"How many people did you say? One hundred and twenty-one?"
It seems that Ouyang Zhen is still a hot commodity, as so many people have signed up.
"Yes, Your Majesty! I've heard that there are quite a few famous young ladies among them!"
Han Luoxue didn't care about this. What puzzled her was that she remembered the rules should have been made clear when they were explaining the rules: regardless of whether they surpassed her or not, the money and grain raised this time had to be donated to the national treasury.
The implication was that regardless of whether they could enter the palace, the first two sums raised would never be returned.
"Do they all understand the rules? All money and supplies must be collected and will not be refunded!"
Qinghe nodded, her little face still scrunched up like a bun: "Your Majesty, you have no idea how eager they are! Whether they are noble ladies or daughters of merchants, the Emperor used to disapprove of taking concubines, but now that you are the only one in the palace, everyone wants to get a piece of the pie!"
"Your Majesty, this servant is worried..."
"What's there to worry about? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"
Han Luoxue went to pick up the two children first, and the Empress Dowager was still reluctant to leave when she was about to depart.
The main reason is that the two children are just too cute, and since they are my own descendants, I'm bound to feel more and more reluctant to part with them.
"Snow Girl, why don't we let them stay here?"
The Empress Dowager's eyes were fixed on the two children.
"Grandmother, I'll bring them over again tomorrow morning! You've been looking after them all day, you need to get some rest!"
The Empress Dowager... she wasn't actually that tired.
When Han Luoxue returned home, Ouyang Zhen came over to have dinner with her. Knowing that Han Luoxue had been busy all day, she felt sorry for her and said, "Just let the staff handle anything!"
"Brother Chen, you know I can't sit still. If you make me just laze around in the palace all day, wouldn't I be bored to death?"
"Besides, when I went out just now, I discovered a lucrative business opportunity. If managed well, I could make a fortune in the next two weeks."
"By the way, I heard there were a lot of people signing up today, over a hundred. I was thinking, should we extend the timeframe and make it a month to get the results? What do you think?"
Ouyang Zhen... always felt like he was being used, but his wife was using him to help him, so he couldn't get angry.
"random!"
Ouyang Zhen remained cool and collected. No matter what the women outside did, he had no plans to take concubines. It was a pity his son Zhuangzhuang was too young; otherwise, he could have made him emperor while he remained a retired emperor.
I can help him with some official business; as for the rest, it's up to him.
For example, if they want to take concubines, it's up to them. They can send in as many daughters as they want, as long as the girls can wait.
Thinking about that situation, Ouyang Zhen was in a very good mood. He was wondering if he could abdicate early?
Ouyang Zhen's idea was just something he thought about himself. If outsiders knew about it, they would probably be so angry they'd vomit blood.
This emperor is so unethical; how can he be so irresponsible?
Of course, Han Luoxue had no idea what he was thinking. If she did, she would definitely slap him twice across the face. How old is his son? He's barely a month old! And you're already scheming against him!
In the evening, Han Luoxue recounted what she had done that day, and Ouyang Zhen did not refute her.
If his wife wants to go out, then let her go. Anyway, the Empress Dowager is there to keep an eye on her in the palace, and there aren't any other women around, so it's very peaceful.
...
"Chrysanthemum, didn't you go to the capital to enjoy a life of luxury? Why are you back again?"
After Han Juhua returned to the village, the villagers were very curious, and many women came to inquire about her.
They all found it strange that Han Juhua was the first person to go out and then return to the village.
"It's too noisy outside, I just want to come back to the village for some peace and quiet!"
Han Juhua would never tell anyone what happened to her outside; she has a reputation to uphold, you know.
She was still a little resentful. She had clearly chosen Han Kun, so why did she end up sleeping with the wrong person?
She blamed herself for being too impulsive back then; if it were now, she would probably make do.
Although Han Qiang was old, he was still powerful and influential, and his word was law in the village.
If I could be with him, I could enjoy happiness for more than ten years, right?
Now look what's happened; she's ruined her own life.
Han Juhua was extremely annoyed, but her gossipy wife beside her had bright eyes: "Juhua, is it easier to get by in the capital than here? Have you ever been to the streets of the capital?"
They've never been to such a far place before.
"It's more prosperous over there than here. Of course I've been there. The people there are dressed better than we are here."
"I'm so envious! We want to go too, but unfortunately, Han Luoxue is just being unreasonable..."
Hearing the name Han Luoxue, Han Juhua felt a surge of hatred.
That damn woman, she just doesn't like me. She never helps me when I'm in trouble. I don't know which side she's on.
"By the way, Chrysanthemum, your auntie has something to ask you!"
The middle-aged woman's eyes darted around, and only after making sure no one was around did she pull Han Juhua aside and whisper, "Juhua, what's the current situation with Han Luoxue? Didn't they say her man disappeared last time? Did he run off with someone else?"
Hearing this, Han Juhua gritted her teeth inwardly.
My life is so hard. The first man I met was a scoundrel, and the second one was a complete mess.
Why is Han Luoxue so lucky? She snatched Han Yuchen away so early. She even saw Han Yuchen that night. The man's eyes never left Han Luoxue; it was clear he valued her highly.
Besides, Han Yuchen isn't ugly anymore; he's actually quite handsome. She's never seen a man better looking than Han Yuchen.
She just couldn't understand why Han Luoxue always had it easier than her. If only she had been tied to Han Yuchen back then, everything Han Luoxue had now would be hers.
Han Juhua gritted her teeth secretly, looking at the gossip fire in the aunt's eyes and the undisguised jealousy, Han Juhua suddenly had an idea.
"Luoxue, she is now..."
She deliberately left the conversation unfinished, looking troubled.
"Oh, Chrysanthemum, we're just worried about Han Luoxue. If anything happens, just tell your aunt."
The aunt became even more interested. What they were most worried about was that Han Luoxue was doing too well outside, while they were still struggling at home.
"I really can't say. Ruoxue isn't having an easy time either. Nobody knows where her man is; we haven't seen him in so long. She's had two children, and those children are a little..."
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