. Chen are honorable people without any indecent thoughts. I suggested this match because I believe they are suitable for each other.” She then told Dou Zhao about her attempt to probe Jiang Yan’s feelings.
If Dou Zhao and Song Mo wanted to gain a good reputation, it would have been easier to keep Jiang Yan at home to observe widowhood rather than try to arrange a new marriage for her. That would have earned more praise from others.
Dou Zhao had never even considered matching Jiang Yan with Chen Jia.
In her view, Jiang Yan was very secretive about her past, and Chen Jia was privy to that information. She thought Jiang Yan would have felt uncomfortable around Chen Jia, not relaxed as Jiang Lizhu described.
She rubbed her forehead and murmured, “Let me think about it!”
Jiang Lizhu nodded and took her leave.
Jiang Yan and Chen Jia?
The more Dou Zhao thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.
Chen Jia was opportunistic, skilled, and ambitious. If Jiang Yan married him, would he truly treat her well?
Moreover, the Chen family was complicated.
Chen Jia had entered the Jinyiwei by inheriting his uncle’s position. It was said that because of this, his uncles had caused a huge uproar. If Chen Jia hadn’t quickly asked the Chen clan patriarch to intervene, he would have lost his position, and his uncles would have severed ties with him because of this.
Perhaps it’s better to let this matter go, Dou Zhao thought.
Jiang Yan came over.
She asked Dou Zhao with a bright smile, “I heard that Twelfth Sister came. Where is she?”
Her smile was as radiant as the midday sun, without a trace of gloom. Where was the usual reserve that often graced her face?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but say, “There’s something I want to ask you…”
“Please, Sister-in-law, go ahead,” Jiang Yan said affectionately as she sat down beside Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao spoke hesitantly, in a low voice, “Lizhu came to act as a matchmaker for you…”
Jiang Yan’s face suddenly turned red, unlike her usual reaction of turning pale with fear at the mention of marriage proposals.
Dou Zhao noticed this and continued, “She mentioned Mr. Chen Jia…”
“Sister-in-law, please don’t listen to Twelfth Sister!” Jiang Yan suddenly remembered Jiang Lizhu’s probing questions and tightly grabbed Dou Zhao’s arm, her face turning pale instantly. “There’s nothing between Mr. Chen and me! I only asked him for information twice…” She shed tears of fear, “Sister-in-law, I beg you, please don’t trouble Mr. Chen. He’s a good person… I won’t see him again… He’s worked hard to get where he is today, please don’t tell Brother about this…”
Jiang Yan’s reaction was more intense than Dou Zhao had expected.
She recalled what Jiang Lizhu had said about seeing Jiang Yan and Chen Jia together.
Dou Zhao quickly put her arm around Jiang Yan’s shoulders and said gently, “Don’t worry, I don’t misunderstand you. I know you’re a well-behaved girl, and Lizhu genuinely wanted to act as a matchmaker for you…”
Jiang Yan felt slightly reassured but kept shaking her head, “Sister-in-law, I know you all mean well, but I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to marry anyone…”
Seeing her frightened expression, Dou Zhao quickly said, “Alright, alright! If you don’t want to marry, you don’t have to. You can stay at home and help me take care of Yuan’er.” She hugged Jiang Yan and gently patted her back to comfort her.
At this moment, Jiang Yan was filled with regret and self-loathing, unable to hold back her tears.
If she had known it would come to this, she should have told her brother and sister-in-law about borrowing money. Then Chen Jia wouldn’t have gotten into this trouble.