Chapter 135: A Formal Marriage Proposal

Chapter 135: The Proposal

The birthday banquet officially began. As with all such celebrations, the first order of business was the offering of birthday tributes. Naturally, this was a privilege reserved exclusively for the Fu family, while the other guests looked on.

Elder Fu, assisted by his family, walked to the center of the room and sat down in a sandalwood chair placed before a large, calligraphed "Longevity" character, ready to receive the blessings of his descendants.

First came the second generation of the Fu family, led by Fu Pengcheng. One by one, they stepped forward to present their gifts and kowtow to the elder. With over twenty members from the main, collateral, and distant branches, the turnout left many guests marveling at the depth of such a prominent family. Even as the newly ascended sixth-ranked family, the Fu clan’s prosperity was evident; having over twenty members in the second generation alone—all qualified to enter the inner hall—was a testament to their strength.

Next came the third generation. They appeared in even greater numbers, exceeding fifty. While the earlier groups had approached individually, these younger members came in small clusters. The ritual remained the same: presenting gifts and kowtowing.

Elder Fu sat in his sandalwood chair, a benevolent smile plastered on his face. He appeared content, but inside, he was uneasy. A central figure was missing from the tributes: his eldest granddaughter, Fu Ziqing.

Among the third generation, Fu Ziqing was the eldest granddaughter, though she ranked ninth overall and third among the direct descendants. Despite this, she was the true master of the Fu family, holding an influence that arguably surpassed even Elder Fu himself.

The elder wouldn't have minded if any other descendant were missing, but Fu Ziqing could not be absent today. She was the protagonist of another matter: the Lin family was coming to propose marriage, and she was the bride-to-be.

Yet, she was nowhere to be found.

Initially, Elder Fu hadn't been concerned. He knew her proud and aloof nature, but he also knew she understood the bigger picture. He believed she would appear even if she were reluctant. But now, with the third generation finished and no sign of her, a sense of dread began to creep into his heart.

Was she truly going to stand him and the entire Fu family up at the banquet? Was she truly indifferent to the consequences?

For the first time, Elder Fu felt a flicker of uncertainty. His heart grew heavy, though his face remained a mask of cheerful indulgence.

Soon, the fourth generation—a few young children, the eldest only eight or nine—ran up to kowtow and present their crude, homemade toys. The surrounding crowd laughed warmly. Elder Fu laughed too, but his anxiety deepened. Fu Ziqing still had not appeared.

A wave of helplessness washed over him. He had underestimated her pride; perhaps he shouldn't have forced her. He felt a sudden, sharp regret over his decision.

Just as he was about to rise to invite the guests to dine, another figure emerged from the inner hall. It was the other protagonist of the rumored marriage proposal: Lin Cong, the eldest son of the Lin family.

Lin Cong walked to the center with a beaming smile, holding a delicate small box. He bowed respectfully and said, "Grandpa Fu, I wish you a life as vast as the Eastern Sea and as enduring as the Southern Mountains." To the shock of all, he knelt and performed a formal kowtow. He then stood and presented the box with both hands. "Grandpa Fu, this is a gift I prepared for you. Do you like it?"

This scene stunned everyone. It was common knowledge that the kowtow was a ritual reserved strictly for family members; outsiders were merely spectators. By kowtowing, Lin Cong had breached traditional protocol. Whether he had done so by his own volition, viewing himself as already part of the family, or with the secret consent of the Fu family, the implications were profound. No one believed this was a simple lapse in etiquette.

Elder Fu, equally surprised, instinctively glanced at Elder Lin, who was smiling broadly. He realized this had been Elder Lin's doing. A surge of irritation rose within him; while the marriage had been discussed, this public display was not part of the plan. However, he could not show his displeasure.

Masking his frustration with a radiant smile, Elder Fu took the box. "Splendid, let me see what gift you've prepared for Grandpa Fu."

To the onlookers, this interaction served as confirmation: the rumors were true, and the two families had reached an agreement. Otherwise, the proud Lin Cong would never have kowtowed, and Elder Fu would never have permitted it.

As Elder Fu opened the box, his expression shifted to one of profound shock. He looked up at Lin Cong in disbelief. The surrounding guests stood, craning their necks to see. When they caught sight of the gift, a collective gasp rippled through the room.

The box contained a purple jade the size of a duck egg. But it was not the jade that caused the sensation; embedded in its center was a teardrop-shaped diamond the size of a quail egg. It was a flawless, seven-colored diamond that shimmered with a dreamlike brilliance.

"It’s the 'Rainbow Tear'! It’s actually the Rainbow Tear!" a guest cried out.

Recognized as one of the world's ten legendary jewels, it had vanished into the hands of a mysterious collector after an auction in Dubai years ago. That it should appear here was staggering.

Elder Fu’s heart sank. He looked at the diamond, then at the smiling Elder Lin. This was clearly intended as the betrothal gift for his granddaughter. The Lin family was exerting pressure, using this public display to force his hand.

"Grandpa Fu, do you like the gift?" Lin Cong asked, still smiling.

"This is too precious," Elder Fu sighed, closing the box. If Ziqing were here, he might have accepted it, but in her absence, this felt like a trap.

"Precious? Not at all!" Elder Lin stood up and walked over. The crowd watched with bated breath, sensing the climax of the event.

"What do you mean by this, Brother Lin?" Elder Fu asked, feigning ignorance.

"Brother Fu, let's be frank. My grandson didn't bring this for you; he brought it for your granddaughter, Xiao Qing. She is of marrying age. Does my grandson not seem like a suitable match?" Elder Lin chuckled. "To tell you the truth, he has been secretly in love with her for over a decade. Why don't we bring them together?"

Elder Fu felt a jolt of panic. The worst-case scenario had arrived. If Ziqing were present, he wouldn't be so worried, but her absence made it impossible to agree without potentially causing a disaster.

Just then, a voice rang out from the outer hall.

"Elder Lin, are you proposing on behalf of your grandson?" A tall, imposing man stood up near the door, his gaze cold and sharp.

"Indeed, I am," Elder Lin replied, barely glancing at the man. "I am asking if Brother Fu agrees to this union."

"What a joke!" the man laughed, his tone mocking. He turned toward the door. "Chu Zangxuan, the Lin family is trying to steal your daughter-in-law. Are you not going to say anything?"

Every eye in the hall turned toward the table where Chu Zangxuan sat.