The Ming Dynasty: Reshaping the Land

Chapter 35 Promise

"What?"

Upon hearing Zhu Biao's words, Li Jinglong jumped up from his chair, completely disregarding any semblance of decorum.

"What? You think the Fu family's daughter isn't good enough for you?" Zhu Biao looked up at Li Jinglong with a smile on his lips.

Does he not like Fu Wanqing? No, everyone knows the joy of long legs.

Although I was somewhat prepared that I couldn't decide my own marriage, this was still too abrupt, especially since the person I was going to marry was someone I had rejected before!

Wow! This is so dramatic!

Li Jinglong couldn't help but mentally criticize the original owner of this body, "What kind of thing did you do?!"

"Your Highness! I really feel this is a bit abrupt!" Li Jinglong shook his head with a wry smile.

"What's the big deal? You and the Fu family's daughter are childhood sweethearts. Although there have been some twists and turns, good things come to those who wait, and it's a beautiful story!" Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Your Highness, aren't you afraid that when I go to the Fu family, I'll be beaten half to death by the Fu brothers?" Li Jinglong said jokingly.

"Haha! That's not something I need to worry about! Just make good preparations. Your great-uncle will issue an imperial decree in the next couple of days to grant you the marriage. It will also help mend the rift between you two!" Zhu Biao waved his hand and said.

"Your Highness, I thank you!" Li Jinglong accepted the offer without hesitation. As for feelings, they would be cultivated slowly after marriage. After all, in this era, it was considered good if one could meet before marriage!

As Li Jinglong was leaving the Wenhua Hall, he happened to run into Fu Zhong again. Thinking that he would soon become Fu Zhong's brother-in-law, Li Jinglong smiled and stepped forward to greet him.

"Brother Fu!" Li Jinglong greeted him with a cupped hand.

"Hmph!" Although Fu Zhong was somewhat indignant, the matter was already settled, so he still cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Brother Fu, are you looking for His Highness the Crown Prince?" Li Jinglong asked with a smile.

"I have something to report to His Highness the Crown Prince!" Fu Zhong replied coldly.

Li Jinglong nodded and invited, "I wonder if Brother Fu is free later? Shall we brothers sit down for a bit?"

"Wait for me a moment, I also need to talk to you!" Fu Zhong nodded and agreed.

"Okay!" Li Jinglong said, then gestured for Fu Zhong to leave, watching him go while he waited in place.

After a moment, Fu Zhong came out of the Wenhua Hall, and Li Jinglong followed slowly. The two walked towards the Donghua Gate.

From a distance, Guo Zhen saw the two walking side by side and immediately returned to his cell, shouting, "Brothers, something strange! Fu Zhong and Li Jiujiang are actually coming from the direction of Wenhua Hall together!"

"Really?" Chang Sheng looked up at Guo Zhen, looking surprised.

Most of the people present reacted in the same way as Chang Sheng, since few in the elite circles were unaware of the Fu family and their hometown's affairs.

As for Fu Zhong, he never gave Li Jinglong a kind look after that! Now that the two have reconciled, it's no wonder everyone is surprised!

The crowd peered through the crack at the two men walking side by side outside the cell window, marveling at their sight.

"What do you think those two went about?" Guo Zhen muttered under his breath.

"Could they have gone to Li Jiujiang's club?" Qiu Zheng guessed.

"Possibly!" Guo Zhen glanced at Qiu Zheng, inwardly cursing Li Jinglong for being so unfair.

Li Jinglong was unaware of what had happened in the cell. After leaving Donghua Gate, the two mounted their horses and rode side by side toward Heaven and Earth.

However, Li Jinglong first gave his servant Li Er a wink, signaling him to go and prepare!

Upon entering the Heaven and Earth Palace, especially upon seeing the maids in their fitted long dresses, Fu Zhong frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat unaccustomed to such attire.

Li Jinglong was not surprised; the clothes worn by the maids in the club were indeed more advanced compared to the times.

However, as the clothing worn by the maids at the Heaven on Earth became popular, many brothels in Nanjing began to imitate the fitted long skirts worn by the maids in the club. Subtly, Li Jinglong's club had begun to lead the trend.

"Brother Fu! Please sit down!" After entering the private room, Li Jinglong took his seat first and then invited Fu Zhong to sit down.

"Jiujiang, do all the maids here dress like this?" Fu Zhong asked, frowning.

"Not entirely!" Li Jinglong shook his head. "Some women from foreign lands even wear cheongsams!"

"A cheongsam?" Fu Zhong asked, puzzled. "What is a cheongsam?"

"Brother Fu, would you like to see it?" Li Jinglong winked. "A cheongsam is much prettier than this fitted long dress!"

"Forget it!" Fu Zhong shook his head. "Judging from your expression, it's definitely indecent clothing!"

Li Jinglong smirked, thinking to himself: If it weren't for the fact that you're his future brother-in-law, you wouldn't even be able to see this fitted long dress!

"Have some tea!" Li Jinglong didn't reply, but just then the maid had already brewed the tea, so Li Jinglong said casually.

At this moment, two songstresses dressed in long, fitted dresses entered the room carrying musical instruments and began to play!

As the music began, the atmosphere inside the room instantly became pleasant.

"Li Jiujiang, I'm not here with you today for anything else, I just want to have a serious talk with you!" Fu Zhong got straight to the point.

"Brother Fu, please speak!" Li Jinglong smiled slightly, though he had already guessed most of it, he still spoke politely.

"Back then, when the Marquis of Xiping acted as matchmaker, you not only made excuses but also ruined my younger sister's reputation. Those things are in the past, and I won't mention them again!" Fu Zhong paused for a moment, "But this time, His Highness the Crown Prince is acting as matchmaker again, so I must make this clear from the outset!"

Fu Zhong stared straight at Li Jinglong and warned, "If you ever dare to bully my little sister in the future, I, Fu Zhong, will never forgive you. I will not be afraid even if it goes all the way to His Majesty!"

Li Jinglong nodded and said with a smile, "Brother Fu, don't worry. I, Li Jiujiang, am a man after all. I wouldn't do anything like bullying a weak woman, and I couldn't possibly do it!"

"That would be best!" Fu Zhong nodded. "Also, before you formally accept the betrothal, you must visit my younger sister and ask for her forgiveness!"

"This..." Li Jinglong hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but recall the scene when he met Fu Wanqing at Fu Zhong's wedding. Although Fu Wanqing looked gentle and virtuous, Li Jinglong knew that this girl was actually tough inside and soft on the outside. She probably wouldn't forgive him for a while!

"You're unwilling?" Fu Zhong's voice rose three points as he saw Li Jinglong hesitate.

"Brother Fu! To be honest, it's not that I'm unwilling, but as you know, Wanqing has a personality that's hard to change in a short time!" Li Jinglong explained.

"Then let's see if you're sincere!" Fu Zhong sneered. "The one who was hurt the most last time was my little sister, despite all the praise she used to give you!"

After thinking it over, Li Jinglong nodded. As a man, what was this little thing?

"Brother Fu! I promise! If once isn't enough, I'll try twice. I definitely won't let Wanqing enter the Li family with such a grievance!"

"Okay! I got it!"