Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1168 - 166: Prince Han’s Wedding

After the Dragon Boat Festival, it will be Prince Han’s wedding.

This time, the wedding of Prince Han is overseen by the Ministry of Rites, with supervision from Prince Chu and Prince Wei.

The court ministers all know that Prince Chu and Prince Wei are favorable towards Prince Han. Previously, when Prince Han moved out of the palace to establish his residence, the two princes personally decorated and furnished the Han Prince Mansion for him. It can be said that the Han Prince Mansion was built by Prince Chu and Prince Wei for Prince Han.

Now, as Prince Han is about to get married, his elder brothers Prince Chu and Prince Wei naturally hold it in high regard. It is said that ever since the emperor issued a decree granting marriage to Prince Han, Prince Chu and Prince Wei have been making preparations for his wedding.

The Ministry of Rites had not intended to handle Prince Han’s wedding perfunctorily. Even though Prince Han was not favored, being the emperor’s son and a prince, his wedding could not be treated lightly. The Ministry of Rites prepared for his wedding according to princely standards, but Prince Chu and Prince Wei were dissatisfied, feeling that the Ministry of Rites was neglectful of Zhao Yao’s wedding.

Back when Prince Chu and Prince Wei got married, their weddings exceeded the Ministry of Rites’ prescribed princely standards.

Prince Chu, being deeply trusted by the emperor, naturally enjoyed added finery during the preparations for his wedding. Similarly, when Prince Wei married, the Crown Prince was still alive and still the Crown Prince. Being a favored companion of the Crown Prince and with explicit instructions from him, the Ministry of Rites put a lot of effort into arranging his wedding.

For Zhao Yao, the Ministry of Rites followed princely standards for the wedding, leaving no procedural flaws, yet compared to other princes, his wedding appeared rather plain.

When Prince Chu and Prince Wei saw the gift list prepared by the Ministry of Rites for Zhao Yao’s wedding, they immediately pulled long faces and harshly rebuked the Minister of Rites and other officials.

The Ministry of Rites hastily added items, but Prince Chu and Prince Wei were still not satisfied.

Seeing that the Ministry of Rites couldn’t even handle such a matter properly, Prince Chu and Prince Wei appointed their trusted men, Wei Mian and Yu Hai, to take charge of Zhao Yao’s wedding preparations.

Seeing the list compiled by Prince Chu and Prince Wei, the Minister of Rites thought it was excessive; the wedding of Prince Han was excessively grand, surpassing the standards of previous princes, almost reaching the level of the Crown Prince’s wedding.

He didn’t dare directly state that Prince Han’s wedding was too extravagant, so he cautiously reminded Prince Chu and Prince Wei.

Prince Chu and Prince Wei saw nothing wrong, instructing the Minister of Rites to proceed according to their directives.

The Minister of Rites didn’t dare to comply, so he went to seek an audience with the emperor.

Upon viewing the list presented by the Minister of Rites, the emperor remained composed and said calmly, "Do as they say."

"Ah?" The Minister of Rites was stunned, expecting the emperor to be displeased and reject the list, but surprisingly, the emperor agreed directly.

The emperor raised an eyebrow at the Minister of Rites, seemingly puzzled by his astonishment.

The Minister of Rites cautiously reminded, "Your Majesty, this list exceeds princely standards greatly..."

Naturally, the emperor understood, "Since he’s the last to marry, make his wedding lively and grand, letting the whole capital share in the joy of his marriage."

The Minister of Rites instantly understood the emperor’s intention, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Is there anything else?"

"I take my leave," said the Minister of Rites, hurriedly retreating.

On his way back to the Ministry of Rites, the Minister comically mused that Prince Han was indeed lucky; otherwise, his wedding wouldn’t have been this grand. Prince Han truly had to thank the former Prince Dai and Prince Han; if it weren’t for their rebellion, causing chaos in the capital, the emperor wouldn’t have sought joy from his marriage.

Considered fortunate by the Minister of Rites, Zhao Yao was currently trying on clothes at the Han Prince Mansion.

In a few days, he would be married, so he had to try on the ceremonial attire once more to allow for any necessary alterations.

Zhao Yao, with a face full of resignation, opened his arms as Tong Xi helped him change clothes.

The Princess Consort Chu and Princess Consort Wei were seated nearby, watching Zhao Yao change his attire.

Zhao Yao was perplexed; hadn’t he tried on the ceremonial attire recently? Why try them again?

"Tenth Brother, have you not noticed this time the ceremonial attire is different from before?" Princess Consort Chu pointed to a row of boxes beside, "Look at these accessories, they’re not the same as before either."

Zhao Yao glanced at the items in the boxes, raising an eyebrow, "I didn’t notice."

Princess Consort Wei laughed, "Fourth Sister-in-law, these men can’t perceive such things." Though the relations between Prince Chu and Prince Wei weren’t good, Princess Consort Chu and Princess Consort Wei maintained a friendly demeanor on the surface.