Chapter 718: Father and Son

"Then that is settled." Imperial Concubine Mi let her beautiful eyes linger on Zhao Xu's face, then glanced at Yang Susu, whose face was as red as an apple, covered her mouth to chuckle softly, and boarded the carriage.

Zhao Xu felt it would be awkward for him to stay, so he hurriedly said, "Mother Concubine, I will see you off."

The two departed.

Yang Feng laughed heartily, "It is truly the protection of our ancestors that Imperial Concubine Mi has taken a fancy to my, Yang Feng's, granddaughter."

Stroking his graying beard, he looked at Yang Susu, who still had a shy, flushed face, "Susu, His Highness the Yan Wang is an outstanding talent. Being able to enter the Prince's Mansion is a blessing our Yang Family has cultivated for three generations. As the Princess, you must strictly observe your duties, manage the internal affairs, and share the burdens for His Highness."

"That's right, in the future, as long as you and your husband are loving, that is enough. Your father and grandfather do not seek wealth or status." Tears flickered in Yang Zhen's eyes.

Separated for over ten years, he only wanted to compensate his daughter.

He was happy, not because Yang Susu was marrying into the Prince's Mansion to bring glory to the family.

But because his daughter truly had a good place to settle down.

After all, the Yan Wang was well-read and knowledgeable, upright in character, and diligent in governing and loving the people.

He could be called the wisest among the wise princes.

Furthermore, the Yan Wang himself was also handsome and dashing.

"Father... you two are so eager to marry me off." Yang Susu pouted.

Yang Zhen suddenly smiled very ambiguously, "Then, shall Father call off this marriage?"

Hearing this, Yang Susu clenched the corners of her clothes with both hands.

She gave a light huff, turned around, and headed toward her boudoir.

"Hahaha... truly, a grown daughter cannot be kept; she is clearly happy in her heart." Yang Feng shook his head with his hands behind his back.

"Although Susu comes from a military family and has a bit of a heroic spirit, she still has the reserve of a young woman," Yang Zhen said.

Only the father and son remained, exchanging words.

At this moment, Yang Feng's expression suddenly turned gloomy, "So you have been serving as a general under His Highness all along; why did you only come to see me and Susu now?"

Yang Zhen was so frightened that his legs trembled slightly, and he said, "Father, I was afraid you would beat me..."

"Do you think I won't beat you now?" Having said that, Yang Feng picked up the broom from behind the door and struck Yang Zhen head-on, "You heartless thing, not a word of news for over ten years, and even when you knew that I and Susu had come to Yanzhou, you didn't come to see us..."

Yang Zhen clutched his head, taking the blows from the broom, and had to keep smiling.

He had returned to the Guogong Fu and had just reunited with his father and daughter when Imperial Concubine Mi arrived right after.

The father and son had not yet had a chance to say a few words.

Now that Yang Feng had come to his senses, he naturally had to discipline him.

However, although he was being beaten, his heart felt as sweet as honey...

At the same time.

Zhao Xu and Imperial Concubine Mi arrived at the Imperial Villa.

By the lotus pond in the courtyard, the two found Zhao Heng.

Imperial Concubine Mi reported to Zhao Heng about the proposal at the Yi State Duke Mansion.

At this moment, Zhao Heng was holding a pot of Wine,

and was painting the lotus flowers in the pond.

Hearing this, he turned his head and said, "Since that is the case, I shall issue an Imperial Edict to choose an auspicious day for the Yang Family's daughter to marry Xu."

Then, he said to Zhao Xu, "Xu, are you satisfied with this marriage?"

"Since Father and Mother Concubine have carefully selected her, I am naturally pleased," Zhao Xu said.

Regarding this marriage, he was not as shy as Yang Susu.

After all, he came from the modern era and was not like the ancients who were shy about such matters.

Since he arrived here, he had first come into contact with Feng'er and Luan'er, then met Xu E, and later Nian Yuyan.

Feng'er and Luan'er were his maids, and although there was ambiguity between him and Xu E, due to her status at Tianxiang Lou,

he had always been on guard against her in his heart, so naturally, there was no affection to speak of.

As for Nian Yuyan, he had a prior marriage contract with her, but the two had little interaction and it was only due to mutual interests.

Among the many women, only Yang Susu was suitable to be his Princess.

Firstly, when Yang Susu was in Jingshi, her beauty was renowned in Jinling.

Secondly, after Yang Feng was demoted to Yanzhou, he had developed a slight affection for this woman who had shared hardships with Yang Feng, doing needlework and making tofu to support the household every day.

Of course, there was another point: the marriage alliance with the Yang Family was also beneficial for his control over the military.

After all, Yang Zhen held the Ningjin Army in his hands.

In the future, he would need the Ningjin Army to take charge of the North Territory.

"That is good. Once you have an heir, people's hearts will be more at ease," Zhao Heng laughed.

Zhao Xu was stunned for a moment; the ministers had always been very concerned about the Emperor's heirs.

In their view, only when the Emperor had an heir would the country be stable.

Although he was not the Emperor, he was currently the actual controller of the Great Song Dynasty Imperial Court.

The principle was the same.

Moreover, not only Zhao Heng, but Chang Wei and Liu Fu had also alluded to this matter to him.

It could be said that this was something hoped for by the new officials led by Liu Fu and Chang Wei, as well as the old officials led by Yang Feng.

"Yes, Father," Zhao Xu looked at Zhao Heng.

When he first arrived in Yancheng, Zhao Heng's complexion was sallow, looking as if he had been hollowed out by wine and women.

But now, his face was ruddy and he was full of spirit, as if he had completely changed into a different person.

After all, he no longer had to worry about state affairs and only needed to enjoy himself.

And because of Zhao Xu, he did not dare to engage in romantic affairs behind Imperial Concubine Mi's back.

He looked exactly like a father who had lost his authority, forced to watch the expressions of his son and wife.

Because Zhao Heng was sensible, Zhao Xu did not treat him poorly.

Every day, Fine Wine from the Prince's Mansion was supplied to him, and any novel gadgets would also be sent to him, such as Pocket Watches or pendulum clocks.

Aside from lacking the authority of an Emperor, his life was still very comfortable and at ease.

After staying at the Imperial Villa for a while, Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

With his marriage settled, the rest could be left to the Ministry of Rites; they would select an auspicious date.

……

Lincheng.

At the time the Ross envoy Ivan arrived in Yancheng, Sun Zheng, the Vice Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, had already been in Lincheng for three days.

Emperor Liang Kai of Wu would not see him, nor had he allowed any officials to host him.

For these past few days, he had been paying for his own meals with his own Silver.

Clearly, his arrival at the Lincheng Pier aboard a Yanzhou Warship had caused the Liang Family some shame and annoyance.

Just as he thought that Liang Kai would continue to leave him out in the cold today.

At this moment, a eunuch arrived at the inn where he was staying, "Vice Director Sun, the Emperor wishes to see you; follow me."

Sun Zheng remained calm, neither servile nor overbearing.

Adjusting his attire, he followed the eunuch toward the Imperial Palace.

As the Vice Director of the Imperial Court's Court of State Ceremonial, he naturally had to care about his personal image, as it concerned the face of Yan Wang.

This time, his mission to Wu was to dissolve the Eastern Land Alliance, not to beg Wu.

Along the way to the Imperial Palace, he was led to the Imperial Garden.

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing a Dragon Robe stood with his back to him, seemingly admiring the flowers.

This was the current Emperor of Wu, Liang Kai.

"What business does Yan Wang have sending you here? Could it be that he just wants to show off his military might to Us?" The eunuch stepped forward to remind Liang Kai.

Liang Kai turned around and looked at Sun Zheng, his gaze cold and stern.

Three days ago, twelve Yanzhou Warships had suddenly appeared in the waters outside Lincheng, giving him quite a fright.

Only after Sun Zheng clarified that he was merely there on a diplomatic mission did he heave a sigh of relief.

Under the protection of the Imperial Guards, he had snuck to the Pier to take a look at Yan Wang's Warships.

Seeing that the Yanzhou Warships were indeed as massive as the rumors claimed, he felt both envious and alarmed.

Thus, he had intentionally left Yan Wang's envoy hanging for a few days.

To demonstrate that his Wu would not be intimidated by the Yanzhou Warships.