Chapter 229: Not as Good as Pei Yan
Chen Shujing was different from Pei Yan.
He had no martial arts skills, nor did he possess a reckless madness. In the end, he was confined to his home.
The matter of him taking a new wife was not yet decided, but the Chen Family elders forbade him from going to Jiangnan again.
They had to cut ties cleanly. Continuing this entanglement with Xue Xingyao would bring no benefit to the Chen Family whatsoever!
...
Upon learning that the Chen Family intended to choose a wife for Chen Shujing, many people’s minds started turning.
Firstly, the Chen Family was a renowned noble family, and Chen Shujing was the heir. Even though he was divorced, it didn’t affect his status.
In hopes of climbing the social ladder by associating with the Chen Family, many families wanted to marry their daughters to him.
Secondly, Chen Shujing was a man of noble character and outstanding scholarship, and he also possessed a handsome face. On account of his looks alone, there were plenty of young women willing to be his second wife.
Being a second wife wasn’t as glamorous, but fortunately, Chen Shujing had no children. Once they married into the Chen Family and gave birth, everything would be fine.
As for his former wife, the Xue Family had already fallen. She no longer posed any threat.
No matter how you looked at it, marrying Chen Shujing was no loss.
Everyone who received an invitation to the Chen Family’s banquet attended. Some who didn’t receive one still found ways to accompany those who did.
Watching the lively scene, Madam Chen felt a sense of pride.
’Ah Jing is a scholar, born into a noble family. The number of girls who like him is countless!’
’Didn’t Xue Xingyao fall for Ah Jing at first sight back then?’
’If she knew about this "grand occasion" today, I wonder how she would react.’
’She’d probably regret it, right?’
’After all, the Xue Family has fallen. Even with Mei Wanying’s backing, as a divorced woman, it would be difficult for Xue Xingyao to marry into another prestigious, noble family.’
’Remaining in the Chen Family was the greatest blessing she could have asked for.’
’Unfortunately, Xue Xingyao was muddle-headed. She placed too much importance on romantic love and made the worst possible choice.’
’If she hadn’t insisted on a divorce, she would still be the Chen Family’s Heir’s wife today, and she could still be living a respectable life.’
’Instead, she ended up in Jiangnan, forced to live in a small courtyard home.’
Madam Chen refused to believe that Xue Xingyao had no regrets.
She was so proud, refusing to come back with Ah Jing no matter what. It was either because she wanted to manipulate Ah Jing, or because she had a powerful backer and feared nothing.
A mocking look flashed in Madam Chen’s eyes.
’Mei Wanying couldn’t even secure her place in the Central Palace. A backer like that could collapse at any moment.’
’When that happens, Xue Xingyao will regret it until she’s blue in the face.’
’That ungrateful wretch! I want her to lose everything, to have her face slapped soundly by reality!’
Madam Chen summoned her trusted nanny. "Take this list to Ah Jing’s courtyard. It’s up to him whether he comes or not. If he doesn’t choose one himself, then we, his elders, will have to decide for him."
"After all, marriage is a matter of parental arrangement and a matchmaker’s word. He has been fooling around for long enough; he can’t continue to act so willfully."
They had previously chosen an illegitimate daughter from the Shen Family. Thinking back on it now, Madam Chen felt it was a very poor choice.
’Ah Jing is the family heir. How could his wife be of illegitimate birth?’
’That would be far too undignified.’
’If the engagement had been finalized, it would have been a true laughingstock!’
’Thankfully, Ah Jing refused.’
That illegitimate daughter of the Shen Family was no simple character. Her birth mother controlled the Shen Family’s inner court, holding the power of the household firmly in her hands.
The Shen Family’s inheritance was on the verge of being snatched away by an illegitimate son.
If Shen Mingji died at the Border, or if he lived a life of mediocrity, everything belonging to the Shen Family would likely have nothing to do with him.
A girl raised in that kind of environment must have learned all sorts of crooked schemes.
If she had actually become a daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, she would have brought ruin upon them all!
Fortunately, Ah Jing returned in time to reject the match.
Because of this, Mr. Shen was furious and even threatened to cut off ties with the Chen Family.
’All the young women here today are from proper families. We can pick and choose carefully. They are a thousand times better than that illegitimate daughter from the Shen Family!’
The Chen Family elders were determined to arrange a marriage for Chen Shujing.
He was not young anymore, yet he had no children. How could the elders not be anxious?
The men of the Chen Family were not permitted to take concubines, unless their wife was barren and they were forced to take one for the sake of producing an heir.
Seeing her son growing older yet still all alone, Madam Chen was truly worried.
Even if her son resented her for it, she was determined to see this through.
Once Ah Jing had a child, he would naturally understand her painstaking efforts.
Only because parents love their children do they plan so far ahead for them!
The list was sent to Chen Shujing’s courtyard. Even from a great distance, he could hear the lively commotion from the garden.
His brow was furrowed tightly.
Without hesitation, he tossed the list into a basin of water.
’What does it matter to me whether these girls are good or bad?’
’I married Xue Xingyao. For the rest of my life, she is the only one I will acknowledge!’
Chen Shujing’s tone was indifferent. "Whoever arranged this marriage can be the one to go get married. It has nothing to do with me."
The nanny who had brought the message tried to persuade him earnestly, "Young Master, just think of it as bringing home a trinket. One more person in the residence is a small matter, like adding another pair of chopsticks. Once she gives birth, the family elders will stop pressuring you."
"Then you can do whatever you want. No one will stand in your way anymore."
Offspring are a serious matter. Without an heir, the Young Master’s branch of the family line would be extinguished.
The Young Master is the eldest son of the primary wife; his lineage is of the utmost importance.
No wonder the elders were so anxious.
"Young Master, you can’t just think about your own pleasure. You are the heir. You should consider the bigger picture and not break the elders’ hearts."
"Madam’s headaches have been getting worse lately. The doctor said it’s from excessive worrying."
"Young Master, you can’t only think of Miss Xue. You must also consider your own family."
"Miss Xue was the one who initiated the divorce. The Chen Family did not wrong her. She has already moved on, so why must you insist? Besides hurting those closest to you, what benefit do you gain from acting this way?"
"Young Master, you are the family’s heir. The last thing you should be doing is indulging in romance. You should shoulder your responsibilities, not leave behind a mess for your family to worry and fret over!"
Having said all that needed to be said, the nanny curtsied and withdrew.
Chen Shujing stared out the window, lost in thought, his brow still furrowed.
He knew he was being willful, that he had failed to fulfill his duties as the heir and had betrayed the trust and cultivation of his family.
If his heart didn’t belong to Xue Xingyao, he might have compromised for the sake of continuing the family line.
But he had fallen in love.
Some mistakes cannot be made twice. With Ah Yao in his heart, marrying another woman would be unfair to his new wife.
Besides, if he really married someone else, how could he ever face Ah Yao again?
Chen Shujing was caught in a dilemma.
He suddenly understood why Pei Yan was able to win back Mei Wanying, while he and Xue Xingyao only drifted further and further apart.
Pei Yan had the determination to disregard everything else. His goal was clear: to be with Mei Wanying.
Everything else had to come after Mei Wanying.
He wasn’t influenced by the outside world, nor did he hesitate or look back. He single-mindedly devoted himself to treating Mei Wanying well, giving her a complete sense of security.
Humans are not made of grass and wood; how could Mei Wanying not be moved?
As he thought about it, Chen Shujing gave a bitter smile.
Compared to Pei Yan, he seemed so hypocritical, so cowardly.
No wonder Ah Yao left and never looked back.