Wang Shi was still hesitating when Zhao Changyu had already sent someone to have Zhao Hanzhang carried over, and Wang Shi was summoned as well.
Chengbo came personally to fetch them. He bowed and said, “Sanniang, the master asks you—what do you think of this marriage proposal?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Since it was chosen early on by grandfather, it must be good.”
She continued, “I will follow grandfather’s wishes.”
Chengbo understood.
He invited Zhao Hanzhang and Wang Shi to the main hall.
In the main hall, Zhao Changyu, Fu Zhi, and Zhao Zhongyu sat together. Fu Tinghan knelt on the mat behind Fu Zhi.
Hearing the commotion, they all turned to look. Zhao Changyu glanced at Wang Shi and Zhao Hanzhang before looking at Chengbo.
Chengbo gave Zhao Changyu an imperceptible nod.
Zhao Changyu then turned back to look at the Fu grandfather and grandson.
Fu Zhi smiled slightly at Zhao Changyu and said to his grandson behind him, “Sanniang has arrived. Why don’t you stand and greet her?”
Fu Tinghan stood up and first bowed to Wang Shi, then looked at Zhao Hanzhang. After a night, his greeting gestures were quite standard, though still somewhat unnatural.
Zhao Hanzhang, supported by Ting He, stepped down from the sedan chair and greeted the three elders. Her gaze quickly fell on the only somewhat unfamiliar middle-aged man.
Just seeing him, the previously hazy memories gradually became clear.
However, their interactions were truly limited, and there were very few images of him in her mind. Instead, various emotions churned—clearly, though the young girl rarely saw this uncle-grandfather, she had paid considerable attention to him.
Zhao Changyu introduced Fu Zhi to Wang Shi, then had the mother and daughter sit behind him before broaching the main topic. “Zizhang has come today to propose marriage for his eldest grandson. What do you think?”
Wang Shi was, after all, Sanniang’s mother. Although he could decide the marriage directly, he still needed to ask Wang Shi.
Zhao Changyu glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, unsure whether to call her bold and reckless or shallow in her thinking.
Yesterday, as soon as Zhao Hanzhang returned, he knew she had gone to the Fu residence. However, since Fu Zhi had already come to cancel the engagement and the two had cleverly missed each other, he felt the matter was over.
To bring it up again would only embarrass his granddaughter and damage her confidence, so he pretended to know nothing.
Who could have known that early this morning, Fu Zhi, who had just come yesterday to cancel the engagement, would bring his grandson—who supposedly had his brain damaged—to propose marriage again?
Zhao Changyu: …
If they hadn’t been friends for many years and he didn’t know his character well, Zhao Changyu would have had Chengbo sweep them out with a large broom.
But…
Zhao Changyu glanced at Zhao Zhongyu sitting to the side with downcast eyes, and finally swallowed his pride. Rather than putting on airs, he directly asked Zhao Hanzhang and Wang Shi for their opinions.
Looking at Chengbo, Hanzhang had already agreed. It just depended on Wang Shi now.
Wang Shi was naturally very willing.
As soon as she entered, she had stared at Fu Tinghan. Although he hadn’t spoken, the young man was as white as jade and handsome as a pine tree. With a smile at the corners of his mouth, he naturally inspired affection. Combined with his family background, Wang Shi was thoroughly satisfied no matter how she looked.
If this marriage was settled, their entire family would live with him in the future.
Wang Shi couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly at her and nodded.
Wang Shi felt more confident. She respectfully said, “Young Master Fu is exceptionally talented, and the Fu family has long-standing friendship with our Zhao family. With father-in-law making the decision, this is naturally an excellent match. This daughter-in-law has no objections.”
Zhao Changyu nodded slightly to himself and was about to speak when Zhao Zhongyu, sitting beside him, suddenly said, “Our Sanniang is naturally excellent, but Young Master Fu…”
He looked at Fu Tinghan and frowned slightly. “This child hasn’t said a word since entering. Is he not too pleased with this marriage?”
He turned to Zhao Changyu. “Elder brother, although marriage matters are for parents to arrange, the children must also be willing for the days ahead to last. We can’t wrong our Sanniang.”
Fu Zhi quickly explained, “Changyu, it’s not that the child is unwilling. As you know, he was injured some time ago. He’s still recovering from the shock and hasn’t been able to speak yet. But rest assured, the imperial physician said there’s nothing wrong with his throat. He’ll be able to speak in a few days.”
Zhao Changyu: … Yesterday when you came, you didn’t say this. The throat is fine—what about the brain?
Zhao Changyu glanced at Fu Tinghan sitting behind him. Seeing his eyes were clear and bright with spirit, he reluctantly suppressed the doubt and unease in his heart.
Having reached this point, refusing now would indeed make it very difficult to find someone more suitable than the Fu family who could better protect the mother and son of the first branch.
Fu Zhi and Zhao Changyu had a good relationship. Naturally, he knew about the Zhao family’s predicament and understood why Zhao Zhongyu opposed this marriage. He continued, “You knew about that chaos at the time, and Sanniang was also injured then.”
At this point, he smiled slightly. “Speaking of it, these two children are fated. At that time, they were both at the city gate, both injured. I heard from Sanniang that she even recognized Changrong then. This shows their fate is not shallow.”
Bringing this up, Zhao Zhongyu fell silent.
Only now did Wang Shi learn that Fu Tinghan had also been injured. Her face full of sympathy, she felt even more confident and kept nodding. “Indeed, very fated. Who would have thought that Young Master Fu would encounter our Sanniang right upon returning to the capital?”
She took Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and said to Fu Zhi, “Fortunately, both children’s injuries aren’t very serious—a close call but no real harm.”
Fu Zhi didn’t dare mention again that his grandson’s head might have been damaged. He nodded repeatedly. “Yes, fortunately it was a close call.”
Zhao Changyu listened to them singing in harmony and fell silent for a moment before saying, “Since neither family has objections, then this marriage is settled. We’ll choose a date later to…”
“No need to choose a date,” Fu Zhi said with a beaming smile. “I’ve brought the child’s eight characters today.”
He took a red folded document from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then pulled out a box from his other sleeve, opened it to reveal a seal, and smiled. “I wonder if Changyu still remembers this personal seal. Today I’m willing to use it as the engagement gift to settle this marriage.”
Zhao Changyu’s expression softened slightly. He looked toward Chengbo. “Go fetch my privately treasured Qingtian stone seal.”
Chengbo smiled and acknowledged.
Zhao Zhongyu was shocked and couldn’t help but advise in a low voice, “Elder brother, using seals as engagement gifts—isn’t that inappropriate?”
Zhao Changyu said, “The Shoushan stone seal in his hand is more valuable than my Qingtian stone.”
That’s not what he meant!
What he meant was the significance behind the seals.
Zhao Zhongyu frowned slightly, but this wasn’t the right occasion. All the words in his belly could only be temporarily suppressed.
Chengbo quickly brought up a box. Zhao Changyu opened it, took out a seal, and pushed it over. He said to Wang Shi, “Go fetch Sanniang’s eight characters.”
Zhao Zhongyu said, “Completing the engagement today—isn’t it too simple? Why not choose another auspicious day and time, and invite more relatives and friends to witness?”
Fu Zhi, fearing complications from delay, smiled and said, “Given the relationship between our two families, why go to such lengths? However, after the engagement, we indeed should host a banquet for relatives and friends. How about I invite the Prince of Donghai to serve as matchmaker for the two children?”
—