Chapter 1129, Princess Chun'an Misled by the Storybook 10
After resting for two days, Yuan Yonghao went to the Prince Residence to request guidance from Xiao Yeyang again.
Xiao Yeyang was unceremonious, arranging for people to spar with Yuan Yonghao, each time their skills better than before, leaving Yuan Yonghao limping each time.
After several rounds of tests, Xiao Yeyang saw that Yuan Yonghao was someone who didn't accept defeat and had a strong will, which softened his opinion of him.
Later, Xiao Yeyang took Yuan Yonghao on a tour of the twelve military towns, testing him in various aspects of work and life over almost a month.
"The kid from the Yuan Family is not bad, capable, responsible, just mediocre though!"
After finishing the inspection of the military towns, Xiao Yeyang said this to Daohua.
Daohua listened and understood that he had acknowledged Yuan Yonghao.
After Xiao Yeyang finished his testing, Daohua began hosting tea gatherings, poetry meetings, and flower appreciation events at the Prince Residence every three days in small groups, and every five days in larger groups, inviting the women officials of Liangdu.
The women from the Yuan Family were invited each time.
Though their daughter had a princess status and was not afraid of being bullied by her husband's family, if the mother-in-law was unpleasant, life would also be difficult.
At each gathering, Daohua focused her attention on Madam Yuan, judging her character through little things and behavior.
Luckily, Madam Yuan was someone with a strong sense of propriety. What was her responsibility, she took charge without hesitation; what wasn't, she didn't interfere at all, which reassured Daohua significantly.
Though people dislike being controlled, without advice or restraint around them, especially young people, they might grow arrogant over time.
If there's a mother-in-law who can guide you, it could be beneficial for the daughter-in-law.
Daohua knew of the rumors about Yuan Yonghao and the Ren Family girl and intentionally created opportunities for the two to meet privately.
Don't blame her for being cautious. Yuan Yonghao couldn't be faulted for character or responsibility, and had no concubines or chambermaids, but who knew how he would act when faced with a gentle woman?
If Yuan Yonghao softens at the sight of a woman, even if he has no other intentions, her daughter's married life would be quite troublesome.
The result was satisfactory; Yuan Yonghao didn't talk much with the Ren girl, and when faced with her requests for help, he didn't personally get involved but found a maid from the Residence to assist her, showing a strong sense of boundaries between men and women.
Upon discovering this, Daohua truly approved of Yuan Yonghao and discussed with Xiao Yeyang, informing Madam Yuan on the day of Chongyang Festival.
The Yuan Family acted swiftly, immediately exchanging keepsakes and birth date characters with Yuan Yonghao.
The Yuan Family originally wanted to propose directly, but Xiao Yeyang stopped them: "The matter of Keyan's marriage, the Emperor has long stated, he will personally bestow it."
As he spoke, he looked at Yuan Yonghao.
"Pack up, prepare to go with us to Zhongzhou to see the Emperor."
...
Zhongzhou, Taohua Mountain.
Upon receiving Xiao Yeyang's letter, the Emperor and Gu Jian knew Xiao Keyan had found someone she liked, feeling both happy and reluctant, their emotions were very mixed.
"When they arrive, we must take a good look at that Yuan kid, to ensure he is worthy of our Keyan."
In Beijing, upon learning Xiao Yeyang brought Yuan Yonghao to Zhongzhou, the Ping Prince hurriedly instructed Xiao Moxi to take care of Ye Yueying: "I will first go to Zhongzhou to see if your brother-in-law is suitable. After the New Year, I will return with your parents and won't miss your son's birth."
Xiao Moxi smiled: "Grandfather, it's quite a journey from Beijing to Zhongzhou, maybe it's better if you don't go. With the old ancestors and the royal grandpa helping oversee things, they surely won't allow Keyan to suffer."
The Ping Prince insisted: "They are them, I am me, I am Keyan's actual grandfather! Without my approval, how could he marry my granddaughter?"
Xiao Moxi couldn't say anything anymore, his grandfather's health was still good, as long as the travel was slow, it would be fine.
Thinking of his sister's engagement, although Xiao Moxi was somewhat wistful in his heart, he also felt a bit regretful.
His wife was pregnant, so he couldn't personally go to test the future brother-in-law.
"It's really too convenient for that kid!"
The Ping Prince quickly packed up his luggage and went to Zhongzhou by carriage the next day to see his granddaughter's husband.
When Yuan Yonghao arrived at Taohua Mountain with Xiao Yeyang and his family, the Emperor, Gu Jian, Ping Prince, and Gu Moyan had already thought of ways to test him.
Faced with their eager eyes, Yuan Yonghao swallowed, and Xiao Keyan also broke into a cold sweat for him.
In the following period, Yuan Yonghao indeed felt like he was in hot water, by the time he passed all the tests, he was exhausted!
During this time, Xiao Keyan wanted to plead for him, but Daohua stopped her.
"The more you exert effort to obtain something, the more you will cherish it afterward."
Listening to this, Xiao Keyan silently closed her mouth, only sending a few packs of herbal bathing packets to Yuan Yonghao every few days to help him recover.
It wasn't until December that the Emperor and others stopped the tests.
Receiving the Emperor's edict of marriage, Yuan Yonghao was so excited he nearly cried: "Although the process was quite painful, the outcome is finally as desired."
Thinking of being able to marry the Princess next year, Yuan Yonghao suddenly felt that all the previous tests were nothing.
At this moment, Gu Moyan entered holding a jar of wine.
"Young Duke....."
"Enough, soon we'll all be family, just call me Moyan."
Yuan Yonghao didn't stand on ceremony, smiling: "Is there something Moyan wants?"
Gu Moyan gave him a glance and placed the wine jar on the table: "Have you forgotten my brother?"
Yuan Yonghao's face stiffened.
More trials?!
Gu Moyan: "My sister-in-law is pregnant, my brother can't come over, but since you want to marry his sister, you must show your sincerity." He said, pointing to the wine jar on the table.
Yuan Yonghao paused: "Drink wine?"
Gu Moyan laughed: "Yes, finish this jar of wine."
Yuan Yonghao: "As long as I finish it, I'll have passed the Little Prince's test."
Gu Moyan nodded: "Exactly."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yonghao didn't say another word, opened the wine cover, picked it up, and started drinking.
By the time Xiao Keyan arrived, Yuan Yonghao had finished the wine and was drunkenly collapsed on the table.
"Little Brother, drinking harms the body; why did you make him drink so much?"
Gu Moyan scowled, somewhat resentful: "Sister, in your heart, is this guy more important than me?"
Xiao Keyan felt a bit overwhelmed; why were the men in their family all so prone to jealousy?
Seeing Xiao Keyan really worried, Gu Moyan reluctantly said: "Don't worry, this wine isn't strong, it's almost like fruit wine."
Xiao Keyan looked at the completely drunk Yuan Yonghao on the table: "Why then is he this drunk?"
Gu Moyan chuckled, sat at the table, and then leaned towards Yuan Yonghao's ear: "Do you truly love the Princess, or are you just interested in her status?"
The heavily drunken Yuan Yonghao mumbled: "I like Miss Dong..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Moyan's expression changed, just as he was about to get angry, Xiao Keyan stopped him.
"Enough, you got him drunk just to ask this. Can't I feel whether he truly cares for me?" She said and explained how Yuan Yonghao mistook her identity.
Gu Moyan's expression only slightly improved, he thought for a moment and said to Yuan Yonghao's ear: "If you dare to bully the Princess..."
Before finishing his sentence, the collapsed Yuan Yonghao suddenly stood up, face flushed, eyes glaring, and furiously said: "Who... who dares to bully the Princess, I'll thrash him."
Having said that, his eyes shut tightly, and he staggerly fell, sleeping soundly sprawled out.
Both Gu Moyan and Xiao Keyan, startled, regained their senses.
Xiao Keyan glared at Gu Moyan: "What are you waiting for, help me get him up."
Watching Xiao Keyan rush to help, Gu Moyan shook his head, sighing, "Ah, father was right, a grown-up daughter can't be kept at home!"