in2ebook Chapter 162 Marriage Grant
Chapter 162 Marriage Grant
Thinking of this, Zhao Yunzheng pursed his thin lips and spoke slowly and firmly, "Father, I do indeed have someone in my heart, but this matter is of great importance, and I dare not mention it rashly..."
The emperor raised an eyebrow, his eyes growing more meaningful: "Oh? Yun Zheng, you might as well speak frankly. I'd like to hear who exactly has caught your eye."
Zhao Yunzheng's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Xu Jiaojiao, his resolute face softening with tenderness: "Father, my heart is as clear as day..."
These words caused an uproar in the hall. Although everyone had suspected it, they were still shocked to hear the Prince admit it so frankly.
Xu Jiaojiao's heart skipped a beat, and a blush rose to her face, but she quickly suppressed the turmoil in her heart and silently watched the psychological game between the Emperor and Prince Chen.
Following Zhao Yunzheng's gaze, the emperor's brow twitched, and he turned to look at Xu Jiaojiao, seemingly not expecting Zhao Yunzheng to be so direct.
In the current dynasty, Zhao Yunzheng is practically all-powerful. The crown prince is weak, and the throne will eventually be passed to Zhao Yunzheng, but the emperor is still quite healthy.
Which emperor doesn't dream of immortality? At least for now, he doesn't want any of his offspring to threaten his imperial power.
After a moment's hesitation, the emperor concealed the sharpness in his eyes and asked with a smile, "Yun Zheng, is the person you speak of whom you admire Miss Xu?"
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly: "It is her. I have known her for a long time and know that she is of pure character, dignified and generous."
He paused, then bowed and clasped his hands in greeting: "Furthermore, Miss Xu risked her life to save me. I will never forget this life-saving grace. I can only repay such kindness by protecting her for the rest of my life."
Now that Lady Xie has been demoted to a commoner, I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me this marriage and allow me to be with Miss Xu.
The hall erupted in uproar, as no one expected that Prince Chen would directly request an imperial decree to grant the marriage.
Xu Jiaojiao looked at Prince Chen in surprise, not expecting him to be so reckless.
The emperor fell silent for a moment, and everyone sensed something was amiss. The entire hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the atmosphere became tense.
After a moment, the emperor's expression softened, and he looked at Xu Jiaojiao with gentleness: "Miss Xu, what about you? Are you willing to marry Prince Chen and become his consort?"
Xu Jiaojiao's heart tightened.
She knew that she could not remain uninvolved in this matter, and that the emperor would question her sooner or later.
After a moment's hesitation, she replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am of humble status and dare not presume to be worthy of His Highness Prince Chen. I am grateful for His Highness's righteous words today, but I am aware of my own status and dare not harbor any improper thoughts."
If one acts too obsequiously, the emperor, being suspicious by nature, will surely become suspicious.
Now that she is the daughter of a prominent family, she should naturally know how to behave appropriately and know when to advance and retreat.
The Emperor was not surprised by her answer: "Miss Xu's background is indeed not high, but she is virtuous and acts with composure, which I quite admire. How about we betroth Miss Xu to Yunzheng as a concubine? As for the position of principal wife—"
The emperor is trying to place his own people around Prince Chen.
Sensing the emperor's intention, Xu Jiaojiao's hand unconsciously tightened, her knuckles turning white.
Zhao Yunzheng's pupils also dilated, and he intended to refuse outright.
Before he could speak, Jia Rong interrupted the emperor, saying, "Father, you may not know this, but Miss Xu is exceptionally talented and skillful; she is far more than just someone who is composed and virtuous..."
The emperor was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Jia Rong with surprise: "Oh? What do you mean?"
Jia Rong walked to the emperor's side, smiling sweetly: "Father, do you still remember the looms and shipping that I've been busy with recently?"
The emperor twirled the jade thumb ring but did not reply immediately.
The loom and shipping were beneficial to the country and its people. The emperor had strongly supported Jia Rong and Yun Zheng in doing this, and he would never forget it.
When Jia Rong brought up this matter, the emperor's expression became subtle.
Seeing that his father remained silent, Jia Rong continued, “Father, the blueprints for the loom were drawn by Miss Xu, and it was also Miss Xu who suggested opening up shipping routes to me. If it weren’t for Miss Xu, the people of our Yan Dynasty would not be able to wear ready-made clothes like they do now.”
She affectionately pinched the emperor's shoulder and smiled coquettishly, "Father, Miss Xu has such talent, don't you think she should be rewarded?"
The emperor smiled faintly, his gaze full of meaning: "Such a great achievement certainly deserves a reward. I wonder how Xiao Jiarong intends for me to reward Miss Xu?"
Jia Rong could easily understand the deeper meaning in her father's tone. However, as a carefree princess, she wouldn't threaten her father's imperial power. It shouldn't be too much to disobey him a little and help her second brother and Jiao Jiao...
Thinking this, Jia Rong bit her lip and mustered her courage to smile and say, "Father, Miss Xu is both beautiful and talented, and she once saved my second brother. How about... we bestow upon her the title of Princess?"
With the title of Princess, her status and position naturally rose, making it perfectly reasonable and justified for her to marry Prince Chen as his principal wife; no one could find fault with that.
A small commotion was caused inside the main hall.
Xu Jiaojiao's eyes welled up with tears, and she sighed with emotion at the brother and sister's passionate and intense nature.
The emperor's eye twitched twice, but he quickly regained his composure.
He concealed the gloom in his eyes, inwardly mocking himself. He was getting old after all; the fate of the Annihilation Dynasty was about to change...
The emperor exhaled a soft breath, looked at Xu Jiaojiao, his gaze softening as if he had let go of some heavy burden, and slowly asked, "Miss Xu, is what Jia Rong said true?"
Xu Jiaojiao quickly bowed respectfully, lowered her head and obediently replied, without the slightest arrogance: "Your Majesty, I did indeed contribute a little to the matter of looms and shipping, but all of this was for the people of Yan Dynasty, and I dare not take credit for it."
The Emperor nodded approvingly: "Miss Xu has the world in her heart, which pleases me greatly. Since that is the case, I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Princess Anning' and betroth you to Prince Chen. The wedding will take place on a chosen date."
Everyone was stunned, amazed that things had developed this way.
A smile appeared in Zhao Yunzheng's eyes, and he immediately knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Father Emperor, for your kindness. Your son will certainly not let you down!"
Xu Jiaojiao was stunned by the emperor's quick and generous bestowal of marriage.
Seeing Prince Chen kneel down, she quickly knelt down as well: "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Seeing his second brother's genuine smile, Jia Rong felt a sudden lump in his throat and his eyes welled up with tears.
She couldn't help but look at Tu Zhannan, a complex expression in her eyes.
Concealing the bitterness in her heart, she sniffed and smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Father is wise!"
Jia Rong's sweet voice made the emperor chuckle.
He took Jia Rong's hand, patted it in his palm, and then looked at everyone in the hall, his tone authoritative: "This matter ends here. I hope that all of you ministers will take this as a warning and not do anything improper again. Otherwise, don't blame me for punishing you severely!"
Everyone rose, knelt down, and bowed their heads in acknowledgment: "Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed."