Green Mountain-Chapter 571 - 431: Marriage Arrangements

to 11 PM.

Outside Wendan Hall.

Maids and servants were bustling about, with servants busily climbing ladders to replace lantern candles. In the distance, eight maids stood in waiting, each holding a food box filled with abalone soup, lamb soup, chicken broth, white fungus soup, small wontons, scallion oil noodles, shrimp noodles...

These dishes were all served in white porcelain bowls, with a small white porcelain stove underneath, lit by candlelight to keep them warm anytime they were eaten.

Inside Wendan Hall.

Official Chen sat in the Taishi Chair with his eyes closed, resting, while Chen Ji sat on the chair to his left, slowly sipping tea.

No one wanted to speak first.

Until Chen Xu, dressed in a black Daoist robe, arrived at the door and bowed, saying, "Family Head, Qi Xianshu, Hu Junye, and Yang Zhan have arrived, all seeking an audience. Who shall be brought in first?"

The Qi family and Hu family also lived on Fuyou Street, and the Yang family on Xuanwu Gate Street, all within walking distance, making news spread quickly and people arrive fast.

Official Chen set down his tea cup. "Qi Xianshu."

Chen Xu bowed and retreated. "Yes."

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "Family Head, it’s getting late. Isn’t it too rushed to decide on the marriage today?"

Official Chen looked at Chen Ji and spoke slowly, "A man without a wife has no head of the household, a woman without a husband has no support. In your youth now, you have courage but lack stability. Once you start a family and have a place to belong, things will change for you. Only then will you be ready to assume great responsibilities."

Chen Ji hesitated. "But with so many people coming..."

"What, you feel uneasy about inviting so many people to discuss a marriage proposal?" Official Chen chuckled. "As the old saying goes, a man fears choosing the wrong career, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. In truth, marriages are the same for both genders; marrying the wrong person is a lifelong matter, so choosing carefully is critical to avoid mistakes."

Chen Ji did not speak.

Official Chen waved his hand. "Go and wait outside the hall. Such a significant life event will naturally be decided by the elders in the family."

After a moment of silence, Chen Ji stood, bowed, and said, "Yes."

He exited the courtyard of Wendan Hall and exhaled a long, turbid breath.

The hall was filled with the smell of candle smoke, whereas the air outside was much fresher.

Then footsteps came from the north.

Chen Ji turned to look, seeing four sedan bearers swiftly carrying a small green sedan chair along the bluestone path. The bearers moved quickly, yet the sedan chair did not sway at all, and even the tassels hanging from its top remained motionless.

The chair was placed outside Wendan Hall, and a bearer used a Xiangfei Bamboo strip to lift the curtain. "Master, we’ve arrived."

Qi Xianshu bent down and stepped out, smoothing the creases on his garments. Upon seeing Chen Ji outside Wendan Hall, he immediately smiled brightly. "We only just met at Renshou Palace tonight, and I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. The young talent of the Chen family sobers up quite quickly; I thought you would sleep until dawn. If you had woken up any earlier, Lord Zhang wouldn’t have had to carry you out of the palace."

This was a jest concerning Chen Ji feigning drunkenness outside Renshou Palace, with Zhang Zhuo carrying him out of the palace, a story that had spread before dawn.

Chen Ji’s face remained unfazed, his heart steady as he said, "Lord Qi, the Family Head is waiting in Wendan Hall."

But Qi Xianshu did not hurry inside and instead scrutinized Chen Ji from head to toe. "Do the twenty lashes of imperial punishment still hurt?"

Chen Ji was slightly startled. "No, thank you, Lord Qi, for your concern."

Qi Xianshu patted him on the shoulder. "No need for gratitude. My worthless son from the Qi family has grown quite bold following you, calling you ’Master’ this and ’Master’ that every day, to the point my ears have developed calluses."

Then Qi Xianshu changed his tone. "However, he still lacks maturity. Once we become family, you’ll need to train him further. He can only achieve great things by learning from you."

Chen Ji dared not reply.

Qi Xianshu laughed heartily and walked into Wendan Hall, bowing upon crossing the threshold. "Old Master of the Chen family, it has been some time since I last paid my respects to you."

Official Chen rasped, "We see each other almost every day, no need for formalities."

As they spoke, Chen Xu gestured outside Wendan Hall, and a servant immediately stepped forward to close the eight red doors, sealing sounds within.

Before discussing marriage, there were naturally more significant issues needing deliberation.

Chen Ji suddenly felt a sense of absurdity.

Inside Wendan Hall, they were planning his marriage: whom to wed, when to propose, when to exchange names, when to perform auspicious ceremonies, when to exchange gifts, when to set the date, and when to welcome the bride...

Yet he stood outside the door, as if none of it concerned him.

...

...

Chen Ji looked up at the night sky. The clouds gathered densely, seemingly signaling rain.

Chen Xu stood next to him with hands folded inside his sleeves, not uttering a word.

Under Chen Xu’s surprised gaze, Chen Ji walked up to a maid and uncovered a food box. The first box contained chicken broth, which Chen Ji quickly drank. The second box held abalone congee, and he shoveled mouthfuls into his mouth. The third box contained crab congee...

He had slept since dawn, only drinking wine with no food. When Yangyang fetched the wine for him, he didn’t think to bring two jin of beef to accompany it, leaving him to drink dry.

Chen Ji devoured the midnight snacks from the food box as if nobody else were present. The maid glanced at Chen Xu in plea: if he eats everything, what will the Family Head eat?

Chen Xu shook his head slightly, waving her off. "Go and prepare new ones."

At that moment, the door to Wendan Hall was pushed open from within, and Qi Xianshu loudly declared, "Old Master, I will return to discuss with my father immediately. By sunrise, I will present a conclusion to you!"

As he passed by Chen Ji, he again patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Young and promising!"

With that, he boarded the sedan chair.

Chen Xu turned to glance into Wendan Hall, where, by candlelight, Official Chen waved his hand, prompting him to invite Yang Zhan from the Yang family into Wendan Hall for a discussion.

Yang Zhan also arrived by sedan chair, and after alighting, he appraised Chen Ji just as Qi Xianshu had. "Ah, excellent, excellent, a remarkable young man, Yangyang speaks highly of you. I did not stop him when he went to find you today."

Chen Ji bowed. "Thank you, Lord Yang."

Yang Zhan’s gaze flickered for a moment, "The Qi family often wavers, the Hu family has always been rash, both earning the emperor’s displeasure, but only my Yang family..."

Chen Xu interrupted with a gesture, "Lord Yang, please follow me."

Yang Zhan smiled and said no more.

He turned around and stepped into Wendan Hall, the eight red gates closing once more.

Chen Xu stood beside Chen Ji, softly saying, "The Yang family has been a vassal of the Xu family in the south for many years, unable to raise their heads. Now, with Official Xu gravely ill and Prince Fu gaining power, it’s a good opportunity for them to establish their own branch. Among the three families, the Yang family is the most anxious."

Chen Ji gave Chen Xu an surprised glance, but he was gazing into the distance, as if he hadn’t spoken that sentence for Chen Ji’s ears.

Chen Xu said leisurely, "If you’re not full, the servants will bring more food later."

Chen Ji shook his head, "I’m full."

In a single night, the world seemed a bit more amiable to him.

After thirty minutes, it was unclear what Yang Zhan and Official Chen had discussed, but he left with a smile.

This time, even before Chen Xu went to invite the Hu family, they came by themselves.

On the far-off stone-paved road, Hu Junye strode forward with a robust figure, like a dragon or tiger, without sitting in a sedan chair.

As he passed by Yang Zhan’s sedan chair, he casually said to it, "Your Yang family should first sort out your own matters, and stop wistfully thinking about things that don’t belong to you."

Yang Zhan, sitting inside the sedan, said in a deep voice, "Does the Hu family truly believe that Prince Fu has victory in hand and needs no help from others?"

Hu Junye replied calmly, "My Hu family stands tall and firm, we can handle both winning and losing."

Yang Zhan sneered, "Suit yourself, let’s go."

The Yang family’s sedan departed, as Hu Junye, like a mountain, pressed forward.

Chen Ji carefully scrutinized him, noticing some shadow of Gu Yuan General Hu Junxian in his form.

Hu Junye approached Chen Ji, his voice powerful, "Hu Junxian mentioned you in letters home; you were excellent in Guyuan, not like someone from the Chen family."

Chen Ji was taken aback.

Chen Xu lightly coughed, "Mr. Hu, over here..."

But Hu Junye disregarded him, continuing, "Disciple of Wang Daosheng, you should bond with my Hu family. However, we don’t have any suitable girls for you, and today I’m not here for marriage; your talents shouldn’t be wasted on trivial matters like this."

Chen Ji was momentarily speechless.

Hu Junye walked past him, striding into Wendan Hall, speaking directly, "Official, I like this young man. He was removed from his position in the Yulin Army; it’s time for him to train at the Ministry of War. Six years as a doctor, six years as an associate minister, then externally to Taiyuan Prefecture, controlling the military forces of a border region."

The Hu family speaks too bluntly, the Chen family’s servant hadn’t even closed the eight red gates before Hu Junye laid everything before Official Chen.

Only after Hu Junye finished speaking did the red gates slowly close.

This time, the discussion in Wendan Hall lasted a full hour before Hu Junye emerged.

He patted Chen Ji on the shoulder, "Hu Junxian said Guyuan wouldn’t keep you, so go to the Ministry of War, go to Taiyuan Prefecture. On the eve of a great battle between the two courts, it’s a wonderful time to accomplish things and earn a noble title."

Having said this, Hu Junye strode away energetically.

Like the king horse of the prairie, he arrived like an arrow, leaving with a resounding presence.

...

...

In Wendan Hall, Official Chen slowly said, "Come in."

Chen Ji stepped into Wendan Hall, politely clasping his hands, "I wonder which family the Family Head has chosen?"

Official Chen stroked his beard, "Didn’t choose."

Chen Ji was surprised.

Official Chen closed his eyes, "Wait a bit longer."

After waiting for two hours, were it not for the absence of snoring, Chen Ji would almost think he had fallen asleep.

Until outside, Chen Xu quietly reported, "Family Head, it’s midnight."

Official Chen opened his eyes and looked at Chen Ji, "If it hasn’t come by midnight, it won’t come."

Chen Ji was puzzled, "Who is the Family Head waiting for?"

Official Chen chuckled, "Naturally waiting for the Zhang Family."

Chen Ji was silent for a moment, "Are the conditions from those three families not good enough?"

"Ah, Chen Ji, in this world, not everything needs to be made into business," Official Chen supported himself with the armrest, slowly rising, "Business can be negotiated anytime, but such matters as marriage can only be negotiated once: how to judge if it’s good enough or not? I say, liking is best."

Chen Ji said nothing.

Official Chen walked to the front of Wendan Hall, standing on the threshold, sighed, "Your matters with Second Miss Zhang endured hardships together in Guyuan, and were remarkably attuned in the Imperial Capital, naturally more suitable than others. Life lasts only a few decades, picking someone you desire is a great fortune; you are my Chen Family child, naturally luckier than others... But why hasn’t the Zhang family come?"

Suddenly, a realization struck Chen Ji.

Chen Liqin once said, the main house would try every means to win people’s hearts, so Chen Ji would stay loyally with the main house.

They would first wait for the third house to arrange a less impressive marriage for Chen Ji, then use a better one to surpass the third house’s offer.

Chen Liqin was adept at political disputes and familiar with the main house’s ways, yet his vision was limited.

He thought if the main house arranged something better, it meant choosing a high-status family, with wealth and power.

But Official Chen was wiser than Chen Liqin; he didn’t give Chen Ji money and power but an opportunity to choose the one he liked best.

Throughout history, cultivating Death Soldiers relied not just on money and power, but only emotions and beliefs could foster true Death Soldiers.

This was true wisdom.

Official Chen smiled at Chen Ji, "Since the Zhang family hasn’t come, tomorrow I’ll personally visit. Lord Zhang won’t deny an old man this respect."

But at that moment, after some silence, Chen Ji bowed and clasped his hands, "Family Head, Qi Zhaoning is pretty good."

Official Chen was slightly surprised, slowly said, "Then Qi Zhaoning it is."