Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 903 - 739: Ask Face-to-Face

"Father, your son has been much better these past few days. Just heard that Fourth Brother has arrived, so I wanted to come and see him."

The Eldest Prince pressed his hand against his chest, slowly rising. First, he surveyed the Imperial Study Room, and upon seeing Liang Zhirui, he was taken aback.

"So it is the esteemed elder who has arrived." Then the Eldest Prince actually gave Liang Zhirui a half-bow.

Liang Zhirui quickly stepped aside to avoid it, repeatedly saying, "You mustn’t! You mustn’t!"

"It is only right. You were my childhood mentor, respecting teachers and valuing principles is only proper." The Eldest Prince replied with a humble expression.

"Exactly! He at least consulted with you about his studies, you deserve the courtesy!" The Emperor laughed heartily, extremely satisfied with the Eldest Prince’s conduct.

The three exchanged a few more pleasantries, then the Eldest Prince finally asked, "Father, has Fourth Brother already left? It seems your son arrived a bit late!"

The Eldest Prince shook his head and sighed, appearing quite regretful.

"Why? Did you come looking for him?" The Emperor’s smile stiffened slightly, but soon returned to normal.

"He often cloisters himself in his mansion, and this time I heard he hasn’t attended court for several days. Your son has been recuperating at the mansion, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen him. Just happened to acquire a calligraphy manuscript from a renowned artist recently. Isn’t he fond of copying them? I intended to bring it to him."

The Eldest Prince took out a manuscript from his robes and held it up to the Emperor.

"He has already returned." The Emperor signaled De’an to take the manuscript, clearly intending to appreciate it.

"Weren’t you planning to choose a consort for him these days? Your son was also interested to see whom you selected for him."

The Eldest Prince smiled leisurely, evidently in good spirits today.

"Oh? You want to know too? However, the choice was all his doing; I didn’t intervene." The Emperor’s smile seemed a bit strained, and his tone grew cold.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense, and Liang Zhirui’s heart leapt to his throat.

The Eldest Prince then sensed something amiss, but did not relent and asked anyway.

"Then does Father know which family’s lady Fourth Brother has chosen?"

The Emperor smiled faintly, "Which family? Well, isn’t his true maternal grandfather present?" He gestured towards Liang Zhirui, speaking casually.

The Eldest Prince was suddenly enlightened, "So he chose the elder’s granddaughter?"

He looked genuinely pleased, but Liang Zhirui’s heart was filled with bitterness.

The Emperor carefully observed the expression on the Eldest Prince’s face, recognizing that his joy was genuine and truly was for Fourth Brother’s sake.

He furrowed his brow, knowing full well the disposition of the eldest.

Duke Zhen’s Mansion is among the longstanding nobles in the Capital. Even if not as prestigious as during the late Emperor’s reign, its influence on the court remains considerable.

Why would the eldest remain so nonchalant upon learning of Fourth Brother’s choice?

The Emperor was initially a bit surprised, but then he understood. Until today, he just realized Fourth Brother’s intentions weren’t simple?

The eldest likely assumes, like him, that Fourth Brother is a person at ease with the world, detached from worldly affairs.

Although the Emperor suspects Prince Jing’s motives for marrying Yao Mengxian, Prince Jing conceals well enough that the Emperor doesn’t invest much concern.

Moreover, Prince Jing lacks power and influence, and with his frail health, he garners no support at court. The Emperor isn’t afraid of Prince Jing stirring up the court’s waters.

"He has taken a liking to the family’s granddaughter. But just coincidentally today, the esteemed elder is here for his granddaughter’s marriage as well."

"Then has the elder taken a fancy to our Fourth Brother?" The Eldest Prince’s eyes flickered with laughter.

"Haha! No, he hasn’t set his sights on Fourth Brother, but on a young talent." The Emperor laughed heartily, setting down the manuscript.

Liang Zhirui rose to his feet, "I came today to request the Emperor’s marriage blessing."

"Then may I ask which good young man you have chosen?" The Eldest Prince took a sip of tea, contemplating strategies.

"It is my young disciple, Gu Chengyu!"

Liang Zhirui feared the Eldest Prince and the Emperor would collaborate, sealing Xian and Prince Jing’s marriage, thus he could no longer hold back.

"Oh? You mean Jinyu?" The Eldest Prince was quite astonished, lifting his head dramatically from the tea bowl, looking at Liang Zhirui.

"Indeed! Though I don’t know Prince Jing’s intentions, the two were childhood companions, well-matched in character and appearance, and I am familiar with Jinyu’s temperament. Therefore, I came today to seek the Emperor’s favor in marrying these two."

Since he has entered the palace today, Liang Zhirui must ensure the Emperor agrees to this.

In years past, he labored tirelessly for the court and country, though ultimately no longer favored by the Emperor. However, for the sake of their past shared sentiments, surely the Emperor wouldn’t leave him entirely without favor?

Moreover, he holds his last card. He suffered greatly from that incident years ago.

Even if the Emperor later elevated him to Grand Secretary, it hardly compensates for the pain he endured back then.

Setting these thoughts aside, Liang Zhirui’s resolute gaze fell on the Emperor, rendering the Emperor silent.

The Eldest Prince suddenly laughed, "The elder desires to pair Jinyu with your granddaughter, but have you asked for Jinyu’s consent?"

Liang Zhirui glanced curiously at the Eldest Prince; since when did the Eldest Prince grow so familiar with Jinyu? As if he knew Jinyu very well.

"Last year I casually mentioned it; he didn’t oppose."

The Eldest Prince’s smiling face grew tense, then raised his tea bowl, falling into silence as well.

Liang Zhirui looked at the father and son duo, his heart growing apprehensive once more.

Their views were unanimously opposed this time, and what Liang Zhirui couldn’t understand was why the Emperor disagreed.

Reasonably speaking, Gu Chengyu marrying Xian should solve the Emperor’s dilemma, surely the Emperor doesn’t wish for Prince Jing to wed Xian?

Liang Zhirui was puzzled by the Emperor’s attitude, and that Eldest Prince came now, could he truly have come looking for Prince Jing?

Liang Zhirui shot the Eldest Prince a glance, perhaps here as a mediator?

"Not opposing doesn’t mean agreeing! You are his teacher, dare he refuse? From what I see, it’d be better to call him here, ask him face-to-face."

The Eldest Prince adjusted his sleeves, speaking calmly.

"How could that work? It’s not settled yet, calling him here would damage my granddaughter’s dignity. Besides, when has any young man discussed marriage without consulting his parents? As long as the parents approve, what say does the child have?"

Liang Zhirui shook his head in haste at the suggestion of calling Gu Chengyu, how could that be feasible?

If he holds strong here, perhaps there’s a chance. But if Jinyu is summoned, he would fall under the Emperor and Eldest Prince’s pressure.

The young disciple serves in the court, these two he cannot afford to offend!

"Eldest, pay your respects and leave now!" The Emperor suddenly interrupted, cutting off the Eldest Prince before he could speak.

The Eldest Prince gasped for breath, looking startled.

"Then your son takes his leave! The weather is cold, your knees need extra care in rainy seasons, I hope father will take care of his health."