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

Chapter 345 The Virtuous Princess Xia

"Your Highness speaks so kindly~" After hearing her husband's words, Princess Xia was also overjoyed, but she couldn't help but roll her beautiful eyes and give her husband a disdainful look.

"Then I would like to ask Your Highness, did you have someone add people to the family genealogy?"
She also instructed me to prepare a dowry according to the standards for a princess.

"How could Mother not know about this? How am I supposed to explain this to her?" Although she was quite satisfied that her husband didn't interfere in domestic affairs, Princess Xia was troubled by the fact that he wanted her to prepare a separate dowry for a princess and had added someone to the family genealogy. Didn't this mean that her father-in-law was having an affair again, had fathered a daughter, and that this daughter had already married without her consent?
How am I supposed to tell my mother this? Won't she be furious? What an unreliable father-in-law!
"Ahem, well, this matter..." For a moment, Zhu Zhanhe really didn't know how to explain. He couldn't very well say that his father was unreliable, had produced another daughter of considerable age outside the marriage, and had already arranged for her marriage, could he? If he said that, his mother probably wouldn't give him a pleasant look.

"Sir, think of a way to subtly mention it to Mother."

Besides, it's not our fault, and someone else will have to suffer this injustice! After stammering for a long time, Zhu Zhanhe still couldn't come up with a good solution, so he had no choice but to ask his wife to think of another way.

At the same time, Zhu Zhanhe raised his hand and pressed down on Yun'er's head, who was not concentrating on her work and had started listening to gossip.

"I knew it would be like this. Your Highness has once again told me to figure out a solution myself."

However, Your Highness, you must not do this again. If you sleep with that girl, you must bring her back with you.

"How can the bloodline of the Prince's Mansion be allowed to flow outside?!" Princess Xia knew that she would have to handle this matter herself. At the same time, she also knew that her mother couldn't blame her, since the Iron-Faced Man was still at home! However, Princess Xia still solemnly advised her husband not to misbehave outside.

After all, Princess Xia had trained several maids to serve the prince personally in the palace. For example, there were the two little maids, Yun'er and Jian'er, who were still working hard.

"Don't worry, my lord, I am very virtuous and would never do anything improper outside!" Hearing his wife's warning and seeing her serious little expression, Zhu Zhanhe assured her with absolute certainty. After all, in Zhu Zhanhe's view, if the wildflowers outside were pretty, why not just pick them and bring them home? Why make things so complicated?

"I hope Your Highness will keep your word!" Princess Xia felt much more at ease after hearing her husband's promise. Although she knew that men's words were unreliable, her husband's assurance still made her feel sweet inside.

"Your Highness, after finishing one matter, I have another to say." Princess Xia continued, bringing up another matter. Zhu Zhanhe listened silently, nodding. At the same time, he made sure to stretch his body slightly so that the two maids could better serve him.

"Now that I am a prince, it is time to choose a concubine."
Moreover, the prince should also hurry up and select concubines such as concubines, princesses, maids, and servants.

After all, the prince's harem can't be too empty. Princess Xia truly is Zhu Zhanhe's super-virtuous wife! Not only can she arrange for maids to kneel and serve her husband without batting an eye, but she can also watch the performance and discuss serious matters without changing her expression. Furthermore, she's genuinely concerned about finding a wife for her husband to fill the void in Zhu Zhanhe's harem! Those who don't know the inside story might think that Princess Xia herself wants to get married!
"Hmm~~?" The sudden news clearly shocked not only Zhu Zhanhe, but also the two young maids who were diligently serving him. They were so shocked they almost attacked Zhu Zhanhe! Zhu Zhanhe wasn't angry, but he playfully pinched each of the maids' cheeks as punishment, to make them focus on their work. "Isn't this a little urgent?"
"Or has the official position already been chosen?" Zhu Zhanhe wasn't in a hurry, after all, he already had quite a few servants, four in total. However, since his wife had brought it up, Zhu Zhanhe decided to inquire further. On one hand, he also felt that his wife had too many servants, and on the other hand, he wanted to tease the two young maids who were working so hard.

"Uncle Mu recently sent two younger sisters, who are the right age."

I have observed that both of them are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and are of excellent appearance and character. Your Highness may choose one of them as a concubine.
As for whether there will be other concubines in the future, let's leave that aside for now;” Princess Xia’s words gave Zhu Zhanhe a pleasant surprise. Mu Sheng actually sent a woman to the Prince’s residence on his own initiative, which was an unusual signal!

Zhu Zhanhe knew this was a signal that the entire Mu family was siding with him! No wonder his wife wanted him to choose one of them as a concubine. It seemed like it was a must!

In reality, Zhu Zhanhe knew that this was his weakness—his shallow political foundation—and that he could only win over his subjects and local leaders through marriage alliances. Clearly, Princess Xia understood this as well, which is why she didn't hesitate to have her husband choose a concubine from the two women!
As for why she didn't choose both as concubines, that's a testament to Princess Xia's wisdom. It's simply about maintaining a balance within the household! She could allow her husband to have concubines, but she would absolutely not allow two concubines who could threaten her position!
"As for the selection of a concubine, I don't have anyone in mind yet. However, my mother and I have had the cabinet send a message to Annam, and Annam is currently selecting a concubine for the Prince."

At that time, one or two concubines could be selected from Annam. "It must be said, Xia Yuanji, her father-in-law, has truly educated his daughter well. Princess Xia's actions are simply outrageous. She selects concubines from Annam because, firstly, Annamese women pose no threat to her; secondly, selecting Annamese women helps her husband stabilize his rule in the newly conquered territories!"
What a wonderful wife! Zhu Zhanhe was even more pleased with his wife, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at her. Of course, Princess Xia also noticed Zhu Zhanhe's gaze, and her face beamed with pride.

"Regarding the selection of the princess..." When the topic turned to the selection of the princess, Princess Xia paused for a moment, presumably in thought. At the same time, Zhu Zhanhe also sensed the nervousness of Yun'er and the two maids. Their clumsy and awkward way of serving him made Zhu Zhanhe's brows twitch.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, Princess Xia spoke calmly.

“Yun’er and Jian’er are also good. They have served the prince for many years with great loyalty and have made great contributions. They are worth considering the status of a princess.”

"Xiao Zhi could also be chosen as a princess. However, Xiao Zhi will still have to serve me, and cannot be separated from me immediately." Princess Xia was seriously calculating, completely unaware of her husband's current hardship.

After all, the sudden decision to choose Yun'er and Jian'er as princesses, although not yet officially decided by Princess Xia, was practically a done deal since it came from her mouth. The two excited maids were about to kowtow to the princess when Zhu Zhanhe pressed their heads down.

Immediately, the two little maids could only give their mischievous prince a pitiful look, looking so wronged they were almost in tears.

"You two serve the Prince well, and remember to serve me tea first thing tomorrow morning!" Clearly, Princess Xia had also discovered her husband's prank. She first gave him a disapproving glare, then spoke to the two blushing maids. Hearing the Princess's words, the two maids were visibly excited. After all, after serving the Princess tea tomorrow, they would be people of status!

(End of this chapter)