A Trip to the Countryside
"Zhao Zhiwei?" Xiao Lingyan was taken aback, seemingly having never considered this matter before. However, his eyes slowly brightened.
Seeing his expression, Xiao Ge knew there was hope. If the two of them could get together, it would solve two long-standing problems.
Didn't my uncle say that none of the noble young men in the capital were good enough for Zhao Zhiwei? Surely his princes are good enough for her?
He nodded. "Yes. Among all the unmarried women in the capital and even the entire Great Jin, Zhao Zhiwei is the most outstanding. Whether it's her appearance, personality, talent, or background, there's nothing wrong with her. You and she are a perfect match."
Xiao Lingyan, seemingly wanting to agree, but also somewhat hesitant.
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "She's in Nanyang now, right? I'm going to visit the areas around the capital during my trip to the countryside. How about I go to Nanyang to see her? If we both feel good about it, then we can settle it."
This was originally part of his plan.
The sudden proposal to marry Zhao Zhiwei would certainly arouse suspicion from Xiao Ge and others. His original plan was to use the excuse of familiarizing himself with agricultural affairs to travel to the countryside, meet Zhao Zhiwei by chance in Nanyang, get to know her, and then propose to her upon returning to the capital. This way, things would proceed naturally, erasing all signs of their previous connection.
But before he could even put his plan into action, Xiao Ge brought up his marriage to Zhao Ruxi.
Since Xiao Ge brought it up, he readily agreed, and the matter was already settled.
However, for the past six months, he has been extremely picky about all the marriage proposals, finding fault with everything and demanding very high standards, even to the point of being fussy. If he were to agree to Zhao Zhiwei the moment Xiao Ge mentioned her, his previously carefully cultivated image as a picky person about marriage would crumble. Once Xiao Ge realizes what's going on, she will definitely have some doubts.
Furthermore, even if he agreed to the marriage, Xiao Ge wouldn't simply issue the decree to grant the marriage; he would inevitably have to consult Kang Shilin first. If Kang Shilin objected, the marriage would become problematic.
Kang Shilin's kindness and affection for Zhao Ruxi are beyond doubt, and he has always stayed as far away as possible from the struggle for the throne within the imperial family.
If he opposes the marriage, and Zhao Ruxi still insists on marrying him, it would be seen as ingratitude and would raise suspicions that she is trying to climb the social ladder, thus damaging her character. Even if she explains to Kang Shilin that they are mutually in love, Kang Shilin will not believe her and will only think that she is making excuses.
Kang Shilin objected, and even if the elders of the Earl of Suiping's Residence were very satisfied with the marriage, they couldn't very well disagree with Kang Shilin.
However, if he meets Zhao Ruxi in Nanyang, and while he takes a liking to Zhao Ruxi, Zhao Ruxi also takes a liking to him. This is a marriage chosen by the apprentice herself; she is willing to marry, and her parents have no objections. Even if Kang Shilin is her master, it would be difficult for him to object to the marriage.
Therefore, the order of priority is extremely important and must never be reversed.
Therefore, Xiao Lingyan to proceed according to the original plan.
Remembering how picky his son was about his wife, wanting to find some kind of "feeling," Xiao Ge wasn't surprised that Xiao Lingyan didn't immediately agree.
He said, "Alright, then you can meet her. If Zhao Zhiwei doesn't want to marry you, I can't force her. I can't do something like forcibly taking a woman for my son."
Xiao Lingyan was displeased. "Father, do you think your son is not as outstanding as Zhao Zhiwei, so she looks down on him?"
"Hahaha, you said that, I didn't say anything." Xiao Ge laughed heartily.
Xiao Lingyan glanced at Xiao Ge with a resentful look, then stood up and said, "If Father has no further instructions, I will take my leave."
"Go on, go on, bring my daughter-in-law back as soon as possible. You'd better not let me down." Xiao Ge waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.
After leaving the palace, Xiao Lingyan returned to the Prince of Qi's Residence to pack his luggage. He then happily left the city with his guards, following the imperial decree to catch up with his wife.
His original plan was to conceal his identity and make contact with the common people along the way, which would take at least three or four days to reach Nanyang. Once in Nanyang, he would not make contact with the government officials, but would instead meet Zhao Ruxi by chance in the fields, where they would chat about improving agricultural tools. He would then return to the capital to propose marriage to Xiao Ge.
But having received Xiao Ge's decree, he saw no need to delay. As a young man of marriageable age eager to marry, if he dawdled along the way and instead of openly meeting Zhao Ruxi upon arriving in Nanyang, he would appear fake and petty, lacking any princely demeanor.
Therefore, he was only delayed on the road for one day, and arrived in Nanyang the next day.
The plan was decided upon by the two of them together, so Zhao Ruxi never expected Xiao Lingyan to arrive so quickly. That day, she was drawing a water conservancy distribution map in the yamen when she saw the yamen guards rushing up the steps in a panic, shouting, "Sir, sir, some people have come to the gate. They say that His Highness Prince of Qi has come to inspect and wants to see you, sirs!"
Liu Hongyu was writing something when he heard this, and a large drop of ink fell onto the paper, instantly staining the entire sheet unusable.
He disregarded all this, put down his pen, and hurriedly came out, calling out, "Lord Cai, Lord Li, Lord Zhao, Lord Feng, all of you come with me to greet them."
The constable had a loud voice, and since everyone was inside the yamen, Cai Yaozong, Li Li, and the others heard what he said and had already come out.
Once everyone had arrived, Liu Hongyu took the lead and walked towards the door. The others followed one after another.
"Did I hear that right? His Prince of Qi is here on inspection?" The clerks from the six departments also heard what the yamen runners said and started discussing among themselves.
They were not qualified to welcome the Prince of Qi. For now, all they could do was stay obediently in the yamen, not go out and wander around, and certainly not squeeze into the corridor to watch the commotion, so as not to offend the Prince of Qi.
"We're close to the capital, so some people who can't buy estates there come here. However, there aren't many high-ranking officials or nobles coming to inspect, and certainly no princes. After all, we're a prefectural government, not a provincial government. What's going on?"
At this moment, Liu Hongyu had already led four of his men to the entrance of the yamen. He immediately saw a very handsome and tall young man standing in front of the gate. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an air of nobility. Behind him stood a dozen or so guards.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Your subject Liu Hongyu greets Your Highness Prince of Qi."
The four men behind him also bowed. "Your humble servants greet Your Highness Prince of Qi."
"Get up." Xiao Lingyan his hand, glancing at everyone.
Zhao Ruxi kept her head down, appearing to be dutifully fulfilling her duties.
Xiao Lingyan withdrew his gaze and said to Liu Hongyu, "I am currently working in the Ministry of Works and have come to the countryside to learn about agricultural affairs. Which official in your department is in charge of farmland and water conservancy? I would be grateful if he could accompany me to the fields."