Chapter 335 Choice

In the inner palace, Consort Zhao's family members came again today, bringing with them a young and beautiful girl.

"Your Majesty, about what you said last time about sending Lan'er to the palace, what about that..."

Lan'er is Consort Zhao's niece. The Zhao family discussed with Consort Zhao last time that they wanted to send her into the palace to serve the Emperor and help Consort Zhao win the Emperor's favor.

After all, Consort Zhao had a child with someone else in the past, and that man had already been dealt with by the Zhao family. When Consort Zhao tried to commit suicide, she was saved by Prince Jing. Over the years, it is probably because of this that she has never been favored by the emperor again.

Now that she holds the rank of Consort and has no biological children, sending a young girl to compete for favor is the best way. If she has a son or daughter in the future, it would be good to have them raised under Consort Zhao's care.

"I'm so busy these days, I'm like an old woman sewing clothes, I don't have time for these things."

Consort Zhao took a sip of tea, but it couldn't suppress the frustration in her heart. She was so busy, she didn't have time to cause trouble.

If I don't finish my work, the Emperor will definitely be furious.

That's not what she said. Some ungrateful women did it, and the emperor banished them from the palace. They're probably living a miserable life on some estate now.

The remaining people had no choice but to obey.

I wonder if it was that vile Consort Jing who whispered in their ear that made their lives so difficult.

Consort Zhao's sister-in-law was puzzled, "Your Highness is one of the Four Consorts, how can you let Her Highness do such rough work personally?"

Cutting clothes and sewing winter garments for the soldiers on the frontier—how could such a task be left to the imperial concubines? Even the maids around them wouldn't be involved.

What is the emperor really thinking?

Just as Consort Zhao was about to pour out her grievances, her palace maid rushed in.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Li from the Emperor's side has arrived."

Eunuch Li came to deliver an imperial decree: any concubine who did not wish to stay could return to her maternal home, or if she did not wish to return to her maternal home, she could establish a female household, or if she wished to marry someone else, the Emperor could personally provide her with a dowry so that she could marry off in a grand and glorious manner.

The imperial court especially encouraged women to remarry, allowing the land to recover and thrive, which was precisely the time when there was a shortage of people.

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" Consort Zhao's voice changed in surprise upon hearing this.

Eunuch Li smiled and said, "His Majesty thinks that the ladies are still in the prime of their lives, and it's not good to let them waste their time like this. He originally planned to bring it up with the ladies, but Consort Jing stopped him. Now that His Majesty sees that the ladies in the harem seem to have nothing to do, he's thinking about how to scheme against Consort Jing. It's better to find another way out for yourselves sooner rather than later, so that you don't end up losing your lives without getting anything."

These words were quite blunt. The Emperor said it directly: since you women are so restless in the palace, then get out of here. If it weren't for Consort Jing pleading for you, you wouldn't have been given three choices today, but would have been kicked out immediately.

After finishing reading the imperial edict, Eunuch Li glanced at the Zhao family before leaving.

Zhao Defei's sister-in-law was terrified; this was a warning to them.

Consort Zhao felt as if her sky had fallen. "I still have my third and fourth sons. If I have to leave the palace to marry or return to my parents' home, how will my children ever be able to hold their heads high again..."

Zhao Defei's sister-in-law suddenly realized that they couldn't get involved in this mess again; they had been blinded by greed before.

When my sister-in-law left, she glanced at Consort Zhao, thinking, "Even at this point, she still can't see the bigger picture."

If it weren't for Consort Zhao frequently sending letters to her family, even if her family had the guts to do so, they wouldn't have been able to get close to her!

You idiot, you're such an idiot!

If she weren't an idiot, she wouldn't have been deceived by a man when she was young.

The Zhao family was blinded by greed, actually trying to push her daughter into a pit of fire. Luckily, it wasn't too late. She went back immediately, found another husband for her daughter, and vowed never to enter the harem again.

As for her in-laws' persistent refusal, let them be persistent themselves; she's afraid of dying.

...

...

If she leaves the palace to marry, will her dowry be prepared personally? Or will she divorce and return home, or establish her own household?

I ask you, besides Emperor Jing, who could have done this?

When the news spread, the entire capital city was in an uproar.

Is this for real? Who came up with this terrible idea to the Emperor, or did the Emperor come up with it himself?

Indeed, who would dare to give the Emperor such a terrible idea?

Ye Wan wasn't particularly surprised when she heard it.

Because the Emperor had mentioned it when she was in the Hall of Diligent Governance today, and she also contributed to this idea.

Her mother-in-law, Lin Suying, was incredibly kind. Since the Emperor intended to send her away, why leave so much trouble in the harem? Was she just going to cause trouble for herself in the future?

Especially since she is pregnant, if someone becomes jealous and something goes wrong, the consequences could be irreversible.

"Mother, how was your day at court? Did you see the Emperor? What's it like going to court? Was it impressive?"

At the dinner table, Er Ya asked Ye Wan excitedly.

Ye Wan ladled herself a bowl of soup. "I saw him. Wei Feng, didn't I tell you before? The Emperor is exceptionally handsome."

There weren't many rules at the family's dining table; everyone basically sat down to eat, and there were no maids or servants to serve them.

Of course, you still need to learn the rules. Even if you don't use them at home, you'll still use them at other people's homes.

Ye Wan wouldn't allow herself to be so independent.

That's not being innovative, that's being stupid, making yourself a sitting duck.

“That’s different. Back then I was meeting a prince, but this time it’s the emperor! I wish I could become a lady-in-waiting someday and attend court.”

Er Ya looked at Ye Wan with adoration, she was practically the number one fangirl among fans.

The person she admires most is her mother; in her heart, even her father cannot compare to her mother.

"Ono, how's the food at home?"

Ye Wan looked at Wei Ye.

Besides Wei Ye, Cai Lei was also at the dinner table today; both of them had been sent over by their families.

She and Madam Wei are now very close friends, and she is naturally willing to let her son call her "Xiao Ye".

"tasty."

Wei Ye nodded; it was a genuine compliment.

After eating at the Lin family's house, he realized that what he had eaten before was nothing special. This was truly delicious; it was so good that he didn't even want to lift his head.

Ye Wan said, "If there's anything you'd like to eat, you can just let me know in the kitchen."

"Cousin, why didn't you ask me what I wanted to eat?" Cai Lei pretended to look aggrieved.

Ye Wan smiled. "Are there any dishes at home that you don't like?"

No, he definitely hasn't. When he came before, he felt like he was going to gain weight.

Ye Wan then said, "Starting tomorrow, my father will set up a school there. You two should pack your things and go together."

The special imperial examination will be held in March. Fang Daru is in charge of the arrangements, but he is not the chief examiner, so there is no need for him to avoid suspicion.

Wei Ye and Cai Lei both looked up at the same time.

"No, cousin!"

If he leaves, he won't be able to eat such delicious meals every day anymore.

"If you don't study, your parents probably won't let you off the hook. Why don't you take the imperial examination and get a degree? Then you can do whatever you want."

Ye Wan coaxed Cai Lei a couple of times, as if he were a child. It was only right to take extra care of Cai's nephew, who was from Cai's maternal family.

Then her gaze fell on Wei Ye, "My aunt will bring Sanya over every other day to teach you. General Lin will also go if he has time."

Nowadays, it is customary for men and women to sit separately. Even in family classes, there are east and west seats.

It's definitely not good for the two of them to live at home for extended periods of time.

Lin Anyuan's thoughts were simpler: mainly, these people at the Princess's residence were disturbing his time with Wanwan.

Ye Cao suddenly spoke up, "Little sister, I also want to take this opportunity to tell you that my elder sister and I will no longer be living in the Princess's residence."

Just as Ye Wan was about to ask, she heard Ye Cao say with a smile, "Eldest sister already has someone she likes. It's not easy for anyone to enter the Princess's residence. We have to give her a chance to show herself."

"As for me, I'll just move over there and keep an eye on that kid to see what kind of person he is."

Ye Wan, observing the scene unfold, asked, "Did that person have a frank conversation with you?"

Ye Hua nodded shyly.

Feng Xinshui said she was in love with her, and she herself was also interested.

Ye Wan laughed, "It's a matter of mutual consent, what's the rush? Tell him later, if he has the guts, he can come to the princess's residence to propose marriage."

After eating her meal shyly, Ye Hua hurried back home, and whispered something to Ye Cao along the way.

Ye Wan had originally intended to ask more questions about the details, but Lin Anyuan pulled her back to her room as well.

"Wanwan, you have no idea how dazzling and beautiful you are today. You are so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you."

Ye Wan chuckled upon hearing this, "General Lin, are you perhaps praising yourself? Who is it that truly captivates everyone's attention?"

"It's you, it will always be you to me."

Lin Anyuan picked the person up and carried them directly into the bathroom at the back.

She has always been a mystery to him, making him unable to figure her out, more like a wisp of fog that he can't grasp.

Only when the two of them became one did Lin Anyuan feel that she was real.

The water in the bathroom surged overnight.

...