Chapter 296 — A Proposal

Turning it over and over in his mind, he thought of the Marquis of Yan'an's household, with which his own had nearly been joined in marriage, and of the Marquis's heir, whose friends filled the capital. He at once sent his advisor with lavish gifts to call at their gate, hoping the Wang family would help him inquire—who, after all, was set on making trouble for him.

"What is the Wang family playing at?" he could not help saying. "The Marquis refuses to see me, they send our gifts back, and now the heir wants to call on me at the inn..."

Hua Tang's advisor—the blue-robed scholar—pondered and said, "Tell me, could the Marquis's heir be avoiding someone's notice?"

Hua Tang's heart gave a jolt, and his face grew grave. "It is indeed possible..." He at once charged his personal attendant, "Keep your eyes sharp—don't let anyone catch wind of our movements!"

The attendant answered with fearful deference.

A servant boy came running in and whispered, "The heir of the Yan'an Marquisate is here."

Here already? That was quick.

Hua Tang could not help exchanging a glance with his retainers. He hurriedly instructed the boy, "Invite the heir in at once."

The boy answered and went off.

Hua Tang thought for a moment, then went to the gate to receive him.

Wang Yu wore a quite ordinary padded robe of fine blue Songjiang cotton. He came in with only a single attendant.

Hua Tang was taken aback.

So Wang Yu had indeed come to avoid suspicion.

Who on earth had made the heir of the Yan'an Marquisate so wary?

It also confirmed that there was something hidden behind his eldest son's lawsuit, something unknown to outsiders...

Hua Tang hastily invited Wang Yu into the inner chamber.

Wang Yu wasted no courtesy; he and Hua Tang took their seats as host and guest. Once the servants had served tea and refreshments and everyone else in the room had withdrawn, they skipped the usual pleasantries and came straight to the point: "...My mother could not bear to see my little sister married far from home, and so the two families never became in-laws. As for your family's lawsuit, most people in the capital have no clear picture of what lies behind it; only our household, by a lucky coincidence, caught a glimpse of the truth. Seeing you, Uncle, running about in every direction without finding the right approach, I was just thinking of finding an occasion to tell you—and then, before I knew it, you had sent someone to call at our door. Given the friendship between our two families, I would never dream of accepting this thing; please, Uncle, take it back. As for Cousin Hua's lawsuit, I will say a word or two, and you may weigh it as you see fit."

Hua Tang could only smile bitterly.

No wonder everyone praised the heir of the Yan'an Marquisate for knowing how to handle people.

He meant to use this occasion to settle all debts of gratitude and grievance between the two families at one stroke!

But a man under another's eaves has no choice but to bow his head.

He restrained himself again and again before he could make his voice sound utterly free of resentment.

"Nephew, you are mistaken! This can only mean that our two families were fated to meet but not destined to be joined." Hua Tang cupped his hands toward Wang Yu. "This uncle will remember the heir's kindness in lending a hand. Should the chance arise hereafter, I will surely repay it with the greatest gratitude!" His tone was utterly sincere.

Wang Yu made nothing of it.

If he had not stepped forward to smooth this quarrel over, Hua Tang would most likely have gone on leaping about everywhere.

As it was, telling Hua Tang the reason behind it all helped Rong Mo and repaid the Hua family's kindness at the same time—two birds with one stone. Why not do it?

"You are too kind, Uncle," Wang Yu said modestly, then lowered his voice to ask, "I hear you are to form a marriage alliance with the Yingzhenguo Manor?"

Hua Tang at once smiled with a touch of complacency. "So the heir has heard as well?" The moment the words left his mouth, he sensed how abruptly Wang Yu had asked, and his smile stiffened slightly. Warily, he said, "Could it be that something about this is amiss?"

"Amiss? Far more than amiss!" Wang Yu looked utterly grief-stricken. "Cousin Hua's lawsuit stems from precisely this!"

Hua Tang's expression changed drastically.

Wang Yu had already lowered his voice: "Song Yantang, heir of the Duke of Yingguo, hopes his wife will take charge of the household affairs of the Yingzhenguo Manor, and for the time being does not want the Duke to take a second wife... Yet you chose this very moment to step in..." He shook his head. "Otherwise, with all the fine young ladies of noble houses in the capital, why would not one of them be married into the Yingzhenguo Manor?"

Hua Tang was dumbstruck, hardly able to believe it.

Wang Yu, thinking his words had been delivered, and that if Hua Tang still did not know enough to watch his step there was nothing more he could do, rose to take his leave, leaving Hua Tang the space to think.

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Sisters and brothers, the power at home went out for a while, and just as I was about to find somewhere to post this chapter, it came back on. (n_n)o~

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