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

Chapter 385 The Prince's Family Banquet 1
However, during the day, Princess Xia had just obtained such a generous reward from her husband on behalf of her son.

Therefore, for a time, Princess Xia found it difficult to speak to the women who had been presented as gifts by the officials. As a result, she became more and more resentful and felt somewhat aggrieved.

Now, after hearing her husband's gentle words, Princess Xia couldn't help but smile and happily pressed her face tightly against her husband's chest.

"Your Highness, I understand."

"After the New Year, I will have General Erniu select some upright and unmarried officials from among the Prince's officials and bestow marriages upon them. This will put the Prince at ease." It must be said that after receiving comfort from her husband, Princess Xia was no longer blinded by love, and her intelligence instantly returned to its former heights.

And, after only a brief moment nestled in her husband's arms, Xia had already devised a proper solution. By bestowing the young ladies upon the officials under the Prince's jurisdiction, she could reduce the temptations posed by disreputable women to the Prince; she could also subtly win over the officials; and she could accumulate political resources for her son. Why wouldn't Xia do it?!
"This matter is best left to Your Highness to decide. Just let me know when the time comes." Absence makes the heart grow fonder. At this moment, Zhu Zhanhe, who had just returned from Annam a few days ago, was in the midst of his honeymoon with his wife. After only a short time embracing her, the young and vigorous Zhu Zhanhe began to act restlessly.

"Your Highness~~" Xia Shi naturally sensed her husband's natural reaction. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him and mutter annoyedly.

"Your Highness, Sister Ping'er and Sister Ke'er have become pregnant one after the other."

"So, which of the two should be made a concubine?" Princess Xia's face was as red as an apple as she let her husband's hand roam freely inside her collar. At the same time, she asked another crucial question.

"This matter can be decided by the Princess Consort." Zhu Zhanhe gently pinched her cheek with his fingers, and then passed the decision to his wife, Xia Shi.

"Your Highness, Sister Ke'er is well-behaved and sensible; Sister Ping'er is insightful and perceptive."
"Which of the two, Your Highness prefers?" Madam Xia nestled in Zhu Zhanhe's arms, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed, her breath sweet as orchids. She needed to know her husband's preference for the two Mu sisters before making a decision, to avoid upsetting him!
"Whichever of the two will be more helpful to the Princess, the Princess should choose!"
"I will obey the Princess!" Zhu Zhanhe was getting carried away, and he lifted Xia Shi high in the air. Xia Shi cried out in surprise and quickly secured herself to her husband's waist.

"Your Highness, the matrons are already instructing the ladies-in-waiting of Annam. Is there anyone Your Highness likes?" Princess Xia hugged her husband's head tightly, her mouth agape, her eyes glazed over as she continued speaking. But this time, she received no response from her husband.

"Your Highness, I wish to have another child for you."
"The royal physicians say that I am all better now!" Princess Xia hugged her husband's head tightly, her voice trembling slightly, and asked him for an heir!

"Okay~!!" Zhu Zhanhe naturally wouldn't pretend not to hear his wife's request. He had no objection whatsoever and immediately strode over to carry his wife to the bed.

"Ping'er, Yun'er, come in quickly~~" Seeing that her husband had agreed to her request to have another child, Princess Xia's eyes immediately filled with tears. She called softly towards the bedroom from her husband's arms.

As Princess Xia finished speaking, two graceful figures in gauze dresses appeared behind the beaded curtain in the bedroom, arm in arm, and walked towards Zhu Zhanhe.
A few days later, around noon, the family banquet organized by Princess Xia of the Han Prince's Mansion was held as scheduled.

Since there were no outsiders present, Zhu Zhanhe did not allow the women to eat in separate rooms during the banquet. However, the Prince's residence had a considerable number of people, dozens in total.

For convenience, Consort Wei led the concubines of Prince Hanzhuang to a separate table, with Aunt Xiuer holding Zhu Qiyu and the pregnant Mu sisters accompanying them.

Princess Xia led this table alone, accompanying her sisters from the Prince's residence;

Zhu Zhanhe and his brothers from the Prince's Mansion sat together alone. To be honest, today was the liveliest day in the Prince's Mansion. Even when Prince Zhuang of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, was alive, the Prince's Mansion had never organized a family banquet with the entire family gathered together like this.

After all, in Prince Zhuang of Han's mind, illegitimate sons and daughters were insignificant figures! He would never treat each of his brothers and sisters in the family equally like Zhu Zhanhe did.

Therefore, everyone in the Prince's mansion was very happy today, and even the younger sisters in the family made an exception and drank a few glasses of fruit wine.

However, Zhu Zhanhe vaguely noticed a hint of sadness in his mother, Madam Wei's, eyes. Only when she saw her grandson, Zhu Qiyu, would her eyes show a glimmer of affection. Zhu Zhanhe knew the reason, of course; after all, the stern-faced gentleman, who was still leading troops in Annam with such flair, hadn't returned home this time!

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhu Zhanhe stood up.

"Mother, aunts, and younger brothers and sisters."

Today, I have asked Princess Xia to organize this banquet. Firstly, the end of the year is approaching, and our palace should be lively.
On the other hand, I have some things I'd like to discuss with everyone." Zhu Zhanhe stood up. Instantly, the banquet hall fell silent, and all eyes were fixed on Zhu Zhanhe.

"He'er, what is it that you must say now?!" Consort Wei looked surprised to hear that her son had something to say. In fact, Consort Wei was worried that her son might say something inappropriate, so she spoke up to dissuade him.

"Mother, please rest assured, this is a good thing!"
"My aunts, please listen as well." Zhu Zhanhe understood his mother's concerns, so he smiled at her, indicating that she could rest assured. Finally, Zhu Zhanhe glanced at all his aunts and said in a deep voice.

"We will heed Your Highness's orders!" Upon hearing the words of the current prince, the seven or eight concubines of varying ages sitting beside the Dowager Consort Wei were immediately startled. They promptly rose respectfully, bowed to Zhu Zhanhe, and replied.

Speaking frankly, Zhu Zhanhe's concubines were quite satisfied with him, the Prince of Han. After all, from childhood to adulthood, Zhu Zhanhe had always treated them very well.

Furthermore, any woman who bore a child for the late king, even if that child was illegitimate, was treated accordingly by Zhu Zhanhe, who was then the Crown Prince of Han. Thus, the several sisters sitting together now can be said to have been granted this status! And from beginning to end, Zhu Zhanhe treated his younger siblings in the royal palace well. In fact, one could say he treated them exceptionally well!

Most importantly, after the late king's death, none of these women, even the late queen who had no children, were forced to be buried alive with him! They were still cared for in the royal palace. Therefore, they still held Zhu Zhanhe's Han Prince's residence in high regard.

Zhu Zhanhe seemed not to hear his concubines' response, and turned his head to look at his younger brothers.

"Second brother~!" Zhu Zhanhe then called out to his second brother, Zhu Zhanqi.

"Big brother~!" Upon hearing his elder brother's call, Zhu Zhanqi, though unsure why he was being summoned, immediately stood up and respectfully bowed to his brother. At that moment, a beautiful woman in plain clothes, seated at the table with Consort Wei, stared nervously at Zhu Zhanqi, her eyes filled with worry.

This woman was Zhu Zhanqi's birth mother, a concubine of the late Prince Zhuang of Han. Now, she was nervously watching her son, fearing he might offend the Prince of Han!
(End of this chapter)