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

Chapter 342 Posthumous Title: King Zhuang of Han
At that moment, Yu Qian finally understood why Yang Shiqi always said that the Crown Prince of Han was a benevolent and virtuous man, and a qualified elder brother. Because the Crown Prince of Han truly lived up to the ideal of an elder brother who is like a father!

"It's good that you understand~" After hearing Yu Qian's still somewhat dazed reply, Zhu Zhanhe didn't turn around, but simply flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. Behind him, Xiao Xizi quickly followed the young prince's footsteps.

"Congratulations, Minister Yu." Watching the Crown Prince of Han leave the study, Yang Shiqi slowly rose and raised his hand to congratulate Yu Qian. After all, the Crown Prince's acceptance of Yu Qian's wife as his half-sister meant that he also accepted Yu Qian as his brother-in-law.

"Congratulations, Vice Minister Yu." Similarly, after Zhu Zhanhe left, Fan Zhong also got up from the ground and congratulated Yu Qian.

"Grand Secretary Yang, General Fan."

"What is this alligator dragon?!" Faced with Yang Shiqi and Fan Zhong's congratulations, Yu Qian, who had just gotten up from the ground, didn't reply immediately. Instead, he asked about the alligator dragon with a serious expression. After all, although Grand Secretary Yang had only said one sentence, Yu Qian had clearly heard it: Grand Secretary Yang was begging the Crown Prince of Han to let him see the alligator dragon!

The question then becomes, what is the alligator dragon? Is it the alligator dragon in his mind? Is this alligator dragon the secret hidden in the Han Prince's mansion? For a moment, countless speculations filled Yu Qian's mind.

“Minister Yu, now that the Crown Prince of Han has invited us to Annam, you will surely find out once we arrive.”

"For now, you should just wait a few more days." Yang Shiqi did not give a direct answer to Yu Qian's question. Instead, he told Yu Qian to wait a few more days, and that he would know the result once he arrived in Annam.

"Minister Yu, there is no need to rush."

"You should prepare yourself mentally beforehand. Don't be frightened when you get to Annam." Fan Zhong said to Yu Qian with a smile.

Clearly, both Yu Qian and Yang Shiqi were telling Yu Qian that the so-called secret might seem a little terrifying!

Yu Qian opened his mouth, wanting to continue questioning Yang Shiqi and Fan Zhong, but saw that they had already turned and left on their own. Yu Qian was left completely bewildered and confused.

On the other side, Zhu Zhanhe left the study.

"Xiao Xizi, go and tell the Crown Princess to prepare a dowry in accordance with the standards for a princess."

"Then have the Prince's Mansion add my sister's name to the family genealogy." Zhu Zhanhe knew that it was just adding a dowry and a name to the genealogy, nothing serious. At most, it would just require submitting a memorial to the court, and given the current situation, the court wouldn't refuse.

Besides, that younger sister is real, not fake. Even if her identity is fake, in Zhu Zhanhe's eyes, it's just a trivial matter.

The only problem now is that our stern-faced gentleman will have to suffer a bit; he needs to properly explain to the princess the origins of this suddenly appearing girl. Otherwise, he's likely to get nagged by the princess again—poor thing!

"Your Highness, I will find an opportunity today to inform the Princess Consort about this matter."

"I wonder if we should inform Her Highness the Princess about this?" Xiao Xizi asked cautiously, looking troubled.

"The Crown Princess will handle things regarding the Princess Consort. Let her prepare at her own pace; there's no rush. It can be ready by the time I return from Annam." Regarding the preparation of the dowry, there was indeed no rush. After all, Zhu Zhanhe still needed to take Yang Shiqi and the others to Annam, and the round trip alone would take ten days to half a month, or even a month. In addition, Zhu Zhanhe had considerable official business to handle in Annam, so time was indeed not an issue.

"Yes~" Xiao Xizi calmly agreed after hearing the Crown Prince's words. After all, no matter who brought it up, the Princess Consort probably wouldn't give them a good look. Her hesitation stemmed from not daring to mention it to Princess Consort Wei, especially since the Crown Prince had already instructed his wife to handle it!
"Have Lord Xia and Lord Mu entertain Grand Secretary Yang and the others tonight. Let them discuss some details so as not to delay the time for issuing the imperial decree tomorrow." Zhu Zhanhe thought of another important matter: since the court had once again ceded the Guangdong and Guangxi regions to him, he would not be polite.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhanhe needed to have a thorough discussion with Yang Shiqi and others about the tax exemption conditions offered by the imperial court. How many years of tax exemption would be granted? What would the annual rental amount be? These were all details that needed to be negotiated.

"Yes~" Xiao Xizi knew the importance and urgency of the matter. Since His Highness said that the imperial decree could not be delayed tomorrow, it meant that the matter had to be discussed and resolved tonight. Therefore, Xiao Xizi immediately understood the meaning behind His Highness's words and hurriedly went to find Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng.

That night, Mu Sheng and Xia Yuanji, along with Yang Shiqi and others, engaged in a heated debate, talking all night long!

The next morning, in the mourning hall of Chengyun Hall, right in front of the coffin of the Prince of Han, Zhu Zhanhe was still standing guard in the first position at the very front.

Behind Zhu Zhanhe, his younger siblings, along with his mother, Lady Wei, and his wife, Lady Xia, were also gathered, along with a group of officials kneeling in the main hall. Clearly, they had all received some kind of instruction to wait there.

Soon, Yang Shiqi led Yu Qian and Fan Zhong into the main hall.

This time, Yang Shiqi and the other two were all dressed in official robes, and Fan Zhong was holding a gorgeous plate covered with yellow broth.

"Imperial edict has arrived!!" As soon as he entered the main hall, Yu Qian shouted loudly, "An imperial edict has arrived from the court!"
Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent; even the Taoist priests' prayers ceased. No one spoke, nor did anyone move; they simply watched Yang Shiqi and his companions in silence, as if observing a monkey show.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highnesses, Princesses, please accept my condolences."

"An imperial decree has been issued." Seeing that no one in the Chengyun Hall was paying him any attention, Yang Shiqi had no choice but to approach Princess Wei and Zhu Zhanhe, bow slightly, and speak softly to them. This was a way for him to save face. After all, they were deeply grieving, and the court couldn't be too demanding in terms of etiquette!

"Proclaim the decree." Zhu Zhanhe remained kneeling before the coffin, glancing slightly at Yang Shiqi, whose expression was rather grim. However, Zhu Zhanhe ignored him and directly ordered Yang Shiqi to begin proclaiming the decree.

"Your Highness, please accept my condolences!"

"Your Excellency, I will immediately proclaim the decree." Faced with the Han Prince's unfriendly expression, Yang Shiqi couldn't say much. Although the court had compensated the Han Prince's residence with so much, it was all done privately and couldn't be made public. Besides, someone in the Han Prince's residence had indeed died! The dead have a reason! Helpless, Yang Shiqi could only find another way out and silently swallow his bitterness.

Next, Yang Shiqi went to the center of the hall, straightened his clothes, and then took out an imperial edict from the plate held by Fan Zhong and began to read it aloud.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han, is hereby conferred the title of Prince Zhuang, and is hereby awarded a Dharani Sutra quilt, and other rewards..." Yang Shiqi held the imperial edict and rambled on for a long time, saying nothing more than that the Prince of Han was brave and invincible, and that his death was a great regret. In reality, in Zhu Zhanhe's view, the edict only stated one thing: the Prince of Han had died, and the court, remembering the Prince of Han's merits, conferred upon him the title of Prince Zhuang of Han and bestowed upon him many gold and silver artifacts. Everything else, in Zhu Zhanhe's opinion, was just nonsense and embellishment!

After reading the imperial edict, Yang Shiqi stood awkwardly for a while, holding it, but no one came forward to receive it. So, embarrassed, Yang Shiqi had no choice but to put the edict back on the plate. Then, he helplessly took out another imperial edict.

(End of this chapter)