Chapter 297: I Just Want Such a Person

Jiang Xinde seemed not to hear his son’s bold words, stroking his beard and deep in thought.

As the Minister of Rites, he oversaw the Honglu Temple, while the Hua family’s influence was centered in the Hanlin Academy. Although they were officials of the same dynasty, their interests didn't intertwine. Yet, if one were to look deeper, their connections were undeniable. Hua Yizheng's father, the patriarch of the Hua family, had been his mentor.

The Hua family had produced countless talented scholars. How many civil servants in the court could say they had no connection to the Hua family?

However, in critical moments, everyone was more adept at self-preservation. Still, there were some differences. The fact that no one had taken advantage of the Hua family's downfall in the past year was a testament to the deep friendships they had cultivated.

It seemed innate for the Hua family members to excel in their studies. No matter how talented or gifted someone was, they paled in comparison to the Hua family. And yet, Jiang Huanran had never heard of any Hua family member practicing martial arts. It was as if no one in the capital knew of the existence of such a young lady from the Hua family.

Jiang Xinde couldn't help but wonder if Hua Yizheng had foreseen this predicament and had intentionally raised such a daughter. She was simply a walking treasure!

Although they had done so discreetly, everyone knew that the newly established businesses were all affiliated with the Hua family. None of them had lost money; they were all making a killing. Many people were envious, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Jiang Huanran knew his younger son all too well. Although he was a bit reckless, he possessed the discerning eye of a young master from a noble family. The fact that he was so willing to marry into the Hua family after rejecting countless other proposals spoke volumes.

But…

"Dad, I need you to give me your word. When will you go and propose on my behalf?"

Jiang Xinde motioned for the servants to leave the room. "Do you understand the situation the Hua family is in right now?"

"They were only exiled by the Emperor," Jiang Huanran shot back.

Jiang Xinde let out a dry chuckle. "Only exiled by the Emperor? Can you think of anything worse?"

Jiang Huanran's face hardened, sensing his father's resistance. His voice sharpened. "So what if they were exiled? Father, you can't be serious. When the Hua family was on top, everyone adored them. Now that they've fallen from grace, does that mean they’re suddenly not the Hua family anymore?"

Jiang Xinde wasn’t bothered by his son’s bluntness. If anything, he appreciated it. In a family like theirs, everyone was usually playing some game, manipulating each other. But Huanran? He was a rare breath of honesty. Yet, even for the sake of that rarity, Jiang Xinde couldn’t get behind this marriage.

"I know Hua Zhi is a good girl. She’s kept her family’s dignity intact and preserved their legacy. But son, a girl like her can’t marry into our family."

"Why not?!" Huanran demanded, his frustration rising.

"Because you have two older brothers, both already married. Their wives, combined, don’t even compare to Hua Zhi. If you marry her, it’ll throw everything off balance in this family. Hua Zhi’s the kind of woman who could manage a household on her own. Marrying her to you, who can’t even support yourself, would be a betrayal to her. It’s just not fair."

Jiang Xinde's voice remained steady, calm even, as he laid out his reasoning. But to Huanran, it felt like a bomb had gone off in his chest. He knew his father wasn’t trying to manipulate him or argue, but was just stating hard, undeniable truths.

The family fears losing balance the most, if he were to bring Hua Zhi into the family, the two sisters-in-law would be overshadowed.

How would they get along?

And how would his older brothers react?

His father was right about everything, completely right. But he had finally found someone he liked...

“I'll move out...”

“Bang!”

The teacup smashed at Jiang Huanran's feet, Jiang Xinde's face lost its smile, “Are you trying to split the family?”

“If I move out, am I no longer your son? Is this no longer my home? I will still come back and respect you, mom, and grandmother... Dad, I have always had this idea about Hua Zhi. Can't you fulfill my wish?”

“Enjoying the wealth of the Jiang family needs to consider the bigger picture. The Hua family has fallen out of favor with the emperor, and you want to marry a daughter from that family, are you trying to openly oppose the emperor on behalf of the Jiang family?”

“Marrying a daughter from the Hua family is opposing the emperor? If the emperor really had no any affection for the past, do you think the Empress Dowager could protect the Hua family?”

“Don't think about it, this is impossible!” Jiang Xinde's expression grew even colder, when it involved the family, he would not tolerate any misbehavior from his son.

As the youngest son in the family, Jiang Huanran grew up being spoiled, and he played the role of a prodigal son dutifully, because only then would his older brothers care for him and trust him.

He had also wanted to make a name for himself, to have a place amongst the countless ambitious individuals, but the Jiang family couldn't have a favored and ambitious youngest son.

Seeing his son like this, Jiang Xinde felt sorry for him and softened his expression, about to offer some consolation, when he heard his youngest son say, “Dad, am I an obedient son?”

Jiang Xinde paused for a moment, then replied affirmatively, “Yes, you are more obedient than many other kids.”

“Am I someone who doesn't compete or fight for things, do I just take whatever is given to me?”

“...Yes.”

“I messed up the marriage arrangement that Grandma arranged for me, which was supposed to be higher status than the elder sister-in-law, am I a good brother?”

“...Yes.”

“I ended a friendship with a childhood friend just because our families are no longer on the same side, am I considering the bigger picture?”

“...Yes.”

“Since I am so obedient, why can't I have someone I love?” Jiang Huanran smiled with tears in his eyes, “She may not have the same status as my sisters-in-law, she may not come from a powerful family, she doesn't bother anyone. She is just outstanding by herself, and it's not her fault. I like Hua Zhi just the way she is. Even a glance from her makes me happy for a long time. Dad, I just want to be with her.”

Jiang Xinde felt a strong sense of pity. Compared to those noble heirs who often cause trouble and make the family handle the aftermath, Huanran was indeed considered obedient. Even when he misbehaves, he knows his limits. He sets boundaries for himself and operates within those boundaries, never crossing the line or doing anything that harms the family's interests.

Their brotherly bond was based on mutual respect and understanding, because he knew what he should and shouldn't do. Like he said, he just takes what is given to him, without fighting or competing. Now, he simply likes someone and wants to marry her, but even his father had to intervene.

He couldn't help but intervene. It wasn't that he looked down on Hua Zhi, he actually held her in high regard. A capable person like her would benefit any family she married into, but she could only be a daughter-in-law. The fear was that the older brothers and their wives would feel threatened by her, leading to chaos in the household.

Moreover, without a clear stance from the emperor, he couldn't take that risk. If the emperor still held a grudge against the Hua family, the Jiangs would need to tread carefully. As the head of the Jiang family, this was something he had to consider, even if it meant sacrificing his youngest son's happiness.

“Huanran, let me find you a suitable match...”

Jiang Huanran shook his head with a wry smile and rubbed his face vigorously as he stood up, “No matter how good it is, it's not Hua Zhi. I don't want it.”

Jiang Xinde hurriedly stood up as well, “Where are you going?”

“To the Hua family.”

“Jiang Huanran!”

Jiang Huanran crossed the threshold and turned to face him, “I'm going to the Hua family. The eldest daughter is injured, I want to go see her.”

“You should go and pay your respects to your mother. Someone, take the young master to see the lady of the house.”

When Jiang Huanran's mother was mentioned, he couldn't argue anymore. He had been away for a month, so it was time to pay his respects to his mother.

Seeing how compliant he was, Jiang Xinde felt even more uneasy. If this boy decides to act recklessly, he can still be at ease.

The Hua family...

Jiang Xinde sighed deeply, “Keep a close eye on the young master, don't let him leave the house.”

“Yes.”