Chapter 633: Brawny Man
Editor: Atlas Studios

Since Hanlan was here for the seeds this time, after getting the reply she wanted, she tugged at Jinhua and wanted to bid farewell.

However, Jinhua did not want to leave. She had only gone down the mountain three times since she was young. Every time, she would leave and return on the same day, roaming the streets for only a short while. Therefore, she wanted to stay.

Used to speaking her mind, she said to Mu Yangling directly, “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay at your house. I’ll go back after I’m done playing.”

Mu Yangling didn’t like her, so she rejected her. “Miss Jinhua, as we just moved in not long ago, the residence is still in a mess. Besides, this house doesn’t belong to our family and is rented from someone else. Considering there’s not even a guest room, I’m afraid we can’t let you stay here for the night.”

Jinhua pouted unhappily. “We Miao people are warm and hospitable. Why are you Han Chinese so petty? You won’t even let me stay for a few days.”

However, Hanlan knew that it was not that the Qi family did not have a guest room, but that they were unwilling to let Jinhua stay at their house. After all, her sister had wanted to snatch the Prince from Mu Yangling previously.

Afraid that her sister would embarrass herself further if she continued, she quickly stopped her and said, “Before you came out, you promised Father that you would listen to me and go home early. How could you forget? If you want to play, we can enter the city to play next time.”

“No.” Jinhua refused to leave. “You guys said the same thing in the past, but all my life I’ve only entered the city three times. I insist on staying.”

Mu Yangling sat still and did not speak.

Hanlan tugged at her and said in a low voice, “Be careful with your words in front of Her Highness lest you make a fool of yourself. Come back with me first.”

When Jinhua saw that the servants in the room were also looking at her, she was embarrassed and angry. Her eyes turned red as she pointed at Mu Yangling and shouted, “Aren’t you just refusing because I pursued His Highness previously? You’re too petty. Miao girls are free to woo whichever man catches her fancy. If she succeeds, it’s because of her ability. And even if she fails, love rivals can turn into good sisters in an instant. Unlike you Han Chinese, you’re so petty. The last time you came to our Miao stockade, when you asked me to teach you the Miao language, I readily agreed.”

Seeing that she was arguing with her like an elementary school kid, Mu Yangling felt very helpless. Recalling that she had indeed used her last time, Mu Yangling thought for a moment and said, “It’s true that love rivals can become friends, but I don’t think we’re considered love rivals. You can also pursue any unmarried man. However, you have to know that the Prince is already married and has children. Just based on this alone, he should be removed from the list of men you pursue since he doesn’t meet the requirements. If you pursue him, that’s not love, but you’ll be destroying my family. Therefore, I don’t like you.”

Hanlan was shocked, for she didn’t expect Her Highness to be so direct. She was a little annoyed, but her sister tilted her head slightly and asked, “Then why did you ask me to teach you the Miao language last time?”

“Because you were the only one who knew both Mandarin and the Miao language at that time.” Mu Yangling said, “If you had a question for me, I would have answered it directly. Although I don’t like you, I won’t target you on other matters.”

Jinhua rolled her eyes. “Are you serious?”

Mu Yangling nodded.

“Then let me ask you, are there many burly men among your husband’s subordinates?”

“Jinhua!” Hanlan shouted at her angrily.

Jinhua said unhappily, “Sister, I think you’ve gone silly from studying with Brother-in-law. Our Miao family’s women dare to love and hate. What’s there not to say? I don’t like beating around the bush like you guys. If I didn’t know that you’re Father and Mother’s biological daughter, I’d have suspected that you’re not my sister.”

Jinhua pointed at Mu Yangling and said, “She’s more like a Miao girl than you are.”

The veins on Mu Yangling’s forehead twitched. “I think I’m more like a Han Chinese.”

Jinhua snorted and asked, “Just say it. Are there burly men amongst them? It’s best if he’s stronger than His Highness.” Blushing, Jinhua said, “Even if he’s not stronger than him, it’s fine if he’s just a tad inferior. However, he has to be good at martial arts and good-looking.” Jinhua thought for a moment and said, “I want someone unmarried, or even if he’s widowed it’s fine.”

Mu Yangling and Hanlan: “…”

Mu Yangling took a long time to find her voice. “Does your father know about your intentions?”

“Of course he knows.” Jinhua raised her head proudly and said, “My father promised me long ago that he would find me the most majestic man to be my husband. Unfortunately, our village is too small and I don’t fancy any of the men inside.”

“What about the other Miao stockades?”

Before Hanlan could stop her, Jinhua said disdainfully, “Nah, they’re even worse. Besides, Father can’t bear to marry me to another stockade…”

“Jinhua.” Hanlan interrupted her with a cold expression and said, “Let Father handle the matter of finding your husband. Let’s go back first. It’s not like you can make the judgment by yourself.”

“Of course I have to be the one to choose my own husband!” Jinhua jumped up and said, “If Father and Mother don’t object, who are you to say no? I think you’ve been led astray by Brother-in-law and are too particular about heeding the words of one’s parents and the matchmaker when it comes to marriage. Those are all bad things. I told you not to listen long ago. Nobody knows better than oneself what’s good for them.”

Hanlan felt a headache coming on. She turned to Mu Yangling and said, “Your Highness, we’ve embarrassed ourselves. I’ll bring my sister back first.”

Hanlan stepped forward and grabbed Jinhua, then covered her mouth and dragged her out. It was obvious that she had no intention of preserving her image anymore.

Mu Yangling was dumbfounded. She did not expect that the weak-looking Hanlan’s strength and kung fu were stronger than Jinhua’s, to be able to drag her out overwhelmingly. Though, it had to be said that Hanlan’s face, hands, and neck were also scratched by Jinhua in the process.

Spring took a long time to find her voice. “The girls of the Miao Tribe are so valiant.”

Mu Yangling nodded sadly. After a while, she turned her head and said, “Go find Xiao Ting and ask her to list out the names of unmarried, uh, majestic men under the general for me to see. It’s best if they’re of a certain rank.”

Spring immediately went down.

At night, Xiao Ting sent in a list of names. It was very detailed and listed everyone’s rank, age, family background, and personality traits.

Due to the restriction of “rank”, Xiao Ting sent over a list of fifth-grade lieutenants and above, ranging from 19 to 40 years old.

Seeing that a 42-year-old assistant commander was also among them, Mu Yangling’s lips twitched and she asked, “This one’s not married yet either?”

Xiao Ting stuck his head out to take a look and immediately replied, “Your Highness, he’s indeed not married. He used to be a tenant of a landlord and only had a little strength. Because he didn’t have money, he never married. Later, he encountered natural and man-made disasters and for the sake of survival, went up the mountain to become a bandit. He’s considered the second-in-command of that stronghold. Back then, he was directly recruited by His Majesty, so he was immediately promoted to a third-grade assistant commander. He’s also in a hurry to find a wife, but at the mention of his age and his occupation as a soldier, the girls from good families weren’t very willing.”

Frowning, Mu Yangling said, “But he’s a third-grade assistant commander.”

Xiao Ting chuckled and hurriedly explained, “Third-grade assistant commanders are highly sought after in Jiangnan and the north. However, they’re not popular here at all. The assistant commanders in Jiangnan have power and don’t have to fight to the death on the battlefield. In addition, they’re allocated a large area of stipend land in the north. Even if they die on the battlefield, according to tradition, the stipend land can be preserved for three more years, which brings quite considerable yields. However, as you can see here, even a second-grade general like His Highness only has that bit of stipend land, let alone a third-grade general. The fields are barren, and because he was promoted from a bandit, he’s very poor and doesn’t have any family assets. Considering also that this is the border, who knows when he will have to go to the battlefield with West Xia? If he dies, his entire family will have nothing to live on. Therefore, no one is willing to marry him. Those who are willing to marry him are all widows with children. He’s not willing to raise a son for others, so he’s been dragging it out.”