nucmednet Chapter 271: Asking the Two Women to Marry Together
Chapter 271: Asking the Two Women to Marry Together
His humility made the emperor even happier.
The second son is not outstanding, but he is obedient and sensible, which is good.
Of course, the third child is the one that is loved the most.
The Emperor called to the Third Prince, "Come here, Third Prince. You've hunted so many this year, which is quite good. What reward would you like me to give you?"
When the Second Prince heard this, his eyes darkened. He had hunted a wild boar. There were only three wild animals in the entire enclosure: one was a deer hunted by the Emperor, and the other was taken by the mighty General. He was a military commander, so it was normal for him to hunt wild animals.
The last one he hunted was the one he hunted, but his father just praised him once and said nothing more. Instead, he paid so much attention to his third brother who had mediocre results.
The Third Prince ran over angrily and said to the Emperor, "Father, that wild boar was originally mine. It's all my fault..."
The emperor looked at him gently. "Oh? Third brother is so capable that he should be able to hunt a wild boar. Tell me, father, what was the reason that prevented you from hunting one?"
Before the Third Prince could speak, Yang Yan spoke.
"Your Majesty, this is my fault. The Marquis of Anle had originally informed me that he could not ride or shoot, but during the wild boar hunt, I mistakenly placed him in the position, causing the wild boar to escape and preventing the Third Prince from successfully hunting."
The Emperor looked up at his rather embarrassed younger brother and nodded, "So that's how it is. Third brother, did you act willfully and throw a tantrum, leaving Si Jing'an in the hunting grounds?"
The third prince pouted unhappily.
Concubine Xin, who was sitting in the back, breathed a sigh of relief. She nodded in praise at Yang Yan and said, "You are really naughty. The hunting ground is so dangerous. The Anle Marquis's son doesn't know how to ride or shoot. Fortunately, he met His Royal Highness Prince Ning. Otherwise, wouldn't it be dangerous?"
The emperor didn't care. "There are guards everywhere in the enclosure, so Jing'an won't get hurt. But third brother, don't make jokes like this anymore, understand?"
"Father..."
The emperor said, "Marquis Anle and I are as close as brothers. You must also love Jing'an as if he were your own brother. Do you understand?"
The Third Prince then lowered his head and said, "Yes, I will remember this."
Si Xingzhi, however, was terrified and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty has graciously allowed Jing'an to follow His Royal Highness the Third Prince. This is Jing'an's blessing. However, Jing'an is stupid and unskilled in the six arts, which is truly a laughing stock."
"Xingzhi, there's no need to be so reserved. You've just returned to the capital, so it's inevitable that you'll feel a bit rusty. Just practice more and you'll be fine."
The emperor, still in a genial manner, said to those around him, "Marquis Anle has not hunted anything today, so I will give him a deer leg."
"Yes."
He added, "Si Jing'an was frightened today, so give him a deer steak."
Si Xingzhi was startled and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I am terrified."
For so many ministers, it was a great favor to be able to share a piece of venison bestowed by the emperor. How could their family receive so many rewards?
The emperor laughed heartily. "The deer I hunt are naturally given as rewards to those I like. Jing'an is not very good at hunting since this is his first time. After two years of practice, he will get used to it."
No one can understand the emperor's true thoughts.
But in the eyes of others, the Si family is truly favored by the emperor. Before, when the emperor asked Si Jing'an to be the third prince's study companion, everyone was still skeptical, but now they understand that this is a great honor.
After all, everyone knows that the emperor loves the third prince the most. Other study companions are a different matter, but Si Jing'an must be the study companion that the emperor specially reserved for the third prince.
Everyone had different thoughts, especially the ladies, who originally disliked the young ladies of the Si family for being unpresentable, but now they have changed their minds.
The emperor is still in his prime, and he both favors and pities the Si family. I'm afraid this kind of feeling will last for many years.
The best way to win over the Si family is through marriage.
Several ladies began to ponder the strengths and weaknesses of the Si sisters.
The one who was most worried was the Imperial Concubine.
After lunch, she impatiently had the Second Prince called over and asked, "Ren'er, have you contacted Si Muyan?"
The Second Prince was somewhat helpless: "Mother, I just met the sisters yesterday, and I was preparing for today's hunt last night, so I'm not free."
"You saw what your father did just now. The Si family is currently in favor. If we can marry a daughter of the Si family as our principal wife, the Si family and ours will be on the same boat."
The Second Prince was somewhat absent-minded. Although his father liked the Si family, they only had titles but no real power. Wouldn't they be easily manipulated? If he told the daughter of the Si family that he wanted to marry her, she would definitely not refuse.
But he wanted to marry more than just one daughter of the Si family, he wanted to marry both daughters of the Si family.
"Ren'er, do you remember?"
The Second Prince responded: "Mother, I will remember this."
The Imperial Concubine continued, "There will be a women's hunting party this afternoon. Mother has inquired about it, and the girls have formed their own teams to compete. The three sisters of the Si family don't know how to ride or shoot, but they have formed an alliance with the girls of the Du family. If you can help them a little, they will definitely remember your help."
"it is good."
The women's hunting in the afternoon lasts half as long as the men's hunting in the morning, and the area is much smaller, in order to ensure the safety of the ladies.
Zhu Qingwei announced yesterday that she would form a team to compete with Du Shangge and the daughter of the Si family. All the ladies who were good at riding and shooting were eager to try.
In terms of competition, none of them can beat Du Shangge individually, but what about a group competition?
They had figured out the situation of the Si family's daughters. They were all useless and couldn't ride a horse, let alone shoot an arrow. If they followed Du Shangge, they would only be a drag.
However, they could combine their abilities to surpass Du Shangge. The girls quickly selected the five best archers on horseback, including Zhu Qingtang and Zhu Qingwei.
Du Shangge was a little worried because they couldn't get enough people together.
The younger sister said, "The two girls from the Gui family are quite good. Why don't we go ask them?"
Si Muyan shook her head. "No need to ask them. They are always cautious. This kind of occasion is like a competition. They won't offend others for us. If we rashly ask, it will only embarrass them."
The younger sister was very disappointed. She looked around again and said, "That Zhao Ning County Lady seems to know some martial arts. Why didn't I see her today?"
"County Lady Zhao Ning?" Du Shangge said hurriedly, "I had a fight with her before and made her cry. She definitely doesn't dare to come."
A girl nearby couldn't stand it any longer: "Miss Du, please don't talk nonsense. The eldest princess has been ill these past few days, and County Lady Zhao Ning is filial and served her medicine in front of the princess, so she didn't come along."
Du Shangge rolled his eyes: "That may not be the case..."
Si Muyan covered Du Shangge's mouth, pulled her behind her, and smiled at the girl, "I see. Thank you, sister, for clearing up my confusion."
The girl disdained to have anything to do with them and turned away.
At this moment, a gentle voice came from the side: "Four ladies, are you worried about not having enough people for the competition? This prince has two maids who know some martial arts skills, perhaps they can be given to you."