He had always been proud and ambitious; how could he possibly be willing to bow to reality and marry a girl he didn’t like?

The fact that he would agree to let the elders propose the marriage, and even approach the engagement with such a serious attitude, was proof of how much he valued this union—or rather, how much he valued Qing’er herself.

’So that’s the truth!’

’Zhao Jing had his eyes on Qing’er long ago!’

It was just that the timing hadn’t been right before, so he had kept it hidden from everyone. He himself had acted with utmost restraint, not revealing the slightest hint.

But the moment the time was right, he made his move—swiftly and decisively—to claim his bride.

’Not bad at all!’ Xu Su Ying praised him inwardly. ’He’s got a bit of my flair from back in the day!’

She remembered how she’d set her sights on Chen Song all those years ago, seizing the right moment and making him hers.

After so many years, the swift passage of time had proven just how right her choice had been.

So, what could possibly be wrong with Jing, who had clearly inherited his future mother-in-law’s way of doing things?

Nothing!

The more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes what she sees. Right now, in Xu Su Ying’s heart, Zhao Jing was a ninety-nine-out-of-a-hundred son-in-law!

Xu Su Ying warmly ushered Zhao Jing inside. "De’an and Yao’an are both home today, and your uncle and I just bought a house in the county seat—it’s all good news! Jing, you have to stay for dinner. We’ll kill a chicken and treat it as a celebration."

Zhao Jing was taken aback by the mention of "buying a house." He’d heard from De’an that the family was thinking about purchasing property in the county seat, but De’an had also mentioned it was far from certain. He had even said that he might be married before they even had a lead on a house.

Yet who would have expected it? The subject had come up around this time last year, and now, a year later, the house was already bought.

Zhao Jing marveled for a moment at the Chen Family’s decisiveness and earning power. Then, his gaze fell upon Chen Wanqing.

’Marrying him would truly be holding her back.’

’Even if he was reluctant to admit it, life in the county seat was ultimately better than in the village. Daily errands, food, and other goods were more convenient and varied. If she didn’t marry him, she could live in the county seat and choose a husband from there...’

Xu Su Ying said, "If it weren’t for your Uncle Dashong having to work, and De’an and Yao’an having to go to their private school—and that school’s hired cook is so awful the boys are getting skinnier by the day—I would never have bought a house in the county seat. No matter how nice the county seat is, could it ever be as comfortable as living in the village? Here among our neighbors, if something happens, you just give a shout and everyone comes over. In the county seat, we won’t know a soul. We’d have to start all over again, which is more trouble than it’s worth."

"Jing, are you thinking about buying a house in the county seat? You silly child, let me tell you, there’s no need for that. And don’t you feel like you’re doing Qing’er a disservice; she doesn’t care about that. If you ask me, you’re sure to pass the exam next year, and then you’ll have to prepare for the autumn examination. Won’t you have to go to the Prefecture then? Buying a house in the county seat is just a waste of effort. If you really want to buy property, we’ll get a nice place in the Capital City in the future."

Hearing this, Zhao Jing broke into a confident smile. "I’ll take that as a blessing. I hope I can establish a home in the Capital City soon."

The group entered the house. Xu Su Ying called for Chen Song to go catch a chicken in the backyard, while Zhao Jing followed the two brothers, De’an and Yao’an, into the east room. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

In the west room, Chen Wanqing changed into her everyday clothes. She glanced at the half-finished fragrance blend, then at the sewing basket on her bed.

In the end, she picked up the sewing basket and went outside.

The sun was pleasant today. The warm winter sun was making her drowsy.

Chen Wanqing had only taken a few stitches when she couldn’t help but yawn.

She had been busy until very late last night, and even though she was young, she was having a hard time staying awake.

"If you’re too tired, Wanqing, you should go back to your room and rest. I see you’re making a sachet. If there’s no rush, you can work on it later."

At some point, Zhao Jing had appeared before her. He had even pulled up a stool and was now sitting at her side.

Chen Wanqing looked at him, wondering when he had arrived. Only a moment ago, she had heard him inside, telling De’an that the county magistrate was a practical man who preferred essays with genuine substance and detested writing that was pretentious, vapid, or overly ornate.

Chen Wanqing gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and, without missing a beat, resumed her sewing.

"So you can tell I’m making a sachet, but you can’t tell it’s the kind a young man would use? I’m making it for you. You’re the one who should say if it’s urgent or not."

Zhao Jing was genuinely stunned, a feeling that was immediately followed by delight. An uncontrollable smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and his eyes crinkled with joy.