Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

205. Full Responsibility

Translator: Bryan

“Are you sure you want to do this, Your Highness?” Dongxiang asked, sounding a little nervous, draping the cloak in his hands around Du Chuxuan’s shoulders, his face full of apprehension and uncertainty.

At the sight of his facial expression, Du Chuxuan couldn’t help but chuckle, “Why are you having that look on your face? Even if the Du family goes bankrupt, I’d still be the Crown Princess and your master, and your salary wouldn’t be a coin less.

Dongxiang shook his head vigorously. “Your Highness, I can’t believe you’re still in the mood for jokes. You…” He couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence. The very thought of what Du Chuxuan was going to do next scared him. One mistake and his plan would fall through. It was no exaggeration to say that Du Chuxuan would be walking on thin ice.

Previously he had always believed that by marrying the Crown Prince, Du Chuxuan had gotten the better end of the bargain, for not only had his family members turned from merchants into dignitaries, but the imperial court had also offered his family a lot of commercial privileges. However, Dongxiang had been serving Du Chuxuan for a long time, and his opinions had gradually changed.

There was very little that the Crown Princess could do to help the Crown Prince in the imperial court. It had never crossed his mind that Du Chuxuan would put his whole family in such great danger to make sure that the Crown Prince could lead the army without having to worry about the home front. It struck Dongxiang that Du Chuxuan was in deep distress as well.

Du Chuxuan interrupted Dongxiang’s train of thought with a snort. “I’ve already made up my mind to do it, and I’m not going to regret it. It’d be best if you stop acting like a sentimental girl.” Du Chuxuan casually stuffed another piece of cake into his mouth. “Is the carriage ready? My trip back to the Du family must be kept secret.”

“Commander Luo has prepared the carriage. It’s parked at the postern door of the palace.” Dongxiang gritted his teeth and managed to compose himself. The Crown Prince had left, which meant that it was his duty to do everything within his power to help the Crown Princess. He should at least do his best to repay the Crown Prince and Du Chuxuan for what they had done for him.

The carriage trundled towards the Du family, wobbling along the way. The palace was located outside the city, and there was a checkpoint at the city gate. They wouldn’t have made it into the city were it not for Luo Yi’s arrangement.

“Here we are, Your Highness.” Luo Yi personally held the door for Du Chuxuan. At this time, when he arrived at the gate of the Du family, his face became somewhat grave in spite of himself. It was because of the risk Du Chuxuan was taking on Yuxing Tianrui’s account.

Du Chuxuan got off the carriage and looked at the imposing front door of the Du family, feeling faintly resigned. He was wearing a hood, which attracted the attention of many passers-by. However, they stopped tossing him glances the instant they realized that he was going to enter the Du family’s residence, for all merchants had secrets to keep.

Du Chuxuan’s father had been informed some time ago. He had been waiting for Du Chuxuan in a secret chamber in his study. Having noticed the apprehension on his son’s face, the old man couldn’t help but ask with a frown, “You’ve been having a tough time lately?”

Du Chuxuan shook his head. “Father, I found my sister.” His father was shocked. It was a long moment before his father collected himself and involuntarily asked, “Is she okay?”

They had searched in vain for Du Chuyue for a long time, and Du Chuxuan’s father had never stopped worrying about her. There were also people who said that it was very dangerous for a girl to stay outdoors these days, but he always believed that his daughter was still alive, given that nobody had seen her dead body. And now news of her daughter astounded him.

Du Chuxuan naturally didn’t have the heart to make him anxious. “She’s fine. She’s developed feelings for someone. Everything is great.”

The old man sighed in relief, “You didn’t speally come here to talk about this with me, did you?” He knew his son so well that he could tell that Du Chuxuan was in a foul mood. His heart ached for his son.

On hearing his father’s words, Du Chuxuan looked deep into his eyes and then abruptly flicked aside the lower part of his robe and slumped to his knees. “Father, please forgive me. I’m afraid I’ll have to put the whole Du family in danger.”

His father was momentarily stunned. The old man didn’t support Du Chuxuan to his feet immediately. Instead, he asked slowly, “How would you like the Du family to help you?” He had been the patriarch of the Du family for a long time. It could be said that the Du family owed its wealth to him. However, Du Chuxuan was his favorite child, the one he had personally sent into a treacherous place. He couldn’t refuse to help his son.

“I need you to seek an audience with the emperor, request for a position in the court and donate everything we have to the army.” It seemed to have taken all Du Chuxuan’s strength and courage to say those words.

As the former heir to the Du family’s fortune, Du Chuxuan knew very well how much wealth the Du family possessed. However, it was an extensive army that needed help from them. If the Du family donated only a small part of its wealth, it would be far from enough to solve the problem. To make sure that Yuxing Tianrui could direct the battle without having to worry about the home front, and that the emperor wouldn’t become mistrustful of the Du family, this was the only way.

He had to either drop the idea or go the whole hog, and now it was impossible for him to extricate himself from the situation.

Du Chuxuan’s father silently watched the incense glowing on the side for quite a while before he finally found his voice. “I’ve been doing business for many years, and some family properties have been transferred to your uncles. You’re my son, and I’ll give you my full support.”

After saying that, Du Chuxuan’s father smiled a mirthless smile. “I accepted the imperial fiat and consented to the marriage because I was greedy, and I wanted to get support from the imperial clan. At that time everybody said I was very lucky to have become the Crown Prince’s father-in-law, but it was not until the day I saw you out of the house that I came to realize I was wrong.”1

“Since I did the wrong thing, I need to make it up to you. You and His Highness are now in the same boat, and we have no reason to wimp out, but your uncles have their own businesses and children. I can’t make a decision for them.”

Du Chuxuan, naturally, could understand. He knew that it was a lot to ask. If his uncles were willing to extricate themselves from it, they would be able to ensure the survival of the Du family’s bloodline. Even if they were incriminated because of his actions, they would only suffer some financial losses. As long as they stayed alive, there would always be a chance.

“I’m sorry for being such an unfilial son. If things turn bad and disaster befalls the Du family, I’ll do everything within my power to protect my kin.” Du Chuxuan kowtowed heavily thrice to his father.

Feeling a pang of heartache, Du Chuxuan’s father reached out his hands to help Du Chuxuan to his feet, but Du Chuxuan dodged. “Father, what I’m going to do will put our family in grave danger. Please allow me to stay in the ancestral hall for a day or two so I can collect my thoughts.”

“Is that really necessary?” his father sighed. Nobody would normally go to the ancestral hall except for those who deserved punishment.