Chapter 35

Chapter 35

"Mother, Second Brother... how—how did you two get here?"

Shen Qinglan was startled out of his wits by his mother and second brother’s sudden appearance, his face flushing crimson as he stood rooted to the spot, completely panicked.

Han Zhang never expected Shen’s mother to pick today of all days to catch them—couldn’t be worse timing.

Meanwhile, seeing the two locked in an embrace, Shen’s mother was practically fuming, torn between heartache and fury. Her voice trembled as she scolded:

"How did we come? If I hadn’t come with your second brother, were you planning to do something foolish with this shameless scholar today? Lan Geer, is this how I taught you? How could you be so indiscreet and bring shame upon our family?"

Shen Huaizhi stepped forward and reached to pull him away. "Lan Geer, come here at once!"

"Mother... I... I..."

Shen Qinglan dared not approach. Frightened, he shrank back behind Han Zhang.

A moment ago, when he confessed his feelings, all he cared about was whether Brother Han liked him back. Now, caught red-handed by his mother and second brother, it hit him how serious things were, overwhelmed by shame and fear, too guilty to even lift his head.

Han Zhang, on the other hand, stayed cool, unfazed even when caught red-handed.

He quickly shielded the person behind him, stepped forward to greet Shen’s mother with a respectful bow, and said calmly:

"Madam Shen, Second Brother Shen, I’m Han Zhang, from Shangpo Village just outside the capital. I am twenty years old and passed the imperial exam and earned the rank of xiucai (county-level scholar). What happened today isn’t Lan Geer’s fault—it’s all on me. I was carried away and acted improperly with him."

"I’ll take full responsibility, whatever punishment you decide. I’ll hire an official matchmaker and propose with the full traditional rites—three letters and six gifts—without cutting a single corner. I beg you not to blame Lan Geer."

With that, he lifted his robes, knelt solemnly, and bowed his head in acknowledgment, his words sincere.

Shen Qinglan couldn’t stand to see his beloved punished. His fear and shame gave way to worry, and he rushed to say:

"No, Mother, it wasn’t Brother Han’s fault. He didn’t cross any line with me."

"Today, I was the one who confessed and practically begged him to accept me. Brother Han and I love each other. Please, Mother, don’t punish him..."

His frantic defense only made Shen’s mother’s head spin with fury.

"Love each other? This is clearly an illicit affair! Marriage is for parents to decide—not for you to run off like this. Lan Geer, not only did you meet him in secret, but you did something so improper—it’s a disgrace. I’m really disappointed in you."

Though she scolded harshly, she couldn’t bear to lay a hand on her own son. Since she couldn’t bear to punish her own son, she needed someone else to take it out on.

Shen’s mother cast a cold glare at Han Zhang and sneered: "Propose marriage? Master Han, you really know how to play your cards! A neat trick—trying to force a marriage by making it a done deal. Do you think this stunt can make our Shen family marry our legitimate son to you?"

Shen Huaizhi was even more furious: "Master Han, you’re a scholar, yet you stoop to deceiving an innocent boy and ruining my brother’s reputation!"

"Do you think our Shen family is lowborn? Do you believe we’d sacrifice our son’s honor just to save face and let you have your way? Let me tell you, even if my brother’s reputation is ruined, the Shen family will never let him marry a scoundrel like you!"

With that, he swung a punch at Han Zhang’s face.

He wanted to smash that handsome face and see if he could still charm his brother!

Han Zhang: "..."

He dodged without a second thought!

No way he was getting hit—only an idiot would stand still.

Shen Huaizhi missed and got even angrier. "How dare you dodge?"

Han Zhang stayed calm and shot back: "I admit I messed up, but I’m no villain who seduces innocent lads like you claim. So I can’t just take that punch."

Shen’s mother let out a bitter laugh: "So you think you’re in the right?"

Han Zhang bowed again, his tone earnest: "Madam Shen, I truly love Lan Geer. There was no deceit or coercion. The fault is mine alone. I beg you to give me a chance to seek your permission to marry him."

"Love?" Shen’s mother sneered. "Is this how your love shows itself—by getting indecent in a place like this? My Lan Geer is naive and doesn’t know any better. You’re a scholar—don’t you know the proper etiquette?"

Shen Huaizhi added angrily: "Stop your sweet talk! I see right through your dirty tricks!"

"If you really cared about my brother, you’d wait until after the exams, ace them, and then propose properly—not sneak around like this!"

Han Zhang: ...That was exactly his plan. Who knew his future mother-in-law and brother-in-law would pick such a perfect time to catch them?

He had no choice but to shamelessly plead: "If Madam Shen gives me one year, by next year’s exams I’ll definitely rank high. I’ll use my achievements as my dowry and formally ask for your blessing to marry him."

His tone was sincere, his demeanor dignified, revealing a hint of candor.

Hearing this, Mother’s expression softened a bit.

But Shen Huaizhi still wasn’t convinced: "Anyone can make big promises! If you fail next year, won’t my brother have wasted a whole year?"

It takes one to know one.

Though Master Han seemed upright and honest, his gut told him this guy was cunning—far from as simple as he looked.

Seeing his second brother so relentless, Shen Qinglan couldn’t hold back any longer. He knelt down and stepped forward to defend Han Zhang:

"Mother! Second Brother! It’s not like that! Brother Han has treated me with sincerity, respect, and care. He didn’t deceive me... It was I who first admired him. I disguised myself as a regular boy to befriend him and made him fall for me."

"Just now, I was the one who made the first move. Brother Han has always been proper and kept his distance. I believe in Brother Han’s ability—he’ll definitely pass next year... I am willing to wait for him."

"Mother, Second Brother, please let me be with Brother Han! I love him and will marry no one else. If you force us apart... I won’t speak to either of you again!"

The young man stood his ground, feeling braver than he ever had.

Han Zhang: "..."

His husband’s threat was definitely creative.

But this tactic worked perfectly on Mother and Second Brother, who doted on the youngest.

Mother, heartbroken, wrapped her arms around her kneeling son and sobbed: "Lan Geer, I’ve been through this. If you defend him now, you’ll come to regret it..."

Shen Huaizhi clenched his fist again, about to hit Han Zhang, but seeing his brother’s stubborn face, he could only slam his fist on the table in frustration.

"This scoundrel is clearly fooling you! I may not be good at studying, but I’m a good judge of character. Men like him are a dime a dozen among my worthless friends!"

"But... I still love him. I trust him."

Shen Qinglan’s tears fell.

He understood these truths, but emotions were simply beyond reason.

For Brother Han, even if there's a bottomless abyss ahead, he would willingly leap into it.

Seeing her son's unwavering determination, Madam Shen's heart ached deeply; for a moment, she seemed to glimpse her younger self—

Back then, she too had been just as stubborn and blind, only to end up trapped in the Shen family.

Knowing that forcibly separating the lovers would only backfire, Madam Shen wiped away her tears, let out a long sigh, and finally nodded:

"Fine, I won't force you. I'll give him a year. If he can pass the imperial exam next year and prove his sincerity to you, I'll allow him to come and formally propose, and I'll give you both my blessing."

"Really? Mother, you mean it?"

Shen Qinglan broke into joyful tears.

"Mother, but he..."

Shen Huaizhi tried to interject, but was silenced by a sharp look from Madam Shen.

Recalling the discussion they had earlier between mother and son, he could only hold his tongue, sulking quietly.

Han Zhang took in the expressions of mother and son, knowing Madam Shen hadn't given in so easily.

But that was fine. He would deal with whatever came his way.

With that thought, he knelt once more with solemnity, cupped his hands, and declared in a clear voice:

"Thank you, Madam, for your kindness. Han Zhang hereby swears that he will study hard for the exams, and in the future, he will openly and honorably ask for Lan Ge'er's hand, never betraying him in this life."

Though the oath was brief, every word rang with strength and conviction.

But alas, as the saying goes, Shen's father had set a bad example.

Madam Shen had no faith in oaths whatsoever. She said coldly, "What use is an oath? If oaths worked, countless people would have been struck by lightning and punished by now."

"If it weren't for my son protecting you with all his heart, I would never allow you today."

"Enough. Since you proposed a one-year term, I'll give you one year. I hope you prove your words through actions."

"But remember this: if you fail to pass the exams and come to propose in a year, don't blame me, as a mother, for being heartless. Even if Lan Ge'er resents me, even if he threatens to kill himself, I will never allow him to marry down to you. Do you understand?"

Shen Qinglan looked worried: "Mother..."

"Silence." Madam Shen said sternly, pain in her voice, "This is already the biggest compromise I can make. You trust him, so I'll give you both a chance. Do you really want to drive me to my death over him, and ruin the reputation and prospects of the young ladies and lads of the Shen and Rong families?"

"I... I'm sorry, Mother. I... I understand."

Shen Qinglan's face turned pale, and he dared not say another word.

In the end, he could only look at Han Zhang with hopeful eyes.

Han Zhang met his gaze, nodded deeply, his eyes deep with emotion, and slowly uttered two words:

"Wait for me."

Though only two words, they felt as heavy as a ton to those present.

Of course, words couldn't actually be that heavy—it was just Han Zhang subtly using his Power to intimidate.

But Madam Shen and the others, inexperienced, felt that at that moment, Han Zhang's figure seemed to grow immensely tall, his promise so firm, so resolute, each word ringing like struck metal.

Shen Qinglan broke into a smile through his tears and nodded firmly: "Mm, I'll wait for you!"

"Master Han, I hope... you keep your word."

Madam Shen gave him a long, hard look before finally taking the reluctant Shen Qinglan away.