The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 267 Qin Keqing's Marriage
Faced with Tu Chengyu's blatant cheating, the emperor seemed to have no choice but to comply.

To be honest, that piece of land in the ancient alley was of little use to the imperial court.

However, the coal ash and charcoal slag piled up everywhere in the capital city are a real hidden danger.

Comparing the two, from the current perspective, Tu Chengyu's method is beneficial to the court, and the emperor should directly agree to it.

However, many things are not as simple as they seem on the surface.

If the emperor secretly gives this land to Tu Chengyu, it's fine if he doesn't make money. But if he really does make a lot of money as Tu Chengyu claims, then those people in the court will still come out and say strange things.

Even if they knew that the land was obtained by cleaning up coal ash, they would still feel cheated.

The emperor felt that he had to handle this matter for Tu Chengyu without any hidden dangers, so as to avoid any further trouble later.

So he stopped what he was doing, closed his eyes, and began to think slowly.

After a long while, the emperor opened his eyes, looked at Tu Chengyu, and said:
"This matter cannot be rushed, nor can it be handled according to your own ideas."

Tu Chengyu asked anxiously, "Then what should we do? Father should know that my men are all ready. We can't delay any longer."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "No need to rush, rushing won't help. But you can go and do the things about the ancient alley first. As for the coal ash, I will take care of it."

Since his father has said so, Tu Chengyu should just listen and wait.

Having finished discussing this matter, Tu Chengyu had nothing else to do, so he withdrew from the Imperial Study.

After he came out, he originally planned to go directly to the South City from the palace, but as soon as he came out, he saw a little eunuch from the East Palace guarding the place.

When the young eunuch saw Tu Chengyu, he quickly ran up and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor Emeritus requests your presence."

When the Emperor Emeritus summoned him, Tu Chengyu naturally did not refuse.

He turned around and followed the little eunuch to the East Palace.

The place where the retired emperor met Tu Chengyu was still the East Warm Pavilion of the Daming Palace.

When the grandfather and grandson met, they first chatted about everyday things.

Then the retired emperor asked, "Isn't it time for the Qin family's daughter to get married?"

The daughter of the Qin family that the Emperor Emeritus mentioned was naturally Qin Keqing.

However, Tu Chengyu didn't know how to answer this question at this moment, because he really didn't know when Qin Keqing would get married.

At that time, he suggested to the retired emperor that a reliable husband be selected for Qin Keqing from among the newly appointed scholars.

He was originally in charge of this matter, but for other reasons, he had already left Beijing before the college entrance examination.

Qin Keqing's matter was handed over to someone else to handle.

After returning from Jiangnan, he was so busy with various matters that he forgot about Qin Keqing.

Now that the retired emperor has suddenly asked, he doesn't know how to answer.

However, after thinking about it, he still told the truth:

"Grandfather, I really don't know anything about this."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor Emeritus probably remembered Tu Chengyu's trip to Jiangnan, so he smiled and said:
"It seems that Grandfather is getting senile."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu quickly said, "Grandpa Emperor looks so energetic, not old at all."

Flattery must be done quickly, otherwise the retired emperor might become unhappy if you wait any longer.

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, the Emperor Emeritus laughed with delight. After he finished laughing, he beckoned Dai Quan, who was standing outside the door, to come in.

Do you know when the Qin family girl will get married?

When Dai Quan was standing outside the door, he could hear the conversation between the retired emperor and Tu Chengyu.

So when the retired emperor asked, he immediately replied:

"This servant remembers it was the 28th of September."

Dai Quan always remembered things related to the retired emperor very clearly. Since he said September 28th, then it was September 28th.

Upon hearing this, the retired emperor said to Tu Chengyu:
"Counting the days, there's only a little over a month left. Whenever you have some free time, go to the Qin family and see how their preparations are going. If they're lacking anything, come back and tell me."

Tu Chengyu nodded and said, "Grandpa, I've got it. I'll go visit him in the next few days."

After saying this, Tu Chengyu thought for a moment and then asked:

"Grandpa, when Sister Qin gets married, should we go and see her off?"

The retired emperor shook his head and said, "It's better not to go, lest you cause her trouble. Her husband comes from a humble background, and if you go, they will feel uncomfortable."

"Grandson understands."

After finishing this matter, the Emperor Emeritus suddenly asked:
"What brings you to the palace today?"

Tu Chengyu told the Emperor Emeritus everything about the task he was handling.

He even mentioned how he persuaded Lin Daiyu and others to come out and help him with his work, as well as the poetry gathering.

Hearing Tu Chengyu's words, the Emperor Emeritus pointed at him helplessly and said:
"You've gone completely out of control! How can you let your fiancée, who's not even married yet, show her face in public every day and work around those disaster victims? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?"

Tu Chengyu chuckled and said, "Grandson doesn't care what others think or what they say. Grandfather, think about it, my princess is willing to do these things with me regardless of worldly opinions, which means that my princess values ​​me. I'm overjoyed."

The Emperor Emeritus was always exceptionally tolerant of Tu Chengyu's affairs.

If any other prince had done such a thing, the Emperor Emeritus would have known, and although he wouldn't have interfered, he would have grumbled about it in his heart.

But when it came to Tu Chengyu, he said with a smile:
"Go ahead and cause trouble. When your father gets annoyed with what you're doing and punishes you, I won't care."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu said with a cheeky grin:

"If Father really wants to beat his grandson, then grandson will run to Grandfather and see if Grandfather will save his grandson then."

"Of course I won't save you, you little rascal. I want to see you get a beating, so your bottom will be swollen and you won't cause any more trouble."

Despite his tough words, he affectionately patted Tu Chengyu's head.

Then the retired emperor continued:

"Your grandfather supports your decision to take care of the disaster victims, but you are still young. When you do things, you should act within your capabilities and not follow the example of others. Delegate most of the work to your subordinates, and you just need to supervise them."

This was because the Emperor Emeritus was worried that Tu Chengyu was too serious about his work and might harm his health.

Tu Chengyu was naturally very moved upon hearing this.

He quickly replied, "Grandpa, don't worry, I won't force myself."

At this point, Tu Chengyu suddenly remembered something and thought he could consult the Emperor Emeritus about it.

(End of this chapter)