Chapter 458: The Royal Approach

Chapter 458

Jiang Chengyu recklessly hit the Eldest Prince, but he insisted on taking the blame even though he was the one wrongly beaten. He did not explain and silently endured.

The Ju Noble Consort and her son were still complaining beside them. The Imperial Court's frown turned from tight to relaxed, then tight again.

"Zhu Changyu, what exactly is going on?" He yelled, looking at this seldom noticed son.

The Second Prince pursed his lips, his voice bitter, "Your son happened to see Eldest Brother on the way. I did not know what had happened. I only knew that as soon as Eldest Brother opened his eyes, he hit me..."

"As soon as he opened his eyes and saw you, who else could it be?" The Eldest Prince retorted almost immediately.

The Second Prince innocently raised and lowered his hands.

The feeling of being wrongly accused and slandered yet unable to defend himself afflicted everyone present.

Some young ladies' eyes brimmed with distress and pity emerged in their hearts. Even the easygoing Qi Yue showed some shame.

Jiang Sheng's heart thumped.

She seemed to understand that this Second Prince was soliciting the young ladies' sympathy and perhaps even seeking a good marriage opportunity.

This person's schemes were quite deep, yet he had truly helped several young ladies like Yao Siqing and Dou Jingyi see through the truth. They did not show contempt for him.

He had gained face, status, everything.

The price was a beating.

If Jiang Sheng did not have her beloved Fifth Elder Brother, perhaps she would also sympathize with the Second Prince, and even admire him against her better judgment.

She pursed her lips, hesitating whether she should remind Changyuan.

The currently complaining Ju Noble Consort seemed to think of something as well and warily asked, "Hong'er, are you sure it was the Second Prince who hit you?"

Forget that they were targeting the Jiang and Dou families' daughters. Even if it was to stand up for them, it was not the timid and soft-spoken Second Prince's place.

The Eldest Prince seemed to be stumped by the question and hesitated for a moment.

First, he was caught off guard and struck on the back of the head, falling to the ground already dizzy. Then he was slapped by a big slap that he could not open his eyes. He really did not see clearly who it was, only vaguely hearing a girl's voice.

If he said it outright, not only would he be unable to explain why he appeared in the side hall, but being unable to defeat a girl would also become a laughing stock. No matter how he thought about it, it was not worth it.

It was better to blame the unpleasant Second Prince to nip that ignorant brat's competitive heart in the bud. RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

As if having expected this, Xu Mo was standing tall and upright in the center waiting.

"Big Brother!" She rushed over in three or two steps. "What are you doing here?"

"I just finished talking to the young master of the He Family," Xu Mo stroked her head. "How are you? Were you able to protect your young mistresses?"

Jiang Sheng pulled up the corners of her mouth in a smile. "I only protected Eldest Young Lady Dou. I couldn't protect the other young ladies."

Judging from the situation outside, they should proceed to the marriage arrangements.

With the Jiang, Dou, and Yao families untouchable, the Fang, Zhu, Tao families on their side, the Chu family's stance ambiguous, and the He family having no suitable young ladies, the Min Family was indeed the only choice.

The Eldest Prince binding the Min Family was equivalent to binding the Third Princess, as well as binding the Third Princess' future son-in-law's family in the future. It could be described as killing two birds with one stone.

As for the Min young lady who lost her handkerchief, who cared?

"In any case, the Eldest Prince looks most like he will ascend to the throne." Xu Mo comforted in a low voice. "The Min Family must have the intention to ride the tide. Otherwise they would always find excuses to refuse."

While what he said made sense, if not for the Third Princess and Min Consort in the harem, without that handkerchief as enticement, perhaps the Min Family would not have taken the initiative to join the Eldest Prince either.

After all, the Ju Noble Consort was skilled at scheming and chose an easy target.

The people outside Yanhui Pavilion gradually returned. The Ju Noble Consort was delighted and even held the Min family girl's hand, seemingly trying hard to compensate.

The Second Prince had retreated. The marriage arrangements were thus postponed to the Third Princess.

But after all, she was a lady from a good family, perhaps also angered by the previous incident. She kept her head lowered shyly.

The Min Consort then said at the right time, "Your Majesty, concubine selection should still be the main event today."

So the matter slid back down to the Fourth Prince. Just as the Consort Chu's brows moved, seemingly about to say something, the Fourth Prince suddenly knelt on the ground. "Your son does not want to marry. Your son only wishes to remain single. Please grant your son this wish, Father."

The Imperial Court's expression froze in shock, glanced at the Yao father and daughter, and finally frowned.

"A Le, get up," the Consort Chu urged somewhat anxiously as well. "Today is specially set for the concubine selection feast. It is His Majesty's care and pampering of the princes and princesses."

"Your son knows all this and is grateful to Father. But your son has made up his mind not to marry. Please understand, Father." The Fourth Prince responded in a muffled voice.

Displeasure showed on the face of the one sitting on the dragon throne, but just as he was about to get angry, the Fourth Prince's robe slipped, revealing his crippled, deformed lame leg.

His expression froze instantly. After a long while, he found his voice again, "If you won't marry, then you won't. Forget it."