Zhen Yi's face showed a pale smile upon hearing this.
His investment was not in vain; Liu Jin was indeed as he had guessed, a person of deep loyalty and righteousness, definitely not a heartless scoundrel.
Looking at Liu Jin before him, a weak voice emerged!
“Brother Wenyi, to be honest, with my current illness, I probably won't live past tonight.”
“I only have one request: I hope you can marry my sister, Zhen Yu. She only needs to be a concubine.”
“I wonder if you can agree?”
Liu Jin was stunned by these words, his expression one of bewilderment.
His gaze couldn't help but drift towards Zhen Yu; her enchanting figure and charming face made it impossible for him not to be tempted.
Zhen Yu's cheeks flushed crimson, and her beautiful eyes couldn't help but glance at Liu Jin, appearing somewhat shy as she quickly lowered her head.
Seeing Liu Jin's silence, Zhen Yi's hoarse voice continued!
“Brother Wenyi, why aren't you responding to me?”
“Could it be that you dislike my sister, Zhen Yu, or do you not want to help your brother with this matter?”
Liu Jin quickly shook his head upon hearing this, stammering a bit as he said!
“Jing'an, this might not be appropriate.”
“After all, she is your sister. If I… take her… it might not look good for my reputation.”
Zhen Yi quickly shook his head and said!
“Brother Wenyi, there's no need to worry about such things. We are like brothers; how could I put you in an unrighteous position?”
“Although my sister was married, her husband unexpectedly passed away on her wedding day, so she has remained at home. She is only twenty-five and still a maiden.”
“She only needs the status of a concubine. If Wen Yi dislikes that, it's fine to take her as a maid. I just hope she can have a status to take care of my Zhen Family in the future. Must even this small request be refused?”
At this point, Zhen Yi began to cough rapidly, appearing somewhat agitated.
Liu Jin found these words reasonable, as a common saying during the Han Dynasty was, 'I will care for your wife and children.'
Furthermore, Zhen Yu was beautiful and graceful, single, and still a maiden. Taking her as a concubine would indeed be no loss for him.
With this relationship, the Zhen Family would also provide money and grain, helping him to rise quickly.
As for the other party's daughters, they were still young; the eldest daughter was likely still underage, so a marriage alliance would naturally be inappropriate.
Swallowing, Liu Jin's face was resolute, and he spoke with righteous solemnity!
“Since Jing'an has said so, then Wen Yi will respectfully accept. I will certainly take good care of Jing'an's sister.”
At this point, Liu Jin paused, recalling that he seemed to have misspoken.
He couldn't help but add an impromptu sentence!
“And Jing'an's son.”
Zhen Yi nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, completely relaxing.
His sickly voice continued!
“Since Brother Wenyi has agreed, I can rest assured.”
“Oh, and one more thing: I only hope that after I die, you can help my son, Zhen Yan, to succeed as the head of the Zhen Family.”
Liu Jin heard this and, without any hesitation, quickly patted his chest and promised!
“Jing'an, don't worry. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have taken good care of your entire family.”
“After you are gone, I will naturally ensure Nephew takes over as family head. No one, no matter who they are, will be able to contend for it.”
Zhen Yi heard this and completely relaxed, able to rest in peace even after death.
His sickly voice continued!
“Please first allow the Marquis and Yu'er to rest for a moment in the side room.”
“I need to discuss something with Yan'er.”
Liu Jin and Zhen Yu nodded slightly upon hearing this, then walked out together.
After all, Zhen Yi was about to die, so he naturally had some private matters to discuss with his son.
Pushing open the door and walking out, they saw a young man with red eyes, swaying, being supported by the butler as he walked inside.
Liu Jin stood outside the courtyard, his gaze occasionally sweeping to the side, observing carefully.
However, he didn't dare to be too blatant. After all, she was the Zhen Family's young sister. Although Zhen Yi asked him to take care of her, he couldn't be too eager; at least he had to wait until they left this place.
Madam Zhen Yu, standing nearby, had flushed cheeks and blinked her beautiful eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
Although her elder brother had entrusted her to this young man before her.
There was a slight hint of joy in her heart, after all, this man was not only handsome but also held high status and power, being a Marquis of the Han Dynasty.
Marrying him would not be a loss for her; at the very least, she would be a Marquis's concubine, and her status would naturally be much higher than a Zhen Family's young sister.
Especially since she hadn't been married, and her husband had passed away, she had no status staying at her maternal home and occasionally faced ostracism. Given this, marrying Liu Jin was the best way out.
A moment later, the room creaked open, and the butler helped Zhen Yan walk out.
Upon seeing Liu Jin at the doorway, Zhen Yan immediately knelt and kowtowed without a word!
“Marquis, I hope you will take good care of my Zhen Family in the future.”
Seeing this, Liu Jin quickly walked over, helped the kneeling Zhen Yan up, and comforted him!
“Nephew, do not worry. Your father and I are friends who transcend age, like brothers.”
“I will naturally help you with your affairs. The head of the Zhen Family will always be you. Anyone who dares to harbor greedy intentions, I will surely kill them for you.”
“Also, from now on, you can simply call me Uncle.”
Zhen Yan's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing this, deeply moved.
Liu Jin was not only in a high position but also held the title of Marquis.
His status was very high, and with his help, the Zhen Family would definitely achieve glory.
Without any hesitation, he immediately bowed and said!
“Nephew greets Uncle.”
Liu Jin nodded in satisfaction, reaching out to stroke his head, appearing very affectionate.
Although Zhen Yan was similar in age to him, his own status was established, and he was good friends with the other's father.
Coupled with the fact that he was about to take the other's aunt as a concubine, he could indeed be called his uncle.
Just then, a Zhen Family attendant led another middle-aged man, quickly approaching.
This man wore a bronze seal and a black ribbon at his waist, clearly a county magistrate with a thousand-stone salary.
The newcomer was Xu Wen, the Magistrate of Wuji County. His eyes lit up when he saw Liu Jin.
After some hesitation, he respectfully bowed!
“Your subordinate greets the Marquis.”
Liu Jin nodded upon seeing the person before him. He had quite a bit of acquaintance with this magistrate when he was in Wuji County.
The other party had provided him with money and grain, so he naturally had a good impression of him.
Xu Wen's face showed worry as he walked over, sighing!
“Alas, I didn't expect Jing'an, so young, to be afflicted by illness.”
“It's truly a pity.”
Liu Jin nodded at this, feeling some regret in his heart as well.
After sighing, Xu Wen's face showed respect, and he spoke politely from the side!
“It's been half a year since we last met, and the Marquis has become even more handsome and dashing.”
“Your subordinate truly cannot compare.”
Liu Jin nodded slightly upon hearing the flattery, not paying much attention.
Since being enfeoffed as a Marquis and appointed as a general, the number of flatterers was countless.
Let alone a county magistrate, even a regional governor would show politeness upon his arrival, occasionally offering a few praises.
