flstandardbreds Chapter 177 Proposal
Chapter 177 Proposal
The second prince continued, "Go back and tell your father that I will visit Wudu's residence tomorrow morning and ask him not to go out."
After saying that, the second prince turned and left, leaving the Xu sisters full of confusion.
They knew that Xu Dejing had a close relationship with the Fourth Prince, and did not understand what the Second Prince's intention was in suddenly visiting them.
The two sisters did not dare to stay long, so they mixed into the crowd and hurried home, preparing to report today's events to Xu Dejing as soon as possible.
Xu Dejing's expression changed from gloomy to bright as he listened to his daughters' stories.
Xu Qian whispered, "Father, I've caused you trouble again."
Xu Dejing sighed: "This is not your fault. As long as you are okay, go in and rest first and calm down."
After Xu Qian left, Xu Qin said, "Father, I think that although Wu Chengjie did not succeed with the help of the Second Prince, I am worried that he will not really let Qian'er go. Should we send Qian'er back to Chifang Continent?"
Xu Dejing replied: "I am not in Chifang, so Qian'er will not be safe even if she goes back. Wu Chengjie can invite a Void Realm mage to work for him. Qian'er is not safe without the protection of the Void Realm. It will be safer for her to stay in the royal city. Don't forget, she is not only my daughter, but also the fiancée of Prince Chengkui. As long as this identity is made public, Wu Chengjie will surely not attack Qian'er again."
Xu Qin asked again: "Why do you think the Second Prince suddenly wanted to visit the mansion?"
Xu Dejing said: "This is also something I can't figure out, but don't worry, it shouldn't be a bad thing. If he really has bad intentions, he doesn't need to come to my house. It's just that now is the critical period for my second uncle to compete for the position of governor of the new state, I hope there won't be any changes."
The next morning, the second prince arrived as promised.
After learning the news, Xu Dejing personally took Xu Qin out to greet them.
To their surprise, the second prince did not travel light, but was accompanied by several knights and three carriages...
The second prince, wearing a yellow robe, sat high on his horse, accompanied by five people, including Grand Marshal Tang Huaigang, Grand Commandant Zou Wenwu, and Grand Master An Shubao, as well as two mysterious young men. When the second prince saw Xu Dejing coming to greet him, he jumped off his horse and laughed loudly, "Brother Dejing, long time no see!"
Such a powerful lineup shocked Xu Dejing. They were all high-ranking officials of the empire. Even as a local lord, he had to be respectful in front of them. He hurried forward to greet them: "Your Highness, Lord Tang, Lord Zou, Lord An, the presence of all the lords really makes my humble home shine! Please enter the inner house!"
The gate was opened, and Xu Dejing led everyone through the gate, while Xu Qin directed the entourage and carriages into the courtyard. She noticed that three gorgeous carriages were carrying huge boxes wrapped in red silk, and no one knew what was inside.
Arriving at the courtyard, the drivers unloaded the boxes from the carts one by one. Xu Qin asked the drivers what was in the boxes, but the drivers only knew that they were following the orders of the Second Prince and they themselves did not know. Xu Qin had no choice but to follow everyone into the hall with doubts and personally serve everyone fragrant tea.
Xu De respectfully invited everyone into the hall, intending to invite the second prince to sit in the main seat.
The second prince smiled and said, "We are here to visit Brother Dejing's residence. How can a guest occupy the host's seat?"
After some politeness, the others just smiled and said nothing. Xu Dejing had no choice but to sit down with the others as host and guest.
Xu Dejing said, "I don't know if your highness and the others are here..."
The second prince pointed to a young man and said, "Brother Dejing, let me introduce you to my fourth son, Wu Chengxiu!"
Xu Dejing looked at the young man and saw that he was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows, bright eyes and extraordinary bearing.
Wu Chengxiu stood up and saluted to Xu Dejing: "My nephew Wu Chengxiu greets Uncle Xu!"
Although he had no official position in the palace, he called Xu Dejing "Uncle" instead of "Sir" to show his closer relationship.
Seeing him being so polite, Xu Dejing responded, "You are so polite, my lord! You are so heroic, calm and dignified, you are truly a rare talent!"
The second prince continued, "I ran into your daughter Xu Qian by chance on Longhe Street yesterday. I was deeply moved by her heroic appearance. Not only does she have an outstanding appearance, but she also has a resolute character and the courage to act vigorously. I immediately determined that my son Chengxiu and your daughter Xu Qian were the perfect match. So today, I brought Chengxiu to propose to Brother Dejing."
Xu Dejing looked at Wu Chengxiu and liked him very much. Although they were both royal children, his temperament and demeanor were far superior to Wu Chengkui.
If he had to choose between the two, he would undoubtedly choose Wu Chengxiu as his son-in-law. However, the first come first served rule was there, and he had already accepted the betrothal gift from the Fourth Prince, so how could he betroth his daughter to someone else?
Xu Dejing could only reply: "Your Highness's kindness is beyond my comprehension!"
The second prince, who was smiling just now, suddenly looked solemn: "Brother Dejing, do you think Chengxiu is not worthy of your daughter Xu Qian?"
Xu Dejing was extremely terrified, but he still had to step forward and salute: "Xu Dejing greets His Majesty the Great Emperor, Prime Minister Qu, Lord Tu, Prince An, and Crown Prince Chengjie!"
Although Wu Chengjie was the crown prince, Xu Dejing was the governor of a state, and his status was higher than his, who had never been involved in the court. The etiquette at this moment was a humble gesture of goodwill to Xu Dejing. Qu Tongtian, Tu Shiyun and Xie Shuyi smiled and nodded in response. Wu Chengjie was arrogant and speechless, and it was obvious that he did not take Xu Dejing seriously.
The emperor laughed heartily: "Brother Dejing, I hope you don't mind my sudden visit?"
Xu Dejing quickly replied: "How dare Dejing not welcome the arrival of His Majesty the Great Emperor and all the gentlemen? Please come in!"
So, he once again respectfully led the emperor and his party into the front yard of the mansion. The emperor noticed the carriage parked in the front yard and asked in confusion: "Brother Dejing, are there other distinguished guests here?"
Xu Dejing explained: "Your Highness, the Second Emperor, Grand Marshal Tang Huaigang, Grand Commandant Zou Wenwu, and Grand Master An Shubaoan are in the palace at this moment."
The Great Emperor said, "Oh, Brother Erhuang is also in your territory? Come on, take me to meet him!"
Xu Dejing had no choice but to invite everyone into the grand hall and let them meet there.
The young man who was investigating the situation hurried back to the hall. He only had time to say a few words to Brother Erhuang and others before Emperor Dahuang strode in with his entourage.
Erhuang bowed respectfully to the Dahuang Emperor and said, "Big Brother!" The others also bowed in turn and said, "Greetings to His Majesty the Dahuang Emperor!"
Emperor Dahuang sat on the main seat with a solemn look, and then said calmly: "So Brother Erhuang and all the adults are here too? Great, you can be my witnesses! Yesterday, my son Chengjie happened to meet Brother Dejing's youngest daughter Xu Qian in Ruihe Lane. He fell in love with her at first sight and wanted to marry her as a concubine.
My son Chengjie is the eldest son and grandson of my father, and he holds a prominent position. If Xu Qian can become his partner, even if she is only a concubine, it will be a great honor for your Xu family. I believe Brother Dejing will not refuse. "
When these words were spoken, not only Xu Dejing and Xu Qin, but also Erhuang and the people who were accompanying him were surprised. They all looked at Xu Dejing, waiting for his response.
Xu Dejing smiled bitterly: "It is her blessing that the Emperor Dahuang and Prince Chengjie favor my daughter. Unfortunately, my daughter has already been engaged, so I can only disappoint the Emperor Dahuang's kindness!"
Emperor Dahuang laughed heartily: "So what if we have an engagement? Is there anyone who dares to compete with me for my daughter-in-law? No matter who the other party is, Brother Dejing just needs to cancel the engagement!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Erhuang and Wu Chengxiu, as if he thought Xu Dejing might have agreed to their proposal.
Facing this provocative look, Er Huang was angry. If Xu Dejing had agreed to his proposal before, he would have stood up to support Xu Dejing. But Xu Dejing also rejected his proposal. He was furious and was curious about how Xu Dejing would respond.
At this time, Xu Dejing said calmly: "My daughter has been betrothed to the eldest son of the Four Emperors, Chengkui. I dare not cancel the engagement!"
Everyone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Tang Huaigang, Zou Wenwu and An Shubao were even more surprised. They didn't know what kind of charm Xu Qian had that could attract marriage proposals from three princes.
After a short silence, a voice shouted, "I like Xu Qian, I want her to be my concubine, am I not as good as that Cheng Kui? Father, you should help me win her over!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was Wu Chengjie, the beloved son of Emperor Dahuang.
The originally gloomy face of the Dahuang Emperor instantly changed into a smile after seeing Wu Chengjie: "Son, don't worry, father will solve it for you right away."
He pondered for a moment, then said to Lord Qu, Lord Tu, and Prince An, "Please accompany Xu Dejing to the Sihuang Palace and tell him that my son Chengjie is in love with Xu Dejing's daughter Xu Qian and wants to marry her as a concubine, and ask him to cancel the engagement!"
Xu Dejing was shocked. He had not been in the capital for long and had never expected that the Dahuang Emperor would act so tyrannically. He even looked down on the Fourth Prince, who was also the Emperor, and ordered him to cancel the engagement.
Er Huang sneered, as if he was watching a play...
He, Tai Yuanxia, as the eldest son of King Wu, was arrogant and disrespectful on weekdays because of his status. He was too dismissive of his other royal brothers. He had already expected such behavior.
Unfortunately, this big brother is not only a human bastard, he also has a very high talent for cultivation and is deeply favored by the Emperor Wu Longhai. His position is unbreakable, leaving others helpless.
For Wu Longhai, the talent for cultivation is supreme. Only high-level cultivation can shock people at home and abroad. As for moral character and wisdom, they are all like passing clouds.
Bai Zhige from the neighboring Baiyu country should have been a hero with outstanding talent, but unfortunately he failed to reach the realm of Hedao before Bai Wuxian's death, and ultimately only left behind empty dreams.
I wonder how the Fourth Prince, who has always been low-key, will react to this incident.
Qu Tongtian, Tu Shiyun and Xie Shuyi stood up and looked at Xu Dejing. Since the emperor had ordered the three of them to accompany Xu Dejing to cancel the engagement, they would do it without hesitation.
Xu Dejing was a little confused and lost his mind for a moment, looking helplessly at the Second Emperor.