Chapter 6: Let's Forget About the Imperial Marriage

The Son of Heaven sneered coldly. Of course—it was impossible for him to relinquish power without reason. Clearly, he had an ulterior motive.

“Speak then, what is it that you want?”

Zhou Hao cupped his hands and smiled. “Since I do not desire the crown prince’s position, but the household cannot be without a head for even a day, nor the nation without a sovereign, it would be detrimental to the Great Zhou without an heir apparent.”

Before Zhou Hao could finish, the Son of Heaven immediately interrupted him. “What exactly are you trying to say? Be clear!”

“Very well. I do not want it, but if my brothers desire it, then it must be auctioned off. The highest bidder shall become the crown prince.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the Son of Heaven’s recently eased heart was instantly ignited with fury. “Nonsense! What do you take the crown prince’s position for? A mere jester to be toyed with at will?”

Finally, the Son of Heaven understood: as long as Zhou Hao remained within the imperial city, he would never have a moment’s peace. He ought to suppress the Chancellor and Minister’s advice and exile Zhou Hao far away, out of sight and mind!

“Father, your words are unbecoming. If I am not to be crown prince, naturally I will not remain in the capital. I desire a fiefdom, to be made a prince. Father, will you agree to this condition?”

Zhou Hao sneered; he had anticipated the Son of Heaven’s reaction. “Of course I will agree, but auctioning off the crown prince’s position undermines the national order. For now, this matter is settled.”

Yet Zhou Hao regarded the Son of Heaven’s words as mere wind. And what of the national order? Was it not compromised when the eldest prince was sent as a hostage after the border defeat? Was it not compromised when the eldest prince endured humiliation? Only his own transgressions mattered, and yet the Son of Heaven was so arrogant!

“Father, since I am to leave the imperial city and become a carefree prince, without my brothers’ support this prince cannot hold steady.”

If he was to do it, he would do it decisively—forcing the Son of Heaven to accept his terms.

As for the crown prince’s position, Zhou Hao truly had no interest. It was not that the position lacked merit, but precisely because it was too desirable—too coveted, too eagerly eyed.

The crown prince is the heir apparent, the next emperor. Everyone wants it, everyone watches it with hunger. He had just returned from the barbarian lands, without backing, and the Son of Heaven already disliked him. Not to mention his siblings, who would surely set traps for him. Only by his removal could they ascend.

What meaning was there to be a stifled crown prince in the capital? Better to seek a fiefdom and be a prince, far from the court’s intrigues. Then, no matter what the Son of Heaven might plot, he would be powerless!

Zhou Hao precisely calculated this, compelling the Son of Heaven to agree.

“Eldest prince, shall we abandon the auction? Since you desire silver to build your fief, why not have the other princes pool funds for you?”

Even in support of the eldest prince, the Chancellor dared not approve auctioning the crown prince’s position. It was simply too outrageous.

He offered a compromise: If you want money, let the princes who covet the crown prince’s title raise it for you.

The crown prince’s seat... for now, better to leave it vacant. Since the eldest prince declines it and the others have their own designs, only by leaving it empty can Great Zhou enjoy peace.

The Son of Heaven exhaled deeply, gratefully glancing at the Chancellor. If the Chancellor remained silent, he would have to agree to Zhou Hao’s madness.

The people of the realm would not feel cold-hearted, but the border states would begin to mock Great Zhou.

“Very well, according to the Chancellor’s suggestion, all princes shall contribute 100,000 taels of silver as your settlement fee. How is that?”

Zhou Hao wished for more but noted the pained expressions on the princes’ faces. The Son of Heaven probably wanted to placate them before Zhou Hao caused further trouble.

“Your son thanks you, Father. But there is one more matter that requires your assent.”

“More?” The Son of Heaven’s eyes betrayed his weariness. What other trouble did this rogue intend to cause?

“I believe the arranged marriage to the general’s daughter should be called off.”

“The general can give me a bit of settlement money; let this marriage contract be a mere joke.”

Arranged marriages could be a blessing, but it depended on the match.

The general stood nearby. It was not disdain; the general looked every bit the fierce warrior—broad-shouldered, black-faced, his robust physique evident even beneath his simple robe. His thighs were nearly as thick as the waist of the nearby civil officials.

Looking at him charging into battle, Zhou Hao was certain he was a first-rate warrior.

His daughter...

If she inherited even a fraction of her father’s strength, she would be a formidable warrior too. But to be his wife? Zhou Hao felt he might not measure up even to her smallest fist.

“Ah, eldest prince, you speak too far,” the general chuckled, revealing a mouth of gleaming white teeth. “The Emperor’s arranged marriage is a decree of gold and jade. How can you simply refuse?”

“Better to seize the day. Let’s set the wedding date today. After the grand ceremony, I shall escort you back to your fief in splendor. Wouldn’t that be a fine tale?”

Zhou Hao felt at a loss in court for the first time. The general valued him so highly? But such favor was beyond his fortune.

The Son of Heaven waved his hand dismissively. “Enough. Discuss this with the general yourselves. The eunuch will deliver what I promised shortly. Court is dismissed!”

Without waiting for the ministers to leave, the Son of Heaven hurried away, unwilling to see Zhou Hao any longer—this man was liable to drive him mad.

Zhou Hao, about to leave, was suddenly pulled into a firm embrace by the general.

“Son-in-law, why leave so quickly? Let’s discuss the wedding date properly.”

The general greatly admired Zhou Hao’s boldness. To openly confront the Son of Heaven without proof was no small feat. His son-in-law must possess such fierce spirit.

He had no regard for the other princes.

Zhou Hao forced an awkward smile, attempting to break free, only to find the general’s grip unwavering, as if fearing his escape.

In his previous life as a military king, Zhou Hao had bullied servants with his weak body. Escaping from such a mighty warrior now was far more difficult.

He cast a pleading look at the Chancellor, but the Chancellor walked on as if seeing nothing.

If he did not leave now, the general might soon expect him to write their wedding invitations.

Even the Minister feigned ignorance, following the Chancellor’s lead.

“General, please loosen your hold. Let’s talk this over properly.”

“Look, I am rootless and powerless, with only 20,000 gold and 100,000 silver, no real authority. I am truly unworthy of your daughter.”

The general waved his large hand, pulling Zhou Hao toward the exit.

“It’s nothing. I don’t mind. Besides, I hold military power. No matter how much authority you have, the Son of Heaven won’t sleep well at night.”