MLMD -Chapter 300 Arrival

Hearing Yue Ying’s words, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Indeed, one was called Yue Ying and the other Yue Ying—it was almost like their names were homophones.

Yue Ying then took Yue Ying from Yu Ling’s arms and held her up, beaming with joy as she said, “Oh, little Yue Ying, come to Auntie—Auntie will take care of you!”

Seeing Yue Ying so happy, Yu Ling teased with a laugh, “Miss, since you like her so much, why not have one of your own?”

The Linglong sisters had grown up with Yue Ying, so they spoke to her quite casually. But this remark made Yue Ying blush so deeply her face turned bright red. She shot Yu Ling a sideways glance and said, “Sister Ling, once you become my sister-in-law, you bully me.”

Yet, what was said lightly caught the attention of someone else. The matriarch, hearing Yu Ling’s words, seemed to ponder for a moment before turning to Yue Yang and saying, “Yang’er, Ying’er has already turned seventeen this year—it’s time to find her a husband.”

“No way! Only seventeen? So soon?” Yue Yang replied nonchalantly, still uncomprehending.

“You little rascal, seventeen is still too young?” The matriarch angrily swung her cane lightly at him and scolded, “Do you want Ying’er to wait until she’s over twenty, becoming an old maid before you worry?”

“Uh!”

Only then did Yue Yang realize—this was the Ming Dynasty, not modern times. In today’s society, seventeen-year-old girls are still in high school, enjoying the carefree days of adolescence with their parents. Here, however, it meant taking on the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing.

Seeing the matriarch’s fierce gaze, Yue Yang knew that if he spoke even a single word of refusal, the cane would likely swing at him again. He could only helplessly say, “Alright, Grandma, it’s up to you. But whom do you plan to marry my little sister to?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he knew he was in for another scolding. Sure enough, the matriarch’s voice rang out again: “You little rascal! You are Ying’er’s older brother. As the saying goes, the elder brother is like a father. Naturally, it is your duty to arrange Ying’er’s lifelong affairs. Do you want this old lady to worry about it?”

Sigh… caught in the matriarch’s grip today, Yue Yang had no choice but to comply.

Yu Ling suggested, “Husband, there are plenty of gentry and merchants in Yingzhou and Hunyuan City who would be willing to marry into our family. If we look carefully, we’re bound to find a suitable one.”

Hearing her sister-in-law and brother discussing her marriage, Yue Ying blushed so deeply her face resembled a bright red cloth, burying herself in the matriarch’s arms and refusing to lift her head.

At this, Hailan Zhu scoffed: “Those sons of gentry and merchants are all weaklings—either as skinny as bean sprouts or as fat as pigs. How could they be worthy of our Ying’er? Our Ying’er’s husband must at least be a warrior who can ride a fierce horse and wield a strong bow. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be unfair to Ying’er?”

The matriarch glanced at Hailan Zhu but did not scold her. After all, everyone knew Hailan Zhu’s temperament. Having grown up on the grasslands, her perspective differed greatly from that of ordinary Ming civilians.

Seeing everyone getting more animated, Yue Yang quickly waved them off: “Alright, don’t say such things recklessly. I think Ying’er’s lifelong matters must be handled carefully. As the saying goes, a man fears choosing the wrong profession, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. After all, this concerns Ying’er’s happiness for her entire life, so we must plan carefully.”

Yue Yang chatted with the family a while longer before excusing himself to return to his study. But before he could reach it, a servant reported that Jiang He requested an audience and was waiting in the side hall of the front courtyard.

“Jiang He? What’s he here for?” Yue Yang wondered for a moment before sighing helplessly, “Alright, I’ll go see him.”

Following the servant to the side hall, Jiang He immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee: “Your servant pays respects to the Marquis!”

“Stand up,” Yue Yang waved him off. “Jiang He, with the new year approaching, didn’t I already grant you leave? Why aren’t you resting?”

Jiang He shook his head and replied calmly, “Your servant has no home, no family. If I were to speak truthfully, Mount Si is my home.”

Ah, another person with a story. Yue Yang shook his head and said helplessly, “Alright. If you came at a time like this, there must be an urgent matter. Tell me, what is it?”

Jiang He’s expression grew solemn: “Marquis, I just received news. The court has appointed the former Three-Border Governor, Hong Chengchou, as the Xuan Da Governor. He is now leading a thousand attendants toward Hunyuan Prefecture and is expected to arrive by tomorrow!”

“Hong Chengchou… How is he the Xuan Da Governor? Then who is the Three-Border Governor?”

Jiang He replied, “The current Three-Border Governor is Lu Xiangsheng.”

Yue Yang rubbed his forehead in exasperation. Historically, the Xuan Da Governor was always Lu Xiangsheng until he died in battle at Julu in the twelfth year of Chongzhen. After that, the position remained vacant until the fall of the Ming. But now history had changed—Lu Xiangsheng had been reassigned to suppress bandits and had even become the Three-Border Governor. So he had essentially swapped positions with Hong Chengchou.

“Sigh…”

Yue Yang sighed. History had completely changed, and who knew what would happen next.

Still, he only reflected briefly. He realized that Hong Chengchou’s journey this time was likely just a passing one—he himself might not even fully trust it.

“What kind of business is this, not even letting people enjoy the New Year in peace!” Yue Yang shook his head. Less than ten days remained until the lunar New Year, and Hong Chengchou had truly picked an inconvenient time.

After thinking for a while and failing to understand Hong Chengchou’s purpose, Yue Yang could only instruct: “Immediately order someone to closely monitor Hong Chengchou’s movements. Report back at once if anything happens!”

Hong Chengchou arrived quickly. Just as Jiang He had said, by noon the next day, he reached the outskirts of Hunyuan Prefecture.

As he entered Hunyuan territory, the heavy snow that had been falling stopped. Hong Chengchou, cooped up in his carriage for several days, dismounted and rode a fine horse with his attendants, continuing the journey.

Seeing the wide and smooth official road, Hong Chengchou sighed to his personal guard Hong Antong: “This Yue Yang is really capable. Ever since he entered Yingzhou Prefecture, the roads underfoot have all been solid and smooth. If all of Ming had such roads, an army could easily march eighty li a day during wartime.”

Hong Chengchou was one of the few scholar-generals of this era who truly understood military affairs. Having served many years as the Three-Border Governor, there were very few in Ming who could surpass him in military expertise. He knew better than anyone how crucial a solid, smooth road could be for an army on the move.