Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The Han family was indeed shocked upon receiving the news that their grandson was severely injured and unconscious.

Grandpa Han and Grandma Han, in a moment of panic, even fainted on the spot.

Fortunately, Han Zhang had long used his Power to maintain his family's health with his ability, so although the Hans appeared thin, they were all robust and would certainly not fall seriously ill just from the shock.

Thus, though the elders felt dizzy briefly, their bodies were unharmed.

After hastily informing the family, the two elders, along with Han's parents, followed the elderly maid from the Shen household to Jinguang Temple to visit their grandson.

"Eldest Brother..."

"My son..."

Grandma Han and Han's mother, being women with more outward emotions, rushed to the bedside, sobbing with heartache.

Grandpa Han and Han's father were also deeply distressed, their expressions grim.

Madam Shen stepped forward with a look of shame and briefly recounted how Han Zhang had bravely saved them.

Of course, she omitted the matter of the two young men's secret romantic involvement, as it was inconvenient to disclose. It was more appropriate to simply tell the Hans that it was a selfless deed.

"Elders, I am truly sorry for not informing you sooner. I feared you would worry too much."

"But please rest assured. I have already summoned the best doctors in the capital. If Young Master Han does not awaken tonight, I will have my husband petition the palace to send an imperial physician..."

"In any case, our Shen family will spare no effort to treat our benefactor, no matter the cost."

Madam Shen tried to reassure them, though she sounded uncertain, and didn't dare guarantee his recovery.

After all, Han Zhang had been unconscious until now, and his condition looked very bad.

After hearing the full story,

It would be untrue to say Grandpa Han and the others felt no anger or resentment.

Han Zhang was their grandson, their son, and the future hope of the Han family. If something happened to him, it would be a devastating blow to the family.

But what good would resentment do?

Not only had his grandson willingly acted bravely and righteously,

Would a big argument bring their grandson back safe and sound?

Rather than creating a scene and earning their animosity, it was better to swallow their grievances and be understanding. This would make Madam Shen work harder to find the best doctors and do everything possible to treat him.

Otherwise, if they offended the Shen family, as commoners, they would have no right to appeal to their feelings or reason.

So.

Grandpa Han suppressed his grief and said in a deep voice, "Madam Shen, don't blame yourself too much. Saving people in trouble is the right thing to do. Our eldest son is always loyal and kind. Seeing you in danger, he would never ignore it."

"Now that he is seriously injured, perhaps... it's his fate to go through this ordeal. I only beg you to do your best and ask the doctors to heal him. Our family is humble and has no power. We can do nothing but worry."

Han's father also said hoarsely, "Madam Shen, rest assured. We're not unreasonable people. Please take care of our eldest..."

"It's no trouble at all. It's the least I can do."

Madam Shen saw that the Han family was reasonable, unlike some relatives she had encountered who would make a scene. She couldn't help but sigh in relief and gained some respect for them.

It seemed that only a family like this could raise such an outstanding child as Han Zhang.

She had been traumatized by her own relatives from the countryside, which had made her biased against the Hans.

But before Madam Shen could fully relax.

Her troublesome son ran in.

Shen Qinglan entered and knelt directly before Grandpa Han, weeping and pleading:

"Grandfather Han, I am Shen Qinglan, the one your son saved. Master Han rescued me from danger. This kindness is as heavy as a mountain. Qinglan has no way to repay it."

"The saying goes: For a life-saving grace, one offers oneself in marriage. Now that he is on the verge of death, I... I cannot bear to watch him suffer."

"When I was young, a fortune-teller said I was a person blessed with deep fortune. I wish to marry into the Han family to ward off his bad luck by marrying him. I beg you, Grandfather, to grant this."

With that, he knocked his forehead on the floor, his posture resolute.

Madam Shen said anxiously, "Lan'er, the notion of dispelling bad luck through marriage is nonsense. Your father has already gone to invite the imperial physician. Don't be foolish..."

She was touched by Young Han's devotion, but no gratitude could outweigh her love for her son.

If Han Zhang ultimately did not recover, wouldn't Lan'er, by marrying for this purpose, become a widower on the very day of marriage?

No... given Lan'er's temperament, he would use his status as a spouse to openly take his own life, so he could die in the same grave as Han Zhang and become a married couple in death.

Oh, her foolish child!

Madam Shen's eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.

But Shen Qinglan was determined, tearfully kowtowing to his mother: "Mother, forgive me for being unfilial..."

"This... this..."

His outburst stunned Grandma Han and Han's mother, who had been crying. They stopped crying and looked on in astonishment.

Grandma Han and Han's mother exchanged glances, surprised by the Shen young master's sincerity.

Though they harbored some resentment that the Shens' trouble had implicated their son, they never expected the Shen young master to be so sincere.

He was willing to sacrifice his future and marry into a humble family to ward off bad luck?!

Still.

Grandma Han and Han's mother found the proposal quite tempting.

If the marriage dispelled the bad luck, all would be well;

If not, after eldest passed away, he would not become a lonely ghost but would have a rightful husband to burn incense and offer sacrifices for him;

But this matter was ultimately inauspicious. The two women felt guilty, and they remained silent, both looking at Grandpa Han, the Head of the Family.

Han's father also looked: "Father, what do you think..."

"No!"

Grandpa Han did not hesitate long. He immediately shook his head and hurriedly helped up the sincere young lad who wanted to repay kindness.

Master Shen, please rise. You must never mention this again. When DaLang saved you, it was out of righteousness and kindness. If it ends up ruining your life, how could our Han family bear that responsibility?

Shen Qinglan wiped his tears and said, “But I am doing this willingly. I do not believe marrying my benefactor would ruin me in any way!”

Brother Han’s life hangs by a thread, and the physicians have been unable to help him.

Aside from a ‘fortune-bringing wedding’, he could think of no other way to save Brother Han.

“Even if you are willing, it is not acceptable. Though our Han family does not claim to do good deeds without expecting repayment, we would never commit such an unconscionable act. If you wish to repay our kindness, there are many ways—why must you sacrifice your own future?”

“If DaLang knew that his actions had led you to this, he would be… unable to rest easy either.”

Of course, Grandpa Han was not truly that righteous.

But the Shen family were officials. Letting a young master of an official household enter their humble home for a ‘fortune-bringing wedding’—the Han family simply did not have that much ‘face’!

Even if the Shens agreed, the Hans could not accept.

He then turned to Madam Shen and kindly advised:

“Madam Shen, let us discuss repayment later. Right now, DaLang’s injuries are the priority. How about we wait until the imperial physician sees him tomorrow and he wakes up, then we can talk things over. What do you think?”

“You are right, Elder…”

Madam Shen nodded gratefully to Grandpa Han.

Then she pulled her son aside and whispered, “Lan’er, things haven’t reached that point yet. Wait until the imperial physician sees him tomorrow. If you rush into a ‘fortune-bringing wedding’ now, it won’t save him—it’ll just look like you’re cursing him. That’s bad luck.”

“Instead of thinking about a ‘fortune-bringing wedding’, go burn some incense before the Buddha and sincerely pray for the Bodhisattva’s protection.”

“If… if it really comes to the worst case… then we can talk about the wedding. It won’t be too late.”

Knowing how stubborn her son was, Madam Shen could only say this in the end.

Having obtained this promise, Shen Qinglan finally felt relieved.

He turned and hurried back to the bedside, looking at Han Zhang’s face, pale as paper. Tears glistened in his eyes as he choked out tearfully, “I still want to stay by my benefactor…”

As long as Brother Han remained unconscious, he could not rest easy.

Seeing how genuine and devoted he was, Grandpa Han and the others felt some of their earlier resentment and blame fade away.

Only Madam Shen ended up suffering alone…

And so,

To prevent her son from doing anything foolish like dying for love or becoming a widower, Madam Shen wore herself out, even instructing her trusted old servant:

“Go inquire in other cities as well. Any physician with a decent reputation, invite them to come and take a look.”

And so they busied themselves for two more days.

Figuring the time was about right, Han Zhang finally ‘miraculously regained consciousness’ under the ‘expert care’ of the physicians, out of danger.

Shen Qinglan, who had been keeping vigil by the bedside, was the first to notice. Seeing him open his eyes, he could no longer contain his emotions and wept with joy.

“Brother Han, you’re finally awake…”

He wanted to embrace him, but feared touching his wounds. He was overjoyed yet at a loss for what to do.

Seeing him like this, Han Zhang found this endearing. Tenderly, he reached out and touched his gaunt cheek, forcing a faint smile. His voice was hoarse, he said softly:

“Silly… I heard everything you said… Don’t be foolish in the future…”

Heard what?

Shen Qinglan was momentarily startled, then he understood. He pressed his cheek against Han Zhang’s palm, tears in his eyes but his voice firm. Choking back sobs, he said:

“You be a firm rock, and I the reed; the reed is as tough as silk, the rock never wavers… Brother Han, if you pass away, I will not live on alone in this world.”

Han Zhang gazed at him for a long moment, then smiled gently and said softly:

“Good. I wish for a devoted heart, to grow old together without parting. I will never betray you in this life.”

With that, ignoring his injuries, he gently drew the young man into his arms.

The two lovers held each other, exchanging vows to be faithful forever—life or death, never to betray the other.

“…”

Madam Shen, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, saw this scene—her heart filled with both bitterness and emotion.

Well, then. She had better prepare to marry off her son.

These two children really had been through so much.