De’an felt that Prince Jing seed to have so prejudices against the Emperor, while the Emperor was accustod to expressing concern in a reprimanding tone.
Though they were clearly father and son, they behaved as if they were strangers. However, Prince Jing’s calm deanor today was sowhat puzzling to De’an.
In the past, if Prince Jing grew impatient, he would have already taken his leave.
Seeing Prince Jing being as silent as a saw-mouthed gourd this ti, the Emperor’s face slightly improved, and he changed the topic.
"What I previously ntioned about selecting a consort for you, the list has been given to you for review; do you have anyone in mind?"
In fact, the Emperor could have simply arranged the marriage himself, who in the Dayan Dynasty would dare to object?
Yet, the Emperor insisted on allowing Prince Jing to choose for himself, a decision that truly shocked the Ministers.
Only Prince Jing had the honor of personally selecting a consort.
"I ca this ti to report this matter to you, Father. It’s better for you to decide, Father!"
Prince Jing’s pale lips were tightly pressed together, seemingly indifferent to the matter.
This careless attitude once again greatly angered the Emperor, who swept the morials on the table aside, "De’an! Bring the list here."
"Yes!" De’an sighed silently for Prince Jing and turned to retrieve the list.
In the anti, the Emperor gestured to a round chair at the side, indicating for Prince Jing to sit.
Prince Jing didn’t stand on ceremony, "Thank you, Father!"
The Emperor carefully observed Prince Jing’s expression, his sharp eyes scanning over Prince Jing’s every move, and only after a while did he look away.
Prince Jing’s heart tightened, but he maintained an impassive expression.
"In the Capital, with so many aristocratic ladies, none caught your eye?" The Emperor asked while looking at the list handed over by De’an.
"How would I know the character of those ladies? Besides, most aristocratic families are unwilling. Since that’s the case, it would be better to let Father choose randomly; it makes no difference to ."
Prince Jing’s expression was sowhat desolate, looking lifeless.
De’an felt so sympathy for Prince Jing, born with congenital toxicity and never healthy since childhood.
Already past the age of twenty, he hadn’t married a main wife, let alone a concubine. Who would be willing to marry Prince Jing in the Capital?
The Imperial Physician had long said that Prince Jing wouldn’t live long. Moreover, marrying Prince Jing could an no offspring, as who knows whether the poison would be passed on to future generations?
Under such circumstances, it would indeed be peculiar if a young lady were willing.
After all, if Prince Jing passed away early, and the Princess Consort hadn’t given birth to children, the latter half of her life would be without support!
"For your selection of a main wife this ti, I’ll also pick two concubines for you. You’ve passed the age of twenty, and it’s ti to return to your fief."
The Emperor looked up from the list, giving Prince Jing a glance.
Prince Jing’s heart suddenly tightened, realizing that the Emperor’s intention in selecting a wife was to send him back to his fief as soon as possible.
He had already reached the age where he could choose a consort, but the Emperor hadn’t been too concerned about the matter.
Now wanting to send him back to his fief, the Emperor was hastily selecting a consort for him.
"Cough! Cough!"
Prince Jing coughed twice, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, but his covered lips curled into a sarcastic smile.
No wonder he had felt the Emperor was suddenly so urgent; it was for establishing the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince were established, his presence in the Capital would be an eyesore.
Sending him far away would make things more peaceful for the future Crown Prince, wouldn’t it?
A wave of lancholy surged in Prince Jing’s heart—what did his existence even count for?
He was also a son, though he did not expect the Emperor to be as loving as he was to his eldest brother, at least so tolerance would be enough, wouldn’t it? Why treat him this way?
Being an emperor’s son, he should have been noble and dignified, yet with such an attitude from the Emperor, who in the Capital could respect him?
At this mont, Prince Jing held tightly to the handkerchief in his hand, trying his best not to let the anger in his heart overflow, he must endure.
Having endured so many years, why shouldn’t he continue to endure?
Raising his eyes again, Prince Jing’s gaze was already clear.
"As Father wishes!"
"Then look at the list again; if you can’t pick, then I will decide for you." The Emperor squinted slightly, handing the list back to Prince Jing.
The Emperor turned the white jade ring on his thumb, watching De’an walk towards the Fourth.
He raised an eyebrow, originally thinking the Fourth would refuse, but unexpectedly, the Fourth did not oppose this ti.
The Emperor suspected again: could it be that the Fourth already had soone in mind, and had been testing him with the previous words?
Prince Jing grabbed the list from De’an without looking closely, randomly scribbling with his pen, "These three then!"
This casual attitude, like picking cabbage, nearly ignited the Emperor’s anger, yet at the sa ti, he couldn’t deny feeling a sense of relief.
Such contradictory feelings indeed existed authentically within the Emperor’s heart.
"This is for you to select a wife, with such careless attitude, are you dissatisfied with ?" The Emperor pointed at Prince Jing, in disappointnt.
"Give it back to him, let him choose carefully." The Emperor commanded De’an angrily.
De’an took the list, looking pitifully at both of them, truly between a rock and a hard place.
Prince Jing was obviously having a tantrum with the Emperor, yet this father-son’s spat implicated him.
What had he done to deserve this? De’an felt like crying but couldn’t shed tears.
"No need! These three it shall be! What difference does it make to who it is? I don’t know their character either, how does choosing one over another make a difference? With Father’s arrangent, would they even dare defy?"
Prince Jing’s tone softened, but his voice was extrely cold.
"Fine! Since you agree, do not regret it, give it to then!" The Emperor sighed and then sat down.
De’an breathed a sigh of relief and quickly handed the list to the Emperor.
The Emperor took the list and saw the first na was the legitimate daughter of the first branch of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, Yao ngxian.
This list was arranged according to the ranking of aristocratic families, and the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s Mansion naturally ranked a bit higher.
The Emperor’s sharp eyes swept towards Prince Jing again; chosen at random? Could a random choice land on the legitimate daughter of the first branch of Duke Zhen’s Mansion?
Seeing Prince Jing still calm and faintly impatient.
The Emperor maintained his composure and continued reading.
The second was the legitimate daughter of the second branch of Anhe Marquis Mansion, Liang Tongying, whose father is Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Liang Shaoxun, a relatively low position.
His legitimate daughter at most could only be a concubine, not even guaranteed as a concubine really.
But Liang Shaoxun was a clan relative of the previous Liang Zhirui, and the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s Mansion’s first branch was the granddaughter of Liang Zhirui.
The Emperor’s thoughts raced, filled with suspicion.
Suppressing his doubts, he continued reading. The last choice was also from Duke Zhen’s Mansion, the legitimate daughter of the second branch, Yao nglian.
Now the Emperor felt the Fourth probably did choose at random; two sisters serving one husband would ultimately be talked about poorly.
And one’s status could beco the main wife, while the other at best a concubine; such arrangents were undeniably awkward.
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