Chapter 97

They would just consider themselves unlucky.

If not, then don't blame them for truly carving up the Zhen clan.

They didn't want such surprises to happen again.

Inside the Zhen residence,

After chatting with Su Xuan for over half an hour,

Zhen Yi finally couldn't hold back and took the initiative to pull Zhen Jiang to bow to Su Xuan: "General, my daughter was saved by you and managed to get her life back."

"Because of this, she has developed feelings of admiration for you and has been unable to eat or sleep."

"I have seen this in my eyes and felt anxious in my heart; therefore, I am thick-skinned enough to ask, General, are you willing to take my daughter Zhen Jiang as a concubine?"

"Oh?"

Su Xuan was surprised and looked at Zhen Yi, then couldn't help but look at Zhen Jiang beside him.

Zhen Jiang felt Su Xuan’s gaze, and her eyes met his for a moment before she shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Although she had taken the initiative to propose this to her parents yesterday,

When it came down to it, she still couldn't help but feel shy.

After all, she was still a maiden.

Su Xuan used his Mind Reading ability at this moment, taking in all the thoughts of Zhen Jiang and Zhen Yi.

He couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He hadn't expected Zhen Jiang to be so bold as to take the initiative to propose to her parents that she marry him as a concubine.

He had originally been interested in Zhen Jiang, so naturally, there was no reason to refuse.

He nodded immediately: "As long as Miss Zhen Jiang has no objections, I am willing! As long as it is not forced."

"Not forced! Not forced!"

Zhen Yi heard this as if it were the sound of heaven; he nodded repeatedly with a face full of joy, not forgetting to give Zhen Jiang a wink.

Zhen Jiang immediately bowed slightly to Su Xuan with understanding, her face blushing: "This concubine is willing!"

"Good!"

Su Xuan nodded with a smile: "Then is this settled?"

"Settled! Settled!"

Zhen Yi nodded hurriedly: "Many thanks, General, for your grace! Why don't we set the engagement now? And then, after the General suppresses the rebellion, we can choose a date for the wedding?"

"That works!"

Su Xuan naturally had no objections.

He immediately drew up the marriage contract with Zhen Yi.

For a time, everyone was happy.

That same day, Zhen Yi prepared to hold a grand engagement banquet at the residence, wanting to invite representatives of all the gentry in the city.

But he was stopped by Su Xuan.

Because, in name, he was still suppressing rebels; such things were fine to do in private.

To publicize it grandly, was he trying to bring trouble upon himself?

If it reached the ears of the Son of Heaven, what would the Emperor think?

Oh! So in the middle of suppressing rebels, you have the leisure to get engaged? You’re quite something!

"Apologies! It was my negligence! I almost put the General in an unjust position; please forgive me! Forgive me!"

After hearing this, Zhen Yi broke out in a cold sweat and apologized repeatedly.

"Forget it! The ignorant are not guilty; you didn't do it on purpose."

Su Xuan waved his hand and then stated clearly: "I know that your Zhen clan is coveted by many gentry, and you are desperate to use my influence to escape this dangerous situation."

"But you must not be too hasty."

"You can secretly have people spread the news of my engagement to Jiang'er within Zhongshan State."

"That should basically resolve your crisis for the time being!"

"In addition, if you are interested, you can cooperate with my Su Family Chamber of Commerce later; that can also help you block many tigers, leopards, and wolves."

Not to mention other gentry, even he was very interested in the Zhen clan’s wealth and business network, right?

It was just that he wouldn't covet it directly; he preferred cooperation for mutual benefit.

Of course, if the Zhen clan was willing to place a heavy bet and take the initiative to pay to help him, he wouldn't refuse.

At the same time, in the future, he would give the Zhen clan sufficient returns at the appropriate time.

Everything depended on whether Zhen Yi would be sensible and willing to pay the price.

"Yes! I will remember that!"

Zhen Yi responded with shame and fear.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Su Xuan to have seen through all of this long ago.

But under these circumstances, Su Xuan was still willing to help their Zhen family, which showed that his future son-in-law had good character.

Moreover, he must truly like his daughter.

That was enough.

"As for business cooperation, I couldn't ask for more!"

"I have long heard that the Nanyang Su Family Chamber of Commerce has many unique products, all of which are rare and good things."

"Ordinary people don't even have a way to cooperate; thank you again, General!"

Zhen Yi said with excitement.

At the same time, he secretly made up his mind that in future trade cooperation with the Su family, he must maximize the concessions.

Even if it meant not making money, he would repay Su Xuan well.

In addition, when Zhen Jiang married over, he prepared to give a sufficiently generous dowry; only then could Su Xuan feel his sincerity.

At the same time, it would consolidate Zhen Jiang’s status in Su Xuan’s heart.

So what if she was a concubine?

As long as their Zhen clan could continuously bring sufficient benefits to Su Xuan, he believed that Su Xuan would also value Zhen Jiang and the Zhen family more and more.

Their Zhen family could also use their relationship with Su Xuan to gain a great backer.

Of course, if they could use Su Xuan’s influence to get one or two people from their Zhen family into official positions, that would be even better.

In the end, the Zhen family’s current crisis was caused by having money but no power.

And all of this was just because of wrong choices made in the past.

No matter what, he had to get rid of this negative influence under his watch.

"We are family from now on! No need for this! Uncle can just call me Su Boyuan!"

Su Xuan waved his hand with a smile.

Since Zhen Yi was so sensible, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him.

In the future, he would still need the Zhen clan to cooperate with some of his layouts in Jizhou and Youzhou.

Afterward, Zhen Yi specifically left time for Su Xuan and Zhen Jiang to be alone.

The two walked in the Zhen family’s garden.

Zhen Jiang stole two glances at Su Xuan and said gratefully: "Thank you, General, for being willing to take me and for being willing to help the Zhen family."

"No need for this!"

Su Xuan shook his head with a smile: "It was you who moved me yourself!"

"Besides, I think my relationship with the Zhen family can be considered mutually beneficial!"

"Also, after you marry over, I hope you can continue to help me manage some of the affairs of the Su family’s business."

"I have inquired, and your talent in business is quite extraordinary."

"The Zhen family has developed so well these years, and you have made an indispensable contribution."

Their Su family needed such talent.

Although he didn't mind if his woman was a pretty vase that could please him,

Like Zou Shi, for example.

But he also didn't mind if his woman had talent, and he was willing to provide them with a platform and opportunities to let them display their talents to the fullest.

— Author's Notes —

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