Chapter 11: Proposal of Marriage

Chapter 11: The Marriage Proposal

A few days later, the news that Lady Marquis Zhongyong was personally visiting the Minister's residence to propose marriage spread through the capital like wildfire, and before anyone knew it, the whole city was buzzing.

This was because the Marquis Zhongyong's household had pulled out all the stops, completely unlike the perfunctory affair everyone had speculated.

After the incident at Drunken Capital Tower, Duke Zhenguo's household had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept that disgraced young man.

Thus, everyone assumed this marriage was merely a formality—that the Marquis Zhongyong's household would sneak the person in without any fuss.

But who would have thought they'd make such a big deal out of a simple betrothal visit?

Surely it was because the Duke's household cared too much about face.

People couldn't help but sigh—the young lord was still too green, letting his pride be his downfall.

Wang Shuci figured the same thing.

Though he had his own schemes in mind, he kept a straight face on the outside, personally leading the Minister household's inner family out to greet them.

His manners were flawless, his courtesy over the top, showing the Marquis Zhongyong household every possible respect.

Word around the capital had long been that this Lady Marquis was one of the city's top beauties in her youth, and seeing her today, she definitely lived up to the hype.

Wang Shuci, who spent his days schmoozing with the capital's noble families and had met all kinds of people, still couldn't help but be blown away by this Lady Marquis who rarely ever showed her face—her poise and looks were both top-tier.

No wonder she'd raised two such ridiculously handsome sons.

Luckily, word had it this woman was gentle and mild-mannered, so while Wang Shuci put on a respectful front, he wasn't all that impressed deep down.

But when Wang Shuci greeted her with a beaming smile and courteous manners, this Lady Marquis Zhongyong just gave a faint "mm" and nothing else.

Wang Shuci's heart immediately went cold with irritation.

But the very next second, he froze a little.

A tall, striking figure hopped down from the carriage.

The young man stood tall and straight, with sharp, handsome features and an edge to every move he made, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.

Cheng Yi landed clean and quick, his tall, straight frame carrying a commanding presence that made it impossible to look away.

Everyone said the Second Young Master of the Cheng family was exceptionally striking, and seeing him in person today, Wang Shuci still felt his heart skip a beat.

But that admiration quickly wore off, because this kid was just like his mother—arrogant and dismissive.

Cheng Yi didn't have a trace of a smile on his face, not even a basic pleasantry. He wore his displeasure right on his face, and the look he gave the Minister household's Lord was openly condescending.

It was obvious this kid absolutely hated this marriage, and even the Minister's residence itself wasn't worth a second glance from him.

What an arrogant, clueless brat.

Wang Shuci gritted his teeth.

He thought this mother and son had zero sense of decency.

What he didn't know was that Wen Wanning wasn't trying to be rude on purpose—it was just that before they left, her pain-in-the-neck son had drilled into her to keep her mouth shut and keep a blank face at the Minister's residence, never letting her feelings show.

He'd gone on about keeping your emotions in check and staying cool and composed to show off the dignity of the Marquis and Duke households, so the Minister's residence wouldn't dare look down on them.

In short, a whole bunch of twisted logic that somehow managed to win her over.

Besides, she wasn't good at socializing anyway, so this way was easier and less of a hassle.

Wang Shuci swallowed his annoyance and led everyone into the Minister's residence.

Walking among a crowd of women and young men, Cheng Yi's tall frame stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens.

But he seemed aloof and cold, his lowered brows carrying a hint of brooding.

Maybe because he'd been on the battlefield and killed people, he gave off a chilling vibe that made people's spines tingle and instinctively keep their distance.

Shen Qinglan hid off in the distance, peeking—even a blurry outline was enough to make him jealous.

Cheng Yi quietly took in every corner of the Minister's residence, including the expressions and mannerisms of everyone there.

But he couldn't care less about how random people reacted.

He was just a little disappointed not to catch a glimpse of his betrothed.

It wasn't until everyone was seated in the main hall and the small talk was over that they got down to business.

Only then did Wang Shuci realize how far off the public's read on this Lady Marquis really was.

Gentle and simple nature, my ass? What kind of simple person has this much scheming and cunning?

What a Lady Marquis Zhongyong—all show on the surface, but rotten underneath.

Wang Shuci stared at the gift list in his hands, almost laughing out of sheer anger.

He'd figured they wouldn't bring anything too lavish—which would also be a nice insult to that bastard, and he was all for it.

But he never expected the Marquis Zhongyong household's gifts to be this shabby and half-assed.

This wasn't just a slap at that good-for-nothing son—it was a clear slap in the face to the entire Minister's residence.

Wang Shuci couldn't keep up the polite act anymore, his face going dark on the spot.

"I didn't expect Lady Cheng Er to be so considerate. Truly, seeing is believing."

Cheng Yi's face went dark, and he was about to snap back when his mother spoke calmly.

"Lady Shen flatters me."

Wang Shuci was instantly left speechless.

Did she seriously not catch the sarcasm?

He'd deliberately said "Lady Cheng Er" instead of "Lady Marquis Zhongyong" to insult her, and yet this woman didn't even flinch?

Wen Wanning definitely caught the jab about her husband being a cripple, but that gift list was so embarrassingly cheap she couldn't even bring it up, so this little dig didn't bother her at all.

Cheng Yi, on the other hand, felt relieved.

His mother was sharp after all—he'd been worrying for nothing.

After a whole parade of expressions flickered across his face, Wang Shuci spoke up again:

"Surely Lady Cheng Er has heard of my Yichen too?"

Wen Wanning hesitated briefly before saying, "I've heard a little."

Wang Shuci's lips curled into a subtle arc, then he feigned helplessness and said:

"Although this child is naturally unruly, acts erratically, disregards propriety, and shows no respect for his elders, his nature is not inherently bad."

The mother and son frowned at his words.

Listen to this—is this even human speech?

After speaking, Wang Shuci let out another theatrical sigh.

"Alas, everyone knows he is not my biological son. Since childhood, he has never taken a liking to me as his stepfather. The more I tried to discipline him, the more resentful he became. I've done all I could over the years."

"In the future, once the two children are married, if he does anything improper, I hope you, Second Madam, will be tolerant and take the trouble to guide him well."

This string of snide remarks, all magnanimous on the surface, actually just confirmed every rumor about Shen Yichen circulating in the outside world, each word belittling this stepson.

Cheng Yi's blood ran cold.

He had long suspected that Shen Yichen's situation in the Minister's residence might not be ideal, but he never imagined it could be this dire.

Wen Wanning was also taken aback upon hearing this.

She was naive by nature, having been the sole matriarch of the Marquis's residence for so many years. Even the servants could barely get near the Marquis, let alone any concubines. So she had almost no experience with the scheming that went on in the inner quarters.

But even so, she could see right through this man's malicious intentions at a glance.

This Lord of the Minister's residence talked like he cared about his stepson, but every word was pure slander, like he was scared people wouldn't realize how awful the stepson really was.

With a guy like this, how much of what he says can you even trust?

She'd heard the kid was only three when his real dad died of illness, and within six months, this Lord had moved in. The poor kid must have gone through a lot over the years.

At that thought, Wen Wanning's face turned cold too.

"Rest assured, Madam Shen. Since His Majesty has blessed this marriage with his own decree, the two kids are destined to be together."

"Once they're married, your son becomes part of the Marquis Zhongyong household. From then on, no matter what happens, no matter what he does, the Marquis Zhongyong household will take full responsibility."

Wang Shuci's face changed on the spot, and even Cheng Yi shot his mother a surprised look.

He really hadn't expected his mother to be so firm, and she was clearly sticking up for Shen Yichen.

Now that was his mother for you.

Wang Shuci immediately sneered:

"Second Madam truly has remarkable tolerance. Your generosity of spirit is truly admirable."

"You flatter me."

There it was again!

Wang Shuci's fists clenched and unclenched inside his sleeves.

Everyone knew the Marquis Zhongyong was a useless good-for-nothing who didn't even dare leave his own house.

The Marquis Zhongyong's estate was nothing but a hollow shell. If it weren't for Duke Zhenguo backing them, a marquis like that wouldn't even be worthy of stepping foot through the Minister's front door.

And now they had the nerve to act all high and mighty in front of him—did they really think her son could fly high and restore the family's name?

Wang Shuci sneered again and again, his words getting sharper:

"In that case, I'll thank you on behalf of my wayward stepson, Second Madam. I just hope that if he really does something wrong later, you can stay as calm as you are today."

"No need for you to worry about that, Madam."

"Very well then."

A disobedient, unfilial, good-for-nothing piece of trash—did they really think he was making it all up?

This mother and son were each more insufferable than the other.

He shot Cheng Yi a sideways glance, malice lurking in his eyes.

If it weren't for Grand General Cheng backing him, this guy might not have made it off the battlefield alive. Besides, the battlefield was dangerous, and life and death were a coin toss—how much longer could his glory days last?

Wang Shuci's mind churned with vicious thoughts, remembering how his master had told him beforehand to handle the social pleasantries with care.

They'd even had the crazy idea of using this marriage—which neither side was happy about—to get in good with Duke Zhenguo, and even drag the Duke onto the Fifth Prince's side.

Complete delusion.

The other side had never taken the Minister's residence seriously, not even once.

So he couldn't be blamed for not holding back.

Wang Shuci swallowed his venom, gave a subtle nod to the servant beside him, and then presented the Minister's residence's return gifts.

Good thing he'd prepared two sets—even the cheaper one was way more lavish than what the Marquis's residence had brought.

He also handed over Shen Yichen's birth date and time to the Marquis's residence.

From here on, the Marquis's residence just had to match up the two birth charts and send over the finalized wedding date.

All that was left today was exchanging betrothal tokens, and the engagement would be official.

Normally, the betrothed couple was supposed to prepare the tokens themselves, but Wang Shuci couldn't be bothered.

He just had a servant grab some plain jade pendant, going through the motions.

He'd figured the Marquis's residence wouldn't bother preparing any token at all, given their attitude. But who'd have guessed that not only had Cheng Yi prepared one, he'd insist on exchanging tokens with Shen Yichen in person.

That was something Wang Shuci hadn't seen coming.

"What, my mother and I came all the way here today for the proposal, and my betrothed isn't even home?"

Cheng Yi raised an eyebrow, clearly looking for a fight.

He obviously hated this marriage, yet he insisted on exchanging tokens in person—what was that if not picking a fight?

Wang Shuci ground his teeth in fury.

He even suspected the mother and son had come today just to stir up trouble at the Minister's residence.

But the marriage was decreed by the emperor, and the wager was one he had personally accepted. Who could he blame now?

Just then, a servant rushed in frantically.

From afar, his shouts rang out, "Something terrible has happened!"

A flicker of alarm flashed in Wang Shuci's eyes, and he immediately barked a stern rebuke.

"With honored guests present, what's all this racket!"

The servant, visibly anxious, reported, "Lord, something's gone wrong—the small ancestral shrine is on fire, and the eldest young master is still locked inside."

"What?"

Everyone was taken aback.

Before the words had even faded, a figure had already dashed out of the main hall like a gust of wind, snatching up the messenger servant by the scruff of his neck, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.