“I know Auntie’s family treats her like their own flesh and blood, and I share the same clan with her—relatives marrying relatives is a fine thing, there’s absolutely no reason to handle it carelessly.” Seeing that no one in the room responded for a moment, Chen Xiang spoke even more smoothly: “Today I came to the door first to ask Auntie’s opinion. If you, Auntie, think I’m still a decent person and are willing to fulfill this wish of mine, I’ll immediately go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to request a matchmaker, and with proper betrothal gifts marry my cousin home. In the future, I will certainly live a good life with her.”
Chen Xiang had already done everything proper for both appearance and substance. Although not having a matchmaker come to the door to inquire first was somewhat against protocol, after all, Chen Jinxin’s status was special, and his being able to do things to this extent could already be considered commendable. Under such circumstances, if the Song family still stubbornly refused to let go, people throughout the realm would probably weigh in their hearts whether the Earl Manor had other intentions—otherwise, why wouldn’t they give a fine son-in-law who came knocking at their door to the young lady? Could they really bind the young lady for a lifetime? Could it be they truly coveted something Miss Chen possessed?
Hearing Chen Xiang speak, Qing Tao also felt somewhat alarmed and echoed: “His performance is quite excellent—I’m afraid things will be somewhat difficult for our Old Madam.”
Grand Master Song indeed felt this matter was somewhat troublesome. If Chen Xiang had asked for any other young lady from the Earl Manor, even if he talked until flowers bloomed, the Earl Manor could suppress him with a single word of refusal, and he would have nothing more to say. The problem was that he was asking for Chen Jinxin. This young lady currently had no elders or relatives at all. Although she was lodging at the Earl Manor and Old Madam Su had said she would be entrusted to the Earl Manor in the future, after all she wasn’t surnamed Song, and Chen Xiang came to the door proposing marriage under the name of being her cousin. If they refused without a word…
But Old Madam Song was quite composed. Chen Xiang thought he had considered everything, but there were still some things he didn’t know.
With Chen Jinxin hiding such secrets on her person, how could she possibly send such a person to Chen Xiang and his people? Even if not for Chen Jinxin herself, for the sake of the Earl Manor, she absolutely could not let Chen Xiang succeed.
She pondered for a long while, cleared her throat with a serious cough, looked at Chen Xiang and asked: “Speaking of this matter, it would be a great thing for Miss Chen, but her situation is somewhat special as you well know…”
“I know, I know.” A flash of shrewdness passed through Chen Xiang’s eyes, the cunning on his face immediately transforming into sincerity: “But it’s precisely because I pity her for losing her support at such a young age that I had this idea… Although she has no parents or clan relatives, I don’t mind any of that. I myself am not much better off—in the future we’ll just keep each other company through life.”
Old Madam Song smiled without picking up his words, instead turning her head to instruct Yushu: “Go invite Third Nanny here.”
After Yushu left, she looked at Chen Xiang again to explain: “This Third Nanny has followed by her side since childhood and is her wet nurse. Old Madam Su specifically instructed that she should follow by Miss Chen’s side from now on. I’m calling her here because there are some matters I cannot make decisions on. Miss Chen herself is a young lady and even less likely to come in person.”
Song Chuyi in the adjacent room heard clearly and made a gesture to Qing Tao and Ziyun: “You two quietly go out and follow Sister Yushu. Find Third Nanny and tell her Chen Xiang’s intentions. Also remember to tell her that the reason First Madam Su came to make trouble last time was because Chen Xiang was supporting her from behind. She’ll know what to do.”
Qing Tao and Ziyun exchanged glances, nodded, and both went out to find Yushu and Third Nanny.
The room suddenly quieted down, and the sounds next door became even clearer as they reached Song Chuyi’s ears.
“This is proper.” Chen Xiang seemed much more relaxed, with a somewhat confident air: “Since Old Madam Su gave such instructions, after she comes to my place in the future, I will certainly arrange things properly for her as well.”
He came this time precisely because he knew Chen Jinxin’s status was special, and had calculated that the Earl Manor couldn’t possibly forcibly keep Chen Jinxin and refuse to let her go—previously when the Earl Manor refused First Madam Su’s marriage proposal, it was still understandable. After all, First Madam Su truly had a poor reputation, and Young Master Su had already been exiled to serve in the army, with no telling how many years before he could return. But if this time the Earl Manor refused him again when his conditions were far superior, gossip would inevitably arise among the common folk. Slanderous rumors could destroy metal and accumulated slander could melt bones—the Earl Manor should understand this principle and wouldn’t risk it all for just one Chen Jinxin.
Not to mention that Chen Jinxin, to preserve her life, certainly wouldn’t dare tell the Earl Manor about the secret letters. Even if she did tell them, with Song Chengru’s style of not forming factions or currying favor, he would definitely be eager to send this hot potato away—he had no connections with the Crown Prince, Prince Duan, or Xingfu, and certainly wouldn’t want to be dragged into such murky waters because of the secret letters. Moreover, he had personally been watching the Song family for so long and truly hadn’t seen the Song family make any moves, showing they truly didn’t know.
Before long, Yushu led Third Nanny into the flower hall.
Third Nanny with lowered brows and obedient eyes bowed to everyone, then stood to the side with eyes on nose and nose on heart, making no movement.
Old Madam Song glanced at Chen Xiang sitting on the right, who had imperceptibly sized up Third Nanny once over, then looked at Third Nanny with gentle eyes: “Third Nanny, there’s a matter I cannot make decisions on and must discuss with you. Your young lady is currently seriously ill and can barely speak a few words in normal times. I won’t go trouble her, so I’ll simply ask you.”
Third Nanny responded affirmatively in a low voice, her face taking on a serious expression.
“This is Imperial Guard Commander Chen Xiang, Chen Daren. You’ve probably met him before.” Old Madam Song pointed with her right hand toward Chen Xiang, seeming to genuinely and earnestly act as matchmaker for Chen Xiang: “According to him, he’s also related to your young lady as cousins. Today he came to my door specifically to ask to marry your young lady. Although your Old Madam entrusted her to me, I dare not truly treat a chicken feather as an imperial arrow and decide Miss Chen’s lifelong major matter. Therefore, I’m specifically inquiring your opinion.”
Third Nanny raised her head and quickly glanced at Chen Xiang, then looked at Old Madam Song in the seat of honor and shook her head resolutely: “Thank you for Old Madam’s kind intentions, but our young lady cannot marry this Commander Chen.”
Song Chuyi in the partition room curved the corners of her mouth upward and gave a scoffing laugh.
Chen Xiang’s complexion had already suddenly darkened, cold air emanating from his entire body. He displayed the Imperial Guard’s aura of killing without blinking, asking with neither light nor heavy tone: “Oh? I wonder why? Could it be that I don’t meet your young lady’s standards?”
Compared to Young Master Su, he was different, had no grievances with them, and his status could be said to be far superior, making him a suitable match. How strange was this Third Nanny that she would open her mouth and refuse without the slightest hesitation? Could it be she was holding a grudge because he went to raid the Su family back then?