Chapter 75 Princess Xuan

When Concubine Yun heard this, her face instantly became gloomy, like the dark clouds before a storm, but she soon regained her composure, except that there was a hint of coldness in her smile.

She looked at Xiao Yunzhan, then said gently: "Go in and see your father. Your marriage will naturally be decided by your father. I am not in a position to say more."

Xiao Yunzhan nodded slightly to indicate that he obeyed the order, then turned and walked into the imperial study.

In the imperial study, Xiao Yunzhan saw the emperor concentrating on reviewing memorials with a serious and earnest expression.

When the emperor saw Xiao Yunzhan, a hint of joy appeared on his face. He put down the red brush in his hand and asked, "You are here? How was the flower viewing banquet today? Did you take a fancy to any girl?"

A hint of mockery appeared on Xiao Yunzhan's lips. "You ask me? Didn't Concubine Yun already choose for me?"

I'm afraid the list has already been sent to you. In that case, why are you asking me again? "

The emperor stared at Xiao Yunzhan, a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end he sighed deeply.

"Yun Zhan, I know you are angry, but I have many difficulties. I cannot deal with Concubine Yun unless it is absolutely necessary."

"That is your business, father, and has nothing to do with me. I came here this time just to tell you that I want to marry General Song's ninth daughter." Xiao Yunzhan didn't want to say anything more to the emperor.

This was the same conversation they went back and forth every time. He had difficulties and needed understanding. Xiao Yunzhan's ears were almost callused from listening to it.

The emperor frowned. Song Hongzhi's name was known to everyone in the capital. He was the emperor, so naturally he had heard of Song Hongzhi's glorious deeds.

"I remember that he seems to have only one legitimate son and one daughter, and the rest are all illegitimate. Do you want to marry a illegitimate daughter as your concubine?

No, I won't agree. If I have to marry, I can only marry a legitimate daughter. What would it look like to marry a concubine's daughter?" The emperor's brows were tightly knitted, and he refused without thinking.

Xiao Yunzhan stared at the emperor, the irony on his face deepening: "Marry a legitimate daughter? Then father, can you tell me, what are the identities of the legitimate daughters chosen by Concubine Yun for me?

Is there anyone with a family above the third rank? Rather than marrying the daughters of lesser officials who are not presentable, I would rather marry a concubine from a high-ranking family. At worst, I can let the Song family register her name under the title of the main wife. At least it will look good.

The emperor was speechless. Xiao Yunzhan's guess was absolutely correct. The list sent by Concubine Yun included all the legitimate daughters of officials of the fourth and fifth ranks. There was not a single one from a noble family above the third rank.

After a long silence, the emperor sighed, "But she is a concubine's daughter, and her upbringing is certainly not as good as that of a legitimate daughter. Why do you value her so much?"

"Because she was the one who saved me. If it weren't for her, I would have been lying with my mother.

I may not be well-educated, but I can learn. I don’t know how to manage the household, but I have a nanny. I married her because I like her and I am willing to protect her.

I won't be like my father, unable to protect the woman he loves. I won't let her become my second mother."

Xiao Yunzhan stared straight at the emperor and spoke word by word, his words revealing his resentment towards the emperor.

Why did his mother die tragically? Why was his life hanging by a thread? Concubine Yun was the murderer, and the culprit of all this was the emperor.

Seeing the hatred in Xiao Yunzhan's eyes, the emperor felt a surge of anger in his heart, but looking at Xiao Yunzhan's eyebrows, he sighed deeply again.

"Well, marry whoever you want. I won't ask about this matter. Since you are getting married, it's time for you to move out.

Your palace has already been built, and I will confer upon you the title of Prince Xuan. You will soon move out of the palace; life will be easier outside."

The emperor knew exactly what kind of life Xiao Yunzhan had been living over the years, but he did not dare to show too much concern for Xiao Yunzhan.

Sometimes too much care is not good for a person, but may harm him.

"Thank you, father. If there is nothing else, I will leave now. I will go back and prepare and move out tomorrow." Xiao Yunzhan had achieved the purpose of this trip and was in a good mood. He decided to show mercy and not make the emperor angry today.

The emperor felt upset and waved his hands repeatedly. Xiao Yunzhan turned and left.

After returning to the Prince's Courtyard, Xiao Yunzhan ordered people to pack their luggage and move to Prince Xuan's Mansion early the next morning.

Early the next morning, the emperor's first imperial edict was to Xiao Yunzhan, conferring him the title of Prince Xuan.

After the imperial edict was issued, Xiao Yunzhan took his men and luggage out of the palace.

"Zhao Xin, where is the list of betrothal gifts that I asked you to prepare?" Xiao Yunzhan asked the eunuch beside him in the carriage.

"Your Highness, it's here." Zhao Xin immediately took out the betrothal gift list from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Yunzhan.

After taking a look, Xiao Yunzhan was still a little dissatisfied: "Replace these with the best ones. If there are none in the mansion, please let me know."

The emperor has given him a lot of subsidies privately over the years, so he is considered to be one of the richer princes. However, these are all private properties and others do not know about them.

He is about to get married, so the betrothal gifts he gives to Song Yuning must be of the best quality. In the future, all of these will become Song Yuning's dowry, which means she has private property.

Xiao Yunzhan had to prepare more for Song Yuning and must not let her lose face in front of other princesses.

If he doesn't have the replacement items in his house, then he can go to the palace and get as much of his scumbag father's things as he can, because he owes him these.

Zhao Xin took back the betrothal gift list expressionlessly, and in his heart he felt even more respect for the princess who had not yet married him.

A year ago, Xiao Yunzhan started asking him to draw up a list of betrothal gifts. During this year, he didn't know how many times he had revised it, but Xiao Yunzhan was still not satisfied.

I don’t know what kind of person this future princess is. Could she be a fairy from heaven? She is so valued by the prince.

It seems that in Prince Xuan’s Mansion, the princess will have the first place in status, and the prince will have to step back.

After the first imperial edict was issued, the second imperial edict was quickly sent out of the palace, attracting everyone's attention. Many people were hoping that this imperial edict would fall into their own hands.

Because everyone knows that this imperial edict represents Princess Xuan.

Therefore, when this imperial edict reached the Song family, the entire capital was in chaos.

When the Song family heard the news of the imperial edict, they were even more confused. Song Hongzhi was stunned on the spot. It was only when the old lady pulled him that he came to his senses and asked someone to quickly invite in the eunuch who was going to announce the edict.

When she was about to receive the imperial edict, the old lady looked back at Song Yuning, who looked calm, and quickly turned her head away.

"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: What a joke! To establish a screen for the promotion of virtue, one must rectify the imperial court, match virtue with the rules, and allow the gift of virtuous and wise men. You, the ninth daughter of General Song Hongzhi of the Right Guard, are from a family of public officials, of a clean and honorable character, and were born with a pure and beautiful appearance, both graceful and outstanding.

You are a model for success, gentle and wise from afar, virtuous and profound within, and virtuous and illuminating without. I hereby appoint you as Princess Xuan, by imperial decree!