Chapter 43 Concubine

Inside the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

Ambergris is lit in the gilded silver bamboo dragon Boshan incense burner, and the wisps of smoke emit a luxurious and light fragrance.

Rong Yue was wearing a black and gold uniform with dragon and cloud patterns, holding a memorial in his hand. A mountain of memorials was placed on the imperial golden nanmu desk.

Rong Jinyou sat at the bottom, wearing the apricot-yellow crown prince's uniform, reviewing a mountain of memorials without even raising his head.

Rong Yue frowned and looked at the report. "Prince, there has been a locust plague in Yong County, Guizhou. The county magistrate has already killed the locusts in time. You must arrange for disaster relief and do not delay the spring plowing."

Rong Jinchen stood up and bowed, "Your son obeys your order."

After saying this, he was about to leave the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

At this time, Yu Fuhai stepped forward and reported: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin requests an audience."

Rong Yue narrowed his eyes slightly and threw the memorial onto the desk. "Announce."

Rong Jinyou's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he was about to leave.

"Don't leave, Prince. Let's listen together."

His eldest son never comes to visit for no reason, which makes me a little curious.

"Your son obeys your order." After saying this, he strode back to his seat.

When Rong Jinyu came in, he was not surprised to see Rong Jinyou, who was one of the first people to revise memorials.

A flicker of resentment flashed through his heart, but his expression remained impassive. "Your son pays respects to the Emperor, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." He cupped his hands, bowed his head, and said.

Rong Jinyou stood up and returned a half-bow.

Although the two men's struggle was as fierce as fire and water, they appeared to be friendly and respectful to each other.

Although the Prince of Jin was the eldest son of a concubine, he was his elder brother according to etiquette and law, and he had to reciprocate even though he was the crown prince.

Rong Yue picked up the teacup, took a sip of the tea lid, looked at the unfurling and curled Rain-Predawn Longjing tea in the cup, and asked calmly, "What's the matter, King Jin?"

As he grew older, the way he addressed the princes became titles.

The only exception is Rong Jinchen.

After all, he truly loves this son, and Chen'er is outstanding, which makes his old father proud.

For Rong Yue, food is the original sin.

Therefore, he would not love the young princes and princesses who had no merits or faults.

Rong Jinyu bent down, his eyes fixed on the white jade bricks on the ground, "Father, I would like to ask for your permission to marry me."

Rong Yue's eyes darkened slightly, "Oh?"

The Prince of Jin already has a princess, so what kind of marriage is this?

His tone was filled with pleading, "Father, I rescued a drowning girl today. She is my sweetheart. I would like to ask for an imperial decree to grant her marriage, so that she can become the Prince of Jin's concubine."

According to the ancestral system, a prince can have one princess, two concubines, four concubines, several wives and concubines without rank.

The Prince of Jin is twenty-seven years old this year. He and his wife, Ma Miaoying, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Works, have a son and a daughter, but their relationship is not good.

His favorite concubine, Feng, gave birth to two daughters for him and was the niece of the Minister of War.

The Minister of War has no daughter of marriageable age. Except for the eldest daughter who is older than the other princes, the rest are all sons.

When Rong Jinyu was boating on the lake today, he saved Su Yiyi who fell into the water. Everyone saw the two of them hugging each other with their clothes soaked.

Rong Yue said nothing. The teacup was placed on the table, making a crisp yet dull sound.

Rong Jinyu subconsciously shuddered and didn't dare to raise his eyes.

Rong Jinyou lowered his eyelashes and remained silent, and it was impossible to see the expression in his eyes.

There was a moment's silence, and then Rong Yue's deep voice, which was intimidating without being angry, rang out, "Whose girl is this?" His eyes were looking straight ahead calmly, and fell on the painting of bamboo and rocks in Xiaoxiang by Mr. Dongpo.

Rong Jinyu took a deep breath, raised his eyes and looked directly at Rong Yue, and said in a deep voice: "She is Su Yiyi, the concubine's daughter of Su Daxueshi."

Rong Yue: ...

When did Ziyun have a concubine's daughter?

No wonder Rong Yue didn’t know.

After all, the emperor holds the throne and is busy with paperwork every day. How could he have the time to care about the illegitimate sons and daughters of his ministers who have little presence?

But this is not important, Yu Fuhai and the Jinyiwei are not vegetarians.

Being able to become the chief eunuch in front of the emperor, Yu Fuhai's memory can definitely be described as one that can remember everything he sees.

Seeing that His Majesty remained silent, he understood and began to explain: "Lord Su does have a concubine's daughter, and it seems that she has reached the age of marriage."

Rong Yue smiled, reached out and picked up the teacup on the table, felt the temperature, and found it was not the most suitable for drinking. He ordered: "Yu Fuhai, change the tea."

After Rong Jinyu finished answering, he lowered his head and waited for Rong Yue's reply with bated breath.

Soon, Yu Fuhai presented the brewed tea at just the right temperature.

Rong Yueqian took a sip, her tone lacking any emotion. "Since she is Ziyun's daughter and it will damage her reputation, let her be the Prince of Jin's concubine. I won't write the imperial edict, it's tiring."

"Prince, go and do what I have told you to do."

Rong Jinyu was slightly stunned, with a smile on his lips, "I will follow the emperor's orders." The emperor is really partial.

Rong Jinyou remained expressionless and whispered, "Your son obeys your command." After bowing, he stood up and left.

Rong Yue looked at Rong Jinyu who was still there, "What are you still doing here? I have to review the memorials, please thank me." He waved his hand and didn't continue looking at Rong Jinyu.

Rong Jinyu bowed gently and politely, "Your son will take his leave."

Su Mansion.

Su Zhenzhen, who had just returned from Xu Siyu's coming-of-age ceremony, was sitting in her mother's main hall. Not long after, she saw Yu Fuhai's apprentice Yu Manquan.

She smiled and stood up from the rose chair, "Eunuch Xiaoyu, why are you here?"

Yu Manquan bowed warmly to Su Zhenzhen, his tone flattering, "Miss Su, I'm here to read out His Majesty's order. Is the second young lady here?"

Su Zhenzhen was stunned. Su Yiyi?

What does Your Majesty want her to do?

Should she be allowed to enter the palace?

Su Zhenzhen, feeling a chill from her own actions, hurriedly said with a smile, "Eunuch Xiaoyu, please wait a moment. Lu Wu, go get the Second Young Lady."

Ye Mingyan came in from outside at this time. She had just been out for a while for something.

After exchanging greetings with Yu Manquan, she looked at Su Zhenzhen with a puzzled look.

Yu Manquan sat on the rose chair, sipping the tea brought by Baizhi.

Judging from the nose and the heart, it is true that Lord Su is favored by the emperor.

Your Majesty only got so much Mingqian Longjing tea, but Lord Su actually has quite a bit here.

Su Zhenzhen pulled Ye Mingyan, her eyes a little worried, and whispered on her shoulder, "Mother, Eunuch Xiaoyu came to see Su Yiyi, saying that it was a verbal order from His Majesty."

Ye Mingyan's peach blossom eyes darkened, and she smiled and patted Su Zhenzhen, who looked worried, "Don't worry, mother knows."

Yu Manquan had several more snacks and fruits, and after drinking a cup of Mingqian Longjing tea, Su Yiyi came.

She couldn't hide her excitement as she looked at Yu Manquan, who was wearing the eunuch uniform of the Weiyang Palace.

"Eunuch? What do you want to see me for?"

She remembered something and bowed slightly to him.

Yu Manquan was able to become the apprentice of the Imperial Chamberlain, so he must be a very smart and shrewd person.

He looked at Su Yiyi, who had a somewhat frivolous look in her eyes and didn't know much about etiquette, and said with a slight smile: "I am here to convey His Majesty's oral instructions."

"Su Yiyi has granted His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin the title of Consort. Please accept the decree, Second Miss Su."

Su Yiyi couldn't help but smile widely, but then she realized she shouldn't be so excited, so she tried to suppress her joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Eunuch." She stood up with her eyebrows lowered, not letting anyone see the joy and excitement in her eyes.