jdhmnovel Chapter 165 Fiancée
Chapter 165 Fiancée
Chapter 165 Fiancée
A convoy of more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages slowly approached from the south gate of Hanshan.
Old Wu, the yamen runner, looked up and saw that the carriage was very luxurious. As it drew closer, Old Wu noticed that the carriage was decorated with four large gilded characters: "Duke of Cheng's Mansion".
Old Wu quickly lifted the wooden pole blocking the city gate. These sons of noble families were not to be trifled with. The first time they came to Hanshan, they beat up the tax collector over the city entrance tax.
After beating the man, he casually tossed out ten taels of silver. He muttered curses under his breath, "The young master isn't short of money, I can give you silver, but what's with your attitude?"
Old Wu remembered the wry smile on his colleague's face when he mentioned this. Although we were government officials, we dared not act arrogantly in front of these sons of nobles.
Zhang Shize rode his horse at the front, and when he saw Old Wu, he threw out a few taels of silver.
Old Wu raised his hand to take it, repeatedly thanking him, "Thank you, young master."
Old Wu had met Zhang Shize before. As a yamen runner, you have to know who you can't mess with. Otherwise, you'll run into a brick wall and have a terrible time.
Zhang Shize waved to the convoy, which did not stop and drove into the city gate.
Just then, the curtain of a carriage was lifted. A girl peeked out to look.
The girl was very beautiful. Old Wu was infatuated at first sight, and his stomach churned.
Old Wu quickly turned around and vomited violently. He had never seen such an ugly girl before; her face was covered in pockmarks, and her teeth looked like they'd been in a car accident—buck teeth.
This girl, named Zhang Shifang, was about to become Wang Wenzhou's wife. Her brother was there to see her off on her wedding day.
Wang Wenzhou had just learned that he had gained a wife. At that moment, he was at the yamen (government office) when his mother, Madam Yang, explained the situation to him.
"Mother, you've never even seen what that girl looks like, yet you've arranged my engagement, and now I have a wife?" Wang Wenzhou said with a wry smile.
"Sigh..." Madam Yang sighed softly and complained, "Boxin, since ancient times, marriage has been a major event, and it has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. You are of marriageable age, and your father arranged this marriage for your own good. The eighth day of the next month will be an auspicious day for you to get married."
What? Wang Wenzhou was annoyed. Shouldn't people date before getting married? If two people don't understand each other, they won't be happy after marriage.
Wang Wenzhou thought for a moment and then said, "Well, I should at least see what she looks like first, right?"
Wang Wenzhou made up his mind: if the girl was pretty, he would marry her. What man wouldn't want multiple wives and concubines, especially with his parents so supportive? He couldn't let them down.
If a girl is ugly, why would I marry your sister? I'm not short of women. Look at the girls around me, aren't they all top-notch beauties?
Yang had never met Zhang Shifang either. In the Ming Dynasty, women, especially daughters of wealthy families, rarely left their homes before marriage. So it was quite difficult for outsiders to see them.
Madam Yang complained, "Boxin is being ridiculous! The engagement is already set, and the date has been set. It's unlucky for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding!"
Wang Wenzhou pursed his lips. "You think I'll just stay away from you just because you say I can't see you? Your son isn't exactly an obedient little boy."
Wang Wenzhou was about to leave when Madam Yang, as if understanding what her son intended, quickly scolded him, "Boxin, sit down! Boren has already gone to greet the wedding procession, and we'll have them stay at the back office later. Anyway, you won't be staying there. When the time comes, we'll get your marriage arranged. Your father is already on his way to Hanshan."
Wang Wenzhou scratched his head. He hadn't even met his adoptive father yet, even after being in this world for so long.
Wang Wenzhou's father, Wang Xianda, had put a lot of thought into arranging this marriage for his son. From the father of Zhang Fu, the first Duke of Ying, onwards, the Zhang family produced numerous military generals during the Ming Dynasty. No matter how powerful figures in the court were—Wang Zhen, Liu Jin, Wei Zhongxian, Yan Song, Xu Jie, or Zhang Juzheng—they dared not touch the Zhang family.
By the time it reached Zhang Shize's father, Zhang Zhiji was already the eighth Duke of Yingguo. Wang Wenzhou's marriage, of course, involved a behind-the-scenes deal. Zhang Zhiji agreed to fully support Wang Xianda in inheriting the newly established earldom.
In other words, as long as Wang Wenzhou marries Zhang Shifang, the title of Earl of Xinjian will eventually fall to Wang Wenzhou.
The wedding procession, led by Wang Wenhua, arrived at the county government office. This was because Wang Xianda had instructed Zhang Shize beforehand that Wang Wenzhou must not see Zhang Shifang before the wedding.
Zhang Shize understood that his younger sister was indeed not very attractive. Otherwise, how could the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ying's family be 19 years old and still unmarried?
In ancient times, marriage was based on social standing and family background. The eldest daughter of the Duke of Ying's family was expected to marry the heir of a noble family. The key issue was that no one wanted to marry someone of Zhang Shifang's age.
He also has a noble title, so why should he marry an ugly woman?
Coincidentally, in the dispute over the title of Earl in the newly established mansion, Wang Wenzhou, who previously had mental issues, was unmarried. Furthermore, Wang Xianda wanted to claim the title that rightfully belonged to him.
This led to the marriage between Wang Wenzhou and Zhang Shifang.
When Wang Wenhua learned of the marriage, he knew he had no hope of obtaining the title of Earl of Xinjian. Perhaps because he had been tormented by Wang Wenzhou these past few days, he no longer wanted to compete for the title.
Having lost all hope, Wang Wenhua once again treated Wang Wenzhou like a younger brother. After all, the two had grown up together. When they were little, Wang Wenzhou always followed him around. It would be a lie to say the two brothers had no feelings for each other.
Wang Wenhua warmly arranged for Zhang Shifang to stay, and then invited Zhang Shize to the living room for tea.
“Please, my dear brother…” Wang Wenhua said, extending his hand.
"Brother Wang, you're too kind! Please go first," Zhang Shize said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Hearing this from inside, Wang Wenzhou quickly came out and said with a smile, "Brother Zhang, long time no see! What brings you back?"
Zhang Shize gently shook his head. Bo Xin had really changed. He was no longer the silly Xiao Wu he used to be. He had become incredibly talented, but he was often unserious.
"Brother-in-law, from now on you'll have to change how you address me and call me Big Brother!" Zhang Shize said with a smile.
"No!" Wang Wenzhou waved his hands repeatedly. Damn it, your family finished discussing business with my father, but you haven't even talked to me yet! I'm the person involved. If I don't agree to the marriage, who will marry your sister?!
Wang Wenzhou walked over, put his arm around Zhang Shize, and said, "Come on, I'll treat you to a drink. Brother, do you want to come along?"
"Boxin, stop fooling around. The guest hasn't even paid his respects to his aunt yet, how can you take him out for drinks?" Wang Wenhua frowned and complained.
"Yes!" Zhang Shize said with a smile, "Wait a moment, I'll go and pay my respects to your mother first."
Wang Wenzhou curled his lip. "Go ahead. Anyway, I need to talk business with you later. I've heard your Duke of Ying's mansion is very powerful. As for money, I'm not short of it. As for official positions, I'm just a seventh-rank county magistrate right now. Shouldn't you help me get a promotion? Of course, you can't transfer Hanshan away from Hanshan."
Hanshan now has a total population of over 60. Shouldn't we upgrade it from Hanshan County to Hanshan Prefecture? That way, I could become the prefect.