Chapter 582: About to Marry the Two Sisters

Zhu Youxiao was lost in wild thoughts, while everything else continued to proceed according to plan.

The atmosphere at the banquet grew even livelier, because everything had been resolved, and everyone drank without much restraint.

Especially Wukeshan and Zhang Muhe — the two of them drank too much in their excitement. As for how much of it was put on and how much was genuine, that was anyone's guess.

Zhu Youxiao didn't bother to probe into it deeply, because this matter couldn't be probed deeply. If he did, it would only stir up a lot of trouble.

Under such circumstances, Zhu Youxiao also drank himself into a slight buzz. After returning to his lodgings, he went straight to sleep.

After all, he had nothing left to handle — the remaining matters could be left to others, and they would all do a fine job.

He slept through the night without a single dream, straight through to the next day.

The next morning, Zhu Youxiao woke up a bit late. The wine he'd drunk the night before still had some effect on him.

Come to think of it, since arriving in the Great Ming Dynasty, it had been a long time since he'd drunk like this. It seemed his mood yesterday had truly been good.

Zhu Youxiao shook his head; his head felt a bit swollen.

Though it wasn't a hangover, the feeling was still somewhat unpleasant. Next time he'd have to drink less.

At that moment, someone walked softly to Zhu Youxiao's side, handed him a cup of tea, and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

The moment the voice reached him, Zhu Youxiao was startled.

Because it was a woman's voice.

Since ascending the throne, he had spent a long time staying put in the capital, but in truth he could hardly be called a settled emperor — he was always on the move, looking around, stirring things up everywhere.

Over all these years, he had never brought a woman out with him. The reason was simple: the medical technology of this era was far too backward, and he didn't want to end up with a life on his hands.

At the same time, having a woman by his side sometimes made handling matters inconvenient. Aside from the one woman he'd brought back from Jiangnan, he had never brought any other woman back to the palace — which was a rare thing for an emperor.

This time, coming to Liaodong, he had no other women by his side at all.

At this thought, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel somewhat annoyed.

How had Chen Hong handled things? How had a woman gotten all the way to the Emperor's bedside?

He looked up at the woman — as expected, it was Da Yu'er.

But even so, Zhu Youxiao was still furious inside. No matter who it was, no one should have been let in so easily.

Lifting his head and looking around, Zhu Youxiao spotted Chen Hong standing not far away.

Chen Hong's expression was extremely awkward, looking at a loss for what to do. He had already realized Zhu Youxiao was angry, and could only hope the punishment wouldn't be too severe.

Zhu Youxiao shot Chen Hong a glance but said nothing. Fortunately, he knew Chen Hong had been keeping watch nearby — otherwise, that man would definitely have been punished.

Still, Zhu Youxiao understood Chen Hong's intent — he wanted the Emperor to have a woman to attend to him. The reason for the attendance was simple enough: the Emperor had been alone out here for too long.

Of course, it didn't mean attending to him below the waist — it meant attending to him in bed.

It was just that he'd gone straight to sleep last night, which had shattered Chen Hong's scheme. This matter couldn't be let go so easily; he'd have to deal with Chen Hong later.

Taking the teacup in hand, Zhu Youxiao reached out and held Bumbutai's hand, saying, "You don't need to do these things."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao raised the cup and took a sip.

The temperature of the tea was just right — warm and soothing to the throat. After drinking it down, Zhu Youxiao felt considerably better all over.

A smile on her face, Bumbutai said in a gentle tone, "Being able to attend to Your Majesty is my fortune. There are still many days ahead, and these tasks are no trouble at all. Your Majesty shouldn't say such things."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao merely nodded.

He had only been being polite just now.

Zhu Youxiao stood up and stretched his limbs, saying, "I should go out and get some exercise. Also, is breakfast ready? I'm feeling a bit hungry — come to think of it, I didn't eat much last night."

"In answer to Your Majesty, it's already prepared." Chen Hong hurriedly replied from the side. "Shall I have it brought up now?"

"Let's wash up first." Zhu Youxiao said after a moment's thought.

His stomach was completely empty now, and he could keenly feel the hollow sensation below his throat — that was hunger.

Under such circumstances, he shouldn't go exercise. Exercising on an empty stomach wasn't good — food first. Today's workout would be skipped; he'd slack off for one day.

Soon, breakfast was brought up.

Zhu Youxiao first drank a bowl of congee, then turned to look at Bumbutai, who was eating with him, and said, "Regarding the marriage — I thought it over last night. Originally I planned to hold it back in the capital, but now I think that wouldn't be appropriate."

Hearing this, Bumbutai was startled. She looked up at Zhu Youxiao, waiting for him to continue.

Rules like "no talking while eating, no speaking while in bed" naturally didn't apply to Zhu Youxiao — he did whatever he pleased.

Zhu Youxiao continued, "This marriage, I've decided to hold it in Shenyang. When the time comes, have your parents and brothers all come to attend, and have them see you off to Shenyang. That would be most fitting."

Hearing this, a grateful expression appeared on Bumbutai's face.

If the grand wedding could be held in Shenyang, that would naturally be the best outcome. The more splendid the ceremony, the more benefits her family would gain.

Zhu Youxiao thought the same way — holding the wedding in Shenyang was more appropriate; the capital would actually be unsuitable.

If they made a fuss in the capital, it would easily waste money and exhaust the people, inviting unnecessary trouble later on. The current arrangement was the best possible — it would show those Mongols something.

"I'll do whatever Your Majesty says." Bumbutai lowered her head, her face reddened, speaking with a hint of shyness.

Her appearance stirred something in Zhu Youxiao.

Come to think of it, he'd been in Liaodong for so long now that he really did miss that sort of thing. When he'd first arrived, he hadn't thought it was a big deal, but as the days dragged on, it became harder to bear.

Still, this wasn't the time — Zhu Youxiao concealed it well.

After the two finished breakfast, Zhu Youxiao took Bumbutai for a stroll and said to her, "What about your sister? Have her come over today — let's walk and talk together."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bumbutai agreed once more. She understood that this time it was for show, for outsiders to see.

Even the Great Ming Emperor's earlier proposal to hold the grand wedding in Shenyang was probably also meant to be shown to those people.

The news spread quickly — Zhu Youxiao was to hold a grand wedding in Shenyang, marrying the daughters of Khorchin.

Originally it was one, but now it had become two. It was said that Khorchin's great beauty, Hailanzhu, had already arrived in Shenyang and had been received by the Great Ming Emperor.

For a time, rumors spread everywhere, and the Mongols were thrown into panic and unrest.

In truth, the smaller tribes had very strong adaptability and switched sides very quickly. If you Khorchin and the five tribes of Inner Khalkha had all surrendered, what were the rest of them supposed to do?

Naturally, they'd go with the wind. There was just one thing they couldn't do anything about — the Great Ming Emperor hadn't enfeoffed their leaders as kings.

Under such circumstances, there were many things that simply couldn't be done. Take the matter of granting surnames, for instance — they wanted to pursue it, but there was no way. How could an emperor of the Great Ming possibly grant you a surname?

But even if there was no way, they had to find one. They could create difficulties where none existed and push ahead anyway.

These people went directly to Sun Chengzong and put forward their own ideas.

In fact, Sun Chengzong had never expected they would propose such an idea.

Under the leadership of the Ordos, these small tribes had actually formed an alliance. Although there was no formal pact yet, the people in Shenyang had already drawn rapidly closer, even uniform in outward form.

On the matter of names and surnames, they moved very quickly, directly stating their attitude.

It didn't matter that the Emperor wouldn't grant us surnames — we could choose our own. But there was one condition: the Great Ming must officially recognize our surname. You couldn't just say it was something we made up ourselves — that wouldn't do.

To put it plainly, they wanted to be on equal standing with the Inner Khalkha and the Khorchin.

This news quickly reached Zhu Youxiao through Sun Chengzong.

Looking at Sun Chengzong before him, Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then said: "Sun Shi, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

"Your minister believes we can agree to their request." Sun Chengzong thought for a moment, then said: "If only two tribes remained on the grasslands, that would be disadvantageous to our Great Ming. Since all three parties are present, let all three parties remain. Otherwise, once we withdraw, those small tribes will likely be swallowed up."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded thoughtfully.

In fact, he held the same view. A triangle was the most stable relationship; two powers dominating alone was not a good thing. After he left, they would begin annexing these small tribes.

If they were willing to form an alliance, then he too was willing to go with the current and give them a push.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Sun Chengzong and asked: "Who came from the Ordos? What is his name?"

Although Zhu Youxiao had paid some attention to these small tribes, it was truly not enough. However, the Ordos tribe had captured his attention — after all, in later ages, Ordos was also a name of great renown.

Hearing this, Sun Chengzong quickly said: "This time, the Ordos sent Hasal, the son of their tribe's chieftain. He holds a very high position and is a very clever man."

Indeed, he was a very clever man — the moment he returned, he knew to organize an alliance. That was not something just anyone could do.

Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, then said: "Sun Shi, when you return, immediately bring this Hasal to me. I wish to meet him and discuss the matter of their alliance with him."

For the Great Ming not to get involved in this matter, not to lend support from behind, would run completely counter to the interests of the Great Ming — and to Zhu Youxiao's own character.

——————