Could it be that what the grandson said was true, and the Crown Prince intended to matchmake him with the eldest Miss Lin?
But the Crown Prince had been betrothed to the eldest Miss Lin!
For a moment, Minister Han fell into a state of confusion. However, as an old fox who had navigated the officialdom for many years, he didn't let a hint of it show on his face as he followed Chen Fuli to the wine shop.
After a few cups of wine, Chen Fuli spoke of the Crown Prince's entrustment.
Despite his suspicions, Minister Han still gripped his wine cup, a look of surprise crossing his face.
Chen Fuli's mood was also complex.
He had absolutely no interest in acting as a matchmaker, but alas, this was the Crown Prince's wish.
"Your grandson is young and promising, with outstanding character; the Crown Prince admires him greatly," Chen Fuli praised meaningfully.
Minister Han's heart stirred.
Men should marry when they come of age, as should women. The family had been selecting a suitable girl for Baocheng all along. Since the Crown Prince was pleased with this marriage, and the little brat was clearly willing, there seemed to be no reason to refuse.
Minister Han raised his cup: "That it is Lord Chen who is willing to act as the guarantor is that boy's good fortune."
Having successfully completed the Crown Prince's entrustment, Chen Fuli smiled and clinked glasses with Minister Han.
Minister Han returned home humming a little tune and went to see his old wife.
"Going to drink the moment you leave the office—don't you look at your own old bones? What if you ruin your health!" Madam Minister began to nag the moment she smelled the alcohol.
Minister Han smiled beamingly: "There is happy news today."
"What happy news?"
"Haven't we been worrying about Baocheng's marriage? Now we don't have to. Scholar Chen is willing to act as the guarantor to matchmake Baocheng and the eldest Miss of the Lin family."
Madam Minister froze: "Scholar Chen? Which Scholar Chen?"
"Chen Fuli, who previously served as a professor in the Administrative Office of the Prince of Wei's Manor."
"The Prince of Wei's Manor?" Madam Minister paused, "Then Scholar Chen is the Crown Prince's man."
Hadn't the Crown Prince been betrothed to the eldest Miss Lin?
"Yes," Minister Han nodded emphatically.
Madam Minister blinked, realizing the implication: "If that marriage succeeds, we must thank Lord Chen."
Scholar Chen clearly represented the Crown Prince's wishes. The eldest Miss Lin was already a fine choice; there was no need for the Minister's household to be tactless and refuse.
"You tell Baocheng's mother; as for his father, a letter will suffice. There is no rush."
Father Han was away on official business and had not yet returned to the capital.
Madam Minister nodded: "Mm."
The next morning, Mother Han came to pay her respects to her mother-in-law, and the two women sat and talked.
"Baocheng is getting older, and his marriage cannot be delayed any longer. These past few days, I have inquired carefully and found three families..." Before Madam Minister could mention it, Mother Han brought up her son's marriage first.
After her son had run to her yesterday saying those things, Mother Han realized she could no longer take her time picking; otherwise, the longer it took, the more likely it was that complications would arise.
In Mother Han's heart, her mother-in-law had a gentle temperament and didn't like to meddle in everything. If she spoke up, the older woman surely wouldn't object.
Unfortunately, Mother Han was destined for disappointment today.
After listening patiently to her daughter-in-law, Madam Minister patted her hand: "You needn't trouble yourself with Baocheng's marriage. Let us wait for the response from the General's Manor first."
"The General's Manor?" Mother Han was stunned at first, then her face turned pale with anger. "Did Baocheng run to pester you? You cannot let him run wild just because you dote on him!"
That unfilial son, he actually bypassed his own biological mother to beg his parents-in-law!
Madam Minister looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise: "What does this have to do with Baocheng? It was Scholar Chen from the Eastern Palace who took the initiative to act as the guarantor to matchmake Baocheng and the eldest Miss Lin."
"The Eastern Palace?" Mother Han caught the key point, her mind becoming muddled. "Isn't the Crown Prince and the eldest Miss Lin—"
Madam Minister interrupted her: "That is all old history. The Crown Princess has already been selected; there is no need to mention things of the past."
"Yes," Mother Han replied sheepishly, though she was still indignant thinking of her son. "Baocheng couldn't have said something to the Crown Prince, could he? That troublesome boy!"
Why would the Crown Prince suddenly think to have his teacher act as a matchmaker for Baocheng? It seemed impossible.
Madam Minister gave Mother Han a deep look, her tone meaningful: "If Baocheng said something to the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince listened to it, isn't that a good thing?"
Mother Han froze, and after a long silence, she nodded: "You are right."
At this time, the Old Madam of the General's Manor and Madam Lin were also drinking tea and chatting.
"Mother, thinking that A-Hao will soon be married off, why do I feel so anxious?"
The Old Madam rolled her eyes at her: "What is there to be anxious about? The Prince Jing's Manor is right next door; one could get there by climbing over a wall. Are you worried A-Hao will suffer grievances?"
"It's not that I worry A-Hao will suffer, but I just can't help feeling anxious." Madam Lin sighed and mentioned her eldest daughter, "Mother, I've thought about it. In the future, let's have Chan'er recruit a husband so he can be kept under our eyes."
Before the Old Madam could respond, a maid entered to report: "Old Madam, Madam, Scholar Chen has come to visit."
The Old Madam and Madam Lin looked at each other, both expressions blank.
The General's Manor had never had any dealings with this official from the Eastern Palace, had they?
Despite their confusion, they obviously could not refuse to see him. The Old Madam and Madam Lin soon received Chen Fuli in the hall.
"My coming today is abrupt and presumptuous; I hope the Old Madam and Madam Lin will not take offense."
"Lord Chen visiting our humble abode brings honor to the General's Manor," the Old Madam said politely. Unable to guess the other's intention, she simply waited patiently.
After the pleasantries, Chen Fuli smiled: "I have been entrusted by the Minister's household to act as a guarantor to seek the hand of your manor's eldest daughter for the Han family's young master."
The Old Madam thought she had misheard and couldn't help but look at Madam Lin.
Madam Lin also had a shocked expression: "Minister Han's family?"
Chen Fuli nodded with a smile: "Yes."
The Old Madam suppressed her astonishment and apologized: "As this concerns a child's lifelong matter, allow this old woman to discuss it with my daughter."
"Of course. Once the Old Madam and Madam Lin have reached a decision, simply send word back to the Minister's household." Having done what he needed to do, Chen Fuli rose to take his leave.
As the guarantor, he represented the Crown Prince's attitude; as for whether it succeeded, that was a matter between the Minister's household and the General's Manor.
After Chen Fuli left, the Old Madam asked Madam Lin: "What do you think?"
"I—" Madam Lin opened her mouth, feeling a bit flustered. "It's just very sudden."
"It is very unexpected."
That the Han family would seek a marriage again after Chan'er had broken the engagement was unexpected; that Chen Fuli would come as the guarantor was even more so.
The Old Madam simply ordered the maid to invite Lin Chan.
Shortly after, Lin Chan arrived and greeted her two elders.
"Today, Scholar Chen came on behalf of the Han family of the Minister's household to seek your hand in marriage," the Old Madam said slowly, looking at her granddaughter.
Lin Chan's gentle expression became stiff, and her bright eyes suddenly widened. It took a long while before she could make a sound: "The Han family... is seeking me?"
Her voice was so uncertain, like drifting catkins that could dissipate in the wind at any moment.
The Old Madam nodded: "Yes, seeking you for their grandson, Baocheng. Your mother and I wanted to ask your opinion first."
That the Han family did not mind that Chan'er had broken an engagement and sought her again showed great sincerity; the Old Madam was actually willing.
"I—" The moment Lin Chan opened her mouth, she choked up and hurriedly covered her face with both hands.
(End of Chapter)