Da Zhu was in a good mood. After coughing, he said, "Father, Ying'er is getting married. It's gone by so fast. In the blink of an eye, our Ying'er is getting married. Just think, do you still remember when he couldn't walk?"

Old Zhu laughed too, and said with a touch of emotion, "Yes, our Ying'er has grown up and is about to get married!"

The majestic procession of the Crown Prince slowly made its way toward the Prince of Zhongshan's residence, attracting a large number of onlookers along the way.

Zhu Xiong Ying's main staff was in Beiping, so many of his officials were originally from the Eastern Palace. This is quite interesting, because the officials of the Eastern Palace were basically the same as those in the imperial court.

It's no exaggeration to say that the three generations of the family are now sharing the same staff, and the officials in the court are constantly shifting roles. One moment they're the emperor's team, the next they're the crown prince's team. Now it seems they need to start preparing in advance for the possibility of transforming into the crown prince's team.

The Crown Prince's entourage stopped at the Prince of Zhongshan's residence, and Zhu Xiong Ying alighted from his carriage and ascended into his palanquin. After Zhu Xiong Ying entered the Prince of Zhongshan's residence, the accompanying officials also entered the residence in turn.

Xu Miaoqing was all prepared according to protocol, and her wet nurse and maids naturally brought the news as well. The Crown Prince was hosting a banquet in the main hall, just waiting for the appointed time to leave the palace.

Wang Chengen whispered to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Master, it's time."

Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying nod, Qin Da stepped forward. Dressed in court attire, he stood on the west side and invited Zhu Xiong Ying to stand on the east side of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion. At this time, Xu Miao Qing also left her home.

"May I ask you for help?"

After the attendant spoke, Zhu Xiong Ying declared, "I am here to personally welcome you, as ordered by imperial decree!"

The elaborate rituals continued. A usher entered to announce their arrival, and Qin Da greeted them from the west side of the main gate, bowing twice towards the east. After Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in thanks, Qin Da led her inside to the left. Following Zhu Xiong Ying was Fu Rang, carrying a large goose.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood before the gate, and Qin Da knelt in worship. Zhu Xiong Ying then took the wild goose and handed it to Qin Da.

Actually, Xu Miaoqing's stepmother has passed away, so Xu Miaoqing currently has no mother. Otherwise, there would be some rituals.

Zhu Xiong Ying paid a simple 'payment' to Xu Miao Qing's parents. Qin Da stood up and said, "Be warned, be warned. Be diligent day and night, and never disobey my orders."

At this time, Xu Miaoqing followed her wet nurse and others, rode out in a palanquin, and then sat in a phoenix sedan chair.

Zhu Xiong Ying also sat in the elephant carriage at this time and sighed, "Marriage is indeed a troublesome thing."

There were other troublesome things as well. For example, upon arriving at the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying needed to pay his respects to the old Zhu and the eldest Zhu. Xu Miao Qing, needless to say, had to walk into the palace to pay her respects to the old Zhu and the eldest Zhu. There was no way around it; she was a granddaughter-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and also a subject.

Only after Zhu Xiong Ying and Xu Miao Qing paid their respects to Old Zhu and Great Zhu could they proceed to the East Palace.

Zhu Xiong Ying walked slowly ahead and whispered to Xu Miao Qing, "Are you tired?"

Xu Miaoqing blushed and whispered, "Your Majesty, I dare not."

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm just tired." Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled and said softly, "Don't even mention you, I'm tired too. I got up at dawn and only ate a little something at the Prince's Mansion. I couldn't eat much, everyone wanted to toast me and exchange pleasantries, I didn't even have time to eat something."

Xu Miaoqing was slightly surprised. She naturally knew Zhu Xiong Ying, partly because she was a close friend of Zhu Xiong Ying's two younger sisters. From Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue, the initial information they received was that their elder brother was intelligent from a young age, rarely showing his emotions, and also cared for his younger siblings.

After her engagement to Zhu Xiong Ying, Zhu Xi and Zhu Yue's attitude changed; she was now treated like a sister-in-law. The implication was that their future sister-in-law should be obedient, as their elder brother was a man of great talent and extraordinary martial prowess, unworthy of just anyone…

In fact, Xu Miaoqing's elder brother, Xu Yungong, also said that the Crown Prince had great potential and instructed Xu Miaoqing to be dutiful in the palace, etc.

However, it seems that the Crown Prince doesn't place much importance on etiquette; he is quite approachable.

Looking at Xu Miaoqing, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "After you go back, eat and drink well and get some rest. There are still many things to do tomorrow and the day after."

Xu Miaoqing was a little nervous, and nodded slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled but didn't speak. "Let's get married first and fall in love later." That's how things were in this era, especially since Zhu Xiong Ying was the Crown Prince's grandson; many things weren't so free for him.