The prince is very cruel

Yuan Xiang also said: "Don't let me down!"

Li Zhibao, who had high hopes, nodded heavily and took a deep breath. Naturally, he didn't want to disappoint the three people who accompanied him out in such a cold weather.

Gathering up the courage to wait.

Time passes minute by minute.

Finally, footsteps were heard outside the hall. In an instant, everyone looked over and saw Li Zhibao's whole body tense with nervousness.

The leader was a middle-aged man with black and white hair, about fifty years old, in good health. He was dressed in a Confucian robe and had a long beard. He looked like a Confucian scholar who had read thousands of books and had a rather old-fashioned temper.

"Greetings, Uncle Zhao!" Li Zhibao saluted nervously.

Guan Ning and the other two also bowed.

The middle-aged man took a look, stroked his beard, and smiled: "My dear son-in-law, it really is you."

"Last time, the prince told me to find a time to let me see you. I didn't expect you to come so soon."

"Where is the prince?"

Li Zhibao said, "To answer Uncle Zhao, my father didn't come today. It was my own decision."

"You want to come by yourself?" The middle-aged man frowned immediately.

"Sir, do you know that this is against the rules? The prince didn't bring you here, so why did you come here on your own?"

Suddenly, Li Zhibao felt embarrassed and didn't know what to do. He looked at Guan Ning for help.

Guan Ning knew that these old men from scholarly families were pedantic and had many rules, so he was prepared. He bowed and smiled and said, "Replying to Master Zhao, the weather has dropped sharply recently, and the wind has been strong at night. The prince has come to visit Master Zhao and Miss Zhao to see if there is anything they need, so that the prince can also provide some help."

"As for the prince, he was busy with official duties. He was inspecting the military camp outside the city to prevent winter bandits from looting, so he was unable to come. Please forgive me."

"Yes, yes!" Li Zhibao immediately agreed.

These words were well-reasoned. He first stated his purpose of coming as a son-in-law to ask about the prince's well-being, which made it impossible to refuse. Then he said that the reason the prince did not come was because he had to guard against horse bandits.

This matter concerns the life and death of 100,000 civilians, so there is no need to talk about it.

Mr. Zhao, a feudal lord who strictly adhered to the rules, was speechless in an instant. Although he felt that it was against etiquette, he really could not find any reason to refute it.

He glanced at Guan Ning and asked, "Who are you?"

"Master Zhao, this is my father's distinguished guest and my brother, Ning Que."

"This is his personal maid, Tang Xiang'er."

"This one is Yuan Xiang, the daughter of Yuan Sima of Zizhou."

Upon hearing this, Master Zhao was shocked. Wow, they are all famous figures.

If it were in the past, he would definitely not talk too much, but now they are relatives after all, so he has to give face to the Buddha.

"Ok."

"Come here, serve tea."

"Um, Uncle Zhao, what about Miss Zhao?" Li Zhibao asked impatiently.

Master Zhao sat in the main seat and shook his head, saying, "Sir, although our Zhao family is a small family, we cannot compare to your royal family."

"But we are a family of scholars, so we must follow the proper rules to prevent outsiders from saying that our Zhao family has an unrighteous family tradition."

"Yes, yes." Li Zhibao nodded repeatedly.

"So, you two definitely cannot meet each other before you get married." Master Zhao said sternly.

Li Zhibao was immediately disappointed, and his disappointment was visibly evident.

Tang Xiang'er and Yuan Xiang were also anxious.

Guan Ning stepped out again: "Master Zhao, although this is the rule, could you please, considering the Crown Prince's sincerity, allow the two of them to meet outside?"

Several people cast hopeful glances.

"No!" But Master Zhao refused directly and ruthlessly, very rigidly.

"This matter is non-negotiable. Not to mention you, even if Prince Ping came, I would still say the same thing. When we made the engagement not long ago, His Royal Highness Prince Ping also said that he would definitely observe all the necessary etiquette."

Seeing this, Li Zhibao was greatly disappointed.

Guan Ning was at his wit's end. He couldn't possibly go against his father-in-law, Li Zhibao, could he? After all, King Ping had promised to be courteous. That was the custom in ancient times.

Soon after, the four left.

After leaving the Zhao residence, Tang Xiang'er comforted him, "Prince Li, it's okay. It's not too late to send it off later."