Chapter 494: Time to Get Married

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Huanhuan was in the courtyard playing with Zhu Qiongwu.

Seeing her father come in, she stood up and, seemingly casually, asked, "Father, have you gone out?"

Zhu Yong glanced at his daughter and said, "I went to the school outside the city for a walk."

Zhu Huanhuan's face flushed instantly; she lowered her head, clutched her hem, and fell silent.

Zhu Yong looked at her, sighed inwardly, "That girl, just like her mother, can't hide what's in her heart on her face."

"I've met him: Gu Xian, twenty‑one, from Jinling, his family runs silk and tea businesses, he's read books, trained in martial arts, his character is upright, neither servile nor arrogant.

Your eye for talent is good."

Zhu Huanhuan's face reddened further, but she still lifted her head and said to her father, "Father, then you…"

"Whether you're satisfied or not, we still need to see more; when your grandpa selected a consort, the Brocade Guard observed him secretly for months, confirming flawless conduct before deciding.

Your grandpa's rules must not be broken."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and said, "Father, I understand."

Zhu Huanhuan carried Zhu Qiongwu into the house. Zhu Yong stood in the courtyard, staring blankly at the old locust tree.

Guanyin Nu walked over and stood beside him, "Prince, have you met Gu Xian?"

"I've met him."

"How is he?"

"Not bad; his character, talent, and family background are all acceptable, neither servile nor arrogant, sincere to others, not the type who clings to power."

Guanyin Nu nodded and asked, "Then what are you still waiting for?"

"Waiting for the Brocade Guard to investigate further—whether he has any bad habits, whether his family has any messy affairs, and whether he truly matches Huan Huan.

Huan Huan is our daughter; she cannot be married off casually."

Guanyin Nu said nothing more.

Half a month later, the Brocade Guard delivered a detailed investigation report.

Zhu Yong finished reading the report and placed the paper on the table.

"Wang Gui, go summon the Crown Prince, tell him this Prince has matters to discuss with him."

Wang Gui responded with a nod and turned away.

In less than half an hour, Zhu Biao rushed over from the Eastern Palace, dressed in moon‑white everyday robes, a jade sash at his waist, smiling on his face.

"Second brother, why the hurry?"

Zhu Yong recounted Gu Xian's matter.

Zhu Biao, after listening, laughed, "Did Huan Huan find him herself?"

Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Biao picked up the Brocade Guard's report, read it from start to finish, set it down, and nodded, saying it was indeed good; the family background, character, and talent were all acceptable.

"Elder brother, what do you think?"

"I think it's fine, but we still need to test him further."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and said, "Second brother, arrange an opportunity for me to meet him."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Alright, I'll arrange it tomorrow."

The next afternoon, Zhu Yong sent someone to invite Gu Xian into a small courtyard.

Gu Xian wore a half‑worn blue shirt, his hair neatly combed, and carried a paper parcel, saying it contained osmanthus cakes for the household children, made by his own shop, worth only a few coins.

Zhu Yong took the cakes and offered him a seat.

Gu Xian sat down, his back straight as a ruler, his gaze unwavering.

Zhu Biao walked in from outside, dressed in plain clothes, like an ordinary scholar.

Zhu Yong stood up and introduced, "This is my elder brother."

Gu Xian quickly rose, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "Gu Xian has seen you, sir."

Zhu Biao waved his hand, telling him to sit, and sat down himself.

He sized up Gu Xian and asked, "Mr. Gu, what books have you read?"

"I've read the Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean; I've also read some Zuo Zhuan and Shiji."

"Have you read military texts?"

"I've read Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Six Strategies, but not thoroughly."

"What about martial arts?"

"I studied swordsmanship and horsemanship for a few years with a retired veteran of the Longxiang Army; I'm not masterful, but I can defend myself."

Zhu Biao nodded and asked, "What do you think of Europeans?"

Gu Xian thought for a moment, "Europeans are also people, just like us, with good and evil; their culture differs from ours, but it's not without merit."

"They excel in arithmetic, astronomy, shipbuilding, and such, worth our learning; the Prince has the Crown Prince send scholars and Taoists to teach them the sage classics, letting them read the Analects and Mencius, which is a good thing."

"Culture is not a sword; it cannot be forced, it must come gradually. The Prince is assimilating them from the roots, which is more powerful than war."

Zhu Biao's mouth twitched slightly upward. This man speaks honestly, neither servile nor arrogant, and is insightful.

"Mr. Gu, your family runs a business; what do you intend to do in the future? Continue the business, or become a teacher?"

Gu Xian was silent for a moment, then said, "Sir, I wish to take the imperial examinations. My brothers can look after the business; I've studied for many years and want to try. If I pass, that's best; if not, I won't regret it, and I can return to teach."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong exchanged glances, each seeing satisfaction in the other's eyes.

Zhu Biao stood up and said, "Mr. Gu, sorry for the disturbance today; you may return."

Gu Xian also rose, clasped his hands, and took his leave.

The room fell quiet. Zhu Biao looked at his brother and laughed, "Second brother, this man is indeed fine."

"Elder brother feels the same?"

"Hmm, he is learned and insightful, treats people sincerely without being servile or arrogant, Huan Huan has a good eye, but I still have to let father and mother see, especially mother…"

Zhu Biao patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Alright, you make the decision! I still have a document to approve, I'm leaving now."

Zhu Yong escorted his elder brother to the doorway, then turned and headed back toward Wu Wang Fu.

Guanyin Nu stepped out of the house and asked, "What did elder brother say?"

"Elder brother said it's fine."

Guanyin Nu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then what are you still waiting for?"

Zhu Yong gave no reply; he sat on the corridor steps, staring blankly at the locust tree in the courtyard.

Zhu Huanhuan came out of the house, crouched before her father and said, "Father."

Zhu Yong looked at his daughter and said, "Huan Huan, that Gu Xian…"

"What do you think of him?"

Zhu Huanhuan was silent for a moment before speaking, "Father, I think he is a good man, learned and insightful, treats people sincerely without being servile or arrogant, unlike other men."

"If you think he's good, that's enough; father and your uncle have both met him and think he's fine. His character, talent, and family background are all acceptable."

"Father is not that rigid; being a merchant's son doesn't matter. As long as his character is good and he treats you well, I will agree."

Zhu Huanhuan's eyes suddenly reddened, "Father…"

"Don't cry; getting married is a good thing, why are you crying?"

Zhu Yong reached out, touched his daughter's head, and said, "After your imperial grandmother and imperial grandfather have founded a nation, you can go discuss with him, set a date, and have the Gu family come to propose marriage."

"When father's daughter gets married, it must not be modest; the betrothal gifts cannot be lacking, and the dowry must not be insufficient. You are a princess of Wu Wang Fu; after marrying out you must not be looked down upon."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded vigorously, but tears still fell.

Zhu Yong watched his daughter's silhouette disappear into the house and sighed.

Having raised his daughter for over twenty years, now she is to be married; his heart truly feels uneasy.

Guanyin Nu walked over, sat beside him, and said, "Prince, are you reluctant?"

"Even if you're reluctant, you must let go; Huan Huan is grown, it's time to marry."

"Then why are you still sighing?"

"Is sighing not allowed?"

Guanyin Nu smiled and grasped his hand.