Chapter 45: Conversation Between Father And Son
Marquis Yichun’s family intends to form a marriage alliance is not a rumor.
Actually, it’s not just Marquis Yichun. Ever since Zhu Yunxiao at thirteen years old during His Majesty’s review of the Capital Garrison, with ten arrows in a row in the battle array took first place in one go, countless families have had their eyes on this young talented person.
Although hearing that there was already a betrothal, many backed off, some did not care. As long as not married in a day, there is still a chance, especially families with high positions and prominent lineages.
Of course Duke Yongwu is not an ordinary family either. Unable to get by, to break faith and abandon righteousness for a better marriage alliance, so all were refused.
However, when Marquis Yichun also expressed intent, Duke Yongwu was moved.
Marquis Yichun of the Chai Clan has great merit in supporting the Emperor, his family’s daughter is the Empress, who also gave birth to the firstborn son Prince of Donghai. The next Emperor will surely be the Prince of Donghai, the Chai Clan’s prominence will inevitably be extraordinary.
But Zhu Yunxiao firmly refused.
“Father, don’t be impulsive. The next Emperor is a matter for the future,” he said. “The current Emperor absolutely will not allow Uncle Jiang’s daughter to be wronged.”
Jiang Feng is a great meritorious official for the Emperor’s smooth entry into the capital and ascension to the throne.
Moreover, a dead meritorious official.
Dead people are forever benevolence in the Emperor’s heart.
Loyal ministers and good generals, to bully their descendants is to humiliate His Majesty.
Duke Yongwu naturally also knew this point, and Jiang Feng was also his benefactor. At that time, it should have been him facing the Zhuozhou prefect and the Xiongnu.
Duke Yongwu let out a long sigh: “I am not coveting wealth and breaking faith and abandoning righteousness. Now under heaven is at peace, we must make longer-term plans for sons and descendants. If the Jiang Family had even one son it would be good, but as it is now, the Jiang Family is destined to decline.”
Zhu Yunxiao smiled and said: “Father also said that is a long-term plan, no need to rush. Let’s first look at the present. Right now, the benefits of my marriage arrangement with Jiang Rui are many.”
Besides the good reputation of being righteous and affectionate, there is also the following trust of Jiang Feng’s former subordinates. Duke Yongwu knew this well in his heart.
“Moreover, Jiang Feng earned his military merit through real blade and spear combat. Even the next Emperor, the officials and noble families in court cannot slight or belittle it. A Rui will be respected wherever she goes,” Zhu Yunxiao continued, “Even the princesses must treat her kindly.”
Duke Yongwu nodded, then smiled again: “Indeed. Although the Jiang Family is not among dukes, marquises, and counts, they cannot be underestimated, whereas some dukes, marquises, and counts are just a joke.”
Zhu Yunxiao curiously asked: “Father, whose joke did you see?”
“Today I passed by Marquis Yichun’s Mansion and saw Yang Bin sitting in the doorkeeper’s room,” Duke Yongwu said. “It looked like he had been waiting for a while.”
At this, he sneered.
“A noble duke, which one lingers in someone’s doorkeeper room without leaving? It’s not as if he is a servant.”
Yang Bin, Duke Ding’an. Zhu Yunxiao said: “Perhaps there was something unavoidable, willing to humble himself.”
“Starting without real solid military merit is just so lacking in confidence,” Duke Yongwu said. “Looks glamorous on the surface, but actually no one takes him seriously.”
Zhu Yunxiao had a different view, turning the teacup: “Without real solid merit yet still enfeoffed as noble, impossible to have no confidence. This confidence must be with His Majesty. Father, outside don’t underestimate Duke Ding’an.”
Being lectured by his son, Duke Yongwu was not unhappy.
He was actually lucky, because in the same barracks as the Emperor, naturally rebelled together.
In conquering the realm, with the Emperor such a shrewd leader, and capable subordinates like Jiang Feng and others, he smoothly survived and even got a title.
With under heaven at peace, the Emperor high above became unfathomable. Former comrades-in-arms who fought side by side, some dead, the living each with identity and status, and different intentions. Fortunately his son was capable.
Earlier during several changes in court, he did not perceive them. Still young Zhu Yunxiao told him what to do, and all were correct, avoiding several disasters.
It seems his luck is still good, getting such a wise son.
Listening to his son is not wrong. Duke Yongwu smiled and nodded: “I understand.”
With that he stood up, thinking his son so outstanding yet could only marry such a daughter, still felt somewhat sorry to his son.
All because he was carried out by Jiang Feng from a pile of dead people back then, surviving a great ordeal made him too impulsive, directly arranging the child betrothal.
The Jiang Family’s daughter took after Jiang Feng, plain in appearance.
He had let his son down.
“The family has newly taken in several beautiful maids,” he said softly. “You pick two to serve at your side.”
Zhu Yunxiao laughed.
“Thank you, Father,” he said. “But no need. Since I have plans, I won’t covet momentary pleasure.”
Duke Yongwu smacked his lips: “Then I won’t care about you, do as you like.” With that he happily left.
The room recovered quiet. Zhu Yunxiao was slightly lost in thought for a moment, always feeling like he forgot something, until pain came from his leg.
Zhu Yunxiao hissed and drew two breaths of cold air to ease it. This is what others often call bad luck, unexpectedly he encountered it too.
Night fell, lights lit up in thousands of households in the Capital City.
Mo Zheng looked at the shadow on the window, standing outside shouted: “Miss, need to rise early tomorrow, don’t study too late tonight.”
Yang Luo responded from inside that she knew, opened the window, and saw the youth carrying an axe.
“I’m going to chop wood for Big Brother Zhang’s family next door,” Mo Zheng said. “The rented carriage is at their place, I’m helping them with work.”
Their courtyard was small, no horse shed. The neighbor’s courtyard was big, so the rented carriage and horses were put there.
These two days they also got familiar. The couple next door ran a braised meat shop on the street.
Yang Luo said okay, then softly said: “Can give them some money to borrow it, no need for you to work hard for them.”
“Neighbors getting along can’t rely only on money,” Mo Zheng said. With that she waved and went out. “You sleep early, I’ll lock the door.”
The sound of locking came from outside. Yang Luo couldn’t help but smile. A Sheng this guard was truly reliable in doing things. She closed the window, extinguished the lamp, and slept peacefully.
Bang, a slightly muffled sound of chopping wood rose in the courtyard.
Mo Zheng threw a piece of firewood into the stove, the big pot of braised meat bubbling.
“Uncle Hong was nearly discovered?” she asked.
Zhang Sheng You gripped the axe and split another piece of firewood, nodded: “Uncle Hong said luckily he hid fast, wasn’t caught, but he came face to face with one of them, and it was someone he knew.”
Knew? Mo Zheng asked: “Who?”
“It was a advisor of the Qi Clan back then, also an eunuch in the Imperial Palace, Qi De’an,” Zhang Sheng You said. “Young Master, do you still remember?”
Back then when Zhao Tan fled the Capital City, many eunuchs from the old Imperial City also escaped. Some returned to hometowns, some mingled among the people, some sought new masters.
Eunuchs of the Imperial City always had some sellable skills.
This Qi De’an originally did not have the surname Qi. Eunuchs in the Imperial City had no descendants or surnames.
It was after following a new master that he took on the new master’s surname to show loyalty.
Mo Zheng originally did not recognize him, after all the Imperial City was big, many eunuchs, and she from childhood was not to be seen by people.
At that time the Qi Clan wanted Qi De’an to replace Zhang the Eunuch to care for him, but Zhang the Eunuch dismissed him in three moves.
Both eunuchs of the Imperial Palace, Zhang the Eunuch was older, with more ruthless methods.
Not long after the Qi Clan perished, this Qi De’an’s whereabouts became unknown.
So it was him.
Mo Zheng’s mouth curved in a cold smile: “No wonder he knows Mr. Jiang.”
She and Jiang Wangchun also got acquainted in the Qi Clan.
“Looks like he has a new master again.”
Zhang Sheng You nodded slightly: “Although Uncle Hong wasn’t caught, his movements were exposed. They guessed you came toward the Capital City. Young Master, let’s go.”
Mo Zheng shook her head: “No need.”
Zhang Sheng You looked worried: “Young Master, don’t clash head-on with them.” At this he gave a bitter smile. “Your identity exposed, drawing the Imperial Court’s attention, would be even more trouble.”
The realm is vast, but no place for a Previous Dynasty Prince.
Mo Zheng thoughtful, suddenly smiled, nodded: “Don’t worry, I know my limits.” At this she looked inside: “Sister Tao Hua at the butcher shop?”
Zhang Sheng You nodded slightly: “That companion reader list for the exam isn’t out? Tao Hua fears they hear, so under pretext of caring is personally guarding.”
Mo Zheng stood up: “Always guarding isn’t a way. I’ll go explain to them, and persuade a bit.”
Persuade that real Miss Liu not to pursue this fake identity impersonating official, deceiving the sovereign, capital offense of beheading for this Miss Yang?
Zhang Sheng You somewhat helpless: “This Miss Yang is truly worry-free. Young Master, you do everything for her.”
Truly being ordered around like a guard servant.
Mo Zheng laughed, raised a brow at Zhang Sheng You: “Brother Sheng You, I believe good people get good rewards. Helping others is helping oneself.”
With that she waved, flipped onto the wall.
Zhang Sheng You gripped the axe watching Mo Zheng leap from the wall to the roof, then up and down three times jumping and disappearing into the night.
He reached to scratch his head.
Helping others is helping oneself he could understand, but good people get good rewards…
Young Master doing this counts as a good person?
