Chapter 144: Mai and Ji Yun An

Ji Yun An came out of the county yamen and went to the patrol camp.

"Have you really thought this through, are you really going to re-take the exam?" Ji Cheng Kang looked at Ji Yun An with a worried look, he didn't want his little nephew to get too carried away and make the wrong decision.

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yes, uncle, my mind is made up. Although I passed the exam this time, but my ranking is terrible. I'm hungry for a better ranking and better a better starting point for my official career."

"All right, Yun An. It looks like you have given mature consideration to this matter, I support your decision."

Ji Cheng Kang stared at Ji Yun An for a while and suddenly said, "You are interested in the Lu Lin's little brother-in-law, aren't you?"

Ji Yun An scratched his head and said shyly, "I accidentally ran into his room years ago, I believe it's fate."

Ji Cheng Kang shook his head and said, "At that time, you were very young, trust me, Lu Lin didn't care that you have broken into his house. Getting betrothed is no joking matter, I want you to be with someone who share mutual love and respect with you."

Ji Yun An said with a smile on his face "I think Mai and I have that."

Ji Cheng Kang was not surprised. Although Ji Yun An had been in the capital city for the past few years, he had always been in contact with Chen Xiao Mai.

Ji Cheng Kang thought Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin must know what was going on as well and they had tacitly consented to this, otherwise they would have had meddled in.

"Your father has introduced a girl to you, hasn't he?"

Ji Yun An's face darkened, he frowned and said coldly, "It's his niece, I don't feel a thing about her."

Ji Yun An had a very bad impression of his father, Zhao Heng, and he felt great hatred for his father's behavior of introducing him a girl.

Ji Cheng Kang smiled. Ji Yun An had passed the highest imperial examination at such a young age, of course people were eager to be betrothed with him. Not only the Zhaos , but some of the Ji family's distant relatives wanted to be betrothed with Ji Yun An.

"Yun An, let me ask you one last time. Are you sure you want to marry Mai? Knowing Mai, he is not going to be able to give you any assistance for your official career."

Ji Yun An's eyes sparkled and he said in a relaxing way, "Areal man relies on himself to fight for his future, not his wife, or his wife's family."

Ji Yun An suddenly thought of his mother. When his mother was alive, she had given his father a lot of help. Some people who were jealous of his father sowed discord between his parents by saying that his father relied on a woman for his success. And his father took it to his heart, he started to estrange himself from his mother.

Thinking of his father, Ji Yun An shook his head with disapproval.

Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "If you're sure, I'll talk to Lu Lin for you. Chen Xiao Mai has reached marriageable age, I'm afraid others will propose to him if we don't act fast."

Ji Yun An scratched his head and said shyly, "Thank you so much, Uncle."

Ji Cheng Kang smiled bitterly. Ji Yun An chose a wild child Chen Xiao Mai over all those ladies from eminent families, it was hard to believe. Zhao Heng would be so furious after he heard of it.

......

A few days later, Ji Cheng Kang prepared a generous gift and visisted the county yamen.

Chen Xiao Mi and Ji Cheng Kang chatted happily.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mi and asked, "What was Ji Cheng Kang doing here?"

"He was here to propose for Ji Yun An," Chen Xiao Mi said.

Lu Lin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Finally! Ji Cheng Kang did something right! Otherwise I would throw Ji Yun An out next time he walks into Mai's room."

A few years ago, Chen Xiao Mai was still young, and it was not a big deal for Ji Yun An and him stayed in the same room, so, but both kids were older now, people would talk if they spent time in the same room.

"General Ji looks very sincere."

Lu Lin nodded and said, "My only concern is Ji Yun An's family background is a bit complicated. I don't know if our Mai can handle that."

When Lu Lin first transmigrated to this time and space, Chen Xiao Mai was a toddler. In the past few years, Lu Lin raised Chen Xiao Mai as his own son. Lu Lin inevitably had his concerns about this betrothal.

Chen Xiao Mi sighed and said, "Ji Yun An is a nice young man, I believe he can take care of that."

Lu Lin nodded, "Mai is really charmed by Ji Yun An, I won't try to meddle in or anything. I know Ji Cheng Kang supports Ji Yun An's decision, but how about Ji Yun An's father?"

Matches were arranged by go-betweens according to the wishes of the parents. Although Ji Yun An had changed his surname, it was still a fact that Zhao Heng was his father.

Ji Yun An had boundless prospects before him, of course Zhao Heng wanted to find a lady from an influential family for Ji Yun An so that they could have a strong ally in the imperial court. As far as Lu Lin knew, although Zhao Heng had the highest imperial examinations, he was unappreciated in the official circles!

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "General Ji mentioned this. He said that Zhao Heng would oppose this marriage, but no need to worry, General Ji said he would take care of this."

Chen Xiao Mi tilted his head. Ji Cheng Kang seemed to have a deep hatred towards his brother-in-law, but no one could blame him. Zhao Heng took advantage of Ji Xue and abandoned Ji Yun An. And Zhao Heng seemed to be scared of Ji Cheng Kang, Chen Xiao Mi was confident that it shouldn't be a problem if Ji Cheng Kang talked to Zhao Heng.

......

In the patrol camp.

"General, what does Lu Lin say about the young master's proposal?" Liu Yun asked.

Ji Cheng Kang said lightly, "Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi both approve it, but they are worried Zhao Heng will object."

Lu Lin was just a county magistrate and Chen Xiao Mai was a bit special.

People would say that was not a great match, Chen Xiao Mai didn't deserve Ji Yun An. But Ji Cheng Kang felt otherwise, he had seen how happy Ji Yun An had become due to Chen Xiao Mai. And Chen Xiao Mai's family members were all very ambitious and capable, Yun An made his first fortune thanks to Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Cai.

Liu Yun frowned and said, "Zhao Heng will not be happy about this."

Ji Cheng Kang narrowed his eyes and said, "Of course he won't be happy. He is the biggest hypocrite I have ever met, he is desperate to use Yun An to associate with the influential families. And people still have some prejudice against Bios, probably those stupid people are going to make fun of Yun An, and Zhao Heng would find that embarrassing."

Ji Cheng Kang then added with a scorn, "No need to pay him any attention though, what matters is Yun An's happiness."

Liu Yun nodded, "I think young master Ji is now very happy, he goes to the county yamen every day to spend time with Mai, and he comes back to the camp, beaming with smiles."

......

Ji Yun An spent so much time in the county yamen, he naturally heard about the hot springs project.

Ji Yun An was very curious about the hot springs project and he followed Chen Xiao Cai to visit the site.

Chen Xiao Cai and Ji Yun An had cooperated well before, and now they were going to become a family. Ji Yun An was interested in the hot springs, Chen Xiao Cai was naturally more than happy to show Ji Yun An around.

"It looks spectacular!" Ji Yun An exclaimed at first sight.

Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "The cost is already quite high. I've put so much time and efforts in this, I dread to think no one comes visit this resort."

Ji Yun An glanced at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "That won't be the case, Cai. Once we resume the trade route with the Liao Dynasty, all the big merchants will visit this resort!"

Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "I hope so."

Ji Yun An had seen many exquisite landscapes in the capital city and he gave Chen Xiao Cai some inspiring advice.

After visiting the hot springs hotel, Chen Xiao Cai and Ji Yun An went to one of Chen Xiao Cai's restaurants.

Ji Yun An looked at the busy street and said in admiration, "Cai, you are really amazing."

Chen Xiao Cai smiled and said, "Thank you, Yun An. I can't wait for the trade route to reopen, all right, enough about me."

Chen Xiao Cai glanced at Ji Yun An and said, "I heard that you are not happy about your ranking in the exam and plan to retake it?"

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah! I've thought this thing through, people in the official circle tend to overlook youngsters, so I figured I better retake it and fight for a better ranking."

Chen Xiao Cai looked at Ji Yun An and gave him a thumbs up in heart, 'I appreciate your courage, insight and confidence! No wonder Mai is charmed by you!'

Chen Xiao Cai hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are you going to marry Mai?"

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Yeah!"

Chen Xiao Cai sized Ji Yun An up for a while and said seriously, "I need to make one thing clear, there can't be other people in this marriage."

Ji Yun An smiled and said, "Don't worry, I only want Mai."

Chen Xiao Cai nodded and half-jokingly, "If you cheat on Mai, there's even no need for me and my Big Brother to punish you, I'm sure Mai can teach you a lesson himself."

Chen Xiao Mai could tackle Ji Yun An years ago, and he had only got stronger over the years.

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "There won't be such a day, but now let's talk about you, I heard that there are many people who want to be your concubine. If you dare do that, I'm afraid Lin Ge will not stand by your side."

Chen Xiao Cai glanced at Ji Yun An and said unhappily, "Chi and I are in love, I won't have a concubine."

Chen Xiao Cai rubbed his forehead. Recently, his business was getting bigger and bigger. There were always some people who wanted to send a concubine to him. Chen Xiao Cai rejected one after another but to no avail, people would still try their luck. Chen Xiao Cai was so jealous of Lu Lin who had never encountered such a situation due to his reputation of being hen-pecked.

......

Yuan Bao held his face and looked at Chen Xiao Mai, "Little Uncle, are you going to marry Big Brother Ji!"

Chen Xiao Mai nodded and couldn't help blushing.

Yuan Bao blinked and said: "Little Uncle, what do you like about Big Brother Ji?"

Chen Xiao Mai thought for a moment and said, "He is a pretty boy."

Lu Lin who was walking towards this room happened to hear that conversation between Chen Xiao Mai and Yuan Bao.

Lu Lin chuckled, 'Mai likes Ji Yun An because Ji Yun An is very good-looking. But Mai, he is so much more, he is a genius.'

Yuan Bao puffed up his cheeks and said, "A pretty boy? So you love him for his outer beauty? But Father Lin said that we should look for the inner beauty about someone."

Lu Lin nodded in approval, 'Good boy, Yuan Bao, you are listening.'

"He also has great handwritings, he has read a lot of books, he knows martial arts, he is just very great," Chen Xiao Mai said.

Yuan Bao nodded and said, "I agree. Father's handwriting is terrible, and Brother Ji's handwriting is as pretty as his pretty face."

Lu Lin pouted.

Chen Xiao Mai said smugly, "It's amazing that he has such great handwritings. It means you are dedicated to practicing since you were young, you know, it requires a lot of practice and determination."

Yuan Bao scratched his head and said, "This brother Ji seems to be quite capable as well. I heard that he passed the exam."

Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said, "Yes, he passed the exam and now he can become a government official."

Yuan Bao puffed up his cheeks and said, "But Father said that you can become an official if you have money. It's not good to become a nerd when you can do things in a clever way."

Chen Xiao Mai shook his head and said, "I don't know what a nerd is. I'll ask Brother Ji next time I see him."

Lu Lin gasped, then he covered his mouth, hoping Ji Yun An had no idea what a nerd is.