The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 576

"My name is Shen Lian, a guard of Lord Zhou."

Shen Lian said.

Upon hearing this, Ding Jun broke out in a cold sweat. Shen Lian was very famous in the capital, and his astonishing martial arts skills had long been known throughout the city.

Ding Jun never expected that Lord Zhou would send this person.

However, since things had come to this point, Ding Jun had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.

"This humble servant has met Lord Shen, but Lan'er's marriage will naturally be decided by her parents and the matchmaker."

Ding Jun's implication was all too clear: even if you, Shen Lian, are a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or even a bodyguard of the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you have no say in who my daughter marries.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian's disdainful expression became even more pronounced.

"Master Ding, should we send someone to inquire? Right now, more than a dozen officials from the Ministry of Works, including your Lord Wu, are in the Northern Garrison Prison. They're like grasshoppers after autumn, too busy to take care of themselves. How can you, Master Ding, still be thinking about doing business with the Ministry of Works?"

Shen Lian's words were like a sharp thorn piercing Ding Jun's heart. Ding Jun, who had been holding on, changed his expression drastically upon hearing these words.

“Master Ding, do you have some misunderstanding about the Embroidered Uniform Guard? The patron you want to curry favor with is nothing more than a dish in the eyes of us Embroidered Uniform Guard. We Embroidered Uniform Guard can't bring you any business, but we can make sure you have no way to survive in the capital.”

Another Jinyiwei commander following behind Chu Liu added.

Shen Lian couldn't bring himself to say these words, but he spoke them without any restraint.

Upon hearing this, Ding Jun's expression changed several times. These words were a blatant threat. If this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could say such a thing, it meant that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was absolutely capable of doing it.

Ding Jun knew very well that it would be as easy for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to kill him as to crush an ant. The reason he dared to stand up to Chu Liu so defiantly before was because he believed he had Chu Liu's character under control. He thought that even if he disagreed with the marriage, Chu Liu would not make things difficult for him.

The saying "a gentleman deceives others with integrity" illustrates this principle.

He never expected that while Chu Liu might not care, it didn't mean that the Embroidered Uniform Guard or Zhou Chu behind him wouldn't care.

It's useless to reason with a scheming person like Ding Jun. What scheming people fear most is being unreasonable, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard is precisely the kind of organization in the capital that doesn't need to be reasoned with.

"Go and call Lan'er over."

Ding Jun understood instantly, almost without hesitation.

If this matter were only between his family and Chu Liu, he would still have room to maneuver.

But clearly this matter has escalated to a conflict between his family and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If he refuses again, Ding Jun doesn't even dare to imagine what will happen to his family.

Soon, Ding Lan arrived in front of everyone.

Having not seen Chu Liu for several days, Ding Lan looked quite haggard, but her eyes lit up immediately when she saw him.

"Sixth Brother".

Ding Lan approached Chu Liu, somewhat shyly.

"Master Ding, are we now considered a good match in terms of social standing?"

On the sixth day of the lunar month, he held Ding Lan's hand and refused to let go, looking at Ding Jun and saying.

"What are you saying, sir? It is our Ding family that has been honored to be associated with you. We have been honored to be associated with you."

Ding Jun's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"In that case, I will send a matchmaker to propose marriage in a few days. I hope Mr. Ding will be prepared."

On the sixth day of the lunar month, he didn't want to wait a moment longer, but he also knew that proposing marriage couldn't be rushed. There were many steps involved, such as matching birth dates, calculating the compatibility of the couple, and finding a matchmaker to act as matchmaker.

This is the proper procedure for a formal marriage.

Upon hearing this, Ding Lan's face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears, and she lowered her head, not daring to say another word.

"Of course, I will be fully prepared to welcome you, sir."

Ding Jun smiled apologetically.

"Master Ding, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Shen Lian looked at Ding Jun, who was smiling apologetically, and said.

"Please speak, sir. Please speak."

Ding Jun hurriedly said.