In the carriage heading towards the imperial palace, Chu Ruoyan leaned against Yan Zheng's chest. "The Emperor wants to bestow beauties upon you. Why didn't you send someone to tell me about such a big matter?"
Yan Zheng raised his hand to gently stroke the hair at her temple. "Your cousin was getting married. I didn't want to spoil your mood."
Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Chu Ruoyan was taken aback for a moment before understanding dawned. "It seems you already have a plan to deal with this. Tell me quickly!"
Yan Zheng was about to speak, but seeing her bright, sparkling eyes, he suddenly turned his face away. "If A'yan gives me a kiss, I'll tell you."
Chu Ruoyan's face flushed red. "There are people outside! Don't be silly!"
Yan Zheng lowered his head and pecked her lips. "This will do too. I plan to..."
He leaned close and whispered a few sentences into the young lady's ear. Her almond-shaped eyes grew wider and wider as she listened, until finally she murmured softly, "Will that work? Wouldn't it be considered—"
Deceiving the Emperor?
She only mouthed the last two words, then heard the man chuckle lightly. "Whether it succeeds or not depends on my wife's acting skills."
Just then, the carriage came to a stop.
Yan Zheng helped Chu Ruoyan alight. Yin Shun walked up with a smiling face. "Chief Minister, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Imperial Study. As for the County Princess, please proceed towards the direction of Kunning Palace. Her Majesty the Empress says she hasn't seen you for a long time and misses you dearly!"
The two exchanged a glance. Was this an attempt to separate and deal with them individually?
A slight smile lifted the corner of Chu Ruoyan's mouth. "Then I must trouble you to lead the way, Eunuch."
Arriving at Kunning Palace, Empress Pei was reclining on a daybed, a handkerchief pressed to her forehead. Her complexion was still quite pale.
Chu Ruoyan was slightly startled. "Is Your Majesty feeling unwell? Have the imperial physicians been summoned?"
Empress Pei managed a weak smile, removing the handkerchief. "It's nothing serious. Changle, come sit here first. I wish to speak with you."
Chu Ruoyan understood immediately. The Empress was still ill, yet the Emperor had assigned her the task of persuading her. He truly didn't treat her as a person!
She sat down beside Empress Pei. The Empress made a gesture, and all the servants in the palace withdrew.
"Changle, I've heard Rong Su has already been to see you. So, you should be clear about why I called you here?"
Chu Ruoyan nodded, and then saw Empress Pei take her hand. "Changle, it's not that I want to force you. It's truly that His Majesty's mind is made up. Moreover, you have been... have been in the residence for almost a year now, and still have not conceived... cough, cough, cough cough cough!"
Speaking too much triggered a severe coughing fit.
Chu Ruoyan hurriedly patted her back to soothe her breath. When she felt better, Empress Pei continued, "His Majesty's intention is to bestow three noble ladies upon the Chief Minister. As for whether they enter the residence as honored concubines or something else, that will be entirely up to you."
"You know the Rong family's second young lady. Her temperament is gentle and she doesn't contend or fight. As for the other two, even if one or two are restless, you are still... cough... you are still the mistress of the household. I can also teach you some methods to keep them in check..."
Listening to this, Chu Ruoyan felt a wave of sorrow in her heart and couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what about you?"
"Me?" Empress Pei was taken aback, then heard the soft question, "All these years in the palace, with His Majesty bestowing and enfeoffing so many consorts and concubines, were you willing?"
Empress Pei was stunned, as if no one had ever asked her such a thing.
After a long moment, she said, "I cannot be unwilling. Otherwise, I would be jealous and unvirtuous, unworthy of being the mother of the nation."
"And you yourself? Willing, or unwilling?"
Empress Pei fell silent for a long time, then shook her head with a bitter smile. "Changle, you are truly adept at probing the heart. You're right. No woman under heaven is willing to share her husband with another. But you and I were born into noble families. Often, we have no choice. The imperial family must expand its branches and leaves. So sometimes, I have no choice but to select beauties for His Majesty, to continue the bloodline. You marrying the Chief Minister is no different from my situation..."
As she spoke, she retrieved a handwritten letter from behind her and handed it to Chu Ruoyan.
Opening it, Chu Ruoyan saw it was filled with accusations of jealousy, childlessness, unfiliality, and lack of heirs, even pitifully beseeching the Emperor to have Yan Zheng take concubines. Her gaze moved down, and when it landed on the signature at the end—Grandma Yan—her eyes turned cold.
"So it was her!"
Empress Pei sighed. "Indeed. Do you know the weight of this letter? Once it spreads, your reputation in the capital will be ruined! Childless and jealous—the censors and remonstrance officials could even demand the Chief Minister divorce you and remarry! Changle, please listen to my advice. Just let them enter the residence first! As long as the Chief Minister's heart remains with you, why worry about them?"
If these words had been spoken before, Chu Ruoyan might have listened.
But once two hearts become one, there is no room for a third.
"Your Majesty, Changle knows you mean well for me. But Changle also understands very clearly in her heart: I will not allow others into the residence, and neither will he." Chu Ruoyan stood up and performed a deep bow. "I have failed your kind intentions. Your Majesty, please rest and recuperate. Changle will take her leave now."
With that, she turned to leave. Empress Pei grew anxious and couldn't help but chide, "Child, why must you be so stubborn? Do you know, today His Majesty not only summoned the Chief Minister to the palace, but also called your father!"
Chu Ruoyan was shaken. Suddenly, a tightness gripped her chest and she covered her mouth.
"What's wrong, Changle? Are you also unwell?" Empress Pei immediately raised her voice. "Someone, summon the imperial physician!"
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study.
The Emperor had indeed summoned Chu Huaishan, along with Prince Yu, Grand Tutor Rong, Minister Xu, and others, including the widowed Marchioness of Baoxing.
When Yan Zheng entered, the Emperor was speaking with Chu Huaishan.
"Duke Chu, my meaning has been made very clear. The Chief Minister's bloodline must not be cut off. So, you have no objections to this matter of new women entering his residence, correct?"
Chu Huaishan's face was livid. "Replying to Your Majesty, my daughter is already married. That makes it the Yan family's private affair. This old subject has nothing to say. However..." He glared fiercely at Yan Zheng, who had just entered. "...taking three new women at once? This old subject fears the Chief Minister might not be able to handle it!"
His displeasure was evident. Yan Zheng hurriedly tried to explain, but was cut off by the Emperor.
"Enough. Since Duke Chu also has no objections, Chief Minister, I shall decide this matter for you?"
Yan Zheng looked up, pretending ignorance. "What matter is Your Majesty referring to?"
The Emperor cleared his throat twice. "The matter of taking new women into your residence..."
"This is my family's private matter. Why must it be discussed in court?"
The Emperor was left speechless. Prince Yu drawled lazily, "The Chief Minister is mistaken. Chief Minister, chief of all officials, a minister who assists in governance—your family affairs are state affairs! If your inner quarters are not peaceful, how can you be at ease to share His Majesty's burdens? My Imperial Brother is thinking of you. Do not be ungrateful!"
Yan Zheng sneered inwardly, but his expression became thoughtful. "So that's how it is. Then, Prince Yu's meaning is that I cannot refuse?"
"Correct!"
Prince Yu affirmed, only to see Yan Zheng sweep his sleeves and cup his hands in salute. "Your Majesty, since you wish to add to the population of my humble residence, a mere three women is truly insufficient!"
