Chapter 623: Not Mature Enough

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

General Fan lifted his head to examine Chu Qingzhi, who had approached the desk. Her appearance was not bad, even prettier than his own daughter, he thought. What struck him most were her eyes.

Those eyes were clear, beautiful, wise, and calm, seeming to contain everything yet also appearing exceedingly simple. It was a contradiction, yet those eyes managed to embody this paradox, instantly making it difficult to gauge her true nature.

With just a glance, General Fan could tell that Chu Qingzhi was not simple. He could not help but classify the girl in front of him as someone on the same level as him.

Chu Qingzhi bowed, “Greetings to General Fan.”

General Fan rose to meet her and said, “No need for formalities, please take a seat.”

Chu Qingzhi sat in the guest seat. Her sitting posture was upright and elegant. With her beautiful appearance, she looked like a stunning lady from a painting.

Observing General Fan, she noted internally that he must be at least 1.9 meters tall, his entire presence robust and even a bit rough.

Such a man had fathered daughters as beautiful as the Empress and Fan Yuru…

Their mother must be incredibly beautiful!

General Fan took his seat opposite her, silently admiring Tang Jinghong’s taste. Chu Qingzhi’s demeanor alone set her apart from ordinary women. He became curious about the village Jinghong lived in, which could produce such an outstanding woman.

Chu Qingzhi apologized, “1 hope General Fan will forgive my abrupt visit.”

General Fan said forthrightly, “We’re a family. Jinghong has returned to the capital for so many days. He should have brought you to see me long ago. He hasn’t visited for so long. I don’t know where he has gone now. 1 have to talk to him tomorrow.”

Chu Qingzhi explained, “Jinghong mentioned bringing me to visit, but General Fan was not home at the time. Now that you are, Jinghong has been busy, so we haven’t had a good opportunity.”

General Fan chuckled, “Then 1’11 pick a good time for you and Jinghong to come over for a meal.”

Chu Qingzhi obediently agreed.

“We’re family, so I won’t beat around the bush.” General Fan patted his knee. “If you have anything to say, just say it. There’s no need to hide it.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingzhi said bluntly, “It’s about Yuru.”

“Yuru?” General Fan was silent for a moment and asked hesitantly, “Do you have a good candidate?” Chu Qingzhi had chosen Jinghong, which meant that she had good taste. Her words were worth listening to.

“I do have someone in mind, but we need a little more time. 1 hope General Fan won’t push Yuru to decide too soon.”

General Fan asked with interest, “Can you tell me who it is?”

“Not at the moment, but 1 assure you there will be a result within a month.”

General Fan gazed at Chu Qingzhi. Speaking with such certainty, she must know something. “You’re sure that within a month, Yuru’s marriage will be settled?”

“Yes, and she will willingly agree. The other party’s family is a good match for General Fan’s household. Please rest assured.”

In this era, being an imperial physician represented the best medical minds in a nation, and as the head of these top physicians, the status was extremely high.

Moreover, an imperial physician not only had status but also connections. The high families of the capital all sought treatment from them, and treating a new patient meant gaining another family’s network.

After pondering for a while, General Fan stated, “I’ll indulge Yuru for another month. In one month, she must settle her marriage matters.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Okay.”

Upon seeing Chu Qingzhi emerge from General Fan’s study, Fan Yuru eagerly pulled her to the yard, “Qingzhi, did you persuade my father not to rush me into an engagement?”

“You only have one month.”

“What? Just a month?” Fan Yuru was stunned, “Can 1 find someone I like in just a month?”

“Let’s try. A lot can happen in a month. Don’t lose hope; you might meet someone any day now.”

Fan Yuru wasn’t comforted, her pessimism evident, “Qingzhi, it seems I’m destined to spend my life with someone I don’t love.”

Chu Qingzhi patted her back, trying to console her, “You don’t need to be so pessimistic. Even people who haven’t met before marriage can develop feelings afterwards. Plus, you still have a month, which is luckier than those who marry blindly.”

Comparing her situation, Fan Yuru mused, “I suppose 1 am much luckier.” Chu Qingzhi was right; at least she had a month.

After calming Fan Yuru down a bit, Chu Qingzhi reminded her, “You’ve missed two days of voluntary medical service…”

Fan Yuru was a very responsible person. When she heard this, she immediately packed up and prepared to leave. “It’s all my father’s fault for locking me up. Otherwise, 1 wouldn’t have been absent.”

“Your father is doing this for your good. If he could just improve his approach a bit, it would be better.”

Fan Yuru agreed, “He does care about me…”

They left hurriedly, ready to head to the free clinic.

Meanwhile, after a conversation, Madam Fan politely rejected Consort Xin’s proposal.

She didn’t want another daughter marrying into the royal family, especially since Li Tingzhao, despite his good looks, lacked other abilities and wouldn’t appeal to Fan Yuru.

Consort Xin left General Fan’s residence, her expression grim. She didn’t dare say anything overboard, considering Madam Fan’s influence was much more significant than hers, a mere consort.

Suppressing her anger, Consort Xin stormed off from the residence.

Madam Fan sighed. There were so many people coming to propose marriage, but none of them were suitable.

Chu Qingzhi and Fan Yuru arrived at the free clinic.

Seeing Fan Yuru, Yuan Hongjun brightened up and approached them, “Master, Yuru, I’ve prepared silver-thread candy for you. Try some.”

Fan Yuru, who loved silver-thread candy, happily accepted, “Sure.”

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, knowing to prepare the other person’s favorite treat shows genuine care.

Yuan Hongjun brought Chu Qingzhi and Fan Yuru into the government office. There were two rooms specially prepared for volunteer medical consultations. There was a table in the middle of one of the rooms. There were many delicious foods on the table, not only candies.

“Master, Yuru, please enjoy. I’ll be outside treating patients,” said Yuan Hongjun, before hastily leaving the room, appearing somewhat bashful.

Fan Yuru, watching his retreating figure, felt something was amiss, “Qingzhi, Hongjun seems a bit off.”

“How so?”

“I noticed he didn’t look me in the eye. He seemed evasive and awkward,” Fan Yuru observed as she sat next to Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi smiled, asking softly, “What do you think of Hongjun?”

Fan Yuru took a bite of the candy, “He’s good at medicine, has a pleasant personality, and looks decent. Everything about him is quite nice, just not mature enough..”