Chapter Nine: The Marriage Proposal

  "Sister, what you said earlier can't be true, right? You also know that brother isn't that kind of material. We can calm down and read a few more books, but there's no need to go participate in the literary exam, is there?"

  Han Jing coaxed his sister with a flattering face, thinking that the test was a big headache, and he was not good at poetry, books, literature, and history. If he went, he would only lose face and be at the bottom of the list.

  Hanjiang Xue didn't fall for it, smiling as she said: "Of course it's true, would I dare to joke in front of Father? Besides, brother just said that he'd listen to me no matter what, could you have forgotten so quickly?"

  "No, of course I haven't forgotten, but this is a different story. You're well aware of my level, and if I go, it'll only end in embarrassment. What's the point?" Han Jing was self-aware and thus tried his best to persuade his sister to change her mind.

  "Although brother's martial arts skills are indeed impressive, having only bravery and no literary talent will make people think of you as a roughneck. Even if you win first place in the martial arts competition this year, you'll still be looked down upon by others. Does brother really want to spend his whole life being underestimated, content with just getting by?"

  Han Jiangxue put away her smile and said seriously: "No one requires you to be a certain way when participating in the literary exam, if not this year then next year will do, what's most important is the process of striving! But if because of fear of losing and fear of embarrassment, you don't even have the courage to participate, isn't that even more laughable? If big brother is really so weak-willed, how can little sister still hope for big brother's lifelong protection?"

  Having said that, Han Jiangxue took a step and left.

  Just now her every sentence and every word even this decisive departure deeply stimulated Han Jing, making Han Jing feel a sense of shame.

  After being stunned for a moment, Han Jing finally came to his senses and quickly caught up with Han Jiang Xue, solemnly saying: "Sister, don't be angry, brother knows he was wrong, from now on, I definitely won't let sister down again!"

  Hearing this, Han Jiangxue finally stopped and smiled: "Big brother isn't fond of that Lin family's illegitimate daughter? You should remember, only when you are excellent and strong enough will Father put aside his prejudices and follow your thoughts to accept Lin Xiaoxiao. So, work hard to become stronger, not just for me, but also for yourself!"

  He clapped his palms and gave two sweet dates, Han Jiangxue looked at the big brother who was completely ignited with fighting spirit, feeling extremely delighted.

  "Sister... didn't you also dislike Xiao Xiao all along?" Upon hearing this, Han Jing's blood was boiling, but his mind was racing extremely fast. He immediately understood that Han Jiang Xue had changed her previous way of thinking and accepted Xiao Xiao, which made him somewhat unable to believe it.

  In her past life, Han Jiang Xue indeed didn't quite approve of her elder brother being with Lin Xiao Xiao, always feeling that a common official's illegitimate daughter wasn't worthy of her own elder brother. She was still somewhat constrained by the concept of social status and family background, neglecting the true nature of people.

  But later, when the news of her brother's death came out, Lin Xiao also followed him to die for love. It was only then that she thoroughly understood how lucky her brother was to have met such a good girl.

  "That's because I didn't know before that Lin Xiaoxiao was such a good girl!" She sincerely praised, no longer holding any prejudices against the girl. After speaking, she left her brother who was extremely happy and stunned, walking away lightly and leisurely.

  It wasn't until much later, when Qingmu reminded him, that Han Jing finally came back to his senses. He looked in the direction where his sister had long since disappeared, and felt a strange warmth in his heart.

  Half a month later, Han Jing indeed changed into a different person. Not only did he change his usual habit of not staying at home all day and not going out the door, but he also specially cleared out a room in his own courtyard to make a study. Every morning, he would practice martial arts, and for the rest of the time, he basically stayed in the study reading books and studying.

  Less than two months after the Chinese martial arts exam in the Imperial Palace, Han Jing wished he could make one day count as two.

  Qingwu is undoubtedly the best teacher, carefully selecting books suitable for Hanjing's current research. He explains patiently without spoon-feeding, nor does he seek quick success, even Hanfeng can't help but admire Qingwu's knowledge and methods, feeling grateful to his father-in-law Tan Xiaoqi.

  Han Jiangxue hadn't gone out in these days either, although she didn't study the feminine virtues or play the piano, chess, painting and calligraphy like Han Feng had hoped. However, seeing her daughter being able to calm down and read books, plant flowers, cultivate herself and nurture her nature made her feel content already.

  Today, Han Feng and Liu Shi arrived at Han Jiang Xue's small courtyard together.

  The Korean wind is hard to come by, I just went to see Han Jing's study situation on purpose, knowing that everything is fine and not disturbing too much, after coming out, it's natural to drop by and take a look at my daughter.

  "Xue Er, how did all the flowers in this courtyard change to banana flowers?" Jing Er's transformation was thanks to Xue Er's efforts. Han Feng couldn't help but feel a little grateful to Li Xing Ming at this moment. If not for that one fall, who knows when these two children would have come to their senses.

  "It's nothing, I just like it. Besides, this flower is easy to care for. I've just started arranging flowers and plants, so it's best to start with this one." Han Jiangxue explained calmly to her father, then glanced again at Liu Shi, who still didn't know what the banana flower represented for her.

  Actually from start to finish, she knew that her father was not unloving towards them, it's just that this familial affection had been worn away by too many things that shouldn't have existed, and Liu was the best catalyst.

  Han Feng listened and was extremely pleased, feeling that her daughter's temperament had become better and more sensible, calm and composed, making people happy to see.

  "Looking at you two siblings, both of whom have made progress, as a father, I am truly delighted!" He said with emotion, "Your mother is right, Jing Er's age has also arrived, it's time to find him a suitable marriage, after he gets married and settles down, he will naturally become more down-to-earth."

  "Marriage?" As soon as he heard his father mention this, Han Jiangxue immediately realized that Liu's plan had failed and he was starting to come up with another crooked idea. His older brother's heart was set on that Lin family's illegitimate daughter, so suddenly bringing up a marriage proposal wasn't it obvious that he wanted to disrupt his thoughts?

  "Yes, your elder brother is already eighteen years old now. He has also become more sensible and can start preparing. Your mother has been busy searching everywhere these past few days. Looking at her attitude, it seems like even a heavenly being wouldn't be good enough." As he said this, Han Feng's face lit up with joy, clearly very satisfied with Liu Shi's careful consideration of the child's lifelong matters.

  "Old Master laughed and said, I think it doesn't matter whether the heavens are heavenly or not. What's most important is that they match with Jing'er and truly treat our Jing'er well, that's what's most real." Madam Liu spoke seamlessly, without intentionally mentioning anything about matching doors and households, but suddenly made one think of Lin Xiao Xiao.

  Han Jing's fondness for Lin Xiao was no secret, so Han Feng slightly furrowed his brow and directly said: "What you say is right, but don't always be too soft-hearted, following Jing'er's ideas all the time. The basic conditions of being a good match are still not to be compromised by his temperament."

  "Don't worry, old master. Rong'er is now sensible and her thoughts will gradually change." Liu's smile was warm and gentle as she comforted him.

  "Dad, in my opinion, it's better for big brother to wait a bit longer before getting married. There's no rush, let's talk about it again in a year or two."

  "Now that big brother has just calmed down and is diligently studying, wanting to achieve something, if he were to get busy with marriage talks again so soon, it would likely have an impact. If it were to stir up big brother's wild nature again, which had just shown some improvement, it might be difficult to rein in again. Why not wait a year or two, let big brother fully settle down and achieve something small before discussing marriage? Wouldn't there still be plenty of suitable options then?"

  This remark made Han Feng feel extremely reasonable.

  A good man, what's the worry about not having a wife? The key is that this person must first completely settle their nature before talking! What if, as my daughter said, they are influenced by those male-female matters and affect the temper that has been difficult to gather, wouldn't that be a loss?

  Just as he was considering whether to temporarily postpone the engagement as his daughter had said, Liu spoke up and said: "Xue'er's words are reasonable. As the saying goes, 'settle down at home before starting a career'. Men and women are different, only when they have settled their lifelong affairs can they truly feel at ease. Xue'er is still young and doesn't understand this yet, but she will in the future."