517 As a senior ranked official
Xiaoming wondered what could have happened that made his father to the conclusion that he should go for a second marriage too. He did not want to fight with Tianjie either by asking him not to marry Song Jia.
However, before landing on the final decision, he decided to have a conversation with Tianjie on the sa matter.
“Sun Fuguo, inform Prince Tianjie that I want to see him,” Xiaoming ordered. Sun Fuguo bowed and left to deliver the ssage of the Crown Prince.
Xiaoming tapped his fingers on the table and waited patiently for Tianjie. When he arrived, he asked Tianjie to take the seat which he did.
“Brother Tianjie, you need to protect Song Jia,” Xiaoming stated. “Can you do it?” he asked.
“Why does the Crown Prince ask?” Tianjie asked with a confused look.
“Because he may have to fight against the father. Father does not want you to marry Song Jia and he is adamant about it. Brother Tianjie needs to protect Song Jia because she may get hard,” Xiaoming stated.
“Why Father is doing this?” Tianjie got irked. He never went against his father’s wishes. He did what his father wanted him to do and he also worked for his father. However, Tianjie wanted to be with a person whom he cherished; her social status did not matter to him.
“Because Father is the king. We have seen how only noble won are married to royal families. If a low-status woman marries a prince, she could get a concubine position at most. It has been followed for a long ti and that is why it is expected to continue till the future,” Xiaoming asserted. He asked Tianjie not to hate their father but found a way to protect Song Jia well.
.....
“I understand, Your Royal Highness,” Tianjie said.
Xiaoming did not tell him that their father wanted him to stop Tianjie from marrying Song Jia because he did not want to do so. He had a way in his mind which would not increase doubts in the noble class’s minds against the royal family.
Earlier Xiaoming had thought that he would discuss with Tianjie that he was given a condition. However, he then thought it would increase worries for no reason in Tianjie. He was already disturbed. Fate was too tough for him.
“Your Royal Highness, these days, I keep thinking of Song Jia every ti. I fear, what if Father passes an execution order against her? I get weird dreams. I never felt this way all these years,” Tianjie expressed his thoughts which he was unable to tell anyone around him.
“You need to relax your brain, Brother Tianjie. Do not let your fear overpower you. I will do my best that you both get married peacefully,” Xiaoming assured him and rose to his feet. Tianjie looked up where the Crown Prince was heading to.
Xiaoming opened the tiny cupboard and took out a small white porcelain bottle. He returned to his place and forwarded it to Tianjie.
“What is it, Your Royal Highness?” Tianjie asked with a confused look.
“A dicine which will give you a good sleep. It has no side effects. For the mind to effectively work, proper rest to the brain is necessary,” Xiaoming humbly said.
Tianjie took it and thanked Xiaoming to help him.
“Where has been Song Jia staying these days? Forgive , I did not ask earlier,” Xiaoming stated with a slight smile.
“In a private residence, Your Royal Highness. Father has gifted it,” Tianjie replied. Xiaoming nodded his head and told Tianjie that he should leave. “Let’s et in the evening. Brother Lóng Wei will be present too. Until then, Brother Tianjie can take a good rest,” he stated.
Tianjie humd and again thanked Xiaoming for listening to him.
“Father looks different. I am unable to understand him these days,” Xiaoming murmured and a frustrated sigh escaped his mouth.
“Your Royal Highness, Lady Jingfei has co,” Sun Fuguo said from outside. Xiaoming quickly stood up from his place and asked them to let her in. He stepped up and in a few seconds, Jingfei was in front of his eyes.
“Brother,” Jingfei hugged Xiaoming while he patted her back.
“You look too pretty,” Xiaoming complinted Jingfei as they pulled away.
“Thank you, Brother,” Jingfei said and asked him what happened to their mother.
“She has a fever. Do not worry. Mother will be alright. I will take you to her manor,” Xiaoming said and asked her if she was happy.
“I am happier than I have thought. Xu Zifan takes good care of , Brother,” Jingfei asserted.
“Glad to hear that,” Xiaoming said when Jingfei told him that she wanted to et their father. Xiaoming told her that he would accompany her. While walking toward the manor of the King, Xiaoming asked about Xu Zifan.
“Did he not accompany you?” Xiaoming asked.
“Xu Zifan has work to do, Brother. He could not skip it,” Jingfei replied.
“You ca alone? Why did you not send a ssage before coming here?” Xiaoming questioned.
“Brother, Xu Zifan dropped at the palace gates. He told that he would co in the evening and would et my Brother and the others,” Jingfei answered. Xiaoming humd and found a different glow on Jingfei’s face. Xu Zifan was indeed the right choice for her.
They soon reached the King’s manor. Qiu Zedong was delighted to see his daughter.
“Jingfei looks happy to ,” Qiu Zedong remarked.
“I told Father that Jingfei will not regret marrying Xu Zifan. He is such a good man, Father,” Jingfei did not stop herself from praising her husband.
Qiu Zedong was joyous to see that his daughter was happier than he had thought. “You adjusted well. That is good to see,” he asserted.
“I have a complained with Father,” Jingfei said while pouting her lips.
Xiaoming looked at his sister and pondered what she would say.
“What kind of complain?” Qiu Zedong asked while he continued to laugh.
“Father did not punish Jianjun for playing with the heart of his daughter. I would be suffering in hell if I had married him,” Jingfei stated. “Yesterday, I went out with Xu Zifan and Jianjun called him a low-rank official. He still has the audacity to bad-mouth my husband. I did not like it, Father. Father should demote Jianjun from his governnt’s position,” she affird.
“I cannot do that. re remarks are not enough to punish anyone. However, I can increase the rank of Xu Zifan,” Qiu Zedong stated which was itself shocking. He looked at Xiaoming and continued, “Crown Prince, what do you think is a suitable position for Xu Zifan? What departnt he can handle well?”
“Father, I think Xu Zifan is well suited to the Ministry of Justice. He should work in the departnt as a senior ranked official,” Xiaoming asserted.
“Hmm.” Qiu Zedong called in a servant and told him to bring the scroll along with an ink brush.
Qiu Zedong wrote sothing over the silk fabric scroll and then put the royal seal on it. He handed it to Xiaoming and told him to appoint Xu Zifan as the ranked second official. “Send the decree and the robe of rank second official to Xu Zifan,” Qiu Zedong stated.
“Yes, Father.” Xiaoming accepted the scroll from his father while Jingfei thanked her father. She did not know her father would take such a wonderful decision when she did not even ask for it.
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