Seeing their silence, Xiao An finally felt it was pointless and waved his hand, "Fine, fine, it's settled. Since everyone is willing, why should I be the villain? Xiao Shunzi, go tell Jingyun to handle this on my behalf. No matter how it turns out, don't come back to me."
Xiao Shunzi understood the Emperor's intentions perfectly – he was washing his hands of the matter and didn't want to be bothered any further. The rest was up to them.
Upon hearing Xiao Shunzi's message, Xiao Jingyun was overjoyed and personally came to find Chen Xiaobei to share the good news immediately.
Chen Xiaobei listened to the Crown Prince's explanation and couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and despair. He said with a helpless expression, "Your Highness, Ru Mei is still in the Great Tu Kingdom, her fate unknown. If you ask me to marry the princess now, won't the people of the world point fingers at me?"
Xiao Jingyun smiled faintly, "Don't worry. Father has already decreed that you will be bestowed the title of驸马 (Fù mǎ - consort to a princess) as a reward. Coincidentally, Father has ordered a three-day celebration. We can use this occasion to finalize your marriage to Jingfeng. As for when the wedding will take place, that can wait until you find Liu Ru Mei, can't it?"
Chen Xiaobei finally understood. The proposal was to betroth him to Princess Zhaoning first, and the timing of his becoming a 驸马 would depend on when Liu Ru Mei was found.
This was Xiao Jingyun's compromise, and Chen Xiaobei found it marginally acceptable.
"Your Highness, as you said, to marry, one needs parental consent and a matchmaker's word. I lost my parents at a young age, so I should inform Lord Liu about this matter. My father-in-law, my true parent!"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Xiao Jingyun secretly nodded, impressed by his decision.
"Very well, brother Xiaobei, I will speak to him on your behalf!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. It was indeed difficult for him to broach the subject himself, so having someone else do it was a relief.
Seeing Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Chen Xiaobei arrive together,
Liu Xiangnan was somewhat surprised. He respectfully welcomed Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun into the living room, inviting the Crown Prince to the honored seat, while Chen Xiaobei sat below to accompany him.
"Your Highness, why have you honored my humble abode with your presence today? What is your instruction?"
Xiao Jingyun looked at Chen Xiaobei and said with a full smile, "Minister Liu, do you recall the oral decree from Father? He promised Princess Jingfeng to whoever rendered the greatest service in resisting the Great Tu Kingdom."
Liu Xiangnan was taken aback at first, looking at Chen Xiaobei with some surprise.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei remain silent, Liu Xiangnan was puzzled. He had heard about this matter but was unsure of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's intentions.
Since Liu Xiangnan did not attend the morning court, he was not as well-informed about court affairs.
Xiao Jingyun, with a smile, said respectfully, "Lord Liu, after discussing with Father, we've concluded that Chen Xiaobei, my brother Chen, rendered the greatest service."
Hearing Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's words, Liu Xiangnan was stunned. The change in address from "Minister" to "Lord" was unusual.
Being a man of high position for a long time, his mind was sharp. He quickly realized that by saying Chen Xiaobei had the greatest merit, the implication was that the princess was to be betrothed to him, which seemed impossible.
Therefore, in this situation, Liu Xiangnan feigned ignorance, "Your Highness is wise, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun smiled faintly, "Father said that as a ruler, one must keep one's word. He said he wishes to betroth Jingfeng to brother Xiaobei."
Liu Xiangnan was also very surprised by this. He looked at Chen Xiaobei in astonishment. Chen Xiaobei wore a bitter expression, "Esteemed father-in-law, I have tried my best to decline, but His Highness the Crown Prince insists it is the Emperor's command, and I am truly..."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's helpless demeanor, Liu Xiangnan felt a bit comforted. At least his future son-in-law wasn't acting overly presumptuous in front of him.
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun quickly added, "Minister, Chen Xiaobei states he is an orphan with no parents. You, his father-in-law, are his family. Therefore, the proper courtesies must be observed. We shall become engaged. Minister, you will then be brother Xiaobei's guardian."
Hearing this, Liu Xiangnan was speechless. His own daughter had not yet returned, and now he was to support another's wedding ceremony, and the one marrying was his own son-in-law. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable it felt.
But his discomfort was of no use. The arrow was already on the string and had to be shot.
With this thought, Liu Xiangnan nodded slightly, "The Crown Prince speaks truly. A son-in-law is half a son. Since my daughter is to marry Chen Xiaobei, I am fully capable of making decisions for him."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun got straight to the point, "Father has instructed me to oversee this matter. I believe we should take advantage of the current celebrations in the next couple of days to finalize this joyous occasion."
Liu Xiangnan blinked in surprise at Xiao Jingyun's words, then burst into laughter, "Good, good! Then let us proceed with this matter as quickly as possible."
After laughing, Liu Xiangnan looked at Xiao Jingyun and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, please rest assured. If there is anything I, Liu Xiangnan, can do, I will not refuse."
Xiao Jingyun smiled at his words.
This was exactly the attitude he wanted from Liu Xiangnan. At least this showed that he did not have major objections to Chen Xiaobei becoming a royal 驸马.
This put Xiao Jingyun's mind at ease.
Xiao Jingyun bowed slightly again, maintaining sufficient respect for Liu Xiangnan, "Minister, since you agree, I will make arrangements upon my return. You will only need to wait for the wedding banquet."
After sending off Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, only Chen Xiaobei and Liu Xiangnan remained in the living room. The conversation between the father-in-law and son-in-law became somewhat awkward.
Chen Xiaobei quickly admitted his fault, "Esteemed father-in-law, it is not that I wished to marry the princess. But His Highness the Crown Prince insisted, and I was truly unable to refuse!"
To Chen Xiaobei's surprise, Liu Xiangnan burst into laughter, "My worthy son-in-law, do not dwell on these trivial matters. I will ask you this: are you sincere towards Huang Ying?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Esteemed father-in-law, please be assured, I am indeed sincere towards her."
"And what about Cui Hongyu?"
"Esteemed father-in-law, Cui Hongyu is still in my hometown, Hetou Village."
Liu Xiangnan nodded slightly. It seemed he had not completely lost his head.
"Putting these two aside, what about Ru Mei? Are you worried about her?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's expression turned solemn. He stood up and respectfully bowed to Liu Xiangnan.
"Esteemed father-in-law, of course, my heart is also with Ru Mei. I cannot eat or sleep well while she is in the Northern Kingdom!"
Hearing his words, Liu Xiangnan nodded slightly, "As long as you keep them in your heart, that is enough."