MLMD -Chapter 427 So It’s Him

Yue Yang finally returned to Shanxi, this time bringing along a large contingent of troops and the princess.

By mid-December, Yue Yang and his party arrived at Hunyuan Prefecture, reuniting with family he hadn’t seen in nearly a year. Upon his return, all the officials of Hunyuan came out ten miles beyond the city to greet him. Even the elderly matriarch, nearing seventy, came out herself. Of course, she wasn’t coming just to welcome her grandson—she was coming to receive the daughter-in-law who had returned with him. Although Princess Zhu Meichuo was technically married into the Yue family, her royal status was impossible to ignore.

When the long procession reached the outskirts of the city, Yue Yang quickly dismounted to support the elderly matriarch standing at the front. Meanwhile, Zhu Meichuo, sitting in her sedan chair, hurriedly got out to bow to the matriarch, addressing her as “Grandmother.”

“Oh… Your Highness, you flatter this old woman. You are of royal blood, yet you bow to an old lady like me—surely you’ll shorten my lifespan!” The matriarch, though she had never seen much of the world, had received a few years of education in her youth. Naturally, she didn’t dare casually accept the princess’s bow, and she quickly stepped forward to support her.

Zhu Meichuo, however, did not waver, respectfully completing her bow before speaking softly, “Grandmother, what are you saying? Since my father and mother have arranged for me to marry into the Yue family, I am now part of the Yue household. That makes me your granddaughter-in-law, and for a granddaughter-in-law to bow to her grandmother-in-law is only right. Surely this is something you can graciously accept.”

Faced with Zhu Meichuo’s insistence, the matriarch could only accept the bow. Observing this, everyone present secretly nodded. After all, Chinese tradition has always emphasized respect for the elderly and care for the young. At her age, the matriarch could easily accept such a gesture; in feudal times, elders over seventy weren’t even required to bow to the emperor, let alone a princess.

Zhu Meichuo no longer had the carefree charm and sweetness she displayed before Yue Yang. Instead, she now carried herself with calm dignity. Though still young, her speech and manner exuded an indescribable elegance, commanding respect. It was clear the royal family had their own methods for educating their children.

After paying respects to the matriarch, Zhu Meichuo approached Hai Lanzhu, who had been walking behind her grandmother, and gave her a formal greeting, addressing her as “Sister.” Hai Lanzhu, unlike the matriarch, didn’t dare fully accept the gesture. She stepped aside and returned a polite bow. Only then did the two of them clasp hands and begin chatting like elder and younger sisters.

Over the years, Hai Lanzhu had assisted Yue Yang in managing Shanxi affairs. She also controlled the intelligence offices of Yuchuan and Yanshan. Her skills and judgment had been well honed. Though Zhu Meichuo was a princess, Hai Lanzhu didn’t feel intimidated. The two of them quickly fell into a pleasant conversation.

Meanwhile, Yue Yang’s subordinates approached to pay their respects. Even though Yue Yang had been busy in Shandong for the past year, his control over Shanxi hadn’t weakened; in fact, it had grown stronger. Shanxi was his stronghold—he controlled the provincial governor and viceroy positions, as well as the military. Though Yue Yang had been away, most of the key posts remained in the hands of his loyal men. It was no exaggeration to call him the “local emperor” of Shanxi.

The party entered Hunyuan City in grand fashion. Zhu Meichuo, visiting Hunyuan for the first time, looked around at the streets and buildings with curiosity and delight. Over the past year, with extensive construction and the use of cement, the city had undergone considerable changes. Many homes were newly built with cement, the roads were largely paved, and the gradually improving drainage system had eliminated the muddy streets that once made travel nearly impossible during rain.

Upon entering the Yue residence, those who had come to greet them discreetly left. Though many had matters to discuss with Yue Yang, everyone understood that he had just returned home and should spend time with his family. No one dared to intrude at that moment.

That evening, a family banquet was held at the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s residence. Yue Yang’s family was present, as were all the household servants. He even gave each servant two silver coins as a reward, and the steward and head servants received much more. With the distribution of these rewards, the mansion was filled with laughter and cheer. Yue Yang also called over the chief steward, Cao Youqian, to offer some encouragement, which moved Cao Youqian, who hadn’t seen Yue Yang in a long time, greatly.

After dinner, Yue Yang spent time chatting with his grandmother, sister Yue Ying, Hai Lanzhu, the Linglong sisters, and his three children. His eldest son, Yue Yao, was now two years old, while his daughter and second son were over one, just beginning to speak. At first, the children, having not seen their father for so long, clung shyly to their mother. But in no time, the youngest, Yue Feng, began playfully riding on his father’s shoulders.

Watching Yue Yang play happily with his children, the matriarch said contentedly, “If our family could be like this every day, I would be satisfied. I don’t need wealth or status, only the peace and safety of our family. If only Yue Ying could also find a good husband, then I would have no regrets.”

Hearing this, Yue Yang’s thoughts stirred. “Grandmother, I’ve been traveling these past years and haven’t had time to pay attention to Yue Ying’s future. Are there any young men here suitable for her?”

The matriarch frowned. “As her elder brother, you should act like a father. Your parents passed away early, and you’re Yue Ying’s elder brother. You’ve not cared for her, and now you ask me, an old woman confined to this residence? I’ve reminded you before, but you didn’t take it seriously. Do you even act like her elder brother?”

Yue Yang had no words to respond; he truly had been remiss. The matriarch had mentioned this last year, but he had forgotten.

Hai Lanzhu and the Linglong sisters merely smiled, holding their children and watching, not intending to help him out. Helpless, Yue Yang turned to his sister. “Ying’er, tell your brother—what kind of man do you like? I’ll help find him for you!”

Even among family, Yue Ying was embarrassed. She hid behind her grandmother, blushing, and barely spoke, eventually muttering, “How would I know?”

“Hey… that’s the same as not saying anything,” Yue Yang muttered, rolling his eyes. Glancing at the matriarch, who was watching him closely, he realized he’d have to think of something tonight or be scolded.

Zhu Meichuo, who had been silent, finally spoke. “Grandmother, Husband, if it’s hard to find someone in Hunyuan, I can inform my father. He can arrange someone suitable for Ying’er in the capital.”

“No!” Yue Yang immediately rejected the idea. “Do you know what those noble families in the capital are like? They excel at leisure and pleasure, but when it comes to responsibility, they’re useless! How could Ying’er marry such people?”

Zhu Meichuo fell silent. She knew the capital’s nobles well—indoors, they drank tea, fed birds, or harassed good women. They were useless in serious matters, and even she had no respect for them.

She sighed. “If only my brother, Zhu Cijiang, were older, then marrying Ying’er to him wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

The matriarch’s heart stirred. Zhu Cijiang was the crown prince. If Ying’er became his consort, she would one day be empress, making the Yue family royal relatives—a true win-win.

But Yue Yang dashed that hope. “Let’s forget it. Meichuo, you know the imperial rules: the empress must come from a commoner or a lower official’s family. Women above the fourth rank cannot enter the palace. If your father did this, the ministers would revolt!”

Sighing, Yue Yang frowned. Ying’er’s marriage truly posed a problem. In this era, marriages emphasized proper matches. Considering Yue Yang’s status, few men in the empire were suitable for her. To make matters worse, he wasn’t familiar with them. Over the years, everything he did had angered most people in the capital. Finding a husband for his sister had become a major challenge.

Seeing Yue Yang troubled, Yue Ying, hiding behind the matriarch, timidly said, “Grandmother, Brother, if it’s too difficult, I won’t marry. I’ll spend my life with you and Grandmother!”

“What are you saying!” the matriarch exclaimed. “Our family was once well-known in Yingzhou before your brother rose to power. Now that he’s a marquis and viceroy, you can’t even marry off your sister? That’s a joke! Zhenghong, you must find a suitable husband for Ying’er tonight, or you won’t sleep!”

“I… I didn’t ask for this!” Yue Yang muttered. He felt wronged—why was he blamed for his sister not having a husband? But he couldn’t protest; as her elder brother, the family custom was that his decision would determine who she could marry.

After much thought, Yue Yang asked Ying’er, still hiding behind the matriarch, “Ying’er, tell your brother. What kind of man do you want to marry? I’ll make the decision for you!”

Yue Ying, shy by nature, whispered after a long pause, “I… I don’t know… but I’d like to marry a man as mighty as my brother, a great general.”

“Hmm… someone in the army?” Yue Yang was stunned. He never imagined his sister would want a soldier. Could it be she admired him so much that she fancied soldiers?

Everyone else was also surprised. At this time, military officers were generally of low social status (except in Shanxi). Even the gentle Yuling anxiously advised, “Ying’er, not every soldier is as refined as our young master. Most are rude and uncouth, not worthy of you!”

“Indeed, Miss, your sister is right. You are the lady of the Yue family; you cannot marry a soldier. People would laugh!” added Yulong, who had grown up with Ying’er.

“You say such things? I am a soldier myself, yet you’d marry me?” Yue Yang scowled. Yulong immediately realized her mistake and stopped speaking.

Hai Lanzhu intervened, gently smiling at Yue Ying. “Ying’er, be honest with me. Have you taken a fancy to someone? Tell me, and I’ll help you.”

Ying’er, trusting Hai Lanzhu, whispered a few words into her ear, blushing deeply. Hai Lanzhu’s expression changed slightly, then she smiled, saying, “So that’s the case. I didn’t realize this young man had such talent; I underestimated him.”

Yue Yang was confused. “Which young man dared to make my sister like him? Tell me!”

Hai Lanzhu shot him a reproachful glance. “Brother, it’s not that anyone seduced our Ying’er. She chose him herself. She just didn’t dare tell you for fear of angering you.”

Yue Yang’s anger turned to amusement. “Who’s so bold that our Ying’er would fall for him? Tell me—I won’t punish him.”

Hai Lanzhu smiled, softly speaking a name. Everyone, including Yue Yang, was stunned—it was him!

“What… it’s this young man!” Yue Yang was shocked. He hadn’t expected his precious sister to take a liking to him. This young man was none other than Wu Chengfeng, one of Yue Yang’s most trusted generals.

After a moment, Yue Yang asked, “Ying’er, how did you come to like him? What does he have that attracted you?”

Under Yue Yang’s questioning, they learned that over a year ago, Yue Ying had gone to Dajue Temple with a few maids to offer prayers. On the way back, they were confronted by a group of robbers. With only a few guards and maids, she was in danger. Fortunately, Wu Chengfeng, on his way back to Hunyuan on business, encountered them, rescued her, and escorted her safely back to the city. From that moment, Yue Ying secretly admired him.

Hearing this, Yue Yang felt like howling at the sky. “Heavens, could you be more cliché? This is the age of heroes saving damsels?”

Still frustrated, Yue Yang asked, “Ying’er, did he know your identity?”

She nodded, whispering, “Yes, I told him at the time, and he escorted us safely back to the residence.”

Yue Yang groaned further. “Then why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“Brother, how could she tell you? Have you been home more than a month in the past years? She wanted to tell you, but how could she?” The matriarch scolded her grandson.

Yue Yang was silenced, sighing deeply. “Ying’er, do you truly like him?”

“Mm-hmm!” Ying’er, still embarrassed, nodded slightly.

“This bastard!”

Yue Yang’s frustration contrasted sharply with his sister’s shyness. Every elder brother would feel a mix of anger and protectiveness upon learning their precious sister had a crush.

“This guy really needs to be dealt with properly!” Yue Yang vowed silently.