Chapter 46: A Thousand Miles of Fate Linked by a Single Thread (Three)

  It was Zhou Deyu, the third uncle of Zhou Wenbo, who came to propose marriage to Fu Fengzhen. Zhou Deyu had been staying at the Zhao Guogong Mansion for several days, getting acquainted with colleagues and old friends in Luoyang while also helping with some household chores.

  Only a few days later, Zhou Deyu stepped over the threshold of the Fu family again, his mood completely different.

  At that time, I learned that my brother Zhou Deyan had died in battle. I rushed hundreds of miles to Luoyang and then came to the Fu family seeking help. Although I had a good private relationship with Fu Yanqing as colleagues in the early years, I was anxious and uneasy in my heart, and I had no confidence that I could persuade the Fu family.

  However, this nephew of his was indeed extraordinary. Not only did he reverse the situation with his powerful efforts, but also made Sū Yànqīng, that astute Jiedushi, offer to take him as a son-in-law within these few days, truly beyond expectation.

  So today when he came over, he was all smiles and brought a thick gift, completely gone was the anxious and depressed look from a few days ago.

  Since they had a close relationship with the Zhao State Duke's Mansion as in-laws, Fu Yanqing still attached great importance to Zhou Wenbo's third uncle. Moreover, the two families were very close, so the Fu family set up a banquet and the host and guests chatted happily, and during the toast, the marriage between Zhou Wenbo and Fu Fengru was settled.

  "It's just that my brother's body has not yet been buried, and we must wait until after the 100th day of his burial before holding a wedding for this young couple." As for the wedding date, since Zhou De-yuan had just passed away, according to the customs of this era, the earliest possible wedding date would also be after the 100th day, so Zhou De-yu could only set the wedding date first.

  "There's no need to rush, this matter can still wait. My daughter Feng Zhen may not be a noble lady, but she has been gentle and wise since childhood, skilled in needlework. If you want to marry my daughter, you must follow the 'Six Rites'!"

  The six rites refer to proposal, inquiring about the bride's name, divining an auspicious day for the wedding, sending betrothal gifts, fixing a date for the wedding and welcoming the bride.

  Propose a marriage, match the eight characters of the couple's birth dates, give gifts to the bride's family, send betrothal gifts, choose an auspicious wedding date, and welcome the bride home.

  Fu Yanqing reminded Zhou Deyu not to neglect the "six rites" due to changes in the government, as his own daughter was marrying into a noble family and would become a duchess in the future, so such etiquette could not be neglected.

  "The Zhou and Fu families are both prominent families of the time, how could they be people who don't understand etiquette? The Zhao State Duke's estate will definitely hold a grand ceremony, we won't let the children suffer any grievances!"

  Zhou Deyu couldn't wait to show off and make a big scene, he hated that the whole city of Luoyang knew that the Zhao Guo Gong Fu and the Fu family had become relatives, and see if those dead eunuchs dared to be arrogant again, so he readily agreed.

  Zhou Deyu stayed at Fu's house until after noon, and only then did he return home with a strong wine intention.

  When Zhou Fu and the other person were discussing business, several maids who were serving tea naturally didn't dare to leave easily, so they remembered that Xiaocui and Feng Zhen couldn't find out who had come to propose to the young lady. They only saw from afar that the two people at the banquet were enjoying wine and conversation, with a very harmonious atmosphere, making Xiaocui more and more anxious.

  Until after noon, when the banquet dispersed, Feng Zhen hurriedly went to see her father.

  "Dad, who was it that just talked with you for so long?"

  Although Bao Fengjin was very worried in her heart, she didn't dare show it on her face at this time and could only make indirect attacks.

  "Are you being told by someone else that the guest has come to propose a marriage to your father?"

  Fu Feng was always spoiled by her parents, being innocent and lovely, with no reserve, her emotions were almost all written on her face, Fu Yanqing didn't even need to guess to know what his daughter was thinking.

  "That's right, Father has made the decision today to marry you off. Your future husband is both civil and martial, and will inherit a noble title in the future. He definitely won't let you suffer."

  "Father..." Fu Fengzhen's voice was filled with a coquettish tone as she hugged her father's arm and began to act spoiled: "Daughter doesn't want to get married, just wants to stay by Father and Mother's side."

  Fu Yanqing lowered his head to look at his second daughter, whose features were delicate, skin was smooth and tender, and was lovely and cute. She was truly a stunning beauty, with the same looks as her elder sister, the current Empress Fu, who was not inferior in appearance.

  "Silly girl, what kind of girl grows up and doesn't get married? It's laughable to say it out loud. You're already 15 this year, after the new year you'll be 16, if you don't get married soon it'll be too late!"

  Fu Yanqing was exceptionally fond of these three daughters because of Lv Chunyang's true person. He held them in his mouth, fearing they would melt away, and cradled them in his hands, afraid they would shatter. He had never scolded or beaten them, and this treatment was something that even the brothers of the Fu sisters had not enjoyed. He was truly a rare kind father in this era.

  Moreover, all three daughters are more beautiful than flowers and intelligent, making Fu Yanzhen feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

  He gently stroked his daughter's black hair with his rough, calloused hands, and for a moment, a wave of sourness welled up in his eyes.

  "Dad has found this husband for you, you must be satisfied!"

  He suddenly found that his tone was shaking uncontrollably, just like a car full of goods going down a steep slope, difficult to control.

  Jian Feng could sense the subtle changes in his father's emotions, but simply shook his head.

  "Do you know who just came to propose marriage? It was my old friend, the defender of Zhengzhou, Zhou Deyu. He is also the third uncle of Zhou Wenbo. Today he came to me on behalf of the Zhao Guo Gong Fu to propose a marriage!"

  Fu Yanqing couldn't bear to tease his daughter and told her the surprise instead.

  "Ah!" Feng Zhen naturally knew that Mr. Jin Yu's surname was Zhou and his name was Wenbo, now the only suitable male in the Zhao Guo Gong Fu, which means that Father had promised to marry her off to Mr. Jin Yu!

  For a moment, the daughter who was still pulling on Fu Yanqing's arm stopped, and Fu Yanqing saw a surge of crimson cloud rising from his daughter's face.

  "What's wrong? You're not willing, daughter? If you're not willing, no matter how good Zhou Wenbo is, I'll call off this marriage." Fu Yanguang pretended to be stern and scowled.

  Feng Zhen wasn't stupid, just a bit simple-minded. She naturally knew her father was teasing her. At this time, she couldn't clarify the little girl's intention, so she could only shake off her father's arm and get up to escape, leaving behind the clear shout from the corridor: "Dad, you're bad!"

  Fu Yanqing's originally stiff face rose with a hint of a smile as his daughter ran away and left behind her clear cries.

  But after a long time of being frozen like a sculpture, the smile on his face finally turned into a frown between his eyebrows.

  Unlike the eldest daughter Fu Fenghuang, who has a delicate and clever heart, this second daughter Fu Fengzhen is too simple, like a blank sheet of paper, pure and gentle, but lacks the domineering aura to control others. How can she become the mistress of a family in the future?

  It's not that Feng Zhen will marry into a humble family in the future, but she will marry the majestic Duke of Zhao, and will inevitably become the Duchess, taking charge of the inner courtyard. With her simplicity and kindness as a daughter, this might be too difficult for her.

  Although he, as a father, had enough power in his hands to prevent the Zhao State Duke's Mansion from bullying his daughter, after all, "a married-out daughter is like spilled water". Thinking of Zhou Wenbo's ability to turn the tables at such a young age made General Fu Yanqing, the commander of the Baoyi Army, shake his head.

  After a moment, Fu Yanqing suddenly sat up and ordered the servant beside him: "Summon Fu Dinghai over!"

  At this moment, he was no longer a loving father who cared for his daughter, but once again transformed into the heroic general of the chaotic world, the commander-in-chief of the 20,000-strong Baoyi Army - Fu Yanqing.