Chapter 549 - 205: Let’s Meet (Part 2)
Chapter 549: Chapter 205: Let’s Meet (Part 2)
"What do you mean I can’t get him out of my head?"
"Still denying it! Just think about it. In the three or four short months since this summer, how many times have you brought up Chen De’an? ’Chen De’an dragged me down in polo.’ ’Chen De’an’s studies on the Four Books aren’t even as good as mine.’ ’Chen De’an is pretty good at the *Zhou Yi*, he has the talent to become a fortune-teller.’ And when you all went hiking and had a picnic, ’Chen De’an snatched the last rabbit leg, from a rabbit I shot!’... Count them yourself. How many times have you chattered on about him in my ear these last few months? I’m so tired of hearing about it my ears are about to grow calluses."
"But... but I’ve mentioned other people too, haven’t I?"
"You did, but only in passing. What were their names again? I can’t remember a single one. The only one I remember is Chen De’an. Because every time my daughter comes home, she’s guaranteed to be chattering on about him. It got to the point where, for a little while, I thought my name was Chen De’an..."
"Father!"
Sheng Saya covered her face in embarrassment. "Father! Honestly, that’s enough. Do you have to tease me like this?"
"Well, I’ve never seen a daughter threaten her own father over a man before."
"Alright, alright, I was wrong. I apologize. I swear I’ll never use Mother to pressure you again, okay?"
"That’s more like it."
Once they had both calmed down, the father and daughter sat down to seriously discuss the Chen family’s marriage proposal.
"I think it’s a good match."
Sheng Saya stated calmly, "The Chen family’s relatives are all in Qingshui County, and they’re all just common folk. The local customs are simple and honest, and the Chen family members themselves are decent people. They may not be able to offer much help, but they wouldn’t kick us while we’re down either. Chen Song has a few blood relatives, some closer than others, but none are a cause for concern. What’s important is that Chen Song and his wife are open-minded and righteous, and Chen De’an and his siblings are all of good character. Even after you’re gone, when Lian’er and I have no one else to rely on, the Chen family would never mistreat us. Furthermore, if we look at the long term, Chen De’an has a brother-in-law, Zhao Jing, whose official career is on a steady rise. With his help, the Chen family won’t remain at the bottom forever."
Sheng Saya laid out her reasoning for the match.
Ever since she’d realized she was developing feelings for Chen De’an that she shouldn’t have, she had started to consider the viability of a match between them. The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was a truly excellent prospect.
It wasn’t just that the Chen family were all good-natured and easy to get along with. More importantly, they gave off a feeling of striving for a better future, a sense that no problem was too great for them to handle.
She felt genuinely at ease when she was with them. She could also see that they were truly fond of Lian’er, and that Lian’er truly liked them in return.
All things considered, the Chen family was an excellent choice.
After she finished speaking, Sheng Saya looked at Sheng Mingchuan with expectant eyes. He began to speak in a measured tone, "I don’t want to pour cold water on your plans, but there’s something you need to understand."
"I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say that people are good at putting on a facade. Right now, while you’re still here and hold all the power, they act one way. How can we guarantee they won’t turn into different people once you’re gone? But Father, you can’t refuse to eat just because you’re afraid of choking. And I can’t stay unmarried forever just because you haven’t died yet!"
Sheng Mingchuan was left speechless.
’This was his own daughter, after all—his youngest, the one he had spoiled since she was little. Had it been any of her three older sisters, none would have dared to speak to him like that.’
But he had to admit, as blunt as her words were, she was right.
He would be gone one day, and people’s hearts are indeed fickle. But one couldn’t let the fear of future problems prevent them from moving forward now.
So Sheng Mingchuan said, "So you’ve settled on Chen De’an? There are plenty of good men in the Prefecture. Even your three older sisters have found several suitable candidates for you to meet. Are you sure you don’t want to consider anyone else?"
"Father, you’re always like this. It’s obvious you approve of Chen De’an too. If you hadn’t sent them a hint, I don’t believe the Chen family would have dared to propose so boldly. You’ve already made up your mind about them, yet you still have to test me. Do you find that amusing?"
"Very amusing. But you’re right, I do think highly of the Chen family. Since both of us agree that they’re a reliable choice, let’s talk to your mother about it. We’ll make the Chen family wait a couple of days, and then we’ll accept the proposal."
Sheng Saya retorted, "Why make them wait? If we’re sincere about the alliance, we should just be upfront about it. What’s wrong with graciously accepting? If we keep stringing them along, we might scare this great catch away."
"If he runs off, we’ll just find another. I’m only agreeing to the Chen family because you think they’re a good choice. As far as I’m concerned, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of families in this world better than them..."