Could it be that his grandson was telling the truth, that the Crown Prince intended to bring him together with Miss Lin?

But the Crown Prince had been betrothed to Miss Lin!

For a moment, Minister Han fell into confusion, though as an old fox who had navigated official circles for many years, he showed nothing on his face as he followed Chen Fuli to the wine shop.

After a few cups of wine, Chen Fuli revealed the Crown Prince’s commission.

Although he had his suspicions, Minister Han still showed surprise as he gripped his wine cup.

Chen Fuli’s feelings were equally complex.

He had no interest in being a matchmaker, but this was the Crown Prince’s wish.

“Your grandson is young and accomplished with outstanding character—the Crown Prince admires him greatly,” Chen Fuli remarked meaningfully.

Minister Han’s heart stirred.

When boys grew up they should marry, when girls grew up they should wed. The family had been selecting a suitable young lady for Baocheng all along. Since this marriage alliance was clearly something the Crown Prince was pleased to see, and obviously the young rascal was willing, after much thought there was no need to refuse.

Minister Han raised his cup: “That Lord Chen is willing to be the guarantor is this boy’s good fortune.”

Having smoothly completed the Crown Prince’s commission, Chen Fuli smiled and clinked cups with Minister Han.

Minister Han hummed a little tune as he returned home and went to see his wife.

“Going drinking right after leaving the office, not even considering your old bones—what if you ruin your health!” The Minister’s wife began her litany of complaints the moment she smelled the alcohol.

Minister Han smiled contentedly: “There’s happy news today.”

“What happy news?”

“Hasn’t the family been worrying about Baocheng’s marriage all along? Well, no need to worry now. Scholar Chen is willing to be the guarantor to bring together Baocheng and the Lin family’s eldest daughter.”

The Minister’s wife was stunned: “Scholar Chen? Which Scholar Chen?”

“The Chen Fuli who previously served as instructor in the Prince of Wei’s Chancellery.”

“The Prince of Wei’s mansion?” The Minister’s wife paused. “Then Scholar Chen is the Crown Prince’s man.”

Hadn’t the Crown Prince been betrothed to Miss Lin?

“Indeed.” Minister Han nodded emphatically.

The Minister’s wife blinked, then caught on: “If this marriage comes to pass, we must thank Lord Chen properly.”

Scholar Chen clearly represented the Crown Prince’s wishes. Miss Lin was already an excellent choice—there was no need for the Minister’s household to be tactless and refuse.

“You should mention it to Baocheng’s mother. As for his father, a letter will do—there’s no rush.”

Han Father was away on official business and had not yet returned to the capital.

The Minister’s wife nodded: “Alright.”

The next morning, Han Mother came to pay respects to her mother-in-law, and the two women sat talking.

“Baocheng is getting older and older—his marriage cannot be delayed any further. These past days your daughter-in-law has been carefully inquiring and has her eye on three families…” Before the Minister’s wife could bring it up, Han Mother spoke first about her son’s marriage prospects.

Yesterday when her son had come running to say those things, it made Han Mother realize they couldn’t continue selecting slowly, lest complications arise from delays.

In Han Mother’s mind, her mother-in-law had a good temperament and didn’t love managing this and that—if she brought this up, she surely wouldn’t object.

Unfortunately, today Han Mother was destined for disappointment.

After patiently listening to her daughter-in-law finish, the Minister’s wife patted her hand: “You needn’t trouble yourself over Baocheng’s marriage—just wait for the General’s mansion’s response first.”

“The General’s mansion?” Han Mother was first stunned, then her face went white with anger. “Did Baocheng come pestering you? You can’t indulge him in such nonsense just because you dote on him!”

This unfilial son had actually gone around his own mother to petition his grandparents!

The Minister’s wife looked at her daughter-in-law with surprise: “What does this have to do with Baocheng? It was Scholar Chen from the Eastern Palace who proactively offered to be the guarantor to bring together Baocheng and Miss Lin.”

“The Eastern Palace?” Han Mother grasped the key point, her mind in chaos. “Didn’t the Crown Prince and Miss Lin—”

The Minister’s wife cut off Han Mother’s words: “That’s all ancient history. Now that the Crown Prince’s consort has been selected, there’s no need to mention past matters.”

“Yes.” Han Mother replied awkwardly. Thinking of her son, she was still upset. “Could it be that Baocheng said something to the Crown Prince? That troublemaker!”

For the Crown Prince to inexplicably think of having his teacher matchmake for Baocheng? It seemed impossible.

The Minister’s wife looked deeply at Han Mother, her tone meaningful: “If Baocheng did say something to the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince took it to heart, isn’t that a good thing?”

Han Mother froze, then after a long silence nodded: “You’re right.”

At this time, the General’s mansion’s Old Madam and Lin Shi were also drinking tea and chatting.

“Mother, when I think about how A’Hao will soon be leaving to marry, why does my heart feel so anxious?”

The Old Madam gave her a look: “Anxious about what? Prince Jing’s mansion is right next door—you could climb over the wall to get there. Are you worried A’Hao will be mistreated?”

“It’s not that I’m worried A’Hao will be mistreated, but I just can’t help feeling anxious.” Lin Shi sighed, then brought up her eldest daughter. “Mother, I’ve thought it over—in the future we’ll have Chan’er take in a husband, keep her right under our noses.”

Before the Old Madam could respond, a maid came in to report: “Old Madam, Madam, Scholar Chen has come to call.”

The Old Madam and Lin Shi looked at each other, both mother and daughter equally bewildered.

The General’s mansion had never had any dealings with this Eastern Palace official, had they?

Though puzzled, they certainly couldn’t refuse to see him. The Old Madam and Lin Shi soon received Chen Fuli in the main hall.

“Coming so presumptuously today was truly abrupt—please don’t take offense, Old Madam and Madam Lin.”

“Lord Chen gracing our humble home with a visit brings luster to the General’s mansion,” the Old Madam replied with pleasantries, unable to guess his purpose and simply waiting patiently.

After some polite exchanges, Chen Fuli smiled: “This official comes at the commission of the Minister’s household to serve as guarantor for Young Master Han’s suit for your mansion’s eldest daughter.”

The Old Madam thought she had heard wrong and couldn’t help looking at Lin Shi.

Lin Shi also wore a shocked expression: “Minister Han’s family?”

Chen Fuli nodded with a smile: “Yes.”

The Old Madam suppressed her astonishment and apologized: “As this concerns the child’s lifelong happiness, please allow this old woman and my daughter to discuss it.”

“Naturally. When Old Madam and Madam Lin have reached a decision, simply send word to the Minister’s household.” Having done what needed doing, Chen Fuli rose to take his leave.

As guarantor, he represented the Crown Prince’s attitude. As for whether it would succeed, that was a matter for the Minister’s household and the General’s mansion.

After Chen Fuli left, the Old Madam asked Lin Shi: “What are your thoughts?”

“I—” Lin Shi opened her mouth, momentarily flustered. “It’s just very sudden.”

“It is quite unexpected.”

That the Han family would seek marriage again after Chan’er’s broken engagement was unexpected; that Chen Fuli would serve as guarantor was even more unexpected.

The Old Madam simply instructed a maid to fetch Lin Chan.

Before long, Lin Chan arrived and greeted the two elders.

“Today Scholar Chen came at the commission of the Minister’s household, the Han family, to request your hand in marriage,” the Old Madam said slowly, watching her granddaughter.

Lin Chan’s gentle expression turned rigid, her bright eyes suddenly widening. After quite a while she finally made a sound: “The Han family… is requesting my hand?”

Her voice was so uncertain, like light fluff that might scatter on the wind at any moment.

The Old Madam nodded: “Yes, to request your hand for their grandson Baocheng. Your mother and I wanted to ask your thoughts first.”

That the Han family didn’t mind Chan’er’s broken engagement and was requesting her hand again showed sufficient sincerity—in her heart, the Old Madam was actually willing.

“I—” Lin Chan had barely opened her mouth when she choked up, hurriedly covering her face with both hands.