Chapter 343: Forcibly Seizing Love

"Xiaosheng, stop running around. Have you finished today's lessons?" Xu Zhenzhen, seated at the lower end, did not answer her father's question, but instead grabbed her younger brother Xu Housheng, who was dashing about the room.

Xu Housheng was very afraid of his older sister. The moment he was caught, he quieted down and quickly nodded. Xu Zhenzhen smiled and patted her brother on the head, saying, "Good boy."

As soon as his sister praised him, Xu Housheng grew lively again. He looked up and asked curiously, "Sis, I heard the man you're going to marry is really fierce, as tall as a house, with a weapon as thick as a roof beam, and his eyes glow in the dark."

The child's innocent words made both father and daughter laugh despite themselves. Xu Housheng looked back and forth, still not understanding what he had said wrong.

Xu Zhenzhen's features closely resembled Xu Benrong's, giving her a dignified and delicate appearance. In great clans and noble houses, a wife's looks would never be poor; passed down through generations, no ugly monsters would be born.

Yet those meeting Xu Zhenzhen for the first time would never imagine that this seemingly frail and timid girl could face the famously intimidating Zhao Jin with such composure, speaking eloquently without a trace of weakness or fear, and instead securing ample benefits for her own family.

Unlike in Zhao Jin's dream, Xu Zhenzhen wore a light blue ruqun with a gray sleeveless jacket, the patterns very simple. It made her look less like a twenty-year-old and more matronly instead.

"Father, did that Mister Yu who spoke to you also say that at my age, if I am to marry into a good family, it could only be as a second wife? And that even as a second wife, it would still be better than marrying that crude warrior Zhao Jin?" Xu Zhenzhen finally answered her father's question.

By custom, the father guides the children. In such a great household, a father's word should be met with reverence and an immediate reply. Xu Zhenzhen's attitude could be considered disrespectful and rude, and her response could even be reported to the authorities as unfilial defiance.

Yet Xu Benrong seemed already accustomed to it. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "Mister Yu had a point. What is the status of our Xu family? Can that Zhao Jin's family even speak of status? When that Clerk Lu came to propose, your father was so anxious about your marriage that he grew muddled. Thinking back on it now, wasn't I just harming you? Zhenzhen, think it over again carefully."

"Father, that Mister Yu has a distant cousin serving as a Vice-Prefect in Huai'an Prefecture. His wife died of illness last year, and now he comes to you with these words. He isn't even bothering to hide his true intentions." Xu Zhenzhen's tone remained calm.

Xu Benrong, leaning on the couch, froze. Then, realizing the implication, his eyes widened in shock. "Is this true? That Mister Yu, so refined and elegant—how could his mind be so filthy!"

Xu Zhenzhen shook her head, her face full of helplessness. "Father, have you never inquired into the backgrounds of these house guests of ours?"

"That scoundrel! I will throw him out of the house tomorrow. To think I believed he had good intentions. I never imagined such a master of painting could be so calculating and vicious." Xu Benrong slapped the armrest heavily, his face red with anger.

Watching her father rage, Xu Housheng showed no fear, only watching curiously. Xu Zhenzhen lowered her head and said softly, "Father, you needn't listen to him when he speaks like that. The Xu family's ironware is sold throughout Huai'an, and there are many areas where we need Vice-Prefect Yu's favor. At times, we will still need this man to act as our intermediary."

The anger on Xu Benrong's face froze. After a moment, he waved his folding fan helplessly and said, "Fine. My daughter has a mind for everything. Whatever you say, we'll do. But the others aren't wrong either. With our Xu family's status and lineage, even if we sought a matrilocal son-in-law, we could find an excellent match. Why are you so set on that warrior? Just thinking of his hands dripping with blood makes your father uneasy."

"Father, I am doing this for the Xu family, and for my younger brother." Xu Zhenzhen answered calmly.

Xu Benrong was stunned for a moment, then let out a long breath. He lay back on the couch, utterly listless, and said, "Your father is useless. I'll listen to you, I'll just listen to you."

Xu Housheng was already used to the arguments between his father and sister, and he knew how they would end. Seeing this, he immediately grinned and said, "Sis, I want to go over there and take a look. I heard there are lots of interesting things there."

Xu Zhenzhen, however, doted on this younger brother. She gently stroked Xu Housheng's forehead and said, "Study hard and finish your lessons. When the time comes, your sister will take you there."

Seeing this scene, Xu Benrong sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Your father is utterly useless. In internal affairs or external matters, I can't help you with anything."

"Father gave birth to me and raised me. That is helping your daughter." Xu Zhenzhen said with a smile.

These words brought a smile back to Xu Benrong's face. He was just about to speak when they heard someone clap the door outside a few times. A deep voice reported, "Master, Miss, the Kong family from Paoshui has sent someone. They say they have urgent business and request an audience."

"The Kong family of Paoshui?" Xu Benrong's expression turned very ugly, and his body trembled. His next words came out stammering, his look of fear no longer concealable.

Seeing her father's state, Xu Zhenzhen lowered her head for a moment, then looked up and said, "Have the Kong family's man wait in the main hall. Let Third Uncle go keep him company first. Set up the screen. I will be there shortly."

After speaking, Xu Zhenzhen stood and curtsied to her terror-stricken father, then patted her younger brother Xu Housheng on the forehead before turning and walking out.

Once Xu Zhenzhen had left the room, Xu Housheng, still unaware of what had happened, asked blankly, "Dad, why did sister sigh just now?"

Outside the main gate of the Xu family mansion, over a dozen large men carrying weapons gathered there, talking and laughing loudly as if no one else were around. Their horses were scattered loose, already nibbling at the flowers and plants in front of the Xu gate. Quite a few able-bodied men from the Xu household had also gathered, glaring angrily at these men, but no one stepped forward. Passersby who saw this scene all took a wide detour, afraid of getting involved.

Compared to Xu Benrong, who cowered at the mere mention of the name, Xu Bende, who was receiving the guest in the main hall, was not much better. His face was pale and uncertain, his expression a constant, fawning smile, and his eyes kept darting toward the screen in the corner of the hall.

Sitting opposite Xu Bende, Fu Chuchuan was chatting and laughing freely. On the Xu family's own territory, he looked even more relaxed and at ease than he would be at home.

"... What is that Zhao Jin anyway? A street ruffian by origin. His father is a murderer, his mother a pig butcher. What good could come from a child born of such stock? In the future, he'll just be another criminal thrown in jail and sliced to death by a thousand cuts. Brother Xu San, for your esteemed house to actually give them the birth characters—this is truly muddled!"

Fear aside, Fu Chuchuan's words did make Xu Bende nod. During the joint discussion that day and the meeting that evening, Zhao Jin had been clean and neatly dressed, but his murderous aura was too heavy, making people very uncomfortable. Moreover, Xu Bende himself felt that Zhao Jin was not a good match, and he couldn't help but agree somewhat.

Fu Chuchuan smiled warmly and leaned forward. "Since the eldest miss is choosing a son-in-law, I happen to have a good candidate in mind. Would Brother San care to know?"

Without waiting for Xu Bende to answer, Fu Chuchuan continued on his own, "Our Ninth Master is a descendant of the Sage, of noble blood, and manages such grand affairs everywhere. It's just a pity that our mistress passed away early, and his household has been without a proper manager. Hearing that the eldest miss is interested, our Ninth Master sent me over to inquire. If the Xu family agrees, we can proceed according to custom immediately."

The moment these words were spoken, not only did Xu Bende's face change drastically, but even the servants attending in the room showed expressions of anger. Yet Fu Chuchuan paid no attention whatsoever.

"Many thanks for Ninth Master's kind intentions. Ninth Master is nearly sixty years old; he should find someone mature and considerate. How could a humble girl like me be worthy?" Just then, Xu Zhenzhen's calm voice sounded from behind the screen.

As her voice rang out, Xu Bende let out a long breath, and the servants all regained their composure. The eldest miss had arrived; their pillar of support had come.

Fu Chuchuan's smile vanished. He glared fiercely at the screen for a moment, then laughed again and said, "Our Ninth Master is a bit older, it's true, but he is still as vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger, looking barely over forty. Twenty years of age is just right, and moreover, the eldest miss is a heroine among women. You two would be a match made in heaven!"

The phrase "vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger" might be a compliment for Kong Jiuying, but to the ears of the Xu family, it was a blatant insult. Even someone with Xu Bende's temperament could no longer endure it. He slammed the table heavily and made to stand, but Fu Chuchuan simply leaned back in his chair and took a sip of tea.

"Third Uncle, the last time the roving bandits passed through, how many men did our Xu family mobilize for defense? And how many casualties did the bandits suffer?" Xu Zhenzhen behind the screen changed the subject.

Xu Bende, who had stood up, took several deep breaths, shot a hateful glare at Fu Chuchuan, then turned and said, "Our Xu family sent out a total of six thousand able-bodied men. The bandits suffered over two thousand casualties."

"And how many refugees have we taken in this time?"

"Roughly over five thousand, all young men and women." Xu Bende was gradually catching on to her line of thought.

Fu Chuchuan's expression straightened, but then he laughed again, nodding repeatedly as he sat there. "To be able to field over ten thousand men with the strength of a single family—this is truly remarkable, indeed worthy of awe!"

Xu Bende glanced at the screen again, his eyes now filled with admiration. His niece truly possessed strategic wisdom. By changing the subject and displaying their family's strength, she had instantly cowed Fu Chuchuan.

"Our Kong family can only muster a mounted troop of five hundred and a foot troop of one thousand seven hundred, far inferior to the Xu family. However, our Kong family's mounted and foot troops can be mobilized at any time. Setting out from Paoheyan and making a circuit around Xuzhou is quite convenient. Henan and Shandong are also frequent destinations. Aside from the merchant convoys delivering goods, what else does the Xu family have that can go out?" Fu Chuchuan spoke with relaxed ease.

Xu Bende did not understand. His anger remained undiminished as he glared viciously at the other man, thinking to himself: I have over ten thousand able-bodied men, my confidence is solid. What does your Kong family count for? But behind the screen, silence had fallen.

Fu Chuchuan looked at Xu Bende with a faint, mocking smile and said leisurely, "The moment our Kong family makes a move, your Xu family won't be able to sell a single piece of iron. Brother San, do you still not understand?"

The vast majority of your ten-thousand-plus able-bodied men are laborers used for production. When refugees attack, it's a matter of life and death, so naturally they can be mobilized for defense. With fortifications and buildings to rely on, they have sufficient security and courage. But as for marching out to attack and fight, the Xu family simply lacks that mobilization capability.

The Kong family, however, is different. Their foundation is not farmland, agriculture, trade, or crafts at all, but rather taking a cut of the spoils and bullying the weak. Perhaps some of their several hundred mounted troops and over a thousand foot soldiers also have to engage in production labor on ordinary days, but their primary trade is going out to fight.