Chapter 360: A Truly Grand Dowry

Yesterday, Cloud Mountain Temple had already released word that its gates would be open today, allowing worshippers to come pay respects and offer incense. Though it was still early and the city gates had just opened, many devotees and pilgrims from outside the city were likely already waiting at the entrance.

The main gates of Cloud Mountain Temple swung wide, and the household troops of the Zhao Character Battalion filed out in an orderly stream. The waiting worshippers and pilgrims outside parted in awe, some even pressing their palms together in prayer. Before, the Zhao Character Battalion had naturally been enemies of the Buddha, but now they were guardian vajra warriors, and everyone was grateful.

The carts and horses exited through a side gate, assembled in the open ground before the temple, then began descending the mountain together. The mountain path was not wide, and quite a few pilgrims were heading up in carts and carriages. At the sight of the Zhao Character Battalion, they all scrambled to dodge and yield the way, making passage troublesome for both sides. Still, the Zhao Character Battalion had not sent anyone ahead to clear the streets, so they made their way down in this cumbersome fashion. Zhao Jin wanted everyone to see that the Zhao Character Battalion was coming down from Cloud Mountain Temple.

Descending the mountain and heading toward the main road, there were large carts waiting there in advance, loaded with all the equipment needed for the journey. Zhao Jin also saw his father, Zhao Zhentang, his arm bandaged and in a sling, as well as Chen Sheng's father and Dong Bingfeng's father. As for the others, Shi Manqiang's father had already given his son his instructions, and with many children at home, his feelings were not as openly displayed as the others'.

Letting the main column proceed, several of them each went to their fathers.

His father, Zhao Zhentang, first looked Zhao Jin up and down, and only when he saw nothing was wrong did he breathe a relieved sigh. Then, with a hint of reproach, he said, "You can't be so reckless in your actions. If something had gone wrong for you over there, we wouldn't have been able to help at all. Knowing this, I didn't even dare tell your mother. As long as you're fine, as long as you're fine."

After muttering a couple of lines, Zhao Zhentang shook his head and said no more, only urging him to go back and get some rest soon.

"Father, please trouble Uncle Dong to cross the river again in three days, and go to the Xu family to propose marriage once more. No mishaps will occur this time!" Zhao Jin said before departing.

Zhao Zhentang gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "You brat, you've even taken charge of your own marriage. Your old man really doesn't have to manage anything, just enjoys the good life. Get going, get going!"

The news that Kong Family Manor had been burned down and Kong Jiuying killed had not yet reached this area. Only these few elders who had come to visit knew in their hearts. Kong Tiger had various properties, some open and some hidden, throughout Xuzhou. As long as they lay within the Zhao Character Battalion's sphere of control, they would all be swallowed up this time.

On the return journey, the villages and stockades along the way again offered flattery and provisions. They could have pressed on through the night back to He Family Village, but for the sake of rest and reorganization, they halted for a night near Zhang Village. The next morning, the Zhao Character Battalion entered He Family Village.

"Big Brother, Liang San and his men got back two days before you. I've kept them all confined in the small courtyard, waiting for you to return and deal with them," Ji Xiang came to report. Liang San's group was small, traveling light on fast horses, so naturally they returned much faster than Zhao Jin and his men.

"Let them go see Xu Zhenzhen. Release all of them. Have them carry a message for Liang San to relay: in three days, my family's matchmaker will come to propose marriage. Don't let anything strange happen," Zhao Jin instructed.

Ji Xiang coughed dryly twice and cautiously suggested, "Big Brother, she is, after all, going to be our future sister-in-law. Shouldn't we phrase it a bit more politely?"

"No need for politeness. She understands what I mean," Zhao Jin replied with a smile.

During the days the Zhao Character Battalion was away, Xu Zhenzhen and her younger brother had been effectively under house arrest in He Family Village. Two young women from the village were assigned to attend them, providing food and drink; whatever they needed was satisfied, but they were forbidden from speaking to anyone outside the confinement area.

The residence where Xu Zhenzhen stayed was watched day and night by guards and informants. Even those two young village women were actually people arranged indirectly by Ruhui.

However, the young lady of the Xu family remained very calm. Each day she ate and slept normally, and in her leisure time she tutored her younger brother in his studies, showing not the slightest trace of agitation or unease.

Once Zhao Jin led the main force back, the house arrest of the Xu siblings was lifted. After lunch, Liang San and the others also went in to pay their respects.

"Third Brother, there are no informants outside. It's all our own people," said one of the men who had accompanied Liang San to Kong Family Manor.

Before these trusted confidants, Xu Zhenzhen had no screen in front of her. She merely wore a small veiled hat, with a foot of light gauze hanging down around it, concealing her face.

Hearing this, Liang San nodded, stepped forward, and said, "Eldest Miss, Kong Jiuying is dead and Kong Family Manor is burned to the ground. This is a great opportunity for the Xu family. As long as we prepare early, all of the Kong family's properties and manors can be swallowed up. The Zhao Character Battalion can't move that fast here."

Liang San's face was quite excited, but Xu Zhenzhen, sitting there, showed no agitation. Instead, she sighed softly. At that sigh, the room immediately fell silent.

"Liang San, I know you are considering the Xu family's interests, considering mine. But have you thought clearly? What you are doing is bringing disaster upon the Xu family!" Xu Zhenzhen said, her usually calm tone turning somewhat stern toward the end.

"Eldest Miss, with the Kong family destroyed, our Xu family…" Liang San was stunned at these words and immediately grew anxious to defend himself.

"Liang San, do not act on your own authority," Xu Zhenzhen said coolly.

Liang San's face flushed red below. Just as he was about to continue arguing, he noticed his companion edging closer behind him. That small gesture sent a chill through Liang San. His young miss had always been fair, rewarding merit generously, but punishing mistakes without the slightest mercy.

"Eldest Miss, I was wrong!" Liang San bowed deeply and said sincerely.

Xu Zhenzhen, seated in the place of honor, sighed softly again and said flatly, "You think too simply of Zhao Jin. They didn't need the boats we arranged; they had their own plans long ago. Do you think your petty underworld tricks could have worked? It's fortunate that nothing has been exposed yet. At the first sign, the Xu family would likely suffer calamity."

Seeing Liang San below about to kneel in terror, Xu Zhenzhen continued, "You did it for the good of the Xu family. This time, it's just a word of warning — no next time. First, go to Young Master Zhao's side and let him know that I wish to see him before I leave. Then, arrange for the return journey."

Hearing that he was still being given tasks, Liang San's suspended heart finally settled. He hurriedly turned and went out the door. After he left, the several men standing at the lower end of the room also withdrew.

Being all within He Family Village, arranging these matters was still easy. Before long, Xu Zhenzhen arrived at Zhao Jin's study in a small sedan chair. By now, the young lady of the Xu family no longer needed to conceal her movements too much.

"Young Master Zhao's great kindness and virtue, this humble one will forever remember and never forget," Xu Zhenzhen said, coming straight to the point as she rose and performed a deep curtsy of respect.

Originally, Zhao Jin had intended to set up a screen for concealment, but Xu Zhenzhen herself indicated it was unnecessary. Still, she kept on the veiled hat with its light gauze covering her face.

"I did this for myself as well. It hardly counts as kindness or virtue," Zhao Jin replied very calmly.

After standing up, Xu Zhenzhen did not sit back down. She continued softly, "Young Master Zhao, this humble one has been traveling abroad, showing her face in public. I hope Young Master Zhao will not disdain me as frivolous and lowly."

Zhao Jin shook his head decisively and answered, "I, Zhao, would never think that."

Xu Zhenzhen nodded slightly. With that layer of light gauze obstructing, her face and expression were hard to discern clearly. Yet Zhao Jin formed a new assessment of this woman.

Decisive and resolute, unconstrained by worldly etiquette and custom — a frail woman propping up the Xu family's vast estate. But being unconstrained did not mean she did not care. She likely felt constant shame, constant fear of being looked down upon by others. In truth, unmarried at this age and managing the family estate like a man, perhaps in the eyes of the world, she was superficially called a heroine among women, but in reality, she was scorned. The term "heroine among women," in this era, carried an inherently mocking connotation.

This girl had been forcibly suppressing her feelings to sustain the family estate. It was not that she had done anything wrong; it was the limitation of this era.

After a moment of silence in the room, Xu Zhenzhen spoke again: "Young Master Zhao should have already arranged for a matchmaker to go to this humble one's home to propose marriage, yes?"

Seeing Zhao Jin nod, Xu Zhenzhen paused thoughtfully, then said, "This humble one knows this is presumptuous and discourteous, but before the matchmaker arrives, I must ask Young Master Zhao to agree to one thing."

Zhao Jin's brow furrowed. The other implication of these words was that if he did not agree, trouble might arise after the matchmaker's visit. A cold smile flickered across Zhao Jin's face. At this stage, it was no longer something your Xu family could decide on its own. Smiling broadly, but with not a trace of warmth in his voice, Zhao Jin said, "Eldest Miss, please speak."

"This humble one has only one younger brother. His nature is timid and weak. I began learning to manage the household at fourteen, but my brother will need to reach at least eighteen. He is now six; that means twelve more years. During these twelve years, the Xu family will be Young Master Zhao's!" Xu Zhenzhen's tone, unlike her usual calm, betrayed intense emotion.

For these twelve years, the Xu family estate would be his? Zhao Jin was taken aback. This was truly an incomparably lavish dowry. Originally, he had thought to grasp it through the marriage alliance; now it was being delivered to him directly. Even better than he had anticipated.

Xu Zhenzhen had not finished: "After twelve years, if this humble one's brother shows promise in the imperial examinations and scholarly honors, I ask Young Master Zhao to continue holding this estate. But if my brother's studies prove fruitless, then after twelve years, I ask Young Master Zhao to return this family estate to him. Of all the Xu family holds, Young Master Zhao may keep thirty percent."

So it was custodianship. Still, that was generous enough. But to Zhao Jin, such generosity meant little. He merely smiled and asked, "If I do not agree, will the matchmaker be turned away at the door again?"

"Given Young Master Zhao's current strength, the Xu family dares not refuse. But this humble one can guarantee that Young Master Zhao would not be able to fully grasp everything the Xu family holds. Or rather, under the sword's edge, it would take at least five years to consolidate. Beyond that, this humble one can do nothing more." Xu Zhenzhen's tone grew sharp.

Zhao Jin smiled without making a sound, simply watching the girl standing before him. Through that layer of gauze, their gazes met, and Zhao Jin noticed that Xu Zhenzhen's eyes were very spirited.

"The terms you've proposed are far better than what I expected. I originally thought that after marrying you, the Zhao Character Battalion would find it more convenient to work through the Xu family. I never imagined the entire estate could be taken over. Twelve years — twelve years is enough to accomplish a great many things."