The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Behind Chapter 34

For several days in a row, besides going to the Left Army Commander's Office to be on duty, Li Jinglong spent the rest of his time going to Heaven on Earth to soak in the bath and listen to music, living a very pleasant life.

However, Fu Zhong was not as carefree as Li Jinglong. Ever since he sent the letter home to Yunnan, Fu Zhong had been waiting for news every day, looking preoccupied. Princess Zhu Shanqing of Shouchun noticed this.

"Husband, I really don't understand. Is it just because Jiujiang rejected your Fu family once that you hold such a grudge?" Zhu Shanqing sat at the dining table, eating as she tried to comfort him.

"Princess, do you know what Li Jiujiang said back then? 'A young woman loses her gentleness, and an older woman bullies her husband.' After those eight words, there have been far fewer matchmakers trying to arrange a marriage for my younger sister in the past two years!" Fu Zhong put down his chopsticks, looking indignant.

Zhu Shanqing smiled and shook her head, saying, "Husband, don't worry about what Li Jiujiang said. If you were in his shoes, what would you have chosen?"

"I..." Fu Zhong was speechless for a moment.

Seeing this, Zhu Shanqing smiled and said, "Husband, let me speak for you! You probably wouldn't choose that either, would you?"

Seeing Fu Zhong still standing there in a daze, Zhu Shanqing continued, "My sister is tall, even taller than most men. This isn't her fault, nor is it Jiujiang's fault; it's the result of the stereotypes you men have held for so long!"

"My younger sister is gentle and virtuous. How could she be considered an elder wife bullying her husband? In my opinion, it's just that you men always want to maintain your superior image!" Zhu Shanqing shook his head and sighed.

Fu Zhong was speechless after Zhu Shanqing's words. Upon closer reflection, he realized that it was indeed true!

"Princess, in your opinion, what about Li Jiujiang this time?" Fu Zhong was afraid. Last time, the Fu family became a laughing stock in the elite circles, and he was really afraid that Li Jiujiang would do it again.

"Since the Crown Prince has offered to act as matchmaker, I don't think Li Jiujiang would refuse, nor would he dare to refuse!" Zhu Shanqing analyzed. "Not to mention Li Jiujiang, who in the entire Duke of Ying's mansion would dare to disregard the Crown Prince's reputation?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Zhong sighed, "That's true, but I'm really afraid my little sister will suffer! Putting aside everything else, just look at that Heaven on Earth place that Li Jiujiang set up—the whole of Jiangnan probably knows about it!"

Zhu Shanqing teased, "Husband, are you envious of Jiujiang?"

"Me?" Fu Zhong pointed to himself. "Why would I envy him? Shameless bastard!"

"Husband, I think you should ask your younger sister's opinion. Perhaps she thinks differently?"

Others may not know, but Zhu Shanqing knows very well that every young lady of noble birth or from a prominent family in the capital who is of marriageable age would not want to marry a husband as desirable as Li Jinglong.

Not only is he skilled in both literature and martial arts, but he is also handsome and comes from an extremely prestigious family. Which young girl wouldn't fall in love with him?

Fu Zhong slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "That's right, in the end it depends on what my little sister and father think!"

After speaking, Fu Zhong cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your understanding, Princess!"

Meanwhile, at the Duke of Ying's mansion, when Fu Wanqing learned of this from Fu Rang, her expression became incredibly complicated.

Anger and bitterness intertwined, yet there was also a hint of relief!

As a young lady from the Duke's mansion, Fu Wanqing knew she could not escape the fate of an arranged marriage. She had long been prepared for this, but she never expected that after all the twists and turns, it would still be Li Jinglong!

"Sister, what's wrong?" Fu Rang, who was concerned for his sister, immediately asked upon seeing her condition.

Fu Wanqing shook her head with a wry smile. "It's nothing! I guess this is just my fate!"

"Sister, if you don't agree, then tell Father, and he can refuse His Highness the Crown Prince!" Fu Rang said indignantly.

"Do you think Dad would do that?" Fu Wanqing asked in return.

Fu Rang might not know, but Fu Wanqing knew very well that Fu Youde would never refuse the Crown Prince's kindness!

As one of the Dukes of the Ming Dynasty, Fu Youde's position was the most awkward among the several Dukes!

No matter how high his military achievements were, in terms of status, seniority, and closeness to the royal family, Fu Youde could not compare with the other dukes.

The reason for this is that Fu Youde was a surrendered general, and he came to join Zhu Yuanzhang after Zhu Yuanzhang had risen to power. Compared with Zhu Yuanzhang's core team, he was naturally inferior.

"My father is a Duke, how can Li Jinglong compare to him?" Fu Rang retorted indignantly. "Moreover, Li Jiujiang has gone completely shameless this time, setting up a brothel; he's simply a lecherous monster!"

Upon hearing Fu Rang's words, Fu Wanqing frowned slightly. News about Li Jinglong's club, his impeachment by the censor, and his punishment by the emperor had already spread among the noble circles in the capital!

"You don't understand!" Fu Wanqing shook her head and said, "Do you think His Highness the Crown Prince didn't know about what happened three years ago? Why is it His Highness the Crown Prince this time?"

"This..." Fu Rang pondered for a moment, not understanding why, and then looked at Fu Wanqing.

Fu Wanqing sighed and explained, "Now that my elder brother has married a princess, his command of troops will inevitably be limited. Tell me, who would be suitable to take over Father's influence in the army?"

"Naturally, it's our Duke Ying's mansion!" Fu Rang said directly, but after seeing Fu Wanqing's eyes, he hesitated slightly, "Sister, you don't think this is His Highness the Crown Prince doing this to please Li Jiujiang, do you?"

Fu Wanqing nodded and sighed, "That's certainly a consideration, but who knows what His Highness the Crown Prince is really thinking!"

"This..." Fu Rang was shocked and said in disbelief, "No way!"

"Let's see how Father replies!" Fu Wanqing sighed, then got up and left, heading towards the backyard.

Fu Rang stood there blankly, his mind filled with Fu Wanqing's speculation. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Fu Wanqing's words made sense.

Our family is the Duke of Ying's mansion. Needless to say, my eldest brother, Fu Zhong, although he married a princess, will still inherit the title of Duke of Ying in the future.

After the pacification of Yunnan, his second, third, and fourth elder brothers were all left by their father to serve under Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping, as commanders and assistant commanders, which was considered to have secured a future for the brothers.

Thinking of this, Fu Rang couldn't help but shudder. Is this what they mean by "the most ruthless are those in the imperial family"?

Meanwhile, Fu Youde, who was far away in Yunnan and preparing to return to the capital, agreed to the matter after only a brief consideration upon receiving Fu Zhong's letter.

Fu Youde understood perfectly well that with the successive deaths of Li Wenzhong and Xu Da, the most capable fighters in the army were himself and Feng Sheng. Now that His Highness the Crown Prince had proposed the matter of arranging a marriage, it was nothing more than an attempt to support Li Jinglong.

Fu Youde quickly wrote two letters, then called over a servant and instructed, "One for the eldest son, and one for the madam!"

"Understood, Your Highness!"

Watching the servant disappear into the main hall, Fu Youde's lips curled into a smile: "Li Jiujiang, now that you're in my hands, let's see how I deal with you, you little brat!"