Hu Qianyu was overjoyed and tears were almost falling. "Your Majesty, I never expected Your Majesty to treat Yuan'er so well. I really, I don't know what to say!"

In Lan Shanyang's heart, Lan Linxue has always been the most important person. Sometimes, even things that Lan Linxue doesn't want, Lan Xiuyuan has no right to covet.

But this time, her own child surpassed Lan Linxue's. Does that mean the Emperor is finally starting to accept her heart?

Hu Qianyu was lost in thought on the ground, while Lan Shanyang sat in his chair, watching the show with a cold smile in his heart.

Her son just caused her own son to lose the position of crown prince. Although it was that brat Lan Linxue who arranged it, the viciousness of these people is evident to heaven and earth. Hmph, now they still want him to choose a princess for Lan Xiuyuan. They're dreaming!

However, upon recalling the news that Qin Kou'er and Lan Xiuyuan had a close relationship, Lan Shanyang immediately came up with a new idea.

Actually, it's not impossible for Qin Kou'er to marry Lan Linxue. Moreover, based on his understanding of his son, no matter how much he tries to stop him, even if Lan Linxue were to hang himself again, he would still be determined to marry Qin Kou'er.

In this respect, Lan Linxue is almost exactly the same as him.

Therefore, Lan Shanyang never intended to have a falling out with her son to the point of never speaking to each other again.

The key issue lies with Qin Kou'er. Lan Linxue has never been an ordinary person, and only a woman with sufficient inner strength and wisdom can remain by his side. While Qin Kou'er is not bad, she must pass his test. If she cannot even pass his test, then even if Lan Linxue were to commit suicide in the end, it would absolutely not be acceptable!

Upon seeing Hu Qianyu, Lan Shanyang suddenly had a new idea. Thinking about his idea, Lan Shanyang even smiled smugly.

"Alright! It's not unusual for me to choose consorts for my children. Linxue and the others are all getting on in years; it's time for them to find wives! I used to think they were too young to know what they wanted. But after our trip to Jiangnan, they've grown up quite a bit, and it's time for them to marry and have children! So, why don't you preside over this selection? Find plenty of women from suitable official families to participate. Let the children see them, and I'll officiate the weddings for those they like!"

"Yes! Your Majesty, I obey!"

Hu Qianyu was practically bubbling with joy. Not only had her son become a prince, but she could also personally choose a wife for him. It was as if the Emperor was going to elevate her to the heavens. Just imagining the furious face of the person in the west courtyard who would hear this news made Hu Qianyu so happy she could wake up laughing in her sleep.

Lan Shanyang nodded, and for the first time ever, smiled and waved her hand. Then she turned to Jing Quan and said, "Send all these pictures to Consort Shu later!"

"Yes! This humble servant obeys!"

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

Hu Qianyu left, feeling pleased and satisfied.

Lan Shanyang watched her retreating figure and gave a cold smile.

After checking that no one was around, he poured tea for Lan Shanyang while whispering, "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this move? This servant doesn't understand! If Consort Shu accepts this job, she will inevitably arrange some people for the Crown Prince that he has no choice in, and then the Crown Prince will probably cause trouble again!"

Lan Shanyang smiled slightly, picked up his teacup, and said, "Let him make a fuss! He was going to make a fuss anyway! Humph, these common beauties have never caught my eye anyway!"

Quan Jing was stunned. "So, what does His Majesty mean...?"

"My meaning is simple. This harem has been stagnant for too long, like still water. I need to stir things up. The Hu family is currently enjoying unparalleled influence, so I'll give them even more! Lan Xiuyuan has been made a prince, and now Hu Qianyu has also been elevated in the harem by me. Do you think Lan Jiayuan will let this go? Heh, Lin Xue just wants to step down from the position of crown prince and watch these people fight to the death. Now I'm going to give him a push. Just you wait and see, this selection of concubines will definitely become the fuse, quickly igniting chaos."

They forced these seeds of trouble upon me back then, and now I will repay them all.

More importantly, I want to test Qin Kou'er's courage and strategic acumen. I want to see if she can weather all the storms and always stand by Lin Xue's side! Quan Jing, go find Qin Kou'er tomorrow and summon her to the palace. I want to see if she is qualified to be the Crown Princess!

"Yes! This old servant will make the arrangements tomorrow morning!"

Lan Shanyang slowly stood up, walked to the door, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the gloomy yet majestic imperial city outside, which resembled a giant beast.

After waiting for so many years, the Qin family has finally arrived. From this moment forward, every minute and every second will be his time to collect his debts.

Thirteen years of separation from his wife and children, thirteen years of enduring humiliation and hardship, thirteen years of living a life worse than death—now it's time for him to collect his debts.

He only hoped that those people from back then could live longer, at least long enough for him to personally stand in front of them and take their heads off.

As Hu Qianyu returned to her palace with a smug look on her face, in another palace, a woman with a ferocious expression swept everything in front of her to the ground.

Xu Jinlan angrily smashed the last cup in her hand on the ground, making a crisp sound.

The servants were all so frightened that they knelt on the ground, too afraid to utter a word.

"Why! Why on earth! In what way is my son inferior to Lan Linxue and Lan Xiuyuan? Why are they both granted the title of prince, while my son is left with only one hand, crippled!"

Thinking of Lan Jiayuan's severed hand, Xu Jinlan collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears: "My poor son! I'm so sorry, not only did I fail to secure you any official position, but I also made you suffer so much! I'm so sorry!"

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