Chapter 0 Extra 2 I heard someone is trying to get me to take a concubine
After hearing so much repetitive talk, she began to feel regretful.
Originally, Xiao Linyuan was pestering her so much that she held this banquet to avoid being trapped in Changle Palace every day and being forced to do that thing by Xiao Linyuan who would suddenly come back from time to time.
Finally, the banquet was held, and she felt it was nice to be with Xiao Linyuan.
At least she liked his face very much.
"Madam, there are so many beautiful girls, don't you like any of them?"
The person who said this was the wife of the Minister of Rites, Ms. Ye.
She had a kind smile on her face, but Song Zijin could clearly hear the hidden meaning in her words.
Song Zijin did not answer her question directly.
"Madam He, do you have a favorite candidate? Your daughter is gentle and dignified, and would be well-suited to a man who understands and respects her. Many of the young men who came today will be taking the imperial examinations next month. In my opinion, the young master of the Zhang family is a good candidate."
Mrs. He looked a little distressed. "Ping'er doesn't like scholars. She prefers military generals."
"Oh? There are many outstanding men in the Imperial Guards. Madam He, please take a look at them."
Mrs. He gave a wink to Mrs. Li opposite her.
Mrs. Li's husband was the Minister of Rites, and the two families were usually very close.
"Your Majesty, all the best girls in the capital are here for today's flower viewing banquet. Have you thought of picking a few?" Madam Li said with a smile.
Song Zijin's expression froze for a moment, then immediately returned to normal.
"Fuyue is enough to serve my Changle Palace. Besides, the daughters of the masters have been brought up in pampered conditions. The palace ladies do rough work and cannot bear it."
Madam He's expression changed slightly, and she said respectfully, "Being a female official is not bad. Following such an outstanding person like the Empress, I'm sure I'll learn some skills."
Song Zijin lowered his eyes, as if he was really thinking.
"Since Madam He and Madam Li want their daughters to be ladies-in-waiting, I will naturally satisfy them. How about this, the flower room is short of two flower growers, why not give the positions to the two girls?"
Mrs. Li clenched her hands tightly under the table, and the handkerchief was deformed by her squeezing.
"That's a palace maid, right? The Empress may not understand that daughters of officials cannot be palace maids."
Many ladies had already seen through the intentions of these two men, and those who did not have daughters at home all scoffed at their behavior.
Those who have daughters at home all pricked up their ears and wanted to get a piece of the pie.
"The female officials I appoint are all of rank. The female officials in the flower room are at least of rank eight. With a rank, it will be easier for them to get married in the future, right?" Song Zijin said warmly, with an attitude that said I am doing this for your own good.
Mrs. He took a deep breath. She had always been a person who spoke her mind. She had heard that the Empress was the most delicate and gentle, and should be easy to control.
"Your Majesty, my husband is the Minister of Rites, responsible for all matters of ritual and etiquette in Dali. I often hear him sighing, saying that Your Majesty has not yet accepted a harem in the months since he ascended the throne, which has a significant impact on Chao Gang. Many court officials have submitted petitions regarding this, but Your Majesty has turned a deaf ear. Your Majesty is a person who understands the greater good, so I wonder what your opinion is on this matter?"
Song Zijin glanced at Ye, "Your Majesty is my husband, and the husband is the leader of the wife. I will naturally follow your Majesty's ideas."
Madam Li quickly interjected, "Your Majesty loves and respects the Empress, so he's avoiding discussing this matter. The Empress, as the mother of the world, shouldn't simply monopolize Your Majesty's interests. Instead, she should persuade Your Majesty to put the world first."
"Madam Li, I disagree. As a couple, Your Majesty and I are deeply in love and have no grudges against each other. That's why we have such a close relationship.
However, Minister Li took three concubines, which caused unrest in the harem, so Madam Li became very distant from him.
I do not want that kind of relationship between husband and wife, so I will not take the initiative to accept concubines for Your Majesty, or it will damage the harmony between us."
Song Zijin was not at a disadvantage at all. This was the confidence given to her by Xiao Linyuan's promise.
Mrs. Li's face turned pale in an instant.
The Queen's words undoubtedly brought the shameful things that happened in the Li family's harem to the public's attention, which was clearly a slap in the face of the Li family.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Although our Li family's harem isn't as harmonious as that between Your Majesty and Your Majesty, all three concubines have children, totaling eight children. We can truly say that we have a large family. When I pass away, I will have given an account to our ancestors."
Xu Zihan, who had been eating and drinking nearby, suddenly burst into laughter.
Madam He's face darkened. "Madam Sang, is it really that funny?"
"Of course it's funny! You women, after marrying into your husband's family, do you really think you have changed your husband's surname? I'm afraid that in the family tree, you can only write as "Ye" as a decoration next to your husband's name?
But at least it's better than being a concubine, who doesn't even have the chance to be included in the family tree. Even so, you still work so hard to give everything to men, raising illegitimate children who have no blood relationship with you, what's the point?"
When these words were spoken, the whole audience was stunned.
"Madam Sang, be careful with your words!" Madam He shed her hypocrisy, her face tense. "Speaking like that, aren't you afraid of corrupting the unmarried girls here? Are you afraid of ruining your reputation in the capital?"
"Hahaha, what kind of reputation do I have in the mouths of you people? Besides, what's the use of reputation? My husband treats me wholeheartedly, loves me and can't leave me, and trusts me and loves me dearly. This is my confidence!
If he dares to take a concubine, I will abandon him and live a free life. I won't be like you people, who, for some insignificant face, wronged themselves and fought with concubines. Do you know why you look older than me? It's because you are stupid! "
After saying that, Xu Zihan stood up and the maid hurried over to support her.
After all, she is old, and she has not lost weight since giving birth last summer. Recently, she has been a little anxious because of this.
"Queen, I'm leaving now. I don't want to see their disgusting faces. They're sending their own daughters to be concubines. Who are they disgusting? Will you come with me? Go back and tell His Majesty to beat them with a stick."
"..." Song Zijin was almost amused by her.
At this time, a group of people came from a distance. Looking closely, a man in a black dragon robe was surrounded in the middle. Who else could it be but His Majesty?
Everyone immediately knelt down, and some of them trembled.
Song Zijin stood where he was, looking at him tenderly, "Why is Your Majesty here?"
"I heard someone was trying to get me to take a concubine. I want to come and see for myself."
When these words were spoken, all the ladies were so frightened that their hearts began to beat fast.
Fortunately, Xu just made a joke, otherwise they would definitely not be able to help but interject a few words, and we would be doomed!
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