Chapter 1446 – Engagement (1)
“Peeling Daylilies?”
“Lighting Sky Lanterns?”
Sun Wen’s voice wasn’t loud, but the murderous intent in his words pierced through the air, causing Sun Lan to tremble slightly.
“Grandpa?”
He showed a hint of fear; this sinister and sharp-eyed grandpa was someone he wasn’t familiar with.
Sun Wen retracted his imposing aura, gently brushing his grandson’s long hair, feeling uneasy about him not having come of age yet.
Sun Lan, feeling tense, said, “Didn’t grandpa say the enemy is the Nie Clan’s youth? Nie Clan? Please don’t recklessly act, you’re my only family.”
They had relied on each other for so many years, and compared to seeking vengeance, Sun Lan wished more for his grandpa to live a long life; that was of utmost importance.
“Lan Lan, you’re not a child anymore. You’re already a young man now,” Sun Wen said earnestly. “If our family hadn’t encountered such a great upheaval, your father and mother would have already arranged a marriage for you, waiting for the bride to come of age and marry, and shortly after you’d be nearing adulthood…”
Sun Lan felt his face flush; he hadn’t really thought that far ahead.
“Grandpa knows you’re kind-hearted. If it were possible, how wonderful would it be if you could live a simple life forever? But with life comes aging and death. Whether you’re a noble or a commoner, no one can escape that fate. I don’t know how long this old body can stay with you, supporting you. Once I’m gone, what will become of my Lan Lan? You need to understand the state of the world—it’s a chaotic era! The lords are vying for power, and the common people are like ants beneath their feet. The Lord may be strong, but the world changes unexpectedly; who can predict the future? How can I rest easy?”
“Grandpa, don’t say that! You will definitely live to be a hundred!” Sun Lan stammered, “I won’t let you down.”
Sun Wen chuckled, “I also want to live a long time, not only to see you married but to see your children all around you.”
Over the years, Sun Lan had received the best of everything. His nutrition was up to par, and just when he was about to shoot up, his baby fat started to fade, revealing a few traces of youthful charm. Given time, he would surely become the dreamboat of many young ladies.
“What about the Nie Clan…”
Sun Lan’s eyes, like shiny black grapes, brimmed with anticipation.
Sun Wen straightforwardly said, “The Lord intends to move against Yang Tao of Nansheng. Yang Tao has sent people to the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan to seek an alliance. I’ve been resting in Beizhou long enough; my bones have gotten lazy. It’s time for me to get out and stretch my limbs, so others won’t look down on me.”
Sun Lan replied, “Who would dare look down on grandpa? Besides… marching and battling is so tough. You’re getting old…”
Asking a man nearing his fifties to fight in the army seemed almost cruel, as just the long journey would be painful enough.
Sun Lan was among the first students of the Golden Scales Academy; the coursework was getting increasingly difficult and more practical. The teacher often held military and political classes, examining historical military cases one after another for students to discuss and learn from.
Sun Lan worked hard and maintained a place among the top ten.
Sun Wen occasionally discussed external affairs with him, and he understood, forming his opinions.
“There will surely be a battle between the Nie Clan and the Lord. Grandpa can’t just sit back and wait for the enemy to come knocking. This old man may be aging, but he’s not too old to be active. I’m willingly asking to return, not just to avenge your grandma and parents, but also for you.”
Sun Lan responded dejectedly, “Grandpa, you care for me so much and plan for me everywhere, but I hope you can…”
Sun Wen simply had to be more explicit, explaining, “I see you getting close to Qi Guan Jinghui, the eldest daughter of the Qi Guan family. Qi Guan Rang is the Lord’s confidant. You lost both parents at a young age, putting you at a considerable disadvantage in status. Since ancient times, marriages have required matching social status. If I don’t fight for you now, will you rely on just yourself? By the time you work your way up, Qi Guan Jinghui’s children might call you uncle!”
Sun Lan’s cheeks flushed, as if applying a thick layer of blush.
Seeing this from his grandson, Sun Wen laughed and said, “Honestly tell grandpa, do you like the girl from the Qi Guan family?”
Sun Lan, utterly embarrassed, timidly leaned close to his grandpa’s ear and whispered.
“I… I like her. She’s really pretty, and she’s a good person.”
Sun Wen seized the moment, “If you like her, not only should grandpa strive for you, but you also need to work hard!”
Sun Lan innocently replied, “Isn’t it all about fate?”
The stories say that a thousand-mile romance hinges on a single thread, right? As long as they liked each other, wouldn’t they be able to tie the knot?
Sun Wen twitched his mouth; his grandson was even more naïve than he had expected.
“Fate? Even if your fate with Qi Guan Jinghui is as thick as your thigh, believe it or not, Qi Guan Rang could cut that fate into pieces if you’re unworthy! Who would willingly give their flower-like daughter to a son-in-law who’s lacking in every way?”
While Qi Guan Rang wouldn’t easily offend others, when it came to his daughter’s marriage, he was as prickly as a porcupine.
If Sun Lan didn’t have any skills, he should really not think about outmaneuvering Qi Guan Rang.
Over these years, Sun Wen had been too low-profile; despite his achievements governing North Zhou, he didn’t possess the same presence as several active young men on the front lines. He had once tested Qi Guan Rang’s attitude, but the other party merely snorted without saying anything. That left Sun Wen with an implicit understanding.
Sun Lan tugged at his sleeve, feeling wronged, “I’m not that bad!”
Sun Wen replied, “Of course Lan Lan isn’t bad, but there’s still a gap compared to Qi Guan Wen Zheng’s standards; he won’t easily relent.”
If he got married and started a family in the future, if Sun Lan remained this soft, it would be surprising if Qi Guan Rang treated him kindly.
If it weren’t for Sun Lan having his eyes set on Qi Guan Jinghui, Sun Wen wouldn’t fight so hard.
By pushing a bit now, it would lessen the hardships during the proposal to Qi Guan Rang later.
Sun Lan: “…”
Feeling a bit hopeless!
After a while, Sun Wen asked him, “Lan Lan, do you want to follow grandpa to gain experience with the army?”
The military life is the best way to temper someone. While it wouldn’t change Sun Lan’s character entirely, at least it could toughen him up a bit.
Sun Lan, surprised, pointed to himself and asked, “Can I really?”
He was still a student of Golden Scales Academy; would the head teacher even let him go?
Sun Wen said, “I’ll ask the Lord, so of course it’s possible. But once we get to the military camp, grandpa won’t be able to care for you all the time. The military camp is not like home; you need to be prepared for whatever hardships you face, so don’t complain!”
Sun Lan shook his head, “I’m not afraid of hardship.”
After their conversation, Sun Lan couldn’t sleep that night. The next day, he went to the academy, unable to resist confiding in Qi Guan Jinghui.
Of course, he didn’t mention he liked her or that grandpa wanted her to be a member of the Sun family; he only said it was for experience in the army.
Qi Guan Jinghui asked, “Why the sudden desire to go to the military camp?”
Sun Lan shyly replied, “Perhaps grandpa thinks I’m too soft, that I can’t stand up, and it would be good to see the world in the military.”
Qi Guan Jinghui inquired, “What about your academy courses?”
Sun Lan answered, “I plan to bring a year’s worth of homework and do my best not to fall behind.”
