Chapter 276 Sending a Concubine to Pei Siyan

Pei Siyan's words were calm, yet they carried an air of authority.

Everyone listened intently, holding their breath, and breathed a sigh of relief when they heard him say that.

They had different thoughts; while they despised Dou Zhongyuan, they also felt a certain envy.

At least the Crown Prince did not refuse outright or embarrass him. Perhaps he just needed this procedure, and once the memorial was submitted, changing his official position would be a matter of a word from him.

Dou Zhongyuan was so frustrated that he came up with this ridiculous idea. Normally, even the eldest son's family had a hard time getting to see the Crown Prince, let alone him, a lowly servant.

He was overjoyed and put on a fawning smile. "Yes, Your Highness is right. I will write a memorial as soon as I get back."

Dou Bochang's face turned extremely ugly, and he quickly signaled to the servants to help him down.

He forced a smile, raised his cup with both hands, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please feel free to drink as you please, I'll drink it all."

Pei Siyan picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and then picked up his chopsticks to continue eating.

Seeing that Pei Siyan had only tasted a few dishes, Dou Bochang frowned and said, "Yi'er, hurry up and serve the Crown Prince some food!"

Madam Gu chimed in, "Yes, we don't know what the Crown Prince likes to eat either. You didn't even tell us. A wife can't be so careless."

Listening to their imperious tone, Dou Wenyi felt that the dishes on the table were tasteless.

A mix of emotions churned within her. Even now, they still wanted to teach her the Three Obediences and Four Virtues in front of everyone.

She suppressed her anger and, after a moment, said calmly, "Father, Mother, the Crown Prince's preferences cannot be inquired about casually, not even by the Dou family. There are taboos surrounding these matters, don't you know?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a low laugh came from the next table. The laugh came from Yang, the second wife. She probably couldn't stand seeing the first wife's family so smug.

Mrs. Gu blushed with embarrassment and said awkwardly, "Yes, yes, we didn't think it through."

Pei Siyan remained expressionless, seemingly unconcerned about the undercurrents at the dinner table. However, he also put down his chopsticks and stopped eating.

Dou Mingxiu had mustered up the courage to come over and offer a toast, but upon seeing this, he had no choice but to put the wine cup back down.

Pei Siyan glanced at her. "Have you finished eating?"

Dou Wenyi nodded gently.

Even after they got into the carriage and he held Dou Wenyi in his arms, she was still somewhat downcast.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking that our kinship ties are indeed very shallow," Dou Wenyi replied truthfully, her expression forlorn.

Fortunately, she had been loved by her grandmother since she was a child, while Pei Siyan, although loved by Empress Wen, unfortunately passed away early.

Pei Siyan stroked her hair thoughtfully, "Yes, that's why we are truly a family."

He dared not imagine how lonely the world would be without her.

Dou Wenyi suddenly sat up, her voice soft but her gaze firm, "Whether it's Dou Zhongyuan or any other member of the Dou family, I don't want them to rise to power through me. They don't deserve it. They've all hurt me before. If you let them have their way this time, it will only embolden them to become even more greedy!"

Pei Siyan chuckled softly, "Yi'er, are you worried I'll become a tyrant?"

"If Dou Zhongyuan's memorial is effective and beneficial to the horse administration, then he is a pillar of the state, and I have no problem giving him an important position. But if all he writes is empty rhetoric and flattery, then giving him a salary would be a waste."

Dou Wenyi asked in surprise, "Could it be that you really want to implement a reform movement?"

"Yes, but not now. The Great Zhou is riddled with deep-seated problems and countless issues; I have to deal with them one by one."

Pei Siyan chuckled self-deprecatingly, "So, the Great Zhou is in dire need of all kinds of talent."

In contrast to their warm atmosphere, the Dou family members had different thoughts.

Dou Zhongyuan returned to the second courtyard, drank a bowl of hangover soup, spread out his brush, ink, paper and inkstone, and began to write a memorial to the throne seriously.

When Yang entered, she saw crumpled pieces of paper scattered all over the floor. Her expression was disdainful. "Look at you, so pathetic. You can't even ask for more. It's just raising warhorses, what's so great about that?"

Today, he lost so much face just to barely get a chore, yet he still thinks he got a great deal.

"What do you know? Those warhorses are brought from the Northern Barbarians, and most of them die within half a month, so there is always a shortage of horses on the battlefield."

"Could it be that he's not used to the new environment?"

"That's just a woman's perspective. How can we buy new horses if those horses don't die? Besides, those horses that faked their deaths can be sold to the court a few more times, making a huge profit. Don't you think this job is good?"

Dou Zhongyuan squinted, as if he could already see hundreds of thousands of silver dollars.

Yang's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Every man for himself. Now that Fourth Sister has become the Crown Princess, how could I not take advantage of this opportunity to make a quick buck? How could I possibly justify all the suffering I've endured over the years?"

If he's not after the money, does he think he's after the stench of those beasts?

Madam Yang snorted coldly, "But your eldest brother's position as Minister of Rites was only obtained because Fourth Miss is the Crown Princess, wasn't it?"

"She's really something else, she doesn't even respect her parents. Does she think she can rest easy after becoming the Crown Princess? If Dou Mingyan hadn't been so useless, how could she have such good luck? I think she's an ingrate, and even if she becomes Empress in the future, we shouldn't expect to benefit from her."

Dou Zhongyuan paused for a moment, "You're right. If she were sensible, why would I need to shamelessly beg the Crown Prince?"

Seeing that the time was right, Madam Yang glanced at him again, "She's the daughter of the eldest son's family, why would she care about our second son's family? If she were one of our own..."

"Where exactly does Yingxue fall short of her?"

"Once Pei Siyan ascends the throne, which of those young ladies from powerful families wouldn't want a piece of the pie? Besides, I don't think she's very capable. She's been living in the Eastern Palace for several months now, and there's still no sign of pregnancy!"

Dou Zhongyuan stood up and pondered seriously, “Yingxue is very beautiful and gentle, she is indeed well raised. Fourth Sister is alone in the palace, and her position will be more secure if she has the help of her sisters.”

"However, Fourth Sister is stubborn, and she probably won't agree. Besides, it wouldn't look good for two sisters to share a husband."

Having learned her lesson the hard way, Yang is much more cautious now.

Dou Zhongyuan flicked his robe and said, "We should keep the good stuff within the family. It's better to let us benefit than to let others benefit."

"Besides, to achieve great things, one should not be bound by trivialities. If we can't do it openly, we'll do it covertly."

For Dou Yingxue to enter the palace and become a concubine would be a piece of cake...