Accompanied by Princess Gundelinde, Qin Tian exited the banquet hall and ventured into the palace gardens. This unexpected departure left the guests within the hall utterly astonished. Those who had harbored a glimmer of hope now felt the pang of disappointment settle in. It was evident that the bond between Qin Tian and Princess Gundelinde was deepening.
Many perceived their union as a perfect match, a harmonious pairing of talent and beauty.
Though the protagonists were absent, the festivities continued unabated, providing a splendid platform for the lonely noblemen and women seeking to forge connections. Particularly after indulging in copious amounts of wine, revelers often unleashed astonishing antics that left onlookers agape.
However, such occurrences were of no concern to Qin Tian and Princess Gundelinde, who were absorbed in their exploration of the garden. Qin Tian appeared remarkably loquacious, his clever repartee causing Princess Gundelinde to respond with delightful laughter, her face aglow with joy.
Princess Gundelinde, too, admired Qin Tian. Over the years, his exploits had become legendary throughout the German Empire, naturally leading many young ladies to regard him as their ideal suitor.
Their mutual affection was palpable, drawing the two closer together. After thoroughly exploring the palace gardens, both felt a clear understanding of each other's feelings.
"Your Highness, how long do you plan to stay in Berlin? There are numerous attractions in the surrounding areas. If possible, I would be honored to be your guide," Qin Tian proposed.
"Regrettably, Your Highness, I miss my mother dearly, and we are set to return to Munich tomorrow.
However, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit us in Munich at an appropriate time," replied Princess Gundelinde.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Qin Tian's face, but given her invitation, he was determined not to let this opportunity slip away.
"Very well, Your Highness. I shall certainly come to Munich," Qin Tian asserted with resolve.
The following day, news of Qin Tian's interest in the Bavarian princess Gundelinde spread throughout the German Empire. The public had no objections; to them, a dashing prince and a beautiful princess were destined to be together.
Among the elite, there were murmurs of admiration, recognizing that a union between the Hohenzollern family and the Bavarian royal family would bring greater stability to the German Empire, rendering any challenges to Hohenzollern rule virtually impossible.
Wilhelm II took this matter seriously and summoned Qin Tian for a private audience.
"Oscar, do you hold Princess Gundelinde in high regard?" Wilhelm II inquired directly.
"Yes, Father, I have feelings for Princess Gundelinde and wish to make her my wife," Qin Tian replied resolutely, embodying a steadfastness that was characteristic of him. Moreover, Gundelinde embodied the qualities he admired most. Encountering someone so endearing is a rare fortune in one's lifetime.
A frown creased Wilhelm II's brow; he understood Qin Tian's intentions but realized it would necessitate adjustments to some of his policies.
"Oscar, you must know that for years I have sought to suppress the various royal families within our borders, consolidating Hohenzollern dominance in the German Empire. The Bavarian royal family is the most influential in southern Germany, and they are among my primary targets for suppression. Should you marry Princess Gundelinde, I would have to reconsider my stance," Wilhelm II explained.
Qin Tian nodded, aware of Wilhelm II's longstanding concern regarding the potential threats posed by the provincial royal families to Hohenzollern rule. He recognized the importance of centralization but did not believe it would interfere with his relationship with Princess Gundelinde.
"Father, reinforcing central authority is a lengthy process, and overly aggressive tactics may provoke backlash. I believe we ought to adopt a more conciliatory approach, subtly influencing them and employing divide-and-conquer strategies to neutralize their threats to the Hohenzollern family. Of course, if necessary, we can resort to more stringent measures to deter others. Even after my marriage to Princess Gundelinde, I do not believe this will pose any issues," Qin Tian argued.Politics, after all, often requires a delicate balance.
After a moment of contemplation, Wilhelm II nodded. He recognized that achieving Qin Tian's vision would be a formidable challenge, yet he felt it unwise to voice further objections. He trusted in Qin Tian's intelligence to navigate the situation effectively.
"Very well, Oscar, I have faith in you. Since you have made your decision, pursue your course of action. I believe you will handle everything adeptly," Wilhelm II expressed his support.
"Thank you, Father!" Qin Tian replied, relief washing over him. Gaining Wilhelm II's approval eased his worries considerably. His greatest fear had been a clear opposition from the emperor, given the existing tensions between the Hohenzollern family and the Bavarian royal family.
Upon leaving the palace, Qin Tian proceeded directly to the headquarters of the German Industrial Group. He was uncertain how long his stay in Munich would last, but he knew that the operations of various subsidiaries must not be adversely affected. He needed to instruct Karl to oversee these projects in his absence.
"Your Highness, congratulations!" Karl von Jonalett greeted him with a broad smile, well aware of the events that had unfolded at the banquet the previous evening.
"Ha! Karl, it's still too early for congratulations! Let's save that for when we actually wed!" Qin Tian chuckled.
Karl nodded, acknowledging the seriousness of Qin Tian's commitment.
"Karl, I am departing for Munich tomorrow, so please keep an eye on matters here at the group, especially regarding the shipyard, engine factory, and arms company. We must ensure that each project proceeds smoothly," Qin Tian instructed.
"Understood, Your Highness," Karl von Jonalett responded. He knew that Qin Tian's focus had shifted away from the company, and in the days to come, he would be quite occupied.