Chapter 171: An Indescribable Sense of Intimacy
"He seems decent enough," Zhi Wan said. "But I wonder about his character."
"Bai Yi is a young officer under your uncle’s command," Lady Wei said. "He’s known to be quite honest and reliable in the army. There are several others waiting outside. Take a look at all of them. If one catches your eye, we’ll find a chance for you to interact and we can pick the one with the best character."
Hearing there were more candidates, Zhi Wan’s interest was piqued. She nodded obediently. "I’ll follow your judgment, Aunt."
Lady Wei lovingly stroked her head and went out.
Soon, Nanny Fang led in another young man.
This man was rather thin and not as tall as Bai Yi had been. Zhi Wan wasn’t particularly fond of him.
Lady Wei asked a few routine questions before dismissing him.
A few more candidates were brought in, but Zhi Wan wasn’t satisfied with any of them. Then, the last young man entered.
"This humble servant, Shen Longjin, greets Madam Lu."
The young man’s voice was deep and pleasant, and he carried himself with a confidence that was neither servile nor arrogant as he bowed.
Lady Wei was a little surprised, noting his handsome, proper features and distinguished air. "Are you also one of the Duke’s soldiers?"
"Yes, Madam," Shen Longjin replied respectfully.
"How old are you?" Lady Wei asked.
"I am nineteen this year," Shen Longjin replied.
’The age is perfect,’ Lady Wei thought. ’He’s only four years older than Wan’er.’ She nodded to herself and asked, "Who do you have in your family?"
Shen Longjin paused before answering. "I was born on the Border. One year, enemy forces invaded, and my family died in the ensuing war. The Duke saw that I was young, with no one to depend on, and took me under his command."
Lady Wei’s heart ached to hear this. "I didn’t mean to stir up painful memories. Please don’t take offense."
"I won’t," Shen Longjin said, shaking his head. But an undeniable sadness still clouded his eyes.
"What are your thoughts on marrying into a bride’s family?" Lady Wei continued.
Shen Longjin shook his head. "I am all alone in this world. I am open to it."
Lady Wei was silently pleased.
’This Shen Longjin is quite good. I wonder if Wan’er will approve of him?’
"I understand. You may return for now. We will likely be in touch with you again."
Shen Longjin saluted with a clasped fist and withdrew.
Once there were no more outsiders in the hall, Lady Wei called Zhi Wan out.
"Wan’er, out of the last few candidates, did any of them catch your fancy? What did you think of Shen Longjin just now?"
Of the men she had just seen, Shen Longjin had left the deepest and most favorable impression on Zhi Wan.
Although Shen Longjin was only a junior officer, he was poised and respectful, carried himself with decorum, was handsome, quite tall, and willing to marry into her family.
Zhi Wan was quite satisfied, but when her aunt asked, she put on a bashful expression and said coyly, "I will do as you say, Aunt."
Lady Wei saw her shy demeanor and understood her true feelings.
She smiled and patted Zhi Wan’s hand. "Then shall we find another opportunity to interact with Shen Longjin?"
Zhi Wan nodded shyly. "I’ll leave the arrangements to you, Aunt."
Outside the door, Chen Jiu was on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy.
’Her Ladyship just summoned so many young officers. Could she be choosing a husband for the Miss to marry into the family?’
’What am I going to do?’
’Did the Miss find anyone she liked?’
Just as he was growing frantic with anxiety, he saw Lady Wei and the Miss walk out of the side hall.
"My Lady, Miss." He immediately stepped forward to salute them.
"Chen Jiu?" Lady Wei looked at him, surprised. "Why aren’t you in Jiangnan with the Princely Heir?"
"My Lady," Chen Jiu replied, "I was ordered by the Princely Heir to escort the Miss back. Jiang Shi and the others are with the Princely Heir in Jiangnan. His Highness told me to remain in the Capital City and not to return."
"I see," Lady Wei said with a nod.
Chen Jiu thought for a moment, then asked solicitously, "My Lady, I saw many young officers arrive at the estate just now. Has something happened? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Seeing that he had nothing to do, Lady Wei said, "Alright, then. We’re going to the training grounds tomorrow. You can come along."
"Yes, My Lady." Chen Jiu suppressed his elation and replied respectfully. Inside, he was thinking: ’I wonder which lucky bastard the Miss took a fancy to. Going to the training grounds... Don’t tell me it’s to get a closer look at the man’s character and skills?’
’What if the man has a good character and outstanding abilities, and the Miss really falls for him? What will happen to the Princely Heir, all the way in Jiangnan?’
’No, absolutely not. The Princely Heir entrusted me with an important mission. I have to find a way to ruin this!’
Lady Wei, completely unaware of Chen Jiu’s destructive intentions, held Zhi Wan’s hand and smiled. "Once your marriage is settled, I’m going to start arranging one for your cousin. This time, I don’t care if he’s willing or not. I am determined to see him married!"
Chen Jiu’s heart skipped a beat when he heard that. ’Her Ladyship is going to arrange a marriage for the Princely Heir?’
’Should I report this to the Princely Heir?’
"Do you have someone in mind, Aunt?" Zhi Wan asked.
Lady Wei nodded with a smile. "The day you left for Yangzhou, I paid a visit to the temple. On the way, a carriage wheel got stuck in a ditch. To make matters worse, it started to rain. Just then, Miss Zheng happened to be passing by and offered me a ride in her carriage."
"That Miss Zheng is kind-hearted and beautiful. Your cousin shouldn’t be able to find an excuse to refuse this time."
Chen Jiu secretly shook his head. ’No matter how beautiful she is, she can’t compare to the Miss, can she?’
’The Princely Heir only has eyes for the Miss.’
’Her Ladyship is just playing matchmaker without a clue!’
"Then I should congratulate you, Aunt," Zhi Wan said with a smile.
Lady Wei was very happy to talk about it. "I’ll invite Miss Zheng out some other day so you two can meet. Miss Zheng has a wonderful temperament; I’m sure you’ll get along well."
"Of course," Zhi Wan readily agreed.
’It would be good for me to size her up for my cousin’s sake.’
’But if Aunt speaks so highly of her, Miss Zheng must be quite remarkable.’
’This time, I might really be getting a cousin-in-law.’
Back at Yaoguang Pavilion, Zhi Wan sat down at her desk and began to paint.
At noon, she put down her brush, had a simple bite to eat, and then went for her afternoon nap.
When she awoke from her nap, she was about to resume her painting when Shuang’er walked in, her face beaming with joy.
"Miss, a letter has come for you from the Princely Heir!"
Zhi Wan paused, a little surprised. "From my cousin? For me?"
"Yes." Shuang’er smiled and nodded, handing over the letter she was holding. "Chen Jiu gave it to me just now. He said it arrived by carrier pigeon."
A happy expression spread across Zhi Wan’s face. ’My cousin must have received the letter I sent yesterday and wrote back to me.’
She eagerly unfolded the letter and began to read.
The calligraphy on the page was powerful and vigorous, the ink seeming to press through the paper with an elegant, flowing grace.
She had seen her cousin’s handwriting before.
This was indeed his hand.
My Dearest Cousin,
Receiving your letter brought a joy as great as if we were meeting face-to-face.
I am now aware of the matters at home. Please continue to keep my mother company. I have arrived safely in Jiangning. All is well, so there is no need to worry...
Zhi Wan read on, line by line.
Besides telling her of his arrival in Jiangning, her cousin described some of the local sights, but wrote of little else.
When she saw the signature at the bottom—the name "Jinzhi"—she froze for a moment.
Her cousin had actually signed with his courtesy name.
As if possessed, she gently traced her thumb over the name.
’Jin... zhi.’
Zhi Wan repeated the name silently to herself, feeling an inexplicable and profound sense of intimacy.
She quickly shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind.
’My cousin and I are of the same generation. There’s nothing improper about him using his courtesy name in a letter to me. We’re practically brother and sister.’