Chapter 57

Chapter 57

In olden days, everything was about subtlety and indirection.

Although Madam Shen had tacitly agreed to the marriage, the proposal naturally had to be initiated by the groom's side. Thus, Madam Shen's visit to Upper Slope Village was to clue the Han family in.

Though the Han family was already aware of the situation between the two, they continued to play along outwardly.

Upon hearing that the Shen family, out of gratitude, was willing to marry off their legitimate son!

Grandfather Han looked both surprised and flustered, waving his hands in refusal: "This... how can this be? My Han family is just a simple farming family, how could we dare to match with your esteemed young master? Madam Shen already rewarded us generously; there is truly no need for this..."

"Of course it can! A life-saving favor should be repaid like a gushing spring; it can't be measured by mere gold and silver. Only by binding our families in marriage can we create a fine story."

"Your grandson is outstanding in both appearance and character, and my son is also well-educated. The fact that they met at Golden Light Temple might just be fate's doing—a perfect match..."

Madam Shen spoke cheerfully, her words flowery.

Grandfather Han, feigning surprise and delight, declined again. After going back and forth with polite refusals, the marriage was naturally settled.

Grandfather Han beamed with joy: "Master Shen and Madam, you do not despise our humble family and think so highly of my grandson as to marry your noble son to him. This is truly our family's fortune. Once Big Brother's injuries heal a bit, I will choose an auspicious day and invite a matchmaker to propose. I hope Madam will be patient."

"In that case, we await the good news..."

Her goal achieved, Madam Shen returned home contentedly.

After she left, the Han household erupted into a lively scene.

Clan Chief Han, hearing that an honored guest had arrived, hurried over with several elders to find out what was going on.

"Sixth Brother, I heard a distinguished guest came to your home just now. What happened?"

"It's great news, the greatest of news! It's about the Shen family's lady that Big Brother saved before..."

Without concealment, Grandfather Han beamingly told Clan Chief Han and the others about the Shen family marrying off their legitimate son in gratitude.

Clan Chief Han was overjoyed: "This is a blessing from heaven! I hear the Shen family is of the Fifth Rank officialdom, far superior to the Sun family that the Luo family once latched onto!"

"Moreover, this marriage involves a legitimate son; with such in-laws supporting him, Big Brother is sure to have a bright future—a truly bright future!"

Though a fifth-rank official might not be that high in the imperial court, for the Han family, it was someone they could never even hope to reach. How could they not be overjoyed?

But after the excitement,

Clan Chief Han's face fell: "The Shen family is of official rank, and a legitimate son is marrying into our family. Though our Han family is not wealthy, the betrothal gift can't be too shabby; it must show our sincerity..."

But showing sincerity inevitably meant money.

They couldn't exactly show up with a few baskets of dried veggies and say, "It's the thought that counts," could they?

Even if the gift is light, there's still a limit.

Clan Chief Han stroked his beard and pondered, "Sixth Brother, the matches in the workshop have been stockpiled long enough. In the next few days, find a way to sell them. The money from that should be enough to prepare a decent betrothal gift... It may not be extravagant, but given our family's current means, it should still show our sincerity."

Since matches were easy to copy, to maximize profit, the Han family had been stockpiling them without selling.

With their current stock, if handled well, it should bring in a good amount of money.

But Grandfather Han quickly stopped him: "Clan Chief, that won't do! The whole clan is relying on the match workshop's income to get by. If we use it all for Big Brother's betrothal gift, how will everyone live?"

"But how can your family prepare a proper betrothal gift on its own? Big Brother is the hope of our entire clan. It's only right that the clan contributes."

Clan Chief Han said sternly, "Sixth Brother, on such a major matter, we can't just worry about our own face."

The other elders echoed, "That's right, Sixth Brother. Big Brother is not just your grandson; he is the precious grandson of our entire clan. It's our duty to support him."

"Besides the betrothal gift, doesn't your house need fixing up? The wedding feast, the bridal sedan, the procession... all cost money. How can your family handle that alone?"

Marrying off a son was costly enough, let alone marrying a son from an official family. If we followed ordinary village customs, wouldn't it be a laughingstock?

The Han family members were all anxious.

But Grandfather Han was all smiles: "Clan Chief, there's really no need for the clan to fret. Big Brother said he already has a way to raise the money. He can handle the wedding expenses himself."

"Raise it himself? How?"

Clan Chief Han and the others were skeptical.

Grandfather Han spoke of his grandson with pride: "A while ago, Big Brother took up flower cultivation, and it turns out he has remarkable talent. These days, he's been carefully tending them and has grown several rare orchids and peonies."

"Big Brother said if he finds a discerning buyer, each plant could fetch several hundred taels! That should solve the wedding expenses, shouldn't it?"

Han Zhang didn't want to show up at Master Shen's door with an oxcart like an ordinary peasant on his wedding day.

He might have a thick skin, but his husband—who's a delicate one and cares so much about face—would surely cry from humiliation if the wedding was too shabby.

So he had already prepared several pots of rare flowers to sell for money.

Clan Chief Han and the elders, who had seen the world in their youth, knew that rare flowers had value. Hearing this, they were all overjoyed.

"Big Brother actually has such skill! Truly the blessings of our ancestors, a heaven-sent Qilin son! Our Han family's revival is at hand!"

The old men were ecstatic, without a trace of envy, only fervent excitement.

Because the Han family knew well that silver was fleeting; power was what truly mattered.

Once the clan produced a powerful minister, what wealth and glory wouldn't they have?

Having once witnessed true opulence, the clan elders were far-sighted.

"Sixth Brother, take good care of Big Brother. We won't disturb his recovery."

Clan Chief Han, delighted with the good news, left happily.

...

Both the Han and Shen families were overjoyed, openly or secretly, about the upcoming marriage.

But at the He mansion, which no one paid attention to, there was nothing but gloom.

In recent years, the He family had been declining; their fields had poor harvests, their shops were in deficit, and they were counting on quickly marrying in a wealthy daughter-in-law to fill the gaps.

But fate had other plans. Now that Third Master He was dead, there were no eligible unmarried sons left to "sell." What could they do about their mounting debts?

Thinking it over,

Master He finally set his sights on his youngest daughter, planning to sell her for gain by offering her as a concubine to an official under the Fifth Prince.

Naturally, Miss He refused, both shocked and grief-stricken, and said tearfully:

"Father, I am already betrothed, how can you send me to another household again? Besides, that Lord Chen's age is old enough to be my grandfather. Aren't you throwing me into a fire pit?"

Master He, feeling embarrassed, sternly rebuked her: "Nonsense! How is it a pit of fire? Though Lord Chen is older in years, he holds a second-rank official position and is a favored aide of the Fifth Prince, with boundless prospects. If it weren't for your youth and beauty, his household might not even consider you..."

He then softened his tone and said more gently: "Moreover, if it weren't for your brother's accident, would I be willing to let you become a concubine? But you know well the state of our family. If we can't find a support to rely on, the whole family might soon be starving."

"Why does it have to be me?" Miss He wept bitterly, lifting her head in defiance. "There are still several unengaged half-sisters in the household. Can't they go?"

"But none of them are as beautiful as you."

Master He's single sentence silenced her.

Miss He felt a chill all over. The looks she had once been most proud of had become the blade that would destroy her.

But how could she accept this? He was an old man. The very idea of marrying a man old enough to be her grandfather disgusted her.

If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be destroyed.

In desperation, Miss He blurted out: "Then let our eldest sister-in-law 'die of an illness'! Have our eldest brother marry a merchant's daughter. Wouldn't that also relieve the family's crisis?"

"No. If this gets out, what reputation would the He family have left? Not to mention that your sister-in-law has already borne two sons for the He family, and her own family isn't easy to mess with."

Master He immediately rejected the idea.

The reputation of having a daughter-in-law 'die of illness' would be far more scandalous than selling a daughter for gain.

Besides, he wasn't willing to make his son suffer. How could a daughter compare to the legitimate eldest son? A daughter was, after all, someone who would marry out.

"In any case, the matter is settled. There's no need to say more. Stay peacefully at home in mourning, and when the period is over, pack your things and go to Lord Chen's residence."

Master He was tired of arguing with his daughter. He made the final decision and ordered the servants to keep a strict watch over her.

"Father! How can you be so heartless..."

Watching her father's resolute back, Miss He collapsed onto the ground, smashing her dressing table and cups to pieces.

She dared not resent her father or defy the family, and with no outlet for her rage, she eventually pinned all her grievances on Shen Qinglan.

"Shen Qinglan, it's all your fault! My third brother was willing to marry you, someone who had been jilted before—that was already a great favor! What right did you have to act so stuck-up?"

"You jinx! If you hadn't made all those excuses and insisted on meeting, how could my mother and third brother have gotten into that accident? If you had accepted the engagement early, none of these troubles would have happened..."

"It's all your fault. You're the one who ruined me... Shen Qinglan, I will never forgive you, sobbing uncontrollably..."

Miss He bent over the table, weeping bitterly with resentment.

The maidservants held their breath and shrank into corners, no one daring to step forward to console her, wishing they could make themselves invisible.

After all, the masters never reasoned with servants. When in a bad mood, it was too easy to take it out on them, and they had no desire to be the ones to set him off.