The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 802 Rules Since Ancient Times

"Nonsense!" The emperor slammed his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne. "Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. This is the rule since ancient times! As a prince, you should set an example!"

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered inwardly: Set an example? You have three thousand beauties in your harem, how come I've never seen you set an example?
“Father, I am devoted to the country and have no time for personal feelings.”

"Outrageous!" the emperor roared. "For the country? Doesn't marrying and having children count as serving the country? Don't you want to ensure the continuation of the Ming Dynasty's lineage?"

Zhu Xiong Ying was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to refute.

"I have already chosen a princess for you. She is the daughter of the prime minister. She is virtuous, well-educated, and reasonable. She is a perfect match for you."

"The Prime Minister's daughter?" Zhu Xiong Ying frowned. He had heard of this Prime Minister's daughter; she was said to be a notorious tigress, extremely fierce.

"What? You're not satisfied?" the emperor asked coldly.

"Your subject dares not." Zhu Xiong Ying could only lower his head and admit defeat.

"Alright, it's settled then. We'll choose a date for the wedding." The emperor made the final decision.

Zhu Xiong Ying was inwardly groaning; this was practically forcing a good woman into prostitution!

He walked out of the palace, looked up to the sky and sighed, "Heaven is going to destroy me!"

Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying's gloomy face, Li Niang quickly stepped forward and asked, "Young master, what's wrong? Did the Emperor punish you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying grabbed Li Niang and hugged her tightly. "Li Niang, my life is so hard!"

Sensing Zhu Xiong Ying's sorrow, Li Niang tenderly stroked his back. "Young Master, what happened?"

Zhu Xiong Ying told Liniang about the marriage arranged by the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Li Niang also sighed. "Young master, what... what should we do?"

"I don't know either." Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head helplessly. "Do I really have to marry that tigress?"

“Young master, perhaps… perhaps the Prime Minister’s daughter isn’t as terrible as the rumors say?” Li Niang tried to comfort Zhu Xiong Ying.

"I hope so," Zhu Xiong Ying thought, though her heart was filled with worry.

Back at the mansion, Zhu Xiong Ying remained sullen, and Liniang also seemed preoccupied.

In the dead of night, Zhu Xiong Ying lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. His mind was filled with the image of the fierce and menacing daughter of the prime minister, and his heart was filled with fear.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and a bold thought popped into his mind.

The next morning, Zhu Xiong Ying got up early, changed into casual clothes, and quietly left the mansion.

He arrived outside the Prime Minister's residence, observed the area, and found that the residence was heavily guarded with numerous guards, making it virtually impossible to sneak in.

But he did not give up. He walked around the Prime Minister's residence, looking for an opportunity.

Finally, he discovered that there was a section of the back garden of the Prime Minister's residence with a low wall and no guards nearby.

He was overjoyed and decided to climb over the wall to get in.

He took a deep breath, leaped, and easily vaulted over the wall.

He walked cautiously in the back garden, observing his surroundings.

Suddenly, he heard a burst of laughter. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a woman swinging on a swing in the garden.

The woman, dressed in a pink dress, had a beautiful face and an elegant demeanor; she was none other than Li Wan'er, the daughter of the Prime Minister.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart skipped a beat. This Li Wan'er didn't seem as fierce as the rumors suggested!

He quietly approached Li Wan'er, wanting to observe her more closely. Just then, Li Wan'er suddenly stopped swinging, turned around, and her eyes met Zhu Xiong Ying's.

"Who are you?" Li Wan'er asked warily.

Zhu Xiong Ying was startled and quickly took a step back, cupping his hands in greeting: "I am Zhu Xiong Ying, greetings, Miss."

Li Wan'er looked Zhu Xiong Ying up and down, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. "Zhu Xiong Ying? You are..."

Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself, "This is bad. Could it be that Li Wan'er recognizes me?"
He quickly interrupted Li Wan'er, saying, "I was just passing by and accidentally wandered into your garden, Miss. Please forgive me."

Li Wan'er smiled slightly: "I see, young master, you don't need to be so polite."

Zhu Xiong Ying breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that Li Wan'er hadn't recognized him.

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Zhu Xiong Ying turned to leave.

"Young master, please wait." Li Wan'er suddenly called out to him.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart tightened. Could it be that she recognized me after all?

"Please wait, young master." Li Wan'er called out to Zhu Xiong Ying, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Young master's attire doesn't seem to belong to an ordinary person."

Zhu Xiong Ying inwardly cried out in alarm; Li Wan'er had indeed sensed something! He feigned composure and smiled slightly: "Miss is joking. I am but a commoner; how could I dare to impersonate a noble person?"

Li Wan'er was not fooled by his words. She walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, scrutinized him carefully, her gaze sharp as a knife. "Young master, your words are evasive, and your demeanor is extraordinary. If you were an ordinary commoner, why would you appear in the back garden of my Prime Minister's residence?"

Zhu Xiong Ying felt a little guilty under her gaze, but still tried to remain calm. "I just got lost and wandered into this place by mistake. Please forgive me, Miss."

Li Wan'er chuckled lightly, a hint of mockery in her smile. "Does the young master take me for a three-year-old child? This back garden is heavily guarded; how could ordinary people enter so easily?"

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that no amount of sophistry would work, so he simply admitted his identity. "Very well, Miss, you have keen eyes. I am indeed no ordinary person. To tell you the truth, I am none other than the current Crown Prince—Zhu Xiong Ying."

Upon hearing the name, Li Wan'er was first taken aback, then showed a hint of surprise. "So it's His Highness the Crown Prince, my apologies for my overconfidence."

Seeing that she didn't show much surprise or fear, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a little more at ease. "Miss, there's no need for such formality. I hope you can keep today's events a secret."

Li Wan'er smiled slightly: "Your Highness, rest assured, Wan'er is not a gossip."

Zhu Xiong Ying breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Miss."

"Your Highness, what brings you here so late at night?" Li Wan'er asked.

Zhu Xiong Ying then remembered the purpose of his trip. He smiled awkwardly and said, "To be honest, I... I've come to annul the engagement."

Upon hearing this, Li Wan'er's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Does Your Highness dislike Wan'er?"

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly waved his hand: "No, no, no, Miss, you misunderstand. It's not that I look down on you, it's just... it's just that I already have someone I love, and I really can't let her down."

Li Wan'er was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "In that case, Wan'er will not insist. However, this matter still needs to be reported to my father for his decision."

Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed and quickly said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss."

Li Wan'er nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched her retreating figure, her heart filled with gratitude.

After returning to the mansion, Zhu Xiong Ying told Liniang about the matter.

Upon hearing this, Li Niang was also happy for him. "Young master, congratulations!"

"Li Niang, it's all thanks to you." Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Li Niang affectionately. "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I really would have married that tigress."

(End of this chapter)