Chapter 259: I Shall Visit in Proposal
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Xu Yi Ting was utterly baffled.
He had caught a cold over the past few days and was currently sipping on medicinal tea, having abstained from alcohol entirely that night. He was only there to accompany.
Yet, before his very eyes, Rong Che kept downing cup after cup, until drunkenness took hold, and he began pouring out his heart.
And now…
The air was filled with Lu Chao Chao’s inner thoughts.
Xu Yi Ting raised his hand to rub his nose, concealing the slight curve of his lips. Then, stealing a glance at his younger sister, he found her unable to suppress her amusement either.
With mirth in his gaze, Xu Yi Ting watched the grand display of General Rong.
“Shi Yun… May I come to your home to propose?” Rong Che asked pitifully.
In the past, he had never cared for appearances, always upholding the belief that a true man need not concern himself with such trivialities. But now, for the sake of pleasing Shi Yun, he had even gone so far as to shave his beard clean and meticulously groom his hair, looking like a proud peacock in full display.
Xu Yi Ting looked to his sister.
Madam Xu met her elder brother’s gaze and gave a slight nod.
“Then come to formally propose,” Xu Yi Ting said softly.
The drunken man froze, his grip on Xu Yi Ting’s hand tightening.
Ah, he dared not overstep with Shi Yun.
Then he would just pull her elder brother into this!
“R-Really? Truly?!” Rong Che suddenly leaped to his feet, his eyes ablaze with excitement, devoid of any sign of intoxication.
Madam Xu could no longer hold back her laughter. “Yes.”
Rong Che sprang up once more and, catching sight of Lu Chao Chao beside the table, exclaimed, “Chao Chao! Did you hear that? Your mother agreed to let me propose!!”
“Then… you gonna be my daddy now?”
“No—wait, no! I’m gonna be your daddy now…!”
As Rong Che spoke, his laughter turned into misty-eyed emotion. Shi Yun had suffered terribly at Lu Yuan Ze’s hands, and he had already resolved to never marry. He had never expected her to grant him such a great surprise.
Seeing him so overwhelmed with joy, Xu Yi Ting chuckled. “It’s already late. Go back and prepare.”
Though Rong Che wished to stay with Shi Yun longer, he understood that his position was yet to be official. Staying overnight would only invite gossip and trouble for her.
Blushing deeply, he stepped outside, casting lingering glances back with every step, reluctant to part.
Lu Chao Chao lay sprawled over the table. “Eh? I forgot…”
“I poured clear water into the wine jug and used it for drinking…”
“Then… why Uncle Rong drunk?”
Xu Yi Ting, smiling knowingly, scooped her up. “Your Uncle Rong, he’s merely using the excuse of wine to bare his heart.” His love for Shi Yun was deeply rooted, leaving him utterly enraptured.
Lu Chao Chao remained perplexed.
At that very moment, Rong Che was nearly beside himself with joy.
His heart felt as though it would burst from happiness, an overwhelming emotion he could not suppress.
“General Rong, why are you still out so late?” a fellow officer greeted him from a carriage passing by.
“Right, right, right! How did you know I am to be wed?!” Rong Che burst into hearty laughter.
The officer was bewildered.
“She has agreed to let me enter her household! She consented!” Rong Che’s face was radiant with glee.
“Do you understand what this means? That feeling of knowing that only she will ever do, that nothing else in this world could compare? Have you ever truly loved someone?”
“Hey, hey! Why are you leaving?!” Rong Che wanted to continue, but the officer was already hurrying away, as though fleeing from a ghost.
Grinning ear to ear, Rong Che strode toward a street vendor. “Do you know? I am getting married!”
The vendor looked at him blankly.
What’s wrong with him? Is he sick?
Even a stray dog was not spared, receiving a few playful nudges. “I’m getting married, aren’t you happy?!”
Brimming with delight, Rong Che marched triumphantly back to the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor.
Bang! Bang! Bang! He pounded fiercely on the gates.
“Coming, coming! Easy now! Who is knocking so hard?” The gatekeeper hurried over.
Upon opening the door—
“General, why are you back? And why are you pounding the door like that?” The gatekeeper looked at him suspiciously.
Usually, he sneaked in like a thief.
Tonight…
Something was definitely off.
Brows raised high, he looked like his tail was about to wag.
Rong Che lifted his chin. “Where are Father and Mother?”
“They just retired for the night. Keep your voice down. If you wake them, prepare for a scolding.” The gatekeeper cautioned.
But Rong Che waved him off and bellowed loudly, his voice brimming with vigor.
For once, he was on top of the world—why should he keep quiet?!
Stepping boldly inside, his audacity left the maids and servants utterly stunned.
“Father… Father! Are you asleep?!”
“Mother, wake up…!” Rong Che sprawled beside the bed.
The Stabilizing Duke and Old Madam Rong shot upright, startled awake by his face hovering so close.
“You wretched son! Are you trying to scare us to death?!”
“If you don’t have a proper reason, I will send you to pay respects to our ancestors!” The Stabilizing Duke seethed.
“This disgraceful child!”
“What are you yelling about in the middle of the night?!” The Old Madam glared at him.
But Rong Che remained unshaken, a smug smirk playing on his lips.
The two elders exchanged glances.
“Have you lost your mind from failing to get a wife?” the Stabilizing Duke asked.
Rong Che cleared his throat and straightened his posture.
“I! Am about to have a wife!”
“Shi Yun has agreed—I can visit in proposal!” He raised his chin proudly.
The Stabilizing Duke and Old Madam Rong froze.
Then, a wild joy erupted in their eyes. “Is it true? You can truly enter her household?!”
“Oh, my son is amazing!!”
“Didn’t you just say you’d send me to see our ancestors?” Rong Che snorted.
“You are our ancestor! You are our great ancestor now! By the way, did you ask Shi Yun if we can accompany you when you visit?” the Stabilizing Duke asked eagerly.
“Father, that would be too bold! I haven’t even officially proposed yet.”
“Right, right, no rush!”
Immediately, the Stabilizing Duke leapt out of bed.
“Where are you going, Father?”
“To take stock of our family fortune! When you visit, won’t you need to bring a dowry?!”
And, if possible, bring these old bones along too…
That night, the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor was abuzz with activity, preparing their wealth.
The very next morning, they set off early for the palace.
It was the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and they were to attend the imperial banquet.
As soon as Rong Che entered the palace gates, Minister Jiang greeted him with a smirk. “General Rong, I heard you are to become the Xu Family’s live-in son-in-law?”
Minister Jiang was none other than Jiang Yun Jin’s father.
Rong Che disliked him.
Jiang Yun Jin had abandoned her betrothed, her savior no less. Minister Jiang had certainly played a hand in that disgraceful affair.
Yet, in courtly matters, one had to maintain appearances.
“General Rong, you are the only heir of the Rong Family, the legitimate son of the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor, and even the Empress’ own younger brother! How could you wed Xu Shi Yun, a divorced woman with three sons and a daughter?” Minister Jiang sighed dramatically.
“It would be a laughingstock throughout the realm!”