Chapter Seventy-One: Offering Betrothal Gifts for Zhang Qingshi, the Auspicious Day Is Set

Inside the rebel camp, apart from a bull demon, there was also a rat demon. The bull demon had a hide of blue-green, awkward hooves for limbs, and the body of a man with the head of a bovine—he was the Bluehide Barbarian Bull, the very helper the rebels had previously summoned.

The other creature resembled nothing so much as a gigantic rat draped in human garb, with a huge rodent head, crimson eyes burning with greed, a coat of black-gray fur, and sharp, obsidian claws that glinted with hidden menace. A long, black tail trailed behind him, heightening the eerie atmosphere within the tent.

The only ones present were these three: the rebel general Liang Panxiong, the bull demon, and the rat demon.

"General Liang, you must consider carefully. If my kin are to assist in storming the city, there will be a price to pay," the rat demon said, his beady, crimson eyes glinting avariciously as he fixed his gaze upon Liang Panxiong, seated in the place of honor.

"If we capture Yanggu County, your Blackfur Rats may feast there for fifteen days. King Qing has already agreed to this. Bring your kin as soon as possible," Liang Panxiong replied, his tone icy and devoid of emotion.

"Between man and demon, you humans are the more ruthless... heh heh... await my good news!"

The next morning, as dawn broke, the entire Wang family was decked in festive red, though the main gate bore no special adornments. Servants hurriedly drove carriages toward the Zhang residence, the wagons laden with betrothal gifts. Given the troubled times, all ceremonies were kept as simple as possible.

They paid respects to Madam Zhang, presented the gifts, discussed an auspicious date, and arranged subsequent matters.

"Young Master Su, please, do come in," the Zhang family steward, who had long been awaiting them at the gate, hastened to usher Su Yang inside. The betrothal gifts were carried in, chest after chest.

Though the process was troublesome—far less straightforward than simply taking a concubine—Su Yang found it all worthwhile when he considered Zhang Qingshi’s face, as serene and cold as a moon goddess, and her extraordinary innate talent.

In a secluded corner of the courtyard, Zhang Qingshi watched Su Yang, brimming with vigor as he arrived to formalize their engagement. Her heart was filled with delight, and she longed to rush forward to lavish her affection upon her beloved.

After the gifts had been presented, Su Yang paid his respects to his future mother-in-law and discussed the date for the wedding. With the rebels besieging the city and the world in chaos, none could predict what might happen next. It was decided the wedding would take place on the tenth day of the following month, with no grand festivities—just a modest celebration among family and household staff.

At the Wang residence, in Liu Wenxiang’s chamber, Wang Chunxiao sat with a low spirit, her gaze frequently shifting toward the door. Whatever her thoughts, her face remained concealed behind that same unsightly mask—though she no longer needed a wheelchair, her legs were long and straight.

"Mother, has Brother-in-law already settled the wedding date with the Zhang family?" Wang Xiahe propped her face in her hands, her large, luminous eyes sparkling. "Once his wife arrives, should I address her as Madam Zhang, or as Sister Qingshi?"

"Ask your sister," Liu Wenxiang replied, her tone tinged with disappointment at her eldest daughter, wishing she were made of sterner stuff. Looking back, she thought it might have been better to find a husband for Xiahe instead, for she too was of a marriageable age.

Her eldest daughter was indeed a beauty, yet in these troubled times, beautiful women were hardly rare—Zhang Qingshi herself was one. Beyond her status as the Wang family’s eldest, what did she possess? Nothing else remained.

In years past, her son-in-law had been a poor scholar, whom even she had looked down upon. But after a few of his decisive actions, her opinion had completely changed. Not even her late husband had possessed such foresight and cunning. Even without the imperial exams, her son-in-law could thrive in business and far surpass the current Wang family.

Moreover, he was a learned man; she had once thought him a mere pretender, but Zhang Qingshi, a renowned talent herself, had been won over by his literary skills. Passing the examinations seemed inevitable, with a county magistrate’s post as his likely beginning.

And as if that were not enough, he was also a martial artist. In less than two months, he had reached the eighth rank—a prodigy by any measure, though he’d once kept his abilities hidden.

He was also strikingly handsome, a gentleman as elegant as jade, and that was a major reason she had chosen him as a son-in-law. Handsome, talented, a martial prodigy, and possessed of vision—all these virtues in one man. Even with all her years, Liu Wenxiang couldn’t help but marvel.

Were it not for her status as mother-in-law, such a man would tempt even her to take him for herself.

Yet her eldest daughter failed to cherish him. Her ambition soared to the heavens, but her fate was as fragile as paper. This thought vexed Liu Wenxiang endlessly, though she was grateful to have insisted upon one condition: every ten days, her son-in-law must spend a night with Wang Chunxiao.

"Sister, should I call her Sister Qingshi or Madam Zhang?" Wang Xiahe asked, her mischievous eyes turned toward Wang Chunxiao.

"Either will do," Wang Chunxiao replied indifferently, her thoughts unreadable to the other two women in the room.

"It’s been more than ten days since you last shared a room. When your brother-in-law returns tonight, you’ll spend the night together," Liu Wenxiang said sternly.

Wang Chunxiao remained silent.

"Did you hear me?" her mother pressed.

"Yes," Wang Chunxiao replied calmly, a fleeting sorrow passing through her eyes.

"When your brother-in-law returns, you will go out to greet him," Liu Wenxiang instructed again.

"All right," Wang Chunxiao nodded softly. She remained seated, her gaze fixed upon the horizon in the direction of the Zhang residence.

After the engagement at the Wang family was concluded, the auspicious date was wrapped in red paper and they returned home. The news was kept within a small circle; with the siege, many prominent families who might have heard remained unaware.

Obedient to her mother’s wishes, Wang Chunxiao waited outside the main gate early, accompanied by her maid and two servants. Her figure was slender, her legs long and graceful, her bosom full and shapely, her neck as pale and perfect as a swan’s.

By physique alone, Wang Chunxiao was a beauty. Yet a glance at her face would make one sigh in resignation.

Before long, Su Yang returned with the engagement party. Surprised to see Wang Chunxiao standing at the gate, he approached and asked, "Miss, are you waiting for me?"

"Yes, I am," she replied.

"How did the betrothal go?" Though Wang Chunxiao was seething with jealousy, her expression remained calm and unruffled.