The reason they weren't all allowed to leave was because Wan Ge knew this situation was somewhat different. Most of the girls in the harem were just pawns, and some might suffer inhumane treatment after returning home. So, they were allowed to stay to provide them with a safe haven.
Of course, Xie Wenjun did give them money when they chose to leave the palace, but it was not easy for women in this world, and it was not safe for them to be outside.
As long as they don't provoke Xie Wenjun or Wan Ge in the palace, they can be protected and taken care of, which makes them relatively safer.
Moreover, in Wan Ge's eyes, they were not really concubines, nor did they need to pay their respects or serve her daily. Staying in the palace was fine except for the inconvenience of going out.
Many people who lacked drive and were unwilling to take risks stayed behind.
Neither Consort Ling nor Consort Ruan stayed. Both of them were extraordinary women who did not want to waste their lives in the palace. So when Xie Wenjun allowed the concubines to leave on their own, they applied to leave.
Although Xie Wenjun's actions displeased the court, no one dared to say anything. After all, the emperor and empress were shrewd and calculating, and all their schemes and tricks were nothing but illusions in their eyes.
Just like the case of the Empress Dowager's niece's attempt to conspire with others to rebel, before the ministers even knew what had happened, His Majesty and the Empress had already collected all the evidence.
This shows just how powerful their informants are; they'd better not cause any trouble.
The treacherous minister feared that his misdeeds would be exposed, while the honest minister, who had never witnessed wrongdoing, feared that he would anger the tyrant and bring misfortune upon his entire family.
After all, in their eyes, Xie Wenjun was not a kind emperor, nor did she reason with her ministers. She always did whatever she wanted, and no minister was afraid of her.
…
After finishing her tea, Wan Ge looked at Ling Yu beside her and asked, "Ling Yu, do you want to join the army?"
Lingyu was taken aback, not expecting Wan Ge to ask such a question. She was pondering how to answer when...
Wan Ge then spoke very seriously: "You don't need to think so much, just say it directly, say the answer you most want to say in your heart."
Lingyu knelt on one knee and bowed with her hands clasped: "Your Majesty, this is what I thought of."
Wan Ge could tell from the first time the other person said those words to her that she knew the other person was content with the present, that she had ideals and ambitions, and was a good prospect.
"You know General Chu, who guards the northwest, right?"
"Know."
"I have heard that General Chu's daughter is also a brave female general who has just been rewarded by His Majesty and has become a fifth-rank Dingyuan General."
The reason the other party was a fifth-rank general was because she had just begun to show good performance.
"So?" Lingyu asked, both worried and expectant.
Wan Ge replied, "General Chu is willing to send his daughter to the battlefield, so he must not be opposed to female generals. Do you want to go? I can recommend you."
Lingyu hesitated for a moment, but finally answered, "I want to go."
"Alright, I will bring this up with His Majesty. Be prepared."
…
After Wan Ge told Xie Wenjun about this, Xie Wenjun was also a little surprised. Looking at Wan Ge in front of him, he said, "I thought you would hate her."
Wan Ge asked in confusion, "Why do you dislike her? Is it because she told you about me?"
The other party only obeys Xie Wenjun, so at most, I won't entrust some things to her; it's not that I dislike her.
If she is someone who forgets her master so easily, then I should be even more worried.
Wan Ge spoke again: "She is actually a pretty good person. She is capable and efficient, and she also has lofty goals. If we can really give her the hope of making achievements, I believe she will not let us down."
Xie Wenjun nodded: "Okay, I'll have someone arrange it. But right now, we have more important things to do than discussing others."
"What is it?" Wan Ge asked with a hint of doubt in her eyes, wondering what important matter it was.
Xie Wenjun picked her up immediately: "Of course it's about giving birth to the crown prince. Although they're not urging me to choose a concubine anymore, they still hope we can give birth to the crown prince as soon as possible. Only in this way can we shut them up, so please bear with the trouble, Empress."
After hearing this, Wan Ge smiled, then took his hand and touched her belly: "No need to rush, it's already here."
"What?" Xie Wenjun's eyes widened.
Wan Ge nodded to him with a smile.
——
① It turns out that liking and possessing are two different concepts.
②I used to think that it was enough that you were there, but later I became unwilling to accept it.
③The light that once shone on me shines even brighter now.
— Xie Wenjun
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