Mo Yunzhao's expression darkened further.
He pursed his lips and remained silent.
Mo Yunke seemed to understand what he was thinking.
"Your Majesty, you must prioritize the continuation of the Mo family's dynasty. Don't dwell on fate. Whether Xiao Jiu is the Emperor Star or the Purple Star, he is still just Xiao Jiu. At most, he can be the Regent. He can't go any higher. Think about Murong Yanyan's relationship with the Sui Dynasty. Your father will not be indifferent to it."
Mo Yunzhao's expression finally brightened slightly.
"Elder sister, you don't understand Father's feelings for Murong Yanyan. Back then, because of that woman, he and Mother..."
Mo Yunke raised her hand to stop her.
"Compared to a woman, what Father Emperor cares about most is the Mo family's empire."
Of all his offspring, Mo Yunke's insights were different from the others.
The retired emperor once lamented that she was a woman because of her talent and intelligence.
"Eldest sister is right."
Mo Yunzhao did not refute.
Mo Yunke said earnestly,
"To protect the Mo family's empire, Xiao Jiu's bloodline must not be broken, and it must remain pure and untainted. I carefully selected the two girls, Luan Feng and Luan Fei, whose birth charts are extremely compatible. As long as they conceive royal blood, they will be fostered in the royal family and exposed to the dragon's aura from a young age, which will surely mold another Xiao Jiu."
"At that time, the Mo family's territory will last for ten thousand years, with divine assistance."
As she spoke, her joy suddenly vanished.
"I'm not trying to be picky, but look at all the sons you've given birth to, is there even one who's any worthwhile?"
Mentioning this sent a chill down her spine.
"The most important thing about royal blood is to stand tall. Look at the sixth prince today, he is weak and petty, and is really not up to the task. Father sent the second and fourth princes to the border to temper their will. In comparison, you dealt with the third prince too hastily."
Once a prince is demoted to a commoner, he has no chance of regaining his status.
Even if he rebelled and declared himself emperor, he would not be trusted by the court officials and would be criticized by later generations.
Mo Yunzhao felt slightly aggrieved.
"Elder sister, this was done by Xiao Jiu. He put me in a difficult position, and I was helpless."
"You are the emperor!" Mo Yunke said, somewhat exasperated. "No matter what, you must always remember that you are the rightful heir to the throne. Some people can be used, can be respected, but cannot be indulged, understand?"
Mo Yunzhao nodded obediently.
"I will follow my elder sister's arrangements. However, it will not be easy for my elder sister to send Luanfeng and Luanfei to the Ninth Prince's residence. Previously, the Empress Dowager had tried to send Yun Xiaoran there, but even with their childhood friendship, it was not successful. Instead, it caused Yun Xiaoran to die a tragic death."
Mo Yunke naturally knew about Yun Xiaoran and Mo Yunhan's affair.
He frowned upon hearing this.
"Was it done by the Jiang family?"
Mo Yunzhao remained silent.
But their attitude says it all.
Mo Yunke snorted coldly.
"This is truly reckless. I have my own plan for this matter. Alright, I'll head back to the princess's residence now. By the way, since the previous offspring were useless, let's recruit more women into the palace and thoroughly screen them."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of silk paper from his sleeve and handed it over.
"I calculated your marriage compatibility based on your birth date and time, and I'll have someone use that to find a partner."
Mo Yunzhao's eyes flashed.
"Is Father aware of this matter?"
Mo Yunke gave him another disdainful look.
"This matter was something my father asked me to calculate, so naturally he knows about it."
Mo Yunzhao finally felt relieved.
It seems that the Emperor truly knew what was inside him.
"There is another matter. The Dayu Kingdom is restless. You should prepare early. The Great Zhou Dynasty does not have a princess of marriageable age to resolve the issue."
After Mo Yunke finished speaking, she turned and left.
Mo Yunhan stared at her back for a long time.
When Mo Yunke eloped, the Dayu Kingdom used this as an excuse to cause trouble on the border, intending to provoke a war.
Later, the retired emperor, who had not yet abdicated, selected one of the noble ladies, bestowed upon her the title of princess, and arranged her marriage to the King of Dayu.
The princess disappeared without a trace.
Their fate is unknown.
Mo Yunke harbored resentment and felt guilty about this matter.
He stated even more directly that he would destroy Dayu in his lifetime.
Today, Dayu is different from the past; its military strength is much greater.
Destroying Dayu will likely not be easy.
Unless the Sui Dynasty of yesteryear is replicated.
Mo Yunzhao narrowed his eyes.
Suddenly, she remembered Mo Yunhan's obsessive and crazy feelings for Jiang Qingwan, and a faint, cold smile appeared on her lips.
He then beckoned to the chief eunuch.
"Give the order: a nationwide selection process will be conducted for women of marriageable age to enter the palace. The birth dates and times of all eligible women must be compiled and submitted without error. Instruct local officials to use these birth dates and times for selection. Anyone who dares to falsify information will be severely punished!"
The chief eunuch immediately bowed and agreed.
His expression, however, betrayed a different worry.
"Your Majesty, the mourning period for the Empress Dowager has not yet ended. Is it inappropriate to hold a selection of concubines?"
Mo Yunzhao gave him a cold glance.
"You think this is inappropriate?"
The chief eunuch felt a chill run down his spine and knelt down with a thud.
"This old servant dares not."
"If anyone feels this is inappropriate, let him come and speak to me personally. After all, the selection of imperial concubines is a private matter for the royal family, so there's no need to make it public knowledge."
After finishing his sentence, Mo Yunzhao turned and left.
The cold, stern tone made the chief eunuch's heart tremble.
He was trembling as he prepared to stand up.
Mo Yunzhao suddenly stopped and looked over with a strange expression.
"Leave no one alive in the Zhongluan Palace. Select all the women in the palace according to the birth dates I gave you. Once you find someone who matches, report back immediately."
"yes!"
The chief eunuch knelt on the ground again, trembling.
...
The carriage traveled all the way from the palace back to the Ninth Prince's residence.
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