Chapter 130 - Married Well!
“Did you hear? The king has issued a decree, naming County Princess Tangxi as Princess Huiru and dispatching her for a diplomatic mission with the Southern Sand Country.”
“Southern Sand Country? Why have I never come across that nation before? Where exactly is it located?”
“Perhaps you're not well-informed. The Southern Sand Country lies beyond the South Sea, on an island. It's said to be no larger than our own Ye City, with a relatively sparse population.”
“This… why would the Great King arrange her marriage like this? How can the Old Prince bear it? She's a beauty capable of captivating entire cities!”
“Hehe… there's much more to this story. It's often best for us commoners to remain in the dark. Moreover, we're departing in just five days.”
“Is this even considered giving a daughter in marriage? It feels more like sending her away!”
“Shhh… let's not speak so carelessly. Just know that it's for the best, deep down inside…”
The streets and lanes were abuzz with talk of County Princess Tangxi embarking on her journey to wed. Such events had occurred throughout history, yet people couldn't help but wonder why the king had chosen a distant overseas realm for this union and what significance it held.
“Why did the Great King consent to this?” Tang Yue found the news profoundly startling, suspecting that Crown Prince Zhao had played a part in it.
The king's decree had been issued just a day ago, leaving little time for such arrangements.
Crown Prince Zhao sipped the tea prepared by Tang Yue. It tasted milder than usual, with a fragrant aftertaste. It was indeed quite pleasant.
“The Southern Sand Country boasts substantial reserves of gold and pearls. With the right incentives, Royal Father naturally concurs.” However, choosing Tangxi had required significant effort on the king's part.
“Is it really that straightforward?” Did this not amount to objectifying someone's daughter?
Crown Prince Zhao cast a glance at him. “Do you sympathize with her?”
Tang Yue pondered for a moment before responding, “Not particularly. I simply find it somewhat harsh for a woman to be sent so far away. I've heard that South Sand is nothing but an island nation, with a perpetually scorching climate.”
After listening to Tang Yue's lengthy discourse, Crown Prince Zhao grew increasingly concerned about the words of others. Annoyed, he moved closer and gently covered Tang Yue's mouth.
“Oh…” Tang Yue was in the middle of explaining the customs of ancient women and their marriages to the modern people while also attempting to correct the misconceptions of the ancient era regarding women and marriage. He didn't want to encourage dependency on women and marriage.
“Hush…” Crown Prince Zhao commanded. Tang Yue gazed at him, perplexed. Crown Prince Zhao, taking matters into his own hands, grasped the back of Tang Yue's head and transformed the passive situation into an active one, deepening the kiss.
Tang Yue believed he was more experienced. His supple tongue ventured into Crown Prince Zhao's mouth, engaging in a passionate dance. He switched techniques, savoring the pleasure of a deep kiss.
Their breaths quickened. With one hand, Crown Prince Zhao held Tang Yue's waist, while with the other, he unfastened Tang Yue's belt, gently pressing him onto a nearby chair.
Despite the presence of a burning charcoal pot in the room, Tang Yue felt a slight chill as his skin was exposed. He lifted his head and met the lust-filled gaze of the other. A wry smile tugged at his lips as he seized Crown Prince Zhao's hand and playfully pushed him onto a nearby table.
“Your Highness holds a distinguished status. Allow this humble one to take on such strenuous tasks.”
Tang Yue's eyes remained fixed on Crown Prince Zhao's crimson lips. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down. He couldn't deny that Crown Prince Zhao's beauty was genuinely captivating, especially at this moment with his slightly flushed cheeks and misty eyes, which stirred desire.
Crown Prince Zhao raised his eyelids and cast a meaningful glance at Tang Yue, positioning himself to facilitate Tang Yue's actions, but Tang Yue failed to interpret the hidden message in his eyes.
In the Tangxi County Lord's Mansion, Princess Tangxi wept uncontrollably, her once-exquisite abode reduced to chaos, with shattered furnishings and a disheveled floor.
“Father… Father… I refuse to go. Please, plead with the king. The king will surely listen out of respect for your reputation.”
The Old Prince stood silently by her side, his temples white and appearing to have aged a decade overnight. “My daughter, I've done all I could. I can't even enter the palace. How can I intercede?”
“Then… let me approach Crown Prince Zhao. I will personally apologize and implore him to reconsider the king's decree, citing the bond between them.”
The Old Prince let out a sigh. “Stop deluding yourself. This is Crown Prince Zhao's doing. Why else would the king bring up this marriage proposal and send you on this mission?”
It was clear that the king had ulterior motives for offering their daughter to a small Southern Sand Country for peace, and Crown Prince Zhao was the only option left.
“Father, how can he be so heartless?” County Princess Tangxi wept, her eyes red and swollen. She lay on the floor, gazing at Old Prince in despair.
“But do not despair too much. Even though Nan Sha is young, you will become the queen once you marry her. You will become the ruler of a nation, living a life of comfort and wealth.”
County Princess Tangxi shook her head through her tears. “A small kingdom, where will the wealth come from? They are just a tribe of uncivilized barbarians. Daughter… daughter would rather die than marry!”
Old Prince's face darkened as he clenched his fists. “Crown Prince Zhao has gone too far!”
Old Prince turned and left the room swiftly, instructing his men to prepare horses as he headed straight for the Crown Prince's Palace.
Crown Prince Zhao reclined on a soft couch with a book in his hand. His gaze was distant, and a trace of happiness flickered in his eyes.
His thoughts were filled with memories of Tang Yue's blushing face. Though their love had not yet fully blossomed, it left him with countless fond memories.
He had reached the age of discernment. The palace had presented him with many potential companions, both male and female, but he had shown no interest in any of them.
In fact, Queen Madame Hu had gone so far as to arrange a tutor to tempt the maidservants, but their efforts had been in vain.
He hadn't anticipated that Tang Yue would stir such strong emotions within him, giving him a taste of the joy of a matrimonial ceremony.
Wang Dingjun knocked on the door and entered. He reported, “Your Highness, there is word from the palace that the king wishes to summon Old Prince for a discussion.”
Crown Prince Zhao was brought back from his reverie. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned frosty. “Oh? Has the Royal Decree been issued already? Let my father see if he can retract the Sacred Edict.”
“I heard from one of the king's attendants that the king intends to offer compensation to Old Prince. If Old Prince can persuade him, he might be able to replace the intended marriage candidate.”
Should that fail, they could secretly change the bride. After all, the Southern Sand Country King had never seen County Princess Tangxi in person.
Crown Prince Zhao cast a cold gaze and declared, “Increase the surveillance on the Prefecture Lord's Mansion. I want to witness Tangxi boarding the bridal palanquin on her wedding day with my own eyes. If anyone attempts to interfere, they will face my wrath!”
What if they had secretly swapped individuals? As long as he could ensure that Tangxi arrived at the palanquin in perfect condition on that day.
Wang Dingjun comprehended his intentions. Whether the gift from the Prefecture Lord's Mansion was authentic or not, they would make it genuine.
“What if the king and the Old Prince come to an understanding and discover the truth later?”
“Maintain the secrecy. What could they possibly do to me?” Crown Prince Zhao rose from his seat, set aside his book, and retrieved a box from the table, handing it to Wang Dingjun. “Deliver this to the Yueyang Marquis's Mansion on my behalf, and give it to Tang Yue. Inform him that it's a gift from me.”
“Certainly.”
Shortly after Wang Dingjun left, the butler arrived with a report. “Master, the Old Prince is requesting an audience outside the mansion gates.”
“Simply inform him that I'm occupied and will meet him another day.”
The butler departed, but it wasn't long before he returned, perspiring. “Master, please come and have a look. The Old Prince is kneeling at the mansion gates, seemingly contemplating suicide with a sword.”
Crown Prince Zhao raised an eyebrow and sneered. “Is he attempting to pressure me into compliance?” Tell the guards to apprehend him and return him to the Prefecture Lord's Mansion. Claim that the Old Prince has lost his sanity. If he wishes to end his life, he should do so on his own property!”
Upon hearing these instructions, the Guan family understood that His Highness had made a firm decision. He would not yield to this threat. They swiftly dispatched individuals to handle the situation.
Within a hundred meters of the Crown Prince's Palace, no one resided, but many passersby gathered to observe and comment on Old Prince from a distance.
Old Prince's eyes reddened, and his aged countenance turned crimson as if blood was about to flow. He had never experienced such humiliation in his life, completely losing his dignity.
If Tangxi were not his cherished treasure, he would never have resorted to this, even if it meant his own demise. However, he had abandoned his pride and status. He beseeched Crown Prince Zhao in such a humble manner, yet received no response. It was truly infuriating!
Upon being subdued, Old Prince burst into laughter and declared, “Lee Zhao, your emotions run deep. Taking a man as your wife is destined to extinguish your lineage for generations! My South Jin's grand empire, how could it pass into the hands of a heartless person without a male heir like you?”
Crown Prince Zhao ordered the news to be spread, conveying a single message: “Tell the king he can decide who inherits the throne. What does it have to do with him? What does it have to do with you?”
This time, Old Prince failed to sway Crown Prince Zhao's determination. Instead, he brought disgrace upon himself. Rumors began to circulate, suggesting that County Princess Tangxi's marriage was possibly linked to Crown Prince Zhao.
Nevertheless, most believed that this was Crown Prince Zhao's retaliation against the Prefecture Lord's Mansion. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but Crown Prince Zhao's vengeance was swift.
Reflecting on it, even in a typical family, enduring such humiliation would be unimaginable, let alone someone as esteemed as Crown Prince Zhao.
Many secretly applauded and sent their wishes to County Princess Tangxi: “May you have a prosperous marriage!”
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