Chapter 45: The imperial edict (2)
" Prince Tian You I hope you do not disappoint His Majesty," Wei eunuch added when we all stood up. "Also princess his majesty hopes you can go back to the palace with me as you cannot meet with Tian You before your marriage," confirmed Wei Eunuch as Princess Chiu Yeung nodded "I'll begin to pack up and head back to the palace in 2 hours,". She left with An-Ping as I turned back to Wei eunuch and asked "Has His Majesty set a date for the marriages yet?" he shook his head in reply "The imperial astronomer needs to find an auspicious date. When he has His Majesty will inform you,". "Oh, right then can you make sure that Tian An gets married before me?" I suggested. Wei Eunuch looked the other way and muttered "This is not according to the law,". "Oh," I retorted "It's not according to the law? Then I wonder what law is it not according to Wei eunuch?" Wei eunuch immediately kneeled and stammered "I'm sorry your highness I will relay your message to His Majesty," I nodded and asked him to wait outside. I also dismissed all of the maids and servants on duty only leaving Yu Xuan to guard outside. I asked him to close the door as Yu Xuan walked out.
"Alright, you guys can ask any question now," I advised. "Um, I just wanna know why is Xiao... Ming Yu was given the title Xin Zhu instead of Jun Zhu because I heard from my friends that the daughters of royalty get given the title Jun Zhu if they aren't directly related to His Majesty," Sun Mu Chen asked tentatively before Tian Jing kicked him in the shins. "Ge ge Mu Chen doesn't know much about the upper-class world. Please don't blame him," she added. "It's fine," I assured "Ming Yu could never become Jun Zhu because Tian Jing is of Jun Zhu status. If her daughter is also of Jun Zhu status then Ming Yu will be talked bad off for being in the same status as her Niang. However, if a Jun Zhu were to marry a prince most likely she would be promoted to being a princess if she isn't then in this special case her daughter would also be a Jun Zhu," I explained carefully "But this case is hardly known,". Sun Mu Chen nodded at me as if he understood. "Ge his majesty didn't confirm you a title does that he's gonna give you a chance to fight for Prince Regent's position?" Tian An asked. 'Aiyo Tian An you always ask the most reasonable questions.
"Tian An nobody can become the Crown Prince. You can only have a chance to become the crown prince if you are the emperor's direct son. Since His Majesty doesn't have any sons then it's either he chooses his heir from one of his nephews. This person can only be crowned as Prince Regent next in line after His Majesty. His Majesty has left all of his nephews uncrowned without a title, not just me. And besides, I don't want to be the Prince Regent. I can't be the Prince Regent," I admitted.
I never wanted all of this, I never wanted to be engaged with her. Tian Jing, I think what you said before is quite correct. The happiest I feel is when I'm with those monkeys in Moon Valley. Although they're always so much troublesome matters to deal with I was happier there. When I'm married I really cannot set out of this fight. The fight for the heir position will begin when all of the princes in my generation starts to make a move. Li Wei*(1) is Prince Nan's only son but he still hasn't made a move since Prince Nan died 2 years ago. But Prince Li Wei has always been a pacifist. So he would likely not fight for the crown. Then there's Prince Rong who has three sons yet he still hasn't named an heir out of his sons. There is also Prince Bei, Prince Dong, Prince Xi and Prince Chen who've sons. The princess in His Majesty's generation don't count as most of them are married off already.
I dismissed everyone back into their room as I headed off to the study to look carefully at the notes on the royal family that was given by Joeng Ki.
Glossary:
1. Li Wei: aged 25, good friends with everyone, a pacifist. They Married Yan Xiu Jiang the daughter of a 5th-grade officer who was given the title of Marquis after his daughter married Li Wei. Has a daughter and son.