A Tale of Golden Heiress: Lady Wanjin - Chapter 20

Although Zhao Heng had lost his memory, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the young lady before him spoke rather oddly.

She seemed to have a habit of mentioning prices in her conversations.

Especially yesterday, when the three of them were leaving, he had the distinct impression that they were performing a well-rehearsed act.

Zhao Heng was reluctant to suspect that Miss Wen was leveraging her kindness to extract repayment.

After all, it was an indisputable fact that she had saved him.

Wen Wan and Zhao Heng sat facing each other.

Miss Wen wore a goose-yellow gauzy outer robe with wide sleeves, and small, pearl earrings adorned her fair earlobes. Her face was petite, her eyes bright and lively, and her every movement was accompanied by a smiling expression that put others at ease.

“Aunt Liu mentioned that you had something urgent to discuss with me?”

Aunt Liu?
Ah, that must be the older sister who kept stealing glances at him earlier.

“Yes. Since we were previously engaged, I have some questions I’d like to ask you before I make a decision.”

“I wouldn’t dare call it ‘asking.’ Please feel free to say whatever you wish. I’ll answer everything I know.”

Understood.
The final interview.

Wen Wan straightened her collar and sat up properly.

“Miss Wen…” Zhao Heng pointed to the dark birthmark under his eye, “Aren’t you bothered by my face?”

Ancient people placed great importance on appearance.

This referred to whether the body was marred or tattooed. Scars or marks on the face were particularly frowned upon.

Those with birthmarks or congenital imperfections were even considered omens of misfortune by their families.

Wen Wan’s gaze fell on the right corner of his eye.

There, a bluish-black mark spread across an area about a quarter the size of a palm.

Alright, it was a bit unsightly.

But brother, you have an eight-pack!

Wen Wan very much wanted to say that once the lights were out, what you could feel in the dark was far more substantial than what you could see.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Wen Wan replied sincerely, “Our bodies, hair, and skin are gifts from our parents. The mark on your face is something you cannot change. Besides, when I seek a husband, I value character and personality above all.”

“I cannot change it, but you, Miss Wen, have a choice.”

No, brother, I really don’t have a choice.

Why don’t you go take a look at the other “merchandise” Uncle Tu brought back!

And brother, I’m taking a husband, not marrying into another family. If I can find one who’s healthy, doesn’t abuse her, and doesn’t commit murder or arson, I’d be thanking heaven and earth already.

Zhao Heng saw the young lady opposite him frown slightly, her eyes perfectly conveying a pitiable charm.

It had to be said, it was somewhat deliberate and clumsy.

But not without its charm.

“Mr. Zhao, you’re being pursued by your legal mother and elder brother, with nowhere to go. You need shelter from the storm. My father has no sons to uphold the family legacy, and I urgently need a husband to protect the vast fortune he left behind. Although we each have our own needs, this is nothing less than fate. Since it’s a heaven-sent match, how could I reject a gift from the heavens?”

“Moreover, I value your integrity far more than your appearance.”

The girl’s voice was steady, echoing in the room.

Calm.

Composed.

It inexplicably brought a sense of tranquility.

Wen Wan put on a profound and mysterious expression.

Zhao Heng glanced at Wen Wan. It was unclear whether he believed her or not, but he asked another question, “Then, Miss Wen, how do you view the term ‘husband and wife’?”

Understood.

The final defense.

You’ve asked the right person.

As someone who was once engaged and then had the engagement broken, she had a lot to say about the term “husband and wife.”

What is marriage?

What is family?
The institution of marriage originated from the patriarchal desire for pure bloodlines. Its essence is to ensure every man has his own slave, and it represents the control and deprivation of women’s reproductive rights.

And the family is the intermediary through which this patriarchal world exploits women.

“Husband and wife are…” Wen Wan’s tongue trembled, and the words she wanted to say took a turn in her mouth. “…each within the other, inseparable. Neither too many nor too few—just two.”

Silence hung in the air for a long moment.

On a July night, the cicadas’ chirping was fading, and the wind rustled the trees.

The moon was enormous, its silver light like frost.

“Each within the other, inseparable.” The young man chuckled softly, his eyes reflecting Miss Wen’s image like rippling water that refused to still, “Neither too many nor too few—just two.”

Wen Wan lowered her head slightly, waiting for Zhao Heng’s final words to decide her fate.

Sure enough.

The next moment.

“Miss Wen, I agree to this marriage.”

Zhao Heng slowly rose to his feet, stepped before her, and clasped his hands in a salute.

His expression was smiling.

His voice gentle.

“In the future… I ask for your guidance, my lady.”

Success!

The stone in Wen Wen’s heart finally landed.

She also stood up to return the salute.

Her expression solemn, “Husband… I ask for your guidance in the future.”

The Wen family had reason to celebrate.

However, Qi Lanting also felt greatly pleased.

His steps were light as he returned home. He even ate an extra half-bowl of rice during dinner. Even Wang, the usually dull and slow second daughter-in-law, noticed her father-in-law’s elation.

Let alone Li and Wen Yue.

As soon as they left the dining hall, Li and the Qi family’s eldest son exchanged meaningful glances.

That afternoon, Uncle Wen had visited with several elders. They had a private discussion for half an hour before leaving. Since then, Qi Lanting had been in high spirits.

It likely had something to do with the Wen family.

Li had a strong intuition about this.

Anything related to the Wen family made Li restless, as it concerned her future livelihood.

If the Wen family agreed to the marriage, her in-laws would naturally want to move into the Wen family’s large compound in the city. Then, who would inherit this three-courtyard residence?

The Qi family currently had three sons but only two properties.

“Father, did something good happen today? You look absolutely delighted,” Li asked with a hint of ingratiation. “Share it with us juniors so we can rejoice too.”

Qi Lanting, usually reserved, felt confident that Wen Wan and Qi Gui’s marriage was practically settled. Forgetting the adage “success comes through secrecy,” he laughed heartily, “Elder Uncle came to persuade me today. He implied that I should abandon the idea of having Third Son marry into the Qi family.”

“He also said the Wen family has already set the wedding date three days from now, booked thirty tables for the banquet, and sent out invitations.”

This puzzled everyone.

How was this good news?

Wen Yue turned pale with anxiety, “The wedding date? Where did Second Brother find someone? Why haven’t we heard anything about it?”

Qi Lanting scoffed. “What ‘someone’? Where could he find someone in such a short time? I bet it’s our Third Son! He must have agreed to have Wen Wan marry into our family but feels awkward about it. He’s putting on a show to lecture us and play hard to get!”

Wen Yue was overjoyed, “That Second Brother! He’s always been scheming since childhood. How can he hold a grudge over the children’s marriage? Our Qi family is, after all, taking a wife. If the banquet goes wrong, wouldn’t it shame him too?”

Qi Lanting disagreed, “Maybe he just wants to use this opportunity to find fault with us!”

Li still felt uneasy. “Father, if Uncle truly agreed to have Cousin Wen marry into our family, why hasn’t he informed us yet?”

“Shortsighted! Think about it: the wedding is in less than three days. There’s been no news of the Wen family publicly seeking a son-in-law, nor any rumors of them discussing marriage with other families. Besides, choosing a son-in-law isn’t as simple as buying vegetables at the market. Second Brother Wen dotes on Wen Wan like she’s the apple of his eye. Would he really marry her off to some unknown fellow?”