The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. "What does His Majesty mean? Does he want to hold a selection of concubines? But why did he so righteously refuse just now?"
Was it merely to give the Empress face? Was it all an act for the Empress's benefit?
Indeed, no man is immune to lust; the Emperor was merely joking!
But if that's the case, why is the Emperor making things difficult for them?
"Your Majesty, please make any requests you may have!" Everyone looked at Emperor Jingning with expectant faces. They unanimously decided that they would agree to whatever conditions Emperor Jingning proposed, and even if they could not agree, they would try their best to agree.
"Since that's the case, I'll state my requirements. If you think they're feasible, then agree. If not, don't force it. I will never force you!" Emperor Jingning appeared to be considering everyone's needs.
"No pressure, no pressure!"
The eldest prince and others did not know what Emperor Jingning was planning to do, but they were certain of one thing: Emperor Jingning was definitely not doing what they thought, and was not really going to hold a talent show.
Under the expectant gazes of his courtiers, Emperor Jingning spoke: "When selecting candidates for the imperial concubine selection, they must first possess talents, not only in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs, but also in other areas, even breaking a boulder on their chest is acceptable!"
The courtiers were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped to the floor. [Breaking a boulder on his chest? Is His Majesty selecting concubines or soldiers?]
Ignoring the shock of his courtiers, Emperor Jingning continued, "Furthermore, anyone who dares to disrespect the Empress will be killed! Anyone who dares to harm the Empress will have their entire family executed, leaving no one alive."
The court officials were once again surprised by He Xue's standing in Emperor Jingning's heart.
"Finally, those who enter the palace must stay in their own palaces without the Empress's decree and are not allowed to leave without being summoned. As long as you please the Empress, promotion is not a problem!"
The court officials were completely dumbfounded. This didn't sound like a selection of candidates for the Emperor; it sounded more like a selection of candidates for the Empress!
"I can tell you clearly that I will not favor those people. Their role in the palace is merely to decorate and make the Empress happy, otherwise the Empress will be too bored!"
"You may consider whether you want to bring your daughters or sisters into the palace. If you wish, they can enter the palace now without participating in the selection process!" Emperor Jingning said, looking at everyone.
What's the point of going to the palace? The daughter the family has painstakingly raised isn't here to please the Empress.
Rather than spending her life alone in the palace, it would be better to marry someone else; perhaps that would bring benefits to the family!
Emperor Jingning looked at everyone without speaking, "Have you all made up your minds?"
"Your Majesty, we have made up our minds. The selection of concubines is your private matter, and we should not interfere. We are happy as long as you are happy!"
"What were you doing just now? You were a complete waste of my time!" Emperor Jingning said unhappily as he stood up and stormed off.
"Dismiss the court!" He Zhu shouted, flicking his whisk.
The court officials got up groggily to attend court that morning, and painstakingly persuaded the emperor to select candidates for the imperial concubine selection. The emperor finally agreed, but they themselves were unwilling, and then they were scolded by the emperor. They were really pitiful!
Some court officials were unwilling to accept this and turned their attention to the First Prince and the Third Prince, hoping that these princes could go to the Emperor and persuade him.
The eldest prince and the others had no time to pay attention to these people.
At Changchun Garden, Hongchen was woken up early in the morning to meet the new tutor that Emperor Kangxi had found for him.
Hongchen looked at the person in front of him and said loudly, "Old man, what you're doing is a bit unfair. You're repaying kindness with enmity!"
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