204 Side Story: Matchmaking I (1/2)

”Quiet!” The man called out and banged his fists against the wooden table.

The room quieted down after a few more bangs and every looked over at their leader. Among the faces, there were many old men and women but a fair number of youths as well.

”I have taken all of your candidates into consideration… I like all of them and it is a difficult decision.” He said. ”They are all great men that would bring many benefits to our clan.”

”Zhou Tong!” The woman beside him tugged his shirt again. Her voice urgent and tinged with anger.

”Ahem… what I meant is… a great man that would make our daughter happy! Of course!” Zhou Tong quickly corrected himself.

”Madam Ping is correct; no man is suitable unless Mistress Zhou likes him!” Zhou Lai said, stroking his beard.

”Oh, you seem confident in your candidate then. Why are you still being so mysterious with him?” Zhou Wangliang countered.

”Wangliang, don't be rude.” Zhou Tong admonished him, ”Since you are so confident, make your final pitch for your candidate.”

”Yes, my lord!” Zhou Wangliang and he stood up along with his brother, Zhou Wanli.

The two produced a golden scroll and unfurled it.

”My lord, please take a look. This is the royal decree from Golden Yu Dynasty that rules over all of Golden Yu Province directly to the west of Dragon Flower Province.”

Zhou Tong took the scroll and read the contents, ”Crown prince? Hmm… sworn to be empress? One hundred thousand taels of gold? A very firm offer indeed, very intriguing!”

”Hmph, just an empress? How many other consorts and concubines will this crown prince take in his lifetime? We don't know anything about his temperament or how he will treat our Ziyun.” Madam Ping countered.

”But madam, please consider the enormous business and political benefits!” Zhou Wanli argued, ”The Bright Moon Kingdom fell under Lin Qingcheng's complete control and it ruined a lot of our plans. Time and effort, completed wasted! Her power over the province is so firm, it is hard to compete. We should expand to the neighboring provinces before Immortal Blue Dragon's other disciples set their sights on them. Golden Yu Province is perfect, it is a prospering province and it has no immortal there!”

Zhou Tong stroked his beard and thought about the two brothers' words. ”Good candidate, good candidate… Now, who is next?”

Several elders murmured in approval. They did not like marrying Zhou Ziyun off to another province or another family. Who knows what would happen there where the Zhou Clan's influence was nearly zero? There were many suitable young men from the branch families and Zhou Ziyun would likely appreciate being able to keep her control over the Zhou Clan.

”I agree with Zhou Weizi, my lord!” Zhou You spoke up.

As manager of Moonlight City affairs, Zhou You's status had skyrocketed and now held huge sway within the clan.

”I can personally attest to Mistress Zhou's close relationship with the first disciple. They are like sworn sisters. We don't have to be on guard towards the House of Paradise or her faction. We can still work together just as before. There is room for both disciples within the province. They are the first and second disciples afterall.”

”Don't be naïve.” Zhou Wangliang said heatedly, ”One from the House of Paradise will be crowned queen of Bright Moon Kingdom. We all know what that means. One mountain cannot hold two tigers. We must prepare for the future!”

The meeting hall once again devolved in chaos as several discussions took place at the same time. Zhou Tong looked at his wife helplessly. Madam Ping crossed her arms and gave him a displeased look, like it was all his fault, which it indeed was. It was his idea to find a suitable match for his most talented and only child. Zhou Ziyun was already twenty and should have already been married by now. Heck, she should have already given him grandchildren!

Zhou Tong turned to Zhou Lai for some help but the old man had a carefree and amused expression.

”Uncle, you seem to have some thoughts?” He asked tentatively.

”Heh… I have indeed gained some wonderful insights, but I cannot share them unless the young mistress permits me.” Zhou Lai said with wide grin.

”You…” Zhou Tong sighed helplessly and tried to get the meeting back in order.

---

”So… what your telling me is that your father tried to marry you off without my permission?” Chen Wentian asked.

Zhou Ziyun gave him a smirk from the opposite side of the hot tub. They were having one of their customary baths together. Although they were in Black Rock City, Zhou Ziyun somehow made sure that her room had a private bath. While he did occasionally have sexy baths with his other disciples, Zhou Ziyun was the only one that insisted on them. It was her favorite pastime and she somehow always managed to drag him in with her.

”Why? Are you worried?” She teased, ”One of the candidates is quite good, crown prince of the Golden Yu Dynasty. I almost swooned.”

Chen Wentian let out a growl and pulled her into his arms.