Chapter 650 I Don’t Want to
Tang Ning suddenly looked up, almost unable to suppress the ugly expression on his face.
She thought that the Queen Mother was targeting the daughter of the Xu family and wanted to win over the Fu and Cao families, but she didn't expect that she also wanted the Qian family. Moreover, she talked about the election in public and specifically asked Qian Qiyue to stay in the palace to accompany her. This clearly meant that she "personally selected" Qian Qiyue to stay in the palace.
Concubine Zhao turned around and said with a smile, "Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly think of the election?"
The Queen Mother said, "The palace has been so busy lately, and I haven't seen any happy events in a long time. Fengqi Palace can't remain empty forever, and the Crown Prince's East Palace can't have only the Crown Princess. Several other princes are also of age and should choose concubines."
"I hope that while I am still able to do so, I can help the emperor and his men."
Everyone in the palace was shocked. According to the empress dowager, this election was not only about selecting concubines for the prince and the crown prince, but also about filling the harem, and even selecting new people from outside to live in Fengqi Palace and choose a new empress for Emperor An?
After Empress Lu's death, there have been speculations about the new empress. Several high-ranking concubines in the palace were among the candidates. Concubine Xian was implicated by the Cui family and had no hope. Concubine Zhao Gui was of ordinary birth, but who doesn't have hopes? Not to mention Concubine Shu, Concubine Yu and several concubines who had children. However, the empress dowager actually planned to choose the new empress directly from outside.
The Queen Mother then turned to Emperor An and asked, "What do you think of my idea, Your Majesty?"
Emperor An said, "Fengqi Palace cannot remain without a master forever. There should be someone in the harem to share the burdens of my mother and me. Since my mother likes Miss Qian, then let her stay in the palace to accompany you more. You can handle the election as you wish..."
"Father!"
The Crown Prince never expected that the first thing Emperor An did after taking back power was to hold a general election.
If the girl was simply sent to the palace to serve the emperor, given Emperor An's age and the situation in the court, many ministers would probably find ways to refuse. If she was forcibly summoned, they would even feel resentful. However, once she was promised the position of empress, the situation would be completely different.
After the grain hoarding incident, Xiao Yan had been extremely cold towards him, and many of the court officials who had followed him began to waver. If Emperor An used the pretext of selecting a queen to win over several important officials, how would he be able to hold on to his position as the crown prince of the Eastern Palace?
The Crown Prince suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, I am naturally happy that you have a thriving harem. However, the war in the South is currently at a stalemate, and the treasury is empty. If we mobilize the army for a general election, I'm afraid we'll be impeached by the censors and criticized by the people."
"If Your Majesty is only seeking the position of Master of Fengqi Palace, then all the concubines in the palace are virtuous and have served Your Majesty for many years and borne Your children. Why would Your Majesty seek such a distant place?"
Before Emperor An could say anything, the Empress Dowager's face darkened: "I have said that this election is not only to fill the harem, but also to select concubines for you and your brothers..."
The Crown Prince said without hesitation, "I appreciate your kindness, Grandmother, but I worry every day that the war in the South continues. I truly have no interest in matters of love and romance. I believe my brothers are like me and will never let personal interests override public interests. They will always prioritize military and national affairs and the country."
"My grandson has offended me. To be frank, the national treasury is already empty, and the election is a waste of time and energy. Instead of spending money on this, it would be better to give more to the soldiers in the south. This will also make them more brave on the battlefield and contribute to the suppression of the rebellion in Wei."
"How dare you!" the Queen Mother growled.
Emperor An's face turned cold: "Prince, how do you talk to the Queen Mother?!"
The prince quickly stood up and knelt on the ground: "Grandmother, please calm down."
Rong Yue saw the emperor and his son arguing, and the empress dowager's face was also irritated. She said, "Empress Dowager, what His Royal Highness said is not without reason. The war in the south is at a stalemate. Many people in the capital are keeping an eye on Pingyang County, hoping that Marquis Wenxin and his men can return victorious soon."
"Everyone is united at this time. If we suddenly and loudly select a concubine for the palace, it will inevitably lead to criticism. Please think twice, Your Majesty the Queen Mother."
Mrs. Fu was already excited when she heard about the selection of a queen. She still had a beautiful niece who was not married yet. Although the Xu family's status was lower, there were still the Cao and Fu families. Qiaoqing might not be unable to compete. She opened her mouth to refute Rong Yue's words, but she had just said the word "I" when Mrs. Cao pinched her arm hard.
Madam Cao knew her temper well, so she gave her a sidelong glance and said before Madam Fu could speak: "Madam Rong is right. I also think it is not appropriate to hold a general election at this time."
"Yes, the election is no small matter. It will inevitably cost the people a lot of money. Please think twice, Your Majesty."
"Please think twice, Your Majesty."
The ladies of the families that were on good terms with Jiyun Lane or the Qian family all spoke up, and even Prince Ji's concubine whispered a word of advice.
"If the Empress Dowager wishes to fill His Majesty's harem and select concubines for the princes, it would be better to wait until next year. It's freezing cold right now, and the war in the south is raging. It's really not the right time to hold a general election. When the court is stable and there are no more traitors like Prince Pingshan causing trouble, then holding a general election won't be a cause for discussion."
The Queen Mother's face looked a little unhappy, as if she had been insulted. She looked up at Qian Qiyue and said, "Qian girl, I like you very much. What do you think about this matter?"
Qian Qiyue almost rolled her eyes.
What did she say?
She wanted to say, why didn't this old hag just die? She already had one foot in the ground, and she was still thinking of ruining a young girl for her old son. Was she choosing a queen who was only ten years old to enter the palace just to be the granddaughter of the bastard emperor?!
Qian Qiyue pinched her palms to hold back her curses, forcing a fake smile on her face: "Your Highness, you're joking. How dare I interfere in the affairs of the palace? Besides, even if there is an election, I am not qualified."
"I'm a wild person, and I've fought with others more than once or twice. Not only does Princess Huan always say I'm unruly, even Miss Xuan laughs at me and calls me a female demon. Everyone in the capital knows I'm not a lady from a wealthy family. Even my mother can't do anything to me."
"If I enter the palace, all the concubines in the palace will not be enough for me to cause trouble. Queen Mother, please be kind and don't make things difficult for those concubines."
The Queen Mother's face darkened as she listened to Qian Qiyue's self-deprecating but actually refusal words: "Are you unwilling to enter the palace?"
Qian Qiyue raised her eyes and asked, "Your Majesty, are you asking for your opinion, or issuing an order?"
The Queen Mother paused.
Qian Qiyue said: "If you ask me what I want, I don't want to do it."
"I have nothing but awe for Your Majesty. My father often tells me of Your Majesty's wisdom, saying that Your Majesty is on par with my father but far wiser. To me, Your Majesty is a mighty and majestic elder, just like my father. I simply cannot let such thoughts slip."
"If the Empress Dowager issues an order, then this subject has nothing to say."
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