CHAPTER 416: CHAPTER 42 DO YOU WANT IT?_2

"Elder Wen."

"Hmm?"

"Is your granddaughter clever?"

"My granddaughter may not be the most beautiful, but she is indeed my direct descendant, so she is definitely intelligent."

"Oh." Blind Bei nodded.

"Does Mr. Bei agree?"

"No, Elder Wen, you still haven’t explained why you are betting on us."

"Actually, you already gave me the answer."

"Hmm?"

"When I first asked you, you stated that you have plenty of food."

"Yes."

"I also have many granddaughters."

Blind Bei was momentarily speechless. He then coughed and asked, "Does Elder Wen intend to cast a wide net?"

"Others may not understand, but surely Mr. Bei does? My surrender to the Qian State is merely a facade, a way to maintain appearances. Honestly, who truly takes me seriously? People swarm to shrines during festivals, their incense offerings plentiful, but on ordinary days, how many truly keep the gods in their hearts? Besides, as one ages, one tends to become more superstitious. I don’t believe in gods or Buddha, but I do believe in fate. The Qian State is full of Qi cultivators who speak of moves and grand designs, as if heaven and earth are but a chessboard in their eyes. I too enjoy a game of chess, so let’s just say I am making my move."

"It’s just that, with a granddaughter, she’s suddenly two generations younger than I am."

"I also have a daughter who has been widowed for two years. She’s quite beautiful. If Mr. Bei doesn’t mind, I..."

"Enough." Blind Bei shook his head. He couldn’t bring himself to share his lord’s... particular tastes.

"Mr. Bei, you can take her with you today."

"Isn’t this a bit rushed? Even if we can’t have a grand engagement ceremony, surely it doesn’t have to be this humble?"

"Is Mr. Bei trying to stall?"

"Not at all. However, our armies have yet to return. If the Qian army is victorious, Elder Wen, won’t all your efforts be in vain?"

"I may not know much about warfare, but I am good at discerning people. After seeing you, I believe the Yan Army will return victorious. Instead of waiting for an inevitable outcome, we might as well settle things before the results are announced. This would, at least, demonstrate the Wen Family’s sincerity more fully."

"Elder Wen makes a good point. It’s just that I feel bad for the young lady. Others have grand weddings, yet she will be taken away by me like this. What kind of a situation is that?"

"Because I know that you will likely be leaving tomorrow, heading further south."

"Just now, Elder Wen, you said you didn’t understand matters of war."

"I wasn’t lying. I simply observed."

"Since Elder Wen knows we’re about to leave, why insist?"

"Because you will return. Everything you’ve done in the city has been laying the groundwork for your eventual return."

"Perceptive," Blind Bei commented.

"I don’t care much for betrothal gifts. While the Wen Family isn’t vastly wealthy, we’re not so destitute as to need to marry off our daughters to support ourselves. There is one thing, however, that Mr. Bei could do for me. When you take my granddaughter, could both of you kowtow to me, as a sign of respect?"

A smirk touched Blind Bei’s lips. "You have your standards."

...

Those who truly understand etiquette are often the ones who least enjoy its formalities.

In the main hall of the Wen Family, a group of men stood. These were the second and third-generation scions of the Wen Family, along with two kinsmen of Wen Sutong’s generation. Though seated, they dared only to perch on the very edge of their chairs.

Although Wen Sutong was currently the Jiedushi of Chuzhou, the sight of rows of Yan soldiers standing guard outside the hall was a stark reminder to the Wen Family members; they hadn’t forgotten the chilling sensation of a blade against their necks.

Actually, there weren’t supposed to be so many soldiers present. While a contingent of the Yan Army was indeed stationed outside the Wen Family’s residence to guard it due to Wen Sutong’s special status, the group that had just entered were not those guards. They were the men accompanying A Ming and Xue Three, whom Blind Bei and Wen Sutong had encountered on their way from the city tower back to the Wen Mansion.

A Ming and Xue Three had just quelled a small disturbance and were on their way out.

Upon seeing Blind Bei, Xue Three immediately went over to greet him.

Unexpectedly, Blind Bei’s next words nearly made Wen Sutong yank out his goatee in frustration!

Blind Bei asked outright, "Xue Three, want a wife? Just say the word, and I’ll have one sent over to you shortly."

Xue Three was an exceptionally shrewd man. As a warlord, whether he schemed against others often depended on his mood, but he was certainly very astute.

Xue Three understood the implication at once and immediately refused.

Then, he hastily sent word to Siniang and Fanli, gathered his men, and headed to the Wen Mansion to watch the show.

The warlords were all delighted and eager; even the usually indolent A Ming had a smile playing on his lips.

The prospect of seeing the usually conniving Blind Bei being maneuvered into offering himself up like this... TSK TSK. How gratifying.

Although they knew it was a political marriage, they felt no sympathy for Blind Bei.

After all, you’re getting a wife. What’s the loss in that?

According to the warlords’ way of thinking: Family, friendship—what did any of that matter?

They had merely heard that the woman in question wasn’t particularly attractive.

Blind Bei stood beside Wen Sutong, his eyes closed, his hands clasped loosely before him.

Wen Sutong coughed, then said, "Call Yuexin to come out."

A servant went to summon her.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of many Wen Family members present changed.

Evidently, they had a fair idea of what their family head was about to do.

Being of noble birth, their understanding of such matters was naturally far greater than that of ordinary folk.