Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 91 The Imperial Edict Has Not Arrived, but the Betrothal Gifts Have Arrived First

What Wang Ao knew was that Zhu Gaoshuo had sent all his confidants out to weep and complain that their master had been imprisoned by the emperor. The pretext was supposedly to study national policies, but in reality, it was just a form of self-reflection behind closed doors.

The people in the mansion were filled with anxiety, all feeling that Prince Qi was about to die.

Those scenes in the sky must have been spread by sorcerers hired by Prince Qi.

These messages were already circulating in the streets and alleys, and now the servants of Prince Qi's mansion have further increased their credibility.

People in the capital began to plan for their own safety and future. After spending most of the night working on their plans, the final result was that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Han had another argument in court.

“Zhang Xiuping… Zhang Yu’s youngest daughter.” Wang Ao pondered, realizing that his intelligence work was far from sufficient. He had only vaguely heard of this young lady from the Rongguo Duke’s mansion, but knew nothing about her in detail.

Zhu Gaoshuo waved his hand: "Don't worry about it. Prepare the betrothal gifts and go to the Rongguo Duke's mansion to propose marriage later."

"A marriage proposal? Wasn't it a marriage bestowed by the Emperor?"

Zhu Gaoshuo smiled slightly: "If we can receive the message, do you think the Rongguo Duke's Mansion can receive it?"

"I definitely received it!"

"That's fine then. Before the imperial edict arrives, the old man has given me face, and he's also given the Rongguo Duke's Mansion face."

Wang Ao understood.

Although the imperial decree was issued directly in the court to grant the marriage, the opinion of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion was not consulted, which in itself was a bit of bullying.

Therefore, the Prince Qi's residence should take the lead in requesting the prize. The message should be that the Prince Qi admires the woman and, being of suitable age, has requested her from the Emperor.

Instead of Zhu Di insisting on giving the young lady of the Rongguo Duke's mansion to Zhu Gaoshuo, who was about to be enfeoffed.

Whether it's the Prince Qi's Mansion or the Duke Rong's Mansion, this is an action to save face.

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Everyone knows that Prince Qi lived a life of luxury and loved to hoard rare and unusual items, especially paintings and calligraphy.

But what people don't know is that these things might not have been worth that much in themselves. It was only because Prince Qi took a liking to them and spent a fortune on them that they became so valuable.

Preparing the betrothal gifts is now incredibly easy for Wang Ao. He only needs to search through the treasury of the Prince Qi's mansion to easily gather enough gifts to shock the entire court.

Of course, it can't be that exaggerated on the surface.

He specifically asked his men to choose simpler mahogany chests, and the two chests were stacked in the same carriage.

Only then did he lead his entourage in a grand procession toward the Rongguo Duke's mansion.

Meanwhile, in the Rongguo Duke's mansion, Zhang Fu frowned deeply.

His title of Duke of Rong was merely a nominal one. His father had earned the posthumous title of Duke of Rong due to his outstanding military achievements, and his colleagues simply referred to him as the Duke of Rong's Mansion.

Now the Emperor has arranged a marriage for his own family, and it's still Prince Qi and his younger sister?

This matter is far too complicated; as a martial artist, he truly cannot see through the intrigue and power struggles involved.

Zhang Fu only knew one thing: "Sister, even if it's an arranged marriage by the Emperor, if you don't want to marry, I will definitely be your support. Our Zhang family can support a girl."

Even Zhang Fu's wife hurriedly stated, "Even if our daughter stays at home for the rest of her life, she will be well cared for. The Zhang family would never sell our daughter for the sake of reputation."

But after a moment's thought, Zhang Xiuping surprisingly agreed.

Despite only meeting him once, she sensed trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability in Zhu Gaoshuo. Such a man was deemed suitable as a marriage partner.

Moreover, how could she refuse a marriage arranged by the emperor?

“Brother, sister-in-law, I understand your good intentions. I’m willing.”

"You... are willing?" Zhang Fu asked, somewhat incredulous. Just then, a guard at the gate reported that Wang Ao of the Qi Prince's residence was requesting an audience.

The invitation letter clearly stated that the Prince Qi's Mansion was seeking Zhang Fu's sister, Zhang Xiuping, to be his wife.

"What is this Prince Qi doing here without waiting for the imperial decree?"

Zhang Fu wanted to refuse.

But Zhang Xiuping stopped him: "Brother, go and see them. They follow the proper etiquette and will perform the six betrothal rites, which shows that they value me and our family. It means that at least Prince Qi is a sensible person, and he certainly won't make things difficult for you after you marry into the family."

Zhang Fu glanced at the visiting card in his hand, then at his sister, and finally agreed to meet with Wang Ao.

The first thing Wang Ao said was to apologize on behalf of his own Prince Qi.

He looked like he wanted to kowtow to Zhang Fu.

Although Zhang Fu was a military official and usually looked down on scholars like Wang Ao who only knew how to talk, he now felt that every word Wang Ao uttered resonated with him.

Wang Ao knew that Zhang Fu was a straightforward military general, and there must be some inconsistencies in his reasoning that he couldn't understand.

So he first told Zhang Fu that the Prince Qi's mansion was willing to do anything to make the arranged marriage seem more natural.

People all love to hear stories of loving couples and couples who are of one mind.

They were unwilling to hear the tragedy of taking away what others loved, or forcing a horse to eat grass when it didn't want to.

Therefore, considering the Emperor's decree and reputation, this bestowed marriage was inevitable.

Since a marriage alliance was necessary, if the Prince Qi's mansion adopted an arrogant or indifferent attitude, people would inevitably think that the Zhang family's daughter was being wronged by marrying into the family. The Zhang family and the Rongguo Duke's mansion were already insignificant old officials in Zhu Di's eyes.

Zhu Gaoshuo felt that this was too unfair to Zhang Xiuping and too disrespectful to Zhang Fu.

He used his own money and the treasury to gather the complete betrothal gifts, which he then presented in a grand procession through the streets.

The point was to let the world know that Zhang Fu's sisters were not women he could just casually hand over.

The Rongguo Duke's Mansion was not a former official in decline.

If you're going to get married, you should do it openly, grandly, and in a way that everyone knows about!

Zhang Fu's sister was obtained through the efforts of the imperial prince!

Zhang Xiuping, who was hiding behind the screen, listened to the whole thing. She couldn't help but admire Prince Qi for his thoughtfulness, sincerity, and his openness in telling Zhang Fu everything.

"Prince Qi has one more message he hopes I will convey to Miss."

Wang Ao said loudly, "Although the marriage is inevitable and cannot be refused, if Miss is unwilling, she may return to the Zhang residence after the marriage. If she is willing, Prince Qi will do his utmost to assist her."

Is this a marriage proposal?
This is practically groveling like a bootlicker.

Could the Ming Dynasty find a man with even less backbone?

That can't be right!

Zhang Fu was surprised. The usually eccentric Prince Qi was unusually reliable at this time. Was it because of Wang Ao, the man in front of him?

"And another thing," Wang Ao said before he could finish.

"The betrothal gifts from Prince Qi are divided into two parts. One part is for the Rongguo Duke's mansion, and in accordance with the regulations for a princess, a number of treasures and antiques from Prince Qi's private treasury will be added."

"The other one is for Miss. It will be added to Miss's private funds and will be entirely at Miss's disposal. Even if it is taken to Prince Qi's mansion in the future, it will not become Prince Qi's property. Here is the gift list, please take a look with Miss."

To be used as a private fund?!
What's the point?
Even Zhang Fu had never heard of it!

(End of this chapter)