"There is a treasure in my house? How come I don't know about it?" Chang Sun Dechong looked at Chu Fan with an expression of disbelief.
You have to know that as the head of the Changsun family, you don’t know what treasures your family has. If there really were any treasures in your family, people in your family would have advised you to leave Wei like those ministers who defected.
After all, he was loyal to his country and the royal family, but his family members would also consider their own interests. If his family really had any treasures that could allow them to make a comeback in other countries, his family members would have advised him to leave Wei long ago.
However, apart from some foundations in Wei State, his family has no roots in other countries, so even if they go to other countries, there will not be much development.
Chu Fan turned to Changsun De and said meaningfully, "I have heard that the daughter of the Changsun family is in her prime, gentle, virtuous, and beautiful. I am very pleased and would like to invite her into the palace. What do you think of the Changsun family?"
Upon hearing this, Changsun Dechong's heart trembled, yet he maintained a calm expression. He bowed slightly, his tone revealing respect and caution, "Your Majesty's deep love for the Changsun family is truly a great honor for our clan. However, I have always been a delicate and gentle woman, and I fear I would struggle to endure the complex etiquette and heavy responsibilities of the palace. Furthermore, my heart is pure, and if I were to enter the palace, I fear I would have difficulty adapting to its complex and ever-changing environment. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to consider this matter carefully before making a decision."
Chang Sun Dechong was not really afraid that his daughter would suffer in the palace, but his eldest daughter was really frail and sickly. Marrying her into the royal family would be a complete burden to His Majesty. His Majesty now had to consider various family and national affairs, and Chang Sun Dechong did not want His Majesty to waste his energy on these matters.
Chu Fan smiled slightly when he heard Chang Sun Dechong trying to make excuses. He had to be careful this time. Chang Sun Dechong was getting anxious and started to make excuses.
Chu Fan's eyes were deep, and he believed he had seen through Changsun Dechong. He waved his hand lightly and said nonchalantly, "Master Changsun, you are worrying too much. I know that palace life is not easy, but it is precisely because of this that we need virtuous and kind women to correct the atmosphere in the harem. Your daughter is both dignified and beautiful, and gentle and charming. She is exactly the person I have in mind.
As for her frail health, I will arrange for the imperial physician to carefully nurse her back to health as soon as possible. As for adapting to the environment, what is there to fear with me here? Or does Lord Changsun think that General Mu Yunfeng's daughter, Mu Xi, is difficult to get along with?
"I have absolutely no such intention. I beg Your Majesty to make a wise judgment." Chang Sun Dechong said hurriedly.
You must know that at present, in the court of Wei, the friendship among the ministers is very close. Your Majesty, are you mistakenly thinking that I have a grudge against General Mu Yunfeng and want to use this as a warning to others?
Chu Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of joy as he watched Chang Sun Dechong explain so eagerly. He saw Chang Sun Dechong's anxiety and thought, "He's anxious, he really is." At that moment, Chu Fan was convinced that his chances of returning to Blue Star had greatly increased.
Chu Fan raised the corner of his mouth and a faint smile hung on his lips. His eyes fell gently on Chang Sun Dechong, and he said casually:
"Lord Changsun, I know you're worried about your beloved daughter; this is common sense. But everything I say has been carefully considered. I wish to welcome your daughter into the palace, not out of personal desire, but in the hope that she, with the Changsun family's bloodline, can bring a breath of fresh air to the harem and help me resolve my worries and difficulties.
Furthermore, I have not yet officially married General Mu Yunfeng's daughter. If Lord Changsun can successfully complete this important task of disaster relief, I would like to marry Lord Changsun's daughter into the palace first. This way, the daughter of the Changsun family will also have the opportunity to strive for the noble position of the harem master.
Chu Fan thought to himself, "I've made it clear, Changsun Dechong, why aren't you falling for it?" Not only would this displease Changsun Dechong, but his direct proposal to have his daughter compete for the position of harem master would surely displease Mu Yunfeng and his daughter. If any one of them expressed dissatisfaction with him and raised their hands to overthrow him, his system mission would be complete.
"Your Majesty, your daughter has never intended to compete with Empress Mu Xi, nor has she any intention of being the master of the harem." Chang Sun Dechong's voice was steady and firm. He looked directly at Chu Fan with eyes full of sincerity and frankness.
"My humble daughter has been educated at home since she was young. She knows that the harem is the pride of the royal family and requires a virtuous woman to be competent. Compared to Empress Mu Xi, she knows that she still has shortcomings in many aspects and has no desire to compete."
"What I have said today comes from the bottom of my heart and is not false at all. My daughter is truly unworthy of the position of the master of the harem."
Everything Chang Sun Dechong said was good for Chu Fan and for the sake of the royal family. However, his words all revealed that he was unwilling to send his daughter to the palace.
Chu Fan said in a serious tone, "Lord Changsun, please understand your identity and responsibilities. This isn't a discussion, but a formal order. Do you think I will forgive you for making so many mistakes on the first day of disaster relief?"
Chang Sun Dechong's face turned grim when he heard this. He knew very well that his performance today was far from satisfactory, but there was still a trace of the thought of defending himself in his heart, but he did not dare to speak it out easily.
He slowly knelt and replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. I know I have failed in my duty and am willing to accept any punishment. However, this matter has nothing to do with my daughter. I beg Your Majesty to spare my frail daughter."
Chu Fan's mind flashed back to the image of a little girl who used to follow him around. She was his childhood playmate, the youngest of all the children. In his memory, she was healthy, lively, and cute, but now he was suspicious. Could something have happened to her in those years?
Deep in Chu Fan's memory, before he ascended the throne to become emperor, he often played with this little girl. She always liked to follow him and sweetly called him brother.
Chu Fan's mood became tense and anxious at this moment. He couldn't help but ask, "Changsun Pinting, what happened to this little girl? I haven't seen her for a few years. Could she have encountered something?"
When Changsun Dechong heard this, a trace of surprise flashed across his face. He had originally thought Chu Fan was referring to his eldest daughter, Changsun Pinqing, but he had never imagined it was actually his youngest daughter.
He replied somewhat awkwardly, "Your Majesty, my youngest daughter is doing well. I thought you wanted me to send my eldest daughter to the palace. But my youngest daughter is only fourteen years old."
Chu Fan heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that Changsun Pinting was in perfect health. He was puzzled as to why he felt this way, considering he had only received fragmentary memories of his previous body. But when Changsun Pinting came to mind, all his memories came flooding back.
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