Chapter 121 - 121: Proposal
At the military camp.
“I’m so envious of our general. 1 admire him more and more now.”
“You can find a girl and confess your feelings to her like the general.”
“1 don’t have that boldness to confess my feelings in front of so many people. 1’11 be embarrassed.”
“You’ll be embarrassed? You should be embarrassed that you don’t have a partner yet.”
“You talk like you have a partner.”
Fang Zerong and a few soldiers stood at the entrance of the camp and chatted. From time to time, they would laugh.
Suddenly, Young General Xu saw a tall figure walking over in the night. “General is back!”
Everyone immediately became serious and stood at the side. Their gazes were all on Tang Jinghong.
Tang Jinghong walked into the camp. His usually sharp eyes were now covered with a layer of gentleness, making him look much more approachable. “Why aren’t you resting? What are you standing here for?”
Fang Zerong’s eyes were filled with excitement. “General, we specially waited for you here.”
Tang Jinghong glanced at Fang Zerong. The latter had an inquisitive expression on his face. It was obvious what he was thinking. “If you also want to get married, I can give you three days off to go back home and get married.”
Fang Zerong said, “General, if 1 want to get married, I have to have a partner first, right? We’re all bachelors. Who should we get married to?”
A gust of night wind blew, and Tang Jinghong’s clothes fluttered. “If you don’t have a partner, go find a partner. Are you waiting for a partner to fall from the sky? Or are you waiting for me to find a partner for you?”
Fang Zerong smiled. “I wouldn’t dare. General, you must be tired today. Rest early.”
It took their general 25 years to find a partner. If they counted on him, they could forget about getting married in this life.
Tang Jinghong retracted his gaze and turned to leave.
He took two steps, then stopped and said, “Zerong, have you prepared what 1 asked you to prepare?”
Fang Zerong stopped smiling and said seriously, “General, don’t worry. Everything is prepared according to your order.”
Tang Jinghong turned around. “After tomorrow, everyone will be rewarded.”
“Thank you, General.”
Tang Jinghong strode away.
Fang Zerong waved at Young General Xu and the others. “Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”
Everyone followed Fang Zerong.
Tang Jinghong returned to the tent. He took the bow and arrow hanging on the wall and the spear standing at the side and placed them on the table. Then, he took out a white silk cloth from the drawer and sat at the table to wipe them.
His expression was focused, and his movements were meticulous and slow. The orange candle light shone on the side of his face, making his facial features look even more handsome.
Suddenly, he smiled faintly.
Qingzhi said that she would help him modify his weapons. He was really curious. His two weapons were top-notch. How else could she modify them?
The more he thought about it, the more he looked forward to it.
In the Chu Village.
Early in the morning, Tang Jinghong brought people into the Chu Village with four boxes. There were 11 people in total.
Among them was Fang Zerong.
Fang Zerong, who had been longing to go to Chu Qingzhi’s house, finally had his wish fulfilled.
The boxes were very big. They were all red and tied with red silk flowers. It was obvious that they were used for joyous occasions. As soon as the group entered the village, they attracted the attention of the villagers.
“Aiyo, is Jinghong going to the Chu family to propose?”
“Definitely. From the looks of it, the betrothal gifts are very generous.”
“Let’s go and take a look. I’ve never seen such a big betrothal ceremony.”
Yesterday, Tang Jinghong confessed to Chu Qingzhi in front of everyone. If he did not come to propose a marriage with betrothal gifts today, Qingzhi would be mocked.
Everyone would think that Tang Jinghong was just making empty promises and not actually doing anything. He was just playing with Chu Qingzhi.
Tang Jinghong brought his men to a spot ten meters away from Chu Qingzhi’s house. “Wait for me here. I’ll go get someone.”
The day before yesterday, he had told the village elder, the village chief, the matchmaker, and his father that he wanted to marry Qingzhi.
He said that if his confession was successful, he would come to propose marriage the next day and ask for their help.
It was a joyous occasion, so everyone was naturally happy to help.
The soldiers replied in unison, “Yes, General.”
Upon hearing this, some villagers immediately looked confused. They had heard those people call Tang Jinghong General just now. How could Tang Jinghong be a general? They must be hearing things!
Tang Jinghong walked towards the house of the most respected elder in the village.
The elder was already prepared. He dressed up and sat in the courtyard, waiting for Tang Jinghong. “Jinghong, you are here.”
Tang Jinghong smiled. “Elder, I’ll have to trouble you today.”
The elder smiled and waved his hand. “I’m glad that I can help you. Let’s go.”
Tang Jinghong went forward to help the elder up and then went to the village chief’s house.
The village chief’s house was next to Matchmaker Chu’s house. They were all prepared and waiting for Tang Jinghong in the courtyard.
The village chief looked at Tang Jinghong and praised, “Good, good, what a fine-looking man.”
Matchmaker Chu had a big red flower on her head. She was wearing red clothes and had red lipstick, looking overjoyed.
She smiled and said, “Previously, 1 had told people that you and Qingzhi were a perfect match. I didn’t expect my words to come true. Congratulations.”
Tang Jinghong smiled. “Thank you, everyone. 1’11 send you the invitation when we decide on the wedding day.”
The elder tugged at Tang Jinghong’s clothes and asked softly, “Where’s your father?”
The smile on Tang Jinghong’s face faded a little. “I’ll go home and call him now.”
The elder was furious. “How ridiculous. On your betrothal day, he’s actually absent. 1’11 lecture him when I see him next time.”
“Elder, it’s fine. Don’t let that ruin everyone’s mood.” Tang Jinghong took a deep breath and went to invite Mr. Tang.
Zhang Xiuqin looked at Mr. Tang, who was dressing himself up, and said sourly, “Tang Jinghong actually has the money to get married. What a joke! And that Chu Qingzhi, such a capable girl, but her taste is really bad. What a pity.”
Mr. Tang frowned. He always felt that he had let his son down, but he had never thought about making amends. “Today is Jinghong’s betrothal day. Don’t let me hear you say anything bad about him.”
Zhang Xiuqin snorted. “What does his betrothal day have to do with me? He’s not my son.”
Mr. Tang said harshly, “You’re Jinghong’s stepmother. If word gets out that you treat your stepson badly, it’ll be difficult for your son to get married in the future.”
Zhang Xiuqin was even more dissatisfied. She poked Mr. Tang’s forehead and said fiercely, “Isn’t Dengping your son? How can you say that about your son?”
Mr. Tang pushed Zhang Xiuqin. “If you don’t restrain yourself today, I’ll divorce you.”
Zhang Xiuqin widened her eyes and looked at Mr. Tang in disbelief.
Mr. Tang ignored her and left the room.
He wanted to make it up to Tang Jinghong today, but Zhang Xiuqin had been stopping him, causing him to be late.
Tang Jinghong walked to the door and bumped into Mr. Tang coming out. He called out softly, “Father.”
Mr. Tang clenched his fists. “Let’s go..”