Chapter 496: Reluctant to Part

Gu Xian, hearing the words, hurriedly got up, stood there, his eyes unsure where to look, so he stared at the tip of his shoe, which bore a mud spot he didn't know when it had become attached.

He lifted his head again and stood up straight.

Zhu Biao sat down beside him, looked at Gu Xian and laughed, "Mr. Gu, do you still remember me?"

Gu Xian looked, was startled for a moment, then deeply bowed, "I have met the Prince. The last time at the school outside the city, I, a commoner, did not know it was the Crown Prince. Please forgive my offense."

Zhu Biao smiled and waved his hand, "Ignorance is no crime. Today I invited Mr. Gu to come because I wish to get to know him formally."

Zhu Biao's questions were spoken in a gentle, low voice, but the matters were many.

He asked one by one about what books he had read, what martial arts he had practiced, what business his family ran, how many siblings he had, and what plans he held for the future.

Gu Xian answered each in turn, his voice gradually steadied, neither servile nor arrogant.

Empress Ma listened beside them, nodding from time to time.

The child spoke earnestly, without any pretentious nonsense.

Zhu Yuanzhang occasionally interjected, mostly posing difficult questions, but Gu Xian handled them fairly steadily.

Only Zhu Yong sat there and never really spoke.

He merely stared at Gu Xian, his gaze calm.

But each time Gu Xian turned his head toward him, his heart gave a sudden thump.

Those who have not slain thousands of enemies on the battlefield would not have such a look; those who do not command hundreds of thousands of troops and have razed countless states would not possess such aura.

"Gu Xian..." Zhu Yong began.

Gu Xian instantly straightened his back and turned toward him.

"What do you intend to do in the future? Continue in business, teach, or take the imperial examinations? I heard you say you wish to take the exams."

"Prince, I, a commoner, wish to take the exams. After studying so many years, I would be dissatisfied not to try once. If I can pass, that would be best; if not, I will return to teach." Gu Xian's voice was steady.

"What if you pass?"

"If I pass, I will serve as an official properly, without greed or corruption, worthy of the court and the people." Gu Xian said earnestly.

Zhu Yong asked again, "What about Huan Huan? If you pass and are sent to a distant post, she will follow you. Can you take good care of her?"

"Prince, although I am not a man of great talent, I will never let the Princess suffer injustice. I can read, teach, conduct business, and farm; wherever I am, I can support a family."

Zhu Yong looked into Gu Xian's eyes.

Gu Xian did not evade.

The courtyard fell quiet for a moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up and said, "Boy, to be frank we are not very satisfied with you, but you are the person Huan Huan chose herself, so we will not oppose. However, we warn you, if you betray Huan Huan…"

After speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang's cold gaze fell on Gu Xian, causing Gu Xian's body to shiver; he then nodded with satisfaction and said to Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong, "Biao, Yong, we are returning."

He walked up to Gu Xian, stopped to glance, said nothing, and strode away.

Empress Ma also stood, walked to Gu Xian, and smiled, "Child, don't be nervous; you are fine."

Gu Xian deeply bowed, his voice a little trembling, "Thank you, Mother."

Empress Ma followed Zhu Yuanzhang and left.

Zhu Biao also stood, laughed, "Mr. Gu, later come to my residence for a visit; I have several books I would like to consult you about."

Gu Xian hurriedly replied, "I dare not accept."

Zhu Yong watched his silhouette disappear at the courtyard gate, then turned his head toward Gu Xian.

Gu Xian still stood there, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead, yet his back remained straight, his gaze unwavering.

"Sit!" Zhu Yong pointed at the stone stool.

Gu Xian sat down, this time settling firmly.

"Your father, Gu Mingyuan, runs a silk and tea business; in Jinling City he has three shops, reputable and never deceitful. Your mother, Lady Li, bore two sons and a daughter; you are the eldest."

Your younger brother Gu Lian helps in the shops, and your sister Gu Wan, fourteen this year, is still unmarried." Zhu Yong said evenly.

Gu Xian was stunned...

He hadn't expected the King of the Realm to have investigated his family's details so thoroughly.

"Every winter you set up a porridge stall outside the city for three consecutive years, teaching those European children to read and write without charge, rain or shine.

You trained in martial arts with retired veterans of the Longxiang Army, never causing trouble nor abusing power; you drink a little wine but never excess, do not gamble, and do not visit brothels."

Gu Xian's face flushed slightly.

"You say you wish to take the exams; with the books you've read, passing the provincial level (juren) is no problem, but becoming a jinshi will require several more years of effort."

Zhu Yong paused, then said, "But we will discuss these matters later."

Gu Xian lifted his head, looking at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong stood, walked to the locust tree, and turned his back to him.

"Regarding Huan Huan's marriage, I, the King, originally intended to select a suitor among the sons of nobles, but Huan Huan chose you herself; her taste is not poor."

Gu Xian knelt.

"Prince, although I come from a merchant family, I will never let the Princess suffer injustice. I will treat her well, all my life."

Zhu Yong turned around, looking at the young man kneeling on the ground.

"Get up! On such a joyous day, don't keep kneeling. Return and have your father pick a good day for the formal proposal."

Gu Xian was stunned, then knocked his forehead three heavy times, his voice trembling, "Thank you, Prince."

Gu Xian left.

Zhu Yong stood under the locust tree, watching his silhouette fade at the courtyard gate.

Guanyin Nu stepped out of the house, stood beside him, "Prince, have you agreed?"

"Agreed. Huan Huan chose herself; how could I refuse?"

Guanyin Nu sighed, "Then why did you frighten him? The child's forehead is drenched in sweat."

"Did I scare him? I only gave him a glance."

"Your glance—who could stand it? Who has ever seen you not get weak in the legs? Your look is even more formidable than Imperial Father's."

Zhu Yong smiled.

"He's not bad…"

Zhu Huanhuan stood at the back‑yard gate, clutching her hem, her face flushed bright red.

She had just sneaked over, hidden behind the screen wall, and caught most of Gu Xian's entire questioning.

Father consented to his marriage proposal; the imperial grandparents also met him, and the elder uncle nodded as well.

"Father."

Zhu Huanhuan stepped out from behind the screen wall, her eyes reddened, and said, "Thank you."

Zhu Yong looked at his daughter, and suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

The daughter he has raised for over twenty years is about to get married.

"Don't thank me; thank yourself—your taste is good."

Zhu Huanhuan stepped forward, hugging her father's arm, "Father, rest assured, I won't bring you shame."

"When have you ever embarrassed Father?"

Zhu Huanhuan nodded vigorously, yet tears still fell.

Zhu Yong patted her hand, "Go keep your mother company; she misses you even more."

Zhu Huanhuan wiped her tears, turned toward the back yard, walked a few steps and looked back, "Father, Gu Xian… will he really come to propose?"

"He will; he wouldn't dare not come."

Zhu Huanhuan couldn't help but laugh, turned and ran into the back yard.

Zhu Yong stood in the courtyard, staring blankly at the old locust tree.

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand and said, "Prince, reluctant?"

"Even if you're reluctant, you must let go; Huan Huan has grown up and should marry now."

"Then why are you sighing?"

"Is sighing not allowed?"

Guanyin Nu smiled.