books44 Chapter 145: Isn't it a worry for me? My daughter-in-law is gone!
Chapter 145: Isn't it a worry for me? My daughter-in-law is gone!
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Xiao Xizi knelt on the ground and didn't dare to breathe.
The Emperor paced back and forth before the Dragon Case. "Hmph! Explain, explain! How can I explain?" He was furious because he knew he couldn't give his subjects an explanation. Furthermore, the guards had just reported that the young palace maid had hanged herself in the Dali Temple prison. Everything ended there, and even if he wanted to reopen the case, it was useless.
At this moment, he was not only annoyed by the two ministers kneeling outside the door, but also by Lao Jiu.
Originally, he wanted to observe the temperament of the Rui'an County Lady at the palace banquet, and had already sent a message to let Shen Duanfang come back. He was just waiting for an auspicious day after the New Year to let Prince Heng propose marriage. Now this kind of thing happened. Rui'an County Lady will no longer have the possibility of giving birth to heirs, and the daughter-in-law in hand is gone! Isn't he more anxious than anyone else? Lao Jiu finally wanted to marry a princess, but now, this infertile woman can never be included in their royal jade record as a princess! The relatives will definitely not agree! Will Lao Jiu's marriage be successful in the future? Is Lao Jiu going to be single forever? As an old father, isn't he anxious?
But the two people kneeling outside the palace, one is the general who has made great contributions to the protection of the country, and the other is the prime minister who gives advice in the court. He cannot scold either of them! Alas! The throne is really not so easy to inherit! The emperor sighed again, wondering when he could abdicate and enjoy his old age with his grandchildren!
The Emperor was still worried about how to resolve the current situation when he heard Xiao Xizi kneeling on the ground and trembling, "Your Majesty, why don't you give the two ladies a generous reward first, let them return home to celebrate the New Year, and then promise to find them a son-in-law who is outstanding in literary talent and military strategy to solve the marriage problem of the two young ladies. The main reason is that the two young ladies are injured and it is difficult for them to have children, which is why the two ladies are so sad. If Your Majesty can help them find a son-in-law who is outstanding, I believe the two ladies can leave with peace of mind."
The emperor thought it made sense. He resolved whatever his ministers worried about. He was always concerned about their needs and relieved their worries. What a considerate and kind emperor!
"Is this the best of the best? Where can I find such a son-in-law for them? Are there any men in the world better than my sons?" The emperor couldn't help but start to worry again.
"Oh, Your Majesty! In the imperial examination next March, you can pick the top three or three winners!" Xiao Xizi replied happily. "Having Your Majesty grant them marriages is a blessing that many people would never be able to obtain!"
"That's right!" Upon hearing this, the emperor immediately drafted an edict, granting Shen and Xu two mansions...
The two gentlemen kneeling outside the door were still unaware of the emperor's plans, but they had received a message from Shen Youyou's secret agent: the rumor about the difficulty of having children due to injury was actually a deliberate attempt by Shen Youyou to get the emperor to focus on the case. Don't worry, my two fathers! Shen Youyou will come out of the palace to treat Miss Xu when she's free after the New Year. She's almost fully recovered now. There's no risk to having children, so don't worry.
So the two Lords Shen and Xu felt that it was enough. They would just back off when the emperor gave them a way out. After all, it was New Year's Day, and they couldn't really stay in the palace and demand an explanation. In fact, they just wanted an attitude from the emperor.
An Er was also very happy. He had been learning patterns from the embroiderer in the mansion for nearly a month, and was just waiting to make a pair of silk stockings for the little master after he was born. But then he learned that Miss Shen was injured and was afraid that there would be no little master... At that time, An Er was worried that the soft and sweet little master would fly away. Who would he play with in the future?! But unexpectedly, there was a ray of hope! The little master was still there! The little master would be here soon! Well, this good news must be shared with the prince quickly!
But before An Er could go back to share this happy event with his prince, he saw his prince also entering the palace, and went straight into the imperial study!
Eunuch Xiao Xizi quickly emerged to read the imperial decree, granting Misses Shen and Xu a thousand taels of gold each, a hundred bolts of silk and satin, ten sets of jewelry and head ornaments each, and countless medicinal herbs for nourishing the body. He also promised that if the two young ladies found a suitable husband in the imperial examination next year, the emperor would grant them a marriage!
So Shen Duanfang and Xu Shilin happily accepted the imperial decree and thanked the emperor before returning home. Since their daughter was fine, it would be nice to get some compensation! When their daughter gets married, it will be a generous dowry! And it was a gift from the emperor, so it would sound great! It would be so prestigious!
After His Royal Highness Prince Jin entered the imperial study, he immediately knelt down on the ground with a plop.
The emperor looked at him and asked, "Old Nine, why are you doing this?"
"Father, I have a request for your help. I hope you can agree to it!" His Royal Highness Prince Jin said respectfully, touching the ground with his head.
"Kneel down! I don't agree!" The emperor blurted out without even thinking about it.
This kid's thoughts were clearly written on his face. Is there any need to ask? He definitely wanted to marry the Rui'an County Lady! But he knew the Rui'an County Lady's situation, so why would he agree to let his son marry a barren woman? Besides, it wouldn't make sense to his relatives!
"Your Majesty! I want to marry the Princess of Rui'an County! Please grant my wish!" His Royal Highness Prince Jin still said it.
"No!" The emperor threw the memorial in his hand, hitting the bridge of Prince Jin's nose. A trace of bright red blood immediately flowed down his nose. It was bleeding!
But Prince Jin continued to stare directly at the Emperor, not even lowering his head, even as drops of blood from his nose dripped onto the tiles of the Imperial Study. The Emperor saw this nemesis! He always used him to threaten others! But this time, he wouldn't fall for his trick! He wouldn't show any mercy!
However, His Majesty only held out for a few breaths, still worried about His Royal Highness Prince Jin. So he glanced sideways at Eunuch Xiao Xizi.
Eunuch Xiao Xizi immediately understood and stepped forward to help Prince Jin up. "Oh! My dear prince! If you have anything to say, please get up first! His Majesty has his own considerations for not agreeing. He is always doing this for your own good!"
"Father, please don't help me! I know my father has his considerations! But I also have my own thoughts. If I have to live with someone I don't like for the rest of my life, I would rather not marry!" He stubbornly refused to get up.
"But Princess Rui'an will never have children in the future!" Xiao Xizi anxiously advised His Royal Highness Prince Jin.
"Is offspring really that important? I want to marry her because I love her! I want to be with her for the rest of my life! It's not because she has to give birth to my children!" His Royal Highness Prince Jin pursed his lips, "I want to marry her because she is who she is, the one I love! It has nothing to do with offspring!" Every word he said was precious as he argued with the emperor.
"Your Highness Prince Jin! Why don't you talk about this matter another day? Your father is really angry now, and I guess he won't listen to anyone!" Eunuch Xiao Xizi advised him.