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

Chapter 393 Winter of the Ninth Year of Xuande
Hearing the voice, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but look up, only to see a round-faced woman with deep-set eyes, fair skin, an exotic look, a voluptuous and tall figure, only half a head shorter than Xia Shi, yet still youthful and innocent. Zhu Zhanhe knew at a glance that this unfamiliar woman was definitely another beauty chosen from somewhere!
"Get up, come in with me." Actually, Zhu Zhanhe saw this woman with exotic features the moment he stepped through the gates of the East Third Courtyard. However, being a gentleman, and with his wife beside him, he didn't give the beautiful woman a second glance.

Moreover, Zhu Zhanhe knew very well that since this woman had been brought here by Princess Xia, it meant that she was already at his mercy! There was no way she could escape!
"Your Highness, this young lady is a princess sent by the Mughal Han Kingdom."

Some time ago, the Mughal Han Kingdom sent two princesses to the prince, begging him to withdraw his troops and make peace.

Although the deal didn't go through, they did leave their two younger sisters behind.

Well, this little sister is well-behaved and sensible, and her Mandarin has been quite good lately. I was thinking of having her serve the prince in the future.

"Today, it's also a good opportunity for Your Highness to meet her." Princess Xia was quite satisfied with her husband's aloof demeanor upon entering. After the Mughal Han princess bowed to the prince, Princess Wei smiled radiantly at her husband and carefully introduced her to him again.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Hearing that she was told to rise and hearing Princess Xia's explanation, Lahe quickly thanked her in clear but slightly broken Chinese before standing up. After rising, Lahe obediently stood behind Princess Xia. Clearly, Lahe had been well-trained by the maids of the royal palace!
Upon entering, Zhu Zhanhe had just sat down at the dining table when Princess Xia personally brought him bowls and chopsticks with a solicitous expression.

"Your Highness, please have your meal!" Princess Xia gently presented the bowl and chopsticks to Zhu Zhanhe, her slightly excited tone revealing her excitement at that moment.

"What? My princess, have you already received the news?" Zhu Zhanhe took the bowl and chopsticks from his wife and saw the excitement on her face. He knew that his wife, Xia, had already heard about his statement allowing the emperor to ascend the throne. Zhu Zhanhe was neither surprised nor angry. He simply smiled and asked his wife softly.

"Your Highness~~~" Seeing her husband tease her at this crucial moment, Princess Xia was furious. She muttered angrily to her husband. Coupled with her mournful eyes, Zhu Zhanhe was somewhat overwhelmed.

"The matter has been settled."

I have already discussed and agreed on the terms with the cabinet.

However, this matter cannot be rushed; before that, the Prince's Palace has many things to take care of.

"I'm not the kind of person who rushes things!" Zhu Zhanhe knew that Princess Xia must have learned of his impending ascension to the throne. That's why she was being so attentive to him! She even specially selected a beautiful young woman to be chosen! Princess Xia, you have your own schemes! And you're blatantly seducing me!
"His Highness is a man of sound judgment; naturally, we will listen to him!" Seeing her husband confirm his ascension to the throne, Princess Xia's eyes lit up instantly! She knew that her years of hard work were about to bear fruit! Although it might take some time, the final result would be wonderful!

At this moment, while Zhu Zhanhe paused to speak, Laheshi obediently handed him a cup of wine. Zhu Zhanhe raised his hand, took the cup of wine from Laheshi, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Yu'er told me something today." After handing the empty wine glass to Lady Lahe, Zhu Zhanhe then spoke to Princess Xia.

"What is it?" Upon hearing that it concerned her son, Princess Xia's expression turned tense. After all, she had poured everything into her son! Her husband was about to ascend the throne, and in the future, she would be the Empress, and her son the Crown Prince! At this crucial moment, her son could not afford any problems!
"Yu'er asked me if his younger brothers wanted him to take them to Uncle Wei's house to play."

"Yu'er is undecided and has come to ask for my opinion." Zhu Zhanhe answered truthfully regarding his wife's situation. In fact, Zhu Zhanhe also intended to take this opportunity to clarify things!

"Who is it?!" Upon hearing this question, Princess Xia instinctively felt a serious threat. She frowned and asked with some displeasure. "Hmm?" Zhu Zhanhe did not answer Princess Xia's question. Instead, he tilted his head and stared at her with a smile.

"Thump!"

"Your Highness, that's not what I meant." Faced with her husband's teasing gaze, Princess Xia instantly realized she had misspoke. Startled, she immediately knelt on the ground and began to explain to her husband.

Seeing that the princess had knelt down, Rah and Xiaozhi immediately put down their work and knelt down as well, showing great tact.

"Get up, I know you didn't mean it that way." Looking at Xia Shi's delicate face, which was full of nervousness, Zhu Zhanhe did not blame her. Instead, he directly raised his hand and pulled his wife up.

Regardless, Princess Xia had made significant contributions to the Prince's residence over the years, managing the inner quarters exceptionally well. Zhu Zhanhe's lineage had also been continuous. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe wouldn't blame her for a single remark. Thus, Zhu Zhanhe affectionately helped his wife up.

"As the princess knows, Yu'er can now communicate with his Uncle Long empty-handed."

This is excellent, a very good result, a pace that no one else could catch up to.

The problem is that the child is currently very anxious, worried that his inability to have a spiritual connection with his Uncle Long will affect his future integration.

"I know you mean well for the child, but don't put too much pressure on him." Zhu Zhanhe softly told his wife about his eldest son's recent troubles and advised her not to put too much pressure on the child.

"I've got it." After being pulled up by her husband, Princess Xia carefully observed his eyes, afraid that he might dislike her. She stood there nervously, obediently listening to her husband's words.

In reality, Princess Xia always felt she was no longer young and feared she had lost her appeal to her husband. Therefore, she allowed other concubines to bear children and personally sought out concubines for her husband. She diligently cultivated young women for imperial concubine selection and betrothed them to her husband's young officials. Everything she did was for her husband! For her children!

Zhu Zhanhe had witnessed everything Princess Xia had done and acknowledged her contributions. Therefore, he had suppressed his other children's contact with the alligator dragon for ten years. But now, Zhu Zhanhe knew things couldn't continue like this; the pressure was too great and would eventually break him. So, Zhu Zhanhe needed to release the pressure!

"Your Highness, you should be prepared for this."

After all, Yu'er is the eldest brother, so he should have the demeanor of an eldest brother.

"In the future, if Yu'er wants to rule the Prince's Mansion, he must ensure that there is no chaos within the mansion." Zhu Zhanhe gently patted his wife Xia's hand, softly expressing his attitude.

"Yes!" Upon hearing her husband's words, Princess Xia felt a pang of sadness. Although she knew her husband was right, she still felt heartbroken.

In truth, Princess Xia knew perfectly well that her son was now the heir apparent and might become the crown prince in the future! Therefore, her son had to demonstrate the demeanor of a future head of the family! She couldn't allow these matters to affect his position within the family or among his brothers!
Princess Xia could even guess that if she continued to suppress the matter, not only would her husband be dissatisfied, but the other concubines in the palace would also be dissatisfied; her husband's other children would also be dissatisfied; and her mother, Lady Wei, would probably be dissatisfied too!
(End of this chapter)