Longcheng, Longzhong District. The Longcheng Municipal Government had officially established its seat in the newly built Longzhong District, not far from the banks of the great river.
The government buildings were modest in height, six stories at most, but sprawled across a considerable area, comprising more than twenty structures.
The various government departments were gradually relocating here.
After this move, it was unlikely they would shift again. No matter how much Longcheng's population might grow in the future, this place would essentially remain the heart of it all.
And so the pace of construction in Longzhong District was noticeably faster than in the three other districts being built simultaneously.
"Come, come, come — congratulations to all my young ladies on your new home! Your master has personally prepared a hotpot feast to warm the hearth!"
"Hotpot! Long live the master!"
More than twenty people gathered under one roof, the room alive with noise and laughter.
Zhao Baihui loved this feeling — his whole family together, warm and content.
In the middle of the meal, Zhao Baihui suddenly spoke. "Jinxiu, that matter I asked you to look into — how is it coming along?"
The others clearly had no idea what he was referring to, and curious glances turned toward her.
"Master, gathering information about young ladies from prominent families is no easy task. Still, I've managed to piece together a rough picture."
The others exchanged confused looks. Young ladies from prominent families — was the master finally going to bloom like an iron tree?
Well, the master was thirty-seven, nearly thirty-eight. There had been no woman by his side for years.
Perhaps he was missing female company?
Perfectly understandable, really. Only human.
"Master, master, are you going to—"
Zhao Baihui quickly reached across Jinxiu and clamped a hand over Jinyuan's mouth. That girl was getting more and more reckless with her words.
He didn't even need to think about it — he knew nothing decent was coming out of her mouth. Covering it was pure instinct.
"Stop your babbling. What are you going on about? This has nothing to do with me. What do you think I'm doing — holding a talent selection for imperial consorts?"
On the other side, Jinwen snickered. "Given the master's standing, what would be wrong with that?"
What a pity Zhao Baihui only had one hand — he couldn't silence two mouths at once.
Jinxiu quickly cut in to steer the conversation back, before it could drift any further off course.
"The master isn't doing this for himself. The New Year is only a few months away, and after it passes, Mingcheng-ge will be nineteen, and Mingxin-ge and Mingwu-ge will be eighteen."
"The other older brothers will all be seventeen. In other families, a nineteen-year-old would have children old enough to run around by now."
"How could the master not be anxious? Mingcheng-ge, don't take it personally — you're the eldest. You need to set an example."
Mingcheng, ordinarily so composed, flushed red as a monkey's backside. Mingwu, also called out by name, looked equally flustered.
At the same time he thought: Mingxin really lucked out. By rights, he should have been the second one called out — I'm half a year younger than him!
Jinxiu seemed to read his thoughts, and smiled. "Mingxin-ge, it seems, is the last person the master needs to worry about. From what I hear, he's been living it up in the north — apparently he's managed to ruin the most beautiful, the second most beautiful, and the third most beautiful flowers of the steppe."
"Half of Longcheng already knows about it."
"One of these days he might just bring home a chubby little grandson for the master. Compared to second brother, the rest of you have some catching up to do."
Zhao Baihui laughed along, then said, "Truth be told, I don't care who you marry or what kind of man you end up with. I only hope that each of you has family by your side — the more the better."
The laughter gradually faded.
"Master, we will all do our best to stay by your side. We'll do everything we can to make sure you're not lonely."
"Never mind, never mind. Fledglings grow up, and eagles must soar. I won't count on having you around. Just go and have children — having little ones to keep me company will be enough."
"As for you lot — when you've tired of flying, when you're old birds with worn wings, you'll find your way back. And then we'll sit in the sun together, play chess, talk — that'll be plenty."
"Enough of that. Let's not dwell on it. Jinyi, send out invitations on several fronts — princesses and county princesses of decent repute, daughters and granddaughters of high ministers and generals from the various courts, well-bred young women from distinguished families. Select one hundred in all and invite them to stay in Longcheng for a time."
"As for age — twelve to eighteen. The older ones can stay a year or two; the younger ones, a few years more."
"After all, in a few more years, the Mings will all be old enough to take wives."
Jinyuan popped up again, eager as ever. "Master, master — what about us girls? Aren't you going to invite any young men for us?"
Zhao Baihui gave her an odd look. "Am I supposed to invite someone's crown prince over? Don't men need to go out and earn a living?"
"And besides — are you lot actually thinking of marrying out? I won't have it. Your master refuses."
"You'll all be matched from within. Longcheng has no shortage of fine young men — are you telling me not one of them is good enough for you girls?"
"Of course, if a crown prince were willing to marry in and settle here permanently, I might consider it."
At the words "matched from within," several of the girls immediately flushed.
But then, the master was an easygoing man, and the young women he'd raised had all developed thick enough skins.
Even the sensitive ones had learned to keep a strong face outward.
It was nothing to worry about. They dealt with men every day — some of them could probably out-banter any man in a ribald contest.
But in the master's presence, they still tried their best to show their gentle, graceful side.
Word spread that Lord Zhao of Longcheng was selecting women — or rather, that was a misunderstanding, but since the thing was being done regardless, there was no need to explain it to outsiders.
And so plenty of people assumed he was holding an imperial-style selection.
One hundred formal invitation letters flew outward in all directions — chiefly to the three great capitals, but also to powerful clans entrenched across the regions.
The messengers and the letters alike made things perfectly clear: Longcheng's leaders were young and as yet unmarried. This visit was an opportunity for both parties to become acquainted. If things proved agreeable, no further words would be necessary.
With a few exceptions, nearly everyone who received an invitation was delighted.
A marriage alliance with Longcheng — what a magnificent stroke of fortune.
No need to deliberate. Pack the luggage and send the girl on her way.
---
The Northern Capital.
The Prince Mingxin's residence.
The sudden rain had just let up. Two people lay at rest.
"Your daughter is headed to Longcheng, I suppose?"
"Mm. My daughter is the most beautiful flower of the steppe, a pearl cast down from the heavens. Of course she will go."
The Empress Dowager and this woman had been the flowers and pearls of their own generation. The new generation's flowers and pearls were now blooming in their prime.
Mingxin muttered under his breath — he had to say, their culture was remarkably lacking in imagination. Every generation, flowers and pearls, flowers and pearls. Could they not come up with something fresh?
"After this, let's not see each other anymore. I'd rather not make things awkward when I have to face my brothers."
"What's there to be awkward about? Everyone comes to things the same way."
"Besides — think about it. Think about it deeply. Isn't there something rather thrilling about it?"
Mingxin shuddered, threw back the covers, and got out of bed. This woman was something else. Even he had his limits.
Not many of them, admittedly.