Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 899 - 735: Should Not Harbor Unreasonable Desires
The daughter from Duke Zhen’s Mansion wouldn’t possibly be left to the Fourth to choose, right? What would that look like? Duke Zhen’s Mansion would naturally not agree.
"Ahem! Fourth, among the three candidates you selected, I find some of them rather unsuitable."
Prince Jing’s eyes slightly flickered, "I wonder what Father finds unsuitable?"
"Have you seen who these three candidates are? Fortunately, there is one among them whose status can match yours, otherwise, it would be a joke for a grand prince to marry the daughter of a fourth or fifth-rank official as the main wife."
The Emperor was so angry that he huffed and puffed, but did not answer Prince Jing’s previous question.
Upon hearing this, Prince Jing finally expressed his confusion, "Since we have the main wife’s candidate, isn’t it easier to choose the concubine’s candidate? Wouldn’t that be settled? Why does Father find it unsuitable?"
The Emperor sized up Prince Jing again, pondering the significant connections among these three candidates. Was it intentional or accidental?
He felt that things weren’t as simple as they seemed. Perhaps the Fourth had ulterior motives for doing this. Suddenly, the Emperor found himself unable to understand the Fourth.
"The candidates you settled on are the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s Mansion’s first branch, another from Marquis Anhe Mansion’s second branch, and the legitimate eldest daughter of Duke Zhen’s second branch. Let’s not talk about Marquis Anhe Mansion for now, but the two from Duke Zhen’s Mansion are cousins. Deciding on both of them is certainly impossible, as Duke Zhen’s Mansion would surely not agree."
The Emperor was well aware of the thoughts of those aristocratic families. Their noble daughters were useful for political alliances; there was no need to marry both off to the Fourth.
Moreover, who in the Capital doesn’t know about the Fourth’s health condition? Would they be willing to send both daughters off for this?
Even as an Emperor, he couldn’t force people to marry off their daughters, right? How disgraceful would that be?
Marrying one was fine, but taking another would be somewhat improper.
"Oh! That was my mistake. The legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s first branch is suitable, so let her be the main wife. It saves trouble from selecting again. As for the other, Father, if you find her unsuitable, you can cross her off!"
After a moment’s deliberation, Prince Jing nodded and made his decision.
The Emperor stopped fiddling with his ring, "So, you prefer the legitimate daughter from Duke Zhen’s first branch as your main wife?"
Prince Jing noticed that the Emperor’s tone was a bit stronger and immediately paused, looking at the Emperor with a hint of sarcasm.
"Isn’t this the choice Father let me make? If Father still finds this candidate unsuitable, then you should choose! After all, none of my choices seem to please you."
The attitude of Prince Jing greatly displeased the Emperor. Wasn’t it implied that the Fourth was allowed to choose, yet his choices never satisfied him?
Previously, the Emperor had said to let the Fourth choose, yet now opposed it, which made him seem like a man of contradiction.
"Hmph! What are you talking about? If I were to choose a wife for you, would you be this dismissive? Yao Mengxian’s status matches, but she was raised by her stepmother since childhood. What kind of person is her stepmother? Coming from a humble background, what rules could such a woman teach her?"
The Emperor flung his sleeve, making a cold sound.
Prince Jing’s heart was filled with disdain. Surely, that wasn’t the reason for his father’s objection?
Wasn’t it just fear that if he married Duke Zhen’s legitimate daughter, Duke Zhen’s Mansion would take sides? Speaking so grandly, does he take everyone for fools?
"Father, isn’t her situation just right for someone like your son?"
Seeing the increasingly upset face of his father, Prince Jing knew it wasn’t wise to push too hard, so he softened his tone.
He continued in a deep voice, "As someone constantly reliant on medicine, marrying would only delay another. In fact, Father need not choose a wife for me; who knows how long I will live? There’s no need to ruin someone else’s entire life."
Prince Jing’s expression was full of desolation, vividly showcasing the helplessness of a long-sick person.
Indeed! He was evoking sympathy, a tactic he usually disdained to use.
But today, to achieve his goal, he did not mind exploiting his illness a bit.
As expected, the Emperor, seeing Prince Jing’s pitiful state, felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.
If he hadn’t taken his eyes off her back then, would she still be alive and well?
She wouldn’t have succumbed so early, leaving a son with congenital illness who might not live long.
The Fourth had been tormented by illness since childhood, so it was Heaven’s mercy that he lived this long.
There’s nothing else he could offer, but if he refused about the main wife matter, their father-son relationship might become irreparable.
He knew the Fourth bore some grievances against him, yet he was unsure how to better raise him. Due to the illness, the Fourth was more sensitive than most.
Sigh! The Emperor thought it over, very well! With the Fourth’s condition, what else could be hoped for?
He had never placed expectations on the Fourth, so naturally, the Fourth shouldn’t have unrealistic hopes either.
As the Emperor was about to give his consent, he turned to find Xiao Quanzi peeking in from outside.
De’an, following the Emperor’s gaze, quickly stepped forward to Xiao Quanzi.
This Xiao Quanzi was becoming more and more discourteous. Didn’t he see that the Emperor and Prince Jing were in the middle of an important discussion?
De’an pulled Xiao Quanzi aside, "What are you up to? Don’t you see the Emperor and Prince Jing have important matters to discuss? What are you peeking around for? Are you eavesdropping?"
Receiving such an accusation from De’an, Xiao Quanzi quickly shook his hands in fright.
"Chief Chen, I would never dare eavesdrop! It’s that the elder came and wishes to see the Emperor. I wanted to report it, but I was a bit afraid. Wasn’t I waiting for you to notice and take charge? If you didn’t speak up, I wouldn’t dare report on my own!"
Sweet talk always works.
De’an, flattered by Xiao Quanzi’s words, felt much better, and his expression softened.
However, thinking about the elder Xiao Quanzi mentioned, he was a bit confused, "Which elder?"
But before Xiao Quanzi could answer, he slapped his forehead in realization, "Ah! Look at my memory."
After speaking, De’an quickly left Xiao Quanzi and hurried back to the Imperial Study Room, leaving Xiao Quanzi looking bewildered.
Does he or doesn’t he need to report?
"Your Majesty, the elder sent in a card requesting an audience with you." De’an reported as he entered the Imperial Study Room.
The Emperor was surprised, was it Liang Zhirui?
"Fourth, you may take your leave now! As for the matter of the candidate, come again tomorrow, and we’ll discuss it then."
The Emperor initially thought about the undetermined candidate for the concubine; with Duke Zhen’s second branch’s legitimate daughter being impossible, the selection had to be redone tomorrow.
"Yes, Father!" Prince Jing’s heart sank a bit; he had noticed his father’s attitude softening and perhaps had just managed to gain consent.
