Chapter 118 - 117: Consideration

Chapter 118: Chapter 117: Consideration

The next morning, the thin mist had yet to disperse.

After having breakfast with Elder Zhan and Zhou Zhen, Zhou Shuwei bid farewell to Chen Li.

A satisfied smile graced her face. She was clearly pleased with the outcome of her trip to Lingxi.

Chen Li and his family saw them to the door.

Chen Shouheng stood beside his father, striving to maintain a calm expression as he watched the three of them depart.

Once the sound of hooves had faded completely, the light in Shouheng’s eyes quickly dimmed.

He stood alone in the courtyard, his gaze vacant as he stared distractedly at the distant, rolling green mountains.

The observant Chen Shouyue noticed something was wrong with her older brother.

She quietly approached Chen Shouheng, gently tugged on his sleeve, and asked in a small voice, "Brother, are... are you okay?"

Chen Shouheng snapped out of his trance. Seeing the concern in his sister’s eyes, he forced a smile and habitually ruffled her hair. "I’m fine."

He paused, then suddenly returned to his room. He retrieved an object wrapped in soft cloth from his luggage and handed it to Shouyue.

"Here, I bought this for you in the Commandery City."

Shouyue took it curiously. When she unwrapped it, she found a piece of exquisitely crafted Soft Armor that shimmered with a faint silver light. It felt cool and tough to the touch.

"What is this?"

Shouyue’s eyes widened.

"It’s Celestial Silkworm Armor. I heard that if you wear it, ordinary blades can’t harm you. It’s for protection," Chen Shouheng said, his tone flat.

He didn’t mention that it was a reward from the Governor for winning the competition, only saying that he had bought it himself. "When you go out from now on, wear this. It’ll put my mind at ease."

Shouyue was overjoyed and stroked the Soft Armor, unable to put it down. But she quickly looked up again. "Brother, this must have been very expensive, right? Did you..."

"I got it for you, so just take it."

Chen Shouheng cut her off with a smile. "With my current Cultivation, ordinary blades can hardly harm me, so I don’t need it. And with your second brother’s Horizontal Training Skills, he needs it even less."

Clutching the Soft Armor, Shouyue watched her brother’s back as he walked toward the study. She couldn’t shake the feeling that his smile was hiding some deep worry. Biting her lip, she decided to find their father and get to the bottom of it.

Inside the study, Chen Li was flipping through a pharmacopoeia that he had spent a good number of silver taels on.

"Father!"

The study door was open, and Shouyue ran in, still holding the Soft Armor. She asked curiously, "Did those people who came yesterday force Brother to do something he didn’t want to? He seems so unhappy, and he just gave me this..."

She held up the Soft Armor in her hands.

Chen Li put down his book and looked at his daughter’s small face, a mixture of concern and indignation. He pondered for a moment.

He didn’t answer directly. Instead, he stroked her head and asked, "Shouyue, let me ask you something. If, one day, the family needed you to marry someone you don’t know well, or perhaps even dislike, for the sake of our interests, would you be willing?"

Startled by the sudden question, Shouyue paused for a second. "Yue’Er trusts Father. Whoever Father chooses for Yue’Er will surely be the best, and the best for Yue’Er. I would be willing!"

Her tone was filled with unconditional trust in her father.

Hearing this, Chen Li was overcome with mixed emotions. He let out a long sigh and said, "You are all my children. How could I bear to use you as bargaining chips?"

He beckoned Shouyue closer, looked into her bright eyes, and said slowly, "Don’t worry. I’ve already handled the matter with the Zhou Family."

Shouyue’s eyes immediately lit up. "Really? Father, how did you do it?"

Chen Li didn’t explain directly. Instead, he told Shouyue, "Go tell your brother that I’ve negotiated a new arrangement with the Zhou Family. As for their young miss, whether or not something happens between them will depend on fate. It won’t be forced."

Although she didn’t quite understand the details, Shouyue grasped the most crucial piece of information.

"I knew it! Father is the best!"

Shouyue was instantly overjoyed. "I’ll go tell Brother right now. Otherwise, he’ll just keep moping."

With that, she hugged the Soft Armor and turned to run out.

Shouyue found Chen Shouheng in a corner of the courtyard, still staring blankly into the distance.

"Brother! Brother!"

She ran up to him, her small face flushed from running and excitement.

"What is it? Slow down."

Chen Shouheng temporarily set aside his worries.

Shouyue took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling, and eagerly relayed Chen Li’s words to Shouheng. "...Father said you don’t have to marry into their family! And you don’t have to marry Miss Zhou anymore! Isn’t Father the best?"

After hearing this, Chen Shouheng was completely stunned.

’Did Father refuse to cooperate with the Zhou Family?’

He shot to his feet and immediately headed for Chen Li’s study.

The moment he entered, he said anxiously, "Father, you mustn’t! You don’t have to consider my feelings. My... my personal preferences are insignificant compared to the family’s interests."

Chen Li looked calmly at his eldest son. He didn’t answer right away, but gestured to a nearby chair. "Shouheng, sit down first."

Shouheng froze for a moment, then did as he was told and sat down.

Chen Li looked at him, a flicker of imperceptible gratification in his eyes. "Shouheng, you’ve grown up. You know how to weigh the pros and cons, and I’m very pleased."

He paused, then continued, "However, when considering matters, you must be more thorough. I’ll tell you, I have not refused to cooperate with the Zhou Family."

Chen Shouheng’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with confusion. "Then?"

"We’ve just changed our approach."

A faint smile touched Chen Li’s lips. "The Zhou Family is so eager to win you over, even wanting to marry their young miss to you, for no other reason than their family’s decline and the weakening of the main branch. What they need is simply an ally who can provide support in the future. A marriage alliance is just one method; others will work just as well. Besides, what I discussed with the Zhou Family are only promises. Everything depends on you first becoming an Advanced Scholar."

Chen Shouheng was completely dumbfounded. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, no words came out.

A warm current surged through his heart, and a lump formed in his throat.

"Father..."

Chen Shouheng’s voice trembled slightly. "Why go to such lengths for me..."

Chen Li waved his hand, cutting him off. "You are my son. How could a matter as important as your marriage be treated like a game?"

At this point, his expression and tone turned serious. "Shouheng, I hope you will still give serious thought to your own marriage."

Chen Shouheng opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately closed it and remained silent.

"If you intend to stay home and help me manage the family business, then neither Miss Zhou nor Mu Yuanying is a good match for you."

Seeing that he was silent, Chen Li continued, "Marry for virtue, not for beauty. That Miss Zhou is willful and spoiled. Her family is prominent, and while marrying her would be of great help to you, she would inevitably dominate you after the wedding. As for Mu Yuanying, her heart belongs to the Jianghu; she is not the type to settle down.

Your mother and I still hope you will find a woman who is well-read and sensible, gentle in nature, and filial to her parents to be your companion. A woman like that would be a truly good match for you. Of course, if your heart is set on the Jianghu, then I won’t interfere in your marriage. You can just choose whomever you like."

"Father, I understand. I will definitely give it serious consideration."

Chen Shouheng took a deep breath, rose, and gave his father a deep bow before turning to leave the study.

...