Chapter 299: Crazy!

Chapter 299: Crazy!

Unfamiliar with ancient betrothal customs, Tang Shuyi made a special trip to the Tang Duke's mansion to inquire about betrothal practices from the Lady Tang.

Upon hearing of Xiao Yuchen's impending engagement to Princess Jianing, Lady Tang expressed her surprise and then remarked, "I've met Princess Jianing a few times. She's a lovely young lady."

Tang Shuyi responded with a smile, "She is indeed wonderful and complements Yuchen very well."

Lady Tang's heart was somewhat uneasy, having once hoped that Xiao Yuchen would become her son-in-law. However, she had to admit that compared to her daughter, Princess Jianing was more suited to be the matron of the Dingguo Duke's mansion.

After returning to her residence, Tang Shuyi took Xiao Yuzhu to the storeroom. Holding the account book, they selected the betrothal gifts. After leaving the storeroom and returning to Shi'an Garden, she saw Xiao Huai sitting in the hall sipping tea. Tang Shuyi sat down next to him and handed him the account book, "Take a look, these are the gifts for the proposal ceremony."

Xiao Huai wasn't very familiar with such matters either, but he still scrutinized the document carefully before saying, "If the Madam approves, it should be fine."

Tang Shuyi was accustomed to his deferential attitude; he seemed to prefer her to make the decisions on domestic affairs. In fact, she didn't mind it at all.

She remarked, "This dowry should be quite substantial."

Xiao Huai hummed in agreement, "I didn't expect Prince Duan to not interfere."

"Perhaps Jia Ning has taken care of it," Tang Shuyi suggested, thinking of Princess Jia Ning's ways of dealing with Prince Duan, and couldn't help but laugh, "In the future, the Duke will realize that Jia Ning is indeed a qualified matriarch."

Seeing her happy, Xiao Huai also smiled along, "It's all thanks to the Madam's discerning eyes."

Tang Shuyi glanced at him and chuckled, "Where did the Duke learn to flatter so skillfully?"

Xiao Huai laughed heartily and leaned back in his chair, "I'm naturally gifted."

Tang Shuyi retorted, "The Duke's self-praise is also top-notch."

Xiao Huai laughed again, and Tang Shuyi joined in. Outside, the attendants Cui Zhu and Cui Yun, hearing their laughter, exchanged glances and smiled too. They were more than happy to see their masters getting along.

On the day of the betrothal, Tang Shuyi got up early, but before she could finish washing up, Xiao Huai had already arrived and was waiting outside. As Cui Zhu helped Tang Shuyi with her towel, she whispered, "Madam, the Duke has been behaving so well lately, why not let him move back in?"

Tang Shuyi replied, "Don’t meddle in this."

Cui Zhu sighed inwardly, hoping the Duke would continue to strive.

After Tang Shuyi finished her ablutions and exited the inner room, she greeted him with a smile, "Good morning, Duke!"

"Good morning, Madam!" Xiao Huai responded with a smile.

Tang Shuyi sat down and said, "In a while, after you pick up the Empress Dowager, you can head to Prince Duan's mansion together."

Typically during the betrothal, it’s customary for the male elders and the matchmaker from the groom's side to visit the bride's family, and usually, this elder is a man.

"Alright," Xiao Huai replied.

After chatting for a while, Xiao Huai's children, including Xiao Yuzhen, came over. The family had breakfast together, and then Xiao Huai, accompanied by Xiao Yuzhen, set off to propose marriage. Watching their backs, Tang Shuyi was filled with emotion, about to become a mother-in-law!

Meanwhile, Xiao Huai, with great fanfare, led Xiao Yuzhen to Prince Duan’s mansion to propose. It didn't take long for almost the entire capital to learn about Xiao Yuzhen's impending betrothal to Princess Jia Ning. For a time, countless young women in the city were dabbing their tears with their handkerchiefs.

At this moment, the emperor was receiving a few ministers. These ministers were discussing the matter of appointing a crown prince. They spoke endlessly about the disadvantages of not having a crown prince, as if the Great Qian Dynasty would collapse immediately if one wasn't appointed right now. The emperor listened with growing irritation.

"Enough, I am aware," the emperor waved his hand impatiently, "I will give careful consideration to the matter of the crown prince. You may all withdraw."

The ministers exchanged glances, then stood up and bowed before leaving. They had made up their minds: if the emperor didn't agree to appoint a crown prince, they would come back every day. After all, as a sage ruler, he wouldn't punish them for this.

Once the ministers had left, the emperor picked up his cup and took a fierce gulp of tea, feeling nearly tormented to death by these ministers in recent days.

Just then, Jiao Kangsheng entered and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, news from outside the palace reports that Duke Dingguo and his heir, Xiao, visited Prince Duan's mansion today to propose marriage."

"Propose marriage? Where?" The emperor thought he must be hallucinating.

Jiao Kangsheng clarified, "To Prince Duan's mansion, to propose to Princess Jia Ning."

The emperor fell silent upon hearing this. Jiao Kangsheng stood there, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, knowing the emperor was furious beyond measure.

"Summon Prince Duan," commanded the emperor.

Jiao Kangsheng acknowledged the order and immediately sent someone to Prince Duan's mansion. It wasn't long before Prince Duan arrived. But as soon as he stepped into the imperial study, a teacup flew straight at him, striking him squarely on the forehead. Blood immediately began to flow.

Prince Duan was utterly astonished. Once he regained his composure, he asked with furrowed brows, "Why have you done this, brother? What have I done wrong?"

If it had been anyone other than the emperor, he surely would have lunged at him in a rage.

"When did you discuss this matrimonial alliance with Duke Dingguo?" The emperor's tone was furious as he demanded, "Jia Ning is to be betrothed, why did you not inform me beforehand?"

Hearing this, Prince Duan felt even more aggrieved, "Brother, Jia Ning is a county princess, not an imperial princess. I don’t need to report her matrimonial matters to you."

The emperor was speechless.

It seemed that now, having the support of Duke Dingguo, Prince Duan dared to talk back to him. Prince Duan had never been like this in front of him before, and suddenly the emperor felt that Xiao Huai must be dealt with.

"Jia Ning is of royal blood, even if you don't report her matrimonial matters to me, you should at least discuss them with the Empress," said the emperor.

Prince Duan felt that the emperor was being completely unreasonable today, "Brother, the Duke of Dingguo’s family only came to propose marriage today, I didn’t know about it in advance either."

"Then you should have refused the marriage proposal," said the emperor.

After days of frustration, encountering an even more vexing matter, the emperor was almost on the brink of losing his sanity.

The Duke would naturally not agree to his unreasonable demand. Should he agree, perhaps by tomorrow, all of the capital city would know that he had been cuckolded, and that he, in turn, had cuckolded another.

Though he was a notorious playboy, he still valued his reputation highly. Therefore, he could never accede to the Emperor's request.

"Imperial Brother, with Xiao Yuxchen being so handsome, well-born, and without any bad habits, how could your servant brother possibly refuse this marriage proposal? Moreover, the matchmaker is the Imperial Dowager, making it even harder for me to decline."

Hearing that the Imperial Dowager was the matchmaker, the Emperor clenched his fists tightly. For a fleeting moment, he regretted having ordered the assassination of the Carefree Prince.

With a heavy sigh, he said, "Understood. I'll draft an imperial edict later to bestow the marriage between Xiao Yuxchen and Princess Jianing."

The Duke: "......"

Lunatic!

………………………

Ps: The Emperor is a person fraught with contradictions.