SBCEJM -Chapter 68 To Buy Time for Her Son, Madam Zhao Is Willing to Die on the Spot?

Inside the official sedan returning to the residence, Zhao Dequan sat with his eyes closed.

His fingers tapped lightly on his knee—again and again.

The storm at the imperial court was sealed away behind the carriage curtains.

His five married daughters were already pieces on the board—no longer requiring his attention for now.

His youngest daughter, far out in the outskirts of the capital, was beyond even the gods’ calculations.

The only weak point… was his unmarried son in the household, Zhao Tianshi.

And a few nieces and nephews of marriageable age within the estate.

The Emperor wanted the Zhao family to serve as a “pilot case”?

Fine.

Then he would make it a model demonstration for the entire world.

He would turn this farce into a carnival.

By then, every woman under heaven would be available for Tianci to choose from.

What kind of bride’s tears could he not obtain?

This ten-day trial period might be a death sentence for others—but for the Zhao family, it was a heaven-sent opportunity.

【System alert: Zhao Dequan is performing crisis simulation. Countermeasures have been generated.】

In the system space, Feng Zexuan dug into chilled watermelon with a small silver spoon.

The flesh was sweet and crisp, icy and refreshing.

“Tch, this old fox already started plotting on the way back from court.”

She took a loud bite.

【He didn’t even get stunned by the head-on blow—he immediately started building a counter-plan.】

【Let me see what kind of scheme you’re cooking up.】

The carriage stopped at the mansion gate.

Butler Zhao Zhong hurried forward, almost stumbling as he reached the curtain.

“Master, you’re finally back!”

“Why panic?”

Zhao Dequan’s voice came from inside the carriage—calm, steady, unhurried.

Zhao Zhong immediately shut his mouth.

Zhao Dequan stepped out, crossed the high threshold, and did not slow down.

“Pass my order.”

“For my only son Tianci, and all marriageable nephews and nieces in the household—open the gates for matchmaking.”

Zhao Zhong froze, then hurried after him in confusion.

“Master… Young Master Tianci’s marriage wasn’t supposed to be decided so hastily…”

Zhao Dequan stopped and turned back.

He raised two fingers.

“First. From today onward, my Zhao family will select husbands and wives. No concern for background or status. As long as one has clean family history and proper character, they may present a name card and come to the residence in three days.”

Zhao Zhong’s mouth formed a perfect “O.”

This… this was madness!

But the real thunder was still coming.

Zhao Dequan stared at him. Each word struck like a nail hammered into bone.

“Second. Spread the word.”

“For anyone who marries into my Zhao family—”

“For those who marry my son Zhao Tianshi as his wife—”

“The betrothal gift shall be: one thousand taels of gold! One hundred mu of fertile land in the outskirts of the capital! Three prime shops in the East Market!”

In the system space, Feng Zexuan had just scooped a huge bite of watermelon—

And nearly choked.

【WHAT THE—! He’s insane! This old man is truly insane! Is this marriage or recruitment of death warriors?! Does he think the whole world doesn’t know his family is rich?!】

【A thousand taels of gold! A hundred mu of land! Three shops! At this rate, people would even package their own fathers and send them over as live-in sons-in-law!】

Zhao Dequan seemed pleased with the steward’s reaction, his tone slightly rising with cold dominance.

“Not only that. For marriages involving my Zhao nephews and nieces, the gift shall also be one hundred taels of gold.”

“If the new bride or groom has siblings who wish to enter official service, I will secure them a prosperous future.”

“If they wish to engage in trade, my Zhao family’s commercial routes across the north and south will be open to them.”

【Good heavens! Not only money, but official positions too?! Business channels too?! This is a full luxury package—buy one, get the entire family upgraded! Is he turning the Emperor’s policy into his personal matchmaking festival?!】

“Clang—!”

Zhao Zhong’s abacus slipped from his hands and smashed onto the stone floor.

Beads scattered everywhere.

His lips trembled violently, but no sound came out. His heart felt like it was about to burst from his chest.

Zhao Dequan curled his lips slightly.

“I refuse to believe that in this vast capital, I cannot find a few clever people willing to send their daughters into this mountain of gold.”

He shot Zhao Zhong a final glance, as if looking at a useless fool.

“Go. Spread this message to every corner of the capital. Immediately.”

“Yes… yes! This old servant will go at once!”

Zhao Zhong scrambled up and rushed out of the estate.

After settling everything, Zhao Dequan straightened his robes and slowed his steps, walking toward Madam Wen’s quarters in the back courtyard.

The moment he entered, a thick medicinal smell hit him like a wave.

On the bed lay Madam Wen, thin to the point of translucence. Her face was sallow, but her eyes burned with alarming brightness.

She had clearly already heard everything.

“Master…”

Zhao Dequan sat on the edge of the bed and took her cold, withered hand, intending to say, “I already have a plan.”

But Madam Wen suddenly grabbed his hand tightly in return.

The force was so strong it felt like her nails might pierce his flesh.

She stared at him with a hoarse, dry voice filled with grim determination.

“Master… stop wasting effort.”

“I know my body. I won’t survive this winter.”

“Rather than letting them force Tianci into a dead end…”

She gasped for breath, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.

“I might as well drink poison tonight and die!”

“If I die, Tianci will be in mourning for three years! I refuse to believe the Emperor would be so heartless as to force a filial son in deep mourning to remove his mourning clothes and go to war!”

Even someone as cold-hearted as Zhao Dequan felt a sudden jolt in his chest.

Feng Zexuan’s watermelon dropped straight to the ground.

【HOLY—! THIS COUPLE IS A CRAZY SHIP OF PSYCHOPATHS?! One is throwing money to pave a path, the other is willing to use her life as the foundation?! What kind of hardcore love is this?!】

Zhao Dequan looked at his wife, who had exhausted every last bit of herself for their children, and felt a complicated surge of emotions.

This was his wife.

Usually gentle as water—but when it came to their children, she could sacrifice her life without hesitation.

As a couple, when it came to protecting their children… they truly went insane together.

He held her hand even tighter.

“Stop talking nonsense. Just rest. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up.”

He leaned closer to her ear, his voice filled with absolute confidence—and a trace of madness.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already set the trap.”

“Within three days, people wanting to propose marriage to my Zhao family will line up from the head of Zhuque Street all the way to the gate of Xuanwu Gate.”

“At that time, every girl in the capital will be available for Tianci to choose. Whatever kind he wants—he will have it.”

Madam Wen looked at the confidence in her husband’s eyes, and her chaotic heart finally slowly settled.

Meanwhile, outside the estate gate—

Zhao Zhong stumbled across the threshold and missed a step, rolling down the stone stairs.

The servants rushed forward in panic.

“Butler Zhong! What happened?!”

Zhao Zhong shoved them away and forced himself upright, scrambling with both hands and feet.

Then he screamed toward the long street with all his strength:

“The Marquis Manor is selecting a marriage partner for their son—!”

“The betrothal gift is one thousand taels of gold—!”