Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

"Young Clan Leader Wu's information is quite well-informed." Chen Mo knew this matter wasn't a secret and smiled, "I indeed obtained a navy from Fengzhou, but it's not elite, just some remnants. May I ask why your master is interested in this?"

"To be honest." Lv Tong cupped his hands towards Chen Mo again and said, "The Marquis holds the Three States and wields strong forces. You have also built a dock in Qiantang, and now you possess an elite navy. Although my master knows both parties are friendly, the populace of Jiangdong remains unaware.

They constantly fear your military might, feeling uneasy, and they petition my master daily. To completely soothe the unease of the Jiangdong people, my master sent me to propose a marriage."

"Oh." Seeing Lv Tong's timid demeanor, Chen Mo became interested, took a sip of tea, and said.

"My master has a younger sister, beautiful and virtuous, capable of managing a household, skilled in medicine, and taught by Imperial Physician Zhang Jingzhi. If she were to marry the Marquis, making us allies, then this relationship would reassure the Jiangdong citizens, eliminating their anxiety about the Marquis descending upon Jiangdong." Lv Tong said.

Hearing this, Chen Mo showed a look of surprise, then put down his teacup, appearing flattered, and said: "I come from a humble background, with ancestors who were all ordinary peasants. How could I dare to seek connection with the Wu Family..."

Lv Tong: "..."

He couldn't fail to detect the irony in Chen Mo's words.

Because Wu Changlin had told him, when he approached Chen Mo earlier, Chen Mo expressed a desire to marry a Wu Family girl, but Wu Changlin rejected him. After returning to Jiangdong, Wu Changlin had mocked Chen Mo for thinking he could wed a Wu Family girl with his background.

Unexpectedly, Chen Mo had seen through this, and now played along.

"The Marquis' words are surprising. The Marquis is mighty and impressive, a young hero. My young lady once said, 'If not a hero of the world, I shall not serve him.' You, Marquis, are renowned throughout the land; as the saying goes, a beauty for a hero. The young lady and the Marquis are a perfect match. Besides, this would also assure the Jiangdong populace, so I hope the Marquis won't refuse." Lv Tong spoke slowly.

"Tap tap..."

Chen Mo lightly tapped the table with his fingers, then said, "Marriage is a significant matter, allow me a day to consider it carefully."

"Naturally," Chen Mo said.

Chen Mo asked Sun Meng to arrange for someone to escort Lv Tong to rest.

When Sun Meng returned to Chen Mo's side, Chen Mo drank the tea from his cup in one gulp and said, "Sun Meng, what do you think of this matter?"

"Replying to the Marquis." Sun Meng cupped his hands towards Chen Mo, smiling, "It seems the Wu Family is aware that you've acquired a navy and have grown in power. They fear you might attack them, so they've proposed marriage to form an alliance, ensuring you won't send troops to Jiangdong."

Saying this, Sun Meng couldn't help but feel a bit smug and added, "The Marquis is truly incredible. Even one of the Seven Great Noble Families, the Wu Family, is now intimidated by you."

But Chen Mo was not as optimistic as Sun Meng. He patted Sun Meng's shoulder and said, "The matter might not be so simple."

...

Despite that, Chen Mo agreed with Lv Tong's proposal, sending Sun Meng and Zuo Lianglun as matchmakers to return to Jiangdong with Lv Tong and meet Wu Changlin.

Sun Meng stated that his Marquis had agreed to marry Wu Xiaomei and that the betrothal gifts would be sent to Jiangdong in a few days.

Zuo Lianglun then said, "Young Clan Leader Wu, when can my Marquis marry Miss Wu?"

"Whenever Chen Mo arrives in Yongkang, the marriage can take place," Wu Changlin said.

Yongkang, equivalent to the Capital City of Jiangdong.

Hearing this, Sun Meng and Zuo Lianglun frowned.

Sun Meng, being a warrior, was not one for words. Hearing Wu Changlin's statement, he was about to get angry, but Zuo Lianglun quickly restrained him with a look and then cupped his hands to Wu Changlin, saying, "The young lady is to marry in Yu State. The Marquis can welcome the bride at the river. Why must he go to Yongkang? This is not in accordance with custom."

Wu Changlin waved his hand and smiled, saying, "My younger sister is still young, and our mother, being old, cannot bear to see her married far away, so she hopes the Marquis can come to Yongkang to marry her, fulfilling our mother's wish.

Additionally, as you also know, the Wu Family girls do not marry out. If the Marquis can live in Yongkang for a while, everyone can see, and I can explain to everyone, preserving the Wu Family's dignity. If the Marquis finds it uncomfortable, he can return to Yu State with his new wife at any time."

Hearing this, Zuo Lianglun frowned. Unlike Sun Meng, he immediately realized there might be a trap and said, "Under the command of parents, arranged by matchmakers. Could I meet Elder Clan Leader Wu and the Madam?"

"Sorry, it's quite coincidental; both my father and mother are not in Yongkang. They went to Jiangnan to prepare dowry for my younger sister, but before leaving, they said I have full authority over my sister's marriage." Wu Changlin said.

Zuo Lianglun couldn't immediately agree and said he would decide after discussing it with the Marquis upon returning.

...

This back and forth, when Chen Mo learned of this news, happened to be the first day of May.

"Going to Yongkang to marry..." Chen Mo frowned slightly.

"Marquis, this seems like a trap. You cannot agree." Zuo Lianglun reminded, "As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.' If this is indeed the Wu Family's plot, going there might mean you won't be able to return. We didn't even meet the Elder Clan Leader of the Wu Family on this trip."

"But the Marquis has already agreed to Lv Tong's proposal, and we've gone to Jiangdong. If we back out now, it would be an insult to the Wu Family, which would be inappropriate..." Sun Meng responded after a moment of hindsight.

Chen Mo smiled at Zuo Lianglun and said, "No, I will go."

Zuo Lianglun: "???"

He couldn't believe that with Chen Mo's intelligence, he hadn't seen through this.

Chen Mo said, "Perhaps the Wu Family truly fears my military power and is worried I might attack Jiangdong, so they seek an alliance through marriage. This way, we also wouldn't think of sending troops to Jiangdong.

Moreover, Prince Huai is gaining power; their next target could very well be us. We need a powerful ally. Sun Meng is right. Since we've accepted the Wu Family's proposal, backing out now would insult the Wu Family. If they side with Prince Huai, the consequences would be severe. For the sake of the bigger picture, I must agree."

"But there's no need for the Marquis to put himself in danger." Zuo Lianglun said.

"The situation is clear: going means becoming in-laws; not going means becoming enemies." Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, having made up his mind, and smiled meaningfully, "I'm actually hoping they have something up their sleeves."

"???"

Zuo Lianglun didn't understand Chen Mo's meaning.

Chen Mo chose to keep it a mystery but murmured to himself, "Everything is ready, just missing the excuse for sending troops to Jiangdong. If there's really a scheme, our righteousness would be justified."

A glint of determination flashed in his eyes.