Emperor Yuanyou vented his anger for a full quarter of an hour before finally stopping, panting with fury.
"So you had this scheme in mind from the very beginning. How do you expect me to face the court officials with any dignity?" Emperor Yuanyou tightened his grip on the shoe sole in his hand. This debt-collecting ghost should go back to wherever he came from!
"The highest-ranking father or brother among these two young women holds a fourth-grade official post. Although Zheng Fang and Ling Ming might be considered as marrying above their station for now, given time, their own ranks will surely surpass the fourth grade."
Song Yu spoke while twisting his sore arm, his face scrunched up in pain.
"Furthermore, both men are upright and honorable, genuine gentlemen. Their households also have no parents-in-law to serve, which, for a woman, constitutes a very good marriage."
Ling Ming's parents were both deceased, and Zheng Fang's... might as well not exist.
"Father, why not send someone to inquire? If the young ladies are unwilling, then let it be. But if they are willing, why not facilitate two happy unions?"
Emperor Yuanyou felt he must be going mad, because he actually found some sense in this scoundrel's words.
"Get out!"
"Right away."
Song Yu swiftly made his exit from the Zichen Hall, only then patting his chest with lingering fear.
The old man's temper was really getting worse lately; his backside had suffered for it.
The next day, palace eunuchs were sent to the homes of the two young women to make inquiries, and both families gave their consent.
East Palace, Song Yu's residence.
"Pick an auspicious date. I'll be sitting at the head table when the time comes." Song Yu adopted a lordly manner, while Zheng Fang and Ling Ming both blushed, not daring to contradict him in the slightest.
"Shen the Third, your standards are too high." Song Yu glanced at Shen Qingping. "Next time there's a chance, we'll hold another one for you, and you can choose carefully then."
There would be plenty of future banquets for selecting consorts anyway.
Shen Qingping helplessly used his fan to cover his eyes and brows. Since when had His Highness developed a fondness for playing matchmaker?
Heng Wang's Mansion.
"I truly underestimated the Crown Prince after all." Heng Wang's eyes churned with dark thoughts as he sat entirely in shadow, appearing particularly intimidating.
"Father, anyone who can reduce his other brothers to such states is no benevolent soul. He actually pushed his own subordinates out to shield himself from the consort selection banquet. How much genuine loyalty can such a person command?"
Song Liu finished speaking and received a deep, penetrating look from Heng Wang.
"Liu'er, you are the one who will become the Crown Prince's adopted son. From now on, not a single word detrimental to the Crown Prince shall pass your lips."
"I understand, Father." Song Liu also realized the impropriety in his words and lowered his head.
"Your sister now spends more time with Song Xiyan and is already treated dismissively by the princess. You must work hard to build a good relationship with the East Palace and seek the Crown Prince's guidance frequently." Heng Wang tightened his grip on the armrest of his chair. Ultimately, his imperial cousin still refused to select a consort.
No legitimate heir... then the only option left was... adoption.
...
The officials enjoyed a rare period of calm, as none were sure what new pitfall Song Yu might dig for them next.
Just as the follow-up matters of conquering Dayue were being settled, good news arrived from Xu Jinruo's front.
"Victory report!"
“Lord Xu has defeated the Japanese pirates, also achieving a great victory!”
The military dispatch was delivered to the capital, thrilling the common people. They had just taken Dayue, and now Japan was defeated as well.
Heaven protects Great Qi!
Emperor Yuanyou was also delighted, his very eyebrows seeming to smile. Reading the dispatch, he found himself viewing the Xu family in a favorable light for once. "Xu Jinruo does indeed have some strategic sense in that head of his."
"The troops returning from Dayue had barely arrived at the Japanese battlefield for a month before securing this victory." As he spoke, Emperor Yuanyou's voice grew low.
Just as Song Yu thought the old man might be dozing off, Emperor Yuanyou finally let out a soft sigh. "The Xu descendants are all clever; it's a blessed family." Fen'er was like that.
Ah Huan was also like that.
"Father is right. I also believe I inherited a small portion of the Xu family's intelligence." Emperor Yuanyou's face darkened. There was no point in saying more.
“But this Xu fellow's methods are truly severe. All the Japanese who refused to submit were killed outright, without even going through a persuasion to surrender process.” Song Yu clicked his tongue. Who would have thought?
"The Japanese are treacherous and cunning. Xu Jinruo's approach was correct."
The very thought of Japan's deceitful ways made Emperor Yuanyou feel a blockage in his heart.
"When Xu Jinruo returns in triumph, I shall reward him handsomely."
Strange.
Why did defeating Japan feel even more satisfying than defeating the Great Yue?
The previously quiet Xu residence suddenly became bustling, with visitors arriving one after another, yet none managed to cross the threshold of the main gate.
Xu Residence.
"Young Miss, that's the seventh group of visitors today."
"See none of them." Xu Yayu continued copying texts by herself, not even looking up. Fragmented sunlight filtered through the window paper, dusting her hair, making her seem as if gilded with a golden light.
"When my father and brother departed for Japan, no one came to see them off. Now that they are victorious, everyone wants to befriend the Xu family. Relationships between people should not be so mercenary." Over these past few months, Xu Yayu had truly lived up to her name, being polished into a piece of jade that was even more composed and gentle.
“Young Miss, since the day of the Crown Prince's top scholar parade, you haven't left the mansion. This servant worries you've been alone for too long.”
"I am still in mourning. Staying within the mansion is most proper." She had thought her father and brother would spend the latter half of their lives battling Japan abroad, but now they had achieved a complete victory. Xu Yayu was already filled with gratitude.
At the thought that the Xu family would no longer be guarded by her alone, her hand holding the brush trembled slightly.
She missed her father and brother.
She missed her grandmother too.
Just as the entire court awaited Xu Jinruo's triumphant return, a discordant voice suddenly arose:
"Your Majesty, this subject believes the daughter of the Xu family is suitable to be Crown Princess." King Heng watched the official who spoke, lowering his head to conceal the smile in his eyes.
The Xu family was at the peak of its influence. If the Crown Prince refused to marry the Xu daughter now, he would make an enemy of the Xu family and lose a major source of support.
Sometimes, King Heng even thought that Great Qi having a Crown Prince unwilling to marry was Heaven clearly presenting him with an opportunity.
This statement was like a stone breaking the surface of seemingly calm water, with court officials emerging one after another to echo the sentiment.
After all, whether in status or talent, the Xu daughter was fully qualified to be Crown Princess.
Song Yu's face darkened once more.
Not because he felt pressured.
But because the candidate for Crown Princess mentioned by the hundred officials was someone with whom he had shared some rather unpleasant past experiences.
"What is the Crown Prince's view?"
"I have no particular view. You may continue your discussion." Song Yu adopted a detached demeanor, which made the court officials frown repeatedly.
This news also quickly reached the Xu residence.
"Young Miss, do you wish to become the Crown Princess?" Hearing her maid's words, a rare flicker of emotion stirred in Xu Yayu's eyes. Countless noble families would fight tooth and nail for the position of Crown Princess; how could it simply fall into her lap?
Most likely, promoting her was just a pretext; testing the Crown Prince was the real aim.
Considering this, Xu Yayu slowly spoke:
"I once thought about becoming Madam Guo, but I never thought about becoming the Crown Princess."
