"I promised Shang'er that she would decide her marriage herself, and I cannot interfere." Xue Rong said, "It all depends on Shang'er's opinion. If Shang'er is willing, I will be happy to see it happen."
After Xue Rong said this, Ji Wudao couldn't continue to pester her, but he didn't give up. "I am willing to do my best to impress the county lady."
The three of them were talking and laughing happily, and everyone saw that they were having a great time. However, Zhu Yu, the crown prince, was ignored from beginning to end. As a result, many people were wondering in their hearts that Xue Rong was just pregnant, but they were holding a banquet. If she gave birth to a prince in the future, would Emperor Mingzheng depose the crown prince and replace him with the little prince born by Xue Rong?
If you think about it carefully, Zhu Yu's bargaining chips are really not as good as Xue Rong's. Although he has the support of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, the Marquis of Dingbei is far away in Pingliang Prefecture in the northwest, and he is not a man who is good at manipulating the government. His influence in the court cannot compare to Xue Rong, who has the support of Shen Tian.
Ji Wudao returned to his seat, still smiling, and raised his glass to Shen Tian, saying, "I want to marry the Princess of Changle County. What do you think, Lord Shen?"
Shen Tian held the wine cup and glanced at Ji Wudao, "The Imperial Concubine will not allow you to do so."
Ji Wudao smiled and said, "Your Excellency understands the Imperial Concubine. Please help me put in a few good words for the Imperial Concubine. If I can become closer to the Jingyuan Marquis's Mansion, it will be good for both of us."
How could Shen Tian not understand the wit behind his words? He just put down his wine cup and said, "Wei Xuanbo should give up this idea. Changle is just a little girl with a simple mind. Don't involve these official affairs with her marriage."
Ji Wudao smacked his lips slightly, somewhat surprised that Shen Tian would defend Xue Qingshang so much. It was really ridiculous that a shrewd and experienced cabinet minister who had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom said that officialdom matters should not be involved in marriages between men and women.
Being in the officialdom, how can the marriage of your children escape the issue of profit?
Ji Wudao suddenly remembered that there were rumors a few years ago that Shen Tian's legitimate son Shen Rong also had a crush on Xue Qingshang, and for this reason Shen Tian even sent Shen Rong to join his army. Ji Wudao really couldn't understand this. For the sake of an old lover's sister, he drove his own son out of the house. This old minister, who was so experienced in officialdom, was really a loyal man.
Ji Wudao said bluntly, "But I can't think of any other way to get closer to the elder and the imperial concubine. If Changle marries me, it will be a hundred benefits and no harm. With the elder and the imperial concubine watching over her, I dare not let her live an unhappy life after marriage. It is much better than marrying someone else."
Ji Wudao looked at Xue Qingshang wantonly, as if she was already in his pocket.
Xue Qingshang noticed it from afar, raised her head slightly, frowned and glared at Ji Wudao fiercely. She hated it most when a man looked at her with such frivolous eyes.
Ji Wudao got a cold look but burst out laughing instead.
Shen Tian noticed this and said unhappily, "The Imperial Concubine dotes on Changle the most. If you still want the military power of Datong, don't make trouble. In the face of interests, what does marriage mean? If you really want to marry a second wife, there are some good girls in my Shen family's side branch."
Ji Wudao sneered in his heart. In Shen Tian's mind, a girl from a side branch was more than enough for him, but Shen Tian seemed to have forgotten that he, Ji Wudao, was no longer the unknown soldier he was before! If he became the commander-in-chief of the three towns, then if Shen Tian and Xue Rong wanted to succeed, they would have to curry favor with Ji Wudao!
"You are joking, old man." Ji Wudao said with a smile, "I will never forget your kindness in supporting me. Even if we are not related by marriage, you are like my parents in my heart!"
Shen Tian's expression also returned to normal and he raised his glass to clink glasses with Ji Wudao.
Halfway through the palace banquet, Emperor Mingzheng left first, using the excuse of feeling unwell. Before leaving, he reminded Xue Rong, "You are pregnant now, so don't drink too much and take care of yourself."
Xue Rong quickly stood up and said, "I know that His Majesty is not feeling well. Do you want to call the imperial physician?" The concern in Xue Rong's eyes was real. She was really worried about Emperor Mingzheng's health. After all, Emperor Mingzheng had fainted a few days ago.
Emperor Mingzheng smiled and stroked Xue Rong's shoulder. "I'm fine, just a little tired. I think it's because I've been too busy reading memorials recently. Cheng Ying is not in the palace, so I have to work harder. Today's palace banquet is specially held for you. You sit still. Marquis Jingyuan cannot enter the harem easily. You and your daughter can talk."
Xue Rong felt warm in her heart. It had been a long time since Emperor Mingzheng had been so considerate to her. She couldn't help but soften her voice, "Then your majesty, please have a rest early. I will leave everything here to you."
Emperor Mingzheng smiled and said, "I have the utmost confidence in you. There has been nothing wrong with the palace banquets you have hosted over the years."
When Emperor Mingzheng left, he asked someone to summon Yu Qizhe.
After the eunuch passed the message to Yu Qizhe, Yu Qizhe stood up and left. Ji Wudao saw this scene. He had just noticed that Xue Qingshang seemed to pay special attention to this person, so he couldn't help but ask Shen Tian beside him, "Lord, who is this person? Why have I never seen him before?"
"Yu Qizhe, the top scholar in the imperial examination, is a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and a disciple of Liu Yu." Shen Tian said.
Ji Wudao: "From a poor family?"
Shen Tian nodded.
Ji Wudao retracted his gaze and said with a hint of mockery, "The Princess of Changle County is attracted to this brat who is still wet behind the ears? What good is there in this weak kid?"
Shen Tian took a sip of tea and said nothing. Ji Wudao looked down on literati and he would suffer a great loss sooner or later.
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