Chapter 92 IF Line (3): My fragrant husband, here I come!
In Kunning Palace, Emperor Jingyou dined with his wife and children.
The Empress soon learned of Mo Shan Wang's proposal to marry Yun Kui and was full of disapproval: "Although Mo Shan Wang said he would treat her with the respect due to a principal wife, it is true that he has a lot of concubines. Moreover, Xiliang is thousands of miles away. Marquis Wu Ning is a meritorious official of the country and has only this one daughter. How can he bear to let his daughter marry far away? Your Majesty cannot disappoint the heart of a loyal minister."
Emperor Jingyou said, "That's what I thought too. But the Prince of Moshan is rude and domineering. I'm afraid he'll keep pestering me. That's why I summoned Marquis Wuning to the palace to discuss arranging a marriage for his daughter as soon as possible, so that we can appease the Prince of Moshan."
The Empress recalled the composed young maidservant at the birthday banquet, "She was a good girl, but..."
However, these prominent families in the capital place more emphasis on a woman's dignified virtue and proper conduct when choosing a daughter-in-law. It would be difficult to find a suitable match in a short period of time who is of good character and willing to agree to a temporary engagement to help the Marquis of Wuning out of his predicament.
The Emperor and Empress were also pondering a solution when they suddenly heard the sound of a teacup falling to the table.
The Crown Prince slowly rose to his feet: "Your Majesty, I still have files to review from the Ministry of Justice. If there is nothing else urgent, I shall take my leave."
This sound reminded the Empress: "Stop right there, your mother has something to ask you."
The crown prince had no choice but to stop and reply, "Yes."
The Empress recalled the scene at yesterday's banquet and her tone became serious: "Yesterday, Princess Qionghua tried every means to seduce you, and you remained unmoved. But she choked on a cherry, and she was right in front of you. Couldn't you tell what her symptoms were? With your keen senses and swift movements, how could you have waited for Yun Kui to come to your rescue?"
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze indifferently.
He did hesitate for a moment when he noticed the symptoms yesterday, and there is no denying that.
It wasn't that he wanted to watch her suffocate to death, but any of the palace servants at the banquet could have come to her rescue, and he could have given her guidance from the sidelines, avoiding any trouble caused by unnecessary physical contact.
He hadn't expected that before he could even give any orders to his subordinates, the girl would take matters into her own hands and do it quite well, actually managing to force the cherry pit out of Princess Qionghua's throat.
The Empress said, "In the end, if you hadn't delayed the rescue, Yun Kui wouldn't have had the chance to step forward and save the person. In that case, she wouldn't have attracted the attention of the King of Moshan."
Crown Prince: "...Mother means that it was my fault that Prince Moshan asked for her hand in marriage."
“Of course,” the Queen said. “Yesterday I said I would reward her, but she saved someone and made a contribution, and then she was targeted by that wolf, King Moshan. I can’t bear to see her risk her lifelong happiness for this, and I can’t rest easy.”
The Empress stared at her son and probed, "However, when she was saving people yesterday, Prince Moshan, for some unknown reason, stepped forward to stop her and almost injured someone. Your Majesty saw it with your own eyes. It was you who stepped in to protect her, allowing Yun Kui to save people in peace and avoid being accidentally hurt..."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingyou also remembered, "She toasted you at the banquet yesterday, didn't she? I saw you two chatting quite happily..."
The Crown Prince said helplessly, "Father."
He didn't spare a single glance or smile from beginning to end, finding it all too noisy; how could they possibly have a pleasant conversation?
Emperor Jingyou pondered for a moment, then said to the Empress, "Marquis Wuning is a pillar of the court, and his wife even cured your headache. His only daughter is qualified to be the Crown Princess, but that's just her personality..."
The Crown Prince's forehead veins bulged. "The daughter of Marquis Wuning is still young, and her temperament is naive and innocent. How can she be qualified to be the Crown Princess?"
The Empress said, "I think she is beautiful and intelligent, upright and kind. She saved people at yesterday's banquet, and her courage and composure in the face of danger are commendable. Which young lady in the palace could do that? Although she is young, she will be of marriageable age next year. Let's arrange her marriage first, and I will teach her slowly after she enters the palace."
The Crown Prince was even more troubled by the thought of her hidden thoughts, "She has none of the qualities a Crown Princess should possess: grace, refinement, knowledge, and wisdom..."
Empress: "Then tell me someone you'd like to choose from. Yesterday's birthday banquet was a gathering of beautiful young ladies, which was specifically for you to find a match. If she's not suitable, then who is?"
The Crown Prince pursed his thin lips slightly: "Your subject has no interest in this matter, so I have not paid attention to it."
The Empress said, "You told me before that you had no particular requirements for the Crown Princess and left the decision to me. In that case, I will give you three days. If you do not have a better candidate within three days, and the Marquis of Wuning's mansion has not found a suitable son-in-law, then your father and I will arrange this marriage for you as soon as possible. Your father only has you as his son. If you delay in marrying, the Great Zhao dynasty will be without a successor, and the country will surely fall into chaos. This would also be considered unfilial of you!"
The Crown Prince frowned slightly, pondered for a long time, and then said, "Yes."
Back at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince continued to handle state affairs as usual, but the image of that innocent, smiling little face kept lingering in his mind.
It has nothing to do with love, but by some twist of fate, she is very likely to become his wife. No matter how unintentional he is, he cannot ignore it.
After much deliberation, the Crown Prince secretly sent someone to inquire about the progress of Marquis Wuning's selection of a son-in-law.
On the evening of the third day, Qin Ge, the personal guard, came to report.
"Marquis Wu Ning did indeed secretly visit several dukes, marquises, and earls, but all of them declined, saying that the marriage was already arranged."
"There are no suitable young men in the families of military officers who are of equal social standing to the Sheng family's daughter."
The crown prince raised his eyes: "What are your requirements?"
Qin Ge hesitated for a moment and said, "Miss Sheng wants someone handsome and well-proportioned. These young men from military families are either too strong, too dark-skinned, or too rugged in appearance. And there's one... Miss Sheng thinks he sweats too much and smells bad."
Crown Prince: "..."
At this critical juncture, it's a bit too much for the Marquis of Wuning and his wife to let their daughter be so picky.
Qin Ge said, "There are a few men working in the Embroidered Uniform Guard who are handsome and skilled in martial arts, meeting Miss Sheng's requirements. However, they either have complicated family relationships, are morally flawed, covet Miss Sheng's beauty, or have the intention to climb the social ladder. Marquis Wu Ning and his wife are still observing."
The prince tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and then heard De Shun muttering to himself beside him.
"What should we do? The three-day deadline is approaching. According to Her Majesty the Empress, Marquis Wuning has not found a husband for his daughter, and His Highness has no suitable girl. Won't he have to marry that Sheng family girl?"
"To be honest, in terms of appearance, this Miss Sheng resembles her father. She is truly a natural beauty, with unparalleled charm, and is extremely well-matched with our prince."
"She has a good temperament; not only does the Empress like her, but even the two princesses like her..."
The next morning, the Crown Prince was handling state affairs in the Chongming Hall. However, as he sat in the sandalwood armchair, his thoughts drifted away, and he had no interest in reading the documents on the table.
Over the years, he has been devoted to official duties and has no interest in romantic relationships. The names of people he has heard of have flashed through his mind, but he can never match their faces. These include several noble ladies who often come to the palace to pay their respects, as well as the companions of Xuanhe and Wanning.
The only one I vaguely remembered was that muddle-headed little girl from the Marquis of Wuning's family.
But the few times I did have those experiences, they weren't very good.
Their first encounter was on Wan Ning's birthday. Several noble ladies brought their daughters to the palace for a banquet. The other girls, around five or six years old, already knew proper etiquette and manners, but she, upon seeing him, not only failed to bow but also uttered disrespectful words without hesitation—
"Mother, this young man is so handsome, can I take him home?"
Ever since the Lady of Wuning was granted an imperial title, this girl has been appearing at palace banquets of all sizes as if haunted.
Marquis Wu Ning doted on his daughter, and he often brought her to the palace polo matches and the dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival.
This girl is so young, yet she likes to look at shirtless men. This would be considered shocking even by a young lady from any family.
Whenever she entered the palace and saw him, she appeared obedient on the surface, but in her heart she was disrespectful to him, coveting his appearance. If he didn't have the ability to read minds, he would probably be deceived by her innocent and harmless appearance.
However, these words could not be spoken to outsiders. If he told his father and mother, it would only make him seem petty. Not only would his father and mother not believe him, but they would also think that he was slandering someone else's good daughter in order to avoid getting married.
But if one were to actually marry her, how could one expect such a woman to manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace in an orderly manner and with clear rewards and punishments?
While he was pondering, Cao Yuanlu, the chief eunuch of Kunning Palace, came to deliver a message.
"Her Majesty has given her the order. The three-day period has passed. Please, Your Highness... give Her Majesty a definite answer."
The Crown Prince's expression hardened slightly, and before he could respond, Qin Ge hurriedly entered the hall to report: "The Prince of Moshan just went to the Marquis of Wuning's residence to request an audience with Miss Sheng. The Marquis of Wuning is not at home, and his servants have already gone to the Ministry of War to look for him."
The Crown Prince frowned, and Cao Yuanlu, standing beside him, couldn't help but interject with worry, "Then wouldn't that mean there are only the Lady of the Marquis and Miss Sheng in the manor? How can they possibly deal with the Prince of Moshan...?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Crown Prince stood up and strode out of Chongming Hall.
The Marquis of Wuning's residence.
Lady Wu Ning was surprised that her husband had only been gone a short while when the Prince of Moshan followed closely behind with gifts to apologize.
Given the friendly relations between the two countries, and the fact that King Moshan has not overstepped his bounds, the Marquis of Wuning's residence could not very well turn him away.
Lady Wu Ning had no choice but to let Yun Kui hide inside the house while she went to the hall herself to receive the guests.
King Moshan was nine feet tall, with a robust physique and a thick beard and hair. He exuded a strong "masculine" aura as he walked. Lady Wuning covered her nose with a handkerchief, thinking to herself, "No wonder my daughter doesn't like him."
Putting aside the fact that Xiliang is thousands of miles away, just the thought of sharing a bed with such a man would probably be a nightmare every night.
She thought this to herself, but on the surface she still had to put on a polite and courteous attitude. "Your Highness, there is no need for such formality. My daughter did nothing but lend a hand. It is nothing to mention."
Mo Shan Wang smiled and said, "Miss Sheng saved me, but I misunderstood you in my haste that day and almost hurt you. I feel really bad about it. I have prepared some small gifts for you, and I hope you will accept them. Otherwise, you will blame me."
Lady Wu Ning, unable to refuse, had no choice but to accept it.
King Moshan looked around but didn't see the person he wanted to see. He was unwilling to leave just like that. "I wonder if Madam would like to ask the young lady to come out and meet me? I would like to apologize to her in person."
Lady Wu Ning said, “Your Highness is unaware that young ladies of the Great Zhao have always been confined to their homes and rarely venture out. Meeting with men in private is against etiquette and would damage a young lady’s reputation if word got out. I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness and will certainly convey it to the young lady. Please return.”
King Moshan recalled the girl's snow-white face and sweet, soft voice, and a surge of restlessness rose in his heart. "Does my lady not know that I have already asked His Majesty of Da Zhao for your hand in marriage? When you marry into Xiliang, you will be my queen and will no longer need to abide by the rules of Da Zhao. It would be against etiquette for me to meet my future queen."
Lady Wu Ning, not expecting him to be so frank, immediately replied, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Your Highness. My daughter was betrothed years ago and is only waiting to come of age to marry. How could she break off the engagement and marry Your Highness again?"
King Mo Shan gritted his teeth and said angrily, "You say she's not yet of marriageable age, and you say she's already betrothed. Madam, tell me, which young master is the girl betrothed to? Or are you just trying to fob me off?"
Yun Kui hid behind a wall, listening with trepidation.
If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have been so picky the past two days; I should have made a decision first.
Or perhaps, the son of that commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
Whether it's to curry favor with her or because of her beauty, that man is quite good-looking. In any case, let's get her out of this predicament for now, and let Father handle the rest.
Yun Kui made up her mind and was about to go out to refuse them when a guard's voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness!"
Yun Kui quickly withdrew the foot she had taken.
Inside the hall, both Lady Wuning and King Moshan were startled.
Lady Qi was more curious. His Highness the Crown Prince had never been to the residence before, so why did he suddenly appear here today?
When Mo Shan Wang saw the newcomer, his wrist, which had been restrained by him that day, still ached faintly.
The two bowed in respect, but the Crown Prince raised his hand only to Lady Wuning, saying, "Please rise, Madam."
He then looked at King Moshan and said in a cold voice, "To be honest, Your Highness, the person who was engaged to Miss Sheng earlier was none other than myself."
These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue.
Lady Wu Ning swayed and nearly collapsed.
"His Majesty wants to help our family out of this predicament, but surely he doesn't need to invite the Crown Prince, such a powerful figure..."
Yun Kui, who was eavesdropping, felt dizzy, and her hands, which were supporting her against the wall, were covered in cold sweat.
"Am I dreaming...?"
"Were my parents just putting on an act to scare me all this time? They're engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince, why didn't they tell me sooner!"
"No wonder His Highness always ignores me; he's avoiding suspicion..."
Crown Prince: "..."
King Mo Shan clenched his fists, struggling to suppress his anger: "Since you are engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince, why was His Majesty unaware? Furthermore, when I inquired earlier, why did the Lady of the Marquis hesitate to speak? Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince only spoke at the last minute because I intended to propose marriage..."
“Your Highness, please be careful with your words,” the Crown Prince interrupted coldly. “Earlier, the Lady of Wuning Marquis cured my mother’s headaches, and on the same day, we made a verbal engagement, waiting for Miss Sheng to come of age before she enters the Eastern Palace. My father is already aware of this and has specially ordered me to come to the Sheng residence to formally discuss the marriage with the Sheng family.”
Lady Wu Ning could not hide her joy: "The Sheng family will naturally follow the arrangements of His Majesty, Her Majesty, and His Highness the Crown Prince."
King Moshan was filled with anger and resentment, but he couldn't very well compete with the Crown Prince of Dazhao for the man. Suppressing his anger, he bowed and took his leave, then turned and left.
After the person left, the crown prince heard a noise behind him, turned around, and saw that the girl had walked in from outside the hall at some point, her face flushed and staring at him with tears in her eyes.
"My fragrant husband, I'm here."
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