Great Ming: I Started by Escaping with the Emperor Grandfather 94

Xu Zengshou referred to as the Duke of Cao, was none other than Li Jinglong. His father, Li Wenzhong, was the nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang and had passed away in the seventeenth year of Hongwu, posthumously granted the title of Prince Qiyang. After that, he inherited the title of Duke of Cao and was highly regarded by Emperor Hongwu Zhu Yuanzhang.

At this moment, he was in his prime, a rising star in the court. Upon hearing Xu Zengshou’s call, he showed a warm smile and said, “Brother Zengshou, our families are indeed close; your sister has been granted the title of princess. How could I not come to congratulate you?”

Xu Zengshou let out a hearty laugh and said, “You are right, Duke of Cao! Quickly, come in and enjoy some wine with us!” While his face beamed with a smile, deep down, he looked down upon Li Jinglong.

Damn it! Clearly originating from a family of distinguished military officials, why did he have to speak in such flowery language like a scholar? It seemed this fellow must have been reading too many nonsensical military books and become foolish from it.

Li Jinglong, however, didn’t seem anxious at all. Instead, he pulled Xu Zengshou aside and asked mysteriously in a low voice, “Brother Zengshou, has the second volume of the Spring Palace Diagram been published yet?”

Seeing the eager look on his face, Xu Zengshou was taken aback and replied, “Oh, I didn’t expect the Duke of Cao, such a righteous gentleman, would also share this interest!”

“My apologies, truly!” How could he forget that he also was of noble birth and needed to save face? Thus, the sale of the Spring Palace Diagram was traditionally left to servants in the house to sell to the noble classes in the capital. He never thought that Li Jinglong turned out to be one of those starving for sensuality in this regard. Considering this guy’s lewd behavior, he might even be the leader of the lustful!

“Cough cough…” Li Jinglong, too, valued his face. After a flash of embarrassment, he said solemnly, “Brother Zengshou, don’t misunderstand!”

“The reason for my question is that the eighteen martial arts depicted in the diagram truly align with the essence of military strategy!”

“Once I’ve appreciated it and learned its essence, I can use it to train soldiers. Don’t you think that makes sense?”

Xu Zengshou was momentarily stunned, unable to help but raise his thumb in admiration for Li Jinglong’s thick skin. Talk of military strategy… phew! How shameless! How could there exist such a brazen person in this world? However, while he sneered inwardly, he kept up the pretense with a hearty compliment, saying, “Ah, yes! The Duke of Cao’s loyalty indeed makes the heavens pale; I admire you!”

“Rest assured, the second volume of the Spring Palace Diagram will be printed in a few days, and I will have someone deliver it to your residence!”

“Oh yes, don’t forget to prepare enough silver; I do not offer credit!”

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong instantly perked up, eagerly responding, “Excellent, excellent! I shall trouble you, Brother Zengshou!”

“As for silver, I won’t hesitate!”

“Since that’s settled, Duke of Cao, please come with me to take a seat!”

“Sure, sure!” Since they had greeted the noble guests adequately, Xu Zengshou instructed a servant to take his place, then led Li Jinglong into the residence.

At this time, within the grand banquet, every seat was filled, and no commoners were present. Duke Fu Youde of Yingguo and the three brothers of the Zhang family, among several other Huaixi generals, were prominently seated.

Since the last siege at the Jiangxia Hou residence, Lan Yu and Feng Sheng had kept themselves secluded after submitting a letter of apology to silence the court’s murmurs, awaiting the right day to set out for the desert.

As for the civil officials, chief ministers like Zhao Mian, Zhan Hui, Shen Ju, Liu Sanwu, and even a dozen imperial historians had come to join the festivities.

Due to Xu Miaojin being granted the title of princess as a woman, the rules of the banquet were adjusted accordingly, allowing everyone to bring their families to the feast. Because of this, amidst the merriment of civil and military officials, the sounds of cheerful chatter and laughter filled the air.

Xu Huizu observed the atmosphere was just right and raised his hand with a loud voice, “Everyone, please quiet down!”

The previously boisterous banquet fell silent in an instant. Xu Huizu turned around and laughed, “Sister, today is your princess banquet! Come out and show yourself!”

As his voice faded, everyone turned to watch. Xu Miaojin appeared, dressed in palace attire and wearing a veil, gracefully walking out. The crowd quickly stood and bowed, exclaiming, “We pay our respects to the princess!”

Seeing all the civil and military men bowing, Xu Miaojin dared not be presumptuous, and her gentle voice rang out, “Everyone, please rise!”

After everyone took their seats, Li Jinglong watched her graceful figure and his eyes flickered with surprise as he muttered, “Beautiful… so beautiful…”

“Girls truly transform as they grow; I didn’t expect sister Miaojin to grow into such a stunning beauty…”

Sitting beside him, Xu Zengshou’s expression darkened immediately as he blurted out, “Duke of Cao, what do you mean by that?”

“Don’t take me lightly; keep your hands off my sister!”

“My sister will never marry; if she does, it must be to someone like me, a god-like man!”

“As for you… hum, just forget it!”

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured directly over Li Jinglong’s head.

The corners of Li Jinglong’s mouth twitched. “Brother Zengshou, is that you? A god-like man? Have you taken a good look at yourself?”

Give it a break!

He suppressed his disdain and replied with a laugh, “Brother Zengshou, you’ve misunderstood; I was merely expressing my feelings, not having any improper thoughts!”

Xu Zengshou snorted coldly, “Consider yourself lucky!”

“Otherwise, let alone the Spring Palace Diagram, if I have anything good in the future, just watch and be left empty-handed!”

Li Jinglong instantly felt the pressure and hurriedly raised his wine cup, “Indeed, it was my careless words! I shall punish myself with three cups, as an apology to Brother Zengshou!”

With that, he gulped down several cups of wine.

Xu Zengshou smirked, relenting.

At this moment, regarding Xu Miaojin’s stunning debut, the three brothers of the Zhang family were also quite excited.

Especially the eldest, Zhang Sheng, wore a meaningful expression and asked softly, “Second, Third, what do you think of Xu’s girl for our nephew?”

Zhang Mao was taken aback, shocked as he exclaimed, “Eldest Brother, have you drunk too much?”

“Miaojin… she’s a level above our nephew!”

Zhang Sen immediately grew annoyed, responding, “Second Brother, so what if there’s a generation gap?”

“Miaojin is the most beautiful girl in the capital; isn’t she a perfect match for our nephew?”

Zhang Mao’s face darkened in anger, “Second Brother, you’re talking nonsense!”

“What crazy match are you proposing?!”

“If this girl truly becomes our nephew’s wife, what are we supposed to call each other?”

“Will our nephew call us uncles, and we call him brother-in-law?”

“What if our nephew acknowledges his ancestors, visiting our eldest sister’s grave? Should he first call her mother before calling her eldest sister?”

Zhang Sen rolled his eyes and retorted, “So what? I think it’s quite a good idea!”

After saying that, he thought contemptuously of his second brother.

What a thick-headed fellow!

A good saddle fits a good horse; isn’t that normal?

Normal!

What’s wrong with it?

Nothing’s wrong with it!

Zhang Sheng, however, wore a calm expression and replied, “Third, I also think Second Brother is right!”

Seeing him insist, Zhang Mao finally realized something was wrong and quickly said, “Eldest Brother, if you have something to say, just say it!”

Zhang Sheng calmly replied, “Our nephew’s foundation is too weak!”

Boom!

With that statement, it was like being enlightened!

Zhang Mao and Zhang Sen suddenly understood, their hearts in turmoil!

What was… the idea of tying the Xu family to their nephew’s boat?!

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