Chapter 124 I will gladly accept it.
Lu Jinlan sat calmly and composed on the chair, gazing intently at the man dancing gracefully. He leaned back and bent over in front of her, his head touching the ground as he looked at her sideways.
Then, the man pushed off with the back of his foot, and his whole body rose up as lightly as a butterfly.
Her waist, barely visible, swayed before Lu Jinlan's eyes. He suddenly pressed closer, and just then, the red silk fell down, covering the two of them.
The two were so close that their eyes met. The man panicked slightly and looked away first, whispering in Lu Jinlan's ear, "Your Majesty."
A warm breeze lingered around her ear, and Lu Jinlan's brow twitched. She raised her hand to touch his face, and a sly glint flashed in the man's eyes. He grabbed the red silk, bowed, and retreated.
Lu Jinlan grasped at empty air, her fingertips brushing against the cool, silky red silk, her heart filled with restlessness.
The man walked further and further away, but his alluring eyes kept turning back to look at her.
Lu Jinlan smiled, narrowed her eyes, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Fox Charm."
She turned to look at Xi Mo, who understood and quickly stepped forward, whispering, "His name is Chu Yi. He is the son of Imperial Censor Chu Ling and also a distant cousin of your classmate, General Chu Yishu."
Lu Jinlan smiled, recalling how Chu Ling had impeached her when she first entered the court. Now, she was even willing to send her son to the palace to participate in the imperial concubine selection.
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "That old-fashioned Chu Ling is so conservative, yet he managed to raise such a charming son."
Yan Wuxin said, "Back then, those old ministers were resentful and disgruntled towards us. They would glare at us in court every day, as if they wanted to kill us. After you ascended the throne, you were kind and magnanimous and did not settle old scores with them. They were quite honest and sensible."
"Even Chu Ling is so filial now, he specially cultivated his own son and sent him to the palace to present to the emperor. He really knows how to be pragmatic."
Lu Jinlan nodded with a smile, "It's rare for them to be so thoughtful, so I'll gladly accept it. In the Record of Ink Washing, I'll appoint Chu Yi as my constant companion and find him a palace close to mine to live in. Tonight, I won't choose any concubines; I'll go to his place instead."
Among these young men, there were many outstanding individuals, some with stunning looks, others who were intelligent, well-behaved, eloquent, and charming.
But when it comes to being irresistibly alluring, no one can compare to Chu Yi.
Lu Jinlan selected nineteen men she particularly liked. Yan Wuxin then looked around the remaining men and chose three.
Xiang Ruzhen rushed over when the talent show was almost over.
"Your Majesty, why have you summoned me so urgently? Is there something important?"
Lu Jinlan blinked. "It's nothing. We've all made our selections. Do you want to keep a few?"
Xiang Ruzhen took a deep breath, looked around, took a few steps forward, and said in a low voice, "It's fine if you two are messing around, but why drag me into this? I'm already so busy, and you actually called me here for this kind of thing? I don't want it! Too many men are troublesome. If you're not afraid of trouble, then you should have a few more."
Lu Jinlan said loudly, "It is recorded in ancient books that it was common for emperors to bestow handsome men upon ministers who had made great contributions. I am following the example of the sages and, out of consideration for Your Excellency's recent busy and tiring work, I have specially invited you to come and enjoy the beauty together. You may choose a few beauties to enter your residence, so that they may add fragrance to your sleeves and relieve your fatigue from the paperwork."
She gave him a wink, and Yan Wuxin quickly said, "Your Excellency, please sit down and talk. You've come all this way, you can't leave empty-handed. Um, it's so hot today, have a cup of tea first."
Guan Chao had been waiting for a long time, and now he stepped forward with tea, saying, "Please, Your Excellency..."
Yan Wuxin deliberately tripped him, and before he could say the words "use tea," he fell into Xiang Ruzhen's arms, tea and all.
Guan Chao panicked, secretly blaming the Grand Commandant for being so wicked. The Emperor had only asked him to serve tea, but hadn't mentioned this other part.
What if His Excellency blames me?
A flurry of thoughts rushed through his mind, and in the midst of the chaos, a strong arm steadily supported him. Guan Chao looked up and saw Xiang Ruzhen staring intently at the worry on his brow with a stern face, and said in a deep voice, "Be careful."
Guan Chao's heart trembled, and he quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency. It was all my fault for accidentally wetting Your Excellency's clothes. Let me wipe them for you."
He was still panting, a slight blush appearing on his pale face. His long, slender, white fingers gripped a soft handkerchief, nervously wiping it on Xiang Ruzhen's clothes, making him look like a frightened rabbit.
Xiang Ruzhen stared straight at him without saying a word, but Lu Jinlan knew that she was moved.
Lu Jinlan and Yan Wuxin suppressed their smiles and exchanged a triumphant look.
No one understands Xiang Ruzhen better than them. A strong and independent woman like Xiang Ruzhen likes a delicate man who looks pitiful and makes people want to protect him.
Lu Jinlan coughed lightly, "Tsk, clumsy and awkward. Someone like you participating in the talent show is really spoiling my mood. How about this, I will bestow you upon General Kong Luan, and you can go to her residence to serve her."
Xiang Ruzhen was taken aback, then quickly said, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. This young man is so delicate, while Kong Luan is a rough man; how could he possibly know how to cherish a beautiful woman?"
Lu Jinlan thought for a moment, "That makes sense, but I don't want this person. Who should I give him to? You don't want him anyway, so who would be suitable?"
“Um…” Xiang Ruzhen hesitated and said, “Since I have already come here, I should not return empty-handed. Your Majesty, please… please bestow this person upon me.”
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Jinlan and Yan Wuxin couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Xiang Ruzhen was taken aback, and then she saw that the man in front of her was also smiling with his head down.
She instantly realized, "You all conspired to deceive me!"
Xiang Ruzhen turned and left in anger. Lu Jinlan hurriedly said to Guan Chao, "Quick, chase after her and act pitiful. The Prime Minister will definitely soften his heart and take you home."
Guan Chao quickly kowtowed, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now."
Watching Guan Chao quickly catch up, Lu Jinlan shook her fan with satisfaction.
*
Lu Jinlan gained a lot from this talent show. Her harem suddenly had many new faces, and she couldn't possibly keep up with them all.
That night, Lu Jinlan went to favor his newly appointed concubine, Chu Changban.
Chu Yi hung many silk ribbons in the palace bestowed upon him, with wind chimes hanging from them. The night breeze blew gently in from outside the window, causing the silk ribbons to sway and produce melodious chimes.
Chu Yi bathed and changed his clothes, and waited for a long time. Now, through the many shadowy objects, he prostrated himself and kowtowed, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Lu Jinlan stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking around, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a smile, "How do you always have so many tricks up your sleeve?"
Chu Yi replied, "Since I have entered the palace to serve Your Majesty, I must naturally study ancient and modern books to learn how to please Your Majesty. However, these are just small tricks and nothing special. I have many tricks up my sleeve, and my true skills have not yet been shown. Please come to my bed, Your Majesty, and I will certainly satisfy you."
Lu Jinlan walked closer and traced his soft, thin lips with her fingertip. "You have a good mouth, but just talking isn't enough. You've piqued my interest, so don't disappoint me. Otherwise, I will punish you."
Chu Yi lowered his head and gently rubbed her fingers. "If I bring His Majesty a surprise, will he reward me?"
Lu Jinlan chuckled lightly, "That depends on how capable you are."
*
After a night of passion, the next morning, Lu Jinlan issued an imperial decree that Jin Chu Changban be made Consort Chu.
Chi Cheng was originally the only benefactor among this group of young men, and he was proud that Lu Jinlan treated him differently. However, before he could enjoy his success for even two days, he was overshadowed by a man surnamed Chu.
He believed he had the ability to please the emperor, but since the emperor didn't come to him, he had no way to use his skills and could only worry in silence.
Chu Yi was promoted overnight, stealing the limelight and feeling extremely proud.
Unfortunately, the next day, a grand banquet was held at the Prime Minister's residence, but the Emperor only brought the few husbands who had accompanied her when she was a prince.
Apart from the Emperor's concubine Xiao Heng, who was reflecting on his mistakes behind closed doors, the Emperor's consort Song Lincheng, the two imperial noble attendants Lou Yumian and Lu Qilang were all present to accompany the Emperor.
The princesses and ladies-in-waiting also went with them. The children grew up together and had a very close relationship.
Lu Jinlan has seven children. Lou Yumin has two daughters, the eldest being Lu Andong, who is seven years old this year. Lou Yumin's other daughter is named Lu Anjing, who is just three years old this year.
Song Lincheng's legitimate daughter, Lu Anbei, is six years old this year. She was born on the same day, month, and year as Lu Qilang's triplets.
Xiao Hengsheng's daughter, Lu Anan, lives in Qu Kingdom. Today, he only brought his son, Xuanle, to join in the festivities.
Yan Wuxin currently only has one daughter, born to Huaixing, who is two years old this year and named Yan Changhuan. However, Fang Qing is also pregnant, and Yan Wuxin will definitely have another child before the end of the year.
After Xiang Ruzhen returned to the capital, Lu Jinlan generously compensated the eleven heroines who sacrificed their lives to save her. Xiang Ruzhen adopted Jiang Tianjiao's daughter, Jiang Qing, as her goddaughter and raised her alongside her own children.
Xiang Ruzhen's daughter, Xiang Yu, born to her husband, is less than three years old. Jin Xueqing has four sons for her, the eldest being six years old, the youngest three years old, and her youngest legitimate daughter is exactly one hundred days old today.
The child was born just as Xiang Ruzhen had her accident. Everyone thought she was dead and mourned her deeply. Every time they saw this belated child, they were overwhelmed with emotion.
At that time, Jin Xueqing asked Lu Jinlan to help her name the child. Lu Jinlan thought that when they were in danger in the swamp, Xiang Ruzhen thought that Jin Xueqing was having a daughter. When she was on her deathbed, she said that she wanted to name her daughter "Hate Too Late".
Therefore, Lu Jinlan named the child Xiang Henwan.
Xiang Ruzhen then brought the child out and said with a smile, "I changed the child's name. Her mother is alive and well, so there's no need to regret it being so late. I named her Wuhen (meaning 'no regrets'). What do you think?"
Yan Wuxin was the first to object, "No way! My name is Wuxin, and her name is Wuhen. People who don't know us would think we're sisters."
Everyone burst into laughter, and Xiang Ruzhen said with a smile, "I hadn't thought of that before you mentioned it. Now that you've said it, that's the name we'll use. Let Wuhen bask in the glory of the Grand Commandant; it's an honor to share in it."
After the banquet, the three of them drank and chatted on the side, while the children played on the grass nearby.
A moment later, Xiang Yubai came running over and threw himself into Lu Jinlan's arms. "Auntie, I like Sister Andong. When I grow up, please let her marry me."
Xiang Ruzhen frowned upon hearing this, "How can a boy be so shameless? What kind of upbringing did your father give you?"
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "He's just a child, how would he know what a husband is?"
As they were talking, Xiang Ruzhen's sons all ran over, vying to say, "I want to marry Sister An Dong too!"
Listening to the wind and watching the fog, even three-year-old Wangyu said in her childish voice, "I want to marry Sister Anton too."
Xiang Ruzhen said angrily, "Don't follow your brothers and join in the fun. Xueqing, quickly take them away!"
The children's fathers came over upon hearing the commotion, and Lu Jinlan said with a smile, "Don't rush, let me ask you why you like Anton."
Xiang Yubai said, "Sister Andong is as smart as my imperial aunt. She's good at studying and can even make a small waterwheel!"
Lou Yumin was overjoyed to hear this and said softly, "Look, it's not just me who says An Dong is like the Emperor, even Yu Bai says so."
Song Lincheng glared at him silently, "Which of the Emperor's children doesn't resemble the Emperor? If anyone says they don't, you'd better watch out, or something terrible will happen."
At this moment, Lu Jinlan asked Lu Andong, "So many boys like you, which one do you want to marry when you grow up?"
Lu Andong thought for a moment, his still-childish face showing a rather mature look, and said, "Mother, let's talk about this when we're older. Your son is currently busy studying the book 'Principles of Mechanics' printed by the Ministry of Rites, and I don't have the mind to think about these things."
Yan Wuxin shook his head with a smile, "Listen to this, she's only seven years old and she's already studying so hard. She hasn't even married Ruzhen's son yet, she does have some of Ruzhen's style."
Lu Jinlan smiled and looked at Lu Anbei, who was silently watching from the side. "Anbei, all these boys like your sister. Are you unhappy?"
Lu Anbei asked in surprise, "Does Mother think I'm a child and that's why she's teasing me?" Your subject is not so narrow-minded. There are only four men here. What if they all like Sister? There are plenty of men in the world, not just these four.
“If I were as good-natured as my elder sister and coaxed them to play, they would like me too. But I think they are all children, and being men, their knowledge is limited. I have nothing to talk about with them.”
"Your subject would rather have more free time to think about interesting things. The world is so vast, with thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, and all things in the world are so colorful and diverse. Your subject is too busy thinking about all these things to care about whether anyone likes me or not."
These words left the three of them looking at each other in astonishment. Lu Jinlan proudly pulled her hand and brought her closer, saying, "Look at him, my Anbei is only six years old, doesn't he have a bit of an imperial air about him?"
Upon hearing this, Song Lincheng straightened his back instantly. "My Anbei is truly remarkable. I have never heard the Emperor praise any child like this before."
Lou Yumin's smile froze on her face. Upon returning to the palace, she immediately summoned Lu Andong from the Princess's quarters.
Lu Andong rode in on her homemade little wooden cart, adorned with tiny bells, jingling as she called out, "Dad, what's up?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
