Chapter 1088: Chapter 1088: Mutual Affection
The Fourth Prince frowned, thought it over, and felt that the words made sense. He turned around and walked towards the door, saying as he walked, "I’ll go find Father."
Consort Rong watched him lift the curtain and leave, a smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
She felt that, given the Emperor’s current lukewarm attitude towards her, it was very likely he wouldn’t agree to give Jiang Ruru to her Xun Er. If that’s the case, Jiang Ruru, this juicy meat, could not be handed to the Second Prince either.
Let the Fourth Prince go find the Emperor; perhaps he could throw a wrench in the Empress’s plans.
The more Consort Rong thought about it, the more she felt her spontaneous idea was indeed brilliant.
The Fourth Prince strode towards the Imperial Study Room.
In the Imperial Study Room, the Emperor was reviewing memorials. Upon hearing the eunuch say that the Fourth Prince requested an audience, the Emperor raised his eyebrows in surprise; if he remembered correctly, this was the Fourth Prince’s first time seeking him out in the Imperial Study Room.
He put down his pen, "Let him in."
The Fourth Prince entered and first paid his respects, "Greetings, Father."
The Emperor looked at the tall figure of the Fourth Prince, who walked with vigor, and felt somewhat comforted in his heart. Although this child was a bit dull-witted and didn’t excel in studies, he at least had the advantage of being well-built, and wherever he stood, he did not disgrace the Royal Family.
"What brings you here today?"
The Fourth Prince’s face turned red, somewhat nervously clenching his fists. Suddenly, he knelt on the ground, "Father, I have something to ask of you."
The Emperor kindly said, "Go ahead."
The Fourth Prince found it hard to express his feelings to the Emperor; after hesitating for quite a while, he finally squeezed out, "Father, I wish to marry Ruru, I beg you to grant this to me."
The Emperor hadn’t expected this, and fell into silence.
He knew the Eldest Prince harbored ambitions for the throne, and the Second Prince considered it his rightful inheritance. He hadn’t anticipated that the Fourth Prince would also covet that position.
They all believed that with Lord Chief Minister and Jiang Youzhi wielding both civil and military authority, marrying Ruru would secure the position of Crown Prince.
Little did they know, wise men like Lord Chief Minister and the Grand Secretary would never involve themselves in the affairs of succession.
He lowered his eyes and remained silent, causing the Fourth Prince to become anxious, "Father, Ruru and I are deeply in love, please grant her to me!"
The Emperor furrowed his brows, "You two have privately pledged yourselves to each other?"
The Fourth Prince’s face grew even redder, "No, but Ruru liked playing with me at school, we got along very well."
The Emperor voiced his disbelief, "Is that true?"
"I remember the time when you were young, Ruru beat you up once. Is that what you call getting along well?"
The Fourth Prince anxiously replied, "But since then, she’s never hit me again, we became friends through a fight."
The Emperor remained skeptical.
In school, the Eldest Prince and Second Prince were both stronger than the Fourth Prince, and there were several companions with exceptional character and talent. Among them, why would Ruru favor his foolish son?
He recalled the time in the traveling palace when the Fourth Prince was climbing trees with Ruru, suggesting his son wasn’t entirely false.
He said calmly, "Words like ’deeply in love’ can harm a girl’s reputation if spread around. In the future, you mustn’t speak recklessly outside."
The Fourth Prince lowered his head, "I understand, I won’t speak recklessly outside."
The Emperor waved his hand, "Alright, I hear you; you can leave now."
The Fourth Prince stood still, wondering whether his father agreed or not.
Seeing his expression, the Emperor knew what he was thinking, and slowly said, "Go on, this matter is not as simple as your wishes."
The Fourth Prince carefully mulled over those words; was this his father’s refusal?
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