Ji Yun'an left the county government office and went to the patrol camp.
"Are you really sure you want to retake the exam?" Ji Chengkang looked at Ji Yun'an with some concern, vaguely worried that Ji Yun'an, having achieved early success, might become arrogant and complacent.
Ji Yun'an nodded and said, "Yes, although I passed the exam this time, my ranking is near the bottom. I plan to take it again. If you think taking it again is good, then let's wait for the next one."
Ji Chengkang stared at Ji Yun'an for a while, then suddenly said, "Are you interested in Xiao Shuang'er from the Lu family?"
Ji Yun'an scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I accidentally went into his room, so I should take responsibility."
Ji Chengkang shook his head and said, "You were all young then, and Lu Lin wouldn't have cared. When it comes to marriage, the most important thing is mutual affection. It's meaningless if it's just about responsibility."
Ji Yun'an said somewhat embarrassedly, "I think Xiaomai is a good person."
Ji Chengkang was not surprised to hear this. Although Ji Yun'an had been in Kyoto for the past few years, he had been corresponding with Chen Xiaomai through letters, and Ji Chengkang had long suspected that Ji Yun'an was involved.
Ji Chengkang figured that Chen Xiaomi should be aware of this as well. If Chen Xiaomi were to object, she would probably stop Chen Xiaomai from communicating with his nephew. Since Chen Xiaomi didn't take any action, she probably didn't object.
"Did your dad introduce you to a few?"
Ji Yun'an's face darkened immediately. He frowned and said coldly, "She's his niece from the same clan. I don't feel anything about her."
Ji Yun'an had a very bad impression of his father, Zhao Heng, and was also very annoyed by Zhao Heng's attempt to force a wife upon him.
Ji Chengkang smiled. Ji Yun'an was young and had already passed the imperial examination. Many people thought that Ji Yun'an had a bright future. Not only did the Zhao family want to set their sights on Ji Yun'an, but some distant relatives of the Ji family also wanted to marry their daughters to Ji Yun'an to strengthen their kinship.
“Are you sure you like Xiaomai? Once you've made up your mind, you can't go back on your word. If you want to pursue a career in politics in the future, Xiaomai... I'm afraid he can't help you.”
A hint of relief flashed in Ji Yun'an's eyes. "You have to fight for your own future. There's no need to rely on your wife."
Ji Yun'an suddenly thought of his mother. When she was alive, she had given his father a lot of help. Some classmates who were jealous of his father wentssip that his father had risen to power by relying on women. Just because of this, his father completely forgot his mother's support and instead began to resent her.
Thinking of his father, Ji Yun'an felt a surge of resentment.
Ji Chengkang nodded and said, "If you're sure, I'll talk to Lu Lin for you." Chen Xiaomai isn't young anymore; it would be troublesome if someone else made a decision for her.
Ji Yun'an scratched his head, somewhat shyly saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Uncle."
Ji Chengkang gave a wry smile. He didn't want any of the prominent young ladies from Kyoto, yet he had his eye on Chen Xiaomai. Those unaware of the situation might think he was trying to harm her. If Zhao Heng knew about this, he'd probably be furious.
A few days later, Ji Chengkang prepared a generous gift and delivered it to the county government office.
Chen Xiaomi and Ji Chengkang chatted for a long time and had a very pleasant conversation.
Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiaomi and asked, "What's Ji Chengkang doing here?"
"They've come to propose marriage," Chen Xiaomi said.
Lu Lin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "So they've come to propose marriage! They've finally come. If Ji Chengkang hadn't come to propose, and Ji Yun'an had come to freeload again, I would have thrown him out."
A few years ago, Chen Xiaomai was still young, and Ji Yun'an staying in the county government was not a big deal. However, now Ji Yun'an is no longer young and has reached the age where people will gossip.
"General Ji seems very sincere..."
Lu Lin nodded and said, "Ji Yun'an's family background is a bit complicated. I don't know if Xiaomai can handle marrying him."
When Lu Lin first came here, Chen Xiaomai was still young. Over the past few years, Lu Lin has raised Chen Xiaomai as if he were half a son. As for such a life-long matter, Lu Lin couldn't help but think more about it.
Chen Xiaomi sighed and said, "Ji Yun'an seems like a good guy, he shouldn't let Xiaomai suffer."
Lu Lin: "..." Xiaomai herself must have taken a liking to Ji Yun'an. If he were to break them up, he would probably become the bad guy. Lu Lin scratched his head and said, "I'm not worried about Ji Chengkang, but what about Ji Yun'an's father?"
Marriage is always arranged by parents and matchmakers. Although Ji Yun'an changed his surname to Ji after following Ji Chengkang, it doesn't change the fact that he is Zhao Heng's son.
Ji Yun'an passed the imperial examination at a young age, so many young ladies from prominent families must want to marry him. If he wasn't mistaken, Zhao Heng also hoped to find a respectable in-law who could help him in his career. As far as he knew, although Zhao Heng had passed the imperial examination, he was not very successful.
Chen Xiaomi nodded and said, "General Ji mentioned this matter. He said that Zhao Heng would probably oppose the marriage, but don't worry, he will handle it and we don't need to worry about it."
Chen Xiaomi tilted her head slightly. Ji Chengkang seemed to harbor deep resentment towards her brother-in-law. However, this was understandable; although Ji Xue died of illness, who knew the true story? After all, Ji Yun'an had almost died of illness as well. Zhao Heng favored his concubine over his wife, and in a way, Zhao Heng was the one who made the mistake first. It was said that Zhao Heng seemed quite afraid of Ji Chengkang; with Ji Chengkang involved, there shouldn't be any problems.
Patrol battalion.
"General, what did Lu Lin say about the young master's matter?" Liu Yun asked.
Ji Chengkang said calmly, "Lu Lin has no objections, but he is a little worried that Zhao Heng will object."
Lu Lin was just a county magistrate, and Chen Xiaomai was a bit confused.
At first glance, it might seem that Chen Xiaomai got a good deal by marrying Ji Yun'an, but Ji Chengkang felt that they were the ones who benefited. He had hitched a ride with Lu Lin on the handcart incident, and later, Yun'an made a lot of money by selling storybooks with Chen Xiaocai. In fact, if you really want to talk about it, Yun'an definitely got a good deal by marrying Xiaomai.
Liu Yun frowned and said, "Zhao Heng probably won't be happy."
Ji Chengkang squinted and said, "Of course he wouldn't be happy. He's just a pedantic scholar who talks about propriety and shame all day long. Yet he married a whole bunch of concubines, valuing his reputation but being incompetent. He relied on his sister to get ahead, but he feels ashamed of it."
Shuang'er's status was rather low. In many people's eyes, only those who lacked ability would marry Shuang'er. If a disciple of a prestigious family in the capital married Shuang'er, he would be laughed at.
"Don't worry about him, as long as Yun'an is happy," Ji Chengkang said.
Liu Yun: "..." Ji Yun'an must like it, right? Since he came to Shaxian, he always runs to the county government office, wishing he could eat and live there.
When Ji Yun'an arrived at the county government office, he naturally heard about the hot spring project.
Ji Yun'an was also very curious about the hot spring project, so he went with Chen Xiaocai.
Chen Xiaocai and Ji Yun'an had a good working relationship before, and now they were about to become family. Since Ji Yun'an was interested in the hot spring resort, Chen Xiaocai was naturally happy to take him there.
"It's already built to this stage!" Ji Yun'an said with some surprise.
Chen Xiaocai nodded and said, "The cost is already quite high. If no one comes after it's built, it will be really bad." Ji Yun'an glanced at Chen Xiaocai and said, "If the two countries start trading, many big merchants will come, so there shouldn't be any shortage of customers."
Chen Xiaocai nodded and said, "I hope so."
Having seen many exquisite gardens in Kyoto, Ji Yun'an gave Chen Xiaocai some advice, which Chen Xiaocai found very helpful.
After inspecting the hot spring hotel, Chen Xiaocai and Ji Yun'an went to the restaurant owned by Chen Xiaocai.
Looking at the bustling street, Ji Yun'an said with some admiration, "You've opened so many branches again, Xiao Cai, you're really amazing."
Chen Xiaocai smiled and said, "The costs are also quite high." After all, Shaxian's location is still a bit remote, and sometimes it's even a case of not making money. But recently, business has picked up.
Chen Xiaocai glanced at Ji Yun'an and said, "I heard that you are unhappy with your ranking and are planning to take the imperial examination again."
Ji Yun'an nodded and said, "Yes! Besides, I'm still too young. Entering officialdom at such a young age makes me easy to be looked down upon. It's better to wait another three years."
Chen Xiaocai looked at Ji Yun'an and secretly curled her lip, thinking to herself: This guy Ji Yun'an is really confident, not afraid of failing the exam at all.
Chen Xiaocai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Have you decided to marry Xiaomai?"
Ji Yun'an nodded and said, "Yes!"
Chen Xiaocai sized up Ji Yun'an for a while, then said seriously, "Let me make this clear from the start: once you marry Xiaomai, you can't have anyone else." Ji Yun'an smiled and said, "Don't worry, I only love Xiaomai."
Chen Xiaocai nodded and said, "If you change your mind, I won't even have to lift a finger. Xiaomai should be able to beat you to death." A few years ago, Xiaomai was already able to overpower Ji Yun'an. In recent years, Xiaomai's strength has grown even stronger. Ji Yun'an, on the other hand, has been in Kyoto for a few years and seems to be developing more and more of a pretty boy.
Ji Yun'an nodded and said, "That day will never come. But you, I've heard that quite a few people want to be your concubine. If you fall in love with someone else, Brother Lin probably won't stand by your side."
Chen Xiaocai glared at Ji Yun'an and said irritably, "Achi and I have a great relationship, you don't need to worry about it."
Chen Xiaocai rubbed his forehead. Recently, his business has been growing bigger and bigger. Sometimes, there are always some people who want to give him a concubine. Chen Xiaocai has refused one after another, but there are still people who are keen to find him a concubine. Speaking of which, it seems that Brother Lin does not have this problem. Everyone knows that the county magistrate is henpecked.
Yuanbao cupped his face in his hands, blinked at Chen Xiaomai, and said, "Uncle, you're getting engaged to Brother Ji!" Chen Xiaomai nodded, her face flushing red.
Chen Xiaomai was just a little slow to react, but she understood the importance of marriage. Seeing Lu Lin and Chen Xiaomi discussing things together, and seeing Chen Xiaocai and Shen Chi together, Chen Xiaomai had some thoughts in her mind.
Yuanbao blinked and asked, "Uncle, what do you like about Uncle Ji?"
Chen Xiaomai thought for a moment and said, "He's quite good-looking."
Lu Lin walked to the door and overheard Chen Xiaomai and Yuanbao's conversation.
Lu Lin never expected that one of the reasons Chen Xiaomai liked Ji Yun'an was because Ji Yun'an was quite good-looking. Lu Lin thought to himself that Ji Yun'an was indeed good-looking. It was said that Ji Yun'an's father, who was a scoundrel, was also good-looking. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to trick Ji Xue into marrying him back then.
Yuanbao puffed out his cheeks and said, "He's good-looking, but Dad said he's a pretty boy. Dad said you should look at a person's inner qualities."
Lu Lin: "..." Yuanbao actually sold him out so easily, that's just too much.
"He writes beautifully too; he's a very capable person," Chen Xiaomai said.
Yuanbao nodded and said, "Being able to write well is very impressive. Although Dad can also write, his handwriting is very ugly."
Lu Lin: "..."
Chen Xiaomai said with some pride, "Being good at studying is quite remarkable."
Chen Xiaomai disliked Chen Jing, but in her memory, Chen Jing was favored because he was good at studying, and the villagers also admired people who were good at studying. Subconsciously, Chen Xiaomai also felt that people who were good at studying were remarkable.
Yuanbao scratched his head and said, "This Brother Ji seems to be quite capable. I heard he passed the exam."
Chen Xiaomai nodded and said, "Yes, passing the exam can lead to becoming an official."
Yuanbao puffed out his cheeks and said, "But Dad said that you can become an official just by spending money, and it's not good to become a bookworm by studying too much. Uncle, do you know what a bookworm is?"
Chen Xiaomai shook her head and said, "I don't know. I'll ask Brother Ji when I have time."
Lu Lin: "..."
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