The Empress rarely saw her son show such an expression.

They seemed confused, they seemed helpless.

"Are you unwilling to get married? Or is it because you already have someone you want to marry?"

The Empress, being an experienced woman, always saw things incisively.

Xiao Chengci was made crown prince at the age of three. From then on, his teachers taught him not to show his joy or sorrow.

Those in positions of power must learn to control their emotions.

"I..." Does he have someone he wants to marry?

Could it be that he wants to marry Pei Zhi?

joke.

How could he possibly want to marry Pei Zhi?

How could Pei Zhi be qualified to be the Crown Princess?

Making Pei Zhi a concubine is already an honor for her.

"Mother, if a woman refuses to be given a title by you, why is that?"

Xiao Chengci didn't understand. He had promised to let Pei Zhi be his concubine, so why was Pei Zhi still unwilling?

Upon hearing this, the Empress laughed and said, "Of course, it's because I think you haven't given me enough."

Xiao Chengci frowned. "Is that so?"

Xiao Chengci said somewhat absentmindedly, "But she doesn't seem to be like that."

The Empress didn't argue with her son about such unnecessary matters. "It's getting late. Shall we have dinner here with your mother?"

Xiao Chengci shook his head and refused, "I still have memorials to read today, I'll go back first."

The Empress did not try to persuade him to stay and personally escorted Xiao Chengci to the door.

"Mother, as for the selection of the Crown Princess, you can decide."

The Empress smiled and nodded, "Then it's settled. I've made my own decision and I won't ask you anymore."

Xiao Chengci thought for a moment, "Appearance is not important. One should be generous, kind, virtuous, and not harsh on one's subordinates."

The Empress's lips twitched, and she replied perfunctorily, "I've remembered everything you've said."

"Mother, you can just choose a concubine for me."

Xiao Chengci still wanted to reserve a concubine position for Pei Zhi. Pei Zhi had rejected her now, but what if she agreed later?

Like princes, the crown prince can have one principal wife and two concubines.

However, the crown prince can take several concubines.

"Alright, Mother will remember it."

After watching Xiao Chengci leave, the Empress lowered her eyes and sneered. She then beckoned, and a dark figure appeared beside her.

"Go and investigate carefully for me. Has His Highness the Crown Prince been close to any women these days?"

Empress Shang married Emperor Xiao and remained in her position as empress for over twenty years.

Over the years, Empress Shang has only given birth to one son, Xiao Chengci.

Empress Shang was highly regarded by outsiders; she was gentle, kind, and treated her subordinates well.

However, Empress Shang's only bottom line is Xiao Chengci.

Empress Shang also had spies in Xiao Chengci's Eastern Palace.

The fear is that someone might lead Xiao Chengci astray.

If Xiao Chengci truly likes a woman, it's not a big deal.

But this woman had already stirred Xiao Chengci's heartstrings.

Xiao Chengci wanted to give the title of concubine to this woman of unknown origin, but she was not happy about it.

Empress Shang was worried that if she did not intervene, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Empress Shang trusted Xiao Chengci completely, except that he was not interested in women.

It's not impossible that he might be misled and have his position as crown prince affected.

The moon hung high in the sky as Shang Huai sat on the bed, letting the military doctor bandage his wounds.

Mr. Shang looked at Shang Huai's arm with concern: "Medical doctor, how are you? Are you alright?"

After bandaging the wound, the military doctor said, "This injury is quite serious. You need to rest and recover, otherwise it may lead to long-term health problems."

A few days ago, Shang Huai led his troops to suppress bandits in the nearby mountains.

The bandits were located in a high-altitude area, and the government troops had tried to suppress them several times, but all of them suffered a crushing defeat.

Just then, the army led by the General of the North was resting nearby, so the government came to ask for help.

It wasn't a big deal, so Shang's father sent Shang Huai with his troops over.

The merchant's father sighed, "You've been to the battlefield before, how could you be so badly injured while just raiding a mountain stronghold?"

Shang Huai lowered his head and remained silent, while his father looked at the soldiers beside him.

"Reporting to the General, after we took over the mountain stronghold, we went to rescue the women who had been captured. However, one of the women pretended to be injured to attract the Young General's attention, which is why we accidentally injured the Young General."

The merchant's father sighed, "You're fine with swords and spears on the battlefield, how come you can't even spot a spy?"

"You're like this because you've never dealt with women before."

Upon hearing this, Shang Huai suddenly remembered something, gave the soldiers a look, and told them to go out first.

"Father, I have something I want to tell you."

"explain."

Shang Huai thought for a moment, then stood up and knelt before his father.

Shang's father immediately tried to pull Shang Huai up: "What are you doing?"

"Father, please let me finish."

Upon hearing this, the merchant's father asked, "Have you gotten into some trouble outside?"

Shang Huai was an only child, and his mother passed away early.

He was also favored by the Empress in the palace, and the two elders in his family also doted on him like the apple of their eye.

In the north, it's no joke that Shang Huai was a tyrant from a young age.

Later, fearing that Shang Huai would grow up badly if he continued to be raised by the old man, Shang Huai's father made a tough decision and took Shang Huai to his side to accompany him to the battlefield.

Since Shang Huai went to the battlefield, he has seen blood and dead people, and he has grown up all at once.

They've never caused me any more trouble.

"My son has fallen in love with a woman."

The merchant's father angrily said, "So, you forced the woman to get pregnant with your child?"

Shang Huai quickly shook his head, "No, no, absolutely not, how could I do that to her?"

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