He knew that Old Madam Gu had spent more than ten years preparing Gu Yunyan's dowry, just like Mrs. Fan had done for Miss Fan Wu.
Although it might be too late, my sister's dowry must not be worse than Gu Yun's! Gu Yuan's eyes gleamed with a firm gleam, and he picked up the wine glass beside him and drank it all.
The streets below were extremely busy. After coming out of Li's cloth shop, the steward of Prince Kang's mansion went to other shops in front, such as the lacquerware shop, porcelain shop, gold and silver shop, wine shop, etc. He went through all of them and almost sold out all the goods in the street.
Even the passers-by following behind were infected by this enthusiastic atmosphere, and they were all discussing what Prince Kang’s Mansion had bought...
For several days in a row, the purchases made by Prince Kang's mansion for the wedding caused some waves in the capital. Many people talked about it with relish, praising Prince Kang for his thoughtfulness and saying that the future Princess Kang would be blessed.
Prince Kang Chuyou really did his best for Gu Yunmeng and their wedding. He hoped that everything about the wedding would be perfect and he did everything himself.
In addition to the prince's share provided by the Imperial Household Department, he also ordered people to purchase additional betrothal gifts. Other things included repairing the new house, remaking the furniture, decorating the hall, preparing invitations, etc. He was busy every day. The wedding time was too tight and he only had one month to prepare.
It was not until Prime Minister Xiao personally visited the palace that Chu You remembered that he had forgotten his cousin Yuan Zhe.
Prime Minister Xiao looked at Chu You with a feeling of helplessness and disappointment. He had suppressed this helplessness for a long time, but today he finally couldn't help but express it in words.
"Your Majesty, the family has suffered heavy casualties after all these events. All the direct and collateral descendants of the Feng family in the court have been dismissed and will never be employed again."
"The Yu family is in an even worse situation. The Imperial Guards have already gone to Yuzhou to arrest them."
"And Yuan Zhe... Hey!"
"At this juncture, Your Majesty, instead of thinking about how to strike back at the Crown Prince, you actually..." You actually have the leisure to prepare for the wedding?!
Normally, Prime Minister Xiao always respected Chu You. This was the first time he spoke to Chu You in such a harsh tone. He was really angry at Chu You for not fighting back.
Thinking of Yuan Zhe who was under house arrest in the imperial prison, Chu You felt somewhat guilty. So, at the morning court session the next day, Prince Kang Chu You requested to go to the palace to visit Queen Mother Yuan in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, and his words were very confident.
"Brother, I am getting married soon, but I have not informed the Queen Mother personally. I feel very uneasy."
"If it is inconvenient for me to enter the palace, why not let my future princess consort visit the Queen Mother? What do you think, my Royal Brother?"
Under Chu You's chilling gaze, the emperor agreed with a smile: "Seventh brother is very filial, I agree."
"I thank you, my brother."
Chu You stood upright in the center of the Golden Palace and bowed casually to the emperor on the Golden Throne. His carelessness was revealed in his every move.
He knew that his brother was a hypocrite who wanted to be a benevolent monarch whose name would go down in history. As long as he used filial piety as an excuse, his brother would not dare to break up with him in public.
Having achieved his goal, Chu You calmly retreated to his seat, thinking of taking Gu Yunyan to Shouning Palace to visit the Queen Mother.
Chu Youcai stepped back when he saw a middle-aged eunuch beside him suddenly walk hurriedly to the emperor's throne, lean over and whisper something in the emperor's ear.
The emperor's expression changed slightly, and he said calmly: "Announce."
All the civil and military officials in the court heard this word clearly and knew that someone must be asking to see the emperor.
Who could it be?! The ministers looked at each other, and even the imperial censors who were about to make a report paused.
A moment later, Baili Yin, wearing a purple Hu clothing with a waistband and a rhinoceros horn belt around his waist, strode into the Golden Palace with his head held high under the gazes of civil and military officials.
All the ministers could not hide their surprise on their faces.
Baili Yin was the envoy of the State of Yue. When he came to the Golden Palace, he naturally represented the attitude of the entire State of Yue.
This was Baili Yin’s second time going to the Golden Throne Hall. The first time was on his first day in the capital.
The second time was today.
Baili Yin had a bohemian smile on his rugged and handsome face. He walked calmly to within ten steps of the emperor, with his head held high and his chest puffed out, forming a sharp contrast with the respectful ministers around him.
"Your Highness, Emperor Dajing." He didn't even bow his head when he saluted the emperor. He just raised his chin and looked at the emperor, and said loudly, "Today, I am here on behalf of our country's saint to formally propose a marriage alliance with your country. Our country is willing to marry our eighth daughter, Princess Ximing, to your country's eldest prince."
All the ministers present were shocked and immediately started to make a commotion.
The emperor looked down at Baili Yin with a slightly gloomy look in his eyes, and suddenly grasped the armrest of the throne with his right hand.
Baili Yin didn't care about the reactions of other courtiers around him. He looked at the emperor in front of him with a confident and flamboyant smile on his lips, and continued: "In this way, Jing and Yue can also form a friendly relationship!"
He spoke in a righteous manner, and glanced at Chu Yi who was standing on the right side of the emperor with the corner of his eye. The corner of his mouth raised a little more: To put it bluntly, the reason why Chu Yi refused to marry his eighth sister was that he couldn't bear to part with the second daughter of the Gu family.
Yes, the second daughter of the Gu family is indeed a beauty that even he himself feels he has never seen in his life. Such an interesting beauty is much rarer than those who are just beautiful but empty shells.
Even he was unwilling to give it up like this.
Baili Yin's words moved many officials present.
Indeed, if the two countries can form an alliance through marriage, they can change from being enemies to being relatives. At the very least, they can maintain peace between the two countries in the next few decades, avoiding further war and suffering for the people.
Most officials turned their eyes to the eldest prince Chu Yi, who was standing on the right side of the emperor.
The emperor slowly glanced at the people below, taking in their changing expressions, and said in a calm tone, "Third Prince Baili, I have already decided on the eldest prince's marriage."
"I appreciate the Third Prince Baili's proposal."
The emperor's rock-steady gaze met Baili Yin's below, and his tone was neither light nor heavy, but unusually strong and unquestionable.
Baili Yin's usually cynical face still had a smile on it, and he looked at the emperor sharply.
What happened in the Jing Kingdom royal family was no secret. The emperor and Chu Yi and his son were in a difficult situation. Prince Kang was ambitious. The aristocratic families had abundant financial resources and all the clans were supporting Prince Kang. The emperor and his son were surrounded by crises.
The emperor has been on the throne for a year, but he has not yet secured his throne.
The marriage between the two countries is of great benefit to Emperor Dajing, as it can help him stabilize his throne.
From a public perspective, he could naturally ask Jing State to give the blueprint of the new flintlock rifle as a betrothal gift to the princess, which should be more appealing to Emperor Jing than the original conditions proposed; and from a private perspective, since the second Miss Gu was disappointed, he also had the opportunity to have the beauty in his arms.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Dajing was so short-sighted that he rejected it outright! "Has your Majesty thought it through?" Baili Yin asked slowly.
Even though he didn't glare or speak angrily, anyone could hear his unhappiness from his deliberately slowed down speech.
"My words are as good as gold." The emperor brushed his sleeves lightly. The first sentence was powerful, but the second sentence became perfunctory and indifferent. "My Dajing has beautiful scenery and magnificent mountains and rivers, which is different from Yue State. It's a rare occasion for the Third Prince Baili to come to my Dajing. He should have a good time and make the most of this journey of thousands of miles."
A layer of frost gradually covered Baili Yin's brown pupils, and the smile at the corners of his lips gradually faded.
Eight years ago, it was Emperor Xuanren Chu Luo of Jing State who begged for peace with Yue State and took the initiative to propose sending Chu Yi to Yue State as a hostage.
Now, their Yue country is willing to send the princess to establish a friendly relationship between the two countries, but their Jing country is not happy about it? ! No matter what kind of undercurrents were stirred up in Baili Yin's heart, he still did not lose his composure, but his temperament gradually changed. He was no longer playful, but cold and arrogant, releasing a sinister aura like an owl.
In the Golden Palace, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the third prince of Yue.
Baili Yin suppressed the huge wave in his heart. After being furious, he calmed down. A confident smile appeared on his handsome and rugged face. He said loudly: "Your country has flintlock rifles, and my Yue country also has hundreds of thousands of war horses."
"Yue and Jing are neighbors across the river. If you can form a friendly relationship with Qin and Jin, our country can help your country conquer the Rong tribe in the northwest."
His voice is louder and more powerful.
When this condition was put forward, the hearts of all the civil and military officials in the court were shaken and they all took a deep breath.
Many officials were excited by his words: Taizu was wise and brave, and he expanded the territory, while the previous emperor could only barely maintain the legacy. If Dajing could expand the territory under the current emperor and create a prosperous era, then they, the officials, would also be proud of it.
Baili Yin smiled even more, his eyes were like torches, and he continued, "My Yue Kingdom is very sincere!"
He said this gently, but the next moment, he changed the subject, adding a bit of sharpness in his tone: "But our Yue Kingdom will not be afraid of anyone."
The last sentence was almost word for word, with a firm and decisive tone, and the threat was evident in the words. The air in the Golden Throne Hall suddenly turned cold, as if spring had turned to winter in an instant, and the coldness filled the air.
The war between Jing and Yue eight years ago and the disastrous defeat of Jing State are still vivid in our memory.
The State of Yue was unstoppable in Yangzhou. If the late emperor had not taken the initiative to seek peace, paid compensation, ceded the Huangshuiyang waters, and sent Chu Yi to the State of Yue as a hostage, otherwise, who knows how the battle would have ended. I'm afraid the army of Yue would have already marched all the way north!
Thinking of these past events, some officials have become afraid of fighting and are exchanging glances in groups of three or four.
There was a faint sense of uneasiness in the air.
A clear male voice suddenly broke the silence: "I heard that the Saint of Yue State is seriously ill, and the Heavenly Circle Master Xiahou has been ordered to supervise the country."
Baili Yin suddenly turned his head to look at Chu Yi who was standing on the right side of the emperor, his eyes widened slightly involuntarily.
Chu Yi had a faint smile on his lips, calm and composed, and sighed faintly: "The situation of your country's crown prince is not easy now!"
The person he was sighing about was Baili Zhao of Yue State, who, as the crown prince, had no right to govern the country.
In fact, he was mocking Baili Yin: The Saint of Yue State is seriously ill, and now Yue State is facing internal troubles and can hardly protect itself. Do you still want to send troops to Jing State like you did eight years ago? ! "..." Baili Yin almost used up all his strength to barely keep his emotions stable and not lose his composure, but his heart sank.
How did Chu Yi know that the Saint was ill?!
In the twelfth month of last year, the sage pretended to be sick to test the princes. But who would have thought that in just one month, the fake illness turned into a real illness, and the sage's health deteriorated.
He only learned about it the day before when he received a secret letter from his brother, the Crown Prince. The letter said that after the Saint issued an imperial decree ordering Xiahou Qing to be regent, he collapsed and has been in a coma ever since.
The situation of the Crown Prince is really difficult now, so Baili Yin must get the new flintlock rifle at all costs to make the Crown Prince more powerful.
The question is -
Chu Yi has been in Jing State for the past few months. How did he know about the affairs of Yue State, which is thousands of miles away, and such a confidential matter! Chu Yi looked back at Baili Yin with a smile, his expression as gentle and calm as usual, and he was as solemn and profound as a mountain.
The two people's eyes met quietly in mid-air.
Baili Yin's heart suddenly became heavy, with a hint of panic.
This is a feeling of uneasiness that the situation is out of his control.
The atmosphere in the upper room froze for a moment.
Even though the court officials were not sure whether what Chu Yi said was true or false before, now seeing Baili Yin’s reaction, they were sure that the Yue State’s saint Baili Hong was really sick.
Chu Yi added calmly: "There is no need for a marriage alliance."
As soon as these words came out, Prime Minister Xiao frowned.
Then Chu Yi continued to say to Baili Yin: "According to the agreement, the drawings of the flintlock rifle will be handed over to the Third Prince Baili later. The Third Prince Baili can also return to the country with peace of mind and serve the Saint of Yue."
"I am visiting Jing Kingdom on behalf of the saint, intending to make friends with Jing Kingdom. Is this how your country treats mere old drawings to fool me?!" Baili Yin raised his chin, staring at Chu Yi in front of him without blinking, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed, his tall figure standing in the hall like a spear.
With the new flintlock rifle, who would still care about the old flintlock rifle!
Chu Yi remained calm and continued, "If the Third Prince Baili does not want it, it is your country's fault, not Jingguo's failure to fulfill its promise."
"It's February now, and the Beijing-Yangzhou Canal should be thawed."
What this means is that the canal has thawed, ships can sail now, and Baili Yin can also leave.
Whether Baili Yin wants the flintlock rifle drawings or not, Jingguo will not keep him.
This was tantamount to a naked order to expel Baili Yin in public.
The two continued to look at each other, Baili Yin's eyes narrowed a little, and there seemed to be sparks flashing in his sharp eyes.
The air in the Golden Throne Hall gradually became tense, as if an invisible bowstring was pulled taut with an arrow on the string.
Chu Yi was smiling gently all the time, and Baili Yin was also smiling, but his smile was cold and stern.
After a while, Baili Yin finally moved, slowly turned his head and looked at the emperor on the golden throne, his tone also turned cold: "Your Majesty Emperor Dajing, is this your country's sincerity?"
"My country of Yue is full of sincerity. Do you think my country is easy to bully?!"
Without waiting for the emperor to answer, Baili Yin casually bowed and said, "I will take my leave now."
After bowing, Baili Yin left with a flick of his sleeves, striding out of the Golden Palace, leaving behind only a resolute back.
All the civil and military officials in the court looked at Baili Yin's departing back and did not speak for a long time.
After Baili Yin walked away, the Golden Palace soon became noisy and the ministers clamored.
Prime Minister Xiao finally couldn't hold back any longer, and took a step forward in the queue, casting a disapproving look at Chu Yi.
He bowed and saluted before saying in a condemning tone: "Your Highness the Crown Prince should not be so impulsive. This is a matter concerning the two countries of Jing and Yue. Your Highness really shouldn't act based on your personal likes and dislikes. Your Highness is only venting his old anger, but he has disregarded the safety of the country and the people!"
What he meant was that Chu Yi had been wronged when he was a hostage in Yue State, and he had resentment in his heart, so now he would do it regardless of the overall situation of the country! While he was speaking, officials around him, such as Wang Kangyin, nodded frequently.
This eldest prince is still too young and too impulsive.
"Then how does the Prime Minister think Da Jing should respond?" Chu Yi said with a smile, "I will listen to the Prime Minister."
He looked at Prime Minister Xiao with a humble smile, as if he was listening attentively.
His words and actions were so appropriate that no one could find any fault with him.
Xiao Shoufu: "..."
Prime Minister Xiao couldn't believe his ears for a moment. The eldest prince seemed gentle but was actually very opinionated. Would he listen to him? !
As he was hesitating, Prime Minister Xiao noticed that the emperor next to him slightly raised the corner of his lips, picked up the teacup calmly, and seemed to be in a good mood.
Wait! Is there a trick? !
When this thought came to his mind, Prime Minister Xiao frowned even more tightly.
Logically speaking, this marriage would bring more benefits than disadvantages to the eldest prince.
The emperor could not have failed to understand this.
Prime Minister Xiao looked at Chu Yi for a while, then looked at the emperor on the throne, and his eyes twitched.
Could it be——
Was the emperor afraid that they would jump out to oppose him, so he deliberately retreated?
The more Prime Minister Xiao thought about it, the more frightened he became. Cold sweat gradually seeped out from his neck to his back, and his heart felt a little cold.
He didn't speak, and Wang Kangyin and others led by him didn't speak either.
The Golden Palace was silent for a while, and Chu Yi's sighing voice sounded from the front again: "It seems that even the Prime Minister doesn't know what to do."
His voice was clearly clear, gentle and without any aggressive tone, but Prime Minister Xiao's face darkened and his heart was in turmoil.
Chu Yi suppressed the smile on his lips and spoke in a colder voice: "As the Prime Minister, you hold a high position, but you just follow what others say, and you don't even have your own ideas. It's really disappointing."
"Alas, the Prime Minister is indeed old. He should listen to my advice and take a good rest." Chu Yi sighed meaningfully.
Although Chu Yi did not say this directly, it was equivalent to wanting Prime Minister Xiao to retire and return home.
Xiao Shoufu was afraid that the emperor would follow Chu Yi's words and issue an order. He gritted his teeth and did not have time to carefully consider his words. He said hastily: "I am thinking that the eldest prince is the emperor's only son, so he naturally cannot marry the princess of Yue State. Otherwise, the bloodline of my Dajing royal family will be impure."
He immediately made another change of direction: "However, I think that even if there is something wrong with the marriage, Your Highness should not reject the Third Prince Baili and make the situation awkward."
"The Kingdom of Yue is willing to let its legitimate daughter marry my Da Jing, which shows its sincerity. The marriage between the two countries is still under discussion."
"For example?" Chu Yi raised his eyebrows with a smile.
After he asked this, other court officials also began to consider the candidate for marriage with the Kingdom of Yue. The emperor had only one son, Chu Yi. The Kingdom of Yue used the legitimate princess as the candidate for marriage. Then Da Jing would not use a distant branch of the royal family to perfunctorily deal with the Kingdom of Yue, as that would only make the Kingdom of Yue feel that Da Jing was disrespecting the Kingdom of Yue.
Then, there are not many candidates left in the royal family, and the only close relatives are the sons of the previous emperor.
The late emperor had seven sons. Excluding those who died young, there are five who are still alive, including the current emperor, and the only one who is still unmarried.
"Prince Kang!" Prime Minister Xiao blurted out.
Yes, Prince Kang Chuyou is not married yet.
(End of this chapter)
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