Chapter 38

Chapter 38

In the Han family, Han Zhang's word was practically law—you could even call him a "local tyrant."

Whatever he decided, the Han family had never opposed it, so after hearing Han Zhang's stance, Grandpa Han and the others, though somewhat regretting the count's marriage proposal, still followed his wishes and declined it.

But the matchmaker could hardly believe it: "That's the nephew of the Countess of Qibei! Even though he's divorced, there's still a long line of decent families waiting to marry him!"

"If it weren't for that young gentleman taking a fancy to your boy's looks and character, with your rural and humble background, you wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of his clothes—and you're still not willing?"

It wasn't that she was speaking harshly; that was just the truth.

Calling the Han family rural and humble was being polite; to put it bluntly, the Han family was flat-out broke!

Grandpa Han didn't mind the matchmaker's words, as their poverty was a fact—she wasn't wrong.

Dignity and backbone were never won by loud voices; there was no need to get angry over it. Once the Han descendants made something of themselves, others would naturally bow and scrape.

Grandpa Han still smiled cheerfully: "You're right, ma'am. We're grateful that the young gentleman of the count's household has honored us with his favor, not looking down on our humble Han family and willing to form this alliance. It is truly our good fortune. But though the marriage is fine, the two young folks just don't have the fate."

"My grandson already has his heart set on someone, so we can only disappoint the young gentleman's kind offer. May he find a better match and have a happy marriage..."

Since the other party didn't care about the disparity in status, the Han family could only use "fate not yet meant to be" as an excuse to refuse.

Otherwise, it would look like they were snubbing him on purpose.

With the Han family saying this, the matchmaker had no choice but to grudge the lost matchmaking money and return dejectedly to report back to the client who had commissioned her.

And that client was none other than Madam Shen herself.

Han Zhang was a schemer; she wanted to trick him into pursuing a higher match and let go of her son voluntarily, so she couldn't just find someone random to brush him off.

Coincidentally, she was an old friend of the Countess of Qibei, so she got her to set up a "divorced nephew of the countess's" as bait.

But unexpectedly, Han Zhang didn't take the bait at all!

Madam Shen rubbed her temples, troubled, and complained to her confidant, Nanny Zhang:

"Nanny Zhang, tell me, is that Han boy truly honest, or is he even more calculating than we thought? Even the name of a young gentleman from a count's household didn't sway him in the slightest? Does he want to marry a princess or something?"

"My husband is only a fifth-rank official. With his looks and skills, climbing to a higher status wouldn't be hard for him. Why does he have to fixate on my son?"

She didn't think she was wrong—Han Zhang was definitely a snake in the grass.

So she simply couldn't understand why Han Zhang was so set on her Lan Geer. Could it really be true love? That was utterly absurd.

Even with her rose-colored glasses on when it came to her son, Madam Shen couldn't believe that her straightforward son could captivate such a shrewd and outstanding man like Han Zhang, making him give up his future and be so infatuated.

Nanny Zhang was also worried; she had watched Young Master Lan grow up and naturally cared for him too.

After a moment of thought, Nanny Zhang said, "Madam, no matter whether that Master Han is genuinely honest or pretending to be innocent, I think it's safer to assume the worst. Perhaps he's even more cunning and rational than we imagined, and he saw through the tricks behind the count's marriage proposal."

"In that case, why don't we go with the flow? Let Second Young Master take him to some literary gatherings to broaden his horizons."

"If, after seeing higher power than our Shen family, he still remains devoted to our young master, then that would truly prove his sincerity. Madam could then consider allowing their union..."

After all, aside from his humble background, this Master Han was flawless in other aspects.

As for being calculating... how many men from noble families were truly aboveboard and never schemed against their bedmates? Most men in the world were more or less the same.

In the end, the concept of character was vague. Whether married life was good or not ultimately depended on how her son felt and how he managed things.

Nanny Zhang actually thought Han Zhang was quite commendable.

But Madam Shen, thinking of how her son had been charmed silly by Han Zhang, could not help but seethe with jealousy like she'd chugged two jugs of vinegar.

"Let him have his way? Before they're even married, he's already got my Lan Geer head over heels, his whole heart and mind filled with him. If they do marry, will Lan Geer even remember me as his mother? That boy is a real piece of work..."

Madam Shen vented angrily for a long time.

But in the end, she deflated in defeat: "What's the point of me screaming my head off? No matter how many faults that Master Han has, my son still likes him."

"Enough. Go tell Huaizhi to take that Han Zhang out to see the world. If after seeing rich and powerful people he still sticks to my son... then I'll stop obstructing this matter."

Finally, unable to go against her son, Madam Shen had no choice but to compromise.

She sighed.

Madam Shen then asked with concern: "How's Lan Geer today? Still upset? Is he eating okay?"

"To answer you, Madam, the young master is still distressed. He weeps every night and waits every day for news from Master Han. However, he has always had a good appetite. Though his spirits are low, he eats quite a lot..."

"Today, the kitchen made eight-treasure duck, and the young master ate over half of it himself, plus an extra bowl of rice. Just now, the servants reported that he asked the page boy to get him another pot of bird's nest soup and two plates of pastries."

"Oh, and he also instructed the managers of our cloth shop and jewelry store to send some new fabrics and trendy ornaments to the mansion for him to pick out..."

Nanny Zhang reported in detail.

Madam Shen: "..."

Fine, her Lan Geer might be a fool, but at least he doesn't starve himself—that's something.

...

On the other side.

Shen Huaizhi was already itching to confront this shameless scholar who had seduced his brother. Now, with Madam Shen's approval, he wasted no time and rushed off to the academy to find Han Zhang.

Han Zhang was not particularly surprised to hear that Shen Huaizhi was looking for him.

He had long done his homework on the Shen family. The two brothers, Shen Huaizhi and Shen Qinglan, had been close since childhood, and you couldn't call him anything but a "brother-con" when it came to his younger sibling.

Having enticed the apple of his eye, Han Zhang was almost impressed that Huaizhi had held out this long before confronting him.

"Han Zhang pays his respects to Second Young Master Shen. What brings you here today?"

Facing his future brother-in-law, who had a sour face, Han Zhang kept his cool, polite and down-to-earth, not looking guilty at all for stealing the guy's brother.

After all, if he could bag Young Master Shen, it was because he was good-looking and got game. Why would he feel guilty?

Besides, he did genuinely care for Lan Geer.

Han Zhang stood tall with a slight smile. Even in his simple clothes, you couldn't miss his striking looks and presence.

Though Shen Huaizhi hated his guts, he had to admit: this shameless scholar who seduced his brother really did have a nice face.

And his easy yet dignified attitude was a lot more impressive than those groveling flatterers.

However, Shen Huaizhi still didn't hold back, snorting coldly:

"Oh? So I can't come find you just because I feel like it? You truly have some skill, scholar. If not for my younger brother protecting you, I'd have broken your legs and made it impossible for you to stay in the capital!"

"At this point, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you—you trick my brother like this—it's just to climb the social ladder, isn't it? Fine, today I'll give you that chance."

"Right now at Moxiang Tea House, there's a literary gathering. All the young masters and ladies from noble and wealthy families are there. Come with me, and whichever high branch you can latch onto will be entirely up to your own ability."

"Our Shen family is just a fifth-rank household, and my brother is simple-minded and honest—you two aren't suited. For Lan Geer's sake—since he's so devoted to you—please let him go, won't you?"

Shen Huaizhi and Madam Shen had no other choice.

With Shen Qinglan protecting him wholeheartedly, they didn't dare to severely punish Han Zhang.

And Han Zhang was clever; their "pig-butchering" scheme hadn't worked either, so now they had to lay their cards on the table and ask Han Zhang to go easy on them.

Upon hearing this, Han Zhang gave a light laugh and shook his head. "Not at all. I truly do love Lan Geer. Even if you offered me the opportunity to marry a princess, I wouldn't let go."

"You truly love him? What nonsense! If you truly loved my brother, would you trick him like this? It's just because my brother is naive that he can't see through your scheming!"

Shen Huaizhi, fiercely protective of his brother, immediately bristled with anger.

But Han Zhang remained calm and spoke with righteous conviction:

"Young Master Shen, some poor scholars will go to any lengths for advancement, it's true. But you can't paint us all with the same brush. I, Han Zhang, dare not call myself a perfect gentleman, but I do consider myself upright and honorable in my actions."

"The day we met at the tea house, I was too forward with Lan Geer, and I admit that. But I never meant to slight him—it was simply the uncontrollable passion of two people in love... So I willingly accept your and Madam Shen's reproach."

"But I will never give up Lan Geer just because you try to stop me."

"I've already said, next year I will surely pass the imperial exams and come with my official rank to seek your brother's hand in marriage. Unless... Lan Geer himself no longer wants me, I will never abandon him."

He would never admit to luring away Lan Geer. As long as there was no proof, he and Lan Geer were truly in love.

Finally, Han Zhang struck a noble pose and concluded sanctimoniously:

"Though I cannot yet give Lan Geer a prominent title or luxurious wealth, I can give him my sincere heart."

"I know, Young Master Shen, you might laugh at me, saying true feelings are intangible and hearts change easily—and that is, indeed, true."

"But can you be certain that Lan Geer will not find happiness if he marries me? Can you be sure another man will stay true to Lan Geer forever?"

"In this life, we should cherish the present. Why be trapped by the past, and why fear the future? Don't you agree, Young Master Shen?"

Shen Huaizhi was left speechless.

You've said it all—what's left for me to say?!

Feeling as if his brain was turning to mush, he could only say, "That's nothing but twisted logic! I can't argue with you, and I won't bother—just tell me, are you going to the gathering at Moxiang Tea House today or not?"

His angry, puffed-up look was exactly like Shen Qinglan's; they truly were brothers.

Han Zhang couldn't help but smile lightly, sweeping his sleeves with grace. "I'll go, of course. If I don't go and meet those young masters and ladies from high families, how else will Second Brother believe that I, Han Zhang, am sincere?"

"Who are you calling 'Second Brother'? Stop that right now—you're not my brother-in-law yet..."

Shen Huaizhi was furious to see him still smiling, his temper boiling over.