Chapter 832 - 756: Farewell (2)

Chapter 832: Chapter 756: Farewell (2)

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his gaze a sharp glint: "Stay honestly in the capital for me! Get out!"

Prince Cheng was speechless; this isn’t good. Could it be that his father, seeing Yunzhou flourishing under his management, is considering reallocating him to a less favorable fief?

In twenty-two years, this situation has never occurred!

He doesn’t believe that the Emperor is reluctant to let him leave out of paternal affection.

He compromised by saying, "Father, I wouldn’t mind not returning to Yunzhou for now, but I need to make a trip to Jinzhou."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s eyes immediately flashed with a dangerous glint.

An enfeoffed vassal king with his fief in Yunzhou, what business does he have in Jinzhou? Could it be an attempt to form alliances?

Seeing the Emperor’s suspicious gaze, Prince Cheng explained, "Jingchen has found someone he loves, a girl from Jinzhou. Initially, we were to inform father of our departure because we would pass by Jinzhou on our return to arrange the betrothal. Father wants me to stay in the capital for a while longer, which I’m pleased to do, but this matter needs to be settled swiftly, I ask for father’s permission!"

Ordinarily, if he were to handle this on his return, he wouldn’t need the Emperor’s decree. But since the Emperor forbids him from leaving now, he would need the Emperor’s approval to go to Jinzhou; such is the plight of a vassal king!

However, the matter of Huangfu Jingchen’s marriage must be reported to the Emperor sooner or later.

Additionally, the marriages of several princely heirs held as hostages in the capital have not been finalized. Perhaps the Emperor is planning to bestow marriages upon them.

If the Emperor intends to bestow a marriage, it cannot be delayed.

Letting him know now that Jingchen already has someone in mind could prevent any undesirable matchmaking on the Emperor’s part, which is beneficial.

The Emperor’s face turned cold: "Is that so? As the Crown Prince, I will grant a marriage decree for Jingchen. Does it require a prince like you to personally arrange the betrothal? With so many eligible noblewomen in the capital, why go so far afield?"

Prince Cheng’s lips twitched; what is all this talk about going so far? Besides, since Jingchen is Prince Cheng’s Heir and Prince Cheng’s fief is in Yunzhou, what is considered near or far?

Moreover, are the noblewomen in the capital all guaranteed to be good? The father-son relationship between him and the Emperor hit rock bottom twenty-two years ago and has been strained ever since. With such a history, it’s obvious he wouldn’t assign Jingchen a good marriage.

Besides, even if they could find a good one, what does it matter? Jingchen already has someone he loves!

He has been able to marry the woman he loves and spend his life in happiness and hope his sons and daughters find their mutual lovers and enjoy the same happiness!

He chuckled dryly: "Father’s favor is Jingchen’s blessing. But that girl, she saved Jingchen’s life! On Jinchen’s return to Yunzhou after celebrating father’s sixtieth birthday, he was ambushed by assassins, gravely wounded, and narrowly escaped death. It was that girl who saved him!"

Upon hearing Prince Cheng mention that Huangfu Jingchen was pursued by assassins, the Emperor’s expression softened, and he asked, "Is that so? What is the background of that girl?"

Prince Cheng replied: "I’m not sure, maybe she’s just from an ordinary family. Father’s decree might frighten them, and there isn’t such a need for grandiosity."

He said as much, but he couldn’t wish for a more grand affair. In fact, he had already ordered preparations to begin last night.

The reason he claimed Xia Wenjin was from an ordinary background was due to the Emperor’s mistrustful gaze. If he said she was from a Jinzhou official’s family, the Governor Mansion’s daughter or the like, the Emperor would suspect him of forming alliances; if he directly said she was a person of the Jianghu, his father would recall the event twenty-two years ago when he married Xue’er and certainly wouldn’t agree to Jingchen marrying another Jianghu girl.

If he dared to ruin his son’s prospects, not only would he be unwilling, but upon returning home, Xue’er would definitely be angry with him for spoiling their son’s happiness!

The Emperor’s face grew colder: "Ordinary family? How can a girl from an ordinary family be worthy of an Imperial Grandson? Does a life-saving grace require an Imperial Grandson to repay with marriage?"

Prince Cheng appeared innocent: "I don’t know. Jingchen just mentioned his love is in Jinzhou and entrusted me to handle it on my way back to Yunzhou, so I haven’t asked him yet!"

The Emperor coldly stated: "Go and tell Jingchen to come meet me in the palace after you return!"

Prince Cheng, surprised, said: "Father, isn’t it a bit much to summon Jingchen over such a small matter?"

"Small matter?" The Emperor, angry, heavily slammed his hand on the desk, even throwing the teacup to the ground, causing tea to splash around: "You call a marriage a small matter? You muddled fool! Have you stayed too long in Yunzhou that you think I no longer have a say in Jingchen’s marriage?"