Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Shao Langzhou dashed into the tent in one breath, glanced back to make sure that Hong fellow hadn't followed him, and only then breathed a long sigh of relief.

Then, recalling the scene just now, he got angry all over again. He couldn't help throwing a couple of punches at the air, muttering under his breath:

"Annoying! God, so annoying! Why does this Hong Liyong act like he doesn't understand a word I say? I've told him countless times I don't like him, and he still comes around pestering me!"

"And every time, he has to pick a crowded place! Making the whole camp watch—you'd think there was actually something between us! Now the roughnecks in camp start winking and hooting the moment they see me. So annoying!"

When Old General Shao caught up with him, he happened to overhear his grumbling.

The old man was rather puzzled and asked, "Zhou Ge'er, your grandfather thinks Qianhu Hong is quite a decent fellow. Apart from his modest family background, he's honest and capable, and though his looks aren't exactly handsome, he has thick brows and big eyes—a regular, upright look. Most importantly, he's truly devoted to you."

"Besides, your grandfather specifically values his low family standing and simple household—perfect as a live-in son-in-law. You won't have to worry about being bullied by in-laws. Why do you look down on him so much?"

From the old general's male perspective, he genuinely thought Qianhu Hong was a good catch.

But Shao Langzhou was a gē'er—he saw things differently.

Shao Langzhou snapped back, "Grandfather, where exactly do you see that he's devoted to me? If he truly liked me, he wouldn't keep giving me gifts in front of everyone, embarrassing me!"

Old General Shao had to admit Hong Liyong's behavior seemed off, but then he tried to make excuses for the man: "Well... men in the camp are all rough and careless. Qianhu Hong is an honest soul—maybe he just didn't notice these things?"

"When I was courting your grandmother back in the village, I'd clumsily hand her pancakes and rush to work in the fields. That's how country folk show their affection..."

The thing was, Hong Liyong's honest act was too convincing, and since the man was personally promoted by the old general, he was reluctant to think badly of him.

Shao Langzhou stomped his foot in frustration. "Grandfather! You and Grandmother were betrothed as kids by your families—how's that the same? You've been taken in by his simple act! A man who climbed to the rank of Qianhu—how could he be naive?"

"Think about it, Grandfather. Other people give gifts privately. But him? Every time, he shoves things at me in front of everyone in the camp, saying things that are easy to misunderstand..."

"Isn't it obvious he wants everyone to see, to make the rumors about us look real, to force me to marry him by ruining my reputation?"

"If he truly cared about me, why does he pretend not to hear every time I flat-out refuse, and then do the same thing the next time? That's not honesty—that's using your regard for him, Grandfather, to act shameless!"

The more he spoke, the more wronged he felt, and his eyes turned red. "Grandfather, you only think about a live-in son-in-law, a simple family that wouldn't dare bully me. But have you thought—if I don't like him at all, if I'm annoyed just seeing him, how could I live like that? How miserable would the rest of my life be?"

"Anyway, good or bad, I just don't like him!"

Old General Shao was left speechless by his grandson's barrage of questions.

He thought back over Hong Liyong's behavior, his brow slowly knitting tighter. Indeed—once or twice could be carelessness, but three or four times, especially after Zhou Ge'er had clearly refused, did seem a bit like playing dumb.

Could he have misjudged him?

Pushing his doubts aside, Old General Shao looked at his red-eyed grandson with a heavy heart, let out a long sigh and rubbed the boy's head with his rough hand:

"Your grandfather got it wrong. I only considered whether the family background was suitable, worried you might be bullied in the future, without first asking if you were willing. I even let the hint slip to him, which only brought him to pester you."

"Since you don't like him, I won't speak for him anymore. You decide for yourself. If he comes to bother you again, I'll personally warn him off!"

Shao Langzhou broke into a smile through his tears and hugged his grandfather's arm. "Grandfather, you've finally come around!"

"After all, it's your marriage—of course your wishes come first. But you're not getting any younger, and neither am I. My health is failing day by day. Your marriage truly can't be delayed any longer. Why don't you tell me what kind of person you like? I'll keep an eye out for you and get the betrothal settled early."

Old General Shao asked with a worried expression. He was old now and couldn't protect his grandson for many more years—he had to arrange the boy's future as soon as possible.

Shao Langzhou felt a pang of sadness at this. He didn't really want to marry so soon, but he knew there was no helping it.

Not wanting his grandfather to worry, he thought for a moment and said, "Grandfather, I don't know how to choose, but he must at least be handsome."

"After all, you can't judge a person's character, but looks are obvious at a glance. If I'm unlucky enough to meet a faithless man, at least a handsome one is better than an ugly one, right?"

Old General Shao: ...

So after all that, his grandson just thought Qianhu Hong wasn't handsome enough?

They say you marry a wife for virtue, and marry a husband for food and clothing.

What use is a handsome husband? You can't eat looks!

The old general felt rather worried.

...

Meanwhile.

Hong Liyong, who had failed to deliver his gift once again, returned to the family quarters near the camp. After closing the door of his small courtyard, his honest expression immediately vanished, replaced by a dark, sullen anger.

Hong's mother and Hong's sister-in-law, who were hanging laundry in the yard, guessed the reason at once upon seeing his furious state.

Hong's mother asked with a grim face, "Second Son, did that little wretch refuse your hairpin again and give you a cold shoulder in public?"

"Mm!" Hong Liyong nodded, sitting down on the stone bench in the yard with a gloomy expression. "That Shao Langzhou—he doesn't appreciate kindness. Just because he's the general's grandson, he thinks he's some heavenly fairy. I've been smiling and fawning over him time and again, and he won't give me the slightest face!"

Hong's mother's temper flared up at once, and she burst out cursing: "That shameless little slut! A gē'er raised in a military camp, mixing with so many men day in and day out—who knows if he's even pure anymore? And he thinks he's some precious jewel?"

"A fate that killed his parents—his whole family's dead. Only the old general still treasures him like a gem. Once the old general's gone, what is he? My son is already a Qianhu—more than good enough for him! And he dares to put on airs?"

Hong's mother was a coarse country woman, used to speaking loudly and roughly.

Hearing this, Hong Liyong snapped out of his rage and hurriedly lowered his voice: "Mother, keep it down! Old General Shao is still around!"

Hong's sister-in-law also changed expression and quickly urged, "Mother, if such words were overheard and reached the old general's ears, what would happen to Second Brother's future? Wouldn't all our months of playing humble and low be wasted?"

She called him "Second Brother," but her heart ached as if pricked by needles.

Because she wasn't really Hong's sister-in-law at all—she was Hong Liyong's lawfully wedded wife!

But she was a child bride with no natal family to rely on, useless to her husband's career. Even though she'd borne him children, she had to swallow her pride and play the role of "Hong's sister-in-law" to the outside world for the sake of her husband's advancement.

She had sacrificed this much—if Hong Liyong couldn't marry Shao Langzhou and bring her and their son wealth and glory, wouldn't all of it become a huge joke?

"What's there to fear! I picked this courtyard for its seclusion—the neighbors are far away and can't hear!"

Though Hong's mother spoke tough, her voice unconsciously lowered.

Still, she fumed: "Besides, is anything I said untrue? That Zhou Ge'er grew up in the camp, fooling around with men all day—who knows what filthy things go on behind closed doors? Otherwise, why would a marquis's son stoop to taking in a husband?"

"My son's willingness to have him is his greatest fortune! And he dares to play hard to get... Just wait—once he's married in and the old general's gone, I'll show him what's what!"

A married woman follows her husband's fate. Marquis's son or not—once he entered the Hong family, he'd have to kneel and kowtow to her as his mother-in-law.

Hong Liyong inwardly agreed with his mother's words, but on the surface he maintained a proper, upright demeanor, frowning in reproach:

"Enough, Mother! I've always had good standing in the camp, and Zhou Ge'er never avoided me like a snake before. It was only after I brought you here that his attitude changed."

"Mother, is it possible you didn't control your temper outside, made a scene, and ruined my reputation—and Zhou Ge'er happened to see it? Is that why he stopped acknowledging me?"

When Mother Hong heard this, she grew anxious and quickly defended herself: "My son, your mother's not senile! We finally got you to amount to something, and now that you're about to climb the ladder with a bright future ahead, how could I possibly hold you back?"

"It must be Su Niang! Yes, maybe it's Su Niang who revealed your relationship outside... You black-hearted bitch, how dare you ruin my son's great plans! I'll beat you to death!"

With that, she moved to strike her daughter-in-law.

"Mother, I didn't! I've sacrificed so much for Second Brother, only hoping for his success. How could I possibly ruin his good fortune..."

Su Niang, holding her son, dodged while tearfully explaining herself.

The infant in her arms couldn't withstand the jostling and burst into loud crying.

Only then did Hong Liyong put on his head-of-the-family airs, saying in a deep voice: "Enough! Both of you, say no more. In the future, mind your words and actions carefully. This marriage is critical—we can't afford the slightest mistake."

Marrying the only son of the Shao family would not only grant him connections within the military, but the wealth amassed over generations by the Weiyuan Marquis Estate alone would be enough to secure him a life of luxury and rapid advancement.

Shao Langzhou dared to look down on him—once his plans came to fruition, he would repay today's humiliation a hundredfold!