The reason Rong Lin agreed with Consort Liu's words was because Princess Changning kept pestering the Crown Prince in the mansion, saying she wanted to marry him.
At first, she naturally disagreed, feeling that since the Crown Prince had already married his principal wife, it was impossible for her daughter to become a concubine.
However, Princess Changning insisted that if she was not allowed to marry the Crown Prince, she would not marry at all.
Later, after discussing it with her husband, she felt that the Crown Prince had regained Emperor Wenjian's favor and was quite capable, so he would probably be able to secure the position in the future.
Moreover, the current Crown Princess comes from a humble background and has no family to rely on. As long as Changning can enter the Eastern Palace first, there will naturally be plenty of ways to replace the Crown Princess in the future.
After considering all the factors, they agreed to Changning's request.
Seeing that the Crown Prince successfully resolved the difficulties posed by the King of Chu and won the Emperor's favor, I am naturally even more pleased to see this happen.
"What the eldest princess said makes some sense. I wonder if the empress has any experience in physiognomy for the crown prince?"
When Emperor Wenjian saw that even his sister said so, he thought about it for a moment and felt that there was some truth to it, so he looked at the Empress.
A hint of displeasure flashed through the Empress's heart. She glanced at Xiao Ye and Su Liluo, knowing full well that they were unwilling.
So the Empress smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are currently very much in love, and I have not yet considered having the Crown Prince take a concubine. Besides, the Crown Prince, Prince Xiao, Prince Cheng, and others are already married. If we must arrange a marriage, it should be for Prince Chu."
After all, the King of Chu isn't much younger than the Crown Prince, and he doesn't even have a principal wife yet. I heard the other day that the King of Chu is infatuated with the daughter of a sixth-rank official; it seems good news is on the horizon.
The Empress then turned her attention to the Prince of Chu, and deliberately mentioned that he had taken a liking to the daughter of a sixth-rank official, which immediately changed Emperor Wenjian's focus.
Although the daughter of this sixth-rank official was of low status, he felt that she was extremely good for the King of Chu.
Because he has favored Consort Liu over the years, and her brothers are also quite capable, she is doing well in the court now. If the Prince of Chu were to marry a high-ranking consort, he would probably have an even greater reach in the court.
As emperor, he naturally had to know how to balance the court and not allow any particular prince to become too powerful.
So Emperor Wenjian asked with a smile, "Prince of Chu, which sixth-rank official's daughter do you fancy? Tell me, and if I think she's good, I can grant you a marriage. You are indeed getting on in years."
Upon hearing Emperor Wenjian's words, Xiao Churen's resolve wavered.
He had been struggling with how to get his mother to agree to Su Wanshi's request because her status was too low.
However, judging from Emperor Wenjian's reaction now, it seems that he doesn't mind Su Wanshi's identity.
He suppressed his joy and was about to speak when Consort Liu spoke first.
"Your Majesty, the daughter of a sixth-rank official whom the Prince of Chu has taken a fancy to is simply not presentable and is not a suitable match. Your Majesty should choose another one for the Prince of Chu!"
Consort Liu smiled on the surface, but in her heart she cursed the Empress.
Seeing that Emperor Wenjian was about to appoint Xiao Churen's daughter, a sixth-rank official, as his principal wife, how could she not be anxious?
In her view, Xiao Churen's wife must not be of a lower rank than the daughter of a third-rank official.
"Oh? What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
Emperor Wenjian frowned, somewhat displeased, thinking to himself, "Could it be that the Imperial Concubine has become too ambitious and looks down on the status of this sixth-rank official's daughter?"
“Your Majesty, I have seen this woman before; she has behaved improperly in the past.”
Consort Liu could only point out the woman's shortcomings.
Xiao Churen's heart clenched tightly; he knew his mother disagreed.
But he couldn't bear to give up this great opportunity, so he said, "Mother, Wanshi is a good girl! You have some misunderstandings about her."
"King of Chu!"
Consort Liu turned pale with anger when she saw Xiao Churen contradict her.
She was helping him make plans, but he was so pathetic as to want to marry the daughter of a sixth-rank official.
Su Liluo, who was sitting below watching the commotion, also found it amusing to see the fire spread from Xiao Ye to Xiao Churen.
However, she wouldn't let Su Wanshi have her way.
Therefore, she suddenly spoke up obsequiously, saying, "Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine is doing this out of good intentions. My cousin is indeed not worthy of you in terms of character. If you were to marry her, it would only bring shame to the royal family. You should listen to the Imperial Concubine's advice!"
Consort Liu glanced at Su Liluo in surprise, not expecting her to speak up for her.
Upon hearing Su Liluo's words, Xiao Churen immediately gave her an unpleasant look.
He suddenly wondered if Su Liluo liked him.
Otherwise, why wouldn't he let himself marry Su Wanshi?
He was initially a little anxious because of his mother's actions, but after hearing what Su Liluo said, he was no longer so anxious.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Wenjian asked Su Liluo, "Is the girl that the Prince of Chu has taken a liking to the Crown Princess's cousin? What has this cousin done to make you all think she's so despicable?"
"this......"
Su Liluo looked hesitant.
"Your Majesty, it's like this..."
At this moment, the Empress whispered in Emperor Wenjian's ear, recounting all the things Su Wanshi had done.
As expected, Emperor Wenjian's face darkened upon hearing this.
He glared angrily at Xiao Churen again, "Prince Chu, even if Su Wanshi were a concubine, you cannot bring her into your household!"
Xiao Churen: "......."
If Su Wanshi knew that she had missed the chance to become the Princess Consort of Chu today, she would probably be furious!
Consort Liu was finally relieved.
She was about to bring up the matter of the Crown Prince taking a concubine again, but suddenly the Empress spoke up before her: "Your Majesty, there are so many noble ladies here today, and it is a joyous occasion. Why don't you choose a principal wife for the Prince of Chu today?"
"Presumably, the Emperor himself chose this Empress, so the Prince of Chu will certainly not be dissatisfied."
"Your Majesty, I have already—"
Consort Liu hurriedly spoke, intending to say that she had already chosen another for the Prince of Chu, but before she could finish speaking, Emperor Wenjian interrupted her.
"The Empress is right. Today, I will take the liberty of choosing a principal wife for the Prince of Chu!"
He just didn't want Consort Liu to secretly plot against the King of Chu, lest it ruin his plans.
Upon hearing this, many of the noble ladies who had come to the banquet in the main hall began to sit up straight, becoming nervous.
Although the King of Chu did not perform well at the banquet today, he is still a prince and is quite handsome.
Marrying the King of Chu is better than marrying many other princes.
Emperor Wenjian looked down at the officials and their families below, his gaze sweeping over them one by one.
Daughter of the Minister of Personnel?
No, the official rank should not be too high, as this would allow Consort Liu's faction to gain even more power.
Daughter of the Minister of Revenue?
However, it seems that his legitimate daughter has already married, leaving only his illegitimate daughter, whose status is not suitable for the position of principal wife.
Daughter of a Hanlin Academy scholar?
Well, I'm afraid the King of Chu wouldn't be interested in that appearance.
......
Emperor Wenjian looked at many things, but finally his gaze settled on the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
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