At the hour of Si, Fu Zhi arrived at the door with the matchmaker and Fu Tinghan. Zhao Changyu had also specially changed into different clothes, and Zhao Hanzhang helped him walk to the front hall.

Zhao Zhongyu came over with Zhao Ji, and upon seeing the people Fu Zhi had brought, couldn’t help but pause.

Zhao Changyu also hadn’t expected that Fu Zhi would invite Wang Yan to be the matchmaker, and imperceptibly stopped for a moment.

Zhao Hanzhang noticed this and couldn’t help but look up at the person across from them.

She saw standing beside Fu Zhi an elegant and refined middle-aged man. He stood beside Fu Zhi with a posture like a pine tree, wearing wide sleeves and long robes, with a romantic bearing. Seeing Zhao Changyu, he smiled slightly and said, “Earl of Shangcai, I have come to your door today to seek marriage to your family’s young lady on behalf of the eldest young master of the Fu family. I wonder if the Earl of Shangcai is willing to consent to this match?”

His gaze shifted to the side and landed on Zhao Hanzhang. Their eyes met, and Wang Yan was slightly taken aback. His brows furrowed lightly before he smiled and asked, “Is this your Sanniang?”

Zhao Changyu’s gaze briefly met Fu Zhi’s before scattering. He smiled and pulled Zhao Hanzhang over, “Yes, Sanniang, come meet your Uncle Wang. I remember you and his fourth daughter are good friends.”

“Yes,” Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward and bowed. “Your niece greets Uncle Wang.”

Wang Yan knew of Zhao Sanniang—she was a good friend of his youngest daughter, Fourth Lady. He seemed to have seen her before, though they had never spoken, but he knew of her.

In his impression, she was a clever and forbearing child, but merely clever and forbearing.

But at this moment of meeting, alarm bells rang inexplicably in his heart. Clearly, her eyes showed even more resilience now. Such a young lady in such chaotic times was a good thing, but… also not a good thing.

Wang Yan discreetly looked at Fu Changlong, seeing him standing quietly behind Fu Zhi, his posture upright. Though he spoke little, his responses and movements showed proper etiquette, and his talents were not weak either.

Wang Yan suppressed the miscellaneous thoughts in his heart. When Fu Zhi looked over at him again, remembering the purpose of this visit, he quickly brought up the marriage proposal with Zhao Changyu.

The two families had already agreed beforehand and exchanged betrothal gifts. As matchmaker, he only needed to formally propose and discuss the wedding date.

Even the wedding date had been calculated in advance by someone the Fu family hired. He was just here to bear witness and speak a few words.

The great handsome Wang Yan, although known for not liking mundane affairs, was still very willing to help with this kind of mutually beneficial matter that required little effort.

Moreover, both Fu Zhi and Zhao Qiao were renowned officials of the court with good reputations. Making the match for these two families—if the young couple turned out harmonious and happy in the future, he would gain a good reputation too, wouldn’t he?

The wedding date was set very smoothly, and stamping the dowry list also went smoothly.

Even someone like Wang Yan, a child of a prominent family, was surprised when he saw Zhao Hanzhang’s dowry list. After confirming that both the Zhao and Fu families had no objections, he took out his personal seal and stamped it on both copies of the marriage contract and the dowry lists.

The marriage contracts and dowry lists were one copy per family.

Zhao Changyu knew his days were numbered, so he chose the nearest date—the sixth day of the sixth month, just over two months away.

Zhao Zhongyu felt it was too rushed, but since both families had already agreed and Zhao Changyu was so determined, he decisively signed in the witness section.

His signature was both important and unimportant.

Important because if there were any disputes in the future, it could prove that this dowry list had been acknowledged by him.

Unimportant because with Wang Yan’s witnessed dowry list, it would be basically impossible for Zhao Zhongyu to go back on his word.

One must know that this person was a celebrity in Dajin—not only a celebrity but also high in position and power. Even Zhao Changyu and Fu Zhi had to give way to him, let alone Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Hanzhang was also quietly observing this renowned scholar famous throughout history.

After watching for a while, Zhao Hanzhang only felt that he was truly handsome—in her era, he could easily become a big star in minutes. Not only handsome, but his bearing was also excellent.

Fu Tinghan followed her gaze to look at Wang Yan but didn’t see anything special.

When the matter concluded, the adults decided to go to the garden to appreciate the scenery and discuss profound philosophy. Neither Zhao Hanzhang nor Fu Tinghan was interested in this. After listening for a while, they found an excuse to leave.

Fu Tinghan glanced behind him, “Have them withdraw?”

Zhao Hanzhang came to her senses, looked back, and waved at Ting He and the others.

Ting He bowed in acknowledgment, led the group to stop, but didn’t leave—just watched them from afar.

With no one nearby, Fu Tinghan curiously asked, “Why do you keep looking at Wang Yan? Is there something special about him?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment before saying, “Apart from being good-looking, he has rather sharp judgment and high intelligence?”

“However, this person is selfish and lacks loyalty—not suitable for deep friendship,” Zhao Hanzhang continued. “Why would Minister Fu invite him as matchmaker? In my memory, my grandfather’s relationship with him wasn’t very good, and your grandfather’s relationship with him seems quite ordinary too.”

Fu Tinghan said, “He was invited with a piece of calligraphy as the matchmaker’s gift. Minister Fu said that with him as matchmaker, there won’t be any unexpected problems with our marriage in the future, which is convenient for your grandfather’s plans.”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but sigh, “Your grandfather and my grandfather are really good brothers.”

Zhao Changyu thought the same. After seeing Wang Yan off, Zhao Changyu specifically found an excuse to keep the Fu family grandfather and grandson, claiming that since he was in good spirits today, he could let Fu Tinghan meet some relatives—otherwise, he feared there wouldn’t be another opportunity for introductions.

Then he pulled Fu Zhi to the study for a private conversation. “I didn’t expect you would invite Wang Yan.”

Fu Zhi: “I only tried, and who knew he would agree as soon as I asked. This is good too—with him guaranteeing the match, it should be enough to deal with Zhao Zhongyu.”

Zhao Changyu nodded.

Fu Zhi paused before asking, “Changyu, are you truly determined to entrust so much family property to Sanniang’s care?”

Zhao Changyu sighed, “I have no one reliable to entrust it to. I can only rely on you, Zizhuang.”

Fu Zhi then sighed, “Since you trust me, I will not fail your trust. Rest assured, as long as I live, Changlong and Sanniang will keep their promise. When Erlang comes of age, half of what’s on the dowry list will be given to him.”

Zhao Changyu grasped his hand and said, “I can only entrust them to you.”

Fu Zhi also gripped his hand tightly. Seeing his poor complexion, he couldn’t help but worry, “Your health?”

“Imperial Physician Chen has done his best. It’s only two or three months now, which is why I had you choose a nearer wedding date, so I can see her married.”

Fu Zhi let out a long sigh, “Family matters, state matters—not one thing is going smoothly.”

Zhao Changyu couldn’t help but advise him, “If things cannot be accomplished, don’t force it. Wang Yan’s talents are ordinary and cannot be relied upon for great tasks. His Majesty has no power, and at this time to clash head-on with the Prince of Donghai is disadvantageous to you. Having reached this point, further争执 is useless—better to retreat a step.”

Fu Zhi was silent for a long while before shaking his head, “We cannot retreat. If we retreat further, we and His Majesty will fall off the cliff and be shattered to pieces.”

Zhao Changyu: “Knowing something cannot be done yet doing it anyway—that is foolishness.”

Fu Zhi disagreed, “I do my duty and give my all. Even if things fail, I will have no regrets in my heart.”

Zhao Changyu couldn’t persuade him and could only give up. “Fine, I’m about to die anyway—I won’t argue with you.”

—