My Alleged Husband

Chapter 177: Chapter 161: Betrothal!_1

Ever since Zhang Yichen and Old Master Zhang returned to the Zhang Family, Yichen had been going to bed very early every night. Moreover, his daily training became even more grueling and he strove harder than before. Old Master Zhang couldn’t understand what could drive his grandson to such extents, relentlessly training day and night. Could it really just be for the sake of becoming a young sovereign, or might there be some other reason?

Yichen spent two months immersed in his hellish training regime. One day, Old Master Zhang suddenly sought Yichen out and said, ”Yichen, your grandfather has arranged a marriage match for you. Even though you are only ten years old, I wish to settle this matter for you now. In the future, you and your spouse can join forces and achieve magnificent feats together!”

Upon hearing his grandfather’s words, Yichen was so shocked that he dared not even breathe heavily. What did it mean to find him a bride and arrange a betrothal now? What about the little girl in his heart, Ran Zhihan? She was his dream lover. If he were to simply marry another woman, how would he be any different from those unfaithful men? He decided to resist Old Master Zhang.

”Grandfather, you see I’m only ten years old, and there’s no rush for things of the future. Can we not discuss betrothal or political marriages for the time being? Besides, we are living in modern society now, so why still practice the ancient politics of arranged marriage? Wouldn’t it be better to achieve glorious deeds through our own efforts?”

For ten years, an entire decade, Old Master Zhang had made every decision for Yichen without facing any resistance. Yet today, Yichen was actually raising a hand in opposition to his grandfather over the marriage arrangement. He wondered if Yichen might already have someone he liked, and he was unaware of it?

”Yichen, you must understand that everything your grandfather does is for your own good. In the future, even though you may become an economic emperor, it’s essential to have a wise and virtuous wife. To be a great emperor, one who is envied by all, you also need a good wife by your side. Your grandfather has already arranged this for you. Can you listen to your grandfather, please?” Old Master Zhang asked tentatively.

Zhang Yichen was unwilling, although throughout these ten years, he had never opposed any decision made by Elder Zhang for his sake. Yet now he had to, because deep in his heart, he already had a little girl; he couldn’t abandon the promise he’d made to her. He had said that when he became an economic emperor in ten years, he’d marry that little girl, who was still waiting for him. How could he let a single promise break a young girl’s lifetime? He couldn’t do that; it was something only a scumbag would do. He wanted to be an honorable man, to be someone who could shoulder the responsibilities for his own family, for his wife and for his children, rather than be like his father, who had abandoned his hometown and family. Every time he thought of his parents, how they left him in pursuit of their own freedom, it caused him such pain, as if his heart was being sliced by a knife. But what else could he do? He could only choose to endure because he didn’t want to be like his parents, abandoning his children in the future. Since he had made a promise to Ran Zhihan, he would surely fulfill it, as it was a man’s most basic responsibility.

”Grandfather, let me tell you the truth. When I was training in the valley, I suffered an injury once, and it was so painful I almost cried. A little girl appeared; she gave me painkillers. She’s the most adorable girl I’ve ever seen. I already promised her that when I’ve become an economic emperor, I would go back and marry her. I cannot break my promise to an innocent girl!”

Old Master Zhang, hearing his grandson say such words, became certain of what he had been thinking: this young fellow already had a sweetheart, and he hadn’t even told his own grandfather. If he hadn’t forcibly arranged for Zhang Yichen to go on a blind date, when would he have known that his grandson already had a girl in his heart? Although Old Master Zhang felt somewhat dissatisfied with Zhang Yichen’s opposition to his decision, he still believed that if this child could stand up against his own grandfather for his beloved, it meant he truly liked the little girl. But as he thought this, Old Master Zhang was reminded of his son, Zhang Zhentian, who had also been like this for Xia Jing, the girl he loved. He had fought desperately to be with Xia Jing, going against his own father’s orders. In the end, although he had left offspring for the Zhang Family, he had abandoned their estate forever. Old Master Zhang didn’t want Zhang Yichen to end up like his father, leaving the family and him, the grumpy old man, for a girl. He couldn’t bear it anymore. He was too old to suffer such things again; he was afraid. So he planned to discuss with Zhang Yichen if it would be possible not to marry this little girl, yet he never expected that Zhang Yichen’s reply would bring him such a harsh disappointment!

”Child, listen to your grandfather. You’re only ten years old. You don’t know if she will end up with you, do you understand? Rather than pining for her like this, why not wait until you’ve truly become an emperor before considering these things? It’s better than ending up heartbroken later. Do you understand? I’m really afraid that being with this girl will be just like when your father and mother were together, and in the end, I’m left abandoned by you, by this family, by your own children. I really fear the day you will walk down that path; I can’t bear it anymore. Your grandfather doesn’t have much time left. I only hope that during my remaining days, I can live in peace without having to suffer anymore. I truly can’t endure it!” Old Master Zhang said earnestly to Zhang Yichen.

Zhang Yichen sighed. He assured Elder Zhang, ”Grandfather, you’re overthinking it. I won’t abandon you because of a woman. You’ve been taking care of me all these years. Believe me, your grandson has a good eye for people. That girl is truly innocent and kind; she doesn’t have any ulterior motives. Do you know? In the valley, no one stepped forward to help me when I was hurt, not even my parents. During the hardest times, they were never by my side. It’s been you who has accompanied me through all the ups and downs, shielding me from all the storms. Until I met that little girl, I finally realized that this world still has kindness. She is so good-hearted, so adorable, always smiling at me, giving me strength, making me feel that life is not so bad, that to be happy and to be with the one you love is all that matters. Why chase after so much more? She even advised me not to hate my parents. You see, how many children are there like this? Many resent parents who abandon their children, but when I asked her, she said she doesn’t hate her parents. They brought her into this world, after all. She’s thankful to them. How could such a lovely and kind-hearted girl abandon you just to be with me?”

Listening to his grandson’s words, Old Master Zhang felt that the little girl must be truly kind-hearted. Hearing those words, he was left speechless, internally conceding to Zhang Yichen’s actions, it seems.