Chapter 34 The Willow Tree in the Breeze (Part Two) "His Majesty is probably going to choose a consort for you..."

The Eastern Depot.

Outside the window, the rain was fine and dense, weaving a beaded curtain of water along the green tiles under the eaves. Suddenly, a splash of water came from behind the screen in the inner room, followed by a yawn, and the servant outside couldn't help but take a breath.

A faint smell of blood permeated the room from beginning to end, so oppressive that it made it hard to lift one's head.

"Open a window. You can all go out now," the person inside lazily ordered.

The two of them must have opened the window before going out, and then they ran into Cheng Tai walking towards them.

"Eunuch Cheng."

Cheng Tai grunted in response, ignoring them. He stepped across the threshold, closed the door behind him, and called out, "Lord Eunuch."

A moment later, amidst the rustling sound of clothes being put on, a muttered "What bad luck, covered in blood first thing in the morning" was heard, before the person replied, "So, what happened?"

Cheng Tai paused for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency, Princess Yongjia has come to see the Emperor."

The sounds inside paused, the screen dimmed, and then a figure emerged from one side.

Lan Huaien's outer garment was loose, and his hair still glistened with water. His handsome eyes were slightly raised, shrouded in a thin mist. Without his traditional robe, his figure was clearly defined, and his demeanor was completely unlike that of a eunuch.

Lan Huaien leaned back in his chair, rubbed his eyes, and continued to rest with his eyes closed.

"Is it still about the silkworm-raising ceremony?" He coughed lightly, his voice slightly low.

Cheng Tai poured a cup of tea and handed it over. After he took it, he said, "These past few days, there has been much less controversy surrounding the silkworm-raising ceremony. Princess Yongjia is doing this in preparation for establishing an empress. I heard that she is also advising on the establishment of an empress."

Lan Huaien raised an eyebrow, opened her eyes, glanced at him, and chuckled, "She's willing, isn't she?"

Princess Yongjia was proud and arrogant, always considering herself the legitimate princess, and harbored inexplicable hostility towards Empress Wenhui back then. However, although she had become much more restrained in recent years due to Li's favor with the emperor, she was still the first to object whenever the topic of the empress's position came up in the palace.

The emperor had always indulged Princess Yongjia. Although he wouldn't listen to her alone on this matter, Princess Yongjia still carried considerable weight.

Lan Huaien felt he needed to go. He stood up and asked, "Whom did she recommend?"

Cheng Tai shook his head: "This subordinate does not know. But I have heard that the princess strongly opposes Consort Ning."

Lan Huaien nodded, which was somewhat expected. Everyone knew that Princess Yongjia disliked the Crown Prince, and her visit to the palace was probably partly aimed at Yan Chao.

He suddenly remembered that when he was investigating the Cao family some time ago, he had discovered something interesting. Families as powerful and influential as the Cao family, which had produced an empress, generally provided meticulous education for their daughters, ensuring they were well-versed in poetry, literature, etiquette, and music.

However, Cao Fu's eldest daughter, raised in seclusion, was somewhat special. Her tutor came from the palace and had some connection with Empress Wen Shu. Miss Cao learned a set of palace etiquette and had a special tutor who taught her how to read people's hearts and how to respond politely. And that girl was only in her prime.

Lan Huaien now understood what they were trying to do. Unfortunately, an unexpected event occurred, and the three-year mourning period would likely disrupt their plans.

The Cao family is truly audacious. If another empress were to emerge from the Cao family, many political winds in the court would shift dramatically.

Princess Yongjia didn't support Consort Ning, so naturally she wouldn't allow any other concubine to rise in rank. He was curious, however, who she would favor, given her personality.

He returned to the emperor under the pretext of reporting back, only to find that not only Princess Yongjia was there, but also three princes and princesses.

The emperor did not have many children. Although there were nine princes in the imperial line, four of them had passed away. Apart from the crown prince, the Prince of Xin, and the Prince of Su, who had already been enfeoffed, only the eighth and ninth princes were still able to live with him.

There are only six princesses. Of the three princesses who have already married, Princess Yongjia, Princess Fuyuan, and Princess Shouning, only Princess Yongjia can frequently enter the palace because she is in the capital. Apart from the fourth and fifth princesses who died young, only the sixth princess is still being raised in the palace.

Princess Yongjia said the palace was too crowded, so she suggested going to the Chengbi Pavilion in the Imperial Garden to sit for a while.

It was still raining, and the children who had come were still very young. After playing for a while, they started to clamor to go home. Princess Yongjia held the Ninth Prince, who was just learning to walk, and kissed his cheek before handing him over to the wet nurse.

The noise in the pavilion immediately ceased. Princess Yongjia watched their retreating figures and sighed, "I heard that Father hasn't been to the inner palace for a long time. I'm afraid he's forgotten about his younger siblings. Now that I see them in their youthful prime, I always feel that they are just like my Miaohua, innocent and adorable."

The emperor sat opposite her, glanced at her, and picked up his teacup. “They are lovely, but naturally not as sensible as you, Jinghui. I don’t see them often, and they are all afraid of me, so they inevitably become estranged over time.”

Princess Yongjia smiled, rested her chin on her hand, and pondered, "I just saw my sixth sister. She was more reserved than before. It seemed that she had something to say to Father, but she hesitated for a long time and finally couldn't say anything."

The sixth princess's birth mother held a low rank and depended on Consort Li for survival. Consort Li's daughter had only recently been married, and to ease her longing for her daughter, she took good care of the mother and daughter. Naturally, this care came at a price.

"Her," the emperor said, bowing his head and taking a sip of tea, his expression calm, "has been pestering me for days to plead for Consort Li. I naturally didn't respond, probably because I wasn't too happy. I'm not a foolish ruler; I won't let anyone in the harem cause trouble."

Princess Yongjia turned her head and smiled as she replied, "Yes." Inwardly, however, she couldn't help but grumble, thinking that the Emperor's punishment of Consort Li was all bark and no bite. If it were any other concubine, she would have been executed long ago.

However, she had never had any grudges against Li Jieyu, so there was no need for her to plead for her or kick her when she was down.

The Emperor gazed at the rain-soaked scenery outside the pavilion and suddenly asked casually, "I remember Consort Jinghui once said that after Empress Wenshu's death, no one could compare to her, and she was only willing to acknowledge her as her mother. Why is she suddenly willing for me to establish an empress now? Did someone say something to you?"

Princess Yongjia's smile faltered slightly as she lowered her eyes and said, "I am just a woman, and I usually stay in the princess's residence and don't go out. Who could say anything about me? It's just that I was thinking that Father Emperor doesn't have anyone he can confide in. If Mother Empress were still alive, she probably wouldn't want to see you so depressed all the time. Besides, if I may say something I shouldn't, the position of Empress is vacant, and the court has always been unstable, hasn't it?"

She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, so she secretly observed the emperor's expression. When she didn't notice anything amiss, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But then the emperor said, "I'm not in a hurry to establish an empress right now, but someone has suggested that I select a concubine."

.

Lan Huaien did not enter Chengbi Pavilion, but waited in Qianqing Palace. When the emperor returned, he heard that Princess Yongjia had already gone back to her residence.

The emperor's expression was not good. Just as he was about to step forward and speak, he suddenly heard the emperor ask, "Is it resolved?"

"yes."

The emperor nodded, accepted the chestnut porridge served by the palace servants, sat down, and took a few sips. He moved somewhat slowly, his mind not on the present, seemingly lost in thought.

Princess Yongjia arrived in time this morning, but the Emperor did not enjoy his breakfast to the fullest. Since the beginning of spring, the Emperor's spleen and stomach have been weak, and the imperial physicians have suggested using medicinal diets to slowly regulate them.

"Lan Huaien," the emperor suddenly called his name, paused, and then said in a deep voice, "When you have time, go to the Prince Consort's residence and ask him a few questions for me."

There was only one mansion in the capital, and its owner was Xue Heng, the son of the Earl of Xingji and the husband of Princess Yongjia.

Lan Huaien's eyes darkened, and he bowed, asking, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "First, ask if the Earl of Xingji is in good health, then ask about Xue Heng's official salary. Finally, I would like to remind you that the princess is a noble lady of the imperial family and should not be neglected."

Although Lan Huaien did not know what Princess Yongjia had said to the emperor, he had already guessed based on the emperor's sharp words. He said "As you command" and was about to take his leave when the emperor called him back.

"No rush," the emperor coughed lightly, continuing to ask while sipping his porridge, "Is the cabinet aware of the selection of imperial concubines?"

"Yes." Lan Huaien lowered her head. The emperor had been thinking about the selection of concubines ever since it was first brought up.

"Then go and summon Yang Ren... and also tell the Crown Prince to come over." The Emperor finished speaking and continued drinking his porridge. Lan Huai'en acknowledged with a "Yes," bowed, and withdrew.

The moment he stepped out of the palace gates, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. It was understandable that Yang Ren was involved in the selection process, since it was the Ministry of Rites' responsibility, but why summon the Crown Prince?

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind: Could it be that they're also going to choose a consort for the Crown Prince...?

Thinking of this, he was first stunned, and then what welled up in his heart was not worry, but inexplicable excitement, mixed with a bit of schadenfreude.

Hahahahahaha.

He was really eager to see her reaction.

.

After Lan Huaien finished delivering the message, the cabinet was in an uproar. Ren Lu, who was holding a memorial and about to ask something, suddenly heard about the imperial concubine selection and didn't react for a moment. He stared at Lan Huaien with wide eyes.

He was the last to know the news, and amidst the murmurs of the crowd, he was the first to speak his mind: "Is this to choose a new empress?"

Yang Ren paused in his writing and looked up.

Chen Xiu casually tossed a crumpled piece of paper over, which hit him squarely on the head.

Ren Lu snapped out of his daze. He wasn't hurt by the blow, but he felt a chill on the tip of the pen. He instinctively reached out and wiped it, finding a dark drop of ink.

"Grand Secretary Chen, you..."

Chen Xiu stopped looking at him and said, "Just shut up for a bit."

Li Shih-huai also said, "Be careful what you say."

Yang Ren silently shut his mouth, saying nothing. He then packed his things, got up, and followed Lan Huaien out.

When Lan Huaien went to Wenhua Hall, he didn't see Yan Chao. Only Prince Yan Fei of Changle was sitting under a pine tree, reading a book by himself. However, he didn't seem to be reading very carefully, as he looked up as soon as he heard any noise.

"Eunuch Lan."

Lan Huaien walked over, bowed, and asked where the Crown Prince was. Yan Fei smiled and led him forward. After walking a few steps, they turned towards the lecture hall, where they happened to see the Crown Prince talking to a young palace maid in the corridor.

Yan Fei first called out "Sixth Uncle," and then recognized the palace maid carrying the food box as Shu Ying. He breathed a sigh of relief and walked over.

Lan Huaien delivered the decree, and only after Yan Chao finished instructing his attendants did he leave the palace with her.

A light drizzle began to fall from the overcast sky again, and Liang Lu held an umbrella over Yan Chao. Yan Chao glanced at Lan Huai'en and suddenly remarked, "That palace maid from earlier should be considered your half-sister."

Lan Huaien was slightly taken aback, then turned his head and said, "Your Highness must be mistaken. I have long since severed ties with the Xu family."

So what she said was "should be considered".

Yan Chao remained silent, glancing down at a drop of ink that had somehow gotten stuck to her sleeve. She sighed inwardly, thinking that it must have been Yan Fei who had carelessly flicked it off, but thankfully it wasn't noticeable.

Lan Huaien suddenly relaxed his tone and said, "I saw that Your Highness was chatting happily with that palace maid just now. If you like her, you can take her as a concubine."

Yan Chao felt a heavy weight in his heart. He stopped in his tracks and turned his head to see the man's lowered eyes.

“Lan Huaien…”

He cut off her anger, stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, be careful, His Majesty is probably going to choose a Crown Princess for you."