Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Han Zhang, having transmigrated from a later era, might know the terrifying power of the current imperial authority, but deep down, he could never hold the same reverence for it that ancient people did.

Not to mention the Noble Consort and the prince—even if it were the reigning emperor, Emperor Taixuan himself, if he truly crossed Han Zhang's bottom line, Han Zhang would absolutely demand an explanation!

His words were arrogant, but he could actually back them up.

Unlike those transmigrators from peaceful times, he had not only ideas and special abilities.

He also possessed rich experience surviving the apocalypse—skilled enough to craft weapons and gunpowder with his bare hands, and could just as easily build steam-powered machinery from scratch.

Honestly, some things weren't a question of whether he could do them, but whether he wanted to, and whether he was willing to expend the effort.

Han Zhang's fearless attitude toward imperial authority was dangerous and deeply alarmed Madam Shen.

But she had to admit—when faced with imperial oppression, he still put her son first. That choice filled her with relief and joy, proving her son had truly picked the right man.

Seeing the young couple exchanging tender, affectionate glances, Madam Shen smiled softly and, with great tact, led the maids and page boys out, leaving the space for the two husbands to talk privately.

Once they were alone.

Shen Qinglan no longer held back. His bright eyes looked up at Han Zhang, equal parts happy and nervous:

"Husband... today I offended Lady Fu. Do you really not blame me for stirring up trouble? Her aunt is the emperor's favorite Noble Consort, and her cousin is a prince..."

With that kind of backing, even he felt afraid, regretting that he hadn't been able to control his temper.

But Han Zhang nodded firmly, his fingertip gently brushing the red marks on his face, concerned:

"So what if she has the Noble Consort and a prince behind her? Today's matter was never your fault. Lady Fu provoked you first and went too far—how could that be considered you causing trouble?"

"A wife's status comes from her husband. If anyone's to blame, it's me—for being incompetent, for not earning enough power to protect my husband, letting someone bully you like that, nearly subjecting you to the humiliation of having your clothes torn off."

"You married down to me, and in the end, it's been a real grievance..."

When he didn't love him, he could live off him without shame.

But now that he loved his husband, he felt that his husband marrying someone as useless as him at this low point was truly too much of a grievance.

Yet Shen Qinglan was perfectly happy.

Hearing his warm words, the young man beamed, quickly shaking his head and saying happily:

"No grievance! Being able to marry you is the greatest fortune of my three lifetimes. You're just at a low point for now—I believe you'll soon become a regional governor or a First-Rank Official, bringing me glory and honor..."

"Today was my fault too. Knowing how arrogant and domineering Lady Fu is, I still couldn't control my temper and rashly talked back to her... Maybe... maybe if I had swallowed my pride then, things would have blown over. After all, in front of so many people, Lady Fu couldn't have really done anything to me..."

Shen Qinglan still felt he bore a lot of the blame for today's events.

How could Han Zhang bear to let him blame himself like that? He quickly went on to comfort him: "Endure for a moment and the storm passes; take a step back and the anger only grows. Don't blame yourself, husband. Blame others more and reflect on yourself less—otherwise, wouldn't life be too miserable?"

"Heh..." Shen Qinglan burst out laughing, then said with both joy and worry: "Husband, an official one rank higher can crush you. Life is full of frustrations—how can everything go our way?"

"I know you mean well, but you mustn't say such things again. If we let our guard down, the consequences will be endless. We still have the nine clans of family behind us—we can't act without thinking."

"Mm, I really should change my temper too. I can't be so reckless anymore... Husband, from now on, will you keep me in check, okay?"

Shen Qinglan was self-aware enough to know that without someone keeping an eye on his temper, he'd never change it on his own.

"Okay..."

Seeing his husband so considerate of him, Han Zhang didn't spoil the mood. He smiled warmly and nodded.

Then he pulled the young man into his arms and said, "Husband, tell me in detail what happened today when you argued with Lady Fu, including what everyone else there said."

"The messenger boy said you and Lady Fu had no exchange at all today—she came up and, without a word, demanded you suffer the humiliation of having your clothes stripped. Such baseless provocation must have been stirred up by someone beforehand."

"Arguments start with words before they turn to blows."

Even out of jealousy, a normal person looking for trouble would start with a verbal dispute.

But Lady Fu came in ready to have someone strip your clothes—clearly she'd been stewing in anger beforehand.

Shen Qinglan was taken aback by this realization: "You're right, husband. When Lady Fu first appeared today, she was already fuming. I remember..."

He carefully recalled the details and what everyone there had said.

At the time, Miss He had spoken up to support Lady Fu, which others might have taken as flattery.

But Han Zhang had a good memory, and he immediately zeroed in on the key point: "Surnamed He? The daughter of the Court of Imperial Banquets? Is that the He family of that Third Master He who was once considered as a match for you?"

"Yes, Miss He is Third Master He's sister. Husband, what's wrong?"

Shen Qinglan was a bit slow on the uptake and didn't notice the issue at first.

Han Zhang nodded: "There's a big problem. Miss He is about your age, seventeen or eighteen, yet she's still called 'Miss,' meaning she's still unmarried."

"An unmarried woman whose mother has died must observe at least a year of mourning for her mother. Her marriage prospects were likely delayed because of it, or maybe something else went wrong."

"Her mother and brother died on the very day you were being considered for marriage. If she's petty, she would surely blame you for it—accusing you of 'cursing' her loved ones to death and ruining her marriage."

"Running into you at the Imperial Academy today, she used her resentment to provoke Lady Fu against you—that all makes perfect sense..."

Shen Qinglan then remembered: "I recall now. My mother said that because of Third Master He's death, the He family had no suitable sons for marriage alliances. To fill the family's financial gaps, Lord He called off his legitimate daughter He Lingshuang's original engagement and promised her as a concubine to Grand Secretary Chen, a Second-Rank Official."

"As for the family's daughters and sons born of concubines, they only chose matches with the thickest betrothal gifts, regardless of character... The He family's reputation in the capital has taken a hit these days."

But the men of the He family could no longer afford to care about reputation. Living beyond their means, unable to rely on daughters-in-law's dowries, they had no choice but to trade their own daughters and lads for betrothal gifts, or else the household's expenses and dignity could no longer be maintained.

"That's it. Miss He's marriage was destroyed, and since she can't fight back against her cold-hearted father and brothers, she can only take her anger out on you, an outsider... If you ever run into her at future banquets, husband, be sure to be careful."

Han Zhang said this, but deep down, he had already decided to investigate the matter later.

If his suspicions proved true, then she'd better watch out—he wouldn't hesitate to play dirty.

Miss He's hatred for them ran deep, she was cunning and scheming, and she was about to marry a Second-Rank Official and gain power.

Such a threat couldn't be left alone.

Shen Qinglan had no idea of his husband's murderous intentions. He obediently nodded: "Got it, husband. I'll be careful around her in the future."

Though He Lingshuang's misfortune was unjust, she didn't blame the real culprit—instead, she picked on the weak and took her anger out on others. She was hardly a good person, so he wouldn't be some saint either.

Even so.

Shen Qinglan felt a wave of emotion and curled closer into Han Zhang's arms: "I'm so lucky I met you, husband. And I'm so lucky I still have my mother. Otherwise, I might have ended up as some official's concubine by now..."

In this era, sacrificing daughters and sons for the sake of family interests was the norm.

Miss He's plight isn't an isolated case—it's a snapshot of countless young women and men.

Shen Qinglan's voice was muffled: "You once said whether we have a boy or girl is up to the man, not the woman. Then you'd better put in the effort so I only have sons!"

"I don't want to have a boy, and I don't want our child to have a rough time marrying or end up with a bad partner..."

There are too few good men out there. I got lucky finding you, but our kid might not be so lucky.

In a world this unfair, it's better not to be born at all.

Han Zhang: "..."

He had powers, but he couldn't control the baby's sex—that was asking too much.

Helpless, Han Zhang could only comfort him: "Okay, okay, I'll try my best. But I can't promise. Still, I swear, if we have a boy, I won't let anyone mess with him, alright?"

"Then you need to become the Grand Councilor before our son grows up—that's the top official position!"

Shen Qinglan took the chance to up the ante and set a goal for Han Zhang.

What else could Han Zhang do? He had to say yes.

He smiled and nodded: "Alright, alright, whatever you say, dear."

Only then was Shen Qinglan satisfied. He leaned over and gave Han Zhang a kiss of approval on the cheek, then thought of something and asked, curious:

"Oh, honey, do you remember Earl Kang's concubine, Xiang Lian, from earlier today? She and her son look so much like you. Are you sure you're not related to them? It's too much of a coincidence."

At that, Han Zhang turned serious: "This matter is indeed too coincidental. It's one thing for the kid to look like me, but for Lady Xiang Lian to also look like me is just too weird."

"Actually, I've always suspected that my paternal aunt isn't really a blood relative. Now that Xiang Lian is about the same age as my Fifth Aunt and looks so much like her, I think it's worth digging into."

Even though the Han family was just poor farmers and the kid was born at home, there shouldn't have been any reason for a mix-up or baby swap.

But there's always a chance, isn't there?

Besides, this was a golden chance to get rid of the insufferable Fifth Aunt and win favor with the Earl's household.

It would be a waste of such a godsend not to take advantage of it.

The Fifth Aunt was truly insufferable.

Shen Qinglan was excited and eagerly raised his hand: "Honey, let me look into this for you!"