Chapter 2: Was This a Fatal Question?
Chapter 2: Was This a Fatal Question?
“Who?”
“The second young lady of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household?”
“Fourth Brother, are you joking with me?”
Xiao Rui stared at Xiao Feng, firing off three soul-crushing questions in a row. He actually introduced such a match to him. Wasn’t that too much?
Moreover, the task was also adding fuel to the fire. How could an ordinary man subdue such a crazy woman?
An Imperial Prince?
Even an Imperial Prince couldn’t do it!
I’m not a punching bag, for crying out loud!
Xiao Feng gave an awkward smile and said tactfully, “The second young lady of the Zhang family has a strong sense of justice. Her temper is a bit fiery. You know how it is. Being from a military family, it’s unavoidable to have some martial skills. I think it’s quite good. If you two become a couple, she can also protect you.”
“Then why don’t you do it?” Xiao Rui asked.
Xiao Feng coughed and said, “Well… my wife doesn’t agree.”
Xiao Rui threw him a look of disdain. Disagree? For goodness’ sake, you’ve already taken several concubines. If your main wife dared to say more, you’d raise your fist as big as a clay pot. Only someone with thick skin would dare to disagree.
If it weren’t for the task, Xiao Rui would have already come up with over a dozen reasons to refuse.
“Since I promised you, I’ll go meet her then. But Fourth Brother, you know I don’t have much money. How am I supposed to invite a young lady out for a meal…” Xiao Rui started hinting for financial help.
“No problem. Someone, fetch one thousand taels for my seventh brother!” Xiao Feng said grandly.
“Am I only worth one thousand taels?” Xiao Rui asked plaintively.
“Five thousand taels! Five thousand taels!” Xiao Feng’s heart bled, but his tone was cheerful.
That was more like it. Xiao Rui’s wounded psyche was somewhat compensated.
Returning to his own residence, Xiao Rui closed his eyes to observe the information code.
As he agreed to the task, the last line of the information code changed:
“New task: Gain Zhang Ruoxi’s favor. Advent Points +15.”
Xiao Rui was delighted. This task offered a large point increase. It was forcing him to please the second young lady of the Loyal and Brave Marquis, selling his precious… muscles.
But the moment he thought of Zhang Ruoxi’s reputation, his head started to ache.
The Twelve Marquises of War of the Great Xia Kingdom once accompanied Emperor Xia in founding the empire. Emperor Xia did not make the foolish mistake of killing the hounds once the hares were caught. He continued to place great trust in them.
The Twelve Marquises of War were ranked by military achievements. The Loyal and Brave Marquis was in third place, second only to the Champion Marquis and the Ever-Victorious Marquis. One could imagine how formidable his prestige was. Even Imperial Princes had to respectfully address him as “Marquis” when they met him.
Such a fierce general raised a fierce daughter, Zhang Ruoxi.
This girl was truly fierce. At twelve, she killed bandits. At thirteen, she killed tigers and wolves. At fourteen, she grabbed a knife and chased a young nobleman who had harassed a commoner girl for three whole streets. She slashed him eighteen times, each strike avoiding vital spots. The slashed nobleman’s father lodged a complaint with the emperor. Emperor Xia dismissed it with one sentence:
Was he seriously injured? A man can’t even defeat a woman, and he still comes to complain?
The second young lady of the Zhang family made a name for herself in that one fight.
From then on, this Lady Zhang roamed the path of chivalry. When she went out, the streets were sure to be cleared. The good-for-nothing noble youths who used to flaunt their horses and walk their dogs would flee with their hands over their heads, returning peace and order to the common people.
Now she was seventeen, long past the age to be married. But who dared to marry her?
Indeed, like father, like daughter. The Loyal and Brave Marquis was so anxious to marry off his daughter that he tied up promising young talents of the Capital City to go on blind dates with Zhang Ruoxi. In the end, no matches were made. Several were slashed a few times, again each strike avoiding vital spots. From then on, this young woman was respectfully nicknamed the “Blind Date Terminator” by the Capital City’s noble youths.
Xiao Feng wanted to win over the Loyal and Brave Marquis. The Twelve Marquises of War supported Emperor Xia and had never openly declared support for any specific Imperial Prince to become the Heir Apparent. If he could be the first to gain their support, he would definitely take the lead.
As for why Xiao Feng wasn’t afraid that if the match succeeded, Xiao Rui might win over the Loyal and Brave Marquis, making Xiao Feng’s efforts benefit someone else…
Hah.
An Imperial Prince with no foundation whatsoever, even if he became the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s son-in-law, would the Loyal and Brave Marquis support him for the Heir Apparent Position?
Don’t be ridiculous.
So how does one gain Zhang Ruoxi’s favor?
Also, to what degree does this “favor” need to be?
It doesn’t require sharing a bed, does it…
Xiao Rui clutched his collar tightly.
After eating breakfast, Xiao Feng prepared the courtesy gifts for Xiao Rui and personally saw him off onto the carriage, watching him leave.
“If I can gain the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s support, my prestige among my brothers will reach new heights. Father Emperor would also look at me differently.” Xiao Feng thought to himself. “Even if it doesn’t succeed, I have this intention. I believe the Loyal and Brave Marquis can sense it.”
“Recently, Father Emperor’s health has been much worse than before. The Heir Apparent Position remains unsettled. What is Father Emperor thinking?”
Emperor Xia’s intentions were profound and unpredictable, not something ordinary people could discern.
Xiao Feng sighed. Who didn’t covet that supreme position high above?
Xiao Rui did not covet it.
How could being an emperor compare to being a carefree Prince? You get up earlier than a rooster, sleep later than a dog. If you’re slightly careless, you get crowned the ‘King of Cuckolds’.
Look, a beam of light in the sky, green enough to make you panic.
…
The carriage rumbled and swayed until it arrived at the Residence of the Loyal and Brave Marquis.
The driver presented the visiting card. The Loyal and Brave Marquis personally opened the main gate to welcome him.
“Your Highness the Seventh Prince graces us with your presence. We failed to greet you properly from afar.” Zhang Jinfu beamed with a smile.
Xiao Rui did not dare to put on airs. He quickly clasped his hands and bowed. “Xiao Rui pays his respects to the Marquis of War.”
Zhang Jinfu grasped Xiao Rui’s hand and pulled him towards the house. “Your Highness the Seventh Prince, why such formalities? You are the master, and I, your humble servant, am the subject.”
Xiao Rui rolled his eyes. Are you really in such a hurry? Afraid I might run away? Are you that desperate to marry off your daughter?
Entering the marquis’s residence, they passed through several courtyards and arrived at a quiet main hall.
Host and guest took their seats. Maids served tea and snacks.
“Your Highness the Seventh Prince, please don’t stand on ceremony. Eat and drink freely. Treat this place as your own home.” Zhang Jinfu said with a smile.
Xiao Rui smiled and said, “Marquis, you can just call me Xiao Rui. Today is my first visit. Please forgive my intrusion.”
“Then I’ll call you Xiao Rui. It sounds more intimate.” Zhang Jinfu said. “How are your studies lately? I heard His Majesty intends to examine the Imperial Princes’ academic progress recently.”
Is this a universal problem since ancient times? When there’s nothing else to talk about, drag up studies.
“What?” Xiao Rui was startled. He hadn’t expected this inside information.
Imperial Princes who had not yet established their own mansions needed to study at Jiwen Hall. Currently, Xiao Rui, the Eighth Prince, and the Ninth Prince were still studying. The other Imperial Princes had already established their mansions. Emperor Xia, in founding the state, emphasized the combination of civil and military affairs. Civil skills could govern the state, military skills could secure peace. Emperor Xia often examined the Imperial Princes’ studies. If their studies were lax, they would be punished.
Xiao Rui had the mind of a twenty-nine-year-old in the body of a seventeen-year-old. He had already endured the dark days of his study life. Making him study again, facing a bunch of old scholars, that kind of torture would shatter his already fragile heart into pieces.
He had managed to muddle through the previous few examinations. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold on.
“My studies are… okay.” Xiao Rui’s smile was uglier than a grimace.
Zhang Jinfu looked Xiao Rui over. Honestly, he didn’t know much about this Seventh Prince. Among the nine Imperial Princes, he was the lowest-profile one, living a secluded life, never forming cliques. He probably understood his own situation.
Finding such an Imperial Prince as a son-in-law would be perfect.
However, he still needed to assess his character and intelligence.
Zhang Jinfu took a sip of tea and suddenly brought up another matter. “Recently, His Majesty has been worried about matters concerning the Great Qi Kingdom. Have you heard?”
The Great Qi Kingdom was to the north of the Great Xia Kingdom. Its territory and population were larger than the Great Xia Kingdom’s, and its national power was stronger. The current ruler of the Great Qi Kingdom was in his third year on the throne. He vigorously promoted reforms, creating a fervor, emphasizing both military and civil affairs. At the border between the two countries, there was a natural pasture capable of rearing one hundred thousand horses.
This place naturally became a contested battlefield between the two countries.
The ruler of the State of Qi was young and aggressive. For the sake of this natural pasture, he did not hesitate to start a war.
This was what worried Emperor Xia.
Xiao Rui nodded. Nowadays, the Capital City was buzzing with talk, everyone debating whether to fight or sue for peace.
“What is your opinion?” Zhang Jinfu took a sip of tea and casually asked. “His Majesty might use this matter to examine several Imperial Princes. I heard if you give a brilliant answer, there might even be treasure as a reward.”
Xiao Rui also took a sip of tea, inwardly scoffing at Zhang Jinfu. Still putting on an act to test me? I was once in the official circles. I served tea and ran errands for five or six years. I’ve seen all sorts of old foxes.
“Fight! How could our Great Xia Kingdom fear them! With the Marquis here, I’m sure we’ll beat them until they’re pissing their pants.” Xiao Rui roared.
Zhang Jinfu laughed. “You also think fighting is most suitable?”
Xiao Rui said, “Doesn’t the Marquis also want to fight?”
Zhang Jinfu was immediately left speechless by the retort. He then took a sip of tea to cover his embarrassment and asked another question. “Recently, His Majesty has mentioned establishing the Crown Prince several times. Among you nine brothers, who do you think is most suitable?”
Wow!
Was this a fatal question?