An Imperial Marriage Decree

Seeing that he remained silent, Xiao Ge said, "I know what you're worried about. Let me tell you, Little Five is different. That child is simple-minded; besides tinkering with mechanisms, he has no other thoughts."

"You think he has no ideas, but others may not think so," Kang Shilin said. "The things that happened to Zhiwei were all related to resentment. If they find out she's going to marry Prince of Qi, some people who can't deal with Prince of Qi might turn around and target her instead. She's in Nanyang now, with only a few guards around her. They can handle ordinary people, but against experts, they're completely outmatched."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ge looked embarrassed.

The troubles Zhao Ruxi encountered were all related to the royal family. They were either due to foolish acts by the Crown Prince's faction or the machinations of Consort Jin and her daughter. In the end, it all came down to his lax management of his household.

Kang Shilin continued, "Zhiwei is different from other princesses. Those princesses all come from powerful families and have the power of those families to protect them. Those who don't want her to become a princess are not easy to deal with. The Earl of Suiping's Residence doesn't have much power to begin with, and now the family members are scattered in two different places to take up their posts. Zhiwei only has her mother by her side. If someone wants to deal with her, even if they don't take her life, as long as they ruin her reputation, she will only have one way out."

Kang Shilin looked at Xiao Ge: "So, it's not that I don't want her to marry Little Five, it's that I can't. I'm almost seventy, Your Majesty, can you bear to let me watch my beloved little apprentice walk down a dead path? If you can't promise me safety, even if it costs you your life, I cannot agree to this marriage."

The uncle and nephew have spent half their lives together and understand each other's personalities very well.

Xiao Ge initially listened to Kang Shilin and thought that Kang Shilin was going to refuse the marriage proposal. But when he heard that Kang Shilin put forward a precondition instead of blocking the way, he knew that there was still room for discussion.

He quickly replied, "Uncle, don't worry, I will teach those bastards and those people in the palace a lesson. In addition, I will send a few more Imperial Guards to Zhao Zhiwei. No matter what happens to Zhao Zhiwei, I will hold those people and the Imperial Guards accountable."

Hearing this, Kang Shilin was finally satisfied.

By openly assigning imperial Imperial Guards to watch over Zhao Zhiwei, the Emperor was telling the entire world that Zhao Zhiwei was under his protection. Any small, invasive actions against Zhao Zhiwei would be kept under his watchful eye, and anyone with the guts was welcome to try.

Xiao Lingyan was never a major contender for the throne, and neither was his fiancée. If Zhao Ruxi was weak and looked easy to bully, bullying her would have no negative consequences and would only annoy the factions of the Second and Fifth Prince, so naturally, they would do it.

But if he discovers that the benefits are too small and the risks too great, and that doing it would lead the emperor to remove him from the list of candidates for the throne, then only a fool would do such a thing.

He stood up and bowed to Xiao Ge: "On behalf of Zhiwei, I thank His Majesty for his grace."

Xiao Ge quickly helped him up himself.

Pressing Kang Shilin's shoulder to help him sit down, Xiao Ge returned to his seat and asked, "Then this marriage..."

"If Your Majesty can do this, I have no objections." Kang Shilin finally relented. "I have many daughters and granddaughters, but Zhao Zhiwei the one I love the most. That child is intelligent, insightful, and spirited. She is kind-hearted, considerate, and incredibly filial to me. This old man asks for nothing more than this: that Little Five treat Zhiwei well and not let her down."

Xiao Ge nodded. "Don't worry. You know why he's only engaged at eighteen? It's because he said he wants to marry a wife who is exactly his ideal. He doesn't want to settle for just anyone and then take a whole bunch of concubines. He said having too many women is too much trouble, and he'd rather just marry one he likes and live a good life with her. Hearing him say that, I didn't force him and let him wait until now to get engaged."

In this respect, Xiao Ge could understand his son very well.

For the past decade or so, his exclusive favor towards Consort Jin was not because he loved Consort Jin deeply—although he liked Consort Jin personality and felt relaxed and happy with her, it wasn't necessarily because he loved her very much. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let her go so easily.

The bigger reason is that he is a person who likes peace and quiet and doesn't like having many women in his backyard fighting over him; it makes him feel very tired.

So when Xiao Lingyan sincerely told him that he did not want to settle for a marriage and wanted to find a woman he liked to spend his life with, Xiao Ge felt a deep sympathy for him and felt that this son was more like himself. Therefore, he was willing to withstand the pressure from the court officials to protect his son's wishes and was unwilling to force him.

Upon hearing this, Kang Shilin's reluctance lessened somewhat, and the frustration of being defeated by reality and unable to find a perfect husband for his young apprentice also dissipated considerably.

Xiao Ge felt that it wasn't sincere enough for him to say these words, so he raised his head and instructed the young eunuch, "Go and see if Prince of Qi is in the palace. If he is, summon him here."

The young eunuch agreed and went to deliver the message. He returned shortly with Xiao Lingyan.

After discussing with Zhao Ruxi, Xiao Lingyan planned to enter the capital at a specific time. After arriving in the capital, he returned to the Prince of Qi's Residence and took a bath. Then he heard that Mister Kumu had been summoned to the palace, so he hurriedly went to the palace as well.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ge laughed heartily and said, "What a coincidence! Come, tell your great-uncle how you plan to treat Zhao Zhiwei well if you marry her."

Xiao Lingyan knew his chance to shine had come, and he quickly said, "Uncle, if you are willing to give Miss Zhiwei to me, I am willing to treat her well for the rest of my life, not take concubines, not restrict her, and let her do what she wants."

He paused, then said, "I've said these things to Miss Zhiwei as well."

Kang Shilin glanced at him. "Many people say similar things when they get married, and some even make vows. But in the end, all those vows become empty promises, and those who are meant to be betrayed are still betrayed."

Xiao Lingyan scratched his head. "Then what do I need to do to make my great-uncle believe me?"

Kang Shilin waved his hand. "Whether I believe it or not is useless now. You still have to remember what you just said and treat Zhiwei well for the rest of your life."

Xiao Lingyan nodded vigorously. "I will."

Although Xiao Lingyan didn't use many flowery words, Kang Shilin could see his sincerity.

He cut to the chase and said to Xiao Ge, "After Little Five left Nanyang, Zhiwei was undecided and sent a servant to the capital to ask for my opinion. I read her letter; she was also moved by Little Five's sincerity and is willing to entrust her life to him. Given the love and trust that the Earl of Suiping and his wife, as well as the old lady, have for Zhiwei, they will not object to this marriage as long as she is willing. Therefore, I will now take the liberty of agreeing to this marriage on behalf of the Earl of Suiping's Residence."