Chapter 493: Looking for a Son‑in‑Law

After Zhu Huanhuan stepped down, Guanyin Nu sat down beside him, sighed and said, "Prince, Huan Huan this child has been sensible since childhood, never makes us worry."

Her marriage, you must hurry.

"I know." Zhu Yong nodded, stood up and walked out of the study.

In the courtyard, Zhu Qiongwu rode his little tricycle in circles; the five‑year‑old youngster was already riding very steadily.

Seeing his father come out, he tossed the tricycle aside, ran over, clutched his thigh and shouted, "Dad!"

Zhu Yong bent down, lifted his son and asked, "Were you good today?"

"Good! Dad, when will Second Prince return?"

Zhu Yong smiled, "Soon, probably by the end of the year."

Zhu Qiongwu pursed his lips and said Second Prince said he would take him hunting this year.

Zhu Yong smiled, patted his head, and sat down on the veranda.

Zhu Huanhuan carried a food box out of the kitchen, walked to his father's side, set it down and said, "Dad, this is freshly made osmanthus cake, please try it."

Zhu Yong picked up a piece, took a bite, and nodded.

He watched his daughter's busy silhouette and felt a sudden unease.

The girl had always sat on his lap as a child, listening to his war stories, her eyes sparkling.

Now she's of marrying age; time really flies.

The Brocade Guard investigated for three days.

Liu Zhen personally led men to Jinling and turned the Gu family's background upside down.

The Gu family ran silk and tea businesses in Jinling, opened several shops; their wealth was solid but not extravagantly rich.

Gu Xian, the Gu family's eldest son, studied since childhood, passed the juvenile examination, later stopped taking exams and helped run the family business.

Yet he never abandoned books; he opened a school at home, free of charge, specifically teaching children who could not afford education.

The fact that he taught European children literacy at the school outside the city is also true; he spent over half a year there, rain or shine, never late.

Zhu Yong, after hearing Liu Zhen's report, fell silent for a moment.

The family background is spotless, the person upright, learned and insightful, and also enthusiastic about public welfare.

Someone like that is valuable anywhere.

"What about his character? Any bad habits? Does he gamble? Does he drink?"

"He doesn't gamble, drinks a little, but never much, and never frequents brothels."

Liu Zhen paused, then continued, "Prince, I have also found that each winter he sets up a porridge stall outside Jinling city, giving porridge to the poor who cannot afford meals; he has been doing this for three consecutive years."

He does these deeds without publicity, always quietly.

Zhu Yong's mouth twitched slightly upward. Doing good deeds without seeking fame—that's a genuine person.

"Anything else?"

"His martial skill was learned from a retired Longxiang Army veteran; his swordsmanship is good, his horsemanship steady. I had people test him; a dozen men could not get close to him."

Zhu Yong nodded; the martial skill is decent, a plus.

The veteran from Longxiang Army taught him, so his foundation is solid.

"Alright, you may go."

Liu Zhen replied, turned and left.

Zhu Yong stood up and walked to the window.

Gu Xian, in terms of family background, character, talent, and martial skill, is good in every respect.

But he still wants to meet him in person, to see exactly what kind of person he is.

The next morning, Zhu Yong changed into plain clothes and went out with Wang Gui.

He did not ride a horse; he took an ordinary carriage to the school outside the city.

The school outside the city lies at the foot of Zijin Mountain; it was originally a ruined temple, later converted into a school, where Confucian scholars teach reading and writing, and Daoist priests lecture on the natural Dao.

At this moment, the school resonated with clear reading voices; the children shouted the Three Character Classic, "At the beginning of man, nature is inherently good," their tones wobbly, with a hint of European accent.

These European children are either orphaned in Europe or children of traveling merchants, brought back specifically to study Chinese learning, and later will be sent back to Europe to spread everything of Great Ming.

Zhu Yong entered the courtyard and saw a young man standing on the podium.

He wore a half‑worn blue robe, his hair neatly combed, his back straight.

In his hand he held a book, teaching the children characters; his voice was soft yet clear, each word pronounced correctly and melodiously.

This person is Gu Xian.

He was more spirited than Zhu Yong had imagined, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a fair complexion, a gentle smile—clearly a good‑natured man.

After class, the children poured out of the classroom; some ran to the courtyard to play, others gathered around Gu Xian chattering.

Gu Xian answered each question patiently, his face always smiling.

Zhu Yong stood under the locust tree in the courtyard, hands behind his back, watching.

Gu Xian looked up, saw a middle‑aged man in dark casual attire standing under the tree, was momentarily stunned, then hurried over, clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Sir, are you here to escort the children?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "No, I was just passing by, heard the reading voices, came in to look. May I ask your surname, sir?"

"No need for a surname, I am Gu, with the single given name Xian." Gu Xian's voice was neither humble nor arrogant.

Zhu Yong sized him up.

Gu Xian also sized Zhu Yong up.

The two locked eyes for a moment.

"Mr. Gu, does your school teach European children?"

"Not all; we also have some local children. We charge nothing; anyone who wishes to come may." Gu Xian's voice was unhurried.

"Why don't you charge?"

Gu Xian smiled and then said, "Sir, learning to read and write is a good thing; we must not let money stand in the way. The parents of these children traveled thousands of miles from Europe to Great Ming; some are merchants, some are laborers, and none have it easy."

Their children, growing up in Great Ming, should study Great Ming's books, recognize Great Ming's characters, so that they can later integrate into Great Ming.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Sir, you do think ahead."

"It's not I who think ahead; it's Prince who thinks ahead. The Prince turned a ruined temple into a school, sent scholars and Daoists to teach. Isn't that to let the Europeans also read the sages' books, to know the natural Dao, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust? I'm merely doing what I can," Gu Xian said seriously.

Zhu Yong's mouth twitched slightly upward. This man speaks honestly, without any pretentious nonsense.

"Mr. Gu, have you started a family?"

Gu Xian was startled for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Not yet."

"You're twenty‑one, not married—doesn't your family pressure you?"

"They do, but I think marriage is a big matter; it shouldn't be rushed. One must find someone compatible."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing further.

He turned and walked outward, took a few steps, then stopped and glanced back.

Gu Xian remained standing there, seeing him off, his back straight, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Zhu Yong got into the carriage and said to Wang Gui, "Return to the manor."

The carriage set off, Wang Gui sat opposite, and couldn't help asking, "Prince, what do you think of this man?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Not bad. His family background is clean, his character upright, he is learned and insightful, treats people sincerely, neither servile nor arrogant—just a bit mediocre. However, the son‑in‑law of our Wu Wang Fu doesn't need great talent; he just needs to be good to Huan Huan."

Huan Huan has a discerning eye.

Wang Gui grinned and said, "So, Prince, have you agreed?"

"Agree to what? It still needs further testing."

Zhu Yong leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

He recalled Zhu Yuanzhang's rule for selecting a son‑in‑law: not only to examine lineage but also to test character.

In those days, when choosing a consort horse, they would have the Brocade Guard observe covertly for months, confirming flawless conduct before finalizing.

His father's rule must not be broken…

Although in the end they still chose a not‑so‑good imperial son‑in‑law.