The Emperor System was advising Zhao Yunqi, "Just agree, and we can appease them for as many years as we can."

They wanted to give up on this matter; if the emperor couldn't have children, it would be pointless to bring in more beautiful women to the harem.

Over the years, he has only granted titles to six concubines and has also supported Zhao Lin, carefully preserving at least the emperor's dignity.

Now that the situation has changed, those loyal to Zhao Yunqi will worry that the emperor will have no successor, and it is only natural that they will urge the emperor to have an heir.

It would be strange if they didn't urge him; otherwise, the emperor would have to wonder if all his subordinates were about to betray him.

Zhao Yunqi was in a difficult position. If he agreed, the seed-planting machine would have no seeds, and taking a beauty into the palace would constantly remind him of this embarrassing fact.

If we don't agree, the officials will become suspicious, and rumors will inevitably spread quickly throughout the land.

After weighing the two options, he could only grit his teeth and agree, taking a few concubines into the palace to appease them for now.

As for why no one got pregnant afterward—

The rumors that he was too old to have children were already foreseeable to come true.

But it's still better than being sterilized and unable to have children.

Zhao Yunqi pondered, "If I were to use this opportunity to let Xiao Zhixing realize that I have been sterilized and that Zhao Lin is not my biological son, do you think that would be feasible?"

Emperor System: "Why are you so insistent on letting her know about this? It might become a handle against you. From what I've observed lately, she's cold and ruthless, and probably doesn't care too much about whether you're her father."

Xiao Zhixing: This guy really knows himself.

Zhao Yunqi was silent for a moment, but then made a decisive decision: "You're right. Let nature take its course. I'll deal with it for a few years. Once the Crown Prince is born and secures his position, I won't have to face this problem anymore."

So, at the New Year's Eve banquet, the emperor finally issued an edict to hold a beauty pageant the following autumn to select beauties and continue the imperial line.

The officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" Those with daughters of marriageable age and ambition in their families decided to immediately return and hire the best nannies to train their daughters (granddaughters).

The capital city of Shengjing was bustling with activity.

The imperial examinations and the talent show will be held together next year, so it is foreseeable that the entire year will be bustling with activity in Shengjing.

After paying her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xiao Zhixing no longer needed to go out. Therefore, she spent the rest of the year at home with Xiao Yuanshan until the fifteenth.

People came in droves to wish them a Happy New Year, but very few actually got to see her in person; they would simply leave their greetings and depart.

On the tenth day, the father and daughter were enjoying the snow and playing chess when Xiao Yuanshan suddenly asked her, "What exactly is this Gentleman's Academy for? You two don't seem like you're seriously studying at all."

Xiao Zhixing smiled mysteriously, "Father will naturally understand in the future."

Xiao Yuanshan chuckled, "Alright, judging by your appearance, you must be extraordinary."

That's right, it'll definitely scare the whole world to death.

"After the New Year, the Great Dynasty will begin negotiations among the three kingdoms. I wonder what the bottom line is for the Northern Barbarians and the Southern Barbarians?" Xiao Yuanshan sighed.

Xiao Zhixing placed his white piece, "The Northern Barbarians are still using stalling tactics; there won't be any substantial negotiations. As for the Southern Barbarians..."

"What's wrong? Have you discovered anything?" Xiao Yuanshan only has a few people under his command now. When he said he was delegating power, he really meant it. He handed over the entire Prince's Mansion and the forces behind it to Xiao Zhixing. Therefore, he is not very well informed right now.

Xiao Zhixing sneered, "The Feng family has close ties with the Southern Barbarians. I even suspect they're trying to make a fortune over there. Their so-called victory and peace talks are hard to say."

She then instructed Yin Yi to send people to closely monitor the Feng family and the Southern Barbarians, as the two sides did not appear to be fighting to the death.

On the contrary, they were very friendly and amicable.

Xiao Yuanshan frowned and said in a low voice, "Do they really dare to betray the country?"

"It might be more than just treason."

Treason is colluding with other countries and siding with the enemy, but the Feng family's ambitions may go beyond that.

Xiao Yuanshan gasped, "How could this be? Your Majesty—"

Are you stupid? They can all find out, he doesn't believe the emperor won't.

But not only did he not take precautions, he also bestowed marriages upon Feng Hui and Feng Min, one being the daughter of Zhao Zhong to show his favor, and the other being a holy maiden to deepen the connection between the Feng family and the Southern Barbarians.

What's the difference between this and handing chips to your opponent?

Xiao Zhixing's heart stirred. "Father, what kind of person is Feng Lizhen? Has he changed in any unusual way in recent years? Why did you arrange the marriage between the Feng family and Qi Mengshu back then? And how did Feng Lizhen become your deputy general?"

Logically, if someone is about to betray you, there shouldn't be no signs. Xiao Yuanshan isn't really stupid; he was tricked without even realizing it.

And that arranged marriage—the Feng family's way of doing things is completely incompatible with Xiao Yuanshan's values. Why would he want to marry his niece into the Feng family? Does he want to send his niece to suffer?

Then there's the matter of Feng Lizhen's deputy general position. Surprisingly, Xiao Yuanshan didn't appoint Xiao Dong as deputy general; instead, he appointed an outsider.

She felt something was off at the time, but didn't think about it too much. Now, however…

Xiao Yuanshan's hand, which had been holding a chess piece, froze in mid-air. His thick eyebrows gradually furrowed, and his eyes were blank. "That's right, how could I have been so foolish as to appoint Feng Lizhen as deputy general?"

Xiao Yuanshan's face grew darker with each thought. "Daughter, do you think I'm possessed? Feng Lizhen did a few good deeds back then, and I became incredibly fond of and trusting of him, even finding the Feng family agreeable—"

He shivered; could he really be possessed?!

"If you can't figure it out, then stop thinking about it." Don't scare yourself to death.

Xiao Zhixing slammed down the white piece, her eyes gleaming. She seemed to understand why Zhao Yunqi was treating the Feng family so strangely.

He must have discovered something, right?

He smirked coldly. "Whether it's true or not, we'll find out by going there ourselves."

However, she had not yet decided to travel south. On the evening of the eleventh, Bai Mei reported to her, "Your Highness, the concubine of Prince Li has given birth."

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