Wang Qiaoxin’s words pierced Old man Chen’s heart like nails, and his hand trembling as he waved his walking cane. What had he just said? Had he really called the County Magistrate’s daughter a wild woman? He had messed up badly. Their Chen family would be lucky enough to have such a favorable marriage; how could he push her away? Didn’t that lady just say so herself? Her father thought highly of Da Zhuzi, and as long as he was willing to help, even if Da Zhuzi didn’t pass the exam for a high-ranking official position, he was bound to have a promising future.
Originally, Old man Chen didn’t believe in such things, but ever since he was reprimanded by Xia Zheng that day, his words had been ringing in his ears constantly. He had never been to the Capital, had no idea what it was like, and didn’t even understand that his son had not gone to the Capital to take the imperial examination but to Yecheng to attend the state examination. Since there was a gap between him and Chen Zhu, who seldom mentioned these things in his presence, Old man Chen was even more clueless.
"Miss Wang?" Old man Chen, a man who had always stubbornly refused to bow before anyone, softened his tone on this occasion, because in his heart he believed that if he could just secure the County Magistrate’s daughter now, once she entered the Chen family and became his daughter-in-law, he would have plenty of chances to set the rules for her.
"Miss Wang, it was I who spoke without restraint just now, please do not take it to heart. Quickly, quickly, why aren’t you inviting Miss Wang into the house to sit?"
Old man Chen wanted to speak to Aunt Chen, but since he couldn’t see, he had no idea where she was and could only stiffen his neck and talk at random.
Seeing him give in, Wang Qiaoxin despised him all the more. Looking at their house, half-ruined, her brows furrowed tightly, and she was dead set against entering.
Chen Zhu could see this too, and instead of inviting her into the house to sit, he had Aunt Chen move a small table into the courtyard, where they settled down.
The crowd at the door, buzzing from the excitement, had heard Wang Qiaoxin’s earlier proclamation and were even more abuzz. The beautiful woman that Chen Zhu had brought home was the County Magistrate’s daughter! Oh my, just what kind of good fortune had Chen Zhu stumbled upon to have such a stroke of luck!
At this moment, Old man Chen’s face beamed with pride. Hearing their discussions, his old face shone radiantly, and even his eyes, blind for many years, seemed to gleam. He stood up from the table, using the excuse of closing the gate to bask in the compliments from everyone.
Indeed, as he approached, the villagers all began to speak warmly.
"Old man Chen, you’ve raised a good son indeed, not only has he become a Scholar, but he’s also marrying the County Magistrate’s daughter—what great fortune!"
"Isn’t that the truth, just look at that carriage Chen Zhu rode in when he came back, you can tell it was expensive!"
Old man Chen couldn’t see the carriage, but hearing them talk about it pleased him. In the future, he could also ride in a carriage when going out, just like other wealthy people he used to see, wearing clothes so fine they were almost unspeakable, and dining in grand restaurants. And of course, he wouldn’t have to work at all, as Chen Zhu would surely hire many Servants to attend to him, wait on him, and surely there would be young Maids as well; finally, he wouldn’t have to deal every day with that old crone, his wife.
Thinking this, Old man Chen was even happier. His face was usually as if he was owed money by others, but now he, too, bore a smile: "Yes, yes, my Zhu Zi is indeed a credit to the family! Oh right, my Zhu Zi isn’t called Zhu Zi anymore, he will be an official in the future, so he can’t have such a vulgar name. The County Magistrate has renamed him Chen Shimei, and the people of Yecheng call him Young Master Chen when they see him. From now on, when you see him, call him Young Master Chen too, and definitely don’t call him Chen Zhu anymore; it sounds terrible!"