Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Actually, the main reason Old General Shao had taken a liking to Hong Qianhu was not just because the man appeared honest and simple, easy to control, but also because the Hong family came from humble origins.

The Shao family's prestige in the military was immense. Even though the family had dwindled to but a few members, their influence had not diminished in the slightest.

A tall tree catches the wind; great merit invites the ruler's suspicion. His sons and grandsons had all perished in the princes' power struggles, and it was hard to say whether Emperor Taixuan had a hand in their deaths.

Thus, if the Marquis Weiyuan Estate wished for lasting peace, his grandson had to "marry down"—and the humbler the family's origins, the better. Ideally, they would fade into obscurity.

Now that his grandson had set his heart on the Han family, already fallen out of favor with the imperial court, Old General Shao was worried. Yet seeing how deeply his grandson cared, and how Han Qinnian's looks and character were genuinely good, he could only relent.

Well, let the Emperor be wary if he must.

The Shao family had only this one bloodline left. Han Zhang's contributions in the capital back then had been considerable. As long as they remained cautious and law-abiding in the future, the imperial court would not dare go too far, lest they chill the hearts of the people.

The "naive" Old General Shao consoled himself with such wishful thinking.

So, when Han Qinnian's recruit training concluded and he was rated excellent in the drills, the old general summoned him to his study and said without preamble:

"Pick an auspicious day, and have your elder brother and parents come to propose marriage."

He was old, his health deteriorating day by day. His grandson's marriage truly could not be delayed any longer. If it were settled soon, he might still hold on for a few more years and personally raise his great-grandchildren.

Han Qinnian, who had braced himself for years of trials, heard a ringing in his ears. The old general's words hit him like a thunderbolt, exploding in his head and leaving him momentarily stunned.

"...P-propose marriage?"

He repeated instinctively, his voice trembling, his eyes full of disbelief and joy, as if he could not believe what he had just heard.

The shock left him completely dazed, stammering and incoherent: "I-I-I'm the one proposing? Old General, y-you're not asking me to be the one marrying in?"

If he were marrying in, then the Shao family should be the ones proposing to the Han family.

Old General Shao found the young man's flustered reaction amusing, but deliberately kept a stern face: "What, you don't want to marry my Zhou Geer after all?"

"N-no, no, I do, I do! I want to marry Zhou Geer!"

Han Qinnian shook his head and nodded frantically at once, his voice so loud it nearly blew the roof off, his whole body buzzing with excitement, not knowing what to do with his hands or feet.

How could he not want to marry Zhou Geer?

The very first moment he laid eyes on Zhou Geer, he'd wanted to take him home!

"You silly boy." Old General Shao finally couldn't help but laugh and scold, though a complex glimmer of relief and reassurance flickered in his eyes.

Truth be told, he too wished Han Qinnian would actually marry into the family.

But at his age, he had seen too much of life. Though he had misjudged Hong Qianhu, that didn't mean he'd truly gone senile.

In these times, a man marrying into his wife's family was a huge loss of face.

Even if Han Qinnian did not mind it now, what about later? Rumors and gossip, repeated often enough, could wear anyone down.

Rather than end up as enemies in the future, it was better to take a step back now, give the young man some dignity, and find a solution that worked for both sides.

So, stroking his gray beard, Old General Shao continued kindly:

"I've been thinking these past few days. That proposal of marrying into the family was, at its core, born from my selfish desire to secure a stable future for Zhou Geer."

"Since you truly care for Zhou Geer, I don't need to be so presumptuous, projecting my own worries onto you and making you endure unnecessary criticism and gossip down the road."

"However, I do have one condition I hope you'll seriously consider."

Though Han Qinnian didn't mind marrying in, having fewer whispers to deal with was certainly better.

He nodded joyfully: "Old General, please speak. I'll agree to anything!"

"After you and Zhou Geer are wed, I want your second son to be given to the Marquis Weiyuan Estate, to carry on the Shao surname and continue our family line. Would you be willing?"

This was no great matter.

Han Qinnian, who had even agreed to marry into the family, nodded readily: "I'm willing! It's only right, and truly my great honor! I swear here and now that if Zhou Geer and I are blessed with two sons, the second will carry on the Shao family line, take care of you in your old age, and bring honor to the Marquis Weiyuan Estate. I will never let down the trust and kindness you've shown me today!"

The answer came without a moment's hesitation—honest and sincere.

The weight lifted off Old General Shao's heart, and a beaming smile broke across his face: "Good, good, good."

Shao Langzhou, who had been hiding behind the screen, listening to the whole exchange with his heart pounding, finally breathed a sigh of relief, joy spreading across his face.

His marriage to Second Brother was finally set!

...

With Old General Shao's approval secured, the Han family was easy to handle. When Han Qinnian came home and shared the news, his parents nodded happily without a second thought.

He was a young master from a marquis estate—handsome, well-bred, bringing a fortune with him, and their son's own choice to boot.

Such a blessing was like a golden pie dropping from the sky, something you couldn't find even with a lantern. What reason did they have to refuse?

To win Old General Shao's genuine support for their Second Brother, and to show the Han family's sincerity, they went all out when the day came to formally send a matchmaker to propose. Grandfather Han went all out, speaking with remarkable tact:

"Old Master Shao, our Han family is small and humble, nothing compared to the wealth and glory of your marquis estate. That this good-for-nothing grandson of mine could earn your regard, and that you'd entrust a treasure like Zhou Geer to him—it's Second Brother's greatest fortune, and a blessing earned by our ancestors."

"Our family's foundation is modest, and we can't offer a betrothal gift worthy of Zhou Geer. But in our hearts, we'd never dream of slighting the child."

"So, regarding the matter of carrying on your family line, I've carefully discussed it with Second Brother's parents. We have decided that after the two are wed, their first son will be entered into the Shao family registry, to carry on your bloodline."

"As for any later children, whether sons or daughters, we'll leave it to fate. Our family doesn't need Second Brother to carry on our name, and we'd never let Zhou Geer harm his health over matters of succession. Everything will be with Zhou Geer's wellbeing as the top priority."

These words, sincere and full of understanding, struck a deep chord with Old General Shao.

The old man was so moved he jumped to his feet on the spot, his voice shaking with disbelief: "Really? You... your Han family really would let Nian Geer and Zhou Geer's first son be given to my Shao family?"

"Every word is true!" Grandfather Han's smile grew even warmer and more determined. "We can even put it in writing in the betrothal contract. The Han family will never break their word."

Grandma Han and Han's mother stepped forward together, taking Shao Langzhou's hands on either side, their faces full of warmth and affection, their words full of thoughtfulness:

"Zhou Geer taking a liking to our foolish boy is the greatest luck Second Brother could have in several lifetimes. If he ever dares to show you the slightest neglect, you don't need to wait for the Old General to speak—we'll be the first to object!"

Han's father stood nearby, his smile warm and simple, nodding in agreement: "Exactly, exactly. As long as the two kids live well together, in harmony and happiness, we as parents couldn't ask for more."

"Old General, rest assured. His parents treat people really well. Zhou Geer won't be bullied marrying Second Brother, and I'll look after him too."

Shen Qinglan chimed in from the side, his face beaming with joy at the thought of Zhou Geer joining the Han family.

"......"

Shao Langzhou, surrounded by the Han family's warm and sincere care, turned beet red.

Old General Shao, seeing Shen Qinglan's rosy complexion and innocent air, with no signs of wear from household squabbles or in-law drama, knew the Han family treated their daughter-in-law and son-in-law well.

After all, only those who live without worries can stay that innocent.

With that thought, Old General Shao felt a weight lift off his chest, and he was so happy he kept saying,

"Good, good, good! With in-laws this reasonable and considerate of Zhou Geer, what more can I ask for? I'm a hundred percent satisfied and a thousand percent at ease with this match!"

The old man grinned so wide you could see his gums.

Han Zhang also smiled with satisfaction: "......"

It must be said, when it came to marrying up, the Han family was pros!

Look how they'd sweet-talked the old man.

With both families' elders happy, the marriage between Han Qinnian and Shao Langzhou was settled, with the wedding date set for April of the following year, when spring flowers bloom.

It sounded like a long time, but it was actually short.

Because most of the year had already passed, and the traditional betrothal process was complicated, setting the wedding for April of the next year was already cutting it close.

With the match confirmed, Grandfather Han and the others rushed back to start preparations.

Han Qinnian continued training at the military camp. Though he still hadn't been transferred to the Valiant Camp where Shao Langzhou served, Old General Shao had sent him to the more promising 'Charge Camp' and personally took him under his wing, pulling out all the stops for his grandson-in-law.

It was clear that the Han family's charm offensive had truly won over the old man's heart!

But the Han family backed up their words with action, writing the adoption agreement right into the marriage contract, not just making empty promises.

Because Han's father and mother couldn't guarantee they wouldn't regret it in the future if the family prospered, so while their intentions were genuinely sincere, they put it in writing as a safeguard.

After all, the person you are now often can't understand the person you'll become!

People still need some constraints and rules.

With Han Qinnian and Shao Langzhou's marriage happily settled and confirmed without any issues, awaiting only their union next year, Shen Qinglan's pregnancy finally reached its term.