Zhao Yunqi also looked at the three of them, his eyes flashing slightly, "The Left Prime Minister has a keen eye, choosing the three most outstanding people in our Great Sheng."
Without saying anything else, he directly asked them, "Li Jun, Feng Min, and Zhao Lin, the three of you, tell us your thoughts. When it comes to marriage, the most important thing is that everyone is willing."
He then said to Xiahou Gong in a friendly manner, "These three young men already have wives. If the marriages are successful, the two holy maidens may have to become concubines."
Xiahou Gong nodded, "I know, we don't care whether you are my wife or my concubine."
Immediately, everyone's attention focused on the three of them.
Xiao Zhixing gripped his wine cup, scrutinizing their expressions. Was the emperor testing their resolve? Their ability to assess the situation? Or their ambition?
Zhao Lin was the first to speak, sitting in his wheelchair and bowing slightly nervously, "Father, you know my health. It is enough for me to take good care of the Crown Princess. I am no longer able to take in any more beauties."
Zhao Yunqi smiled, his eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Wouldn't it be better to have another person looking after you?"
Zhao Lin's face turned pale. "Your Majesty, I have... I'm afraid the palace maids and eunuchs won't be able to adapt to being cared for by strangers."
Zhao Yunqi remained silent for a few breaths, then waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, I understand. You may leave."
"Thank you, Father!" Zhao Lin breathed a sigh of relief; his forehead was already beaded with sweat after just a few words.
As the officials listened to the conversation between the father and son, some shook their heads and sighed, some were disappointed, and some were frustrated with their son's lack of ambition, but most remained expressionless.
Xiao Zhixing watched the ministers' expressions with great interest.
The second to speak was Feng Min. He coughed lightly, stood up, and cupped his hands in thanks. "Your Majesty, I thank you for bestowing this marriage upon me."
Everyone glanced sideways, then all turned to look at Feng Liyan's expression.
The latter had an inscrutable expression, seemingly neither surprised nor opposed to Feng Min's choice.
Xiao Zhixing wondered, what is the Feng family up to? Or have they really already completely colluded with the Southern Barbarians?
At the head of the table, Zhao Yun asked Feng Liyan, "It seems that there will be two happy events in your household today, my dear minister?"
Feng Liyan rose and bowed deeply with gratitude, “Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty, for bestowing such auspicious marriages upon my two sons. However, the heir is only taking a concubine, so it is not a great joy.”
Xiao Zhixing almost burst out laughing. Was this a thank you or an unintentional sarcastic remark?
Zhao Yunqi gave the father and son a deep look. “Beauty is rare. Prince Feng, you must not be blinded by beauty. You must respect and love your wife more, and not favor concubines over your wife. You must not only love new people and not respect old ones.”
The Feng family father and son responded in unison.
Xiao Zhixing's translation: I'm warning you, since you're loyal to me and to the Great Sheng, don't be fickle and collude with the enemy, or don't blame me for being impolite!
Now it's Li Jun's turn. He's even more popular than Feng Min. Not only are the viewers in the live stream waiting for his answer, but many girls at the banquet are also eyeing him.
Li Ningxiu's handkerchief was crumpled from being pulled, and Li Wenxiu hooked her hand around hers, her round eyes wide as she muttered something to herself.
Everyone in the Li household was focused on Li Jun, especially Li Xiao, whose gaze had become almost tangible.
Duke Li patted his son's arm, signaling him to speak boldly.
Li Jun remained calm. He stood up and said, “Your Majesty, I already have a wife and a concubine. I have not yet established myself in the world. I fear that adding another concubine would hinder my studies. I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow the Holy Maiden of the Southern Barbarians upon other talented individuals.”
Zhao Yunqi smiled and said, "Prince Li is prudent and his family has a righteous tradition, which I greatly admire. You can take this Holy Maiden back and settle her in well. With such a character, how could a mere young woman hinder your progress?"
Xiao Zhixing raised an eyebrow. The emperor's attitude towards Li Jun was different; he was forcing him to take the Southern Barbarian holy woman as his concubine.
Others also noticed, and even the Duke of Li himself was somewhat bewildered. Did His Majesty think so highly of his own son?
But why is that? Is it simply because the emperor favors him and extends that favor to everything he does?
Or is there a trap set by this saintess?
Li Jun paused, deep in thought, before quickly making a decision. "In that case, I thank Your Majesty for your grace. However, I wish to take the Holy Maiden into my household after my wedding next year. What does the Left Prime Minister of the Southern Barbarians think?"
Xiahou Gong nodded in satisfaction, seemingly pleased with himself for accomplishing this task. "I have no objections. I am delighted that A-Jia has married such a fine man as Prince Li."
Seeing this result, one can only imagine how many girls at the scene were heartbroken. Judging from Li Ningxiu's face, it turned pale and then red.
The Li family members showed no unusual expressions, except for Li Wenxiu who was pouting. Everyone was happy.
The live stream chat has once again erupted into a heated debate about whether a guy is a scumbag or not.
[Green comment: Li Jun stands out here because he is very good at judging situations. For example, he saved Xiao Qingluan from drowning, decisively got engaged to her, and quickly consolidated the Xiao family army's power after Xiao Yuanshan's death. He has always maintained a good image, and in the end, he did succeed.]
[Green comment: He wasn't a great emperor; he was just a competent power player. In a prosperous era, he might have been a good ruler who maintained the status quo.]
[Green comment: I second that. It's a pity he was born at the wrong time. The four barbarian tribes were ambitious and eyeing the Central Plains with their swords, and he never fully controlled the Great Sheng. So a small mistake led to the instant destruction of the Great Sheng. Alas!]
[Red comment: That's how relationships between nations are—you're strong, I'm weak. On our side, with Xiao Yan and Xiao Yuanshan working together, one managing domestic affairs and the other dealing with external matters, the couple cooperated perfectly to subdue the surrounding barbarians. Twenty or thirty years later, with the fall of those powerful rulers of the surrounding barbarians, the Yin Dynasty successfully extended its lifespan by two hundred years.]
Xiao Zhixing thought to himself, "The interference of the Emperor System must also be taken into account. This is probably the main reason why the Great Prosperity of the Green Dimension collapsed so quickly."
As the lively banquet drew to a close, a minister suddenly knelt down and performed a grand salute to the emperor while offering him a toast, saying, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you select concubines for the next year!"
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