Chapter 2056: Chapter 1830: The So-Called Changle Weiyang (Part 2)
Guo Huai dismounted, came to the door of the old mansion of the Wang Family, knocked on the door, and then stood aside to wait. Soon, the door of the Wang Family opened, and an old man with a cautious expression first saluted Guo Huai, "May I ask what brings you to the Wang Family?"
"I am Guo Huai, Guo Boji, here to meet with Wang Yanyun, the head of the Wang Family of Taiyuan, to discuss some matters," Guo Huai said respectfully.
The doorman, upon hearing Guo Huai, looked at the well-disciplined military demeanor outside and knew that this group was of military origin. He immediately opened the main door and invited the group inside, though there was a hint of vigilance in his eyes.
After leading the group to the guest hall of the Wang Family, the old doorman instructed a maid to serve tea and snacks, then bowed to the guests, "Please wait a moment, I will inform the master." With that, he slowly retreated.
"It seems the Wang Family has not fallen into chaos from setbacks, quietly accumulating strength and waiting for the day of their resurgence?" Guo Huai said with a tinge of admiration.
"These aristocratic families, which have survived for centuries, truly cannot be underestimated," Wei Yan said with a look of admiration after glancing around.
The doorman was actually the steward of the Wang Family. In recent years, Wang Ling had been cautious, fearing any more turmoil in the family. He had arranged several fallback plans for the Wang Family, and had even pledged the land deeds and fields to the Headquarters of Mount Tai.
The contract pledged more than 6,000 qing of fields to the Headquarters of Mount Tai. Should anything happen to the Wang Family, these fields would be given to Mount Tai. In exchange, they received a large sum of money and, of course, full support for all policies related to the aristocratic family.
Though the Wang Family had indeed suffered in recent years, its reputation had not fallen; instead, because of Wang Yun’s incident, its name was quite clear, meaning their influence was still good. So when Chen Xi agreed at the time, he figured that since the Wang Family of Taiyuan historically rose after such an episode, it was a risk-free move, gaining benefits and borrowing the good name of the Wang Family. Chen Xi decisively agreed.
"The Guo Family, Guo Boji is seeking me?" Wang Ling frowned slightly upon hearing the steward’s report, then put down the book in his hand, and felt a sudden shock in his heart.
When Wang Ling appeared in the main hall, slightly anxious, and saw Zang Ba, Wei Yan, Guan Ping’s demeanor, then Guo Huai and Wenn Hong, who were contemporaries he had met before, he couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
"My brother Chen..." After exchanging greetings with everyone, Wang Ling asked in slight silence.
"Your brother died in the north protecting us," Guo Huai said, lowering his head. Hearing this, Wang Ling sighed deeply, and tears welled up in his eyes. The Wang Family had only two male members left, and now one had perished here.
"Condolences," Guo Huai, Wenn Hong, and the others comforted him.
"Did my brother leave any last words?" Wang Ling wiped his tears dry forcefully and, with red-rimmed eyes, asked the others.
Guo Huai relayed Wang Chen’s dying words to Wang Ling one by one, and upon hearing them, Wang Ling showed understanding, suppressing his inner grief, and instructed the steward, "Go, bring Sister Fan to see Boji."
Hearing this, Guo Huai immediately gave Wang Ling a solemn salute. Wang Ling’s immediate agreement was indeed beyond Guo Huai’s expectations. Bringing the legitimate daughter to meet an outsider typically meant approval, especially since the Wang Family no longer had any elders, and with Wang Ling being the eldest son, his approval was final.
However, when the Wang Family’s steward brought over a little girl with a double-loop hairdo, Guo Huai and the others were completely dumbfounded, all turning to look at Wenn Hong with dark expressions, while Wenn Hong’s face was ashen, swearing he had only been joking before.
"Is this your sister?" Guo Huai asked awkwardly, looking at Wang Ling.
Seeing people in the hall, Wang Fan, though slightly timid, paid her respects to each of them, without the slightest impropriety.
"Yes, aside from me, the last of the Wang Family," Wang Ling calmly looked at Guo Huai, "But knowing that Brother Boji still wishes to marry Fan Er?"
At this moment, Guo Huai’s face twisted slightly, his mouth twitching from trying to hold back his expression. He glared at Wenn Hong, then took a deep breath and said, "A man’s word is his bond, I will marry!"
Wang Ling nodded. He knew Guo Huai’s character, and for Guo Huai not to waver in this situation made him a person of great faith and trustworthiness. Given the current state of the Wang Family, if there was no improvement, finding an appropriately matched family would not be easy.
"In that case, Brother Boji, please come to the Wang Family to arrange the engagement next midsummer," Wang Ling said as he tried to contain his sorrow and speak as calmly as possible.
"Let this serve as the betrothal gift." Guo Huai handed the prepared gift to Wang Ling.
"Very well." Wang Ling looked at his sister, then took the gift that Guo Huai offered.
Guo Huai and his party did not stay long at the Wang Family, nor did Wang Ling have any intention of hosting them. After handing over Wang Chen’s share of the military achievements as spoils of war to Wang Ling, they left the Wang Family, and Wang Ling did not refuse.
Nothing happened as they left. After moving away from the Wang Family, Guo Huai went for Wenn Hong first, followed by Guan Ping and the others. This time it was truly awkward, who would have thought that Wang Fan was only seven years old.
After giving Wenn Hong, the jinx, a thorough beating, everyone finally felt at peace.
"Boji, are you really going to marry that little girl as the Guo Family’s matriarch?" Zang Ba said, troubled. Guo Huai was now twenty, thirteen years older than Wang Fan. This was not like Chen Qun being thirteen years older than Xun Yu’s daughter, as Chen Qun was remarrying, while Guo Huai was marrying his first wife!
A man marries at sixteen whether he takes a concubine or a wife, generally taking one. Guo Huai had married a concubine, but a wife had yet to be found. At this point, delay was impossible, likely leading the Guo Family to find a legitimate daughter of an aristocratic family, aged fourteen or fifteen, as the main wife for Guo Huai.
The idea was for Guo Huai to handle external affairs while the main wife managed internal matters and household affairs. Someone clever at thirteen or fourteen, with support from her wife’s clan, can manage household matters without issue. Given the Wang Family’s current situation, the wife’s clan couldn’t provide much support, leaving the entire household to be managed by her abilities alone.
Not everyone is like Cai Zhenji. Cai Zhenji could manage the household of the Yangg Family because she had the talent for awakening Spiritual Talent. Such a person could control the household affairs of any aristocratic family without external help, even in families as tumultuous as the Xun Family and Chen Family.
"Marry, my word is my bond. Even if the clan elders punish me, at worst, I will hide in the barracks, what is there to fear?" Guo Huai said, his face darkened.
"Alas, notify us when you make your engagement arrangements next year. I will accompany you. If your family gives you a hard time, I will ask Marquis Chen for a gift on your behalf," Zang Ba said, feeling troubled. He thought it difficult to advise or do otherwise, so he chose to let things take their course.
"Raise her for seven years, just think of it as raising a daughter," Guo Huai said with a bitter smile, wondering about the circumstances. Wang Chen hadn’t made it clear, and he cast a resentful look at Wenn Hong, who shrank his neck.
"Sigh, Boji, you are truly loyal," Wei Yan sighed, patting Guo Huai on the shoulder.
"A man’s word is his bond, even if teary-eyed, it must be done. But now, there’s no way to explain this to my father. Do any of you know a place where I can hide for a few years?" Guo Huai said helplessly.
"There are many places like that, but not many suited for you," Zang Ba said, stroking his beard, knowing more secretive options due to being an elder on Liu Bei’s side.
"Not many means there are some, and some is enough," Guo Huai said, feeling content. Zang Ba shook his head as he had decided not to reveal the truth to Guo Huai yet.
"If we travel day and night to Chang’an now, we might still catch up with our lord and the others," Zang Ba suggested, turning to the others.
"Indeed we should," Wei Yan and Guan Ping said after exchanging a glance.
That night, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Liu Zhang were less than fifty miles from Chang’an. Inside the inner city, the Weiyang Palace was ablaze, illuminating ten miles. A sword light cut out from the Weiyang Palace, reaching a hundred zhang, slicing through the sky before shattering.
