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Chapter 435 New Year (I)

Jiang Shaohua was practicing boxing in the martial arts room. The wind from his punches was so loud that no one dared to approach him within a few meters.

A handsome young man in grey cloth stood in the corner with a smile on his face, staring at the princess' lightning-fast figure.

This picture is harmonious and peaceful, and the years are quiet and good.

After Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaozong came in, they spontaneously went to Cui Du.

Cui Du was familiar with both of them, so he asked casually with a smile: "I heard that you two are going to get engaged?"

Chen Jinyu: "..."

Ma Yaozong: "..."

Ma Yaozong felt guilty despite his joy. He wanted to nod but didn't dare to, yet he was reluctant to shake his head.

Chen Jinyu was angry and embarrassed, and glared at Cui Du: "Where did you hear this rumor from?"

Cui Du grinned: "Do I need to ask about this? I heard Meng Sanbao tell me when I returned to the palace last night."

"This big mouth!" Chen Jinyu turned around and glared at Meng Sanbao in the distance.

These two angry gazes were as real as substance. Meng Sanbao quietly turned around and used his broad back to block Chen Sheren's murderous gaze.

Cui Du was so happy that he winked at Ma Yaozong and said, "Mr. Chen is so powerful. You should be more careful in the future."

Ma Yaozong looked at Cui Du silently, then at the princess who was wielding the silver spear like lightning, and thought to himself, how dare you say that to me.

Cui Du did not feel embarrassed, and proudly straightened his chest: "Our princess is really good at fighting! Ten or eight people like you and me are not enough for the princess to practice with."

Ma Yaozong twitched his lips slightly, unable to bear it any longer: "That's you. I have practiced martial arts since I was young, and I can withstand more than ten moves from the princess."

"Don't you want to practice martial arts?"

Cui Du replied frankly: "I don't have such plans. Everyone has their own strengths. I am not interested in martial arts. It is not my ambition. Besides, with the princess here, who dares to bully me!"

This makes sense.

But why does it sound a bit awkward? As a man, is it okay to be so shameless?
Looking at the calm and composed Lord Changning, Ma Yaozong thought that he still had not practiced enough and he needed to calm down and learn from Lord Changning.

Jiang Shaohua put away his spear and came over with a smile: "Cui Du, have breakfast with me."

Cui Du smiled and responded: "I have been waiting with an empty stomach! You must have a good meal today."

Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly.

As for Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaozong, they were not qualified to have breakfast with the princess, so they tactfully waited outside for the princess to summon them at any time.

The days are long, and there are no dispatches every moment. Waiting is the norm.

Normally, Ma Yaozong and Chen Jinyu stay together, talking and laughing, but today the atmosphere is a bit weird.

Chen Jinyu's eyes wandered around, but she didn't look at Ma Yaozong. Ma Yaozong pretended to look around, but in fact he was staring at Chen Jinyu from the corner of his eyes.

It was a cold winter day, but the room was warm with a charcoal pot burning. Chen Jinyu had beads of sweat on the tip of his nose.

Ma Yaozong stood up and poured a cup of warm tea, and held it in front of Chen Jinyu: "Mr. Chen, have a cup of tea to moisten your throat."

Chen Jinyu took the teacup and took a sip.

Ma Yaozong moved closer and said, "I met your mother last night."

Chen Jinyu was startled and quickly turned her head to look over: "Did my mother say something unpleasant?"

As expected of mother and daughter, Chen Jinyu guessed it right at once.

Ma Yaozong whispered: "It's not bad. It's just that my aunt doesn't like me very much and her attitude is indifferent."

Chen Jinyu frowned and snorted softly: "She is a snob." "As parents, we should plan for the long-term future of our children. I...can't catch my aunt's eye because I'm not good enough, so it's not my aunt's fault." Ma Yaozong lowered his voice, his eyes clear and sincere: "But my feelings are the most sincere."

"As long as you are willing to marry me, I will do whatever you want. If you want to work, I will fully support you. You can do whatever you want."

Chen Jinyu bit her lip and suddenly said, "I want to change my job, are you willing?"

This made no sense, but Ma Yaozong understood it immediately.

No one knew the princess's ways better than them. If they got married, it would be impossible for both of them to stay with the princess and serve her. One of them would have to leave.

Chen Jinyu's reluctance to leave meant that he had to leave, give up the job he was familiar with, and start from scratch in a new position.

Such a price is indeed high.

Ma Yaozong responded without hesitation: "I have already thought about this. After we get engaged, I will take the initiative to ask the princess to change my job."

"With my ability, everything I do will sparkle."

Chen Jinyu was amused, and her heart suddenly brightened up, and she smiled at Ma Yaozong.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the house. Ma Yaozong reacted very quickly and went out to meet them.

Coincidentally, the person who came was Chen Changshi.

Ma Yaozong smiled attentively and said, "The princess is having breakfast with the Earl of Changning. Please wait for a moment, Mr. Chen. I will go and report to you."

He tactfully ran errands and passed messages, leaving the space for the grandparents and grandchildren to speak.

Chen Changshi smiled and glanced at his granddaughter: "Does your face still hurt?"

Chen Jinyu felt a little aggrieved: "It doesn't hurt anymore. I just feel a little unhappy."

"Don't bother with your mother." Chen Changshi actually felt sorry for his granddaughter, but it was inconvenient for him to say anything wrong about his daughter-in-law, so he could only comfort her in a gentle voice: "Your father will take care of your foolish mother. Your grandfather will decide your lifelong affairs for you."

Chen Jinyu understood what her grandfather meant. She felt a little shy, but more happy, and nodded slightly.

……

The New Year of the third year of Taihe arrived amid everyone's great anticipation.

On New Year's Day, all the officials came together to congratulate the princess on the new year.

The fifteen-year-old Jiang Shaohua was wearing a gorgeous and complicated princess dress, revealing a beauty and majesty that made people dare not look directly at her.

"I wish the princess a happy new year and all the best."

Chen Changshi took the lead in bowing, and all the officials congratulated loudly together.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, like a blooming flower, beautiful and charming: "Everyone, please stand up. This princess also hopes that Nanyang County will get better and better every year, and the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and everyone will have a good life."

Standing behind Chen Changshi and Feng Changshi, Changning Bo Cui Du wore court formal attire for once. The 15-year-old boy had a handsome face, a slender figure, and was full of energy, but his eyes were too direct, always staring at the princess, and he didn't know how to be subtle and restrained.

Chen Changshi muttered to himself, and quietly moved to block the sight of Earl Changning.

Cui Du didn't care. He moved as well and continued to look at the princess openly.

Chen Changshi: "..."

All the officials lowered their heads and laughed secretly.

Jiang Shaohua raised the corner of his mouth.

On New Year's Day, the palace held a grand banquet, and the county magistrates of the fourteen counties were present. This year, several new faces appeared.

Sun Zelan, the divine doctor from the Royal Guards camp, Kong Qingwan, the teacher who taught the Royal Guards to read and write, Li Ying and Cui Wenxiu from the Ye County Girls' School, and Chen Jinyu, the Sheren Chen, made up a perfect table.