I Am This Type of Woman

34

Rong Xia was frozen for a moment, he never thought the Emperor would ask such question. Without thinking he looked up at the Emperor while the corner of his eyes swept on Ban Hua.

Ban Hua was lightly smiling with the air of watching something unrelated to herself. Her eyes were curiously directed at him as if waiting to hear his answer.

"Your Majesty, weichen..... haven't thought of marriage yet," Rong Xia bowed, "This sort of thing can't be rushed."

"Zhen heard many ladies in the Capital are interested in you, is there noone who can move you?" Emperor Yunqing totally didn't get it, getting a wife was very easy with Rong Xia's appearance, status and identity. When he was at Rong Xia's age, the eldest princess had been born.

Rong Xia bowed deeply but didn't answer.

As he didn't seem to be wanting a wife, Emperor Yunqing decided not to pursue a topic the other person disliked. But he still couldn't bear to see a valued official stayed a bachelor with noone caring for him. "Tell zhen when there is a girl you like, zhen will help you to make a match."

"Weichen thanking Your Majesty."

Daye dynasty's emperors wouldn't blindly bestow marriages. It was a lesson they learned from the previous dynasty who lost the world because an idle emperor had casually bestowed a marriage. Unfortunately the husband was partial towards his concubines1 and the wife eventually died of abuse. The wife was from an influential family, and being angry at the emperor for not punishing the husband, they joined hands with a vassal prince to rebel. The huge chaos that followed the incident had allowed their Jiang family to take advantage of the situation.

Actually Emperor Yunqing wanted Rong Xia to marry Shi family girl, but reflecting on the past history he wisely held back on this idea. It's a pity since he had already thought it out so well.

Rong Xia was talented and capable, he was the valued official chosen for the Crown Prince. If Rong Xia and the Crown Prince became relatives by marriage, in the future Rong Xia would be even more loyal.2 He had seen that younger sister of the Crown Princess', she had both talent and beauty. She was the suitable for Rong Xia, the two of them together should be in perfect harmony with matching interests.

Rong Xia didn't seem to feel strongly about man and woman matter, while his second son appeared to have some unspoken attention towards the second miss of Shi family. Shi family had produced a Crown Princess so they shouldn't have a Wangfei as well, this Shi Feixian totally couldn't marry his second son. It was also for this reason that he decided on Xie family girl for him.

Fine, fine. Good thing that Rong Xia was an upright man, there was no need to use marriage to bind him. When the Crown Prince had ascended to the throne, he would certainly do his best to support him.

Exiting the Great Moon Palace, Rong Xia turned to the Ban brother and sister who were walking behind him, "Junzhu, Shizi, we are fated to meet. How about a meal together at Hundred Flavours restaurant?"

Ban Heng looked at Ban Hua, after she nodded, Ban Heng said, "Thanking Master Count then."

Out of the Palace gate after the eunuch seeing them off had left, Ban Hua asked in lowered voice, "Did His Majesty call us today because of the incident at His Highness Changqing-wang place?"

"Junzhu, don't mention this matter to anyone outside the Palace." Rong Xia said in serious tone, "This is not a good thing."

Ban Heng and Ban Hua nodded in unison. Ban Heng turned to the towering palace walls,3 shook his head, "I really don't understand, what's good in there."

Ban Hua didn't find it difficult to understand, "Wealth, beauties, and power beyond your dreams in there, how is it not good?" If it hadn't been good, how come so many people wanted that seat, was it due to the love for common people?