marriage proposal
On the second night of the winter hunt, the campfire crackled and popped, and the aroma of roasted meat wafted far and wide. Yan Shu sat down next to Ling Yuan and habitually looked around.
"Your Highness," she asked softly, "where is Xuan Gui? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
Just as Ling Yuan was about to speak, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind. Yan Shu was startled and turned around to see the Emperor standing there with a smile on his face, his expression flushed with alcohol.
"Who are you looking for?" the Emperor asked in a loud voice.
Lingyuan and Yanshu tried to get up, but the Emperor held them back.
"Sit down, sit down," the Emperor said, taking a seat in the empty seat beside him. "Today we're all family, no need for formalities."
The chief eunuch was about to say something that was against etiquette when the emperor glared at him, so he had no choice but to step aside.
Ling Yuan remained respectful: "Brother, this is against the rules."
"What rule?" The Emperor poured himself a cup of wine. "I remember when you were little, you wet your pants, and I was the one who covered for you."
Yan Shu couldn't help but smile. Ling Yuan coughed lightly: "Royal Brother..."
The Emperor then looked at Yan Shu: "Princess Consort Duan, please relax. Today we are all family."
Yan Shu responded with a "Yes".
The Emperor was in a good mood and pulled Lingyuan aside to talk about the past. They reminisced about how they skipped class together and were punished by the Grand Tutor to copy books, and how they stole snacks from the Imperial Kitchen—all amusing stories between brothers.
As they were talking, the Emperor suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, you didn't go on the first day of the hunt because you were with Princess Duan. But why didn't that brat Xuan Gui go either? This afternoon, the Ministry of War was showcasing new weapons, and it was his idea, saying something like, 'Lord Yu is working hard, so we should bring our female relatives to take care of him,' and it took me ages to finally agree. Why was he nowhere to be seen during the demonstration?"
Ling Yuan and Yan Shu exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.
Upon seeing their expressions, the Emperor immediately understood and turned to Qingfeng, who was standing to the side, asking, "Qingfeng, where is your lord?"
Without a second thought, Qingfeng blurted out, "Your Majesty, the Prince and Miss Yu have gone to the grove."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire table fell silent.
Ling Ying quickly nudged Qingfeng from behind. Only then did Qingfeng realize what he had said, and his face turned pale instantly.
The Emperor was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Good lad! So that's what happened!" He pointed at Ling Yuan and laughed, "You two brothers, each one better than the other at hiding things from me!"
Ling Yuan shook his head helplessly, and Yan Shu lowered her head and smiled. Only then did she realize that when the Emperor was drunk, he was no different from an ordinary person; he would be happy for the marriage of a younger generation.
Meanwhile, in the grove, Xuan Gui and Yu Xue'er were walking side by side.
"Did you have fun today?" Hyun-kyu's voice sounded a little nervous.
Yu Xue'er smiled slightly: "It's fine. I spoke with Princess Duan for a while during the day; she's very kind."
"My aunt is indeed very easy to get along with." Xuan Gui nodded and quietly moved closer to her.
The two of them unknowingly grew very close, their sleeves brushing against each other lightly. The woods were quiet; the only sound was the rustling of their footsteps on the fallen leaves.
"Xue'er," Xuan Gui suddenly stopped, mustered his courage, and said, "I will go to your father tomorrow to propose marriage and ask him for his blessing. Once the Emperor grants the marriage, I will definitely go to your home in grand style to present the betrothal gifts."
Yu Xue'er's cheeks flushed, and she softly called out, "Your Highness..."
"I mean it!" Hyun-gyu said hastily.
Yu Xue'er looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: "Father often says that Your Highness is a promising young man, and was the first among all the princes to be granted the title of prince."
"Then... are you willing?" Hyun-kyu's palms were sweating with nervousness.
Yu Xue'er nodded gently: "Mm."
Xuan Gui was so happy he almost jumped for joy, but he forced himself to remain composed: "Then it's settled. I'll go see Lord Yu first thing tomorrow morning."
Xuan Gui tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, his mind preoccupied with how to approach Lord Yu the next day.
The next day, just as dawn broke, he was waiting outside Lord Yu's tent. As soon as Lord Yu emerged, he immediately stepped forward and solemnly bowed.
"Lord Yu, I have something to tell you."
Upon seeing that it was Prince Chen, Lord Yu quickly lifted the tent flap: "Your Highness, please come in."
Xuan Gui entered the tent, and Lord Yu quickly offered him a seat: "Your Highness, please take a seat. What urgent matter brings you to see this old minister so early?"
Xuan Gui sat down in the chair, took a deep breath, and said bluntly, "Lord Yu, I have come today to ask for your daughter, Miss Xue'er, in marriage."
Lord Yu was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with joy. This was Prince Chen, the Emperor's most favored prince and the first to be granted the title of prince. Now that he had come in person to propose marriage, how could he possibly refuse?
"Your Highness is too kind," Lord Yu quickly bowed. "It is an honor for the Yu family that Your Highness has taken a liking to my daughter. However... I wonder if Your Highness has informed the Emperor?"
"Not yet," Xuan Gui said sincerely. "I was thinking of obtaining your permission first, and then asking my father for his decree."
Lord Yu nodded repeatedly: "Very well, this old minister is naturally more than willing. However, this marriage... must be decided by His Majesty."
"I will go and plead with my father immediately." Xuan Gui stood up and bowed deeply to Lord Yu. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Yu."
After leaving Lord Yu's tent, Xuan Gui headed straight for the imperial tent. All the way there, he pondered how to begin, his heart pounding with anxiety.
The Emperor had just gotten up and was having breakfast when he saw Xuan Gui arrive. He smiled and asked, "What brings you here so early in the morning?"
Xuan Gui stood there, stammering for a long time, "Father, your son...your son wants to ask you for a favor."
"What is it?" The Emperor put down his chopsticks, already having guessed seven or eight parts of the matter.
"Your subject... wishes to marry Lord Yu's daughter, Yu Xue'er." Xuan Gui finally spoke.
The Emperor deliberately put on a stern face: "I remember someone once said they would never marry."
Xuan Gui blushed: "That was because I was young and ignorant..."
"Now you know what's good for you?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
"Yes..." Xuan Gui lowered his head, "Your subject is serious."
Seeing his expression, the Emperor finally couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, I grant your request. Miss Yu is of virtuous character and is worthy of you."
Xuan Gui was overjoyed: "Thank you, Father Emperor!"
The news spread quickly. In the following days, congratulations could be heard everywhere in the hunting grounds.
Congratulations, Prince Chen!
Congratulations, Lord Yu!
"This is a match made in heaven!"
Xuan Gui was all smiles all day long, and Yu Xue'er was beaming with joy. The two would occasionally meet at the camp, exchange a smile, and then quickly look away, making onlookers burst into laughter.
Upon hearing this, Yan Shu specially asked Chun Tao to prepare a congratulatory gift.
"Now Xuan Gui is finally settled," she said to Ling Yuan with a smile.
Ling Yuan nodded: "Miss Yu is a sensible person."
"I remember someone praising me like that back then," Yan Shu teased him deliberately.
Ling Yuan glanced at her: "You understand better than she does."
Yan Shu couldn't help but laugh.
The atmosphere was exceptionally relaxed during the last few days of the winter hunt. The Emperor was in a good mood, and the entire hunting grounds were filled with joy.
Xuan Gui and Yu Xue'er's marriage became the most talked-about topic during everyone's leisure time. Some said that Prince Chen had good taste, choosing a marriage between the Yu family and other families that were well-matched; others said that Miss Yu was lucky to marry the prince who was most favored by the emperor.
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Dongdi hunt came to a successful end. On the way back, Xuan Gui rode his horse past the Yu family's carriage, occasionally exchanging a few words with Yu Xue'er inside.
"I will go and propose marriage as soon as I return to the capital," Xuan Gui said confidently.
Yu Xue'er softly replied from inside the car, "Okay."
Lingyuan and Yanshu rode in the same carriage, looking at the scene outside the window and smiling at each other.
"It's so good to be young," Yan Shu sighed softly.
Lingyuan held her hand: "It's alright now."
The winter sun shone warmly on the carriage curtains. The ten-day winter hunt came to a close amidst joyous celebration.
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