The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 33 Matchmaking

After leaving the Jinshen Hall, Li Jinglong rubbed his aching knees with both hands, and the burning pain in his back kept sending signals to his mind.

He couldn't help but think to himself: "Old Zhu, you enjoyed yourself, and then you treat me so badly!"

They stumbled along the way, one step at a time, until they finally reached Xihua Gate. When Li Er saw his master in such a miserable state, he quickly went forward to help him up.

"My lord, you..." Li Er was somewhat taken aback: His Majesty is too ruthless!

"Let's go back to the manor!" Li Jinglong didn't have time to think about anything else; he just wanted to go back and get some rest.

In the afternoon, after having his meal at Jinshen Hall, Zhu Biao returned to Wenhua Hall and immediately summoned Fu Zhong, who was on duty at the Eastern Palace.

"Your subject Fu Zhong pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Fu Zhong entered the hall and immediately bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities!" Zhu Biao said, then walked from behind the imperial desk to Fu Zhong's side and pulled Fu Zhong to sit down.

"Fu Zhong, how have you been since you married Shou Chun?" Zhu Biao asked with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness! Everything is fine!" Fu Zhong leaned forward slightly.

"By the way, I just remembered something. Your little sister should be of marriageable age by now, right?" Zhu Biao asked Fu Zhong.

Although Fu Zhong was puzzled, he still respectfully replied, "Your Highness, my younger sister is only seventeen years old and still unmarried!"

"Seventeen!" Zhu Biao nodded, jokingly adding, "The Duke of Ying's family is known for its integrity, and he's a pillar of our Ming Dynasty. I imagine the doorsteps of his mansion must be worn down by matchmakers!"

"Your Highness flatters me! My sister is still unmarried!" Fu Zhong said, but his hatred for Li Jinglong rose again. If Li Jinglong hadn't refused to marry her back then, his sister wouldn't be unmarried.

At this age, although it's not late, she's already considered a grown woman!

"I have a talented young man here. If I were to act as matchmaker..." Zhu Biao turned his head, smiled at Fu Zhong, and asked in his eyes.

"Your Highness acting as matchmaker is naturally a blessing for my sister, but at this time, I still need to report to my father for a decision!" Although Fu Zhong was curious about who it was, he did not dare to make a decision on his own.

Zhu Biao nodded. "That's right, that's why I called you here today. Go back and discuss it with the Duke of Ying. Tell him that I'm willing to act as matchmaker, and not only that, His Majesty will personally bestow the marriage upon us!"

Fu Zhong felt a chill run down his spine. The Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon him?

Fu Zhong asked in bewilderment, "Your Highness's favor is most appreciated, but I wonder who this talented young man is that Your Majesty would personally bestow such a marriage upon?"

Zhu Biao laughed and said, "Speaking of which, this person and your sister can be considered childhood sweethearts. They come from prominent families and are well-matched with the Duke of Ying's family. Although there were some minor misunderstandings before, if they become a couple, it will be a beautiful story!"

Childhood sweethearts? From a distinguished family? Then they must also be from noble families?

Fu Zhong's heart skipped a beat when he thought of this. Could it be Li Jinglong?

"Is Your Highness referring to Li Jinglong?" Fu Zhong smirked and guessed.

"Exactly!" Zhu Biao nodded.

"Your Highness, this..." Fu Zhong frowned, somewhat unwilling. It was only because of Zhu Biao that Fu Zhong would have turned hostile by now if it were anyone else!

"I know that Jiujiang did some things that were indeed a bit out of line, but Jiujiang has also realized his mistakes. A few days ago, when His Majesty asked about it, Jiujiang said that he was confused for a moment!" Zhu Biao stepped forward, patted Fu Zhong on the shoulder, and earnestly comforted him.

Was he going too far? Or was he being foolish?

Fu Zhong was furious when he thought about what Li Jinglong had done. How could you talk like that?

"Your Highness, I...I dare not make the decision myself. This matter must be reported to my father before a decision can be made!" Fu Zhong was indignant, but he could not show it.

"I understand perfectly well. When you return, you can write a letter conveying my thoughts to the Duke of Ying. I believe the Duke of Ying will be pleased with this!" Zhu Biao instructed.

"When we return, we will send someone to deliver a message to Father!" Fu Zhong said, bowing.

"Yes!" Zhu Biao nodded. "Upon receiving the Duke of Ying's reply, I immediately went to the palace to inform him. His Majesty is also waiting for a letter!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Fu Zhong felt a chill run down his spine, suppressed his doubts, and turned to take his leave.

Zhu Biao watched Fu Zhong's figure disappear at the entrance of the main hall, shook his head with a smile, and returned to his desk to continue processing memorials.

After leaving the Wenhua Hall, Fu Zhong went to his cell to say hello and then hurriedly returned to the Duke of Ying's mansion. He plunged into his study and began to write furiously.

Meanwhile, Fu Rang, who was still in his own courtyard, heard from his servant that Fu Zhong had returned to the mansion, and immediately put down what he was doing and rushed towards Fu Zhong.

At this time, Fu Zhong finished writing the letter, checked it carefully, sealed it with sealing wax, summoned his steward, and ordered someone to send it to Yunnan by fast horse, making sure to deliver it to Fu Youde personally.

"Brother! Why did you come back to the manor today?" Fu Rang asked as he arrived, just as he saw the servant leaving with the letter.

"There's something I need to do; I need to send a letter to Father!" Fu Zhong said expressionlessly, weighing his options in his mind, wondering whether he should tell his younger sister first.

"Brother, what happened?" Seeing Fu Zhong's bad expression, Fu Rang asked.

"Sigh!" Fu Zhong sighed, turned and went into the study, followed closely by Fu Rang.

"His Highness the Crown Prince summoned me to the palace just now, saying he wants to arrange a marriage for my younger sister!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is acting as matchmaker? Isn't that a good thing?"

Fu Zhong rolled his eyes and said irritably, "You don't even know who the other party is, how can you think it's a good thing?"

Fu Rang scratched his head awkwardly, "I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is acting as matchmaker, so I suppose the other party's family background and character must have earned His Highness's approval!"

"That's the problem!" Fu Zhong sat down in his chair, catching his breath. "His Highness is acting as a matchmaker for Li Jiujiang!"

"What?" Fu Rang jumped up from his chair, staring wide-eyed at Fu Zhong.

"What are you yelling about?" Fu Zhong glared at Fu Rang and scolded him.

"Brother! This..." Fu Rang couldn't accept it for a moment, and said angrily, "Li Jiujiang was rude before and hurt my sister once, why is he doing this again?"

Fu Rang scoffed, "It was one thing to be the Marquis of Xiping back then, but now it's His Highness the Crown Prince. This Li Jiujiang is just a pretty face with no substance. I don't know why His Highness and the Marquis chose him!"

"Shut up!" Fu Zhong scolded, reprimanding, "How dare you interfere with His Highness and the Marquis of Xiping's affairs?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Fu Rang shrank back and said, "Brother, you and Father absolutely cannot agree to this!"

Fu Zhong was speechless. From the moment Zhu Biao found him, this matter was no longer something that he and his father could decide!

If she insisted on not marrying him, it would undoubtedly put Zhu Biao in an awkward position. Perhaps, given Zhu Biao's personality, he would not take his anger out on her, but could she really do that?

Last time, when the Marquis of Xiping acted as matchmaker, Li Jinglong offended Mu Ying terribly. That should serve as a cautionary tale!

However, Fu Zhong was not Fu Youde after all, and he did not see the deeper meaning behind it!