Then, the Empress pointed out nine more consorts to the Crown Prince, including Liangdi, Liangyuan, Chenghui, Zhaoxun, and Fengyi.

Although their official ranks were not high, they came from powerful backgrounds, being daughters of prominent families or high-ranking officials.

Surprisingly, among the three Zhi sisters, Zhi Yaoyao was chosen to be a concubine for the Crown Prince.

The Empress did not refer to the eldest daughter of the Marquis's family, but instead referred to the daughter of the Zhi family.

Seeing that Old Madam Hou and Madam Hou were expressing their gratitude together, Xie Zhaozhao immediately understood that this was Gu Chengyan and Madam Tu's idea.

Gu Jiaojiao and Gu Xuanxuan are infamous, and the reputation of the Marquis's daughters is completely ruined. Gu Huanhuan and Gu Mian are both victims.

Furthermore, even if Gu Huanhuan and Gu Mian Mian became the Crown Prince's women, it might benefit the Marquis's mansion, but it wouldn't benefit the eldest branch of the family.

The second branch will rise to prominence. The second wife, Madam Lu, and Madam Tu were already at odds, and now the second branch will be promoted.

Regarding the prescription from last time, everyone in the manor assumed that Gu Chengyan was "infertile." If the second branch of the family has another daughter who enters the palace, will the second branch of the family be replaced as heir?

This was something Tu could not tolerate.

Therefore, Madam Tu and Gu Chengyan preferred to promote the branch family rather than give the second branch a chance.

As for how to step down the second wife and promote the Zhi family, it's very simple; Gu Chengyan just needs to give the Crown Prince a heads-up.

He has probably already taken control of the Crown Prince. It's not surprising that someone controlled by drug addiction would do anything.

The Empress complied with the Crown Prince's wishes, and it was simply a matter of having one more woman in the harem.

Although Fengyi was only a ninth-rank official, the old lady was overjoyed. A royal wife was already above everyone else, and these were her family members.

Many people are also wondering, what kind of family is the Zhi family?

The emperor's face remained dark throughout. The crown princess had only been dead for a few days, her body barely cold, and the crown prince was already choosing a new consort. He refused to believe that scholars wouldn't be disheartened, especially considering that Shi Lang was the top scholar in the imperial examinations during the late emperor's reign.

After the marriage was arranged, Madam Xie's hands and feet felt a little cold.

She didn't regret sending Xu and Xie Tingting into the palace, because she couldn't arrange a marriage with the Liu family in the twelfth lunar month; if she were to arrange it, she would choose an auspicious day after the new year.

The Empress was determined to form a marriage alliance with the Xie family. Even if Xie Tingting wasn't included, there were Xie Wanwan, Xie Xiuxiu, and several other illegitimate granddaughters.

If that's the case, it would be better to arrange a marriage between Xie Tingting and Xu Yingrong. At worst, all of Xu Yingrong's (Xie Zhaozhao's stepmother, Xu Shi) children would become abandoned children.

Everyone was deeply troubled by this arranged marriage. His Majesty allowed the Empress to issue the imperial decree from beginning to end, neither approving nor opposing it.

After the arranged marriage, he took over the event.

"The earthquake in the Central Plains has touched everyone's hearts. Many officials have made great contributions to the court, which I cannot forget, and the people should not forget either."

"During this great disaster, Madam Xie Zhaozhao, the wife of Grand Secretary Gu, donated all of her dowry and the 200,000 shi of grain she had collected to the court to help the people get through the famine."

"Madam Gu has repeatedly chosen a low profile and declined to seek fame, yet I cannot fail to commend her. Madam Gu's righteousness is a model for all women. Please accept this reward, Madam Gu—"

The entire hall was silent. Xie Zhaozhao had donated 200,000 shi of grain.

Sitting next to her, Madam Xie looked at Xie Zhaozhao in surprise, only to see her eldest granddaughter dressed in court attire, her back straight, a serene smile on her face, kneeling to receive her reward.

"A reward: Lady Gu is granted a gold token exempting her from kneeling before officials and even before the Emperor. This token shall be disseminated to all levels of government in the Imperial Gazette!"

Xie Zhaozhao paused for a moment, then quickly looked up and stared at His Majesty in astonishment.

Emperor Hui was very pleased. This little girl had been with Consort Xi since she was a child. He had watched her grow up and had never seen her with any other expression. Would she be surprised?

Girl, the most surprising thing is yet to come!

Just as Xie Zhaozhao was about to say "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty," Emperor Hui spoke again.

"A Johor merchant fell seriously ill in Da Gan due to acclimatization issues on his way to Dongli Kingdom. Madam Gu generously provided him with a life-saving gift. In gratitude for Madam Gu's life-saving grace, the Johor merchant gifted her a ship full of five hundred racehorses and chauffeured horses. Madam Gu did not keep them for herself, but donated them all to Xiyuan Horse Ranch."

Xiyuan Horse Ranch, Royal Horse Ranch.

Xie Zhaozhao was a little confused; Emperor Hui was really good at making things up.

However, she knew that Emperor Hui was protecting her and that the Duke of Chengen and his gang could not find out that she had opened an overseas shipping route.

"The Xie family has done a good job in raising their daughter. They are hereby awarded a certificate of merit, which shall be inherited by their descendants."

Xie Anfeng and Madam Xie were stunned for a long time. What was going on? Zhao Zhao was already married. She had done a good deed, and now her family was to be rewarded?

Such a large reward?!

Seeing Xie Anfeng and Madam Xie in a daze, Grand Secretary Liu smiled and urged, "Lord Xie, Madam Xie, why don't you go and express your gratitude?"

Having just experienced the blow and disgust of Xie Tingting being named a concubine of the Crown Prince, Madam Xie and Xie Anfeng were overjoyed to hear of this reward.

Xie Anfeng walked up to Madam Xie and said excitedly, "Mother, it's true! His Majesty has bestowed an imperial edict of merit upon our Xie family!"

Madam Xie was so excited that her hands and feet trembled. Holding Xie Anfeng's arm, she led the Xie family's children and grandchildren to give Emperor Hui a grand salute to express their gratitude.

The old lady of the Marquis's mansion felt a pang of jealousy in her heart. "Why did I have to get a daughter-in-law?"

The household was struggling financially, but the third daughter-in-law was doing well, giving away 200,000 shi of grain to the imperial court for nothing!

The 200,000 shi that came up recently wasn't the usual 200,000 shi; if it had been sold, it would have been worth millions of guan of silver!

So many horses were given to me as gifts, ponies and racehorses, each one must have cost at least several hundred taels of silver, right? Five hundred horses... What a spendthrift!

The old lady clutched her chest, wanting to teach Xie Zhaozhao a lesson: Unfilial, unfilial, unfilial!

Madam Tu lowered her eyes, filled with jealousy and inward sneer. She'd already married into the Gu family, yet she was bestowing gifts upon her own family? She'd be basking in the glory for a while, then return home to face her mother-in-law's fury!

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!