Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 56 - 42: Engagement (Part 2)

Even though Wanqing was nominally the old lady’s granddaughter, her own outstanding character and upright nature were more than enough to make people overlook the fact that she had a step-grandmother.

Once they understood this, Chen Song and Xu Suying felt as if they’d been given an iced drink in the height of summer or a warm stove in the dead of winter. Their spirits instantly lifted, and their faces brightened.

Seeing their expressions, the Zhao family elders couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief as well.

’Looking at the two of them, it seems very likely they’ll agree.’

’That’s more like it!’

’After all, they watched Jing grow up. Because of De’an, it was no different than if the boy had been raised right under their noses. This couple probably knows better than anyone just how good Jing is.’

’This is a sure thing. The marriage is definitely going to happen.’

Xu Suying and Chen Song quickly returned to reality. The couple exchanged a look, and finally, Chen Song spoke. "Mr. Zhao, to be honest, I’m truly overwhelmed that you would visit us again. I thought that after the foolish things my mother and third brother did, you would have come to hate me as well."

Mr. Zhao snorted. "What nonsense are you talking about? They are who they are, and you are who you are. I know you’ve always been different from them. If we didn’t know that you and your wife are good people, why would we have come to ask for your daughter’s hand for Jing?"

Chen Song bowed fearfully. "I’m incredibly flattered that you think so. But to be blunt, I still have an undeniable connection to the old family house. Even if I don’t want to admit it, I still have to call her... Mother."

Mr. Zhao said, "I understand what you mean. You’re worried that if Jing really becomes your son-in-law, it would seem as if he has to bow his head to the old house, which would make our family lose face. You’re also afraid that after the marriage, Jing might harbor resentment that’s hard to dispel, putting your daughter in a difficult position."

Chen Song nodded eagerly. "Mr. Zhao, you see things as clear as day. You’ve anticipated all my worries."

"Hmph. I’ve eaten more salt in my life than you’ve eaten rice. You think I can’t see what’s on your mind? But since we’ve come to ask for her hand, it means we’ve already taken all of your concerns into account."

Mr. Zhao took a dry pipe out from his robes, wanting to take a couple of puffs. But Mrs. Zhao shot him a look, and his hand, which was just about to reach for a tinderbox, froze. He then sheepishly stuffed the pipe back into his robes.

Mr. Zhao continued, "Dasong, here’s what we’re planning. Jing and Wanqing will marry, but they won’t pay respects to the grandparents, nor will they have any dealings with the old house in the future. Of course, this mainly means that Jing won’t be expected to observe the courtesies of a grandson-in-law toward your parents. As for Wanqing, she is the granddaughter, and she must be filial to her grandparents. No one can fault her for that."

Chen Song and Xu Suying were both dumbfounded. "This... is that even possible? Isn’t that... improper?"

"Improper? Are you afraid it’s against custom? Hmph! Don’t you worry that your father and mother will raise a huge fuss over this. As long as you agree to the marriage, I’ll go find your father and uncle tomorrow. They can take care of it."

’Just as he expected. When those three old Chens came to Chen Song’s house earlier, they must have been telling him to find a way to mend ties with the Zhao Family.’

’Chen Song must not have agreed, or perhaps he had no way to help, which would explain why their expressions were so stiff when they left.’

’He was certain that as soon as he presented this arrangement, even if Chen Dachang was unwilling, Chen Dalong and Chen Dasheng would surely pressure him into agreeing.’

’It was only a matter of not acknowledging the grandparents, not the rest of the clansmen. Even if they weren’t acknowledged as family, they could still be treated as ordinary fellow villagers. What more could they ask for?’

Mr. Zhao’s calculations truly ran deep.

What he was really doing was sowing discord within the Chen family.

The old couple would be alienated by the entire Chen family, and they were already estranged from Chen Song—their eldest son, the constable at the county government, who was their greatest support.

No matter how unconcerned they appeared on the surface, their increasingly cautious attitude toward Chen Song revealed their inner awe.

But if Jing became Chen Song’s son-in-law, would Chen Song choose to protect his own son-in-law, or his stepmother and a biological father who was little better than a stepfather? The answer was obvious.

By slowly marginalizing the people in the old Chen family house like this, he didn’t believe they could continue to live comfortably for much longer.

Mrs. Zhao also spoke up. "Don’t worry about the old house. Even if some unfavorable rumors spread about us later, we don’t care. The most important thing right now is the attitude of you two. Suying, Jing is a good boy. In my opinion, a marriage between him and Wanqing would be a match made in heaven."