Chapter 52: What Do You Think of My Sister

The Duke Mu’s residence spared no effort in welcoming Ma Jun and his companions this time. Everyone was present: Bai Hanfeng, Wu Lishen, Liu Yizhou, Fang Yi, Mu Jianping, and others. Now that everything had been spoken openly and no one harbored any grudges, conversation flowed freely, laughter was easy, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Ma Jun, suppressing his craving for tobacco, kept eating and responded perfunctorily to Mu Jiansheng, waiting for him to make a promise. Yet Mu Jiansheng seemed to have his own agenda, talking in circles with dry, uneventful remarks.

“Chief Ma, your reputation for the Soul-Seizing Darts has spread throughout the martial world. Everyone has heard from the brothers of Honghua Hall in the Tiandihui about how you once killed over a dozen Tartars in an instant. Later, you caused havoc at Prince Kang’s residence, and even when dealing with Ao Bai, you never showed your Soul-Seizing Darts. It is clear your skills are truly extraordinary!”

“You flatter me. I am unworthy, truly. As for extraordinary martial arts, that is too generous, young lord,” Ma Jun replied with a forced smile, lazily.

Mu Jiansheng continued, “I’ve heard you are the last disciple of Chief Chen Jinnan. For him to choose you as his student, you must be remarkable!”

“It’s you who’s remarkable; I’m just tired of it!” Ma Jun thought to himself, smiling and replying, “The chief is too kind.”

“Before joining the Tiandihui, Chief Ma had already made a name for himself and commanded many followers. Your first great deed was the slaying of Ao Bai!”

“You flatter me, flatter me!”

“Chief Ma, you must be twenty-four or twenty-five now, yet you still look as young as a teenager. I hear you have only one adopted son and are yet to marry or have children?”

“Flatter, flatter—” Ma Jun looked up, paused for a moment, and grinned, “My heart is devoted to restoring the Ming, so I haven’t considered anything else.”

“Haha, Chief Ma truly possesses great character!” Mu Jiansheng grew happier by the minute, genuinely pleased. He gestured to his left, “This is my sister, Mu Jianping. She’s long admired your exploits, and after you saved our family yesterday, her respect for you grew even deeper.” Turning to Mu Jianping, he said, “Sister, offer Chief Ma a toast!”

Mu Jianping had been watching Ma Jun with curiosity. She listened intently whenever her brother recounted Ma Jun’s feats, likely never having known them in detail before. The young girl approached with a cup of wine, glanced shyly at Ma Jun, her cheeks tinged with red, and lowered her gaze, speaking in a clear, delicate voice, “Chief Ma, I offer you a toast!”

“Wow, you old rascal, it looks like they’re going to promise the sister to you! Hmph!” Xiaohua’s voice was full of jealousy.

The situation was clear enough—just as Xiaohua said, and Ma Jun looked awkward, his first reaction not joy, but discomfort.

Mu Jianping’s brows were delicate, her lashes long, her mouth small, nose straight, and her beauty was truly exquisite, dressed in pale red—she was a lovely girl. Yet this beauty was only fourteen! In ancient times, fourteen meant nominal years; by modern reckoning, she was only thirteen.

Girls in the old days married early, but matured later than today’s children. Nowadays, some girls develop as early as ten—far earlier. But Mu Jianping was still as flat-chested as could be, shorter even than Ma Jun sitting.

Ma Jun always teased Xiaohua, the little Lolita, but in truth Xiaohua was already fully developed, with a youthful appearance but not a child. Mu Jianping, sitting quietly all this time, had not caught Ma Jun’s attention.

“To take such a child as my wife? I’d rather marry that annoying Fang Yi—at least she’s a grown woman!” Ma Jun shuddered, forced a dry smile, drank the wine, and quickly turned to eat, not daring to say another word.

Seeing Ma Jun’s reaction, Mu Jiansheng was momentarily taken aback. After letting his sister sit back down, he exchanged a glance with Liu Dahong and then said cheerfully, “Chief Ma, I have a rather improper request!”

“Go on,” Ma Jun braced himself, thinking, you already know it’s improper, yet you insist!

“I wish to betroth my sister to you.”

The words hung in the air. Everyone from the Duke Mu’s residence and the Green Wood Hall looked over. Each had their own thoughts, but no one voiced opposition or agreement.

Mu Jianping, watched by all, blushed deeply, sneaking a glance at Ma Jun, her expression shy but joyful—she truly seemed to hold some affection for this “great hero.”

“How could I accept such a thing?” Ma Jun waved his hands. “Young lord, you come from a noble and loyal family, while I am but a commoner. How could I dare reach so high?”

Mu Jiansheng thought, do you think I truly wish to connect my family to yours? With the world’s situation so uncertain, the Duke Mu’s house is fading. Restoring the Ming is a distant hope. Tiandihui commands tens of thousands, far surpassing my family, with Taiwan as their base. If the rebellion fails, they can still retreat. You are Chen Jinnan’s favored student, young and already in the leadership of Tiandihui, and your character is beyond reproach. Giving my sister to you would gain a powerful ally, secure her future, and repay your favor in saving our family—a triple benefit. It’s only right!

Having weighed the advantages, and seeing his sister’s reaction, Mu Jiansheng was even more determined to marry Mu Jianping to Ma Jun.

His expression grew serious. “Chief Ma, you need not say such things. My sister, by age, beauty, and family, is well matched to you. If you refuse outright, do you look down on the Duke Mu’s residence? Do you think our family no longer holds the glory of the old Prince of Yunnan?”

His words left no room for retreat. Ma Jun felt Mu Jiansheng’s resolve, offering no escape. Either break ties and waste all previous efforts, or accept this child.

The Duke Mu’s residence was not as powerful as Tiandihui, but even Chen Jinnan would not wish to antagonize them. If Ma Jun truly refused, both sides would suffer.

“I’m really not a pervert!” Ma Jun complained internally. “Imagine the wedding night, facing a child—how could I bear it?”

“Stop pretending, old man!” Xiaohua jumped in to persuade. “A cute little Lolita is handed to you—why hesitate? Just treat it as a raising game!”

“You little brat, mind yourself—I’m raising you too, and when you grow up, you’ll see!” Ma Jun vented at Xiaohua, hearing her grumpy silence and feeling much better.

Everyone watched Ma Jun, waiting for his reply. After much thought, he finally laughed, “Since the young lord has spoken so frankly, I must obey. Truthfully, I dared not aspire so high, but since you favor me, I shall not be coy. Miss Mu is a beauty without equal; to marry such a wife is surely the result of many lifetimes of good fortune!”

“Excellent, excellent, excellent!” Mu Jiansheng was overjoyed, repeating his approval, raising his cup and looking around. “Today my sister has found a good match, and as her brother, I am truly delighted. Everyone, let us drink!”

Ma Jun’s carefully directed play was thoroughly disrupted by Mu Jiansheng.

Everyone in the hall, whether from Tiandihui or the Duke Mu’s residence, was happy and cheerful. Only Ma Jun’s mind was troubled. Whether he harbored any wicked thoughts was known only to himself.

The meal lasted late into the night. Before leaving, Ma Jun stalled, saying the marriage must be approved by his master, who would choose the matchmaker and arrange proper gifts—not to be rushed.

Mu Jiansheng agreed readily; all traditions must be observed—his sister could not be married off so casually.