Chapter 200

Chapter 200

With the betrothal gifts settled, the subsequent procedures proceeded smoothly.

Old General Shao, having received two gifts that hit the mark, grew increasingly satisfied with the Han family, and his earlier worries about Han Zhang's situation in the capital were largely alleviated.

Regardless, the Han family's values were truly commendable. Marrying into a family like this meant that even if the Hans ran into trouble down the road, his grandson would still have the connections he'd built over the years to fall back on. That would keep him safe and stable.

This was far better than ending up with a scheming predator like Qianhu Hong, who seemed loyal on the surface but was rotten underneath!

Had his grandson truly married such a person, both the family estate and his grandson would have been swallowed up whole, and he'd die without ever finding peace.

The Han family's betrothal gifts showed real sincerity, so the Shao family's dowry was naturally nothing to sneeze at.

After all, Old General Shao now had only Shao Langzhou as his only surviving grandson, and the family estate was always going to go to him anyway.

However, since the Han family had previously promised to eventually adopt a grandson into the Shao family, Old General Shao split the family estate into two halves.

One half was given as Langzhou's dowry, to be brought to the Han family to help him stand on his own feet; the other half was set aside, to be inherited by the adopted child when they came of age.

As for why Old General Shao would rather let the Han family benefit than adopt an heir from his own clan—well, there was a reason for that.

In his youth, Old General Shao had been unloved at home—his parents played favorites, his brothers ostracized him, and the clan never lifted a finger to help him—instead, they used filial piety and clan law as excuses to keep him down.

Later, when he built this family fortune through military merit, those same people came crawling back, trying to mooch off him. They pulled every shameless trick in the book, and it was truly disheartening.

So once he'd made something of himself, Old General Shao naturally refused to let those estranged relatives get a single cent—even if it meant dying without an heir, he'd never give them the satisfaction!

Of course, although Old General Shao gave half the family estate as his grandson's dowry, not all of it was out in the open.

Just like Madam Shen had done back then, the old man declared the dowry as roughly a hundred thousand taels of silver, with the rest stashed away as gold, silver, and banknotes.

"Zhou Geer, although the Han family is indeed decent, people's hearts can change. Better to stay sharp now than to cry about it after you've taken a fall."

"Grandfather looked into it—your sister-in-law's publicly declared dowry was roughly one hundred thousand taels of silver. We'll match that number—not more than your sister-in-law, but not so little that it looks cheap either."

"Keep the rest tucked away and don't go showing it off. In the future... whether Nian treats you well or the Han family hits a rough patch, with these resources in hand, you'll always have a way out."

Although the law stated that confiscation did not extend to the dowries of the master and mistress of the household, the law is written in stone, but people aren't. If it truly came to that point, how much those ravenous soldiers would leave you depended entirely on their conscience and the connections and backing you had left!

You can't put all your eggs in one basket—always have a backup plan.

Old General Shao went on and on...

Shao Langzhou listened quietly, tears welling up in his eyes.

He had lost his parents young and was raised by his grandfather alone.

Outsiders only saw his grandfather as a gruff, intimidating military general, but only he knew how meticulous his grandfather really was. From his clothes and meals to his schooling and martial arts training, the old man had personally overseen every last detail.

All this nagging and rambling was just his grandfather's way of showing how much he worried and cared.

"Grandfather, I've remembered everything you've said." Shao Langzhou's voice was choked up as he tried to smile. "Don't worry, I'll be just fine."

"Once I'm married... I'll get my health in order and conceive a child with Qinnian soon. You must take good care of yourself, so you'll be around to raise your great-grandson."

"Good, good, good—then I'll be waiting for that day."

That was exactly what he wanted to hear, and Old General Shao immediately beamed with joy, his anticipation for a great-grandson chasing away the sadness of saying goodbye.

The next day, for the wedding procession, the weather cooperated beautifully—clear skies as far as the eye could see.

Shao Langzhou, decked out in red wedding robes, sat in the bridal sedan. Old General Shao himself led the procession with his troops, all the way to the Han family's front door.

This served two purposes: first, to honor his grandson, and second, to let the Han family know that although the Shao family was now small in number, a military household was not to be trifled with.

They weren't like those sneaky civil officials who beat around the bush—if the Han family dared to mess with his grandson, they'd draw their swords on the spot!

Old General Shao was determined to put the fear of God into the Han family.

But the effect wasn't quite what he'd hoped for.

Seeing the Shao family's grand procession, especially Old General Shao's a bit battered but still imposing general's carriage, the Han family felt no intimidation at all—only pure delight!

The grander the display, the better—it showed that Zhou Geer was well-regarded in the Shao family and valued by his natal family.

Having married such a prized son-in-law, how could the Shao family not support the Han family?

Han Zhang and Old Master Han immediately stepped forward with beaming faces, their words brimming with warmth and respect: "Old General Shao, you've traveled far—please, come inside and rest!"

And today's groom, Han Qinnian, was grinning from ear to ear, his face practically screaming "I'm about to marry a treasure!"

Old General Shao stepped down from his carriage and looked at the warmly welcoming Han family. The harsh words he had prepared stuck in his throat, and for a moment, he couldn't figure out how to pull off that fierce, intimidating look.

They were clearly welcoming him with open arms—if he put on a sour face now, it would make him seem cold-hearted and embarrass his grandson.

So the old man swallowed his prepared speech, cleared his throat, broke into a smile, and patted Han Qinnian's shoulder:

"Good, good, good—Nian lad, you're looking full of energy today."

He then looked at the Han elders and said with an apologetic yet sincere tone: "Zhou Geer's father and brothers are no longer with us, so today this old man has to step in where they would have been and personally see him off. If any of the formalities seem a bit off, I hope you'll bear with me."

Typically, it was the bride's brothers who escorted them in wedding processions; an elder stepping in often came across as a subtle warning. Although that was indeed Old General Shao's intention, on such a happy day, you had to keep things polite and save face.

And the Han family naturally didn't mind at all.

Han's father immediately replied with a simple, honest smile: "Old General, you flatter us! You personally escorting Zhou Geer here is the greatest honor our Han family could ask for—we're overjoyed!"

Han's mother chimed in with a smile: "Indeed, indeed! It's time! The sun's getting strong outside, so let's get the bride inside quickly and let Zhou Geer rest in the bridal chamber."

On the wedding day, both bride and groom had to rise before dawn to dress and prepare, and to avoid any awkward bathroom breaks mid-ceremony, they ate and drank very little.

By now, Zhou Geer in the bridal sedan must be starving and parched.

Han's mother's thoughtful care once again pleased Old General Shao, who dropped his gruff act and nodded with a smile:

"You're very thoughtful, Mother-in-law. Then let's follow tradition and not waste any more time."

With that, the festive music struck up once more. Under the matchmaker's direction, Han Qinnian gave the sedan door a traditional kick, and as the crowd cheered and blessed them, led the shy Zhou Geer through the Han family's gates.

Then, as the master of ceremonies called out loudly, beneath the blazing red candles and to the jubilant music, the two smoothly completed their wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony, Zhou Ge'er was escorted to the bridal chamber, accompanied by Shen Qinglan, Dong Ge'er, Qiu Ge'er, Chun Ya, Xia Ya, and the other sisters-in-law.

Han Qinnian remained behind with Han Zhang and the other brothers and elders to continue entertaining the guests.

The festivities didn't wind down until the moon was high in the sky.

Only after Han Qinnian, thoroughly drunk, begged off from the guests was he helped by the maids and a page boy to wash up before entering the bridal chamber.

After the veil was lifted,

Han Qinnian gazed at his beloved's handsome features and couldn't help but grin like a fool: "My bride, you look truly beautiful today."

Zhou Ge'er, looking at his handsome face, couldn't help but blush to the roots of his ears: "My husband, you are also quite handsome today..."

Their eyes met, affection flowing silently between them, and the room grew thick with tender intimacy.

Han Qinnian leaned over and pressed him down, while Zhou Ge'er shyly closed his eyes.

That night, with red candles and warm curtains, was a perfect union of beauty and bliss.

...

As expected, Han Qinnian—whose body had been secretly strengthened by Han Zhang—had astonishing stamina. Zhou Ge'er, like Shen Qinglan before him, was unable to get out of bed until late the next morning.

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that he finally got up, regretfully punching Han Qinnian twice and blushing as he hurried to the main hall to serve tea.

Watching the affectionate young couple playfully bicker, Mother Han took the teacup, beaming, and gently reassured:

"Zhou Ge'er, don't worry. Mother understands. It's all that thoughtless second son's fault; this morning isn't your fault. Besides, we don't have many rules in our family."

"From now on, like Lan Ge'er, just come for breakfast with your parents and grandparents on the first and fifteenth of each month. All other morning and evening greetings are waived. We live simply here and don't follow those tedious formalities."

Grandma Han also smiled and handed over a silver lock, identical in style to the one Shen Qinglan had received, adorned with auspicious cloud patterns and polished to a smooth, radiant finish.

"Zhou Ge'er, our family doesn't have anything valuable. Everything passed down from our ancestors was lost in the wars, leaving only this silver lock as a keepsake for each new spouse..."

"It's not valuable; it's just a token of identity. Don't think little of it. From now on, live well with Qinnian and support each other—that's what matters most."

Zhou Ge'er took the silver lock and saw the inscription: "Quyang Han family, sixteenth generation, the 'Qin' generation, husband of Han Qinnian, Zhou Ge'er of the Zhou family."

He then looked around at Second Aunt Han, Third Aunt Han, and Shen Qinglan, who had also deliberately worn his identity lock today, and suddenly felt a deep sense of belonging.

"This grandson's wife understands. Thank you, grandparents and parents, for your care and guidance... Zhou Ge'er will surely remember the elders' teachings, be of one heart with my husband, and not disappoint the family's hopes."

Zhou Ge'er solemnly kowtowed three times, completing the tea ceremony.

With that, he was fully established as a member of the Han family.

The Weiyuan Marquis Manor was now firmly bound to the Han family's fortunes.

Now that Han Zhang and Han Qinnian of the eldest branch were both married, the only one left of marriageable age in the family was Han Qinfeng, the eldest son of the second branch. The younger siblings could wait a few more years.

So.

Looking at the spouses of her two nephews in the eldest branch, and then at her own son who had reached the right age, Second Aunt Han couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

Once the tea ceremony was over, Second Aunt Han couldn't help but go to find Grandma Han to ask about this matter.