Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 55: Marrying the Sheng Family
"I heard that Editor Zhao will be marrying the girl from Master Sheng's family soon."

"To be betrothed to an official as a reward is a great honor."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Han immediately cast a probing glance, "Your Majesty actually knows about my family affairs?"

Zhang Maoze's smile deepened, and he said slowly, "Editor Zhao is right. The emperor has always been considerate of his subjects."

"Some time ago, the Duke of Yingguo's daughter came of age, and the emperor gave her a much more generous reward than this. The Duke of Yingguo was so frightened that he brought his wife and daughter to the palace to express his gratitude overnight."

Zhao Han pondered for a moment.

Then he straightened his clothes and made a solemn expression, bowing deeply towards the direction of Wenhua Hall: "Your servant Zhao Han bows to thank God for His grace."

When he returned home and saw the generous rewards in the box, his doubts deepened.

Chang Qing's eyes lit up, and as he checked the records, he said with a smile, "Brother, you've won the emperor's appreciation so quickly. I'm sure you'll rise to prominence in the future!"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple..." Zhao Han said to himself.

At night, the flower hall in the backyard was brightly lit.

Zhao Han's brows were filled with an unwavering gloom. He looked at Mother Hu and asked softly, "Did my father really encounter an undercurrent on the way to Bianjing and fall into the river and die?"

When Mother Hu heard this, she was immediately startled. "Yeah, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

"It's just a little strange, that's all. Ever since I came to Bian Jing, I've always felt that things have been too smooth."

Zhao Han said this and shook his head.

"My brother is very talented. He was favored by the prefect when he was in Yangzhou, and it is natural that he will be favored by the prefect when he comes to Bianjing."

Mother Hu curled the corners of her mouth, but her eyes kept looking at the jade pendant on his waist.

After hesitating for a moment, she sighed softly, "My brother is grown up now, it's okay to talk about some things."

"Back then, the eldest lady met your brother's father while boating on the lake. They met by chance and hit it off very well. On an impulse, they secretly decided to spend their lives together."

"Who knew the good times wouldn't last long? His mother was seriously ill, so he hurried back to Beijing and insisted on taking the eldest lady with him."

"The eldest lady is worried about the old master, so she is unwilling to marry into the family. But he is determined not to marry into the family."

"What the hell is calling a tall and strong man? How can he be a live-in son-in-law? The two of them had no choice but to part ways."

"Not long after he left, the lady discovered she was pregnant and sent people to look for your father. However, they learned that the ship he was on had encountered an undercurrent and his life or death was unknown."

"When my brother was four or five years old, my wife sent someone to Bianjing to look for him. She wanted him to return to his ancestral home and leave a descendant for the Zhao family. She never expected that the Zhao family business was a hollow name."

"The lady was so angry that she forbade anyone to mention your father again."

"They only say he fell into the river to feed the fish, and nothing was found."

After listening to what Mother Hu said, Zhao Han couldn't help but feel a few black lines on his forehead.

It seems his mother was deceived!
"That's all I know."

"I originally planned to wait until my brother got married and started a family before telling him about it, but I didn't expect him to ask about it today."

Mother Hu sighed again, "After all, the eldest lady still had some affection for my brother's father. Before she died, she specifically asked me to make sure my brother kept the jade pendant."

"In my opinion, such a heartless man who cheats on others should be hung at the city gate as a warning to the public."

"He talks about deep love and friendship, but then he turns around and refuses to even tell me his real name. If he's still alive and I meet him, I'll definitely tear his hypocritical face apart!"

Zhao Han looked at Mother Hu's furious expression and could only chuckle twice, agreeing, "Then I'll fight with Mother Hu and vent my anger on her behalf."

"That's better." Upon hearing this, the anger on Mother Hu's face gradually dissipated.

Zhao Han frowned again and thought about it for a while.

He still felt that these smooth-sailing days had nothing to do with his father, whom he had never met and whose fate was unknown. After all, which high-ranking official in the court didn't have a clean family background and a clear origin?
Even if he was going on a secret visit, he would never use a false name to deceive a decent woman and then just leave without any trace.

-

It is already the first day of May, everything is going smoothly and there are no taboos.

The door of the Zhao family mansion was wide open, and red silk was hung high under the eaves.

The servants and maids also had red silk tied around their waists. They all looked energetic, with smiles on their faces.

One hundred and twenty-eight loads of betrothal gifts were laid out outside the door early in the morning. The sandalwood boxes were covered with embroidered red silk, sparkling in the morning light.

Leading the group was a pair of live geese with full wings and red silk tied around their necks.

Since Zhao Han's parents were not around and there were no clan elders, it was naturally Mother Hu and a matchmaker who went to the Sheng family to propose marriage today.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

The Sheng family is also decorated with lights and full of joy today.

The rosewood table in the main hall was decorated with seasonal fresh fruits and exquisite snacks, while the smoke from the incense burner curled up in the air, making the room look bright and beautiful.

Old Madam Sheng has a wide network of contacts in Bian Jing, and Hualan is the first granddaughter she has raised. Those who came to watch the ceremony and congratulate her today are all from high-ranking families.

Mrs. Wu from the Earl of Yongchang's Mansion came with gifts and a smile. The old lady of the Yu family, supported by her granddaughter Yu Yanran, slowly got off the carriage.

Old Lady He, whose family was the director of the imperial hospital for three generations, came from afar and held hands with the old lady in Shou'an Hall to reminisce about the past.

Even the Xu family of Yongyi Hou, who had not been in contact for a long time, sent someone to deliver a gift today.

Wang Ruofu's family naturally would not miss their granddaughter's good day.

Old Lady Wang came to the Sheng family early with her son Wang Yan and daughter-in-law Ji.

Of course, Wang Ruoyu, who married into the Kang family, also came with them.

Hualan even sat in front of the bronze mirror to dress up at daybreak. Today she was wearing a light pink brocade skirt with crabapple branches embroidered on the lapels and cuffs with silver thread. The dark patterns flowed as she moved, making her face look like a lotus, warm and glowing.

When Madam Wu and other female relatives met Hualan in the backyard, they all praised her for her elegance, grace, gentleness and docility.

Rulan blinked her bright almond-shaped eyes and whispered in Minglan's ear, "Once big sister marries into the Zhao family, she won't be able to control our studies or needlework anymore."

After saying that, he stuck out his tongue mischievously, looking relieved.

After being reminded by Nanny Kong, Hualan changed her ways and became stricter with her three younger sisters.

If Rulan showed any sign of laziness or slacking off, Hualan would be merciless and would scold her directly, leaving her at a loss as to who to turn to for complaints.

Minglan tilted her head slightly, revealing her jade-white face. She said softly, "Big sister is doing this for our own good. Madam Kong is right. Sisters share prosperity and adversity."

"Big sister is so glorious today, and we are also honored."

As she spoke, she glanced in Hualan's direction again, her eyes full of admiration.

Rulan snorted softly, "Hmph, I don't care. I don't want Molan to have the limelight."

"I get angry when I see her!"

Molan stood on the other side with her maid, looking at Hualan who was treated like a star. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous and secretly vowed that she would have such a glorious life when she got married.

As the auspicious time approached, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu sat on the left and right in the main hall.

Both of them had rosy complexions and were smiling.

Guests watching the ceremony lined up on both sides, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time.

(End of this chapter)