An Lingrong after rebirth

Chapter 263: Selecting a Wife

In the imperial garden

It was lunch time now. The sun was a little bright today and no one was visiting the Imperial Garden at this hour.

But even so, there was a sound of voices coming from a hidden corner of the Imperial Garden.

"Hongli left the prince's residence early after finishing his classes. He just heard what Zhen Huan said and stood up straight."

After not seeing you for a long time, the Fourth Prince seems to have become more and more elegant. I am really happy for you.

"If it weren't for Queen Wan who had someone take care of me, how could I be where I am today? Queen Wan, I will never forget your kindness."

"Why do you have to be so polite, Fourth Prince? I am also a mother, so I naturally cannot bear to see you suffer alone in the garden." After hearing this, Hongli bowed again.

"Yes, Uncle Seventeen has already told me that Queen Wan has put a lot of thought into my return to Bauhinia City, and I will definitely remember it."

"When Hongli said this, Zhen Huan's expression suddenly changed. She looked around to make sure that there was no one around, and then she breathed a sigh of relief."

"Fourth Prince, you are back in Zijing City now. It's different from when you were in the garden. There are a lot more people serving you. You must be careful with your words and actions in the future so that you can go further. Do you understand?"

Hongli glanced at Zhen Huan, then quickly lowered his head, but his gaze became somewhat inexplicable.

Yes, I would like to thank Queen Wan for her teachings.

"How have you been doing recently? How are you getting along with the other brothers?"

"Zhen Huan no longer dwelled on what Hongli said about his Seventeenth Uncle, and immediately asked about the Fourth Prince's daily life in the Prince's Residence."

"Hongli smiled. The third brother is kind, the fifth brother is lively, and the seventh brother doesn't talk much. But the sixth brother is very smart and often praised by the teacher."

When the Emperor came to the prince's residence, he was closest to the Sixth Prince. I, your son, was very envious of him!

"Hongli's words made Zhen Huan smile. This child is very smart, but too much is as bad as too little."

Being too smart will lead to more demands, and you will be less cautious in doing things. The Sixth Prince is much younger than you, and he grew up in the presence of the Emperor. He is at a lovely age now, so the Emperor will naturally be close to him. Hongli does not need to think too much.

"Now is the time for you to study. Before you were away, others could not see your intelligence. You are so outstanding. Isn't now a good time?"

"Hongli seemed to have heard what Zhen Huan said. In the past, when he was in the garden, even if he was excellent, the emperor could not see it. But now he has returned to the palace."

His daily reading situation would be recorded by the teacher, so it would naturally be easier for the emperor to see it.

"What I should do now is to do what a prince should do. As for whether I can gain the emperor's favor, it is naturally not something that can be achieved overnight."

"If you understand this, Hongli will look good. People who achieve great things are not particular about small matters. You must be patient. Empress Wan Hongli knows that you are a smart child."

"If you need anything in the future, just send someone to come to Yanxi Palace to find me, okay?"

Yes, Hongli knows, thank you, Empress Wan!

"Zhen Huan nodded in satisfaction and paused. I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you in advance. You are about the same age as the Fifth Prince, and the time for you to tie your hair is just around the corner. Your Royal Father wants to choose a wife for you."

Hongli was stunned after hearing this, and then his face turned slightly red. Empress Wan, this... this...

Zhen Huan didn't care about Hongli's reaction and immediately said: Hongli, you are a prince, have you ever thought about your marriage? It's not just your business. "

"Hongli's expression slightly relaxed. He understood what Zhen Huan meant, but he didn't know how to show her that he knew what she meant."

"After all, if the other party knew that I was too smart, would the person in front of me still really help me? The two of them were quiet for a while, each with their own ulterior motives."

"When Zhen Huan saw that Hongli didn't speak, she didn't rush to speak. She turned her eyes to the outside of the pavilion, with a calm face, which made Hongli, who was opposite her, struggle in his heart."

"Not long after, Hongli couldn't stand the pressure of silence anymore. He bowed to Zhen Huan and said, "I understand what Lady Wan meant, but my mother passed away early and I am not favored by the Emperor."

Even if I understand, I know I am not qualified to choose...

"Having said this, Hongli could no longer continue and silently lowered his head, looking very sad."

"Zhen Huan was slightly pleased when she saw Hong Li like this. Isn't it true that people like this are easier to control?"

"If the person in front of me is really a person without desires and flaws, then I will have to spend a lot more time and effort on him."

"Although the selection of the Emperor's wife is not entirely up to you, if you have any ideas, I can speak for you in front of the Emperor."

"Zhen Huan's words are meaningful. Hongli pondered for a moment and said, "Madam Wan, I used to be in the garden and didn't know any noble ladies from aristocratic families. Madam Wan is well-informed. Regarding the matter of the concubine, I am willing to follow Madam Wan's arrangements."

Zhen Huan was very satisfied with Hongli's attitude. She nodded slightly and said, "Of course, the candidate for the concubine must also be suitable for Hongli."

I heard that the daughter of Li Rongbao, the governor of Chahar, Fucha Langya, is dignified and quiet, and of noble birth, so she is very suitable. "

Your Majesty, Lady Fucha, your son...

"Hongli, you are a prince, and the most taboo thing is to belittle yourself. Fu Cha is a minister even though she is noble. Why are you unworthy of her?"

"Zhen Huan's words gave Hongli more confidence. Yes, but I just returned to the palace, so this matter will inevitably require the Empress Wan's care. I would like to thank the Empress Wan in advance."

"After the two of them reached a deal, Hongli left first. Zhen Huan looked at his back and her expression suddenly changed."

Jinxi, you said that the Fourth Prince is so smart, can I really control him?

"Your Majesty has no ill intentions towards the Fourth Prince. I think the Fourth Prince can understand your intentions on earth."

"Although Zhen Huan didn't tell Cui Jinxi clearly what she meant by this action and what she planned to do with the Fourth Prince, she has served in the palace for many years and experienced the battle for the throne. How could she really not understand what Zhen Huan is thinking at this moment?"

What's more, what the other party asked was almost explicit.

"Your Majesty has always been very careful in planning. I'm sure you will get what you want."

"I am not a woman in the inner palace. I have no chance to do many things myself. It's a pity that the Sixth Prince is too favored by the Emperor. If the Fourth Prince wants to make a name for himself, he still has a long way to go."

The Empress has found such a good marriage for the Fourth Prince, and he will definitely have a good future.

I don’t know what Zhen Huan was thinking about. After hearing this, she just smiled bitterly and shook her head. It’s time for us to go back.

…………

Gyeongin Palace

"The emperor sent word early today that he would have lunch at Jingren Palace, but these days, Yixiu will personally cook and send the food to the prince for Hongzhao and Hongjun."

"After hearing this news, I can't help but feel a little dissatisfied. After all, it's not good to lose face for the emperor. I can only let Jianqiu carry the food box to the prince's residence."

He asked people to prepare some dishes and waited for the emperor to come.

"Yixiu didn't have to wait too long. Su Peisheng's voice came from outside. Yixiu stood up and looked at the person coming in. She knelt down and greeted the emperor."

The emperor strode forward and waved his hand, "That's enough, get up!"

"After saying this, he glanced at the dishes on the table and said with a smile, "Little Six and Little Seven are in luck. I see that the dishes on the table don't look like they were made by the Queen."

"Yixiu smiled slightly. The children have worked hard to study. If the emperor competes with them for it, I will have to laugh."

The couple sat down, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then had a quiet lunch.

"Seeing the emperor put down his chopsticks, Yixiu also stopped. Your Majesty, why did you suddenly come to my place today? What's the matter?"

No hurry, where's Jianqiu? Let her bring some tea.

"Your Majesty, Jianqiu has gone to the prince's residence to deliver lunch to the children. Please wait for a moment, Hunchun!"

"Hunchun responded and went down. The couple walked to the couch and sat down. The emperor waved to Su Peisheng and brought the things over for the queen to see."

"Su Peisheng half bowed and walked forward, handing a red booklet to Yixiu, "Your Majesty, please take a look." Although Yixiu was puzzled, she still reached out to take the booklet, glanced at it, and looked up at the emperor."

"It has been a while since the last selection. If the emperor wants to add a few sisters to the harem, it is not difficult. Just let the imperial concubine do it."

"The emperor was stunned after hearing this, and it took him a moment to react. Yixiu misunderstood that he was going to select a concubine. He shook his head with a smile and said, "It's not me who is selecting a concubine. It's Hongli and Hongzhou who are back in the palace. I think they are not young anymore, and it's time to arrange a marriage."

"Yixiu finally understood. Your Majesty has thought it through. I wonder if you will personally decide on the selection of the Consort, or will you hold a small selection and let the children choose for themselves?"

"This book is where I have people search for suitable women in the capital. They don't need to make a big fuss when choosing a wife."

"I want to hold a flower show in the Imperial Garden, select these women to enter the palace, let the children take a look at them, and if they find a suitable one, they will be engaged. That's it."

"Yi Xiu subconsciously wanted to refuse, but changed her mind and said: Your Majesty, this is not difficult, but the Fourth Prince is fine, but Yupin is here, should you inform her about this matter?"

"The emperor waved his hand. I thought Hong Zhou was good at studying and didn't want to go back to the palace. I asked him about his homework several times, but he didn't know anything. This shows how Concubine Yu taught him."

"Besides, you are the Empress, and she is only a concubine. It is normal for the prince's wife to ask you to take care of things in person."

"After hearing this, Yixiu couldn't refuse and could only nod. Yes, the weather has been warm these days. Let someone inform the women from the noble families on the list. Your Majesty, do you think it would be okay to wait ten days?"

"When I collected the names, I revealed it. Those ministers must have guessed it. Ten days, the weather won't be too hot by then. Very good, let's do as the queen says."

"Yi Xiu nodded, lowered her head and looked at the list in her hand. A strange expression flashed across her face. After a while, she raised her head again. Your Majesty, do you have a rough candidate in mind?"

"It's no wonder Yixiu asked this question. Some of the people on the list have too good a family background. The Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Fifth Prince are not worthy of them in Yixiu's eyes."

"If the other party had any ideas, I would have asked him earlier and would have been able to find out some of his ideas. But the emperor shook his head and said he had no special ideas. He just thought that the wife should be selected from a virtuous person, and family background is not that important."

"Yi Xiu's eyes flashed, and she immediately understood what the other party meant. This meant that she was going to give them two wives of the same family."

"Yes, I understand. Once the candidate is decided, I will let His Majesty know. Having said that, Yixiu has nothing else to say."

"Huanchun served tea, and the couple drank it silently, and remained silent."

"The atmosphere in the palace is really weird. Yixiu couldn't help but speak again. I heard that the Ninth Prince got better day by day since he came to Wan Fei's side when he was young. I wonder if the emperor has visited him?"

"The emperor nodded. Yes, Concubine Wan is also very dedicated. Although she didn't teach Longyue very well in the past, she is still good to Xiaojiu."

Yixiu knew what the other party was talking about, that Longyue didn't dare to get close to the empress dowager, so she didn't say much about it. That was good. Although there were more and more children in the palace, the prince was precious.

"The fact that Concubine Wan has been able to do this is not in vain, as the emperor's many years of favor have paid off. She deserves to be the head of a palace."

"What the Queen said is true. But recently I have been thinking that you have lived alone in Jingren Palace for many years. I wonder if you have ever thought about raising a child?"

“The emperor’s words made Yixiu frown. So many years have passed since she left Honghui, from the palace to the harem in Zijing City.”

"When have you not lived alone? Why do you want to raise a child now?"

"Or, who made the emperor think like this? Does the emperor want to move the ninth prince to Jingren Palace?"

"The emperor shook his head. Ninth Prince has gotten used to living in the Yanxi Palace and cannot move out personally. I am thinking that you are lonely. Hongli's mother died early. If he can be filial to you, it is not a bad thing."

"Hongli? A dangerous light flashed in Yixiu's eyes. It seems that this child cannot be kept."

Does the emperor mean to change Hongli's imperial edict?

"How could that be? He is not of high birth, how can he be considered a legitimate son? The emperor's words made Yixiu feel slightly relieved."

Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t want to, but I’ve gotten used to it over the years.

"Besides, Hongli has reached the age to marry a wife, and he will also live in the prince's residence. I think it is really unnecessary to go through such trouble."

"Hongli has been growing up well, and he might not want to come to my Jingren Palace! Why force him?"

"The emperor said this only because Hong Zhao mentioned Hong Hui to him a few days ago, which made him feel more guilty towards Yi Xiu."

Seeing that Yixiu was unwilling, he naturally didn't say much.

Well, your wishes come first. Since you don't want to, just pretend that I never said anything about it.

Yes.

…………

The couple in Jingren Palace had already agreed on the matter of the concubine, but the atmosphere in Qixiang Palace was somewhat suspicious.

"Noble Lady Fucha has seven or eight dishes in front of her, but she doesn't know how to pick up her chopsticks. They are all good food, but she has no appetite in recent days. She can't eat more than a few bites of anything in front of her."

"With a bang, the chopsticks slammed heavily on the table. How did the imperial physician diagnose my pulse? Didn't he say that after three months, I could eat? Why am I still like this now?"

Noble Lady Fucha suddenly became angry, and Jingse trembled slightly in fear.

"I hurried forward to comfort her, young lady, I heard that everyone's pregnancy reactions are different. Maybe the little prince in your belly is more precious than others, so you will suffer more for a longer time than others!"

"Jingse's words made Noble Lady Fucha look better. She took the handkerchief and wiped her mouth. Then I will accept your good words. But if the child cannot eat for a long time, how can he be healthy?"

Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the imperial physician to come and check my pulse.

Yes, I'll go right away. As I finished speaking, I was about to turn around and leave, when suddenly I remembered something, "My lady, I asked the kitchen to prepare some snacks this morning."

"My lady, please wait for a moment. I will ask Jing Nan to bring it to you. My lady, please try to see if it suits the taste of the young prince in your belly. You can't let the young prince go hungry."

Noble Lady Fucha waved her hand and said, "Why don't you go quickly?"

"Jing Se knelt and retreated. When he left the palace, a strange look flashed across his face."

"Wave to the eunuch next to you and ask Jing Nan to bring the snacks prepared for the young lady. I'll go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the imperial physician to check the young lady's pulse."

The young eunuch agreed with a smile, and Jingse strode away.

"Although Noble Lady Fucha is not favored, she is of noble birth after all, so a royal physician, Fucha, can naturally be arranged."

The person who took her pulse now was Cui Zheng from the Imperial Hospital.

"This person was arranged to work at the Imperial Hospital by Fucha with money."