After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 25: Chapter 19 Setting the Rituals

Mrs. Wang was still hesitating, but Zhao Changyu had already sent someone to carry Zhao Hanzhang over, and he called Mrs. Wang along as well.

Uncle Cheng personally came to fetch her, bowing and saying, "Third Lady, the master asked you, what do you think of this marriage proposal?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Since it was a match chosen by my grandfather long ago, it must be good."

She added, "I will listen to my grandfather."

Uncle Cheng understood immediately.

He invited Zhao Hanzhang and Mrs. Wang to the main hall.

In the main hall, Zhao Changyu, Fu Zhi, and Zhao Zhongyu were seated together, with Fu Tinghan kneeling behind Fu Zhi.

Upon hearing movement, they all turned their heads to look. Zhao Changyu glanced at Mrs. Wang and Zhao Hanzhang before looking at Uncle Cheng.

Uncle Cheng gave a barely noticeable nod to Zhao Changyu.

Zhao Changyu then turned his attention back to the Fu grandfather and grandson.

Fu Zhi smiled slightly at Zhao Changyu and said to his grandson behind him, "The Third Lady is here, aren’t you going to get up and greet her?"

Fu Tinghan stood up, first greeting Mrs. Wang before looking at Zhao Hanzhang. Having gone through the night, his etiquette was still quite proper, though a bit unnatural.

Zhao Hanzhang, holding onto Ting He’s hand, greeted the three elders. Her gaze quickly fell on the only slightly unfamiliar middle-aged man.

As soon as she saw him, the blurred memories gradually became clear.

However, their interactions were indeed few, and there were few clear images of him in her mind. Nonetheless, various emotions surged, indicating that although the young girl rarely saw this granduncle, she paid quite a bit of attention to him.

Zhao Changyu introduced Fu Zhi to Mrs. Wang, then had the mother and daughter sit behind him before discussing business, "Zizhuang came today to propose on behalf of his family for Mr. Fu, what do you think?"

Mrs. Wang, being the Third Lady’s mother, though he could finalize the marriage directly, still needed to inquire about Mrs. Wang’s opinion.

Zhao Changyu glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, unsure whether to call her bold and reckless or shallow-minded.

When Zhao Hanzhang returned yesterday, he already knew she had gone to the Fu Family. However, since Fu Zhi had already come to withdraw the marriage proposal, and they cleverly avoided each other, he considered this matter resolved.

Bringing it up again would only embarrass his granddaughter and undermine her confidence, so he pretended to be unaware.

Who knew that early this morning, Fu Zhi, who had just come yesterday to call off the engagement, would bring Fu Changrong, rumored to have injured his brain, to come and propose again.

Zhao Changyu: ...

If it weren’t for their long friendship and understanding of each other’s nature, Zhao Changyu would have asked Uncle Cheng to sweep the grandfather and grandson out with a broom.

However...

Zhao Changyu glanced at Zhao Zhongyu, who sat next to him with his eyes lowered, and decided not to put on airs. He suppressed his irritation and directly asked Zhao Hanzhang and Mrs. Wang what they thought.

From Uncle Cheng’s demeanor, Hanzhang had already agreed; it was only Mrs. Wang’s opinion that remained.

Mrs. Wang, of course, was very willing.

As soon as she entered, she had been eyeing Fu Tinghan. Although he hadn’t spoken, he had a complexion as fair as jade, a bearing as elegant as a pine tree, and a smile at the corners of his mouth, all of which made a great impression. Coupled with his family background, Mrs. Wang was thoroughly satisfied with what she saw.

If this marriage was settled, in the future their whole family would follow his living arrangements.

Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang gave her a slight smile and nodded.

Mrs. Wang gained a bit more confidence and reverently said, "Mr. Fu is exceptionally talented, and the Fu Family and our Zhao Family have long-standing good relations; with you as the decision-maker, this is naturally a great match, and as the daughter-in-law, I have no objections."

Zhao Changyu secretly nodded. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Zhongyu, who was sitting beside him, suddenly said, "Our Third Lady is, of course, wonderful, but Mr. Fu......"

He looked at Fu Tinghan, frowning slightly, "This child hasn’t spoken a word since entering the room. Is it that he doesn’t favor this match?"

He turned to Zhao Changyu and said, "Brother, although marriage is arranged by parents, the children should also be willing, for the days to be long-lasting. We shouldn’t wrong our Third Lady."

Fu Zhi hurried to explain, "Changyu, it’s not that this child is unwilling. As you know, he was injured some time ago and is still unsettled, so he hasn’t spoken yet. But rest assured, the Imperial Physician said that his throat is fine, and he’ll be able to speak in a while."

Zhao Changyu: ... Yesterday, when you came over, you didn’t say that. The throat is fine, but what about the head?

Zhao Changyu glanced at Fu Tinghan, who was sitting behind him, noticing his clear and bright eyes. He reluctantly suppressed the hesitation and unease in his heart.

Having come to this point, it was indeed challenging to find anyone more suitable or protective than the Fu Family for the eldest branch’s mother and son.

Fu Zhi, having a good relationship with Zhao Changyu, naturally understood the Zhao Family’s predicament and why Zhao Zhongyu opposed this marriage. He continued, "You’re aware of the turmoil back then, Changyu, and Third Lady was injured then too."

He smiled slightly, "It seems these two children are fated; they coincidentally met at the city gate and were injured together. I heard from the Third Lady that she recognized Changrong at that time, which shows their bond is not shallow."

Upon mentioning this, Zhao Zhongyu fell silent.

Mrs. Wang only then learned that Fu Tinghan was also injured, feeling a wave of sympathy, but even more assured, nodding repeatedly, "Indeed, quite fated, who would’ve thought that Mr. Fu met our Third Lady right after returning to the capital."

She took Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and said to Fu Zhi, "Fortunately, neither child’s injuries are serious, it was a narrow escape."

Fu Zhi dared not mention his grandson potentially having injured his head again and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, we were lucky it was just a scare."

Zhao Changyu listened to their back-and-forth, remained silent for a moment, then said, "Since neither family objects, let this marriage be settled, and we’ll pick an auspicious day to..."

"There’s no need to choose another day," Fu Zhi smiled broadly, "I brought the child’s engagement token today as well."

He took out a red letter from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then produced a box from his other sleeve, opened it, and took out a seal, smiling, "Do you remember this private seal, Changyu? I’m willing to use it as the engagement pledge to settle this match."

Upon seeing it, Zhao Changyu’s demeanor eased somewhat, and he looked at Uncle Cheng, "Go bring out the Qingtian stone seal I’ve kept hidden."

Uncle Cheng readily agreed with a smile.

Zhao Zhongyu, surprised, urged in a low voice, "Brother, using seals as an engagement pledge, isn’t that improper?"

Zhao Changyu replied, "The Shoushan stone in his hand is more valuable than my Qingtian stone."

He wasn’t questioning its worth, but rather the significance behind the seals.

Zhao Zhongyu frowned slightly, but the occasion wasn’t suitable for expressing his concerns, so he bottled up his words.

Uncle Cheng soon returned with a box. Zhao Changyu opened it, took out a seal, and pushed it over, saying to Mrs. Wang, "Fetch Third Lady’s engagement document."

Zhao Zhongyu said, "Isn’t confirming today a bit too hasty? Why not choose another auspicious day and invite more friends and family to witness?"

Fu Zhi, fearing delays might ruin plans, smiled and said, "Given our families’ close relations, there’s no need for that. Nevertheless, after the engagement, there will indeed be a feast to invite kin and friends. How about I invite Prince East Sea to act as a matchmaker for the two children?"