Chapter 549 Taking a Fulfillment of Jingxi
Emperor Jingwen noticed the change in the Third Prince's expression, then his gaze fell on the Seventh Princess's face. He asked with interest, "I wonder which family's young master is so favored by the Seventh Princess?"
Ignoring her brother's warning gaze, the Seventh Princess looked to the left and her gaze fell on a civil official in a scarlet robe with a handsome face. She pointed at him and said, "This is the young master."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked in the direction she pointed, and when they saw the person the Seventh Princess was referring to, they were all stunned. Wasn't this the Marquis of Changxing, who doted on his wife? The Seventh Princess of Anguo had actually taken a liking to him; this was going to be quite a show.
Meng Jinyao was quite surprised to see this. She knew that her husband's face was very attractive to young women, but she didn't expect that at his age, if her husband had married earlier, he would probably be a grandfather by now, and there would still be young girls who liked him.
Old Madam Gu subconsciously turned her head to look at her daughter-in-law and whispered, "Ayao, don't worry, Yaoling will handle it."
"My daughter-in-law understands."
Meng Jinyao replied that she was just a little surprised, but she was very calm, because she knew that her husband was definitely not interested in the Seventh Princess, and the Emperor would not betroth a married subject to the Seventh Princess of Anguo.
Gu Jingxi was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting the Seventh Princess to take a liking to him. He quickly stood up, bowed to the Emperor, and then bowed to the Seventh Princess, replying, "I already have a family. Thank you for your kindness, Seventh Princess."
The Seventh Princess was taken aback: "You...you're already married?"
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
Emperor Jingwen quickly smiled and smoothed things over: "Seventh Princess, Minister Gu is thirty-two this year. It is normal for someone of his age, who is about to become a grandfather, to already have a family background."
Upon hearing this, the Seventh Princess looked at Gu Jingxi's ethereal face, his features as smooth as jade, his skin fair and without wrinkles, and he didn't look that old at all. She was struck dumb, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief, and exclaimed, "Wh-what? He's thirty-two this year?"
Gu Jingxi replied, "I am indeed thirty-two years old, already married, and have a son. My wife is also in the palace." As he spoke, his gaze fell on Meng Jinyao, his eyes gentle and full of tenderness.
Meng Jinyao seemed to sense his gaze, raised her head slightly, met his eyes, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
The seventh princess stammered, "At such an advanced age, wouldn't he be old enough to be my father?"
After she finished speaking, she quickly shook her head and followed Gu Jingxi's gaze. When she saw the bright and dignified young woman, she felt embarrassed. She had just said in front of the woman's wife that she had fallen in love with her husband at first sight, but looking at her face, she didn't look thirty-two years old at all. But she couldn't be blamed for that.
Emperor Jingwen said, "Minister Gu is indeed old enough to be the father of the Seventh Princess."
Fearing that his younger sister might speak without thinking, the Third Prince quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, my sister has been raised in the palace since childhood and has never seen any men. Yesterday, she saw this gentleman save a child and thought he was a kind and virtuous person, so she mistakenly thought he liked him. In reality, she is just a young girl, how could she know anything about liking or disliking? I hope Your Majesty and everyone else will forgive her."
Emperor Jingwen replied, “It’s alright. The Seventh Princess has just arrived in Zhao and hasn’t met any other young men yet. She can take a look around some more. If she finds someone she likes, I will arrange a marriage for you. My Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Third Princess are all around the same age as you siblings. You young people can get along well, and they are familiar with the capital. I’ll have them show you around another day to show you around and be a good host. Maybe the Seventh Princess will meet more people and find her a suitable husband.”
Upon hearing this, the people present had different thoughts. Although the emperor mentioned the third prince, the fourth prince, and the third princess, anyone with a brain could tell that the third princess was just a side note. The real intention was to let the third and fourth princes get in touch with the seventh princess, and to have either the third or fourth prince marry the seventh princess of Anguo. Wouldn't that mean that the third and fourth princes would be ineligible for the position of crown prince?
But thinking about it, it makes sense. The third prince's mother was of low birth and mediocre talent, and had no supporters. The fourth prince, although intelligent, was weak and sickly. Neither of them was suitable to be the future ruler of Zhao.
The most suitable candidates for crown prince now, besides the rising Second Prince, are the Sixth Prince, born to the Empress. The deceased Crown Prince Huizhao was also born to the Empress. Many ministers who originally supported the Crown Prince have now sided with the Sixth Prince, while others have switched their allegiance to the Second Prince. Some are still undecided, as the Sixth Prince, although the legitimate son, is only seven years old and still quite young. He is also a mischievous child, and it is too early to tell what he will become. He may not be able to compete with the Second Prince.
At this moment, the happiest person was none other than the Second Prince. Although he had never regarded his Third and Fourth Brothers as rivals, he was delighted to hear his father say this. This was because his father had never considered his Third and Fourth Brothers. Given the current situation, as long as he made a little more effort, the position of Crown Prince would be his.
The third prince respectfully replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Seventh Princess had made a fool of herself, and now that there was a way out, she immediately took it. As soon as her brother finished speaking, her voice rang out: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
This insignificant little incident was thus forgotten, and the banquet continued. As the music of string and wind instruments began, graceful dancers entered the hall and began to dance. Everyone's attention was diverted, and the matter of the Seventh Princess was forgotten.
After the banquet, the princes and ministers left the palace with their families. None of them were drunk; at most, they were only slightly intoxicated. After all, in the palace, one had to be careful with one's words and actions. If one said or did something inappropriate while drunk, one would be punished at best, and at worst, lose one's head.
The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince walked side by side. The Fourth Prince was weak, so the Third Prince slowed down to accommodate him. But after walking only a few steps, the Fourth Prince coughed. The Third Prince quickly patted his back gently.
The third prince asked with concern, "Fourth brother, are you alright?"
The fourth prince stopped coughing and caught his breath before replying, "It's nothing, it's just that it was windy today, and the wind made me feel like this. I'm sorry to have worried my third brother."
Just then, a familiar voice sounded behind them: "Fourth brother, you must take good care of yourself. Father Emperor just said at the banquet that you, your third brother, and your third sister should do your best to be good hosts and take the third prince and the seventh princess of Anguo to tour the capital."
The fourth prince turned around and said calmly, "There's no need for Second Brother to worry about that."
The Second Prince glanced at his sickly pale face, flushed from a violent cough, and his frail body that seemed as if a gust of wind could knock him over. He smiled and said, "I'm just reminding you, Fourth Brother. With your weak body, you shouldn't collapse in front of the Third Prince and the Seventh Princess, frightening them. Otherwise, they might think it's their fault that you've fallen ill from exhaustion, and they'll feel guilty. If it really comes to it, you can tell Father. The Third Prince and the others may not know your condition, but Father knows. Don't push yourself too hard."
The fourth prince's expression froze for a moment, then he said, "Thank you for the reminder, second brother. I know what I'm doing and will act within my capabilities."
The Second Prince said, "That's good. Your sister-in-law is still waiting for me. We brothers can talk another day."
Third Prince: "Second Brother, take care."
Fourth Prince: "Second Brother, take care."
The second prince nodded slightly, took a step and left. As he walked away, he glanced at his two younger brothers out of the corner of his eye, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. One was a timid and cowardly good-for-nothing, and the other was a sickly man on the verge of death.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com