Chapter Twelve: The Crown Prince's Marriage Proposal

  Qing Sang heard that the Crown Prince was coming to the backyard, and she had a bad feeling. 《Ha Shi Ba Pure Text First Release》 After a while, Xiang Shu came to invite her, and her heart was even more nervous.

  Tang? At this time, he was far away in the city of Yang, and he had told Qing Sang that he had been honest with the prince, but he didn't know what the prince meant by this trip.

  I've met the prince and your father. Pu Jiannian smiled and said, "Sang Er, the prince has come this time to discuss the matter of a grand marriage."

  "Big wedding? Who's getting married?" Qing Sang's head went "boom", although she had already guessed, but didn't dare to believe.

  "Silly child, of course it's about your marriage with the Crown Prince." Pu Jiannian laughed loudly.

  Qing Sang felt a wave of dizziness.

  "Second sister is still waiting for marriage in the boudoir, how can we talk about our daughter's marriage?" Qing Sang quickly thought of a reason and an excuse in her mind.

  "Bixi's marriage has been delayed due to changes in her father's career, but the Crown Prince has come to find a good match for Bixi. It is the second son of the Ma family, you don't have to worry about it." After Pu Jiayear finished speaking, he smiled at the Crown Prince, who also responded with a smile. From this situation, it seems that everything has already been settled.

  Qing Sang took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. Only then did he feel that something was off. The crown prince's wedding, why would he come in person instead of the emperor issuing an imperial decree for marriage?

  "The prince arrived earlier, did he inform His Majesty and Her Highness?" Qing Sang asked with a questioning mind.

  Pu Ji Nian saw Qing Sang being so disrespectful and was afraid that she would offend the Crown Prince, so he hastily scolded: "How dare you be so rude!"

  "It doesn't matter. Minister Pu, I want to have a few words with the young lady alone, may I?" The crown prince said.

  Although it was not proper, Pu Jinye thought that since the two were already engaged, speaking in a low voice would do no harm, and he walked away with a smile.

  Since the fifth daughter-in-law entered the house, Qing Sang felt that her father seemed to be in a much better mood. Perhaps this is the power of love! But it was a pity for the other few daughters-in-law.

  "Miss Pu, actually, according to the rules, as long as we report to the Emperor and Empress and obtain their permission, it's settled. But I still want to hear you agree to me personally." The Crown Prince's warm voice was like a spring breeze, but at this moment, Qing Sang felt every word was startling.

  Lowering her head, Qing Sang said slowly: "I thank the Crown Prince for his kindness, but I cannot marry you." Although Qing Sang's voice was low, her tone was firm.

  A deep disappointment floated up in Taizi Tonghao's eyes, but his tone was still gentle, and he asked, "Because of Seventh Imperial Brother?"

  Qingsang nodded slightly.

  The two of them fell silent for a moment.

  "That day, the seventh prince came to ask me if I had feelings for you. I admitted it. Who would have thought that he said he was too? So, I agreed with him on a fair competition, and let you decide who to marry! Yesterday, my mother mentioned to me that Marquis Liu has repeatedly brought up our marriage, and she is thinking of granting you as my concubine. At the time, I was overjoyed, thinking that Marquis Liu must have come to discuss your intentions. If it weren't for last night's discussion with Father about the Northern Expedition until late at night, I would have rushed to see you immediately, to hear your consent in person. But today, after coming here, I realized that everything was just a one-sided wish of our elders." The crown prince finished speaking in one breath and let out a deep sigh.

  Qing Sang Wan never thought that the usually cautious Crown Prince would say such blunt words, looked up at him and saw him looking at her with a mixture of pain and despair.

  "Please forgive the prince." Qing Sang had already known that Old Lady and Liu Gong had planned to bring her and the prince together, but she didn't expect that they had already reported it to the Empress Dowager. If the prince hadn't come today, she and Tong'er would have been in a desperate situation, with no way out.

  "What crime have you committed again? Are you really fond of Seventh Brother?" The Crown Prince asked.

  Qingsang knelt on the ground and begged: "Please, Your Highness, spare his life."

  The crown prince sighed and did not order her to get up, nor did he bid farewell to Pu Jiannian. He went straight out the door.

  Qingsang collapsed to the ground, and for a long time he couldn't come back to his senses.

  "Qing Sang, why are you sitting on the ground? Quickly help Third Sister up." Wu Niangzi Shu Wan had just returned to the mansion from Zhen Bao Zhai when she saw a refined and handsome young man with an air of elegance brush past her. Judging by his demeanor and uncommon temperament, Shu Wan guessed that he was probably some noble or wealthy young master. Upon entering the hall, she saw Qing Sang sitting on the ground in the front hall, and surmised that this person had come to meet Qing Sang.

  She ordered the maid, Lü Jin, whom she had brought from Ningzhou, to help Qing Sang up. Smiling, she asked: "Sang'er, was that man who just left here to meet you? What happened? Did you two have a fight?"

  Qing Sang was already annoyed and seeing Shu Wan speaking frivolously made her even more displeased. She briefly saluted and said indifferently, "I'm not feeling well, I'll go back to my room first."

  Shu Wan blocked the way, saying: "Although I am your fifth aunt, we are not much different in age. You can tell me about your love affairs, and I will definitely come up with a good idea for you. Just now, that man was handsome, if Sang likes him, I, as his fifth aunt, will make plans for him, and he won't leave like this again." Shu Wan mistakenly thought that Qing Sang had been rejected by the man, which is why she fainted on the ground.

  Qingsang and Shuwan had only exchanged pleasantries when their father returned to his official position, but she never thought she would be so rude. Already displeased in her heart, she didn't want to say more and walked towards the door.

  She saw her face was impatient, seemingly unwilling to bother with herself, slightly angry, and coldly snorted: "With a sour face like that, no wonder that man doesn't want you."

  Qing Sang heard this and felt a deep sense of disgust, ignoring her and going to the study to look for her father.

  "Sang Er? Where is the Crown Prince?" Pu Ji Nian felt very strange seeing Sang Er come over.

  "The prince has returned." After a pause, Qing Sang continued: "I told him I won't marry him." Qing Sang spoke calmly, but Pu Jiayearn's expression changed drastically.

  "How dare you refuse the marriage? Do you know this is defying imperial orders and punishable by beheading?" Panicked, Bu Jiannian said.

  Qing Sang coldly smiled and said, "What imperial decree? Today the Crown Prince came to ask if I was willing to marry him. As a daughter, I am unwilling, so I told him the truth. If I had reluctantly agreed, and the Crown Prince had obtained an imperial decree, that would have been truly deceiving the Emperor."

  "You... Sang Er, you're too willful." Chu Jiannian sighed.

  "Remember before Father went to Ningzhou, Sang'er asked if he wanted a daughter like his elder sister to marry into the imperial palace and bring glory to the family. Father cried that he was not in control of his own body. Now that Sang'er has taken care of the Crown Prince's matter herself, is Father unhappy?" Qing Sang's words were sharp and deeply pierced Pu Jiayuan's heart.

  Fu Jinyan gazed at his daughter's lovely face for a long time before saying, "The Crown Prince is refined and elegant, with exceptional talent, and he suits you perfectly. As your father, I can tell that the rumors about him are mostly true from the way he came to see me today. The Crown Prince is sincere in his intentions towards you. Not to mention the matter of 'Sangyuan' and restoring her official position, even just considering this marriage proposal, why would the dignified Crown Prince need to come personally to ask for your hand? Sangniang, don't let a momentary anger ruin your entire life."

  Qing Sang also knew that her father's words were not in vain, but she had already given her heart to someone else, and others could no longer enter her eyes. She said calmly: "Father, I understand everything you've said, it's just that my fortune is shallow, and I can only disappoint the Crown Prince's kindness and your good intentions."

  Having said that, Qing Sang turned around and was about to leave.

  "Xiang'er..." Pu Jinyan saw Qing Sang was about to leave, stood up and said sorrowfully: "Do you also blame your father for marrying Shu Wan? Why have you been distant from your father since you came back this time?"

  Qing Sang's heart skipped a beat, she turned around and called out: "Father, why did you say that? Daughter won't blame you, it's just... recently, daughter has also been very worried."

  He looked at Qing Sang carefully and found that his daughter had lost a lot of weight. He was busy with court affairs during the day, and after the court session, he often accompanied Shu Wan, really neglecting his daughter. A sense of guilt arose, and he said lovingly: "It's my fault for neglecting you, this year our family has experienced many changes, but I haven't taken good care of you, I'm truly sorry. However, these years have been very difficult for me too, especially during those days in Ningzhou, it felt like a year had passed every day until I met Shu Wan. I know I owe your mother an apology, Sang'er, please comfort her for me." This daughter was always considerate, which is why Pu Ji Nian spoke so candidly.

  Qing Sang saw her father like this, and she couldn't bear it in her heart. Her father's marriage was indeed unhappy, and the marriage with Eldest Aunt was obviously a political one. Second Aunt, Third Aunt, and her own mother were all tools for carrying on the family line, and there was little love in any of them. So, when Father met Shu Wan, that's why he had this affinity, right? Since Father liked it, what could his daughter say? It wasn't just her own mother whom Father had wronged; there was also Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt. Especially Third Aunt, who had been bedridden for years and didn't even get to see him - the desolation of that didn't need to be said.

  Qingsang forced a smile and comforted, "Father doesn't have to worry, Mother has her own daughter. But the daughter dares to ask, which household in Ningzhou is this Fifth Daughter from?"

  Pu Ji Nian's face was awkward, and he stuttered: "It's just the children of a small family, San Er certainly hasn't heard of it."

  Qing Sang had just heard Shu Wan's words and saw her father's face looking unwell, she already had some thoughts in her mind, but didn't reveal them, she just bowed and withdrew.

  After entering autumn, Tong Guan returned from his trip to Pingcheng to provide disaster relief.

  Qing Sang's heart is eager to see him, but unfortunately, Tang must first return to the palace and report back.

  But Tong still sent Lu Sheng over to deliver a message, saying that after he had finished his duties, he would meet him at Fengya Pavilion.

  Qing Sang hurriedly dressed up and arrived early at Feng Ya Xuan's Riverside Elegant Seat to wait.

  Little did I know, it was not seen until nightfall.

  She returned to the mansion, but saw that the whole house was brightly lit. When she arrived at the mansion, her mother, Wang Shi, hurriedly came forward and said: "The Crown Prince has come, your father said that if you return, hurry to the study."

  Qing Sang didn't know what had happened and hurriedly went to the study room to pay his respects.

  Her father saw her coming and found an excuse to leave the study, leaving her alone with the prince.

  The crown prince did not speak immediately, but first took a sip of clear tea before saying: "Today, the seventh brother returned to the court, and the emperor was very pleased. Because he handled affairs effectively and had merit in disaster relief, a special edict was issued to confer him as King Qing, and bestow upon him the estate of King Qing."

  Qing Sang heard this and thought that Tong had been appointed king, he must be very busy. The unhappiness in his heart due to Tong's sudden cancellation of their appointment also dissipated by half.

  The crown prince paused for a moment, then continued: "His Majesty has also issued an edict, because Gong Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple assisted with great merit, he is specially promoted to Taichang Qing, and his eldest daughter Ge Yun'er is bestowed upon the seventh brother as his wife, and she is made the Princess of Qing."

  Qing Sang heard this and suddenly lifted her head to look at the prince, her small face pale with shock. (Download this book by entering or searching for "book name + Ha Shi Ba") You can search for "Shu Nu Hua Guan Lu Ha Shi Ba" on Baidu to find the latest updates of this book!