Starting boy Ma Kongqun

Chapter 379: The Dragon Girl Has a Will, but the Grand Master Has No Will

Ever since Ma Ji solved the mystery in the womb at the age of ten and became aware of his past, the memories of his previous two lives were so rich and colorful that they covered up the relatively simple memories of the first ten years of this life.

Therefore, many events from the first ten years of his life were buried deep in his heart and rarely reappeared in his mind unless stimulated by certain inducements.

After hearing what the girl said, Ma Ji vaguely caught a glimpse of something in his mind.

However, Lin Jin, as Ma Ji's childhood sweetheart, immediately remembered an incident that the two of them experienced together when they were young.

She reminded him softly, "My husband, do you remember that year when we went to play by the West Lake? A fisherman passed by us carrying a golden carp. The carp opened and closed its mouth towards us, as if asking for help. My husband was soft-hearted and bought the carp with his pocket money, and released it by the water."

Ma Ji finally remembered this matter, nodded, and then looked at the girl who was bowing in front of him: "So the young lady is..."

Ao Ming on the opposite side smiled and said, "To be honest, Grand Master, this is my most beloved young daughter, Linlang. When she was a guest at her uncle's house in West Lake, she was framed by a villain and lost all her magical powers. She almost died at the hands of a mortal. Fortunately, Grand Master came to my aid and saved me from the pain of losing my daughter."

Ma Ji knew that although the other party's words "being schemed against by a villain" were downplayed, there must be many treacherous conspiracies and calculations behind it. However, this was ultimately a matter of the Dragon Clan, so it was not convenient for him to interrogate him. He only said, "So that's how it is."

Then the dragon girl Ao Linlang stepped forward and personally held the cup for Ma Ji.

Ma Ji hurriedly declined the offer.

Ao Ming added, "Grand Master, there is no need to refuse. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring, let alone a great favor of saving your life. If Grand Master does not mind my daughter's meager appearance, please take her in and let her serve you day and night."

Although Ma Ji had a premonition, he was still shocked when he heard this. He waved his hands and said, "No, I already have a wife and concubines. I really don't dare to let your daughter down."

Ao Ming disagreed: "It is common for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Since the Grand Master already has wives and concubines, what's wrong with him taking in a little girl?"

Ma Ji bowed and said, "I am very grateful for your kindness, Lord Long, but I am sorry that I cannot obey your order."

Ao Linlang, who was holding the pot and insisting on pouring wine for Ma Ji, saw that he refused the marriage so resolutely. Her pretty face was immediately filled with loss, and her eyes looking at Ma Ji were filled with deep resentment.

Ao Ming had never thought that even though he offered his stunningly beautiful daughter to someone, there would still be someone who would have the heart to refuse. He didn't know how to persuade the person for a moment.

Just when the scene was awkward, Jiaona, who was sitting nearby, chuckled: "This is certainly a good thing, but it was done poorly by Long Jun."

Ao Ming seemed to have heard some hidden meaning, and asked in surprise: "May I ask what your opinion is, Madam?"

Jiaona smiled and said, "You don't know, Long Jun. In my family, the husband has always been in charge of the outside affairs and the wife has always been in charge of the inside affairs. The big things outside are naturally decided by my husband, the head of the family, while the small things at home are always taken care of by my wife. Long Jun wants to send his daughter to my Ma family, but he should ask my wife for her opinion, not my husband."

Ao Ming suddenly realized, and put his hand on his forehead and said, "I am indeed confused. We can discuss this matter later. Linlang, please leave now."

"My daughter obeys!" Ao Linlang agreed first, and then said to Ma Ji, "I will pay a visit to you tomorrow."

Ma Ji always felt that the father and daughter looked at him in a strange way, and hurriedly explained: "Lord Long and Princess, don't listen to Jiaona's nonsense. The key to this matter is not Madam, but I really..."

Ao Linlang chuckled and left without paying any attention to him.

Ao Ming raised his glass and said, "I understand, I understand. Although I am the leader of the Dragon Clan, I have to listen to my wife's opinions on everything when I am in the harem. Master, please enjoy today and we can discuss this matter later!"

Seeing that things were getting worse and worse, Ma Ji had to give up explaining further. He glared at Jiaona who was sniggering, then raised his glass and took a sip of the wine.

Although there were some disturbances during the banquet, it was still a great pleasure. Ma Ji had important matters to attend to in the Middle Earth, so he did not linger in the Dragon Palace and immediately said goodbye after the banquet.

Seeing that he couldn't keep the guest, Ao Ming ordered Ao Chen to see him off on his behalf.

Ao Chen led the way in front, dividing the water and sending Ma Ji and others to the sea, where they greeted each other and said goodbye.

When Ao Chen returned to the Dragon Palace, Ma Ji asked with a dark face: "Jiao Na, what are you doing?"

Jiaona, however, walked forward and took his arm without any concern, tilting her head and asking, "Master, why do you think that Dragon King didn't send his daughter here to repay his kindness a few years ago?"

Ma Ji was slightly startled, then he understood: "You mean the other party wants to use this marriage to form an alliance?"

Jiaona said, "No one will stay out of the great catastrophe in the future. The Dragon Clan has obviously determined that you, Master, are the one who will be afflicted, so they are betting on you."

Ruoxue at the side interrupted and said, "The Dragon Lord may be considering something important, but I think the Dragon Lady also seems to have feelings for her husband."

Jiaona smiled and said, "With our husband's character and appearance, it would be strange if the dragon girl was not tempted. If not, I would not give her a chance to marry into our family... But in the end, this matter still needs my sister to make the decision."

Ma Ji frowned and asked, "Is my opinion not important?"

The four girls seemed not to hear what he said.

Lin Jin nodded and said, "Sister is the most sensible. Since it involves the help of the dragon clan with deep roots, I think she will not reject the dragon girl."

Ma Ji's face turned even darker, and he had no choice but to urge the pleasure boat transformed from the "Heaven-Repairing Stone" to speed towards the Middle-earth.

Their return journey was uneventful and took them more than half the time of their trip.

After abandoning the boat and going ashore, Ma Ji soon received news that during the time he was at sea, dramatic changes had taken place in the court of Dayu.

Wang Heng had successfully suppressed Prince Rui Li Xun, who had colluded with the White Lotus Sect to cause rebellion in Qi and Lu. However, after returning to the court, Emperor Zhiping Li Hang confiscated his military power using the title of Duke.

After Li Hang had firmly established himself on the throne, he no longer had the wisdom and diligence he had in his earlier years. He also did not think about how to rebuild the country that was devastated by the chaos. Instead, he became obsessed with the illusory Taoist philosophy of immortality. He spent all day practicing Zen and seeking enlightenment with the imperial teacher Pu Du Ci Hang, who had returned to the capital from the north. He also built palaces, temples and monasteries at great expense to the people.

There were many loyal and upright officials among the court officials. They were deeply distressed when they saw this and wrote letters to the emperor to offer earnest advice and suggestions.

However, Li Hang refused to listen to these harsh but honest advice. Instead, he became furious and demoted or dismissed many officials who submitted the petitions.

Among them were veteran officials such as Gu Yong, Du Heng, Han Lei, Fu Tianchou, as well as Ning Caichen and Wang Shixiu, who were once good friends of Li Hang.

After being demoted, most of these people became completely discouraged and simply resigned from their minor official positions and returned to their hometowns to live in seclusion.

Although Fu Tianchou was demoted to the magistrate of Jinhua County, he still persevered in submitting letters of advice many times, and his words became more and more fierce, including words comparing Li Hang to the king of the previous dynasty who had lost his country.

Li Hang was furious and ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to leave the capital, arrest Fu Tianchou in Jinhua, and bring him to the capital to be tried.

(End of this chapter)