PFC Chapter 174 Delaying the Marriage Proposal
Chapter 174 Delaying the Marriage Proposal
"Brother, since we can't come to pick up your sister right now, we need you to do something for us."
"Please speak freely, young lady. I will brave any danger, even death, for you."
"Tomorrow, go to Shuntian Prefecture and beat the Dengwen Drum, saying that your sister has been imprisoned by Zhu Haose, the son of General Xuanwei, and beg the Prefect to redress her grievances and release her."
Upon hearing this, the young man's eyes turned bloodshot, and his hands clenched into fists.
"My sister has been missing for so long, and it turns out she's been imprisoned by someone. No matter if that person is the son of a general, or even the son of the Heavenly King himself, I will still beat the drum to appeal for justice and save my sister."
"Alright, brother, it's getting late, you should go back and rest early."
"You still don't know your benefactor's name?"
Li Shuchen pondered. He was already living a very difficult life, and she didn't want to, and couldn't, accept any more gifts of gratitude from him. So she said...
“It’s just a small effort, not worth mentioning”
After saying that, he turned and left.
The young man bowed to Li Shuchen and said
"My benefactor, take care."
Li Shuchen walked briskly towards the inn, but stopped just before reaching the entrance.
It was supposed to be closing time, so the shop should have been shut down by now, but the main door was open, the lights were on inside, and there were still quite a few people sitting in the reception hall drinking tea.
Li Shuchen strode in and asked...
"what happened?"
Qianqian ran out from the side
"Sister Shuchen, you're back! Their family has lost a girl, but Qianqian hasn't been able to find Sister Ru'er's family."
Aunt Zhang: "Miss is back. I saw they had been waiting at the door for too long, and the night dew was too thick, so I invited them in to warm up."
Li Shuchen understood upon hearing this and replied with a smile.
"Aunt Zhang did a great job, and Qianqian did wonderfully too. I've already found Ru'er's family, so Qianqian doesn't need to worry."
Upon hearing this, the people who were drinking tea stood up and asked expectantly.
"Young lady, do you really know where my Cui'er is? She's been missing for three years. I don't even know if she's dead or alive."
"My Juan'er is the same. I've been looking for her for a whole year, and I haven't heard a single word from her."
"Young lady, if you truly know anything about my Meng'er, you will be our family's greatest benefactor. I kneel before you."
I will kneel down before you too.
We will kneel down before you too.
A whole bunch of people knelt down in a flash.
Li Shuchen bent down and quickly went to help.
"What are you doing? Please rise. I only know that there is a place where many girls are imprisoned, but I don't know if any of your family members are there. However, you can go to Shuntian Prefecture tomorrow to await news."
"Okay, okay, Miss Li, thank you so much, thank you so much."
"There's hope! We have hope! After so long, we finally have news of a baby!"
"Yes, old woman, we'll go to Shuntian Prefecture to wait for you first thing tomorrow morning."
"Hey, good"
As the crowd dispersed, Li Shuchen watched the people anxiously searching for his daughter and sister, and felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if something were squeezing it.
That damned Zhu Haoshe, she'll make him pay for this!
The next day, Li Shuchen was getting ready to go find Murong Shuxue when, unexpectedly, she came to his door herself.
She started crying as soon as she entered the door.
"Miss Li, please help me! Zhu Haose has come to propose marriage."
"A marriage proposal? He acted so quickly! Take me to your residence immediately, we must stop him!"
"it is good"
The two men rode at full speed, the coachman's whip flying high.
inside the carriage
Li Shuchen asked
"Does the Prefect know that you dislike Zhu Haose?"
"I don't know. My father is very busy with official duties and rarely comes home. I didn't want to bother him. This morning, I learned that General Xuanwei had brought Zhu Haose to propose marriage, so I secretly slipped out the back door to find you."
Miss Li, you must help me.
If I were to become engaged to Zhu Haose, my life would be over.
Murong Shuxue was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes.
Li Shuchen quickly wiped her eyes and gently coaxed her.
"Alright, alright, don't panic. Let's go to the manor and see what's going on. Don't be afraid, I promise you won't marry him."
Upon arriving at the residence, the two hurriedly disembarked from the carriage. Murong Shuxue led Li Shuchen to the ceremonial hall.
Zhu Haose dressed in a respectable manner, and said in a serious tone...
"Your Excellency, you must have heard about the rumors circulating these past few days. Your daughter also harbors feelings for me, and I have long admired her as well. My sincerity is evident, which is why I have come today to propose marriage. I hope Your Excellency will grant my request."
The Prefect chuckled.
"I've heard a little about this matter, but my daughter has never mentioned it to me. It remains to be seen what she's thinking."
The prefect was still cautious and did not immediately agree.
General Xuanwei, who was sitting to the side, spoke up.
"Brother Murong, although I, Old Zhu, am a rough and uncultured man from a humble background, please rest assured that I will provide ample betrothal gifts and will not embarrass you."
When Shuxue marries into my general's mansion, I will make sure she doesn't suffer any mistreatment. I will give Shuxue all the good and expensive things I can. If she ever comes home crying and complains to you that my son and I have bullied her, you can just bring people to arrest me. I will have no complaints.
"In that case, Brother Murong, please grant the wishes of your two children."
Upon hearing this, the Prefect pondered for a moment. General Xuanwei's offer was quite sincere. While the social standing was somewhat inferior, Hao Se was indeed handsome and refined—a gentleman of exceptional talent. If the two truly loved each other, and he was devoted to Xue'er, it would indeed be a wonderful match.
"If that's the case..."
"Father, wait!"
Murong Shuxue and Li Shuchen rushed over
Li Shuchen stopped, panting heavily. "Oh my god, thank goodness I made it in time! I've run away and made a fortune!"
The Prefect asked in surprise
"Shuxue, what brings you here?"
Murong Shuxue straightened her appearance and bowed.
"Shuxue greets Father and General Xuanwei."
Li Shuchen copied the model.
"Li Shuchen greets the Prefect and General Xuanwei."
"Oh, Miss Li has arrived too."
General Xuanwei looked at the Prefect and said
"And you are, Miss Li?"
Murong Shuxue spoke.
"Reporting to General Xuanwei, Miss Li is my close friend."
General Xuanwei nodded upon hearing this.
"Oh, it's Shuxue's good friend. Let's witness this wonderful moment of marriage together."
Witness my foot! Witness what's so great about witnessing such a tragic relationship?
Li Shuchen was inwardly complaining, but he didn't show it on his face, and said quite politely.
"May I ask Young Master Zhu a few questions, so that you may ease my worries about Shuxue's marriage prospects?"
Looking at Li Shuchen's obedient appearance, Zhu Haose felt that she was up to something, but he couldn't say it, so he could only pretend to be understanding.
"It's only natural for Miss Li to be worried about her friend's marriage, and I, Zhu, fully understand. Miss Li, please ask me."
Li Shuchen's lips curled into a smile upon hearing this. "Let me ask you an age-old question first, and see how you answer it."
"The first question is about the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Since ancient times, there has been a lot of conflict between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. If Shuxue and your mother have a conflict, whose side will you take?"
"Miss Li need not worry about this. My mother passed away early, so there are no mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflicts. My father is busy with military affairs and I rarely see him, let alone Sister Shuxue."