"If it's not like this, ask A Ce to come over and discuss it. Your Majesty, be tougher and make sure A Ce has a sense of urgency." Concubine Shu was unwilling to give up and encouraged.
The emperor felt that Concubine Shu's words made sense, so he made a decision: "Tomorrow I will talk to the prince about this matter."
Concubine Shu had achieved her goal and was satisfied, so she left the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart.
After going to court the next day, Xiao Ce was called to the Yangxin Hall.
As soon as he saw the emperor's posture, he knew something was going to happen today.
"Father, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly." Xiao Ce saw that the emperor was hesitant to speak.
The emperor knew the prince's temperament. If he ordered the prince to get married, the prince would definitely refuse. It would be better to try another method, which might be more effective.
"I am old." When the emperor spoke, his tone was different from his usual business-like tone.
"My father is still in his prime. In the eyes of my son, my father is not old at all." Xiao Ce replied immediately.
But he knew in his heart that his father was indeed old. His father used to be hard-hearted, but now it's just the opposite. He knew that Concubine Wu had done something wrong, but he still let Concubine Wu go repeatedly, all because his father was soft-hearted.
"My health has been getting worse and worse in the past two years. Sooner or later, the dragon seat of Daqi will be yours. You are good at everything, except that you have no children. A few days ago, a minister mentioned this matter, which left me speechless.
That's right. I hope to see you get married and establish a family in my lifetime, and contribute to the royal family. Your birthday will be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, and I want to finalize your marriage before your birthday. Even for the sake of Daqi.
For the sake of the country, you should also consider this matter." The emperor looked at Xiao Ce earnestly.
When Xiao Ce heard that he was getting married, the first thing he thought of was Qin Zhao.
He knew that Qin Zhao was once a concubine. Because of this, he could promote her as a concubine, but he could not make her a crown prince.
Not only the father, but also the mother-in-law and the emperor's grandmother would not agree to this matter, nor would all the civil and military officials.
He was about to refuse, when the emperor said again: "Cer, please think about it, don't refuse in a hurry. As the crown prince, you have a heavy responsibility. I hope that you will consider the overall situation and the Qi Dynasty, and get married as soon as possible."
Xiao Ce was silent for a long time, but finally said nothing, and then left the Yangxin Hall.
Zhang Jixiang could see that his master was unhappy, but he also felt that His Highness, the eldest son, was already twenty years old and had not yet gotten married. Not to mention that it was rare in the royal family. Only those from poor families in Daqi could not find wives.
.
"Your Highness is afraid that Qin Liangdi will be unhappy, right?" Zhang Jixiang asked.
The person that His Highness cares about the most is Qin Liangdi. Qin Liangdi became Liangdi because she was married before, but His Highness the Crown Prince unexpectedly killed everyone by surprise.
"She was still Zhao Yu's wife before, and she could only be a good concubine after marrying Gu. If Gu Ruo got married, and there was a crown princess in the East Palace, Gu was afraid that she would be wronged." Xiao Ce said in a deep voice.
It happened that he was a prince and a heir apparent, but he had no children. Because of this, he was criticized.
As my father said, as a prince, you cannot have no children. For the sake of the national destiny of Qi, he must get married sooner or later.
If he had not met Qin Zhao, he felt that he could marry anyone, because no woman was different to him.
But it was different now. He had to consider Qin Zhao's situation in the East Palace and Qin Zhao's mood.
"No matter what decision His Highness makes, I will support you." Zhang Jixiang took the opportunity to express his point of view.
Xiao Ce took a deep look at Zhang Jixiang. He had become calm recently, which was definitely a good thing.
"Don't spread the news that my father is discussing marriage with me, especially not let Zhao Zhao know about it, lest she have random thoughts." Xiao Ce warned.
"Save it for me, slave." Zhang Jixiang responded quickly.
But even Xiao Ce didn't expect that someone in trouble would spread the news to the East Palace. So a rumor spread in the East Palace that His Highness the Crown Prince was getting married, and the wedding had to be done before His Highness's 20th birthday.
Baoyu was very sad when she knew about it. She told Baozhu first, and Baozhu was a little worried after hearing this: "Don't tell Liangdi about this in advance, lest Liangdi will be sad when she finds out."
"It's not good to hide it from Liang Di like this. I think it's better to let Liang Di know early, so that Liang Di can be mentally prepared." Baoyu frowned: "Sooner or later, there will be such a day, isn't it?"
Even if His Highness did not have a crown princess before he ascended the throne, he will have a queen after he ascends the throne in the future, right? Today Liangdi is just a concubine, and she will only be a concubine in the future.
After all, Liangdi was married before, this is a fact that everyone knows.
"Just keep it a secret for a day, His Highness treats Liangdi so well..."
"It's useless no matter how kind your Highness is to Liang Di. There are the Emperor, the Queen Mother and Shu Fei above, and they are all urging His Highness to get married. Can Your Highness really not marry the Crown Princess for Liang Di?" Baoyu hit the nail on the head.
Baozhu was silent because what Baoyu said made sense.
If the Emperor exerts pressure or issues an imperial edict, what else can His Highness do?
The two stood for a while, and finally decided not to mention this matter to Qin Zhao.
When the two of them returned to the study, Qin Zhao glanced at them and said, "What are you two whispering behind my back?"
And with such solemn expressions, people who didn't know better thought they were attending a funeral.
Baoyu would not hide her emotions. She glanced at Baozhu and signaled Baozhu to answer.
Bao Zhu took advantage of the situation and said, "I just had a quarrel with Bao Yu. The girl couldn't quarrel with the slave, so she got angry with the slave."
Qin Zhao looked at Baoyu and saw Baoyu hiding in the corner. He snorted lightly but did not refute Baoyu.
Qin Zhaoxin thought it was true. She was facing Baoyu at this moment, "Baozhu, you are smarter than Baoyu. You usually give her more permission. She is more childish..."
"Liangdi, are you protecting your slaves or harming your slaves?" Baoyu forgot that he was sulking and said angrily.
"Of course I'm protecting you. If you can't quarrel with Baozhu, then don't quarrel with her. You know you can't fight her, but you still humiliate yourself. Isn't that asking for trouble?" Qin Zhao said again.
Baoyu felt that his master's words were reasonable: "Then I won't argue with Baozhu next time."
Qin Zhao:......
Should I say that she is stubborn, or should I say that she has no temper?
"When you can't argue with Baozhu, you can come to me and I will help you." Qin Zhao coughed lightly.
Baoyu's eyes suddenly blurred with tears: "Liangdi treats slaves so well..."
Such a good Liang Di, why isn’t she the Crown Princess? His Highness obviously likes Liang Di so much.
When Qin Zhao saw Baoyu crying suddenly, he couldn't laugh or cry for a moment.
In the end, Bao Zhu came forward, took Bao Yu out of the study, and warned: "Your emotions are too exposed. Don't show up in front of Liang Di in the next few days, otherwise Liang Di will find out something is wrong sooner or later."
"What's the use of hiding it? If I hide it, Liangdi won't know about it?" Baoyu said and walked away with a sad expression.