The Imperial Family’s Prince, now twenty-five years old, yet not married to an Official Wife, is indeed rare. The Princess Consort Ji did not intend not to find a wife for her son; it’s just that eight years ago, she selected a bride for Chu Ze, a noble lady from a Xuzhou aristocratic family. Not long after, the noble lady suddenly passed away from an illness.
Princess Consort Ji called it ill-fated, but didn’t expect that during a visit to the temple with Chu Ze, the presiding master ntioned that Prince Min should not marry within five years or it would bring misfortune.
The ancients were superstitious, especially when the son’s engagent led to the sudden illness and death of the fiancée, which greatly frightened Princess Consort Ji.
It was not a big deal that the bride passed away, but what if sothing happened to her son? She did not dare to take that risk.
Given her son’s noble status, he could have any woman he wanted, so Princess Consort Ji wasn’t in a hurry to find a daughter-in-law and instead arranged concubines to serve her son, who then gave birth to two illegitimate children.
When the five-year limit passed, she brought up the matter again, yet Chu Ze remarked that since his royal brother had chosen a noble lady from a prestigious family in the capital, did his choice have to be from Xuzhou?
This pained Princess Consort Ji deeply, nearly breaking her heart. It was then dragged on until now, just as the secret decree left behind by the late emperor had reached its ti.
Mother and son were to return to the capital to choose a wife!
Chu Ze looked at Princess Consort Ji’s eyes filled with reluctance, lowered his gaze, and said, "It is my unfilial conduct; my royal brother is already a grandfather, yet I have not taken an Official Wife to serve Mother Consort. I ought to make Mother Consort the most revered person under heaven, but alas..."
Princess Consort Ji was heartbroken and said, "Why do you say such things? You are still young; it’s okay to marry later. As for back then..." She gritted her teeth and said, "The throne was actually most favored for you by your father; you were born intelligent, reciting the Book of Songs on your father’s knee as a child. Your father even praised you as a reincarnated prodigy. Had it not been for your youth while Chu Yu had already co of age, how would the supre position of the world fall to him?"
"Mother Consort, mind your words!"
Chu Ze frowned and said, "Mother Consort, the world is settled, and Royal Brother is a wise ruler. Such rebellious words should not be spoken to avoid causing trouble."
Princess Consort Ji pursed her lips and said, "If it were my child, the kingdom would surely rise to a new height."
Chu Ze held his tea and chuckled lightly, "In Mother Consort’s eyes, I am undoubtedly perfect in every way."
"Everyone says you are good; who in Xuzhou does not call you a good prince?"
A good prince, a good emperor, differs by more than just a title!
Chu Ze said, "I ca to see how Mother’s consort has prepared; we will set off soon. Afraid it will be years before we can return. Has Mother Consort thought it through?"
Princess Consort Ji bit her lip, "Ze’er, even in death, I wish to die in the capital. I promised your father to be buried by his side in the future."
Chu Ze’s eyes flickered, and he nodded, "Alright."
He stood up to take his leave, exiting Princess Consort Ji’s quarters. Looking at the glazed tiles of the house opposite shining under the sun, he murmured softly, "Shangjing, ah."
Inside, Princess Consort Ji remained silent for a mont. When her trusted aide An Qing brought tea, she let out a sigh.
An Qing: "Lady, you will achieve your wish, why sigh?"
Princess Consort Ji sighed softly, "The older Ze’er gets, the more distant he becos. I increasingly cannot see through him."
Like a completely different person compared to his childhood.
An Qing smiled, "Prince, after all, is a man destined to do great things. Naturally, he cannot be by your side all the ti."
Princess Consort Ji agreed, "Indeed, it is so. When a child grows up, they cannot be fooled. He also has his own opinions now. In truth, I understand. They are all the late emperor’s bloodline. Why should others in the capital enjoy endless glory, while he must linger in this tiny place, barely surviving?"
An Qing: "..."
In fact, Xuzhou is not actually a tiny place; its prosperity is second only to Jiangnan. The prince is entirely a local sovereign. On the contrary, going back to the capital, he might face constraints everywhere, but she kept this thought to herself.
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