Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Actually, Old General Shao didn't really look down on Han Qinnian.

After all, what elder wouldn't like a handsome young man who seemed honest and simple and was willing to endure hardship in the army camp?

It's just that...

Looking at his grandson, whose heart was completely taken with Han Qinnian, Old General Shao couldn't help sighing and saying:

"Zhou Geer, Grandfather doesn't actually look down on that second Han boy. I don't know his character yet, but when it comes to looks and family background, he's indeed far better than Qianhu Hong. Young folks are drawn to good looks—I can understand why you'd like someone like him."

"But his elder brother is a real troublemaker. Han Qinzhang has offended every royal, aristocratic, and noble family around. Even if he's capable, one against many—who can say what the future holds?"

"You know very well how your father, uncle, and older brother died... Grandfather truly doesn't want the Weiyuan Marquis Estate dragged into those conflicts again. I only hope you can live a stable life for the rest of your years."

Old General Shao's voice choked up here, his deeply wrinkled face etched with sorrow and grief.

Everyone praised the Shao family's sons for their bravery, calling them loyal martyrs who died defending the border.

But who knew his sons and grandsons didn't have to die so young at all?

The reason the Weiyuan Marquis Estate had fallen to such a state with so few descendants left was simply the result of princes fighting over the Crown Prince's position.

When his last son died on the frontier, he'd nearly charged straight into the throne hall to kill those princes!

But in the end, he could only swallow that hatred and ask for a transfer to Yunyang Prefecture to retire and avoid further trouble.

Because he was old;

Because the marquis estate had only Zhou Geer's bloodline left;

Because when the sovereign demands a subject's death, the orphaned and widowed can only wait to die—they have no room to resist.

He wanted nothing now but his grandson's safety and happiness.

Shao Langzhou's eyes also filled with grief at this: "Grandfather, I understand your intentions, and I understand why you favor Qianhu Hong—you're drawn to his humble background, simple relatives and friends, and his honest, easily manageable nature. Marrying him would be no different from having him move in with us."

"But Grandfather, I have a feeling that Qianhu Hong isn't as honest and simple as he appears. I can't come up with concrete evidence, but I have a gut feeling he's not a good person."

"Moreover, I once accidentally saw Aunt Hong beating her daughter-in-law—a complete opposite to her usual image of a kind mother-in-law..."

"If what I saw is true, and her everyday behavior is all an act, how could I have a good life marrying into the Hong family? After all, no matter how good the family is, you have to follow filial piety, right?"

It wasn't that he looked down on the Hong family for being poor—he genuinely had a feeling that the Hong family weren't good people.

Old General Shao was startled by this: "What? That really happened? Why didn't you tell Grandfather earlier?"

Although this was only his grandson's word without evidence yet, between his grandson and an outsider, he naturally believed his own grandson.

If he'd known earlier that Qianhu Hong's mother was a vicious mother-in-law in private, he would've long stopped considering this match, because the only reason he favored Qianhu Hong was that he and his family were easy to control.

Otherwise, why would he marry his grandson off to such a family!

Shao Langzhou also sighed: "Grandfather, it's not that I don't have evidence, and I only saw it once. If I mentioned it casually, you might think I was deliberately badmouthing them."

"Nonsense! You're my grandson—how could I not believe you and trust an outsider?"

Old General Shao knocked his grandson's head in exasperation.

He did think highly of Qianhu Hong and had actively promoted the match between them, but that was merely saying a few good things for the man—he still valued his grandson's wishes more.

Shao Langzhou wasn't upset about being knocked on the forehead. Instead, he grinned and snuggled up to his grandfather, acting spoiled: "I know Grandfather loves me most. But I was also worried about disappointing you—you rarely think so highly of anyone..."

"Did I think highly of him? I valued the fact that he was easy to control!" Old General Shao glared at his grandson, then frowned again. "However, if his mother is truly as two-faced as you say, then this match really won't work."

"What about Second Brother Han..."

"We'll have to see! Hong Liyong has followed me for several years and always seemed honest and simple, yet he could hide his mother's true nature to marry you. How long have we even known the Han family?"

"Who knows if the Hans are also eyeing the benefits you bring and deliberately sent their boy to seduce you? Let Grandfather check things out a bit more."

Old General Shao had the final say.

Shao Langzhou was a little disappointed, but he understood that his grandfather meant well, so he could only obediently nod: "Fine."

But in his heart, he thought: Grandfather only said he wouldn't agree to the marriage for now—he didn't say I couldn't hang out with Second Brother. So we can still talk and chat, right?

Shao Langzhou's eyes sparkled with mischief.

And seeing his grandson like this, Old General Shao could only curse "Useless!" to himself again, but didn't stop him.

For one, young people were stubborn—the more you told them not to do something, the more they wanted to do it;

For another, the habit of judging people by their looks truly couldn't be changed!

Who could blame him—the Han boy was really handsome, and few in the military could match him.

He only hated that the Han family was infuriating for raising such a good-looking son who had completely bewitched his grandson!

But if he couldn't bear to discipline his grandson, couldn't he still take it out on the second Han boy?

...

And so.

Han Qinnian ultimately didn't get his wish to directly join the Valiant Camp where Zhou Geer was stationed.

Instead, he was assigned to the "Trapped Camp"—the most grueling and exhausting unit specifically meant for training new recruits.

Old General Shao's reasoning was perfectly sound: since he came to serve in the military, he should start from the bottom. Only by enduring the hardest hardships could one rise above others. Han Qinnian looked like promising material and should be trained in the harshest place.

As for Shao Langzhou's claim that the Valiant Camp's drill instructor was best at training newcomers...

Old General Shao's eyes widened: "The men I've personally trained—are they not better than the Valiant Camp's drill instructor?"

Shao Langzhou was deeply unconvinced, feeling that his grandfather was deliberately targeting his beloved.

He wanted to speak up for Han Qinnian, but was silenced by his grandfather's glare that clearly said "Say one more word and I'll send him to the cooking brigade to raise pigs."

In the end, Shao Langzhou had no choice but to bring medicine to Han Qinnian to show his concern, and even personally cooked meals to send over, making Han Qinnian's face nearly split from grinning.

This also made Old General Shao's beard bristle with anger again: his plan had backfired!

And Qianhu Hong was even more furious.

He had always been attentive and fawning toward Zhou Geer, yet the boy wouldn't even give him a proper glance.

But now—Han Qinnian, that pretty-faced boy, had done nothing at all, and Zhou Geer was proactively rushing over to fuss over him and personally cook for him! Why?!

Just because Han Qinnian is a few years younger than him and more handsome?

They say a wife should be virtuous, and a husband should provide food and clothing—what's the use of a handsome face?

The more Qianhu Hong thought, the angrier and more panicked he got.

No, he absolutely could not let anyone take Zhou Geer away from him!

He had no family connections to lean on; becoming a Qianhu was already the ceiling of what he could achieve. Without the marquis's family backing him, he'd never climb any higher.

He'd thought his road to glory was a sure thing, only for some unexpected rival to barge in.

He'd already sunk so much time and effort—how could he just give up the riches and status that were almost his?

With that in mind, Qianhu Hong called over his men and gave the order.

Since Han Qinnian was using his pretty face to steal the man from him, then let's see how he competes once that pretty face is ruined!

During training, accidents like broken bones or a ruined face are totally normal, right?

Qianhu Hong's plan was solid, but he clearly underestimated his rival.

Han Qinnian's body had been specially strengthened by Han Zhang using his ability. Though he was short on real combat experience, his strength and agility were far beyond a normal person's, so he could react faster than most when danger came.

So Qianhu Hong's scheming didn't just fail to put Han Qinnian in his place—it gave him a chance to shine.

Every time he got targeted, Han Qinnian would run to Shao Langzhou and play the victim with a bunch of sweet, whiny complaints.

Stuff like, "Zhou Geer, am I just unlikable? Why won't half the camp even talk to me?"

Or, "Zhou Geer, am I dumb? Why can everyone else finish the drills fine, but I'm the one who always gets hurt?"

And, "Zhou Geer, help me think—did I do something to piss someone off? Yesterday during drills, I fell down the slope, and I swear someone pushed me!"

Han Qinnian looked like a big, pitiful puppy who'd been kicked.

He never said Qianhu Hong's name, but every word was aimed right at him.

It tore Shao Langzhou up inside.

There was no proof, but who else in the whole camp hated Han Qinnian enough to pull something like this except Qianhu Hong?

"It's gotta be that Hong bastard! He doesn't dare go after you openly, so he pulls these dirty tricks behind your back! He's trying to run you out of the army!"

Shao Langzhou said indignantly.

Han Qinnian played dumb, acting all surprised: "Really? I barely know Qianhu Hong, but everyone speaks highly of him. Besides, I've got no real beef with him—why would he go this far?"

"How can you say there's no beef?" Shao Langzhou, seeing how clueless he was, blurted out in a panic: "He wants to marry me, but I'm in love with you. A fight over a husband is a blood feud—isn't that enough of a grudge?"

Then, realizing he'd just confessed, his face went bright red, and he wished the ground would swallow him up.

But Han Qinnian seized the opportunity, shamelessly grabbing the young lad's hand and pressing eagerly: "Zhou Geer, you—you said you're in love with me? You're willing to be my husband? Is that true?"

"I—I—"

Shao Langzhou's cheeks burned. He wanted to say, "When did I ever agree to be your husband?!"

But the words of denial stuck in his throat, refusing to come out. He could only lower his head shyly, not knowing what to do.

Overjoyed, Han Qinnian pulled him into his arms and pressed his advantage:

"Zhou Geer, I'm in love with you too! Once I finish my recruit training and earn the Old General's approval, I'll have my eldest brother come propose, alright?"

"I—I—"

Shao Langzhou's heart pounded wildly. Gazing at Han Qinnian's handsome, resolute features, it took him a long while before he could blush and give a small nod, letting out a reply as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Alright."

And in the distance, watching this scene, Qianhu Hong nearly ground his teeth to powder, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles cracked. His face turned from red to pale, then from pale to black.

He never expected that his carefully laid schemes would not only fail to remove the obstacle, but instead become the stepping stone for the other man to gain sympathy and advance his romance.

What a cunning pretty boy!