Chapter 89: He knelt all night and successfully proposed!
The emperor's gaze swept over the kneeling crown prince, then over the crowd with their varied expressions, before he finally spoke calmly and without wavering: "This matter will be discussed later."
People are often very strange.
The Emperor was worried that the Crown Prince's marriage to the Liu family would give him too much power.
However, the crown prince must marry a merchant's daughter.
The emperor then felt that this family's social standing was too low.
He did not want the Crown Prince to marry into the Liu family, but he did want the Crown Prince's wife to come from a higher social class.
People often want both!
Crown Prince Xiao Qingxuan was stubborn and deeply in love with Qian Yueshu.
He was determined to marry Qian Yueshu.
Even if the whole world opposes it.
He was willing to defy the entire world just to marry Qian Yueshu!
He was willing to kneel outside the main hall for this reason.
Just to get the Emperor and Empress to agree!
It's freezing cold.
The snow that fell a few days ago has not completely melted yet.
The wind at night.
It carried a whistling sound, like an invisible ice blade, scraping through every inch of the palace walls.
A deep, damp chill permeated the air, making even breathing feel like being pricked by needles.
But in order to marry Qian Yueshu.
Xiao Qingxuan believed that all the sacrifices were worthwhile!
Lunar New Year's Eve is a joyous occasion for families.
The crown prince of the dynasty knelt alone beneath the cold, bone-chilling jade steps.
Until the palace banquet ended.
Xiao Qingxuan remained kneeling there, motionless.
The cold air penetrated everywhere, eroding his limbs and bones.
But he maintained that posture.
Like a jade sculpture forgotten by time, it silently and stubbornly tells its father, who holds the highest power in the world, about its persistence.
The first day of the Lunar New Year.
Even the emperor needs to rest for a few days during the Lunar New Year.
Therefore, the morning court sessions from the second to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year were all cancelled.
However, on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, all officials still had to pay their respects to the emperor and wish him a happy new year!
Crown Prince Xiao Qingxuan was still kneeling outside the palace.
The officials couldn't help but plead for mercy.
They've been kneeling all night in this freezing weather.
What if I really get hurt?
The Crown Prince, Xiao Qingxuan.
Throughout the entire Da Yong court and among scholars and common people, the word "perfect" was almost universally associated with the imperial court.
From a young age, he excelled in everything from learning to read and write to reciting classics and history, from learning etiquette to horseback riding, archery, and martial arts!
Therefore, the officials were quite lenient towards the crown prince!
An elderly scholar with white hair and beard sighed in regret, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has always been the most polite and sensible. He must be deeply in love and unable to control himself!"
“Yes, Your Highness, from childhood to adulthood, has never caused the Emperor or the court a single worry? You are skilled in both literature and martial arts, and benevolent and kind. Now, it’s just… just the first stirrings of love in a young man, wanting to find someone you love.” Another official chimed in.
The voices pleading for leniency grew louder.
Even the Crown Prince's birth mother, the Empress, and the old Duke Lin have softened their stance!
The main reason is that Xiao Qingxuan is usually too sensible and too ambitious.
Occasionally, something goes wrong.
People are generally more forgiving.
In the end, the emperor relented and agreed to bestow a marriage upon the crown prince and Qian Yueshu.
but.
When Xiao Qingxuan knelt to thank the emperor for his grace.
The emperor raised his hand to stop him: "As the crown prince, to disregard the dignity of the royal family and the etiquette between ruler and subject for personal gain, acting willfully and recklessly, this trend must not be allowed to continue! If I do not punish him, how can I warn future generations and uphold the law?"
He paused.
Every word struck Xiao Qingxuan's heart like a heavy hammer: "From this day forward, you will move out of the Eastern Palace. I will order the Ministry of Works to select a site outside the palace to build your residence. You will then spend three years outside the palace reflecting on your actions, considering the responsibilities of a crown prince and the heart of an emperor!"
The imperial decree sent shockwaves through the court once again.
A marriage bestowed by the emperor is a favor, but moving out of the Eastern Palace is a punishment!
He granted his son's wish and appeased public opinion.
However, the emperor also reprimanded the crown prince in the most severe way.
It also declares to the world that the position of crown prince is not unassailable!
In a short time.
There was an undercurrent of activity within the imperial court among those who coveted the position of crown prince.
The imperial edict was issued.
Xiao Qingxuan was finally helped up by his personal eunuch Wang Xi, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
He got what he wanted.
He successfully proposed to the woman he loved!
The price paid was leaving the Eastern Palace, which symbolized the crown prince's status, and facing an uncertain future...
In fact, Xiao Qingxuan didn't care about the position of Crown Prince.
But he was afraid...
I'm afraid Qian Yueshu will care!
What if his position as crown prince becomes unstable, and Qian Yueshu stops loving him?
He always knew.
Compared to him as a person.
Qian Yueshu cares more about the position of Crown Prince!
The Qian family mansion.
When the Crown Prince, disregarding his frostbite, rushed to the Qian residence...
Qian Yueshu couldn't help but shed tears because of the report from the secret guard.
She felt sorry for the Crown Prince's sacrifices for her.
But she did not regret forcing the crown prince to give her the rightful position of his principal wife!
When Xiao Qingxuan arrived at the Qian residence.
Seeing the Crown Prince's disheveled appearance.
Qian Yueshu dismissed those around her, wrung out a hot towel, and carefully wiped the dirt off his face and hands.
She dipped her fingertips in the ointment from the jade box and patiently applied it to his red and swollen frostbite.
The ointment, upon contact with the skin, brings a comfortable, cool sensation.
"Does it hurt?" She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, filled with heartache.
It has to be said that the Crown Prince was really overthinking things.
He went to such lengths to secure the position of Crown Princess for her.
Why would Qian Yueshu blame him?
Xiao Qingxuan shook his head, gazing greedily at the face so close to his, his throat tightening slightly: "It doesn't hurt."
More important than being able to stay with her.
What is this little bit of physical pain?
"Still lying." Qian Yueshu gave him a reproachful look, her movements becoming even gentler. "I've heard everything... You knelt all night? Just to beg for this imperial decree? How could you be so foolish!"
Xiao Qingxuan opened his mouth, as if to say something...
Those worries about losing the crown prince and the uncertain future...
The fears swirling in my heart almost burst out.
He wanted to ask her.
Does he care that he is no longer the glamorous crown prince?
But Xiao Qingxuan dared not ask.
Qian Yueshu seemed to see right through his thoughts.
She lowered her head, carefully rubbing the ointment onto him, and said in a gentle voice, "Actually, it's quite nice not to live in the East Palace."
Xiao Qingxuan was startled, almost thinking he had misheard.
She leaned closer, a hint of girlish naiveté and slyness in her voice, “There are so many rules in the Eastern Palace, and everyone’s watching your every move. It’s so uncomfortable. We live in our own residence outside the palace…we don’t have to pay our respects to each other every morning and evening, and abide by those rigid palace rules!”
Her words, like a warm current, instantly broke down the high wall of worry that Xiao Qingxuan had built in his heart.
Then.
Two blushes rose on Qian Yueshu's cheeks, but her eyes were bold and direct: "Besides... wouldn't it be more convenient for us to live outside the palace?"
"What's convenient?" Xiao Qingxuan asked subconsciously.
A charming smile curved Qian Yueshu's lips, her eyes sparkling with allure: "It will make it easier for us to have children."
The word "creating people".
It instantly ignited Xiao Qingxuan!
He stretched out his long arm, grabbed her slender waist, spun her around half a circle, and then they fell together onto the soft couch covered with a thick velvet carpet behind them.
"Ah!" Qian Yueshu was caught off guard and let out a short exclamation, which was then blocked between her lips and teeth.
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