"Your Majesty, I suggest restarting the harem selection process and choosing women of dignified appearance and clean family background to continue the royal bloodline."
"Oh?" The emperor asked calmly, "Do any of the ministers have daughters who are suitable?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces turned purple.
There had long been rumors in the court and among the people that the emperor was incompetent, but only they knew that it was not a rumor. Those who advised the emperor to hold a selection of concubines either had ulterior motives or were just doing routine work.
No matter which dynasty, it is a big deal if the emperor is nearly 30 and still has no children. It concerns the court and the country. As ministers who are concerned about the country and the people, they must give advice.
But giving advice and sacrificing one's daughter are two different things.
The emperor is destined to have no offspring, so why should he sacrifice his daughter to enter the palace and live a life of childlessness and no one to rely on in old age? It would be better to choose a family of equal status and give birth to a niece to compete for the position of Crown Princess in the future.
Yes, they believed that the emperor would have to adopt a prince sooner or later. The most popular candidate now was the youngest son of the King of Chu. He was three years old this year and could already recite "A Hundred Schools of Poetry" and "Thousand Character Classic". He could speak in a logical and clear manner and was a famous prodigy in the capital.
They glanced around and began to make excuses guiltily.
"My daughter is already engaged."
"So do I, your humble servant."
"I have only one daughter, who will be married next month."
Someone else said, "Miss Yun is beautiful and intelligent, she is a perfect match."
"She is not only beautiful and intelligent, but also pure and graceful."
"A kind and graceful heart."
"Bright virtue is the most fragrant."
"Be faithful and seek obedience."
"I return the lost property." Everyone looked at him askance. Who was talking nonsense?
"Three chastities and nine heroic deeds."
"Cold flower late festival!"
Yun Yuan was delighted to hear this. This group of ministers was quite interesting.
"Enough!" Seeing their outrageous remarks, the emperor slammed the table and said, "Everyone present here will have their salary deducted for one year."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone complained.
The emperor's mood brightened a little. "I have made my promise to the Empress Dowager, and I will never go back on my word. I will confer the title of Princess Zhaoyun on Yunyuan. I will have the Imperial Observatory choose an auspicious day to bring Princess Zhaoyun into the palace."
This time no one objected.
"General Zhenwei's wife was disrespectful and talkative in front of the emperor. Please ask the palace nurse to discipline her."
Half an hour later, the banquet ended and Yun Yuan was sent home by the emperor's men.
Mrs. Wen wanted her to live in the Wen Mansion, but Yun Yuan thought it was not as convenient as her own home, so she refused. The two agreed to go to the Huguo Temple to burn incense together.
But she was never able to go to burn incense after all. As soon as the imperial edict to confer the title of princess arrived, she was brought into the palace the next day and conferred the title of Yuan Fei. Yuan means Xuan Ci Hui Chu, who is kind and benevolent.
At night, the emperor held Yun Yuan in his arms.
"You are my first concubine and also my last concubine. When the baby is born, whether it is a prince or a princess, I will make you the queen."
Yun Yuan felt sweet in her heart and asked him, "Will the minister object?"
The emperor scratched her nose and said with a smile, "You underestimate your man. I hold great power. They can oppose me as they please. It's up to me whether I listen or not. No one can force me."
Yun Yuan sighed, this is the benefit of being in a high position.
In the morning, the Queen Mother personally went to Yun Yuan's bedroom to talk.
"Empress Dowager, I should be the one paying my respects to you. Why would I bother you to come here?"
The Queen Mother said gently, "I have the sedan chair here, so I won't be tired. How do you feel today? Are you still feeling nauseous?"
Most people will experience morning sickness around 42 days of pregnancy. Yun Yuan's reaction was not severe, but it was enough to make the emperor and the empress dowager nervous.
Yun Yuan shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, Queen Mother. It's nothing serious."
The Queen Mother raised her hand and motioned for the maid to bring the box over. "These are the blood swallows and ginseng that I brought. They are nourishing and beautiful, just right for you. But don't eat too much, or the fetus will be too big and it will be difficult to deliver."
Yun Yuan nodded, and the two began to discuss pregnancy care.
"I heard pregnant women shouldn't put red cloth on their beds, or they'll get birthmarks?"
"You can't move the furnishings in the house at will, especially the bed, as it might slip."
"You can't eat mutton, or you'll get epilepsy?"
The Queen Mother laughed so hard that she fell forward and backward. After finally stopping her laughter, she said, "Where did you hear such nonsense?"
Yun Yuan said innocently: "That's what everyone says!"
The Queen Mother told her clearly, "This statement is not credible. It's mostly just a coincidence. With our current status, we don't have to do everything ourselves like ordinary people. As long as we don't overwork, don't lift heavy objects, don't eat cold food, and move around more, there will be no problem with the fetus."
Yun Yuan: “Yeah!”
The palace maid brought in breakfast. Yun Yuan felt a little embarrassed. Would the Queen Mother dislike her laziness?
In her memory, the original owner would get up early to pay her respects to Mrs. Ge, and this happened every day. She would also stand behind Mrs. Ge and serve her breakfast. By the time Mrs. Ge finished eating, the original owner was already starving.
The Queen Mother didn't care at all. Instead, she comforted her: "It's normal to be sleepy during pregnancy. Don't feel any psychological burden. I don't need you to pay respects to my wife. Just live a good life with the Emperor."
"I will give you half of what's in my private storehouse as a wedding gift."
Large groups of palace maids and eunuchs were standing at the door carrying boxes. The boxes were made of golden nanmu wood and were engraved with exquisite patterns. When the boxes were opened, Yun Yuan was stunned.
Gold, gold, boxes of gold!
Jade, jade, so many boxes of jade!
Agate gems, kingfisher feather head ornaments, gold, silver and jade ornaments, books, calligraphy and paintings, precious fabrics, rare medicinal materials, and all kinds of strange small items, hundreds of boxes, Yun Yuan was stunned by the empress dowager's generosity.
This is so happy!
She cried out and hugged the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother stiffened slightly, but soon relaxed.
"Queen Mother, from now on you are my real mother. I will definitely give you some big fat grandchildren!"
The Queen Mother was so flattered that she was overjoyed: "Just talk to this old woman like me more often in the future."
Yun Yuan nodded vigorously: "Of course, of course!"
"Alright, I'll be going back now. If you need anything, tell me and the emperor. The things are in the side hall. Find someone you trust to look after them. Eat first, and I'll take the sedan chair back."
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