Chapter 80 : Do you really want to marry into the family?

Huo Zhen came back just in time for dinner.

Song Ying joked, “Did you smell the food or something?”

As soon as he saw Song Ying, Huo Zhen’s gloomy mood vanished.

“I’ve been thinking about you ever since I left.”

Song Ying gave him a glare. “Eat.”

Huo Zhen: “Alright!”

Song Ying said, “I didn’t know what you liked to eat, so I asked Aunt Dong to make some simple home-cooked dishes.”

Huo Zhen replied, “I’m not picky. As long as it’s edible, I’m fine with anything.”

It was clear that Huo Zhen had a good appetite. Even when Song Ying accidentally served him ginger instead of bamboo shoots, he simply said softly, “It’s ginger,” chewed it twice and swallowed, then added, “Eating ginger is good for your health.”

Song Ying was quite touched.

It’s a blessing when a man isn’t picky with food, less trouble when it comes to meals in the future.

Yue Shaozhi had been a picky eater, and the palace chefs had been changed over and over. Song Ying had put in a lot of effort just to please his palate.

Huo Zhen, on the other hand, really enjoyed his food. He ate three bowls of rice as easily.

After eating, Huo Zhen burped contentedly.

Faer brought mouthwash, and after Huo Zhen rinsed, she served him tea.

Huo Zhen was a rough man who lived each day with his head practically tied to his belt, always fighting on the battlefield.

Live for today, no one knows if they’ll see tomorrow.

He picked up the tea and drank it straight down in a few big gulps.

Unlike Song Ying, who had been trained since childhood to uphold the decorum of a noblewoman in everything from mannerisms to etiquette.

Seeing him drink tea so noisily, Song Ying didn’t mind at all. Instead, she smiled and said, “Looks like our household will be quite lively in the future.”

Huo Zhen was stunned for a moment, then let out a chuckle.

Song Ying wiped her mouth, washed her hands, and asked, “What did your father say when he asked you to go back?”

Huo Zhen’s ears ached at the mention of Huo Leiming.

“Nothing new. Same old stuff. I have to go to the palace to see the emperor in a few days, and he told me to be tactful. His Majesty may be young, but he’s still the ruler of this country.”

Song Ying nodded. “No matter who sits on that throne, he’s still your sovereign. You made great contributions this time naturally, others will be envious. They’re all waiting for you to make a mistake so they can report you. You’d better just stay at the General’s Mansion for the next few days.”

As soon as Huo Zhen heard that Song Ying wanted him to stay at the General’s Mansion, he objected immediately.

“Why should I go back there? Shouldn’t I be living next door to you?”

Song Ying said, “I’m going back to the Marquis’ Mansion tomorrow. Are you coming with me? Or do you really want to marry into my family?”

Huo Zhen slapped his thigh. “Marrying into the wife’s family is great! I’m serious if you want me to, I will.”

Song Ying liked how straightforward he was with her.

“You’d better not marry into the Song family. The Song family is no good. If you get wronged, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Huo Zhen frowned. He knew full well how the Song family operated.

“If your family’s that bad, then marry me instead. Our families aren’t even close, out of sight, out of mind.”

Song Ying replied, “Alright.”

Huo Zhen was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Why are you going back to the Marquis’ Mansion?”

Song Ying replied, “You’re going to the palace to request a marriage. As the eldest daughter of the Marquis’ household, shouldn’t I go home and wait?”

Only then did Huo Zhen realize he hadn’t thought it through as carefully as she had.

But thinking of her father, he said worriedly, “Go back? Your father…”

Song Ying said, “Of course my father’s happy. He can’t wait for me to get married.”

Huo Zhen nodded, somewhat sulkily. “We’ll get married once we receive the imperial decree.”

Song Ying asked, “Why not pick an auspicious date?”

Huo Zhen said, “The day I marry you is an auspicious day. Besides, you and Yue Shaozhi picked an auspicious date too, what good did that do?”

Song Ying nodded silently. This man was quite understanding in this regard.

After sending Huo Zhen to the door, Song Ying said to him, “When you go back, just listen to what your father says and don’t argue with him.”

“I don’t want to argue with him. He’s always picking on me,” Huo Zhen replied. “Why are you always telling me not to argue with him?”

“Just listen to me.”

Huo Zhen said, “I’ll definitely listen to you. But don’t think my old man is so scary, he’s just a paper tiger.”

Song Ying felt that sounded familiar. Who had said that before?

—

Early the next morning, Song Ying brought Faer back to the Marquis’ Mansion.

Butler Hu Bo led two servants out to greet her. “Miss, how have you been?”

“Where’s my father?”

Hu Bo replied, “The Marquis has gone to court.”

Song Ying nodded. “I’ll be staying in the mansion for the next few days.”

Hu Bo welcomed her inside. “The Marquis already gave instructions. Your courtyard has been tidied up, Miss this way, please.”

Back in her own courtyard, Song Ying glanced around and saw that nothing had changed.

Faer put the belongings back in their original places and helped Song Ying settle in.

—

At noon, Hu Bo invited Song Ying to have lunch at the main hall.

Neither Zhou nor Song Shihe had known she was returning. When they saw her, both looked surprised.

Zhou was the first to recover and greeted her warmly: “Ying’er, you’re back! Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve sent someone to fetch you.”

Song Ying responded politely, “There’s a carriage at home, no need to trouble you, Mother.”

Zhou smiled. “Ying’er is always so considerate.”

When he heard that, Song Shihe curled his lip. Then he glanced at Song Jinzhuo, quickly stood up, and greeted, “Father.”

Song Jinzhuo gave Song Ying a look and walked to the main seat. “Everyone, sit.”

They ate in silence, each with their own thoughts.

Once the meal was over, Song Jinzhuo said, “Your grandfather will return tomorrow.”

“Really?”

Compared to dealing with Song Jinzhuo, Song Shihe would much rather spend time with his grandfather, he always smiled, unlike Song Jinzhuo, who wore a stern face all day long.

Zhou, on the other hand, was puzzled. She tentatively asked, “It’s cold in the mountains. Is Father coming back for the winter?”

Song Jinzhuo calmly replied and instructed, “Send someone to clean up Father’s courtyard and the guest quarters later.”

Zhou asked, “Guest quarters? Father brought guests?”

Song Jinzhuo said, “The Fifteenth Taoist Priest is coming too.”

Song Shihe lit up. “Fifteen is coming too? That’s great!” Now he had someone to play with.

Only Song Ying remained silent. She glanced at Song Shihe and shook her head slightly.

—

After lunch, Song Ying followed Song Jinzhuo to the study.

“I heard Huo Zhen returned early.”

“Yes.”

Song Jinzhuo said, “General Huo came to see me today.”

Song Ying responded calmly, “Oh.”

Song Jinzhuo continued, “He said outright that he didn’t want Huo Zhen to marry you.”

Song Ying understood and nodded. “After all, I’m not a virgin daughter anymore, I’m the ex-wife of the Regent. Marrying me would bring shame to the Huo family.”

Song Jinzhuo said, “Huo Leiming never liked the Song family, so of course he wouldn’t approve of you and Huo Zhen being together.”

Song Ying asked, “Just because Grandfather didn’t agree to his marriage with Aunt back then?”

Song Jinzhuo said with disdain, “Your grandfather naturally looked down on him and still does.”

“Huo Zhen is his son, why does grandfather like him? Is it because Huo Zhen listens to his granddaughter? Taking charge of the Huo family and becoming another helper of the Song family?”

Song Ying’s calm eyes met Song Jinzhuo’s sharp gaze. Then she said slowly, “Or is it… for the Huo family’s military power?”