Chapter 2547 - 2521: Favoritism

Princess Changyu was escorted to her wedding by the Crown Prince, and naturally, so was Princess Mingda.

Even the lineage of State Duke Zhao came this time, with several cousins neatly standing behind the Crown Prince, looking at Bai Erlang dressed in red.

Meeting the Crown Prince’s gaze, Bai Erlang felt his scalp tingle but still got off his horse to pay his respects.

The Crown Prince looked him over, nodded slightly, feeling somewhat satisfied, then glanced at Bai Shan and the others behind him, and turned to lead Bai Erlang into the palace.

Bai Shan and several others exchanged glances and immediately followed.

At the square in front of Taiji Hall, those called by Bai Erlang to welcome the bride stood to one side. Feng Zongping looked slightly up at the entrance of Taiji Hall, reached out a finger to poke Yin Huo, who stood in front of him, and whispered, "This is probably the closest I’ve been to Taiji Hall since passing the exam."

Yin Huo ignored him; he hadn’t taken the exam.

Liu Huan looked around and softly asked them, "Do you think His Majesty will make things difficult for Bai Er? Last time Wei Yu went in to welcome the princess, he was reportedly tested by the emperor."

This time the emperor did not test Bai Erlang; he was lecturing him, the main point being to treat the princess well and respect her like a ruler.

Bai Erlang’s mind was a jumble at this moment, occasionally sneaking glances at Mingda, so he didn’t hear what the emperor said at all; he just kept nodding and agreeing.

The emperor saw that his attitude was okay and felt a bit better, but when he turned to see his charming daughter again, his mood became sorrowful.

Mingda has always been frail, needing careful handling to survive, yet she is smart and sensible; there’s no lady in this world who compares to his Mingda.

The Imperial Hospital’s physicians often said Mingda was too weak and likely not long-lived. He didn’t know if Bai Erlang could treat Mingda well; if she suffered grievances silently, it wouldn’t be good for her health...

The more the emperor thought, the colder his demeanor became, and he looked at Bai Erlang with increasingly unfriendly eyes.

Gu Zhong, seeing the emperor lost in thought and the Ministry of Rites repeatedly making eye signals, cautiously stepped forward a couple of steps to remind him, but the empress had already wiped her tears and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived, let the children go."

The emperor felt a bitter sorrow in his heart, a blockage in his chest, and a sting in his nose; he found himself crying before he realized it.

Mingda saw this and couldn’t help but step up the stairs, half-kneeling in front of the emperor, holding one of his hands saying, "Father, if you can’t bear it, your daughter won’t marry."

Bai Erlang suddenly widened his eyes.

The emperor wanted to nod, but reason returned; he gently patted Mingda’s hair with his hand, saying while crying, "That won’t do, this groom was selected with great care by me for you, Mingda not only must marry, but she must also live well. Groom..."

Bai Erlang immediately stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, I will certainly treat the princess well, ensuring that the princess is happy every day; whatever direction the princess says, I will not glance towards the opposite."

Although these words were flattering, the emperor was quite pleased and nodded satisfactorily and, wiping his tears, took Princess Mingda’s hand and said, "Come, I will personally see you out of the hall."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites wanted to say that this was against protocol, but a person beside them pulled him back, so he had to hold back and said nothing.

The emperor personally led Princess Mingda to the door of the grand hall and then stopped.

He knew he couldn’t escort them too far, otherwise, he would be impeached, though being impeached didn’t matter; he was scolded all the time, but Mingda couldn’t bear to be scolded.

So, at the door, he handed Mingda’s hand to the Crown Prince, instructing him to escort the pair out.

The Crown Prince agreed, took Mingda’s hand, and walked out, with Bai Erlang quickly following.

Once they were out of Taiji Hall, the Crown Prince bent down and carried Mingda on his back all the way to the flower carriage at the palace gate.

Manbao paused upon seeing this; last time, the Crown Prince didn’t carry Changyu to the flower carriage until they reached the palace gate.

The Crown Prince was in good shape; despite the long route, he carried her to the palace gate without panting, placing her in the flower carriage.

The previous time Princess Changyu’s dowry amazed the citizens of the capital, and this time, everyone witnessed the regal wealth.

People rushed to share the spectacle.

But those officials aware of the situation knew that the emperor nearly emptied the treasury for his two daughters’ dowries.

Including his private savings, most of which were surely also presented.

Some officials privately shook their heads, "Doesn’t the emperor worry that such favoritism towards the princesses might render the Crown Prince discontent?"

"The Crown Prince may not be jealous, but Prince Gong is likely displeased."

Indeed, as the entire realm would be the Crown Prince’s in the future, he didn’t care much about wealth, but Prince Gong...

When the emperor and Prince Gong were close, he often let slip what gifts he would give him; no one knew whether these things were in Prince Gong’s or Princess Mingda’s possession now.

What the emperor promised Prince Gong was surely given to him, but the more substantial portions were given to Mingda.

Especially since the emperor gave both the imperial estates in Yongzhou to Mingda, which made Prince Gong a bit envious.

The emperor had said he would give the large imperial estate in the northern suburbs of Yongzhou City to Mingda, but hadn’t mentioned giving the one in Liyang County to her as well.

That imperial estate wasn’t far from the capital; he thought it was reserved for the successor, as there was only one imperial estate in the capital now mainly used by the Imperial Hospital, leaving just the two estates in Yongzhou closest for the successor.

The emperor gave them all to Mingda, so which estate would the successor use?

Though he’s not the successor, Prince Gong is still somewhat jealous.

But it’s nothing compared to his true jealousy; after Mingda married and returned home on the third day, the emperor hosted a family banquet in the palace, happily telling Mingda, "With so many people in the capital, I previously had Yongzhou City expanded, half of the New City used your imperial estate."

He smiled, "I had shops built there, not many, just a row, all registered under your name. When you have time, go see them. If you don’t use them, you can rent them out, or if you want to run a business, let your people manage it."

Prince Gong was dumbfounded, as was Changyu.

Prince Gong’s shock was mixed with deep bitterness, but Changyu was overjoyed, repeatedly winking at Mingda.

The Crown Prince had no particular reaction, though he felt Mingda wasn’t like Changyu, probably unable to run a shop, so he said, "If you rent them out, you can contact the Office of Palace Affairs in the Eastern Palace; they might have some contacts. Even if renting, make sure it’s to reliable people, so the shops are well maintained."

Changyu quietly said to Mingda when they finished speaking, "Save one shop for me."

Mingda asked her, "Do you want to manage it yourself?"

Changyu nodded repeatedly, eyes sparkling, "I want to open a Treasure Pavilion, specifically for various treasures. You’re to give me the largest, and charge me a bit less rent."

Mingda laughed, "I won’t charge you rent; it’s yours for free."

Changyu shook her head, "Forget it; Father gave you so many shops precisely because he knows you won’t manage them, needing rent for living. How could I take it for free? Charge rent, but less."

Mingda nodded with a suppressing smile.