Chapter 38: Is the Prince a Romantic?

"Miss!"

Liu Xu approached Zhao Jiao with undisguised eagerness. Old Man Duan also looked toward Zhao Jiao; Liu Xu had already briefly explained the situation between Prince Su and her.

"Miss, I shall wait outside." Yinkou, being tactful, prepared to withdraw.

"No need." Zhao Jiao needed someone capable by her side, and if she were to use her, she could not keep avoiding her indefinitely. Liu Xu and Old Man Duan secretly observed Yinkou, wondering who exactly this girl was.

Zhao Jiao sat down, and Yinkou immediately poured tea to serve her. Seeing this, Liu Xu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Miss, did Prince Su really come to propose marriage?"

Zhao Jiao nodded, took the tea, and sighed. "You could say it was a matter of desperation."

"How so?" Old Man Duan pressed.

"It is a long story. Prince Su received news that the Grand Princess intends for him to marry Princess Nianzhao. He does not wish to marry her, so he thought he would act first before the imperial decree could be issued. And I... am his shield."

Zhao Jiao sipped her tea, her tone tinged with helplessness and a hint of mockery, especially when mentioning the Grand Princess.

"And... you agreed?" Liu Xu looked at her anxiously; this was no trifling matter.

"Whether I agreed or not is irrelevant. What matters is whether Prince Su can obtain the imperial decree for our marriage. He has just entered the palace now." Zhao Jiao remained relaxed, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

"Miss, if Prince Su secures the imperial decree, you... you will have to marry him!" Old Man Duan said with a grave, meaningful expression.

Zhao Jiao shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Even if Prince Su has the ability to secure the decree before the Grand Princess intervenes, it is merely a betrothal. As long as the wedding has not taken place, everything is subject to change. Besides, looking at it from another angle, given my current background, to marry into the royal family as a princess consort—that is like a phoenix rising from the ashes. There is no reason to refuse!" She had already received an imperial decree naming her the Crown Princess once before; what was there to fear?

Old Man Duan and Liu Xu exchanged a look and said no more. They both understood that the reason she agreed was primarily because of the Grand Princess. Whatever the Grand Princess wished to accomplish, the Princess would spare no effort to ensure it failed.

***

Regardless, the Princess was right; a betrothal was not an immediate wedding.

Meanwhile, Yinkou, who was serving them carefully from the side, looked at Zhao Jiao with newfound respect.

News of Yin Sumuo’s grand display of bringing betrothal gifts to the Xu residence reached the Grand Princess's mansion. Yin Ling, who was soaking in a hot spring, threw her wine cup in a rage upon hearing the news. Her maids knelt in terror.

"Where is he now?"

"Returning to Your Highness, Prince Su has... entered the palace!"

Yin Ling rose abruptly. "Dress me. I am going to the palace!"

Qiongzhi, her confidante, immediately stepped forward to assist her, saying cautiously, "Your Highness, do not be anxious. Even if Prince Su is foolish enough to request a marriage decree, His Majesty will not easily agree. After all, the daughter of a fifth-rank official, and a concubine-born one at that... how could she be worthy of a prince?"

"He orchestrates this the moment he returns to the capital. Do you think it is a coincidence?"

Qiongzhi paused, her eyes shifting. "Your Highness means... Prince Su knows you intend for him to marry Princess Nianzhao, and he... does not want to?"

"Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? I had underestimated him before. I just don't know if he looks down on Nianzhao or if he looks down on me... Hmph, I intended to elevate him, but he is ungrateful. If it weren't for the fact that..." Yin Ling stopped mid-sentence. "You all may leave."

Qiongzhi understood and dismissed the others.

"Your Highness, Prince Su did not grow up in the capital, so perhaps he lacks understanding and is being ungrateful. It is his good fortune to have caught your eye!" If he was truly acting against the Princess, then this Prince Su... needed to be taught a lesson.

"Hmph, if he is nothing but mud, then even holding the Star-Picking Tower in his hands is useless; he will never amount to anything. I elevated him only to make things run more smoothly. Since he is ungrateful, then he cannot blame me, his aunt, for... not favoring him anymore. Let us go to the palace!"

"Your Highness is right. This Prince Su truly lacks a foundation, forcing him to be indiscriminate. With so many noble ladies in the capital, he chooses someone like that..." Qiongzhi said with disdain. For a servant to speak of a prince in such a manner showed just how arrogant she was, emboldened by Yin Ling's backing.

Yin Ling sneered and remained silent. Defying her would naturally come at a price.

***

Inside the palace, the Emperor Xuanwu glared at his son, who was kneeling and requesting a marriage decree, his face twisted in anger.

"I told you to marry early, but I did not tell you to find someone like this! Making such a scene—are you not ashamed? You, a prince of the realm... can just any stray weed be allowed to marry into the royal family?"

Emperor Xuanwu had initially been pleased when Yin Sumuo requested the decree, but his expression soured once he learned of the girl's background.

Yin Sumuo appeared aggrieved and ingratiating. "Father, you told me to marry early, so I have been searching for a suitable woman. Among all the women I have met, she is the only one who truly captures my heart. We share mutual affection; I beg Father to grant us this. Although her background is humble, she is refined, gentle, and virtuous, and she treats me exceptionally well. I know you wish for me to marry a noblewoman from a prestigious clan, but I feel incredibly awkward around them, whereas with Jiaojiao, it is different... Father, please grant my wish. My public proposal today was indeed impulsive, and now that it is known to all... if I do not marry her, how will she ever face the world?"

Yin Sumuo acted the part of a lovestruck fool so well that Emperor Xuanwu was moved to scold him further.

"You scoundrel! You realize you were foolish now? If I refuse, what do you intend to do?"

Yin Sumuo bowed his head frantically, then said with absolute resolve, "If Father... truly refuses, she will surely die. If she dies, I... I will remain chaste for her for the rest of my life, or perhaps I shall simply follow her to the grave!"

Emperor Xuanwu was dumbfounded. Was this truly his son? Had their royal line produced such a rare, lovestruck fool? He was left speechless and felt somewhat ashamed. His anger subsided, replaced by the realization that being angry was pointless.

"Are you certain? Marriage is no trifling matter. If I issue this decree today, it cannot be changed. Even if you regret it in the future, it will be too late!"

"I will not regret it. I beg Father to grant this. Long live the Emperor!"

Before the Emperor even agreed, Yin Sumuo began showering him with thanks, appearing unable to contain his joy.

Emperor Xuanwu completely gave up. He concluded that his son was merely a fool with no ambition, only knowing how to dote on a woman. In that light, this marriage was perhaps quite fitting.

"Rise. Someone, draft the decree..." Emperor Xuanwu sighed, too tired to look at Yin Sumuo, rubbing his temples as he spoke.

When the jade seal was pressed onto the decree, Yin Sumuo accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure. "Thank you, Father! Father truly loves me! I shall serve you well in the future!"

Emperor Xuanwu waved a hand. "Just spare me the headaches, and you will have served me well. You are about to be married; try to be more sensible... Remember to inform your maternal grandfather's family!"

"Yes!"

"Go, go!"

"I take my leave!" Yin Sumuo’s impatient demeanor as he hurried to deliver the decree made Emperor Xuanwu shake his head silently once more. If this son were truly acting, his performance was so flawless that not a single flaw could be discerned.