Yan Nangui smiled and said, "Sister Luo, are you referring to the Murong family? I don't know much about the Murong family. If you have any insights, please feel free to speak them directly."
Luo Liangyuan smiled awkwardly: "I wouldn't call it insightful, but there was a concubine during the late emperor's reign, namely the Murong clan."
"Hmm? The late emperor's concubine? Not the current emperor's birth mother? She was posthumously honored as empress?" Yan Nangui really didn't know this.
"No, that was later. The late emperor had two imperial concubines back then. It's just that this Consort Murong's reign was too short. I only learned about this from my father. He told me these things before I came to the capital. They were some palace secrets told to him by his friend."
After briefly explaining, Luo Liangyuan continued, "When the late emperor was in his thirties, Lady Murong entered the palace. Because she was born out of wedlock, she was initially granted the title of Xiaoyi. Then, she gained favor and rose through the ranks to Zhaoyi. It is said that she even gave birth to a child, but the child did not survive. Not long after, she became a second-rank concubine. A little over a year later, she became a Guifei."
"Not long after becoming a Noble Consort, she died of illness. It is said that the children she gave birth to were not ordered. After her death, the late emperor, citing grief, ordered the destruction of all her belongings and forbade anyone to mention her. Since she had only been in the palace for six or seven years, gradually, no one remembered that such a person had ever existed."
"That doesn't prove anything, it happened decades ago," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
“Indeed, I was just saying that the Murong family isn’t just a family that simply passes down poetry and books. They also send people to the palace,” Luo Liangyuan said with a smile.
After chatting for a while, they went their separate ways.
Back at Jiyue Pavilion, Yan Nangui said, "The late Emperor's harem was quite interesting. He forbade mentioning the deceased Consort Murong, and even ordered the destruction of her belongings. The current Empress Dowager's birth mother, Consort Wei, died a few years after giving birth to Princess Rongning. Empress Dowager Jiang lost two sons. And the rest of the family suffered heavy losses..."
“Yes, back then, probably because things were unstable outside, the late emperor’s mind was elsewhere. The infighting in the harem was particularly fierce,” Jiangxiang said.
"So, Consort Murong really existed?" Yan Nangui asked.
“Yes, it’s true. Things are unclear outside, but the more senior members of the palace have heard about it. Consort Luo is right. This Consort Murong is probably not as innocent as she appears,” Jiang Xiang said.
"Yes, in our household, the only truly innocent one is my cousin."
The wild geese flew south, seemingly unconcerned.
Jiang Xiang covered her mouth and laughed: "It's fortunate that Consort Ye has a powerful family background to support her. After all, the Empress is in charge of the palace. Even the Crown Princess can't do anything to her."
"I do hope my cousin stays strong, but she absolutely must maintain this fighting power. She can absorb most of the fire by herself. That way, others won't have to fight to the death," Yan Nangui laughed.
Shu Chengfeng stayed at Murong Liangyuan's place for three consecutive nights.
Whether it's genuine liking or feigned liking, it shows that he likes you.
The Crown Princess remained composed, and even now, looking at Consort Murong, she still maintained a gentle and kind expression.
Most people were able to remain calm, and as for Ye Liangdi, well, she's always been the same, so there's not much to say.
The palace selection process gradually came to an end. Some of those who were not selected were transferred to various departments within the palace, while some from privileged backgrounds who were not selected left the palace to marry.
The Dayan Dynasty did not hold elections every few years; it was generally agreed that they would be held every three to five years. If the timeframe was unfavorable, then it would be five years; if it was favorable, then it would be three years.
That's not necessarily true.
Generally, the royal family chooses based on their needs.
However, the princes did not necessarily have to choose their concubines.
When one reaches a certain age, if there is a suitable daughter from a noble family, one can simply marry her off.
The Crown Princess was not chosen back then.
This time, arrangements were made for unmarried members of half the royal family. There will be no further selections in the near future.
When Shu Chengfeng returned to Jiyue Pavilion, it had been five or six days since Consort Murong had entered the mansion.
Yan Nangui smiled as he saw him from afar: "Your Highness has arrived."
Springtime was in full bloom, and she was admiring the flowers in the small garden outside Jiyue Pavilion.
She had planted many plants in her Jiyue Pavilion, but the pear blossoms were in full bloom right now.
It's just starting to bloom; there are many buds, but not many have opened yet.
Looking out, there are trees upon trees of pure white blossoms, and a faint, sweet fragrance fills the air.
Yan Nangui, dressed in fiery red, stood under the tree and smiled at him.
Shu Chengfeng walked over and saw that her hair was half loose, held up only by an agate hairpin, and she wore no other adornments.
But her red dress made her skin appear even whiter and her overall appearance even more refined.
"What kind of look is that, Your Highness? I didn't know you were coming. I came out right after my afternoon nap. I was very rude." Yan Nangui said with a smile.
"It's alright." Shu Chengfeng came over and put his arm around her waist: "It seems that Tang'er really does like more than just crabapple blossoms."
"I was thinking, why don't you transplant a few crabapple trees here for me, Your Highness?" Yan Nangui asked.
“It’s good that you have requests. Why don’t you plant a few in your yard? If you’re careful, you can keep the buds from falling off, what do you think?” Shu Chengfeng asked.
“Okay, let’s plant them tomorrow then,” Yan Nangui said without hesitation.
"Alright." Shu Chengfeng reached out to pick the flowers, but Yan Nangui stopped him: "These white flowers are indeed very beautiful, but it's fine to wear them. Your Highness, please spare them and let them die fragrant on the branches."
Shu Chengfeng raised an eyebrow and indeed withdrew his hand.
"In that case, how about I pick a different flower for you to wear in the future?"
"Why wait until another day?" With that, she pulled Shu Chengfeng back to Jiyue Pavilion and pointed to the roses in the corner of the wall: "These flowers are in full bloom at the perfect time. Your Highness is busy and cannot wait any longer, so let's do it today."
Shu Chengfeng laughed and indeed picked a half-open flower to put on her head.
This is a really novel experience.
“His Majesty will be making a northern tour in April. I will also be going. Would you like to go?” Shu Chengfeng asked.
"Is Your Majesty's northern tour due to the unusual actions of the Tuotuo people last year?" The north is a strategically important military region, and Your Majesty must also want to stabilize the morale of the army.
Even if war breaks out, it won't be a major disaster.
"Hmm." Shu Chengfeng accepted the tea that Jiangxiang brought and sat down on the veranda.
"Tsk." Yan Nangui also took the tea and shook his head slightly.
"how?"
"No, I just thought His Majesty was timid." Yan Nangui smiled.
"Don't talk nonsense." That's what Shu Chengfeng said, but his attitude... was quite unpredictable.
It's like telling a child not to be naughty; it's just something said casually.
However, this statement is not wrong. Generally speaking, either the crown prince goes on a northern tour, which will also appease the army.
Either the crown prince is left to oversee the country, or the emperor takes his adult crown prince with him when he goes out. Isn't that cowardly?
So it turns out that his rise to power wasn't exactly legitimate?
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