Marriage was a matter of parents' commands and matchmakers' words. Hu Xiaotian had always scoffed at that saying, but today he realized he still could not escape falling into that same old mold. In the era he now lived in, pursuing so-called freedom of marriage was nothing but a tale from the Arabian Nights. He had been pondering how to make the beauties around him get along harmoniously, imagining a future with three wives and four concubines, a woman in each arm and everything going his way. Yet the emperor's dispatch of Wu Jingshan to propose a marriage had dealt him a blow straight to the head, shattering every sweet dream he had just woven.
The Imperial Son-in-Law! It sounded wonderful, but if he really became the Imperial Son-in-Law, he would probably have no hope of taking a concubine for the rest of his life. With Qiqi's contrary temperament, she probably would not even allow him an extra glance at another woman.
Seeing Hu Xiaotian lost in thought for so long, Wu Jingshan finally could not help asking, "Brother Hu, do give me a clear answer on this matter, so I can report back to the emperor."
Hu Xiaotian said, "What sort of clear answer would you like, Lord Wu?"
Wu Jingshan smiled. "You're asking a question you already know the answer to, Brother Hu."
Hu Xiaotian sighed. "To be honest, Lord Wu, I have no objections myself. I simply don't know what the princess thinks. Although the emperor sent you to propose the marriage, he may not necessarily be able to decide for her. If I agree here, only for Princess Yongyang to change her mind and refuse, wouldn't I lose every scrap of face?"
Wu Jingshan said, "What you mean is..."
Hu Xiaotian said, "I'd like to ask