Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 189: Conversation with Future Father-in-Law and First Meeting with Future Bride
In the Xia family's study, Zhu Zhanhe and Xia Yuanji sat facing each other, neither of them speaking.

"I wonder, what question does Your Highness wish to ask me?" After the servant who brought the tea left, Xia Yuanji finally spoke first. However, being a shrewd man, he waited for Zhu Zhanhe to get to the point first.

"Oh? Uncle Xia wants to test my knowledge? Then please ask Uncle Xia a question!"
"I have plenty of time to follow along!" Zhu Zhanhe looked at Xia Yuanji, who had a beard, a slightly plump figure, and a shrewd expression, and said with a smile. Since he was essentially under house arrest and couldn't do anything else, chatting with his future father-in-law about scholarship wouldn't be bad!

"Uh~!" Zhu Zhanhe's words made Xia Yuanji choke on his next words. He didn't expect this Han prince to be so difficult to deal with! No wonder that old Taoist priest from the Zhengyi Sect was full of praise and even went crazy saying that there was a real dragon protecting him!
"Hmph! Why ask a question you already know the answer to! My Xia family has objections to the marriage!"
"If the Prince of Han rebels, and I marry my daughter to him, wouldn't that be sending her to the fire pit?" Seeing how difficult Zhu Zhanhe was to deal with, Xia Yuanji stopped beating around the bush and directly voiced his concerns.

"Uncle Xia, this is the late emperor's decree. Now that the late emperor's mourning period has just ended, I'm afraid no one will agree to annul the engagement!"

Even my uncle would probably do everything in his power to make this happen!

"Uncle Xia, why struggle in vain?" Zhu Zhanhe took a sip of tea and at the same time revealed the key reason why this marriage could not be refused!
"Then what are you going to do with me? Are you going to just watch my daughter fall into a fire pit?!" Xia Yuanji stared intently at Zhu Zhanhe. The daughter he was to marry was the youngest in the family, and had been pampered since childhood. She was also very capable, excelling in everything. Therefore, Xia Yuanji was filled with reluctance at this moment.

"Uncle Xia, there's no need to worry. In a year at most, I will be going to my fiefdom!"

As for my father, the Prince of Han, rebelling, without my help, the longer he drags it out, the more devastating his defeat will be! Zhu Zhanhe understood his father's rebellion very clearly. The longer it dragged on, the greater the chance of failure!

"Huh?!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Xia Yuanji suddenly stood up, took a few steps to stand in front of Zhu Zhanhe, and stared intently at him.

"What do you know?!" Xia Yuanji was filled with tension, his eyes fixed on Zhu Zhanhe. Could it be that the Crown Prince of Han had seen through the new emperor's scheme?
“Since my uncle became regent, his reputation for benevolence and kindness has spread throughout the land.”

"The benevolent are invincible. If I were in my uncle's position, I wouldn't be in a hurry either. The longer it drags on, the greater my chances of victory!" Zhu Zhanhe's meaning was clear: a gentle approach towards the rebels would surely lead to victory. Moreover, his uncle naturally possessed the orthodox legal principles!
"You said you're going to your fiefdom?!" After standing in front of Zhu Zhanhe for a long time, Xia Yuanji silently turned his back to Zhu Zhanhe. He was certain that the Crown Prince of Han had seen through the new emperor's plan. He fell silent for a moment, but Xia Yuanji still asked another question.

"Yes, Uncle Xia, your nephew is going to his fiefdom."

"However, if my father, the Prince of Han, succeeds, then I can come back. If my father fails, isn't it fine to stay in the fiefdom?" Zhu Zhanhe shrugged as he watched Xia Yuanji's retreating figure, looking completely indifferent.

"How will you help the Prince of Han win this battle?!" Xia Yuanji suddenly realized the crucial question. The Crown Prince of Han had just said he could help the Prince of Han win the battle. If the Crown Prince could help the Prince of Han win this battle, did that mean he could also help the imperial court win it?!

"Uncle Xia is indeed perceptive."

Uncle Xia and your daughter must have gone to see my teacher, Master Zhang Zhengheng, right?

"Those of you who hold my token should know my secret, right? Uncle Xia, do you think my nephew can turn the tide and save the day on his own?" Zhu Zhanhe gently took off his glasses as he faced Xia Yuanji's questioning and nervous gaze.

Suddenly, after a pure white nictitating membrane pulse, a pair of ferocious vertical pupils appeared in front of Xia Yuanji.

"Ah?! Crash! Crash!" Xia Yuanji looked towards Zhu Zhanhe upon hearing the sound, and upon seeing Zhu Zhanhe's horrified eyes, Xia Yuanji was so frightened that he stumbled backward, leaning against the desk. Instantly, the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desk scattered all over the floor!
"Uncle Xia, what my Taoist teacher said was right, wasn't it?!" Zhu Zhanhe looked at his future father-in-law, who was startled, and did not approach him rashly. Instead, he put his glasses back on and stared at Xia Yuanji with piercing eyes.

"What is that?!" After a long while, Xia Yuanji leaned against the desk, stunned for a long time. Finally, he slowly recovered from his shock. Then, Xia Yuanji silently took two steps back, came behind the desk, and asked Zhu Zhanhe across the desk. "With my nephew's token, my nephew's teacher shouldn't be hiding anything from Uncle Xia, right?" Zhu Zhanhe looked at Xia Yuanji who had retreated and reminded him again.

"But he said you have a dragon?!"
A dragon over seven zhang long?! Xia Yuanji was also filled with panic. He had always thought that the crazy old Taoist priest's claim that the Han prince had a dragon was just an exaggeration, but now, seeing Zhu Zhanhe's ferocious dragon eyes, Xia Yuanji couldn't help but believe it.

"Uncle Xia, once you know this secret, you'll be directly tied to the Prince of Han's mansion, and there'll be no escaping it!" Although Zhu Zhanhe's tone was calm, Xia Yuanji could hear the murderous intent in his voice.

"By the way, Uncle Xia, the late emperor also knew about this matter. Do you think, given the late emperor's personality, he might pass this secret on to the new emperor?" Zhu Zhanhe slowly sat down in his chair, picked up his tea, took a sip, and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuanji was momentarily dazed and lost in thought.

"Uncle Xia, please consider this carefully. I will find an opportunity to speak to the Emperor and ask him to arrange a wedding for me and your daughter. If the marriage between me and your family does not come to fruition, then I will have to trouble Minister Xia and his entire family to come with me to my fiefdom in Yunnan!" Zhu Zhanhe has finally revealed his true colors; he not only wants a wife, but also his father-in-law's entire family!
"..." But at this moment, Xia Yuanji was still immersed in the astonishment of the dragon's real existence and had no intention of speaking. However, Zhu Zhanhe's words made Xia Yuanji want to curse.

"Not only are you trying to steal my daughter, but you're also after my whole family?!" Xia Yuanji, recovering from his initial shock, was now utterly incredulous. How could there be a true dragon in this world?! How could there be such a shameless person?!

At the same time, Xia Yuanji also knew that if the late emperor really knew that the Crown Prince of Han had a dragon, then the succession to the throne would be in doubt!

"Uncle Xia, please think it over carefully. I'll take my leave now!" Seeing that Xia Yuanji was still somewhat dazed, Zhu Zhanhe decided to give him some personal space so that his future father-in-law could ease his complicated feelings.

After leaving Xia Yuanji's study, Zhu Zhanhe strolled slowly towards the main hall of the Xia residence, intending to go home. He also hoped to have the opportunity to meet his future daughter-in-law.

"Your Highness, this way please." Just as Zhu Zhanhe was leisurely strolling around, a maid from the Xia family suddenly came over, said a few words softly, and then turned and left without waiting for Zhu Zhanhe's reaction.

"My future wife is looking for me?!" Zhu Zhanhe wondered, looking at the pretty young girl walking quickly ahead of him.

Soon, Zhu Zhanhe followed the maid to a small park with clear lake water. The little girl walked over quickly, and Zhu Zhanhe was really worried that she would lose her balance.

From afar, Zhu Zhanhe saw a slender figure sitting gracefully in the pavilion. Clearly, this was the person looking for him. Zhu Zhanhe slowly approached.

Perhaps hearing the footsteps, the slender figure slowly turned her head. It was a woman with a veil and long, jet-black hair, and she was probably at least 1.8 meters tall!

Although he couldn't see the woman's true face clearly, her large, watery, shy eyes, her strong scholarly aura, and her voluptuous figure that captivated Zhu Zhanhe at first glance were enough to make him fall for her instantly.

She exuded an air of scholarly refinement, her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders, adorned with a simple hairpin. Her beautiful, large eyes shyly glanced at Zhu Zhanhe, and even before she approached, Zhu Zhanhe caught a whiff of her fresh, fragrant scent. A primal attraction instantly captivated him.

She's mine! Zhu Zhanhe stared intently at the woman opposite him, his curious eyes gleaming with a sharp light…

(End of this chapter)