Princess Roumin smiled faintly. Gu Feiyan exclaimed in surprise, "His Majesty is going to bestow beauties? Is it true?"
Princess Jiahui said displeasedly, "Of course it's true. Before I left the palace, my father had already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to submit the list. He also plans to bestow women upon the households of several ministers like Minister Dou and Vice Minister Ji. If you don't believe me, go back and ask your grandfather; he must have heard about it too!"
Gu Feiyan hurriedly clarified, "That's not what I meant. I was wondering, will Chief Minister Yan agree? Isn't he utterly bewitched by Chu Changle?"
Princess Jiahui gave a cold snort. Princess Roumin said gently, "Sister Feiyan, don't worry too much. A bestowal from the Emperor is a heavenly favor. Besides, it's not just the Chief Minister's household receiving people this time. I believe he won't refuse."
Gu Feiyan nodded in understanding. Princess Jiahui then asked, "By the way, Sister Roumin, how did you manage to get in touch with Grandma Yan? I heard she's kept under strict watch by the Yan family. If it weren't for her handwritten letter denouncing Chu Changle for jealousy and childlessness this time, I'm afraid my father wouldn't have agreed..."
How did she get in touch?
A slight smile lifted the corner of Roumin's lips. Naturally, it was because of her elder brother!
However, this couldn't be shared with them. She simply said, "Roumin is merely fulfilling a duty entrusted by someone. The urgent matter now is to find out which beauties His Majesty intends to bestow. After all, they are to be concubines; we mustn't cause suffering for them..."
Princess Jiahui thought differently in her heart but said, "Sister Roumin, you are too kind-hearted. Don't worry, I have already suggested candidates to my father. Grand Tutor Rong's second daughter, Rong Su, has already gone through the wedding ceremony with him, hasn't she? And she's madly in love with him; I believe she'd be willing even as a concubine. Also, Minister Xu's daughter from a concubine, and the widowed daughter of the Marchioness of Baoxing—they are all on our side."
"What a pity about Feng Ying, already married to Yan Chengwu. If she hadn't married, she would have been the perfect candidate to marry over. She would definitely stir up a storm with Chu Changle!"
Princess Roumin nodded. Gu Feiyan, however, hesitated, "Is Second Sister Rong also going? She... she seems to have moved on..."
Slap!
Princess Jiahui slapped the table and stood up. "Gu Feiyan, whose side are you on? Ever since you arrived today, you've been questioning me at every turn. Are you having second thoughts and want to back out?"
Gu Feiyan trembled in fright. "This subject absolutely does not mean that, absolutely not!"
Princess Jiahui sneered, "You'd better not. If I find out you've gone to inform on us, hmph, you're finished!"
Only after Gu Feiyan repeatedly promised she wouldn't did Princess Jiahui let her off.
The next day, after the morning court session.
The Emperor specifically asked Yan Zheng, Dou Sicheng, Ji Yao, and others to stay for a talk in the imperial study.
He first discussed some trivial court affairs, then shifted the topic. "Minister Ji, I recall you are not yet married, correct?"
Ji Yao was taken aback and replied honestly, "Yes, Your Majesty. My family circumstances are humble, and no noble lady has yet favored me."
The Emperor waved his hand grandly. "That's easily settled. Duke Zou's daughter, Zou Yue, is also unmarried. I shall make the decision for you two. What do you think?"
Ji Yao immediately bowed to the ground. "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace!"
The Emperor nodded, then looked at Dou Sicheng. "Minister Dou, I've heard your family is struggling with heirs..."
The words didn't need to be spelled out. Dou Sicheng immediately knelt and said, "Your Majesty, although I am already married, I have only my wife at home. My parents often lament the lack of descendants in our family and hope I can expand the family line. But with only my wife, I have the will but lack the means..."
The Emperor was very pleased with his understanding. He declared loudly, "Minister Dou, you labor for the state. How can you be troubled by household matters? I shall also make a decision for you. I will bestow upon you the second daughter of Duke Qing. You must not neglect her!"
Dou Sicheng swore to heaven to welcome her as a secondary wife of equal status, winning further praise from the Emperor.
Only then did the Emperor's gaze slowly turn to Yan Zheng.
After all this buildup, even a blind man could see what it was for.
Yan Zheng found it rather amusing. He cupped his hands, about to speak, when suddenly a young eunuch entered and announced, "Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager has suddenly taken ill and requests your presence!"
The Emperor frowned. "If she's ill, summon the imperial physicians! I'm not a doctor; what can I do by going?"
The young eunuch lowered his head awkwardly. Yin Shun, seizing the moment, spoke up, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is, after all, the mother of the Second Prince. Perhaps you should...?"
He deliberately emphasized "Second Prince," reminding the Emperor to consider the prince's face if not the mother's.
After all, since the death of the Fifth Prince, the most likely successor to the throne was this one...
The Emperor hesitated for a moment and finally nodded. "Prepare the carriage for Kunning Palace. As for the Chief Minister—"
He hadn't yet decided how to instruct him, but Yan Zheng cupped his hands and bowed first. "Your subjects respectfully see off Your Majesty."
The Emperor was left speechless and had to board the imperial carriage first.
After leaving the imperial study, Ji Yao was beaming with joy, his face flushed as if he had drunk three pounds of strong liquor. "Congratulations, Minister Dou, on marrying another beautiful bride!"
Dou Sicheng gave the young man a dismissive glance, then turned to Yan Zheng. "Chief Minister, you surely understand His Majesty's intention. Since it's inevitable sooner or later, why not just..."
Before he could finish, Yan Zheng interrupted coolly, "Minister Dou's meaning is unclear to this Chief Minister."
Dou Sicheng was momentarily stunned, wanting to do him this favor. "Chief Minister, why pretend ignorance? His Majesty intends to bestow women upon our households! Vice Minister Ji has never married, so it's fine, but look at me. Although I only have one wife at home, I have five or six concubines. I could elevate any of them to bear children. Yet, His Majesty still bestowed a secondary wife, didn't he?"
The corner of Yan Zheng's mouth twitched slightly, seeming somewhat cold. Dou Sicheng patted his shoulder again. "Chief Minister, I know you are considering the Duke of Chu's reputation. But with an imperial bestowal, even if he were present, he wouldn't dare utter a word of refusal! Besides, this is ultimately a good thing. Men, who doesn't have three wives and four concubines? In my opinion, you should first go back and inform your wife, then wait at ease for the beauties!"
With that, he laughed heartily and pulled Ji Yao away, leaving Yan Zheng to let out a cold snort.
A good thing?
A good thing that would destroy his family and separate him from his wife, was it?
Returning to his residence, before he could figure out how to explain to his wife, he heard from Steward Fang that Miss Xue of the Cao family was getting married and his wife had gone to help.
Yan Zheng rubbed his temples in frustration. "Did Ayan say when she'd return?"
Steward Fang shook his head. "Madam only said she'd return after she's done with this busy period. Probably once the wedding banquet is over in a couple of days, she'll be back."
A couple of days?
Looking at how impatient the Emperor was, could he wait that long?
Yan Zheng's gaze darkened. "We can't wait. Go tell Meng Yang to stop following Shadow for now and come back to investigate something for me!"
Steward Fang leaned in to listen carefully, then exclaimed in shock, "What? How could His Majesty do this? When the Great General was alive, he never forced people into our household!"
A cold smile appeared on Yan Zheng's lips. "That's because no one was stirring up trouble! The Emperor had this idea before during the hunting expedition, but later dropped it. Now, bringing it up again, someone must have been whispering in his ear. I suspect it originated from within this household!"
"Within the household? That shouldn't be... Unless..." Steward Fang thought of something and glanced in the direction of Longevity Peace Hall.
Yan Zheng's expression was indifferent. "For Sixth Yan's sake, I've tolerated her several times. If the investigation reveals it's her again this time, then send her to the Reclining Buddha Temple."
