RPAGF Chapter 51 Princess Jiangdu's Marriage
Chapter 51 Princess Jiangdu's Marriage
This was the first time in his life that Zhu Gaoxi had encountered marriage. Although it wasn't his own wedding, he couldn't contain his excitement and felt a little thrill inside.
The bad luck he felt yesterday from being humiliated by the King of Chu and his son and the Crown Prince was swept away. After breakfast, Zhu Gaoxi took out paper and pen and began to plan his actions for the day.
Let's go to the princess's residence first to scout out the way for the silly girl.
Although the size and level of the princess's residence were all standardized and similar, with nine halls and twelve bays, and the main gate having five halls and seven bays.
However, this novelty and excitement still aroused Zhu Gaoxi's endless longing.
Of course, this was a completely unauthorized action and did not comply with regulations, but the intention was good.
Even so, I still felt a little uneasy. It's more reassuring to have an accomplice when doing bad things.
Zhu Yunwen is really unreliable; he hasn't come no matter how long we wait.
Zhu Gaoxi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in circles.
It's better to sneak out of the palace sooner rather than later; every second counts. If it's too late, you'll easily be discovered.
Zhu Yunwen is such a terrible teammate, he's really unreliable.
The action plan has been designed, everything is ready, all that's needed is the right opportunity.
Sanbao noticed that Zhu Gaoxi seemed preoccupied and leaned closer to ask in a low voice, "What's wrong, Your Highness? Who are you waiting for? Perhaps I should go outside and check?"
Zhu Gaoxi waved his hand, dismissing everyone else, and whispered in Sanbao's ear, "I want to go out of the palace to visit the princess's residence. I told my third brother, but he hasn't come yet."
Upon hearing this, Sanbao's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud. "Your Highness, if you sneak out of the palace, this servant will surely lose his head. But that's not the most important thing. Anyway, this servant has already given his life to Your Highness. The most important thing is, what if something happens to Your Highness?"
"What are you afraid of?! I'm definitely going to take you with me."
Seeing Sanbao's grief-stricken appearance, Zhu Gaoxi couldn't help but reflect on whether he had been too rash.
He originally planned to go outside for a quick look around without anyone noticing and then come right back.
On second thought, if the old emperor found out, it might really implicate Sanbao, Li Hui and the others.
"You saw it yourself, the princess is so naive and innocent. Shouldn't I go out and check on her?"
Zhu Gaoxi felt increasingly guilty as he spoke. In reality, he simply thought it was an interesting, thrilling, and exciting adventure.
"What does Your Highness wish to see?" Sanbao asked, looking bewildered.
This really stumped Zhu Gaoxi. He had only planned to conduct an on-site inspection and hadn't thought too much about it.
"Is Your Highness worried that the princess will be bullied after the marriage?" Sanbao asked tentatively.
"Yes, yes," Zhu Gaoxi replied repeatedly, secretly praising Sanbao's cleverness.
"This servant has a plan, but I don't know Your Highness..." Sanbao said hesitantly, observing Zhu Gaoxi's changing expression.
"Speak quickly," Zhu Gaoxi urged.
"The prince consort will personally greet you. After entering the palace through the Meridian Gate, he will wait in front of the Inner Palace for the princess's initiation ceremony to conclude. If Your Highness wishes to see the prince consort, you should go there at that time," Sanbao said, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Zhu Gaoxi pondered for a moment and then accepted Sanbao's proposal.
"Third Brother agreed so readily yesterday, why isn't he coming today?" Zhu Gaoxi muttered to himself.
"Perhaps, Third Master means to escort the princess there together with dukes, marquises, officials, and their wives," Sanbao suggested.
That's so boring, there are just a huge crowd of people, you can't see anything clearly.
Seeing that Sanbao looked still shaken, Zhu Gaoxi didn't dare to say those words aloud.
Perhaps I really shouldn't have had the idea of secretly leaving the palace.
To admit one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue.
Zhu Gaoxi patted Sanbao on the shoulder and laughed, "Don't worry, I won't sneak out. I was just joking."
Sanbao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "This servant knows that Your Highness was just joking."
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Princess Jiangdu visited the temple in Fengxian Hall and received admonitions from the old emperor.
As soon as the music began, Zhu Gaoxi arrived at the Inner Palace.
When Wang Youcai, the Assistant Director of the Imperial Household Department, saw Zhu Gaoxi approaching, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
"I'm going to say something to the Prince Consort," Zhu Gaoxi said, pointing to Geng Xuan, who was dressed in a bright red wedding gown.
Geng Xuan turned around upon hearing the sound, and Zhu Gaoxi quickly walked over.
"The groom is truly dashing," Zhu Gaoxi exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and with this outfit, Geng Xuan truly looks dignified and imposing.
"Did Jingyi send you here, Your Highness?" Geng Xuan asked, bending down.
"No," Zhu Gaoxi said, pulling Geng Xuan's hand. "You have to squat down, otherwise I'll have to look up at you."
Geng Xuan smiled, looked around, and thought about placing Zhu Gaoxi on a higher place.
Wang Youcai immediately ordered someone to bring a chair.
Geng Xuan picked up Zhu Gaoxi and placed him on a chair.
"Is this okay?" Geng Xuan helped Zhu Gaoxi stand up on the chair.
"Okay, but you can't let go of my hand."
Zhu Gaoxi was afraid of accidentally falling.
"Never let go."
Geng Xuan's honest voice reassured Zhu Gaoxi.
Perhaps, the simple-minded girl won't suffer if she marries him.
Zhu Gaoxi did not forget his mission and asked solemnly, "You know why I'm here today, right?"
"I'm worried about your sister," Geng Xuan immediately guessed the correct answer.
"It's not just me who's worried," Zhu Gaoxi said mysteriously.
Such words only have a deterrent effect when they are subtly mentioned in connection with the old emperor.
"Geng Xuan swears that she will absolutely treat Jingyi well and be devoted to her wholeheartedly," Geng Xuan sincerely raised one finger to the sky and swore, "If I break this vow..."
"Put your hand down right now," Zhu Gaoxi interrupted his vow.
Having the intention and the action doesn't necessarily mean you have to say it out loud.
On such a joyous occasion, there's no need to say anything unlucky.
Geng Xuan chuckled sheepishly, "Even if I hold on with one hand, I won't fall."
Just as Zhu Gaoxi was about to give a few more instructions, he heard Sanbao whisper, "The princess is coming."
Looking to the side, Zhu Jingyi's sedan chair was slowly approaching.
"Quickly, pick me up and get me down."
Zhu Gaoxi gripped Geng Xuan's arm and was gently placed on the ground. He then turned to signal Wang Youcai to put away the chair.
Geng Xuan was led to the right gate, where he stood facing west and east, waiting to lift the curtain for the princess.
After the princess got into the sedan chair, Geng Xuan would exit through the west corner gate of the Meridian Gate, mount his horse, and return to the princess's residence.
Zhu Gaoxi seized the opportunity to withdraw and returned to the Qianqing Palace to comfort the old emperor.
Halfway there, Wang Youcai's voice suddenly came from behind, "Your Highness, Your Highness, wait!"
Zhu Gaoxi stopped upon hearing the sound and turned around. Wang Youcai jogged over and placed a wooden carving in Zhu Gaoxi's hand, saying, "This was given to you by the princess."
Zhu Gaoxi took it and saw that it was a little monkey.
Judging from the rough carving, it must have been done by Zhu Jingyi herself.
He was born in the Year of the Monkey, and the simple-minded woman was quite thoughtful; Zhu Gaoxi's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was secretly shedding tears as he thought of his crown prince, Zhu Biao.
Jingyi is Zhu Biao and Chang Lin's first child.
The old emperor recalled that when he was on a campaign with Chang Yuchun, he heard the news of Zhu Biao's birth and immediately carved the words "Those who come to this mountain will not have to worry about not having offspring" on a large rock on the mountain. He also arranged a marriage between Zhu Biao and Chang Yuchun.