Engagement (Part 2)

  It was said to be a lantern appreciation, but in fact, the banquet on Yuanxiao Festival had already begun at 3 pm. By the time Zheng Kezang walked in late, the hundreds of wives and concubines of the civil and military officials under the Ming-Zheng regime had packed the connected halls to the brim, almost to the point of bursting. The flower-adorned young ladies from various official residences vied with each other in splendor, casting hundreds of expectant or alluring glances at Zheng Kezang as he entered the hall, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

  Now that the host has arrived, the banquet naturally began immediately. After everyone present had tasted a bit of wine and dishes, Dong Guotai immediately ordered Zheng Kecang to pour wine for each table.

  The toast was actually a pretense, just to use this as an opportunity to get close to the ladies from various departments and make contact with them at a short distance. It's also convenient for Zheng Kezang to take a clear look at their appearance - although it's said that relying on one's looks won't last long, but if they don't have exceptional looks, how can they easily marry into the Anping City?

  Zheng Kezang smiled wryly and took his leave, with an imperial attendant holding a wine jug serving as a human signpost: "Young Master, this is the wife of Official Hong, and next to her is Third Miss of the Hong Manor."

  Hong Le's wife and daughter, Zheng Kezang remembered that Hong Hui under his command had said that there was indeed a half-sister with the same father but different mother, and he didn't expect to really see her today.

  Zheng Kezang didn't notice the middle-aged Mrs. Hong, but instead glanced at the shy young girl beside her. The girl was born with a delicate and slender figure, with fine eyebrows and eyes, but she wasn't Zheng Kezang's type, so he just smiled and poured them wine, then raised his cup slightly: "Mrs. Hong, Miss Hong, please."

  Mrs. Hong secretly stepped on the girl's foot, and immediately got up to drink a toast, while the little girl followed suit with a blush, only to pretend to take a sip of sweet wine, but seeing Zheng Kezang's eyes, she suddenly blushed bright red, which made Mrs. Hong so angry that she almost broke her chopsticks.

  Zheng Kezang didn't mean to make things difficult for the girl, so he pretended not to see and walked over to the next table. The eunuch behind him continued to introduce: "Young Master, these are the granddaughters of Yang Commander-in-Chief Yang."

  Yang Xian's granddaughter, Zheng Kezang remembered that the old man had once nagged him, now looking at her, she was just an ordinary person, and her wheat-colored skin proved that they were not traditional ladies who followed the rules, otherwise they should not have such healthy skin.

  However, Zheng Kezang did not see through it and still smiled warmly as he raised his cup: "The Yang ladies are also invited to drink up this cup.

  ??”

  After walking around the circle, Zheng Kezang did not find many girls who caught his eye. This was only to be expected, as most of the Zheng family's officials were from Fujian, with a small number from Zhejiang, Guangdong and Jiangxi. These places had never been known for producing beauties, so it was already a credit to their parents that they didn't have any ugly daughters. As the saying goes, "youth is not ugly", the misses of various prefectures, ranging in age from 27 to 29, were still young enough that they hadn't reached the age where they needed to use lead powder to whiten their faces like a plaster wall. Thus, the vitality radiating from each and every one of their lightly made-up faces was just enough to keep Zheng Kezang from dozing off during his inspection.

  Although there were not many impressive ones in the whole scene, after all, there were still a few impressive ones. Among them, Wang Jingong, Chen Rui, Zhang Xueyao, Yang De and other female descendants of surrendered generals from Beidi had relatively good looks. However, due to their elders' identities being different, they were destined to be just guests in Zheng Kecang's matchmaking process. Therefore, Zheng Kecang only secretly remembered their names in his heart, so that he could recruit them into Anping City in the future when there was an opportunity.

  Apart from these few misses, Zheng Kezang was surprised to find that Feng Xifan's daughter and niece were also quite good-looking. Among them, the 15-year-old second daughter of Feng Xigui, Feng Lian Niang, was the most beautiful, with a face as lovely as a flower and a moon-like complexion that made men want to take her in their arms at first sight. Unfortunately, Zheng Kezang had already made up his mind, and even if an immortal were to descend from heaven, he would have to painfully give her up.

  The female guests were too numerous, and by the time Zheng Kezang returned to his seat, it was already early in the evening. However, since he had returned, the banquet officially entered its second phase - such banquets were not just about eating, drinking, chatting, and laughing with neighboring tables, but also featured performances: some presented poems or embroidery, while others played the zither on the spot. Although it seemed like all eyes were on Dong Guo, in reality, the focus was on Zheng Kezang, who smiled silently.

  But at this moment, as the focus of attention for more than a hundred ladies, she furrowed her brow and beckoned to the servant beside her, asking: "How come Madame Chen, the wife of the Chief Envoy, and Miss Chen have not arrived yet?"

  The servant was at a loss for a moment and could only act as a second messenger. Dong Guotai also noticed the situation here, with her concern, another high-ranking eunuch soon arrived beside Zheng Kecang: "Shi Sun, someone asked and said that Miss Xian is unwell, so she won't come to join in the fun this time."

  "This lass." Zheng Kezang knew that Chen Xianqiao was not unwell, but rather unhappy in her heart. He said as much, despite his determination to maintain the proprieties of a mother's mourning period. After all, there was an understanding between them, and they were only waiting for the mourning period to pass before formally announcing their engagement. But now, suddenly, this matchmaking business had appeared out of nowhere - wasn't that almost like breaking a promise? It would be strange if he felt comfortable about it in his heart. "Go to the Chen residence again and tell them that I invite Miss Xianqiao to definitely attend."

  ??”

  Time flies, and when the hour of You is over, the lights are first lit up. Hundreds of carefully crafted lanterns are placed in the courtyard, beside the fake hills, and on the treetops, hazy and dreamy. Dong Guotai can't hold on any longer and retires first. The hall where there is no great king becomes noisy and lively, and Zheng Kezang orders that each mansion can go to enjoy the lanterns on their own. Upon hearing this order, several mansions that think they have little hope naturally withdraw from the competition, while those who feel that their family background and daughter's appearance are not bad continue to stay in the hall, staring closely at Zheng Kezang's every move. However, Zheng Kezang is gradually feeling a bit restless, for no other reason than that Chen Xianqiao, whom he had sent someone to invite, has still not arrived.

  After sitting for a while, Zheng Kezang finally stood up and bowed to the remaining Luo circle ladies. "The good time has passed, the night dew is cold, ladies and misses, let's stop here for today."

  As soon as this was said, the misses of the several mansions all showed disappointment on their faces, apparently Zheng Kezang had not shown the tendency they should have, but they didn't understand, and each had their own mothers with them. These noblewomen thought that Zheng Kezang's behavior this time was just steady and a final test, so one by one they followed the rules and took their leave of Zheng Kezang.

  After seeing everyone off, Zheng Kezang went to bid farewell to Dong Guotai, but was told that Guotai had already fallen asleep. Zheng Kezang understood that Dong Guotai actually already knew his intentions, so he didn't force the issue. Since that was the case, he walked back to He Yuan with a mix of emotions.

  However, before entering the courtyard, Zheng Kezang saw Xie Zilu waiting at the gate, and he smiled wryly: "How come you've become a waiting wife stone? Haven't you been fed enough in these few days?"

  Xie Ziling's face flushed red but she didn't retort and instead nodded towards the study: "Shi Sun, don't joke around, there's someone waiting for you in the study."

  Zheng Kezang was taken aback, if it were a military matter of great importance, someone would have reported it early on, but if it were just a small matter, couldn't it be put off until tomorrow? It was with such doubts that Zheng Kezang pushed open the door to his study, and by the bright candlelight, he took in the appearance of the visitor at a glance, and a look of wild joy suddenly appeared on his face.

  "Qiao, good Qiao," Zheng Kezang hastily took two quick steps forward and suddenly wrapped his arms around Chen Qiaocui, whom he hadn't seen in over a year. The girl seemed thinner, and as he held her lightly in his arms, Zheng Kezang felt an intense pang of heartache. "Qiaocui has been wronged." As she was his designated legitimate wife, due to the respect brought by memories from another lifetime, Zheng Kezang did not take any further improper actions. Even so, the strong masculine aura still made Chen Qiaocui tremble slightly. "Today's matter was arranged by Grandmother, but Grandmother has already understood my decision. Tomorrow, I will see Grandmother again and definitely settle this matter as soon as possible!"

  Chen Xianqiao happily leaned into Zheng Kechang's arms, her head slightly nodding, apparently having received Zheng Kechang's promise.

  The two of them were quietly embracing, as if they had forgotten the passage of time, until a soft cough from Xie Ziling outside the study room made Chen Xiannu suddenly realize the ambiguity of their posture, and she hastily struggled free.

  "Descendant." Xie Zilin walked in, startling the two awake. "It's getting late, should we send Miss Chen back to her manor?"

  Zheng Kezang suddenly realized, although the two had already settled their relationship for three lives, but after all, they hadn't gotten married yet. If the news of the unmarried couple spending the night together got out, he wouldn't be affected, but the subsequent rumors would definitely make Chen Xiacao and Chen Yonghua unbearable: "Xiacao, look at what Yu has done wrong again."

  Zheng Kezang was about to say something, but Chen Xianqiao quickly covered his mouth with her hand. Zheng Kezang secretly kissed her, and before Chen Xianqiao's face turned red again, he grabbed the girl's hand and instructed his maid, who was bitter in her heart: "Zilian, arrange for someone to send Miss Chen back."

  ??”

  Xie Ziling sent Chen Xianqiao away, and Zheng Kechang immediately ordered someone to prepare hot water. Soaking in the steaming hot tub, Zheng Kechang's thoughts flew further and further away. He had already made the decision to marry Chen Xianqiao according to historical events, which meant he had rejected Feng Xifan's extended olive branch. From now on, their relationship could only become more and more distant, eventually leading to an enemy path.

  How to resolve this potential hidden danger? Of course, one can also accept Feng Xifan's daughter and niece, but firstly, it would inevitably hurt Chen Xianqiao's heart. Secondly, Feng Xifan probably wouldn't want his daughter to be subordinate to others. Thirdly, and most importantly, Feng Xifan's goal in marrying off his daughter was to control the highest power of Ming Zheng, while Zheng Keshuang, even if he married one of Feng's sisters, would not give Feng such an opportunity, so the two are destined to be irreconcilable.

  "'When the enemy comes, we'll stop them; when the water comes, we'll cover it with earth,'" Zheng Kezang muttered to himself. He now had in his hands a vigorous Boy Scout troop and a black slave army that would follow him to death. It was not impossible for him to compete with Feng Xifan. "A man dies, but his name lives on forever; if I, Yu, can't even pass the first test, how can I face the final boss Kangmazi?"

  ??”