Chapter 40 Playing Matchmaker

  For the royal family, Zhang Guoji has never had a good impression. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the precautions against the princes have been very strict. Many talented princes have not had a place to display their talents in such situations, and most of them are also mediocre and unlearned. After so many years, this Zhu family no longer has any young and promising talents.

  Zhang Guoji, although only a small juren, did not have the intention of currying favor with the powerful. He had always doted on his daughter and couldn't bear to marry her off to the Wang family. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that "entering the Houmen is like entering the deep sea". This was simply pushing his daughter into the fire pit! However, he didn't dare refuse outright either, as the Ming dynasty's princes were a special group. Although the emperor was very strict in guarding against them, as long as they didn't rebel, they were treated with leniency. Whether it was bullying people in the countryside or doing whatever they wanted, they would turn a blind eye.

  If he didn't agree, it would probably be a disaster for the entire family. Thinking of this, Zhang Guoji's eyes turned cold as he looked at Li Changmao. This wasn't matchmaking, but forcing him! The most hateful thing was that this guy had come in and set a trap for him, step by step, leading him into a ditch. At this point, regret was clearly too late, and beads of sweat began to form on Zhang Guoji's forehead.

  Looking at Zhang Guoji's appearance, Li Changmao knew that his thoughts were correct. This guy was indeed unwilling. Fortunately, he had a higher skill level, otherwise, there would have been no way to deal with him. At this moment, this old man had no excuse to find. He couldn't help but feel happy and almost burst out laughing.

  After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Guoji let out a soft sigh and said with a bitter smile: "Why must the county magistrate be so stubborn? I, Zhang, don't think I've offended him in any way!"

  Li Changmao had anticipated Zhang Guoji's reaction and hastily said, "Zhang Gongwai, your words are wrong! I'm giving the Zhang family a chance at wealth and honor, how can you say such things?"

  "County Master, why must you say such things? Ah, Zhang!" Zhang Guoji wanted to say something, but the words reached his lips and he didn't know what to say, so they turned into a long sigh.

  Zhang Mansion, Rear Residence, Qingxi Building.

  "Miss, miss, it's terrible!" A thirteen-year-old girl panted and ran upstairs to the third floor, bursting through the door.

  At this time, a girl was sitting in the room, smiling and looking at the little girl who had rushed in.

  "Xiao Huan, I've told you many times not to be so startled all the time." The girl's eyebrows were slightly furrowed at this moment, and although she was a bit angry, she also had a unique charm. Her pale face was as delicate as a willow leaf, and her white dress made her look even more beautiful and elegant.

  This young girl was Zhang Yan's daughter, the one Li Changmao was going to recommend this time. The maid called Xiaohuan by the girl obviously didn't take her words to heart, quickly walking to the front of the table to pour herself a cup of cool tea, and then drinking it all in one gulp.

  Seeing the maid's sweaty appearance, the girl sighed and shook her head, apparently this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

  "Out with it! What's happened this time? Did you lose your purse again or did you get into a fight with some young master?" It was clear that the maid had a bad reputation and was not considered reliable by the girl, and it seemed that such incidents were not uncommon.

  "Miss, this time it's your turn." The maid obviously wanted to tease the girl a bit and after finishing speaking, she didn't say anything else but instead looked at the girl with full of expectation.

  The girl smiled lightly and didn't say a word, stretched out her hand to gently touch the strings in front of her, and suddenly a pleasant sound of the piano filled the room.

  The maid's face suddenly turned bright red as she saw the young girl, and she stomped her foot loudly, saying: "Every time it's like this, I really don't know where Miss gets such good patience. Someone has come to be a matchmaker for Miss." The maid obviously didn't have that kind of patience and could only admit defeat and surrender.

  "Is there something strange? Our family doesn't have a few matchmakers coming over every month, does it need to be such a big fuss?" The girl didn't lift her head and continued to pluck the strings, apparently playing the zither was more attractive to her than matchmaking.

  "This time is different, this time it's the Magistrate himself and he has already spoken with your grandfather. I just heard that this time it's a family from the capital." The maid's face showed a look of anxiety as she looked at the young girl and said loudly.

  The piano sound in the room suddenly stopped, and the girl's face was full of incredulity, her body trembling slightly. She raised her head and said: "Jingcheng, it can't be, how could Father bear to marry me off to Jingcheng?" The girl's voice was filled with disbelieving astonishment as she stared blankly at the maid.

  At this time, the Zhang family was already in a state of chaos. With the spread of this news, countless people were concerned about this matter. Zhang Guo Ji's mother, Old Lady Zhang, was on her way to her daughter-in-law's place at this moment. This granddaughter was extremely dear to her. Her own son had no sons, only this granddaughter who had always been doted on by her side. If she were to marry into a family in the capital, wouldn't that be the death of her?

  Mrs. Zhang, the wife of Zhang Guo, was also anxious at this time and wanted to find her husband to make him refuse this marriage. However, the education she had received since childhood told her that as a woman, she couldn't take charge of such things herself. Moreover, it wasn't suitable for a lady like her to show up in public, so she could only pace back and forth inside the house, praying to heaven not to let her husband agree to this matter.

  Just then, the women in the back were busy, and Zhang Guoji in the hall also shook his head with a wry smile, glancing at Li Changmao who was smiling. Zhang Guoji couldn't help but want to drive this guy out. Although he thought so in his heart, he couldn't do it, so Zhang Guoji said somewhat helplessly: "Sir, I don't know if you're acting as the matchmaker of your own accord or at someone's request."

  In Zhang Guoji's view, this matter was mostly caused by the county magistrate Li Changmao. If he took the initiative to inform the capital, there might still be room for change in the situation.

  "This was naturally the initiative of this official, and since seeing the virtuous niece last time, this official had this idea. As an ordinary person from a humble background like Brother Zhang, it's only natural that he wouldn't meet Brother Zhang's standards, until now when I've finally found a suitable family for you!" Li Changmao had already changed the way he addressed the two of them, subtly bringing their relationship closer together.

  "Brother, you also know that I only have this one daughter, and it's really hard for me to part with her since she's marrying into a family in the capital. What do you think?" Zhang Guoji heard Li Changmao's words and suddenly felt a sense of relief, as long as they didn't find out about that matter, everything would be fine. He also went along with Li Changmao's words and brought their relationship closer again.

  Seeing that the fire was almost ready, Li Changmao knew it was time to lay his cards on the table. If he dragged it out any longer, things might get complicated. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Brother, do you know which family I'm going to introduce you to this time?"

  Today's last update, tomorrow is Monday, hope everyone will support more. The naked run was indeed miserable, today not only didn't gain any collections, but also lost a few, feeling depressed...