NABC Chapter 219 Ruojin's Thoughts
Chapter 219 Ruojin's Thoughts
"Lord Cheng is truly a man of deep feeling," Shen Li praised him, but that wasn't what she really thought.
Everyone knows that Cheng Sheng is a very shrewd and calculating person. He wouldn't have made such a promise if he didn't dote on his daughter so much.
"My father just dotes on me quite a bit," Cheng Ruojin told the truth.
Shen Li smiled knowingly and asked casually, "Does my sister have a favorite young master?"
"I haven't met anyone. I only heard from my father that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is planning to arrange a marriage for the young master and will send a matchmaker to sound him out," Cheng Ruojin said casually.
Shen Li's pupils contracted. Who?
"However, I prefer a young, talented scholar and do not wish to marry a general." Cheng Ruojin sat on the shore and sighed as she spoke.
Shen Li swallowed.
“But it’s not easy to find talented people. Among the newly appointed scholars, only that top scholar who was beheaded and you, sister, the third-ranked scholar, are young. The others either have wives and children or even grandchildren,” Cheng Ruojin complained.
"If the Xiao family were to propose marriage, would you be willing to marry them, sister?" Shen Li asked.
Cheng Ruojin looked confused: "I don't know either. When I was little, I wanted to marry the person I liked, but I never thought that the person I liked would be so hard to find. Now I'm of marriageable age, and I don't know if I should keep waiting..."
“My parents must want me to marry into this family. It would be my good fortune if the Xiao family, with their prestigious background, truly took a liking to me.” Cheng Ruojin said, then looked at Shen Li: “But is this how my life will be?”
Shen Li didn't know how to answer. She knew that many people never met the person who could truly win their heart, but she herself had no such experience and couldn't offer any valuable advice.
This might be something she would regret no matter what she decided, but she knew the other party wouldn't be Xiao Qi; it was more likely someone else.
"Let's not talk about that anymore. I heard that the flood control efforts in Henan Province are showing initial results. When we return to the capital, my sister will surely be promoted again." Cheng Ruojin changed the subject.
She knew that her marriage was almost an unsolvable problem, and she could only take it one step at a time.
"It was all just luck." Shen Li finished adjusting the fishing hook and cast it out. "As for whether I get promoted, I don't care."
“Sister, you are a pillar of society; you are destined for the Six Ministries.” Cheng Ruojin echoed her sentiment, then asked, “If you were to choose, which ministry would you like to join?”
"The Ministry of Rites," Shen Li blurted out.
“The Ministry of Rites is a prestigious and prestigious place, and it also offers the opportunity to enter the cabinet. It’s an excellent career choice,” Cheng Ruojin said.
Shen Li had no intention of joining the cabinet; she only wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and preside over the future imperial examinations.
She wanted all women in the world to walk this path, to become officials, to study, and to receive the respect they deserved.
"If only I had studied hard back then, I would have had something to do and wouldn't have been so conflicted about whether or not to get married." Cheng Ruojin looked at Shen Li and said, "Sister, sometimes I really envy you."
“It’s not too late to start now,” Shen Li advised. “There are quite a few people who only pass the imperial examination at the age of fifty. You are only sixteen now, how can you not have a chance?”
"But will women still be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations in the future?"
"It definitely will," Shen Li said firmly.
Yu Die, who was reading in the back, straightened her back even more as she listened to this. She was determined to study hard and have the opportunity to pass the imperial examination so as not to let down her mistress's cultivation.
Because the two had been talking the whole time, they only caught one small fish after fishing for half a morning. They smiled at each other and decided to go for a walk.
The two hunters returned around noon, apparently having made a bet. As they walked, Shen Yue patted Li Che's head to comfort him, saying, "It's okay, you're still young. If you study hard, you'll be just as good as me."
Li Che was sullen and clearly somewhat unconvinced, but he did not dodge the attack from beginning to end.
Shen Li rarely saw Li Che's childlike side. His chubby face looked like a pufferfish in anger, and his dark eyes were full of resentment.
Cheng Ruojin could hardly contain her laughter and whispered to Shen Li, "This Fourteenth Prince is quite adorable when he gets angry. If he weren't a prince, I would really like to tease him."
Shen Li agreed, but it was clear that both of them were just thinking about it and didn't expect someone to actually dare to do it.
"Hey, stop looking so gloomy, give me a smile." Shen Yue poked his puffed-up cheeks, feeling their soft texture, and poked them again.
Cheng Ruojin was somewhat surprised to see the two getting along, but then she thought that the Shen family daughters often entered the palace, so she understood. They were all familiar with the princes.
Despite being coerced and tempted, Li Che reluctantly raised the corners of his mouth and managed a smile.
"That's good. I'll take you out to play again next time," Shen Yue said with great satisfaction.
Upon hearing this, Li Che looked up at her, his dark eyes shining brightly: "It's a deal."
"Uh...you'd have to ask my sister too, it's not always convenient." Seeing that he was serious, Shen Yue regretted her bluntness.
"I'll talk to Master Shen," Li Che said, taking the responsibility upon himself.
Shen Li just wanted to laugh. It turned out that this little guy had feelings for his younger sister so early on. She hadn't even noticed it in her previous life.
"Sister, Sister Cheng, look at the pheasant I hunted!" Shen Yue ran up to Shen Li, holding the pheasant by its claws in one hand to show off.
There was an arrow stuck in the chicken's body, and it had almost bled to death, but blood was still dripping down.
Cheng Ruojin almost instinctively took a step back.
Shen Li said with a doting expression, "Well done. Quickly hand it over to the servants to wash their hands; they're all covered in grime."
"I'm so sorry, Sister Cheng, I didn't know you were scared." Shen Yue quickly handed the chicken to the maid behind her.
"It's okay, I'm not afraid, I just can't accept it for a moment." Cheng Ruojin stepped forward again. As a girl raised in seclusion, she already felt that the scene was very bloody.
Some soldiers caught fish, and some guards hunted wild game. Soon, the fire was lit and the aroma filled the air.
"I'm so hungry." Shen Yue lay casually on the grass, looking at the blue sky above her head, and rubbing her rumbling stomach.
"Have some fruit, the meat will be ready soon." Shen Li offered her a wild fruit, blocking the sky from her view.
She took it and started eating, saying, "This palace is much more comfortable than the capital. There are mountains and rivers right outside the door, and there's a bustling market down the mountain."
"After we escort His Highness back to the palace later, let's go for a walk in the market," Shen Li said.
Shen Yue nodded repeatedly: "Okay."
Li Che was reading a book under the shade of a tree next to the two of them. Hearing this, he turned to the side with a serious face and said, "Master Shen, I'm still here."
“Your Highness, please don’t blame me for not bringing you along. The market below is noisy and chaotic, and it would be too dangerous for you,” Shen Li explained.
"Fine," Li Che resigned himself to his fate.
He knew very well that once he encountered danger, his mother would not let him go out to play by himself anymore. It was better to be safe for now, and he would be able to do it on his own when he grew older.