Chapter 687 No Regrets

Earlier, when the Fourth Prince was walking to see Yu Mingzhu off the carriage, the carriage was parked in front of the gate of the Duke of Xin's mansion without any cover, and many people saw it.

In addition, the Fourth Prince's visit was a big event, so the old Duke Xin and his wife naturally knew about it.

The old couple looked at each other and remained silent for a long time.

When the old Duke Xin was young, he was decisive in killing. Now that he is old, although he is still tough towards foreigners, he has become softer towards his family.

The old Duke Xin sighed: "Madam, how can you explain this?"

The old lady of Duke Xin said calmly, "How can it be such a coincidence that a child just happened to fall into the water, Mingzhu just happened to pass by and rescued him, and the fourth prince just happened to pass by and rescued Mingzhu - especially at this moment, do you believe it? I don't believe it."

Old Duke Xin sighed again.

He obviously didn't quite believe it.

"That child...even though he is not a member of our family, we watched him grow up. How could he grow up like this?" The old Duke Xin sighed many times today.

The old lady of Duke Xin looked out the window and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, the Fourth Prince will soon ask His Majesty to marry Mingzhu."

The old Duke Xin said in a deep voice: "Then the emperor will definitely summon me to the palace and ask for our Duke Xin's opinion. I will then explain Mingzhu's life story to the emperor. Let the emperor tell the fourth prince. If the fourth prince is determined to marry Mingzhu, our Duke Xin's mansion will certainly give her a decent dowry, which will be regarded as a repayment for the kindness we have shown to Mingzhu for so many years."

The old lady of Duke Xin did not object and tacitly agreed to this solution.

The old couple fell into silence again.

Seeing that the old couple looked a little depressed, Nanny Qingluan, who was serving at the side, wanted to divert their attention and broke the silence by saying, "... Madam, I remember that the people from the Zou family are also coming to the capital, right?"

Hearing the word "Zou Family", the old lady of Duke Xin became more spirited.

Previously, she and the people sent out undercover by the old Duke Xin spent a lot of effort and finally found out that the Zou family was most likely the family that threw Xingxing into the river that year, and they also set up a trap to lure the Zou family to the capital.

Originally, the Zou family was supposed to go to Beijing some time ago, but the old woman of the Zou family fell ill on the way, so the Zou family had to stop and wait for the old woman to recover.

This delay lasted for quite a while.

Nanny Qingluan naturally knew this as well.

She calculated that the Zou family would soon arrive in the capital, which would be a good opportunity to divert the old couple's attention.

As expected, the old lady of Duke Xin immediately drew her attention here.

"When they come to Beijing, I will investigate thoroughly what happened with the baby swap. Did they bribe the village woman to swap the baby? Was Xingxing swapped by them and thrown into the river?" The old lady of Duke Xin couldn't help getting excited when she said this.

As she got excited, she felt a little dizzy.

Nanny Qingluan quickly supported the old lady of Duke Xin's arm and helped her to sit down.

"Madam, you seem to be in a bad mood these days. How about asking the princess to come over and help you tomorrow?" Nanny Qingluan asked worriedly.

When the old Duke Xin heard this, he immediately said, "Yes, Madam, let Xingxing help you again."

The old lady of Duke Xin waved her hand and said, "Forget it. I'm fine. I was just a little emotional. I'll just sit down and rest for a while. Besides, I can see that our Xingxing doesn't like Mingzhu very much. Mingzhu's birthday is the day after tomorrow. I guess there will be people coming to the palace in the next two days. Things will be very chaotic. I won't let Xingxing get involved in this mess."

Her tone was gentle, and when she mentioned Xingxing, a smile could not be concealed at the corners of her wrinkled eyes.

When the old Duke Xin heard this, he could only nod his head and say, "If you feel uncomfortable, you must ask a doctor to come and see you. You are old now, you must not be stubborn anymore."

The old lady of Duke Xin couldn't help but roll her eyes at the old Duke Xin: "Alright, alright, our Duke is quite old, but he is still strong. I am just an old woman who cannot be stubborn."

The old Duke Xin raised his hands to show that he gave up.

The old lady of Duke Xin couldn't help laughing.

The depressing atmosphere between the two of them disappeared, and Nanny Qingluan, who was watching from the side, finally felt a little relieved.

…

Originally, Jiao did not want to cause trouble when she heard the news that Wei Shibu had sent Yu Mingzhu back home. However, by chance, when the maidservant of Jiao's aunt went to the kitchen to get food, she heard another maidservant gossiping that their eldest daughter was going to be the fourth prince's consort soon.

The maidservant beside Aunt Jiao San was smart. She quickly took out a handful of copper plates and put them in the other person's hand and said a lot of nice things. Then she learned from the other person that the Fourth Prince had rescued Yu Mingzhu from the water and sent her back to the mansion with great fanfare. It was obvious that he was going to be responsible for Yu Mingzhu.

Now the maid didn't even have time to go up to get the meal. She hurried back to the guest house and told Aunt Jiao San what she had heard.

When Jiao San's aunt heard this, she was extremely angry.

Aunt Jiao was furious because some time ago Jiao had hinted that she wanted Yu Mingzhu to marry into their family, but within a few days, Yu Mingzhu had married into a wealthy family!

Although Jiao San's aunt did not agree at that time, but... no matter what, they just refused and then turned around to try to climb up the social ladder. They were too impatient!

The third aunt of Jiao became angrier and angrier. She went to the guest house where her son lived and asked Jiao Yulou, "Did anything go wrong between your cousin Mingzhu and the fourth prince?"

This question left Jiao Yulou stunned.

“Not really.” Jiao Yulou hesitated for a while, trying to think about the situation that day, and became more and more hesitant. “But, mother, now that you put it that way, it seems a little, a little unusual. Cousin Mingzhu seemed to be more gentle when talking to the Fourth Prince… As for the Fourth Prince, although I know him, I have never seen him talk to women. I don’t know if he is so gentle to all women, or only to Cousin Mingzhu…”

Aunt Jiao San said bitterly, "I told you! That day your aunt found out that your cousin Mingzhu was on good terms with the Fourth Prince, and from that time on she never hinted at you marrying your cousin Mingzhu... Tsk!"

Jiao Yulou had never felt anything about this. His mother was so angry, but he tried to comfort her: "Okay, mother, marriage is destined by heaven. If they really get married, then this is the fate of cousin Mingzhu."

Aunt Jiao San actually knew all this, but knowing it was one thing, and she couldn't help but feel depressed. Finally, Aunt Jiao San sighed and said, "Forget it, I don't want to think about anything else! When you pass the imperial examination, I will find you a good family!"

Jiao Yulou smiled gently: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

…

Just as the old couple of Duke Xin had expected, Emperor Jiazheng summoned Duke Xin to the palace the next day.

Looking at the graying temples of the old Duke Xin, Emperor Jiazheng spoke in a very good tone, and even in a friendly voice, he discussed with the old Duke Xin: "My dear, my fourth son told me that he saved your granddaughter last night, and the two of them had a close skin contact, which has been seen by many people. He admired your granddaughter's noble character of diving into the water to save people in winter, and was willing to grant her the position of principal wife... I wonder what you think?"

The old Duke Xin smiled bitterly and bowed his head, "Your Majesty, it is a great blessing for our Yu family that the Fourth Prince has taken a fancy to our pearl. But there is one thing that I have to explain to Your Majesty in advance."

Who would have thought that Emperor Jiazheng would just smile nonchalantly and say, "Are you talking about the fact that Yu Mingzhu is not your biological granddaughter?"

When the old Duke Xin heard Emperor Jiazheng say this, he smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty already knows?"

Emperor Jiazheng nodded and said, "I heard Liu Gongfeng mention it once. But, old Duke, have you confirmed that Mingzhu is not your child?"

The old Duke Xin had a sad expression on his face: "Your Majesty, it was difficult for us to accept it at first. We have been investigating the relevant matters these days and have solid evidence. Mingzhu is indeed not from our Duke Xin's Mansion."

Emperor Jiazheng stroked his beard and thought: "If that's the case... then I'll ask the fourth brother for his opinion."

The old Duke Xin clasped his fists and said yes, and said that no matter what decision the Fourth Prince made, their Duke Xin's Mansion would not have any opinion.

Emperor Jiazheng had always trusted the Duke of Xin's Mansion. He nodded upon hearing this and had the old Duke of Xin escorted out of the palace.

As soon as the old Duke Xin left, Emperor Jiazheng sent someone to call the Fourth Prince over.

Before the Fourth Prince came, an uninvited guest came to Emperor Jiazheng's study.

"Father, please take a look at my homework assignment." The third prince Wei Shiyu came over from outside with a few papers in his hand, looking very proud. "The teacher praised me for my great progress."

"Oh? Really?" Emperor Jiazheng took the homework and looked at it carefully. It must be said that it was indeed well written and had made great progress compared to before.

Emperor Jiazheng was satisfied, but he still had to pretend that it was still far from perfect. He said, "It's passable. Keep trying."

Wei Shiyu said "Hey", and then asked about the old Duke Xin: "Father, I saw the old Duke Xin leave the study just now. Is there something he wants to talk to you about?"

Emperor Jiazheng did not want to hide the truth from Wei Shiyu, and sneered twice with unclear meaning: "It's not that the old Duke Xin is looking for me for something, but your fourth brother's marriage, I'm afraid it has been settled."

When Wei Shiyu heard this, his eyes widened immediately.

He remembered that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, he took Xingxing to crawl through the dog hole and eavesdropped from a corner. He heard with his own eyes that one of the candidates that Empress Nie was looking for was a certain military commander’s daughter, Su Chun’er, and his good fourth brother were talking to each other in a heart-to-heart talk and even hugging each other...

At this moment, Wei Shiyu thought that Wei Shibu had become bolder and came directly to tell Emperor Jiazheng about him and Su Chun'er.

"Do you know about what happened between him and Su Chun'er?" Wei Shiyu blurted out.

"..." Emperor Jiazheng narrowed his eyes, "What? Su Chun'er? I have seen Su Chun'er's name on your mother's desk... Who are you talking about Su Chun'er? The fourth brother?"

When Wei Shiyu saw Emperor Jiazheng's reaction, he knew that he had misunderstood. His father obviously didn't know about Su Chun'er.

Wei Shiyu was stunned: "Didn't you say that Fourth Brother's marriage has been arranged..."

Wei Shiyu realized that he had let the cat out of the bag and immediately covered his mouth.

Emperor Jiazheng shouted, "Ayu! What is going on here? Isn't Su Chun'er the daughter your mother is investigating for your marriage? You said she is with the fourth son, what's going on here?!"

Wei Shiyu had no choice but to put on a bitter face and tell Emperor Jiazheng what he had heard a few days ago when he and Xingxing were in a corner, that is, his fourth brother Wei Shibu and Su Chun'er were confessing their true feelings to each other and hugging each other.

Emperor Jiazheng's face turned blue!

Good job, Old Four!

He originally thought that the fourth son came to ask to marry the daughter of Duke Xin, even if it was for ulterior motives, maybe the child wanted to make his future easier.

As a prince, as long as he did not form a clique for personal gain, did not rebel, and wanted to make his life better, Emperor Jiazheng had no objection.

But Emperor Jiazheng never expected that his seemingly gentle and modest fourth son would actually seduce the daughter that the empress specifically said to be given to the legitimate son, while at the same time holding on to the daughter of the Duke of Xin!

The thoughts revealed in this are simply too complicated to think about!

Emperor Jiazheng was really angry this time!

He sneered: "Old Four is young, but he is really capable!"

Wei Shiyu was still a little worried.

This matter originated from the fact that he climbed through a dog hole and eavesdropped through the wall. These were not what a gentleman did after all, and the evidence was somewhat weak, but his father trusted him very much and did not have any doubts at all, and he was still very angry about this matter.

——Wei Shiyu felt that he seemed to have inadvertently caused a big trouble for his fourth brother.

“Father…”

"Okay, Ayu, take your homework and go back first!" Emperor Jiazheng paused and added, "Your homework is well written. Show it to your mother... Don't tell anyone what happened in Yu's study today."

Wei Shiyu made a "sealing" gesture: "Don't worry, father!"

But he couldn't help but be curious: "...Father, then, what about my fourth brother..."

Emperor Jiazheng sneered: "You don't have to worry about it!"

He originally called Wei Shibu over to tell him about Yu Mingzhu's life story.

Now, he has changed his mind.

Wei Shiyu was driven away by Emperor Jiazheng.

Soon, the critical moment arrived.

What he was wearing today was very consistent with his usual gentle image. The moon-white gown made him look like a gentleman as elegant as jade.

Wei Shibu bowed to Emperor Jiazheng: "Father."

Emperor Jiazheng did not show any emotion on his face, and did not let Wei Shi get up. He only asked in a deep voice, "Fourth Brother, you said that you wanted to marry the eldest daughter of the Duke of Xin's mansion because you had skin-to-skin contact with her in public, and because you admired her kindness and courage in saving people in the winter, right?"

Wei Shibu's heart was pounding. He saw that Emperor Jiazheng had repeated his previous words, so he thought that Emperor Jiazheng wanted to help him, and said solemnly, "Father is right!"

The sneer in Emperor Jiazheng's eyes was almost real: "Okay, then I ask you, if Yu Mingzhu was an ordinary woman, would you still insist on marrying her?"

Wei Shibu thought that Emperor Jiazheng suspected him of having evil intentions, and he felt a chill on his back. He immediately swore that he only wanted to marry Yu Mingzhu as a person, not because of her identity.

"No regrets?"

"Never regret it!" In times of danger, his steps were clattering on the ground!