Volume Two: Adults and Children Chapter Eighty-Six: Marriage Destiny (Part Two)

Thanks to his connection with Xu Yunzhi, Xu Xingzhi managed to gain an audience with the Duke of Dingguo quite smoothly.

After he finished paying his respects and stood up, Xu Guangzu chuckled and asked, "Are you here to ask the old man for help?

"I have already heard about your situation. In truth, there is no need to be anxious; your achievements will not be erased. The reason they are not letting you return just yet must be because they have other arrangements in mind."

True to his reputation as an experienced and seasoned senior statesman, just two sentences were enough to instantly untie the knot that had been weighing heavily on Xu Xingzhi's heart for days.

This made him express his gratitude with another deep bow: "Thank you, My Lord Duke, for clearing up my confusion..."

"You should change how you address me. After all, you are also my junior."

Xu Xingzhi was slightly taken aback, then flattered as he hurriedly corrected himself: "Your grand-nephew thanks Grand-Uncle for your guidance!"

"Haha, that's more like it. Well, with official business out of the way, let us chat idly. How has Yunzhi been lately? I heard she was previously abducted by bandits—did she suffer any mistreatment?" Xu Guangzu asked with concern.

Xu Xingzhi quickly replied, "Yunzhi is naturally safe and sound, and only suffered a bit of fright that day. It was all thanks to Huang Ming seeing through everything that we were able to rescue her and Qingzhi in time."

"Mmm, this Huang Ming is indeed exceptionally capable. I am tempted to meet him myself someday."

"There will certainly be an opportunity. Um, Grand-Uncle, actually your grand-nephew came today for another, more pressing matter—concerning Yunzhi."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

When Xu Xingzhi expressed Xu Yunzhi's affection for Huang Ming and her wish to ask Xu Guangzu to act as a matchmaker, the old man sat in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter: "Who would have thought that a disaster could actually lead to such a good match!"

Hearing this, Xu Xingzhi was overjoyed: "Grand-Uncle, does this mean you agree?"

"How could I refuse such a wonderful thing? Setting aside the fact that Yunzhi is a junior whom I hold quite dear, even for any ordinary grandchild's marriage, I as an elder should show some support."

Xu Xingzhi repeatedly agreed, though inwardly he remained skeptical.

If the Duke of Dingguo were to personally step in for the wedding of every single descendant from a distant branch of the Xu family, he wouldn't have time for anything else all year and might as well become a full-time matchmaker.

Therefore, his prompt agreement must stem from other reasons besides Yunzhi truly being a favored granddaughter in his eyes, right?

Aside from this lingering doubt, Xu Xingzhi was more concerned about another matter: "Grand-Uncle, aren't you afraid of drawing criticism because of this?"

"Are you referring to the fact that Huang Ming is Huang Jin's son?" Xu Guangzu wore a half-smile. "What of it? I, Xu Guangzu, am not like certain people who need to rely on empty reputations to establish themselves at court while neglecting their children and grandchildren.

"Furthermore, the old man has always regarded Yunzhi as my own granddaughter, so I am all the more determined to bring this union about. Everything else is completely insignificant!"

Hearing these words, Xu Xingzhi was immediately overjoyed.

He had expected Xu Guangzu to find the matter difficult or even reject his request outright.

To his surprise, everything had proceeded with such unexpected smoothness that it left him temporarily dazed.

After a long moment, he bowed once more: "Your grand-nephew expresses Yunzhi's gratitude to Grand-Uncle for making this happen!"

"We are family, why stand on ceremony? Rise, rise. Whenever you have free time in the future, you siblings are most welcome to come and visit this old man more often,哈哈哈..." Xu Guangzu's laughter grew increasingly warm.

What an immensely grateful Xu Xingzhi did not know was that his visit was successful simply because he had chosen the right time.

Had he come just a few days earlier, when the political situation at court was still unclear, Xu Guangzu would not have nodded so easily.

For someone of the Duke of Dingguo's status, every word and action carried profound meaning.

...

A few days later, within the Imperial Palace.

Taking advantage of Jiajing's midday rest, Huang Jin went outside to get some fresh air.

As a personal eunuch who had yet to be assigned a definitive official post, Huang Jin, much like Li Fan, had to accompany Emperor Jiajing almost day and night, standing ready to serve at a moment's notice.

Such a state of constant mental tension, where one could not afford the slightest carelessness, was not something just anyone could endure, yet he, Huang Jin, had kept at it for decades.

Naturally, he also needed to relax—taking a brief moment to sneak away like this required no more than a fraction of an hour.

Yet just as Huang Jin stepped out and barely had time to stretch his limbs, he caught sight of the Duke of Dingguo, Xu Guangzu, approaching at a leisurely pace. This gave him a sharp jolt, and he hurried forward with a smile: "How is it that Your Grace found the time to enter the palace today? Are you here to pay your respects to His Majesty?"

As a meritorious noble and high minister who had helped enthrrone the emperor—Xu Guangzu was among those commissioned to go to Anlu in Huguang and escort Jiajing to the capital to ascend the throne—coupled with his advanced age and high moral standing, the Duke of Dingguo held an imperial token that allowed him to enter the palace and seek an audience without prior announcement.

Thus, Huang Jin was somewhat caught off guard by his sudden arrival.

"Indeed. The old man hasn't entered the palace to see His Majesty for many days and inevitably felt a lingering concern, so I came specially to pay my respects," Xu Guangzu said with a smile.

Huang Jin, however, said with a trace of difficulty, "You have come at an unfortunate time, My Lord. His Majesty has only just fallen asleep, and to disturb him now would ultimately be improper..."

"It is no matter. As a subject, waiting outside is only fitting." Xu Guangzu remained exceptionally amiable, showing none of the haughtiness expected of his exalted status.

Huang Jin naturally assented, after which he heard the other man say, "Eunuch Huang, shall we have a few words?"

"Whatever Your Grace wishes to say."

"How old is your esteemed son, Huang Ming?"

Huang Jin clearly failed to keep up with the rhythm for a moment; he paused briefly before answering, "Seventeen."

"Ah, he will be eighteen after the new year. Not young anymore—has he ever thought about starting a family?"

Why was the Duke showing such concern for his son today? Could it be...

A strange thought surfaced in Huang Jin's mind, but outwardly he evasive replied, "He has never given it thought. After all, he has yet to achieve any real success in his studies, so which young lady would ever fancy him? Besides, with a father like me..."

"Hahaha, Eunuch Huang is being far too modest. Who in the court today does not know you have a fine son? To mention nothing else, purely based on the Imperial Lectures last year, he already made a name for himself in the literary world. To call him a talent of this generation is no exaggeration!"

Er... was the esteemed Duke actually talking about his son Huang Ming?

That same Huang Ming who had finally learned to write legible characters and no longer found studying such an agonizing chore?

Seeing Huang Jin fall silent, Xu Guangzu simply stopped beating around the bush and laid his cards on the table: "The old man happens to have a very fine grand-niece under my roof. In terms of appearance, character, and deportment, she is top-tier. Matched with your esteemed son, it would be a textbook example of a talented scholar and a beautiful lady.

"Therefore, the old man was thinking, why don't we arrange a marriage between them, what do you say?"

Huang Jin was completely petrified at that moment.

He had indeed considered this possibility just a moment ago, but back then he had only dismissed it as absurd—how could the daughter of the Duke of Dingguo's prestigious house ever take a fancy to his son?

Yet now that Xu Guangzu had spoken so plainly, what room was left for doubt?

However, Huang Jin quickly regained his composure. While this was undoubtedly a marvelous stroke of fortune, did it not also harbor certain hidden risks beneath the surface?

One should not blame Huang Jin for being overly suspicious; living constantly in the palace and having to guard against all sorts of overt and covert attacks had long since become his survival instinct.