Jiang Shuyue had thought it over. Since His Majesty had made her choose, whether she chose one or two, she would not hold back.

These people are all good-looking. Not only would keeping them in the Eastern Palace be pleasing to the eye, but it would also satisfy the people outside.

They think she doesn't want any of them? That's hilarious, she thinks it's not enough.

In any case, she's the one who calls the shots in this Eastern Palace.

Thinking of this, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "Hmm, not bad. You were all carefully selected by Lord Hong, so I can't show favoritism. Go and tidy up the courtyard and leave them all here."

The guards had already anticipated this and were not surprised, so they began to make arrangements.

Jiang Shuyue turned to look at the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial decree and said with a smile, "Eunuch, please go back and tell Father that all these people are very good, I like them all, so I have accepted them all."

The old man didn't react for a moment, and blankly bowed, replying, "Yes."

The dozen or so men in front of him all visibly showed expressions of disbelief.

Before they came, their families had instructed them that His Highness the Crown Prince was not a lecherous man and that he probably wouldn't choose any of them this time. They were told to try their best no matter what, because getting into the Eastern Palace would be a great opportunity to rise to the top.

Many people were unwilling and did not want to fight for it, and they were truly shocked to hear Jiang Shuyue say this.

Now they all know about the Crown Prince's deeds, and he certainly doesn't seem like a lecherous person.

Indeed, appearances can be deceiving.

"Everyone, now that we've entered the Eastern Palace, we're all one family. We should help and support each other from now on. Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly."

Everyone looked at each other, wondering why Jiang Shuyue wasn't playing by the rules.

When the emperor heard the news, he was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“My daughter is indeed…unconventional.”

Logically speaking, Jiang Shuyue is currently in the eye of the storm, so even if she is forced to do something, she should just choose a way to deal with it.

Choosing too many options can damage one's reputation.

Now that she has chosen those people, there will probably be another uproar in the court tomorrow.

So, the next morning at court, Xie Linzhou immediately found Jiang Shuyue and quietly asked her about what happened the day before.

Jiang Shuyue laughed out loud: "Cousin already knows? Looks like the news spread pretty fast."

"You're still laughing? Several officials are preparing to impeach you today."

"So what if they impeach me? Ever since I became the crown prince, how many impeachments have I received?" It's commonplace, nothing to be surprised about.

Xie Linzhou frowned slightly; Jiang Shuyue was starting to resemble Song Ning more and more.

They act without any rhyme or reason and like to do dangerous things.

Upon entering the main hall, Hong Xi and the others could not contain themselves and handed over a memorial, accusing Jiang Shuyue of being licentious and immoral, lacking virtue and character as the crown prince, and having no manners whatsoever.

The emperor remained expressionless, and instead asked Jiang Shuyue, "Do you have anything to say in your rebuttal?"

Jiang Shuyue bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am not trying to argue, but I have a few questions for the Grand Secretary."

"May I ask, Lord Hong, were those people chosen by you on my behalf?"

"Exactly."

"Lord Hong has excellent judgment; those people are indeed quite good. I thank you in advance."

"But... Lord Hong said I was licentious and immoral, what makes you say that?"

Hong Xi snorted coldly: "There were at least a dozen of those people yesterday, and Your Highness accepted them all. As the crown prince of a country, you should be virtuous and not lust after beautiful women. Your Highness's behavior is truly unworthy of the position of crown prince."

Jiang Shuyue looked completely innocent: "Lord Hong, you've wronged me. I took all those people in, but it was all because of you. You don't care about me, and now you're trying to pin this crime on me."

“Lord Hong, those people were all sent by you. You are a veteran minister of our Jin Dynasty, serving three emperors. Your position in the court is unmatched and unshakeable. I naturally respect you.”

Hong Xi was flattered by Jiang Shuyue's words. He was indeed a veteran minister of three generations, holding a high position and great power in the court. Even the current emperor had to show him some respect.

"I will naturally treat the people you sent well. If I choose too few, you might think I'm being perfunctory. If I choose too many, you might accuse me of being unfair. I don't want to displease Lord Hong, so I've decided to keep them all. This is the only way to show my respect for you."

"Besides, as long as it's sent by Lord Hong, whether it's a person or something else, even a knife, I will accept it willingly."

Jiang Shuyue spoke sincerely, without a trace of sarcasm, but some of the people present changed their expressions.

Xie Linzhou stood to the side, and finally a smile appeared on his lips.

"If the Grand Chancellor truly believes that I am such a debauched and immoral person, Your Majesty, then do as the Grand Chancellor says. After all, Lord Hong is a pillar of our dynasty."

Some people who understood Jiang Shuyue's unspoken message quickly stepped forward to plead for her.

Jiang Shuyue also thanked those people very sincerely.

Many people understood what Jiang Shuyue had just said.

Why keep everyone here? To put it bluntly, it's because they're afraid of offending Hong Xi.

What kind of person is this that even the currently powerful Crown Prince dares not offend?

This is the real threat to the very foundation of the nation.

Although a Grand Secretary holds a very high position in the court, it is a major taboo to threaten the Crown Prince.

Since Jiang Shuyue became the crown prince, there have been constant frictions between the two factions, but none of these frictions have directly extended their reach into the Eastern Palace.

Moreover, Jiang Shuyue had never directly confronted Hong Xi and his group, so they assumed that Jiang Shuyue was afraid.

For so long, they thought they were going to win, and their smugness was impossible to hide.

But today, even the Crown Prince's marriage can be controlled by Hong Xi. How can the Eastern Palace stabilize the people's hearts in the future?

Jiang Shuyue's position as crown prince was personally bestowed by His Majesty, yet now they are forcing her to risk ruining her reputation in order to keep all the people sent by Hong Xi. What kind of situation is this?

Sure enough, the emperor on the dragon throne looked rather grim, his eyes darkening as he glanced at the dozen or so memorials beside him.

Hong Xi probably realized that Jiang Shuyue's repeated weakness in the past was all because she hadn't prepared for today.

That year, she actually managed to endure it.

Hong Xi never expected that he would be defeated by a young girl. After this, His Majesty must have harbored resentment towards him.

After leaving court, Hong Xi left in a daze, and Jiang Shuyue finally felt relieved.

The power of those in the court, led by Hong Xi, is not to be underestimated. She has to act cautiously and only by making them lower their guard can she strike a fatal blow.

The crown prince is the future emperor. If you can influence the crown prince's marriage now, you can influence the emperor's decisions after he ascends the throne.

A crown prince who has to be mindful of the court officials' opinions in everything he does—doesn't she need to elaborate on his level?