"I mentioned it to him before, that staying here is not as lively as staying in Hongcheng, and I'm used to staying there."

"When Mangu has some free time, I'll have him take you to Hongcheng to see the place and get to know your roots."

Su Mi'er nodded with a smile, then turned around and sent a message to the Su residence.

The Su family is one of the thirteen prestigious families, with their main branch located in the capital. If it weren't for the fact that Anmangu was a favorite of the current emperor and had rendered meritorious service by following the three princes, the Su family would never have married their daughter to someone with no background.

Because the emperor highly valued and trusted An Mangu, the Su family planned to win over this close minister of the emperor by marrying a daughter of the Su family off to him.

Originally, the Su family had no intention of marrying Su Mi'er into the family. Given Su Mi'er's status as the legitimate daughter, she was qualified enough to marry the current emperor.

However, when the Su family intended to send Su Mi'er to the palace to become the emperor's concubine, the emperor saw that the Su family had this idea and nipped it in the bud. Without hesitation, he betrothed Su Mi'er to An Mangu.

In reality, Anmangu was merely taking the blame for the emperor. The emperor was adept at shifting the blame, and Anmangu was simply fulfilling his duty to share the emperor's burdens.

The emperor, still possessing a conscience, felt somewhat guilty about making Anmangu take the blame.

Before the arranged marriage, Anmangu already had someone she loved, and she had developed feelings for a laundry maid in the Tang family.

The emperor was aware of this matter. Anmangu had never secretly interacted with anyone and had always been open and aboveboard in his interactions with the laundry girl. He had even planned to marry her.

Previously, the emperor often used Anmangu as a source of amusement, but later, in order to shift the blame, he had no choice but to betroth the eldest daughter of the Su family to Anmangu.

With the marriage arranged, the relationship between Anmangu and the laundry girl was completely over. However, the emperor felt guilty and wanted to try his best to make things work out.

Although this laundry maid cannot marry Anmangu as his principal wife, she can be sent to his residence as his concubine.

For a laundry maid like her, marrying the commander of the Imperial Guard as a concubine wasn't actually a bad deal.

However, Anmangu rejected the emperor's proposal.

The emperor was somewhat displeased. His good intentions had been taken for granted. He had tried to matchmake someone and help them achieve a good outcome, but Anmangu had refused him out of tactlessness.

During his leisure time, the emperor got along best with Anmangu. Rather than saying they got along well, it was more like he had a confidant to whom he could pour out his troubles.

This trash can is different from other trash cans. It either listens silently without saying a word, or it suddenly opens its mouth and can choke someone to death.

He was the only 'friend' who didn't flatter the emperor, yet remained utterly loyal; who lacked flowery words, yet was willing to risk his life for him, thus winning the emperor's heart.

Knowing the hierarchy, yet not worldly-wise.

"Brother Xiao, how are you and your beautiful wife doing every day?"

"Very good."

"That laundry girl, aren't you still thinking about her?"

Anman Valley: "..."

Chongzheng downed the wine in his hand in one gulp and persistently coaxed, "If you ask me, Xiaodi, you're too stubborn. The person I gave you isn't the one you like, but I didn't say you can't bring the person you like into the house. Since you like her, why not bring her into the house as a concubine?"

This will also serve as a warning to the Su family.

I've noticed the Su family has been acting rather restless lately, seemingly allying with the Feng family.

Anman Valley: "..."

“Brother Xiao, if I bestow this man upon you and you refuse, then you are disrespecting me. I will lose face.” Chong Zheng poured himself another cup while holding a wine pot.

"Actually, I had a plan to bestow that laundry maid and that illegitimate daughter of the Feng family upon you as concubines."

Look, the Su family and the Feng family are now allied, their relationship is a bit too harmonious. If you want to find a way to break the harmony between the two families, you have to send a girl from the Feng family to you. With the Feng family girl and the Su family girl both marrying the same man, you don't have to do anything, these two beauties will fight over you.

"At that time, I'll see if the Su family and the Feng family can still get along so peacefully. If they try to trip each other up even slightly, they'll be in deep trouble."

An Mangu pursed his lips and glanced at Chongzheng. "Then why doesn't Your Majesty enjoy the blessing of having two wives and marry them? Marry the eldest daughter of the Su family and the eldest daughter of the Feng family. The relationship between the Su and Feng families will definitely break down."

Anmangu was not unaware of the intricacies and the emperor's checks and balances, but he had always disdained to do such things and only focused on fulfilling his own duties.

Marrying the eldest daughter of the Su family was something he could accept within the limits of what he could compromise on.

He only needs to marry one; if he marries them all, he's afraid his harem will be in turmoil.

He wasn't afraid of death, but he hated trouble.

"You brat, only you dare to say that to me." Chongzheng slapped Anmangu on the back, cursing and laughing.

"However, it's a good idea."

You really have to marry them. If you don't, I'll send the Su and Feng girls to other families, but they won't end up well either. It's better to send them to you.

Of all the loyal men under my command, do you see any of them who treat women well? They either avoid women like the plague or are inherently cruel.

Sending someone to any of their hands will not end well; it will either be like living a life of widowhood or like losing your life.

"You choose. Will you let the two girls suffer a tragic end, or send a girl from the Feng family to your residence?"

Anmangu frowned but remained silent.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes and send the person to your residence right now."

**

Anmangu served in the palace for a day, and when he returned in the evening, he received an imperial edict from the palace, saying that two beauties were being granted to his residence.

As expected, two beauties were brought into the mansion along with the imperial edict, and they were waiting in the front hall for Anmangu to settle in.

This shocking news completely stunned Su Mi'er.

Just what she feared most came true. She was afraid that Brother Xiao would be captivated by beauty, take a fancy to other women, and bring other women into the mansion.

However, this is something that every daughter of a prominent family has to go through.

Which husband doesn't have multiple wives and concubines?

What's so special about her?

Originally, her marriage to Xiao Ge was only arranged by the royal family. Although Xiao Ge treated her well, it was impossible for him to have only her as his woman for the rest of his life.

She should have realized this long ago.

But then I felt that someone as reliable and dependable as Brother Xiao didn't seem like the type to be obsessed with beauty, so he probably wouldn't betray her.

"What should I do? Green Branch, what should I do now? Brother Xiao doesn't just have me as his woman anymore, he has other women too."

How am I supposed to compete with those two women who practically offer themselves up?