Spring comes to the desperate place

Chapter 230 Proposal

"Young Master Song!" The villagers guarding the mountain saw Song Chunlin from afar and stood up to greet him enthusiastically.

As soon as Song Chunlin got off the horse, the villagers came up to him and told him how the saplings were growing. Song Chunlin smiled and listened for a long time before he finally understood. It turned out that these people thought the saplings were growing too well and did not look like anything that would grow in this barren land. Some brave people even tentatively asked Song Chunlin if he could give them some branches for cuttings when the saplings grew up.

"We don't need many, just a few branches will do. If they grow, we can plant them in the yard, and at the end of the year we can have some fruit to satisfy the children's cravings."

Song Chunlin neither agreed nor objected, but simply said, "Let's wait until the tree grows up."

He turned around and found the village chief again, told him about the Fang brothers, and told him not to interfere in what they did. If the other party asked villagers to help with the work, all the wages would be settled as short-term workers.

After arranging things here, Song Chunlin has nothing to do anymore. He can just throw the luggage and other things into the space when the time comes.

On the day Gu's army left, the people of Baita City spontaneously bid farewell to them. Song Chunlin sat in the carriage, looking at the long team, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

"It seems that the Gu family army has a good reputation here."

Gu Fengyue was proud of it: "When my father was young, he was stationed at the border all year round. He ruled strictly and rarely suffered defeat on the battlefield. Therefore, the people at the border especially trusted the Gu family army and felt that as long as the Gu family army was there, they would be safe."

The more Song Chunlin listened, the more he felt that the old marquis was a legendary figure. However, such an invincible general ended up like that, and even the marquis's wife...

Fortunately, the old emperor was not so foolish and useless, otherwise a teenager like Gu Fengyun would not be able to protect the huge mansion or his younger brother.

The army is moving even faster than when they came. Everyone is eager to return home. Whether they can reach the capital before the winter solstice depends on whether they have a smooth journey.

The Song family, who were far away in the capital, had been sitting at the door almost every day since Song Qin received the news that Song Chunlin was about to return. Song Dazhuang was no longer willing to go to the town to wait since he didn't receive anyone last time, and he worked silently at home every day.

Today, Song Qinshi sat at the door as usual, doing needlework while waiting. Chen Yuer also brought needlework and came over to wait with her. The two chatted about family matters and time passed easily.

The pillowcase that Song Qinshi was embroidering was bright red. Chen Yuer could tell at a glance that it was prepared for Song Chunlin. She couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh: "Chunlin still can't learn needlework?"

Speaking of this, Song Qinshi became worried: "What do you think we will do when this child gets married? Forget about embroidery. He can't even hold a needle. I forced him to learn before, but the stitches he made were so ugly that they wouldn't even be worn by a dog."

"Pfft, even dogs can't wear them. Chunlin is so capable, isn't he just incapable of sewing? It's not a big problem. At worst, he can just ask his husband to buy him ready-made ones in the future."

"Return my husband. I'm afraid he won't be able to get married."

As the two were chatting, a carriage came over from the other side. Song Qin saw at a glance that it was the carriage of the Marquis' Mansion. At first she thought it was Chunlin who came back, but when she saw that only Gu Fengyun got off the carriage, she couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. However, she still went to greet him politely. When she was about to salute Gu Fengyun, Gu Fengyun got the upper hand and helped him up.

"Aunt Song, you don't have to be so polite. Are Grandpa Song and Uncle Song at home?"

Song Qin felt that Gu Fengyun looked a little strange today, but she did not think much about it and just welcomed him in warmly. Chen Yuer walked behind and watched the servants of the Marquis' Mansion carrying down many gifts. She began to feel that something was wrong. It was not a festival, so why did the Marquis' Mansion suddenly send so many gifts, not to mention that the Marquis came in person to deliver the gifts. The ceremony seemed a bit too grand.

When Grandpa Song and Song Dazhuang heard that Gu Fengyun was coming, they stopped what they were doing and went out to greet him. Just like Song Qinshi, Gu Fengyun took the initiative to help the person up and did not accept their greetings. Even Aunt Song who came out from the backyard gave him the same treatment.

The two elderly people looked at each other silently, and saw confusion in each other's eyes.

But soon, their confusion was explained.

Gu Fengyun was sitting at the head of the table. He first took a sip of the Song family's tea, then cleared his throat and said straight to the point:

"Grandpa Song, Uncle Song, I am here this time to propose to Chunlin on his behalf as Fengyue's brother."

"What?" Song Dazhuang was the first to stand up from his seat, staring at Gu Fengyun in disbelief. Song Qinshi was stunned for a moment, but she quickly reacted and pulled Song Dazhuang to sit down.

Song Dazhuang sat down but his eyes never left Gu Fengyun. He was totally confused as to why that brat had managed to take advantage of him despite all the precautions he had taken.

Grandpa Song and Grandma Song were not surprised at all. It was probably that Song Dazhuang was the only one in the family who didn't understand.

Grandpa Song turned around and asked Gu Fengyun, "I wonder if the Marquis's visit this time was your brother's idea?"

Gu Fengyun smiled cheerfully, "My nephew came here this time, of course, I asked Fengyue and Chunlin for their opinions in advance. Although Chunlin didn't say anything, he didn't look like he was against it. Before I came here this time, I also received a letter from my brother, in which he clearly said that he liked Chunlin, and Chunlin also responded to him. Therefore, I dared to come here to propose marriage on behalf of my disappointing brother. I hope that the elders will agree."

Grandpa Song initially thought that it was just Gu Fengyue's idea, but now after hearing what Gu Fengyun said, he must have thought that this was also Song Chunlin's idea. He knew his grandson well, and no one could force him to do something he didn't want to do. However, what Grandpa Song was most worried about was not whether Chunlin was willing or not, but the family background of the two families.

The Song family is a farming family after all. Even if they have a title, it is a low-level title that cannot be inherited from generation to generation. Compared with the deep-rooted Yongyi Marquis Mansion, the gap is not a little bit. Even if outsiders don't say anything, these people feel a little uncomfortable.

It is said that a perfect match is not a good match. Gu Fengyue has no title, but he went to the border and led the Gu family army to a victory. When he returns to Beijing, the emperor will definitely promote him as soon as possible. By then, the gap between him and Song Chunlin will become bigger and bigger. Now that they are young, their feelings are naturally sweet, but marriage is not about love and affection, and the marquis's mansion is not an ordinary family.

And given Song Chunlin's bad temper, what would he do if he met someone he disliked and poisoned that person after a disagreement?

Grandpa Song's hair turned white because of this. Sometimes he would rather Song Chunlin never got married, maybe he would be happier.

Gu Fengyun looked at Grandpa Song's expression and naturally knew what he was worried about, so he took the initiative to tell Grandpa Song:

"Grandpa, to be honest, Chunlin has made great contributions at the border this time, not only in farming there, but also in the previous war. I'm sure Chunlin didn't mention it to you because he was afraid you would worry, but Fengyue told me everything in the secret letter. However, most of Chunlin's great contributions cannot be made public, so the emperor's intention is probably to reward him with the title of a sharpshooter. With Chunlin's status, those noble families will definitely oppose it. Marrying into the Marquis's Mansion at this time will help shut them up."

When Grandpa Song heard that Song Chunlin actually went to the battlefield, and heard the three words "sharpshooter", he could guess what this kid did over there. Fortunately, he usually used spiritual spring water to regulate his body, otherwise he would have fainted when he heard the news.

Song Dazhuang was different. He stood up from his chair again and shouted, "You said Chunlin went to the battlefield? He's a sharpshooter? He knows nothing about archery. He has never even touched a bow since he was a child!"

Gu Fengyun never expected Song Dazhuang to react so strongly. He explained awkwardly, "Well, actually, Chunlin's aim is pretty good. Hehe, he just accidentally shot and killed a few barbarians."

Song Dazhuang grasped the key point: "How many?"

Gu Fengyun stretched out his hand tremblingly under his gaze: "About 5,000 people..."

Song Dazhuang laughed out loud when he heard this: "About? Five thousand? Haha, this brat is really good at hiding things."

Song Dazhuang was gritting his teeth when he said this. If Song Qin hadn't been pulling his sleeve madly, he might have continued to scold her.

Song Qin pushed her husband down on the chair and looked at Gu Fengyun apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Lord Marquis. The child's father is just worried about the child. We also know that Chunlin is a child with great ideas and abilities, but a mother worries about her child even when he is thousands of miles away. No matter how powerful and majestic he is outside, we as parents can't help but worry about him outside, whether he eats well, whether he rests enough, and whether he is injured. I'm not good at speaking, so I just want to ask, did Chunlin encounter any danger when he went there this time?"

Gu Fengyun looked at Song Qinshi who was worried, and finally shook his head against his conscience.

"Aunt, you can wait until Chunlin comes back to ask him about the exact details, but I can assure you that when I went to the border this time, I saw Chunlin. He was neither injured nor starving. He was just a little tanned and a little taller."

"It's good that you're not injured. It's good that you're not injured." Song Qin looked thankful.

Grandpa Song then continued, "So what the Marquis means is that this time the Marquis can use the reason of marriage to the Marquis's Mansion to ask the emperor to give Song Chunlin a higher status, so that Chunlin's actions at the border can be covered up?"

Gu Fengyun nodded repeatedly: "That's right." After saying this, he was delighted. From what Grandpa Song said, did he agree?

Grandpa Song did not agree immediately, and asked Gu Fengyun whether Gu Fengyue and Song Chunlin would continue to live in the Marquis' Mansion after they got married.

Gu Fengyun immediately replied, "Of course not. This time, I, Fengyue, have made great contributions in repelling the enemy, so I want him to move out and start his own business. You know, when he grows up, he can also earn military merits on his own. Our Marquisate is a big place that attracts the wind. If he wants to go further, he will have to become a Duke. What I mean to my brother is that instead of becoming a Duke, it is better for him to start from scratch. It is better for us two brothers to help each other than to make ourselves targets."

Grandpa Song nodded after listening and said, "Your Majesty is right. A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. It is not good for a tree to attract the wind. Now you two brothers are both popular with the emperor. It is not a good thing to be too sharp. If so, let Your Majesty raise Chunlin's status. It will be a good match for your brother."

This meant that he agreed. Song Dazhuang hadn't reacted yet. When he understood what the old man meant, he was the first to object.

"I don't agree. Chunlin is still young. He will only be fourteen after the Chinese New Year. I don't feel comfortable letting him get married at such a young age. Besides, the dowry hasn't been prepared yet. Although our Song family is a little poor, we don't want our child to marry off in poverty."

Song Qinshi covered her face repeatedly. You are still unwilling to do this? We have already talked about the dowry, so what else is there to be unwilling about?

Gu Fengyun also smiled: "There is no rush for the dowry. My brother and I want to get them engaged first, and then marry Chunlin after she turns sixteen. Isn't that a few years away? I believe that with Uncle Song's ability, he will definitely let Chunlin marry in style."

Song Dazhuang felt very comfortable with the flattery, so comfortable that he almost forgot his purpose.

Grandpa Song: "My Lord, although you said Chunlin agrees, I still want to wait for Chunlin to come back and listen to his thoughts in person. If he really has no objection, then we will dare to marry into the Marquis' Mansion. I hope that my Lord and your brother will not let us down."

Gu Fengyun immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Grandpa Song: "Gu, on behalf of my brother, thank you for your help."

"Okay, okay, please stand up quickly. If this is settled, then we will be a family. We should have different opinions. This is not your first time to come to our home. Have lunch and then go back." Song Amao smiled and pulled him back to his seat.

Song Qin also stood up and said with a smile: "Mr. Gu hasn't been here for a while. Tell me what you want to eat and I'll make it for you."

What followed was a warm family dinner. After the change of identities, the Song family became more enthusiastic towards Gu Fengyun. When Gu Fengyun left, he took away a lot of Song family specialties.

After seeing Gu Fengyun off, the Song family closed the door and the smiles on their faces faded a little.

Song A-mo changed her smiling face and frowned slightly: "The border is so dangerous, what does Chunlin have to do to make the emperor give him a higher status?"

Song Qin's eyes also turned red. The strength she had pretended to be in the hall just now was gone. She was now just an ordinary mother who was worried about her children.

Chen Yuer stayed by her side, constantly comforting her: "Lord Gu also said that Chunlin was not injured, which shows that he has a sense of propriety and knows what to do and what not to do. Moreover, Chunlin is a smart man. He will definitely not put himself in danger."

Song Qin wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "I know he won't disregard his own safety, but I feel pain in my heart. What mother wouldn't feel pain knowing that her child has gone to such a dangerous battlefield?"