Chapter 10: Marriage (2)

"That's enough, that's enough. I won't listen to your swearing and oaths. What matters is that you treat our young lady sincerely." Hongyu repeatedly urged, "Since you are sincere towards our young lady, do not forget to come and propose tomorrow." After saying this, Hongyu hurriedly took her leave.

"You little brat, do you really want me to expose your shortcomings?" The old man widened his eyes in anger, unable to hold back any longer, and shouted loudly, seemingly on the verge of fury

Looking back, Gao Huan smiled: "So it was Brother Duan Chang."

The master has returned to the residence! With the servant's shout, Gao Huan felt a jolt throughout his body; what was meant to come had finally arrived. The ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws; whether it is a mule or a horse, it must ultimately be taken out for a walk.

Seeing Gao Huan in a state of despair, Lou Mingchun was also quite anxious. It should be noted that Lou Mingchun was not lacking in suitors; many sons of high officials had come to propose marriage, but she firmly refused, insisting on finding a suitable husband for herself. Now, by a stroke of luck, she had encountered Gao Huan, who was not only handsome but also brave and resourceful. Although he was currently just a minor officer under the command of the town general Yang Jun, if he were to marry her, with the support of the Lou family, it would not be difficult for him to be appointed as a governor or a prefect.

Oh? Then I truly owe it to your kind words, my brother." After saying this, feeling a bit of relief from the inner turmoil, Gao Huan smiled.

The old man squinted at the betrothal gifts and coldly snorted, saying, "He Liu, you are going too far!" This old man still possessed a great deal of composure, as he did not become so enraged as to order his servants to beat the two out with clubs; he merely closed his eyes to rest.

In ancient times, proposals required the preparation of: one matchmaker, a betrothal gift, and a letter of introduction (which stated one's background, surname, given name, family residence, and basic personal information). The matter arose suddenly, and Gao Huan had not truly considered this issue in detail.

The Lou residence is indeed worthy of a prestigious family and high-ranking officials, and this mansion is built with an imposing grandeur, with even the stone lions at the entrance standing proudly, looking down upon passersby.

Little did they know that this wait would extend until dusk, and Gao Huan was on the verge of losing patience, contemplating leaving without a word. The doorman no longer served tea to the two of them, and within the inner chamber, Lou Mingchun was fully aware that Gao Huan was in the doorman's quarters yet could not come out to meet him; such was the decorum of ancient times. Meanwhile, Duan Chang sat leisurely in his chair, admiring the pavilions and towers in the courtyard.

Gao Huan sat down feeling a bit dejected, his mind occupied with thoughts on how to raise money for the betrothal gifts. He considered marrying into a family of officials, but the betrothal gifts were truly substantial and he could not afford to present them. However, the situation at home is well known to all, with nothing but bare walls, and his father, Gao Shu, burdened with a mountain of debt. Gao Huan had just recently crossed over, and his meager military salary, after covering household expenses, left him with barely enough for his own needs. Now in urgent need of money, Gao Huan had no idea where to find such a large sum. Alas, the life of a loser is so realistic, every moment is inextricably linked to money. Gao Huan had just recently crossed over, and his meager military salary, after covering household expenses, left him with barely enough for his own needs. Now in urgent need of money, Gao Huan had no idea where to find such a large sum. Alas, the life of a loser is so realistic, every moment is inextricably linked to money.

Hahaha, it seems I have hit the nail on the head. You rascal, so you really are valued by the daughter of the Minister, dreaming of becoming her favored son-in-law?!

Hahaha, dear brother, I have been waiting for your words. I, as the elder brother, am delighted to be your wedding guarantor

They have met with the Minister of Personnel. Gao Huan and Duan Chang respectfully bowed and saluted to Lou Neigan, who was seated in the main position

The esteemed Lord Shangshu should be aware of the encounter and acquaintance between myself and Miss Lou. I have not yet married this year, and since meeting Miss Lou, I have developed feelings of affection. Upon learning that Miss Lou is also unmarried, I have taken the liberty to express my desire to unite in matrimony with her, to soar together like a pair of birds. Having said this, Gao Huan rose to present the betrothal gifts and the invitation card, adding: "This is a small token of my betrothal gifts; I hope the esteemed Lord will take a look. I am well aware of my humble status and limited influence, which is why I have entrusted my colleague General Duan to act as the matchmaker and guarantor..."

"Why would the esteemed Lord Shangshu say such a thing? I, a mere commoner, have not dared to deceive you; every word I speak is the truth. The bright moon can attest to my genuine feelings for the young lady." Gao Huan looked both astonished and aggrieved

On this night, Gao Huan tossed and turned, truly unable to find sleep, his mind filled with countless thoughts. The customs of courtship in ancient times were numerous. Although it might seem a bit abrupt to visit and propose suddenly, such matters are better addressed sooner rather than later; a long night filled with dreams could lead to unfavorable outcomes.

Indeed, I just thought of this. Marriages between officials are not like those of ordinary families; one must find a guardian of equivalent status. However, now..." Gao Huan felt a wave of frustration again, but then he caught sight of Duan Chang smiling at him and blurted out: "Elder brother, it is you!"

The servants did not dare to stop him, and then the steward said: "Young master, my master went to the yamen early this morning to attend to official business. If you have matters to discuss, you may go there to wait."

"Zhaojun, you ... ... I ... ..." Gao Huan hesitated, as if he were reluctant to let go of the fleeting Lou Mingchun.

The Gao family was originally a fallen gentry, a poor family with no money. They could only use the achievements of their ancestors from the previous dynasty to maintain appearances, and they had only just managed to attain a minor official position (in the Northern Wei, the rank of a minor official is classified as the eighth grade). Even the matchmaker had to be found on the spot.

How can such matters be discussed at the yamen? Gao Huan turned back with a conflicted expression to look at Duan Chang, who appeared carefree and said, "Then let us wait at the gatehouse; after all, you and I have nothing else to do today." Gao Huan nodded in agreement

Gao Huan was truly afraid that this old man would suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease due to anger, but being exposed in front of others was extremely awkward, leaving him speechless. Just as he was in a dilemma, he suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the inner hall behind him: "Father!"

Half an hour later

Our Minister Lou, Gao Huan's father-in-law, was supported by a servant as he entered the inner hall, his face showing signs of intoxication

Having said that, she did not pay attention to Gao Huan's bewildered gaze at her, stood up and said: "It is getting late, and I have been out for quite a while. If I return late, I fear my father will scold me, so I must take my leave."

Father, the child has been unfilial and has angered you, but the child truly has deep feelings for Young Master Gao, who has also made solemn vows to the child. In memory of the late mother, the child earnestly requests that you consent to this matter. Lou Mingchun is also unyielding and daring in his actions.

That evening, Gao Huan received from Hong Yu, on behalf of Lou Mingchun, a thousand taels of silver, a pair of jade, and several antiques at the teahouse

Gao Huan walked out of the military camp with a gloomy expression, intending to return home and ask his mother to find a matchmaker for him, when he suddenly heard someone calling from behind: "Gao Xian Di, where are you going?"

"I absolutely disagree." The old man, who usually pretends to be refined and cultured, suddenly let out a curse. He exclaimed in anger, "I simply cannot agree to this marriage because I do not want you to suffer. You need to think about your future. What kind of background do they come from, and what is our family's status? Marriage is all about matching social standings, isn't it? Moreover, he is so poor that he can barely support himself; how could he possibly take care of you, a young lady of such high status?" The old man was indeed speaking earnestly.

Hmph! I shall not speak of your intentions towards my son Mingchun, but let us discuss this betrothal gift. Although I do not know where you obtained this silver, this pair of jade pieces was given to Mingchun by me, along with several other items! You dare to bring these things to my residence to deceive me into agreeing to your proposal; what punishment do you deserve for this?

That dead girl, Hongyu, didn't forget to turn back and say before leaving: "Consider yourself lucky, kid. Don't forget to be here on time tonight, or watch out for your skin!" After saying this, she pretended to glare fiercely at Gao Huan.

However, my elder brother has an ungracious request. As the saying goes, marriage is a matter of parental consent and the matchmaker's words, but my virtuous younger brother still lacks a guarantor.

Ah? This humble person truly does not know what is right or wrong, and I hope the esteemed one can forgive my ignorance. At this moment, Gao Huan was also feeling anxious and fearful, secretly lamenting: "Damn it, I hope he doesn't see through me." Yet, he remained stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat. It seems that all of us young people in this new era share this common flaw, and Gao Huan (Cheng Lu) is no exception.

The young man came to seek an audience with the master, and although he knew that he was the lifesaver of the young lady from the same family, he still looked down upon Gao Huan and Duan Chang. Considering that many officials come to the residence daily to seek an audience with the master, and that numerous influential figures are eager to use the back door, which of them does not offer some benefits to the gatekeepers in exchange for a notification? Yet here was Gao Huan, empty-handed and shamelessly trying to barge in.

Gao Huan shared the matters between himself and Lou Mingchun with Duan Zhang, as he felt that Duan Zhang was the only person he had encountered since his arrival who was willing to befriend him and whom he could trust. Therefore, he was also willing to discuss some of his worries and concerns with this elder brother who was of a similar age to his father

Looking at these things, Gao Huan was filled with mixed emotions. He was happy that there was someone who truly loved him, not caring about his background or social status. However, he was troubled by his humble identity and the emptiness of his home, fearing that he could not bear such a fortunate blessing.

"Oh, it is you. What brings you to seek me?" Although Lou Neigan was nearly fifty years old, he was well-preserved, slightly plump, with flowing hair and a rosy complexion. There were some wrinkles on his forehead, but he appeared quite prosperous. Beside him stood a maid fanning him, while a male servant was on standby nearby. Both being fathers, Gao Huan couldn't help but compare his own father's predicament, sighing that indeed, those in power and those in the wild could not be compared.

Although Gao Huan had previously stayed at the Lou residence, revisiting the old place today brings a different kind of feeling

You ... ... I ... ... '' The person was rendered speechless by Gao Huan, unable to argue back

That is natural. I have said that I, Gao Huan, am not Chen Shimei. In this lifetime, in this world, apart from my parents, the one I hold dearest is Zhao Jun. Even if I truly rise to the top and become a phoenix, it will be alongside Zhao Jun as a pair. If in the future I were to do anything that wrongs Zhao Jun, may the heavens above and the earth below bear witness, I, Gao Huan, shall not have a good death.

Seeing Gao Huan kneeling on the ground with a serious expression, repeatedly saying, "I hope the great person will grant my request, grant my request." Then looking at Duan Zhang standing behind with a righteous demeanor, but unable to suppress a smile on his face

At dawn, Gao Huan got up to wash and change his clothes. Several fellow officers in the camp, seeing this, began to tease him, asking: "Oh, Deputy General Gao, where are you off to in this new outfit? Could it be that something good is about to happen?" Another person chimed in: "Guys, I've heard that Deputy General Gao met with the daughter of Minister Lou twice yesterday, once during the day and once at night. It seems there really is something good in store."

Gao Huan watched with a mix of heartache and helplessness, but more so with embarrassment. The heartache stemmed from seeing his beloved compromise and risk a falling out with her father for his sake. The helplessness arose from his own lack of standing, feeling unworthy of such affection from this beautiful lady. The embarrassment was due to the fact that, in his current lowly position, he had to rely on his wife to advocate for their marriage proposal.

At the tense moment when both sides were "on the verge of conflict, ready to erupt at any moment," Lou Mingchun rushed out from the back hall with Hongyu, having already listened for quite some time from behind.

Gao Huan wore an awkward expression, nervously looking at Hongyu and unable to speak. How could Lou Mingchun mention such a thing as kissing to this girl Hongyu

At first, Gao Huan was taken aback when he saw the old man about to strike someone. Just as he was about to rise to intervene, Lou Mingchun forcefully pulled him back, knowing full well that his own father would never be able to bring himself to do such a thing

Liu Mingchun sighed and said: "Young Master, since you and I have already decided that we will be together sooner or later, why should we care about a temporary separation? Do not forget to come here tonight to wait for me." After saying this, she gently stroked Gao Huan's face with her small hand and then turned to leave.

Gao Huan frowned upon hearing this and turned around to ask, "How did you know?"

Duan Chang listened to Gao Huan's narration with a smile and, after finishing, said: "Virtuous brother, you are now indeed a dragon among men, and matching with the daughter of the Minister is a case of talent and beauty being well-matched, equally matched in status. There is no need to pay attention to the idle gossip of others. Your elder brother is quite optimistic about this marriage."

Upon thinking of this, Lou Mingchun had an idea and gently comforted, "Young master, do not worry. I am aware of your situation. Since we truly love each other, I will not concern myself with worldly matters. How about this: tonight I will have Hongyu come here to bring you something. Tomorrow, take it to my father to propose marriage; I believe he will not make things difficult for you."

Upon seeing this, Hong Yu earnestly said to Gao Huan: "Young Master, I must speak a word that may be inappropriate. My young lady is truly sincere towards you; even if you were to treat her lightly, she would not mind in the slightest"

"This is my personal matter, what does it have to do with you?" Gao Huan said displeased, "Moreover, brother, you also come from a poor background, so why must you mock someone who shares the same plight? If I, He Liu, truly become the favored son-in-law of the Minister's family, would it not be a fortunate event for us? Why do you need to ridicule me so coldly?"

Father, listen to me, it was I who prompted Young Master Gao to act this way. These items were also given to Young Master Gao by me. Lou Mingchun stepped forward and stood between the two, saying: Father, you are aware of Young Master Gao's family background and the wealth he possesses to offer as a gift. Now, my daughter and he are truly in love, and I hope you will support us.

"You... you worthless and ungrateful thing, I..." The old man trembled with anger, rising to give Lou Mingchun a slap, but halfway through, he furiously lowered his hand and said: "I knew long ago that you would only bring sorrow. You say, with so many young masters and noble sons seeking your hand, you look down on them, yet you are infatuated with this down-and-out brat. You... you truly infuriate me." You say, with so many young masters and noble sons seeking your hand, you look down on them, yet you are infatuated with this down-and-out brat. You... you truly infuriate me.

Hong Yu remained unmoved and continued, "You must know that my young lady is a daughter of a prestigious family, cherished by countless people. In the future, if you achieve great success, just be sure not to wrong our young lady."

Alright, alright, we are all brothers stirring the same pot, so why should we let a few quarrels cause unpleasantness? The military officer Sun Teng came out to mediate the situation.

"Young Master, how do you plan to come to my home to propose?" Lou Zhao Jun asked Gao Huan

"You are leaving so early, may I ask where you are headed?" the chief asked, quite pleased with himself as he stroked his beard.