Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 193 The Rebellious Choosing of a Wife

The Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences in Beijing.

Haihao, Zhulin, and Haiyue sat at a table, while Old Fan busied himself serving dishes. Watching the family eat together, the wrinkles on his face beamed with joy.

After paying his respects to his second uncle and aunt, Hai Rui returned to the Imperial Academy by himself, where he was left with only his closest family.

Along the way, Haiyue told her parents everything that had happened from Qiongshan to Guangzhou Prefecture and then to the capital, including how she founded the "Yixin Society" in the Imperial Academy and gained the Emperor's favor. She didn't even hide the existence of the Liyuan Society.

Some things that are difficult to say in letters can be said in person now.

Haihao and Zhu Lin listened attentively, their expressions showing a mixture of surprise and pride, but not much sense of envy or honor.

Especially when they heard that the emperor had given them his favor, they did not react with the usual elation or fear that parents would have. Instead, they exchanged a glance and hesitated to speak.

Finally, Haihao spoke first: "Thirteenth Brother, your father is a rough man, not as well-read as you are, nor do you understand the principles of Confucian sages. But one thing I am clear about is that the emperor's favor is not something to be taken lightly. You must not be complacent..."

"I know!"

Unlike other young people, Haiyue replied sincerely, "The higher you climb, the harder you fall. I know that."

"Haha! Great!"

Haihao laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "You've really grown up, even more capable than your old man. I won't interfere in these matters anymore, but if things really come to the point where you can't stay here any longer, be sure to inform your family. The people we have in the Yinglue Society aren't just sitting around doing nothing. The imperial court is weakening day by day, and protecting you as you fight your way out of the city won't be a problem. Once we're back in Hainan, the imperial court won't be able to do anything to us..."

Haiyue silently wiped away a cold sweat. Although there were no outsiders present, these words were still too rebellious.

However, he knew that Hai Hao's words were not arrogant or conceited, and were not even surprising.

Because this is the mindset and stance of someone from the martial arts world.

In real history, there was also a world of martial arts and chivalry. There was an opposition between the imperial court and the martial arts world. The latter was born out of the fact that elite people from the common people banded together to resist the oppression of the government.

Hai Hao is known as the number one warrior in Qionghai not only because he is good at fighting, but also because he has a high reputation among the people and can rally them with his voice.

It doesn't necessarily mean an outright rebellion. The key is to create a significant deterrent effect on local government offices, preventing them from acting recklessly and forcing them to consider the consequences.

Such individuals are more prevalent in more remote areas.

They are essentially grassroots leaders elected by the people themselves.

This is also why, when Haiyue was suspected of murdering foreign envoys, Shao Jing, as the investigating officer, was able to force the prefect and local clerks to tip off the envoys and pass on the information. It wasn't just that the Eighth Brother was virtuous, but also because of this influence. If Haihao had been in Qiongshan at the time, Haiyue wouldn't have needed to go to the prefectural government office at all.

Over time, Haihao naturally stopped regarding the court's rules as inviolable laws. However, he wouldn't object to his son taking the imperial examinations to enter officialdom, since he hadn't denied his identity as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty. He simply wouldn't tolerate corrupt officials who oppressed the people.

The father and son finished discussing their business matters in just a few words.

In short, if one fails in one's official career, there is always a way out in the martial arts world.

Zhu Lin listened with a smile, her gentle eyes fixed on her son. After he finished speaking, she said with a smile, "My son wants to get married?"

Haiyue said quite frankly: "Yes, I'm getting old. After I achieve fame and enter officialdom, I will also have to get married, have children, and start a family."

Zhu Lin sighed softly, "It's all my fault. In ordinary families, a young man of fifteen or sixteen should be looking for a wife, but I wasn't by your side..."

Haihao interjected, "We actually wrote to your second and fourth sisters-in-law to arrange your marriage locally. We never expected you to be so successful, coming directly to the capital to become a high-ranking official. Of course, you wouldn't even look at the women of Qiongshan!"

Zhu Lin frowned: "What are you saying, sir? Does coming to the capital to serve as an official mean you have to marry a woman from the capital? As long as a woman from Qiongshan is virtuous and kind, what's wrong with her?"

Haihao said with a forced smile, "Madam, that's not what I meant..."

Haiyue found it quite interesting.

The father, Haihao, is naturally from Qiongshan, but the mother, Zhulin, is not from Qiongshan. Why are the two of them so different?
Zhu Lin rolled her eyes at her husband, then turned to her son and her attitude changed again: "You must remember to marry a virtuous wife. A virtuous wife brings blessings to three generations. As for family background, we don't need to aim too high. Those high-ranking families are internally chaotic. If they become your wife's family, it may not be a help to your career in the future. On the contrary, it may become a hindrance..."

"Mother's words are truly insightful!"

Haiyue smiled and nodded repeatedly: "I do have someone I like. Would you like to give it a try and give it to my parents for their consideration?"

Haihao grinned: "Judging from the eagerness in your letter, I know something's up. As long as she's a decent girl from a respectable family, and as virtuous as your mother said, we'll immediately ask a matchmaker to propose marriage and get it done!"

"What's the rush? Can such an important life event be rushed?"

Zhu Lin said gently, somewhat helplessly, "If you tell me and you are mutually in love with a daughter from a respectable family, then everyone will be happy, and your parents will not object." There was an underlying meaning to her words.

In fact, given the current social climate, it is indeed difficult for a respectable daughter from a good family to fall in love with a man before marriage. Those who can secretly pledge their lives to each other are often not so proper.

Haiyue was naturally aware of this.

But deep down he is still a person from the future. Even though he has integrated well into this era, he still cannot accept the blind box style of arranged marriages.

Leaving aside cases like Yan Shifan, who nearly fell into the trap—those are extreme examples—most of these cases also experienced setbacks, with the wife making do and the man seeking love and fulfillment from his concubines.

If Haiyue doesn't meet someone he likes, then he will definitely stay like this. He's not a moral saint, so why should he spend his life with someone he doesn't like?
Fortunately, Li Yuying was a good match; her appearance, temperament, and talent were all compatible, and they were also kindred spirits, which was quite rare.

Well, of course you have to consider looks when choosing a wife, otherwise you'd just be frowning after marrying her, right?
So Haiyue didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "What about the Princess Annan that I just mentioned?"

Haihao and Zhu Lin were stunned: "Huh?"

Haiyue laid the groundwork before highlighting Li Yuying's situation, giving a detailed description, and finally adding: "She is virtuous, well-educated, and possesses a resilience and wisdom that are rare among ordinary women. As for her identity issues, after the fall of her kingdom, she is no longer a princess, but a citizen of Jiaozhi in our Great Ming Dynasty. In fact, her appearance does not resemble that of an Annamese. Mother will understand when she sees her..."

Hai Hao and Zhu Lin exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard. After a moment, Zhu Lin spoke up: "Since this Lady Li is an envoy from a foreign vassal state, is it convenient for us to meet?"

“It’s really inconvenient.”

Haiyue explained, "Especially since the traitorous minister Mo Dengyong from Annam sent his son Mo Guangqi here, and he is currently entangled with the Ministry of Rites. I came up with the idea of ​​avoiding him, so during this time, apart from going to the palace to see Empress Dowager Jiang, she has been studying in the Women's Academy of the Huitong Hall."

Zhu Lin said, "Then..."

Haiyue smiled and said, "Of course, it's perfectly fine for me to let her come out for a meeting. With my father there, her safety is guaranteed."

This wasn't about giving Li Yuying direct advice. After confirming with Old Fan that her parents would be arriving in Beijing in the next few days, Haiyue wrote to Li Yuying and arranged to meet her parents in a few days.

Li Yuying agreed shyly but happily.

Zhu Lin realized that her son had arranged everything, which seemed to be going against the natural order. She hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded gently: "Alright! Let's go see him first!"

"Princess Annam...Princess Annam...Hey!"

Haihao didn't care, muttered a couple of things, and even found it quite interesting.

To be honest, both Hainan and Annam are located in the far south of the Ming Dynasty, so neither should look down on the other. In fact, Annam is more prosperous than Hainan. At least a hundred years ago, Annam was a powerful region and could be called a regional hegemon.

Annam is now in turmoil, and it seems the Ming army is about to invade. Otherwise, a princess would never have any dealings with them. Haihao is really interested in this.

After finishing their business, the family ate their meal and started chatting casually.

When things got heated, Haihao even suggested a fight after dinner, but Zhu Lin rolled her eyes at him, and he gave up the idea.

Haiyue had an idea: inviting Yu Dayou over for a friendly sparring match would be a good idea.

I wonder who is more powerful, the future number one in the world or the current number one warrior in Qionghai?

Not to mention that he had many brilliant ideas, after welcoming his parents back, they agreed to meet outside the Huitong Hall the next evening.

Haiyue led the way, and from afar they saw Li Yuying, who was clearly dressed up and standing prettily outside the hall waiting. When the three of them approached, she immediately bowed to her parents and said, "Greetings, Uncle! Greetings, Aunt!"

Hai Hao didn't want to stare directly at the woman, so he nodded slightly. Zhu Lin, on the other hand, scrutinized her carefully, her expression subtly changing. She whispered, "Thirteen Lang, you should go back first!"

"Yes!"

It is indeed inappropriate to meet before the wedding, especially in the presence of elders, and one must be mindful of etiquette. Haiyue escorted the three of them to a private room in a restaurant that had been prepared in advance.

A full hour passed, and it was already dark when Haihao and Zhu Lin finally finished talking with Li Yuying. They personally escorted her back to the Huitong Hall and watched her walk into the courtyard.

Once they were alone, Haihao beamed, quite pleased with his future daughter-in-law: "This girl is really lovely! At first glance, she does resemble Madam somewhat. No wonder Thirteen Lang likes her; he has good taste!"

Zhu Lin whispered, "Do you feel the same way? She and I look somewhat alike?"

Hai Hao asked curiously, "The outline is somewhat similar, but upon closer inspection, they are different. She certainly doesn't look like an Annamite woman. What's wrong?"

Zhu Lin's expression was solemn as she slowly said, "Have you forgotten what I told you about? There was another branch that fled to Jiaozhi back then..."

(End of this chapter)