Imperial Cultivation

64: Chapter 62 Meaning

64 -62 Meaning

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When Chu Zhiyuan went to the Ministry of Rites office to register, Gao Lingfeng hurriedly followed and cupped his hands: “Sir, the doctor requests your presence.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

The doctor of the Sect Martial Department is Prince Jing’an.

The current Emperor has few brothers; the father of Prince Jing’an was the Emperor’s own brother, born of the same mother.

Unfortunately, this Prince Cheng met an untimely death at the hands of an ambush by Da Meng’s Iron Cavalry while gaining merit in the army during his youth.

At that time, Prince Jing’an was just born.

This Prince Jing’an acts low profile; though he is a doctor, he seems to be invisible, as if idly spending his days.

The various departments within the Ministry of Rites are not gathered together, each has its own courtyard.

Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard was adjacent to the doctor’s, having only met Prince Jing’an once during his initial appointment; the rest of the time, they barely crossed paths, as if he never came to the office all day long.

As a Junior Minister, Chu Zhiyuan had to come daily to register, whereas the doctor, being the highest officer of the Sect Martial Department, need not be concerned with registering or not.

——

“I have seen the doctor.”

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands in salute.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man with a monkey-like appearance, small and thin, with two small, shiny black mustaches, accentuating his bright, beady eyes.

He was Prince Jing’an, Chu Jinglu.

Among the royal family, such appearances were really rare.

“It’s alright, not an outsider, don’t be formal.” Prince Jing’an Chu Jinglu waved his hand: “I called you over because there’s something you need to know.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: “Is it about receiving the Da Zhen Mission?”

He did not relax because Prince Jing’an said he wasn’t an outsider.

It was true that Prince Jing’an was not an outsider, with close blood ties, just like Chu Mingxuan, he too was his uncle.

But since they were in the Ministry of Rites, they naturally had to adhere to public protocol and hierarchical relations.

After leaving the Ministry, it wouldn’t be too late to call him uncle.

“You should go along this time to welcome them.”

“Yes.”

“Just join in and have fun, no matter what, it won’t hurt to see the Da Zhen Mission.”

“Yes.”

“The key is Cheng Tianfeng.”

“Did you know about it?”

“Hmm, do you know why the Emperor places such importance on your competition with Cheng Tianfeng?”

“It’s not just about our Da Jing’s face?” Chu Zhiyuan pondered: “Are there other reasons?”

If it was merely about Da Jing’s reputation, Chu Jinglu wouldn’t ask like this; clearly, it involved other factors.

“Our Da Jing and Da Zhen want to turn from enemies to allies, to jointly resist Da Meng, both sides must show sincerity.”

“Is it through marriage?”

“Exactly.”

“Who will marry whom?”

“That will depend on the outcome of your competition this time…

if you win, we will marry a Da Zhen princess, if you lose, we’ll have to marry off a princess.”

“…

Isn’t this too frivolous?”

No wonder the Emperor was so generous, agreeing to all demands; it was all about either marrying a Da Zhen princess or sending a Da Jing princess away.

No one wants to marry off a princess, always feeling inferior to the other.

But using such a manner is a bit too frivolous, like a child’s play, truly unexpected.

Chu Jinglu said: “After all, we aim to form an alliance, taking it too seriously would harm the harmony, so this playful manner is just right.”

“…

Yes.” Chu Zhiyuan seemed to reluctantly agree.

Turning a serious matter into a playful one is indeed clever, it all depends on the perspective.

“So don’t take it lightly, treat it seriously, don’t hold back.”

“…

Yes.”

This warns against hiding one’s strength and holding back, leading to unnecessary defeat and major loss.

These words were clearly not from Chu Jinglu himself, but merely passed on.

“…

However, if you really can’t win, you must at least exert your utmost effort, otherwise…” Chu Jinglu shook his head.

“Sir, if we lose, which princess will be sent?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

He understood the hidden meaning in Chu Jinglu’s words.

If he lost, the entire Court would blame him for the disgrace, whether it was the Emperor or the princess’s consort, all would resent him.

To dispel such resentment, the best method was the ruse de guerre, exhaust all effort to the point of severe injury.

“It’s uncertain which princess will be sent.”

“Hmm—?”

“Both sides must agree, it cannot be one-sided.”

“Do we have eligible princesses in Da Jing?”

The eligible princesses were all married off or engaged.

Da Jing’s princesses were very sought after, with no restrictions on the prince consort’s official capacity, and Da Jing princesses were well-bred, rarely haughty.

So many princesses had suitors from birth, often engaged at twelve or thirteen.

It wouldn’t be feasible to dissolve an existing engagement just to marry Da Zhen.

Chu Jinglu said: “Commandery Princesses, County Lords, daughters of Dukes or Marquises aren’t necessarily out of question, if the other side agrees, a princess status can be granted.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Given that, there’s likely no one willing to send their daughters to Da Zhen, truly a departure never to return, never to be seen again.

The Emperor wouldn’t want it, nor would the Prince Mansion, Duke Mansion, Marquis Mansion, or any such family.

So his task was heavy, only victory was not an option.

“If Cheng Tianfeng wins this time, it’s likely he will choose.” Chu Jinglu sank his face: “It depends on which household’s maiden he favors.”

“Cheng Tianfeng is just a Princely Heir,” Chu Zhiyuan frowned: “Isn’t it supposed to be a royal marriage?”

Marriage alliances usually involve the Emperor, but since both sides’ Emperors were advanced in age, and not in the stage to take consorts, it was not unreasonable for a prince to marry their princess.

For a Princely Heir, the status difference was too vast, making the impact much lesser.

“Da Zhen’s most exceptional Princely Heir, even if he can’t become Emperor, holds a pivotal role in the royal family.”

The method of selecting an emperor is the same for Da Zhen, Da Jing, and Da Meng, first becoming a Great Grandmaster before qualifying for the throne.

Without becoming a Great Grandmaster, one cannot wield the Emperor’s Sword.

With both inherent talent and opportunity, one can attain Great Grandmaster status, thus being destined for the throne through fortune.

The Emperor wields the Emperor’s Sword with formidable power, ensuring a stable throne, hence there’s no fear of brothers or uncles, instead, their assistance is needed.

As aids, naturally the stronger, the better.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: “Sir, if I win, who will marry a lady from Da Zhen?”

“It should be you.” Chu Jinglu smiled: “Others, Da Zhen probably won’t agree.”

“…” Chu Zhiyuan’s eyebrows knitted tightly.

He never expected this answer, nor had he thought about it.

Always felt that such matters would never fall upon him, too distant.

He was a Princely Heir, moreover of Prince Qing, and among whom the most likely to achieve Great Grandmaster ascendancy was Prince Ying.

His father, Prince Qing, never practiced martial arts, having been in the Prince Mansion for thirty years, obviously disfavored by the Emperor, and by extension, leaving him bereft of favor.

Marry a Da Zhen princess or Commandery Princess?

He should hasten and have his mother propose to Duke An Mansion.

Marrying a Da Zhen woman was less favorable than marrying Xiao Ruoling.

With an engagement to Xiao Ruoling, and being from Duke Mansion, the Emperor couldn’t forcibly separate them, right?

Even if he did marry a Da Zhen woman, precedence should follow; Xiao Ruoling being first, would be the primary consort, capable of overseeing concubines.

As for Xiao Ruoling’s martial arts, at this point, it’s less significant.

At least she isn’t from an Evil Sect, otherwise, it couldn’t escape the Emperor’s Sword.

The Emperor’s Sword forbids evil, an Evil Sect legacy can’t be concealed.

Every year, the Duke and family must enter the palace, join the Imperial Palace banquets.

The engagement with Xiao Ruoling should proceed swiftly.

This is difficult.

Given that daughters from families as prestigious as Duke An Mansion undergo careful and elaborate engagement, marriage, and wedding procedures, even if they fancy him, such haste is seldom accommodated.

If it could be concealed from the Emperor, that would be ideal.

Unfortunately, that’s nearly impossible.

Thus, the marriage with Xiao Ruoling is quite uncertain.

Chu Jinglu laughed: “Then, you could visit Da Zhen like Cheng Tianfeng, selecting the one you fancy, at your liking.”

“…”

“Haha…” Chu Jinglu couldn’t help but laugh aloud, seeing his troubled face.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed: “Sir, there’s nothing funny about this.”

Chu Jinglu laughed heartily: “Such pleasant matters, yet you’re looking so worried!”

Chu Zhiyuan said: “Marrying a Da Zhen woman, doesn’t it bring endless trouble?”

“What difference does it make whether a woman is from Da Zhen or Da Jing, once in the inner chambers, they’re your woman,” Chu Jinglu shook his head: “You think too much.”

Chu Zhiyuan neither refuted nor agreed, silently dissenting.

“Rest assured, the Court won’t distrust you because your woman is from Da Zhen.” Chu Jinglu said: “Otherwise, those generals would’ve been removed long ago.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, showing interest.

It seems many generals marry foreign women?

One can easily imagine, these generals perhaps captured enemy women during campaigns, taking them for their beauty.

Chu Jinglu waved his hand: “Alright, just remember to be aware yourself.”

“Thank you, sir.” Chu Zhiyuan solemnly cupped his hands, bade farewell, and left.

Then he turned and headed back to Prince Qing Mansion.