He leaned closer to his wife's side, his eyes gleaming, and said, "Wife, I've thought of a good plan. We'll have the child marry into our family. If Jinli truly likes our daughter, then let him marry her."
Zhao Jiaqi carefully considered the matter. While she was happy with the idea in her heart, Helian Zhicheng and Duan Yao only had this one son. Would the couple agree?
"Is it possible?" Zhao Jiaqi asked uncertainly.
Fan Zehao also couldn't guarantee it, and more importantly, he wasn't sure what Yumeng's thoughts were. The couple fell silent.
"How about this, wife? We'll call Yumeng and Jinli back tonight and discuss this matter. We must be firm in our stance and see Jinli's reaction."
"And while we're at it, we can see what our daughter thinks. What do you say, wife?"
Zhao Jiaqi's willow-leaf brows were furrowed. "Is this a good idea? Jinli was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He's very proud. If this doesn't go well, and it hurts their feelings, we, as parents, would be committing a great sin."
After his wife's words, Fan Zehao found himself in a difficult position. But no matter what, his daughter's happiness was paramount.
Fan Zehao slapped his thigh. "Why think so much? I only have one daughter. If he truly treats my daughter well, what conditions can't be agreed upon? What grievances can't be endured?"
His stubbornness kicked in. Seeing him like this, he was determined to test Helian Jinli. Zhao Jiaqi said no more.
She silently prayed that things wouldn't fall apart, for fear of delaying the two children.
Although she didn't like her daughter marrying so early, she never genuinely wanted to keep her daughter unmarried forever.
The couple had lunch at the old madam's place. As soon as they left Songhe Garden, they sent someone to summon the two children to their courtyard.
At the same time, Helian Zhicheng and Duan Yao, upon hearing that their future in-laws were calling for the children, also came to join the fun.
In the room, the elders sat on chairs, while the two children stood in the middle of the room like they had done something wrong, heads bowed, stealing glances at them.
Fan Zehao had never found Helian Jinli particularly annoying before, but now, he couldn't find anything pleasing about him.
He asked, his tone sharp, "Jinli, do you truly love my Yumeng?"
Helian Jinli stood tall and straight, his chest out, and replied very firmly, "I will marry no one but her."
"But my Yumeng will not marry out. She will only take a husband into the family."
Fan Zehao's words completely shocked everyone else in the room. Helian Zhicheng and Duan Yao's expressions changed instantly.
They glanced at their hosts, then quickly looked at their infatuated son, Helian Jinli, their hearts in turmoil.
On one hand, they didn't want their son to marry into the wife's family, but their son was determined to marry no one else. Only by marrying into the wife's family could they get married. This...
Compared to their astonishment, Yumeng was relatively calm. She had heard this topic discussed more than once or twice before, so she wasn't shocked when her father said this.
Jinli was also calm, just like her. He had already considered a solution to this problem, albeit a last resort. He hadn't expected this last resort to be used.
Helian Jinli raised his head, looked at Fan Zehao, and solemnly replied, "I agree, but I have one condition."
The first half of the statement was pleasant to hear. When the latter half came out, Fan Zehao narrowed his eyes. "You're bargaining with me? Heh, tell me."
Helian Jinli said unhurriedly, "My parents have only one son. The future of Dingbeiliao cannot be cut off by me. My condition is that our second child, whether a boy or a girl, must bear the surname Helian and be sent to Dingbeiliao as the future crown prince."
Hearing his son's words, Helian Zhicheng's tense mood became complicated again. They had originally planned for them to live in the inner city, and after the child was born, they, the elders, would take the child back to Dingbeiliao. But it had backfired, and their son was marrying into the wife's family.
Seeing that Jinli had spoken so resolutely, Zhao Jiaqi couldn't bear to let her husband continue to badger him and ended this absurd test early.
She immediately said, "We'll discuss the matter of marrying into the wife's family later. As for your marriage, as long as Yumeng agrees to marry you, our words remain the same: we approve."
The clever Jinli understood the implied meaning in his future mother-in-law's words and immediately asked the person beside him for her opinion: "Meng'er, are you willing to marry me as your wife? I will never fail you in this life."
Yumeng blushed. Looking at her father's ashen face, then at her mother smiling and nodding at her, she hesitated for a moment before nodding weakly, "I am willing."
At that moment, Jinli pulled Yumeng and knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi. "Father, Mother, your son-in-law bows to you. From now on, Yumeng is entrusted to me. Please rest assured, esteemed elders. I will certainly take good care of her and will never let Yumeng down. Otherwise, my life is yours to dispose of."
Fan Zehao looked at the two children kneeling on the ground. Even if he was angry, he was helpless. His daughter was willing, what could he say?
"Get up."
When the father-in-law spoke, Jinli happily bowed again before helping Yumeng up. The two children exchanged smiles. Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi knew her daughter couldn't be kept any longer.
Alas, children grow up, and they should be allowed to fly.
Helian Zhicheng, seeing that the matter was settled, was still somewhat perplexed about this marriage into the wife's family.
Were they marrying a daughter-in-law, or giving away their son?
Thus, Helian Zhicheng, the father, was again worried. He asked, "Brother, when do you think it would be appropriate to present the betrothal gifts?"
Fan Zehao was about to say that they were taking a husband into the family, but before he could speak, his wife firmly stopped him.
She spoke before him, "Let's wait until Yumeng's coming-of-age ceremony. It will be a double happiness. Since everyone will be present that day, announcing this good news will be an added joy."
With Zhao Jiaqi's words, Helian Zhicheng was immediately relieved. His son was secured, and his dignity was preserved.
Fan Zehao just snorted twice through his nostrils at his wife's unauthorized decision and said nothing more. Zhao Jiaqi, however, ignored him. After all, he was playing the role of a father-in-law, so let him have his moment.
"You two go to Grandma's courtyard and tell her this good news, so she doesn't worry."
After Zhao Jiaqi finished speaking, the two children happily bowed and ran off, leaving the four adults in the room.
She looked at Duan Yao and said, "Although the children's marriage is settled, where will the wedding be? The three matchmakers and six rituals must not be omitted. Especially since Yumeng is the first daughter of the royal manor to be married, and currently the only princess, the wedding cannot be simple."
Helian Zhicheng and Duan Yao had already discussed this matter.