Chapter 20: The Prince Consort (IV) "Do you dare to say it again?" "I am ill..."

"You dare say that again!"

On the high platform, wearing a dragon robe and sitting on the dragon throne is the emperor of Zhongshan Kingdom.

He pointed in the direction of Xiao Wangshu and spoke angrily.

The pearl curtain on the crown made crisp sounds as he moved, like baring fangs and claws. His Majesty, who had reached the age of knowing his destiny, was still as majestic as ever.

"Princess Duanyang is of noble character and birth. I, a humble servant, am extremely terrified and unworthy of her. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."

Xiao Wangshu, kneeling in the main hall, ignored the surprised, amused, or hostile looks from the crowd and bowed again.

He did not flinch at all, but just felt a headache. He really didn't understand why His Majesty suddenly had the idea of ​​arranging a marriage between him and Princess Duanyang. You have to know that this did not happen at this time in his previous life, and the person to be married in the future would not be him, but Yao Ce.

The emperor was furious that there was someone so fearless as to defy the imperial order. He was not surprised but also felt a sense of appreciation for the talent, so he did not punish him immediately.

This story begins yesterday afternoon, when His Majesty the Emperor was reviewing memorials in the Yangxin Palace, and Princess Duanyang came to pay her respects.

This was the first time that his daughter, whom he doted on very much and had always been well-behaved and sensible, made a request to him.

"Father," he bowed after entering the hall. When the emperor asked about his intention, Duan Yang's fair face flushed lightly, and he acted like a little girl. "Your Highness, I want to ask for a favor."

Seeing Duan Yang's expression, the emperor could easily guess the purpose of his daughter's visit. The emperor, who was over fifty years old, felt a bit of "old father's" sadness. He clenched his fists and then unclenched them before asking in a soft voice:

"Does my son have a crush on someone? Which noble young man has caught my daughter's eye?"

The emperor asked his daughter to come closer, with a gentle expression on his face like a spring breeze.

"Father knows him."

As he spoke of Duan Yang, he pulled out the portrait scroll from his sleeve, his cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

"It turned out that I heard the drum sounding a few days ago. I had heard a little about the student named Yao Ce, and I was very curious about what kind of person he was. That's why I sent Chai'er to find out more about him. Chai'er brought back the scroll, and I..."

Duan Yang could not speak the next words, so she just lowered her head and pinched the handkerchief. However, she did not know that her father frowned when he heard the name "Yao Ce". He glanced at his beloved daughter with a scrutinizing look before slowly opening the scroll.

At this time, he seemed no longer a "father" but an emperor.

Just this one glance magnified the suspicion in his heart infinitely. The emperor closed the scroll, still smiling, but lacking sincerity:

"Do you know who is on this scroll?"

"My daughter knows, so it must be Yao Ce."

Although she didn't know why her father asked this question, Duan Yang still answered obediently. It was not that she was so eager to get married, but the fact that she met the prince last night really made her nervous. She wanted to confirm her engagement with her lover as soon as possible, so she dared to tell her brother what happened that night and asked him to be more careful.

The emperor felt relieved after hearing his daughter's answer, but he still did not make it clear. He only ordered someone to summon Zi Chai who was left in Qifeng Pavilion.

When Zi Chai entered the palace, she saluted respectfully, but was stopped by the emperor. He said impatiently: "Let me ask you, did you go outside the palace to look for someone for the princess a few days ago? Is the person in this portrait the person you are looking for? What is his name?

Lowering her head and not daring to look directly at the emperor's majesty, she raised her hands to take the scroll that the eunuch had taken from His Majesty. Zichai first opened it and scanned it, confirming that the portrait was the same one from a few days ago, and then replied in an orderly manner:

"Your Majesty, the man Zichai is looking for for the princess is named Xiao Wangshu. He is the young master of the Xiao family and was the Crown Prince's childhood study partner. He is the person in the portrait."

"What? I told you to look for Yao Ce. When did he become the young master of the Xiao family?"

"Your Highness didn't reveal his name at the time, and Young Master Xiao won the second place, Your Highness..."

Zi Chai suddenly stopped talking. She remembered the princess' instructions and almost let the cat out of the bag. She quickly apologized:

"I am guilty and have messed up my job. Please punish me, Your Highness."

He did not miss any change in the expressions of the two people. Duan Yang's surprise and Zi Chai's confusion could not be faked. The emperor did not find anything wrong and finally put aside his suspicion temporarily and picked up the weak but real sincerity.

“Hahahahahahaha.”

This smile attracted the attention of the two people sitting at the desk. Duan Yang realized something and before His Majesty could speak, he knelt down and was supported by the emperor.

"Alright, alright, my son, please get up first. It was just a coincidence. You can deal with this palace maid privately. Father, let me ask you, is the person you like Yao Ce or the person in the painting?"

"Your son..."

Duan Yang was startled and suddenly turned around.

This was the choice her father had given her. She had originally thought the person in the painting was Yao Ce, and everyone would be happy. But now that it wasn't, should she choose her beloved? Or her brother? She didn't have much time to think, "Of course, the person in the painting."

She heard the answer in her heart.

As her voice fell, the emperor's brows lit up with joy.

Thus, there was this "granted marriage" during the appointment today. However, His Majesty had never expected that Xiao Wangshu would refuse. He took a few deep breaths, thought of his daughter's expectant eyes, and finally suppressed his anger and considered:

"Why not? But you're worried about your career. There's no need to worry about this. If the prince consort is truly capable, he can even be the prime minister."

The ministers were naturally in an uproar. This was a great gift from heaven. They would not doubt the emperor's promise. Throughout the history of Zhongshan State, it was not uncommon for a son-in-law to enter the government. However, in order to prevent foreign relatives from interfering in politics, a son-in-law was given a high position, and the position of prime minister was probably the only one. This showed how favored Princess Duanyang was.

Of course, the emperor also appreciates talents. The emperor was deeply impressed by Xiao Wangshu's scroll, and he was relieved to hand over such a loyal minister to Yongheng in the future.

"I beg Your Majesty to retract your order," Xiao Wangshu continued before the emperor could lose his temper. "I am truly ill and dare not delay Your Majesty."

Xiao Wangshu remained calm after he said this. He had already made up his mind not to get married. He had no intention of starting a family before his great cause was accomplished. If he got married, it would be a waste of time.

It is true that Your Majesty will not believe it easily, but Your Majesty will never do anything to investigate the matter in public or forcibly, as that would truly be a loss of face for the royal family.

This was a risky move, but Xiao Wangshu made the right bet.

So the emperor who was doubtful in his heart, the ministers who were unaware of the inside story, the imperial guards on duty outside the door, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who had heard the news early in the morning and rushed here in a hurry and was now standing outside the door without having time to send anyone to pass on the message, his face pale.

They all showed expressions of astonishment, or opened their mouths wide, or glanced at Xiao Wangshu with hidden eyes, or had a look of regret.

They all fell into a strange silence.

In fact, putting aside certain factors, Xiao Wangshu's statement is indeed the best method.

“You…hiss…”

Even the emperor's first reaction was disbelief, and then he denied it himself.

This almighty emperor didn't think that anyone would lie about having a hidden illness in order to avoid marrying the princess.

Such a lie is too easy to be exposed. Moreover, once this is said, no girl in Bianjing will be willing to marry him.

Even if it was fake, as long as he was in power, Xiao Wangshu would never leave any offspring. Even if he was gone in the future, as long as Xiao Wangshu had offspring, anyone could accuse him of deceiving the emperor. With such a blatant handle, how could Xiao Wangshu, who was so talented, do such a stupid thing that would be thankless and useless?

Again, since he had promised to ensure his official career, how could Xiao Wangshu not understand what would be more beneficial to his career?

Even if we take a step back, the emperor did not think that Xiao Wangshu had the courage to deceive him.

In this way, he wouldn't have to keep holding on to it and chill the hearts of students all over the world.

But Duan Yang will definitely be sad. However, since Xiao Wangshu is ill, as a father, he will not agree to this marriage even if Duan Yang likes it very much. I think Liu'er will not let Duan Yang do whatever he wants.

After a thousand twists and turns in his mind, in just a moment, the emperor finally waved his hand and let Xiao Wangshu go.

"Well, get up."

The matter was over for the time being. Ignoring all the strange looks, Xiao Wangshu saluted and returned to the queue as steady as a rock.

It happened that the eunuch announced the news, and the prince dragged his sick body forward to pay his respects.

The prince came here naturally for Xiao Wangshu, but seeing that the other party resolved the crisis with just a few words, his trip seemed unnecessary, but the show had to go on.

He was supported, and decided to make a quick decision. He knelt down, changing his previous rebellious attitude and said sadly:

"Father, I am guilty! I fear I will not live long, and I am unworthy of the position of Crown Prince, so I come to resign!"

As he spoke, he coughed several times and actually coughed up blood.

Everyone was horrified, and there was a great deal of chaos. The Emperor also showed some concern at this time, and even summoned the imperial physician, but the prince choked up and said:

"Father! The East Palace has been deserted for the past few days. Only my fourth and sixth brothers are willing to visit once or twice, which makes me feel deeply comforted.

But I am just a sick and frail body, barely hanging on. Now my time is running out, and I feel guilty and regretful that I cannot share your worries.

I have given it much thought and have decided that I should not occupy the position of Crown Prince. This time, I beg Your Majesty to grant my last remaining wish and choose another heir! This way, I will not let Your Majesty down, and I will not let Zhongshan down."

After saying this, he vomited a large mouthful of blood, fell forward, and fainted completely.