Chapter 223 Breakthrough
After returning from Zhongling Palace, Xiao Qing felt much more relaxed, and her appetite also improved, so she ate half a bowl more rice during her meal.
In fact, once you see things clearly, you won't be so troubled or confused.
Why did they want her to choose a concubine? It was so that she could rule in her own right.
Who wants her to take over the reins of power? It's Fu Mingyi and Wang Xiang.
They were remarkably united in their stance on this matter.
But for her, is taking personal control of the government such an urgent matter?
Of course not!
They gave her a multiple-choice question, asking her to choose A or B, but if she didn't answer the question, how could there be a choice?
Business is a matter of mutual consent. Whoever is online is the one who should be anxious. Why is she in such a hurry?
She's been tricked by them and lost her composure for a moment.
So, from this perspective, why did she insist on choosing a concubine?
As for Chu Lianzhou, even if she were to enter the palace, it's not only possible to place her as a concubine.
Because there were many restrictions on male palace servants in the Great Xiao Imperial Palace, the Inner Palace Bureau was mostly staffed by female officials. However, they did not follow the official ranks of the court officials and were all slaves.
The largest administrative body in the imperial harem was the Bureau of Palace Attendants; its importance goes without saying.
Xiao Qing felt that there was much to be done in this place.
The rest is up to everyone to see who can't sit still the longest.
That night, Xiao Qing slept well and then had Ma Hong return the name tags of all the lovers.
The concubines who remained in the palace were puzzled, so some of them went to Wang Yu to inquire about the situation.
Wang Yu was also puzzled, and after thinking about it for a long time, she still couldn't figure out what it meant.
Immediately afterwards, Ma Hong came to deliver another imperial decree, saying that the winter hunt was approaching in the twelfth lunar month, and all the gentlemen were welcome to participate in the winter hunt. If anyone was interested in hunting, they could change into their clothes and have a great time in the hunting grounds.
Wang Yu thought to herself, "This is His Majesty giving them an opportunity."
Historically, the royal winter hunt was not something that ordinary women could participate in. Back when the Nan Ding Palace was still prosperous, only the families of the prefects of Dingzhou and Yingzhou were allowed to participate in the winter hunt. And even then, they could only watch from afar and could not participate in the hunt, let alone get close to the emperor.
Does His Majesty wish to see their horsemanship and archery skills?
Well, this is something she's not good at, but neither Fu Lanzhu nor Chu Lianzhou have ever heard of anyone being good at riding and archery.
They also have no advantage.
Ma Hong then said that since there was still some time before the winter hunt in the twelfth lunar month, everyone no longer needed to stay in the palace and should go back.
After hearing this, everyone was still confused.
Never before in history has a selection of imperial concubines been held, and the results haven't even been announced yet, but people are already being sent back.
However, upon further reflection, everyone realized that His Majesty was still a young man and had never experienced love, so he was naturally quite inexperienced in choosing a concubine.
Young men, it's normal for them to have a lot of tricks up their sleeves.
We'll find out what's going on when we get to the hunting grounds.
Even if we take a step back and say that His Majesty even dismissed that Chu Lianzhou, it shows that youthful impetuosity is ultimately short-lived.
When Wang Yu heard that everyone's nameplates had been returned, including Chu Lianzhou, she felt much more at ease.
Chu Lianzhou absentmindedly fiddled with the small plaque, his mind drifting to the words Xiao Qing had spoken in the bamboo forest.
A faint smile played at the corners of her lips as she began packing her things to return to the Chu family home.
When Fu Mingyi received the message, he was drinking with Zhao Youchen and Zhao Ziyuan.
We were originally talking about drinking tea.
However, Zhao Ziyuan was a heavy drinker, which in turn aroused Zhao Youchen's drinking addiction.
Anyway, Zhao Youchen wasn't on duty in the palace at the moment, so a little drink was fine.
And so the wine was drunk.
Zhao Ziyuan wanted to use a wine jar directly, but Zhao Youchen looked down on him, calling him a roughneck. Zhao Ziyuan then retorted that he had started to act refined ever since he started working in the palace.
The two engaged in a lively exchange, exchanging punches and kicks, basically without stopping.
Fu Mingyi smiled as he looked at them, and then received a message from the palace.
He nodded slightly, gave a few more instructions, and then waved the person away.
He gently turned the small wine glass around, and the smile on his lips faded slightly.
Zhao Youchen had seen that man a few times and knew it was a message from the palace, so he became more reserved and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhao Ziyuan glanced at his nephew, thinking to himself, "They might not even be planning to tell me, and you're already asking. Or is it that his nephew and this Grand Tutor have a really good personal relationship, so he doesn't care?"
It is clear that this rugged-looking man is not actually a heartless person.
Fu Mingyi glanced at Zhao Youchen, and without avoiding Zhao Ziyuan, said, "His Majesty has removed the plaques from all the noble ladies, ordering them to return to their respective homes and participate in the winter hunt in the twelfth lunar month."
Zhao Youchen didn't react for a moment, then blinked and smiled.
"If you've already withdrawn, it's no big deal."
Anyway, His Majesty is still young, and none of these women are worthy of him. It's better for them to retire.
Thinking of the recent gossip in the palace, a surge of anger rose in his heart again.
However, he also knew that he could only manage the Imperial Guards, while the palace servants were under the jurisdiction of the Inner Palace Bureau, and he couldn't extend his reach that far.
I don't know what Fu Mingyi is thinking. He has people in the Imperial Household Department, so why doesn't he do anything about it...?
He subconsciously glanced at Fu Mingyi, thinking that it was better to retire now and find someone more suitable for His Majesty when His Majesty grew up.
Oh dear, he hasn't paid attention to the daughters of the ministers in Nanhua for the past few years. Perhaps he should start paying attention now.
His Majesty will have his coming-of-age ceremony at the age of twenty, which is still seven years away. It's definitely a good time to start paying attention now...
"It's nothing serious, but after all this trouble, His Majesty just sent everyone back with a single sentence. Isn't that a bit too frivolous?" Fu Mingyi said calmly.
Zhao Ziyuan touched the wine jar but didn't say anything.
People say that although he wasn't kept in the dark about this kind of thing, it doesn't mean he can express his opinion.
Moreover, they are talking about the current emperor. He has already made a mistake, so he should just drink his wine quietly and not be labeled as someone who "spoke inappropriately while drunk."
Zhao Youchen smiled and said, "Brother Fu, I'm not trying to be mean, but she's only thirteen years old. It's inappropriate to be involved in the selection of concubines so early. Even if it's for... well, there's more than one way to do it."
Fu Mingyi looked at him and said, "Can the rules of our ancestors be changed so easily?"
Zhao Youchen was taken aback. "They've already been dismissed, so why send them back to the palace? That's even more ridiculous."
Fu Mingyi clinked glasses with him, saying, "That's not necessary."
He paused for a moment, then said, “Actually, the reason I invited you two here today is because there is a matter that His Majesty has not yet decided, but I would like to take the liberty of asking for your opinions.”
Zhao Ziyuan and Zhao Youchen exchanged a glance, their expressions gradually becoming serious.
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