His Majesty immediately muttered to himself, "I am truly senile. My imperial brother hasn't returned to the capital for so many years, how could he possibly have a woman he favors? How about this: I will personally choose one for you. The second daughter of Grand Tutor Zuo, gentle, virtuous, knowledgeable, and sensible. She would be a good candidate and a capable helper. What do you think? If you have no objections, I will issue an imperial decree now to arrange your marriage."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have no interest in women. Others my age are already grandfathers. If I had such thoughts, would I have waited until now? Besides, that young lady is in the prime of her life. How could she marry this old man like me?" the Third Prince quickly refused.
"You are the Third Prince, my imperial brother. I'd like to see which woman would dare to be displeased!" The Emperor actually felt quite pleased that he was demeaning himself, but he couldn't show it. He quickly retorted.
"With Your Majesty here, no one would dare to be displeased with me. It's just that I feel I would be taking advantage of her and would be delaying her. How about this: if my imperial brother insists that I marry, please help me look for a lady in the capital who is divorced, abandoned, or widowed. Preferably with children. If there is such a person, please ask for her opinion and see if they are willing." The Third Prince's face was full of helplessness, his words conveying a sense of despair.
"What do you mean by that, imperial brother? I believe no woman in the world is good enough for you, yet you want to find such a woman? Either she is unlucky, or there is something wrong with her. With someone else's child, how could she be wholeheartedly devoted to you?" The Third Prince's actions left the Emperor somewhat puzzled and confused.
"It doesn't matter. I don't care. The reason I want to find such a woman is because she would be around my age and we would have common ground. I don't want to marry a young wife and have to dote on her all day. But a woman my age wouldn't likely be unmarried at this age. That's why I'm relaxing the conditions." Throughout the conversation, the Third Prince consistently displayed an aversion to marriage, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
The Emperor always felt that things couldn't be that simple and intended to persuade him further. The Third Prince quickly interrupted, "My mind is made up. Either I don't marry, or my conditions are met."
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then sighed helplessly, "Don't regret this. If you find a suitable candidate, you can tell me."
The Third Prince quickly expressed his thanks and left the palace, feeling somewhat agitated.
As soon as he left, the conversation between the Third Prince and the Emperor spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital. The Third Prince, having anticipated this outcome, paid it no mind.
Seeing his advisors and attendants looking at him with worried expressions, he quickly reassured them, "Don't worry. I have it all figured out. I didn't make these conditions under duress."
Hearing him say this, everyone relaxed. Although they were curious about what the Third Prince intended to do, they were tactful enough not to ask further. Having been with him for so many years, they knew that if the Third Prince wanted to tell them, he would have done so already. If he wasn't telling them now, it must be due to some unutterable reason.
"I don't know what the Third Prince is thinking, wanting to marry an older woman. Pity me, at sixteen, beautiful as a flower, and yet I have no chance."
"Are noble ladies so great? The Third Prince was once a God of War, skilled in both literary and military arts, a rare talent in the world. Whoever dares to slight him, I will fight them to the death."
"I wonder who will be so fortunate in the future, not only ascending to the heavens themselves but perhaps even their children."
...
Upon entering her shop, Wu Caiwei, who was waiting to check the accounts, heard two women discussing the Third Prince. She paused for a moment, then continued walking. These days, no matter where she went, she heard this topic, but it stirred no emotion in her heart.
For the first time in many years, a man was making such a request for marriage, and that man was the Third Prince. Marrying him meant becoming a royal consort. It was said that recently, many middle-aged women who met the criteria were boldly going out, buying rouge, powders, and beautiful clothes, attempting to run into the Third Prince and change their fate.
"My maidservant feels that Madam's conditions also fit perfectly," Wu Caiwei's personal maid, Yezi, whispered, cautiously looking at her mistress.
Wu Caiwei playfully tapped her head and chuckled, "What does a little girl know? So young, yet you think so much. I'll find you a good husband someday and marry you off."
"My maidservant just feels Madam is so wonderful, only someone like the Third Prince is worthy of you. Why did you bring me into this?" Yezi pouted, puffing out her cheeks.
"From your perspective, it might seem so, but in the eyes of outsiders, my status and the Third Prince's are worlds apart. So, don't say such things in the future, lest people laugh."
Yezi quickly nodded. Those who could become senior maids were not simple people. Having been with Madam for so many years, she understood her temperament and personality very well. Occasionally, she couldn't help but show her true self in front of her. With anyone else, she would never dare to say such things.
What she didn't know was that Wu Caiwei had also been pondering this matter recently. After much thought, she felt she couldn't stand idly by and had to do something, so that he wouldn't have to bear everything alone.
She was a woman of action. After seeing the Third Prince on the street, she quickly disguised herself in her shop and slipped out from the back courtyard. Estimating the time, she arrived at the route the Third Prince would take from the palace back to his residence.
Seeing the Third Prince from afar, she pretended to accidentally fall in the middle of the road.
Gao Zimu recognized her and dismounted his horse a short distance away, calmly asking, "Madam, do you require assistance from this prince?"
"My ankle is sprained. Could the Third Prince please help me up?" Wu Caiwei looked at him with admiration, perfectly portraying a lady infatuated with the Third Prince, feigning an accident in full view of the public.
There were quite a few pedestrians on the street. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared intently at the scene, thinking this lady was truly audacious. The Third Prince, though appearing harmless, was known as the God of War and had stained his hands with much blood.
They guessed that the Third Prince would not help this woman, given the difference between men and women and the obvious ulterior motive. However, to their astonishment, the Third Prince hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over to her and extended his hand. The woman immediately and happily placed her hand in his, using his strength to stand up with a coy and affected manner, pretending not to notice the killing glances from the onlookers.
"Thank you, Third Prince," Wu Caiwei said in a sweet, cooing voice and with feigned affection. The onlookers felt that the Third Prince had a remarkably good temper. The woman's sickening smile and her voice, which made one's skin crawl, would have caused them to vomit their meal if they were in his shoes. Yet, the Third Prince remained expressionless, which was truly admirable.