Chapter 293: Proposal of Marriage

Old Madam Zhao recognized the young girl behind Zhao Wei. It was Tang Nuan, the eldest branch’s daughter from the Marquis of Guangyuan’s household. Her gaze darkened, unable to fathom when Zhao Wei had become entangled with Tang Nuan.

Madam Zhao was astonished. She looked at Zhao Wei, then at Tang Nuan, her gaze shifting between the two, pondering something unknown.

County Princess Lin’an was momentarily stunned. When she saw the two of them in disheveled clothing, a terrible thought surged from the depths of her mind, sending her into a complete panic.

She glared fiercely at Tang Nuan, the fury in her eyes almost materializing into something tangible. She wished she could rush forward, grab Tang Nuan, and slap her across the face—see if she still dared to shamelessly seduce men!

Tang Haoyue’s eyes were nearly bulging out of their sockets.

Tang Nuan actually dared to lay a hand on Zhao Wei—did she have a death wish?

Tang Haoyue clenched her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them. Tang Nuan was dragging her down with her!

County Princess Lin’an had always been arrogant and domineering, with her heart and mind entirely fixated on Zhao Wei. Now that Tang Nuan had taken him away, this fury would undoubtedly burn its way to her as well!

At this moment, Tang Haoyue practically wanted to sever all ties with Tang Nuan.

Liu Dequan glanced at the two of them, then at County Princess Lin’an, who was nearly driven mad with rage. The imperial decree in his hands felt like a burning hot potato.

Who Zhao Wei was involved with made no difference to today’s imperial marriage decree.

But the problem was—it was Tang Nuan!

Tang Nuan was the legitimate second daughter of the former Marquis of Guangyuan. Now that both her parents had passed away, they had left behind two orphaned daughters.

County Princess Lin’an just so happened to be Tang Nuan’s paternal cousin. With this imperial decree of marriage, rumors would surely spread outside, claiming that County Princess Lin’an had stolen Tang Nuan’s engagement and was bullying a helpless orphan. If the Defender Duke’s household wanted to resist the decree, with the Empress and the Grand Secretary’s support, it might very well be overturned.

Especially since the current Marquis of Guangyuan prided himself on being a man of virtue. Deeply attached to his late elder brother, he had voluntarily observed three years of mourning before returning to the capital with his family to inherit the title. How could he possibly agree to County Princess Lin’an snatching away Tang Nuan’s marriage?

This would effectively disrupt the Empress Dowager’s plans.

Liu Dequan weighed the situation in his mind. If he returned like this, he would have no way to answer to the Empress Dowager. Just as he was about to announce the imperial decree before the situation escalated—

“Eunuch, I’ve made a fool of myself. Allow me to handle some family matters first,” Old Madam Zhao said, her sharp gaze sweeping over Zhao Wei before turning fiercely to the butler. “What is going on here?”

The butler’s old face flushed red as he looked at Zhao Wei, who remained expressionless, then at the timid young girl hiding behind him. Her face was burning with embarrassment, her bright eyes brimming with unshed tears as she anxiously clutched the hem of her clothing.

He stammered awkwardly, “This… this…”

“Mother, I acted improperly under the influence of alcohol and offended Third Miss Tang. Uncle Zhao caught us in the act, and now that the matter has already been exposed, I must give Third Miss Tang a proper explanation in front of everyone.”

Zhao Wei spoke with great responsibility, saying firmly, “Mother, please arrange for someone to go to the Marquis of Guangyuan’s residence tomorrow to propose marriage.”

A surge of emotions flashed through Old Madam Zhao’s eyes—anger, disappointment, frustration at his lack of foresight—all eventually settling into helpless resignation.

“After today’s banquet, you will personally go to the Marquis of Guangyuan’s residence to apologize. Tomorrow, I will go there myself to propose marriage.”

Old Madam Zhao couldn’t help but reprimand him a few times before suppressing her emotions. “An imperial decree has arrived from the palace. Prepare yourself to receive it.”

Zhao Wei nodded, then turned to look at Tang Nuan, who had her head lowered. Her fingers clutched tightly at the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white.

He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrow, recalling how she had charged straight at him, blocking him in the waterside pavilion.

Her bright apricot eyes held a trace of panic and nervousness as she mustered the courage to ask him, “County Princess Lin’an has requested the Empress Dowager to grant you both a marriage decree. Do you want to marry her?“

Zhao Wei remained silent, unsure of what she was scheming.

She said, “I have a way to help you break free from this predicament without defying the imperial decree.”

Impatience flashed in Zhao Wei’s eyes. He lifted his foot, ready to leave.

“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t go just yet!” She grabbed his sleeve, meeting his deep, dark eyes. Swallowing nervously, she seemed even more flustered, her voice trembling slightly.

“We can make a private marriage pact. You can come to my house and propose marriage. You’re a great general and need to go to the border—take me with you. Halfway there, let me go and say I fell ill and died.”

Zhao Wei lowered his gaze, observing her clear, innocent eyes—untainted by the complexities of the world, yet he understood better than anyone how perceptive she truly was. At this moment, those misty, glistening eyes held a mix of hope and fear.

She spoke uneasily, “I… I know this proposal is abrupt, but right now, it’s the best solution. If you get involved with me, the Empress Dowager won’t be able to grant you and County Princess Lin’an a marriage decree. And… I can also escape from the Marquis of Guangyuan’s residence…”

As she spoke, she suddenly realized that Zhao Wei wasn’t without other options. On the contrary, it was she who needed his help—if she wanted to leave the Marquis of Guangyuan’s residence smoothly, Zhao Wei was the best choice. She was the one seeking a favor.

Her courage faltered even more. While twisting his sleeve anxiously with her fingers, she pleaded weakly, “General Zhao, just take it as me begging you. I’ll owe you a favor… ah…”

Tang Nuan was flung against the corridor pillar as Zhao Wei’s tall figure loomed over her.

“F-Fourth Master!” The butler had walked in on them.

At that moment, she was momentarily stunned, her cheeks flushing red as if from shyness. But Zhao Wei saw through her true emotions—excitement. The exhilaration of a caged bird breaking free from its restraints, on the verge of gaining its long-desired freedom. As if from now on, the sky would be vast enough for birds to soar, and the sea wide enough for fish to leap?

He thought of Su Wan. She, too, longed for freedom, like a wisp of mist and cloud, unbound and unwilling to stay for anyone. Yet, she had willingly remained with the Gu family.

Zhao Wei doused her excitement with cold water. “You’re celebrating too soon.”

Tang Nuan’s expression instantly crumbled.

Zhao Wei’s lips twitched slightly as he turned and followed the butler to the front hall.

She trailed behind, head drooping dispiritedly, still unable to fully recover. Or perhaps it was because of his words—”You’re celebrating too soon.” Even though she had gotten what she wanted, she still couldn’t feel at ease.

Old Madam Zhao instructed the butler to make the necessary preparations—their household was about to receive the imperial decree.

Liu Dequan’s smile stiffened for a moment as he unfurled the imperial decree. Upon seeing the words “Tang Qingyu, daughter of the Marquis of Guangyuan,” he quickly rolled it back up. With an apologetic expression, he said, “Old Madam Zhao, when this decree was drafted, a few characters were written incorrectly due to a lack of precision. I will return to have it amended, and once it is corrected, I will come back to formally announce the decree.”

He performed a deep ceremonial bow as a gesture of apology. Then, with a wave of his hand, the palace attendants filed in one after another, carefully placing the birthday gifts on the table. “These are gifts from the Empress Dowager, wishing you longevity and eternal familial bliss.”

Old Madam Zhao smiled and said, “The Empress Dowager is most considerate. Eunuch, I trouble you to convey my gratitude to Her Majesty on my behalf.”

Liu Dequan forced a smile and prepared to leave with his attendants.

“Stop right there!” County Princess Lin’an could no longer hold back. She shouted loudly, forcefully breaking free from Tang Haoyue’s grip and lunging toward Liu Dequan.

From the moment Zhao Wei declared he would take responsibility for Tang Nuan, she had wanted to rush out. But that wretched Tang Haoyue had held her back!

“Eunuch Liu, after an imperial decree is drafted, it must be reviewed and stamped by the Empress Dowager. How could there possibly be typos? Why don’t you show it to everyone and let us see exactly which characters were written incorrectly?”

Before Liu Dequan could react, County Princess Lin’an swiftly snatched the decree from his hands and unfurled it in front of everyone.