At the court the next morning, Emperor Wen issued an edict to confer the title of King of Qin on the second prince, and sent him to Beiyuan with General Luo to guard the border.

For a time, the court officials had different thoughts. Although the second prince was the first to be conferred the title of prince besides the crown prince, as long as he left Shangjing, the center of power, he would have almost no advantage in competing for the throne.

It seems that Emperor Wen has completely given up on the second prince.

The Crown Prince and the Third Prince were overwhelmed by the affairs of the Xianwang Mansion and had been keeping a low profile recently. Emperor Wen was about to leave the court after announcing that he would select concubines for the Crown Prince and several other princes.

The Third Prince stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to marry General Luo's daughter, Luo Lingyue, as my principal wife!"

The Crown Prince's eyes were dark. After hearing what the Third Prince said, he also stood up and said, "I, your son, also wish to marry Luo Lingyue as the Crown Princess! I hope your Majesty will grant your permission!"

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, his lips curled into a wicked grin. He also stepped out and said, "Father! I beg to marry Luo Lingyue! I will marry her alone for the rest of my life!"

The Fourth Prince saw the Crown Prince turn his head to look at him, and he forced another smile, winking at the Crown Prince. "Hmph! More people means more fun! Regardless of whether I can snatch it or not, I'll just make things difficult for these two!"

Luo Jing stood aside, bewildered. When had Luo Xiaoqi become so popular? Didn't the prince hate Xiaoqi the most?

Minister of War An Qingxuan clenched his fists. His niece must not become a victim of the power struggle!

He was about to step out to speak when the Second Prince grabbed his sleeve and shook his head slightly, signaling with his eyes that he didn't need to step out.

Emperor Wen's expression was gloomy and unclear. He squinted his eyes at the Crown Prince and the others. But he said to the Prime Minister, "What do you think?"

Li Mingfu stepped forward and reported to Emperor Wen: "Your Majesty, General Luo's beloved daughter has garnered the favor of so many princes; she must have exceptional qualities! However, a man should prioritize loyalty to the emperor and patriotism! He should not become too obsessed with love! The selection of concubines for the Crown Prince and the other princes is a matter of state, as well as a family affair for Your Majesty! Everything rests with Your Majesty!"

Emperor Wen held his forehead and sighed, "Lord Li is absolutely right! Prince, please follow me to the Imperial Study. Lord Luo should also come along!"

Eunuch Gao shouted at the top of his voice: "Dismiss the court!"

Although Li Mingfu's expression remained unrevealed, he was deeply puzzled. He had always believed that the Crown Prince would choose Jingshu as his consort! This time, it was all thanks to Jingshu's wit that the Third Prince was tricked. The Crown Prince was deeply grateful to Jingshu!

Luo Jing's military power is only enough to allow Luo Lingyue to replace the prince's concubine!

In the imperial study, Emperor Wen's face lit up with joy: "Lord Luo! Which of my sons do you prefer as a son-in-law?"

Luo Jing was very nervous. He could tell from what the Prime Minister said in the court that this old man was secretly saying that his daughter was a seductive concubine who seduced the princes!

Luo Jing lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty! I dare not! My little daughter is so naughty and unworthy of the favor of the princes."

Emperor Wen smiled and said, "Xiao Qi grew up under my care. She may be a bit erratic, but she has a kind heart. Concubine An and I will find a good husband for her."

Luo Jing felt relieved when he heard Emperor Wen mention Concubine An. Concubine An would never allow Xiao Qi to marry into the royal family.

The Third Prince stood aside, looking worried. His father did not want the three of them to receive support from the Luo family.

The Crown Prince's expression was indifferent. He had known this would be the outcome. He had proposed to marry Luo Lingyue just to ruin the situation.

The third brother wants the military power of the Luo family, he is dreaming!

The Fourth Prince was gloating; he was just there to watch the show. He had no affection for Luo Lingyue at all. As long as the Crown Prince and the Third Prince couldn't get what they wanted, he felt particularly happy.

After Luo Jing left, Emperor Wen angrily addressed the Crown Prince and the two princes, "Nonsense! Choosing a concubine for you is not a joke!"

The Third Prince said aggrievedly, "Father! I sincerely wish to marry Luo Lingyue."

Emperor Wen waved his hand impatiently: "Get out of here!"

Eunuch Gao brought tea and comforted him, "Your Majesty, don't be angry about this!"

Emperor Wen took the tea, took a sip, and sneered, "That's all wishful thinking, but I don't want them to get what they want."

He said to Eunuch Gao with a bit of amusement: "Look, today Luo Jing was so scared that he didn't know what to do! Luo Xiaoqi cannot marry any of my princes. The military power of the Luo family army can only be held in my hands."

Emperor Wen came out of the imperial study and went to Concubine An's Yihuan Palace.

Emperor Wen told Concubine An what happened in the court today and what happened in the imperial study.

Emperor Wen chuckled and said, "Qinghuan, do you think it's okay for me to do this?"

Concubine An said delicately: "I knew that His Majesty would not bear to part with Xiao Qi and would not let her become a victim of the power struggle." Concubine An had a delicate face, without any trace of time.

Emperor Wen was delighted: "I am a qualified uncle, right? Go and discuss the wedding of Qingrui and Luo San with Concubine Xian. I will go with you to officiate their wedding."

Concubine An was overjoyed: "Qinghuan thanks your Majesty for your grace!"

Emperor Wen always stayed in Concubine An's Yihuan Palace. He liked staying with Concubine An, where there were no power struggles but no conspiracies or intrigues. They were just an ordinary couple.

In the Queen's Kunning Palace, the Queen asked the Crown Prince with a sullen face: "Do you really want to marry Luo Lingyue as your principal wife? I tell you, your principal wife can only be Li Jingshu."

The Crown Prince replied with a dull expression, "Mother, you're worrying too much! Father won't allow anyone in the royal family to marry Luo Lingyue! I just went there to cause trouble for the Third Prince."

The Queen heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the Crown Prince say this: "Then if I asked you to marry Li Jingshu as your principal wife, would you be unwilling?"

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