"Dad, what are you talking about? I am just the daughter of a subject, and they are all from noble families. How can I choose one over the other? Besides, marriage is a matter of parents' decision, and I don't have any thoughts about it." Yao Niang was very embarrassed.

How could Daddy, a man, say this to her? And she was obviously speaking to Daddy sincerely, but he actually lied to her.

Luo Zhizheng smiled, "Young men's admiration for young girls has been common since ancient times."

Although her father seemed very open-minded, Yao Niang would not be foolish enough to say anything to him. Luo Zhizheng felt a headache when he saw that she just kept her head down and didn't say much.

"Okay, I get it. You are tired today, so why don't you go down and have a good rest." Luo Zhizheng looked at her gently.

Seeing her father speak so kindly, Yao Niang thought that he was also concerned about her. She couldn't help but said, "I know what happened, you should get some rest soon."

After returning to her room, Yao Niang looked out the window at the moon and was unable to sleep for a while.

Although the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace was grand, it was clear that Emperor Jianzhang had no intention. According to his intention, he certainly wanted to make Consort Hong the Empress and Consort Lin the Imperial Consort or even the Imperial Consort. This was understandable. But Lin had nothing to complain about in recent years, not to mention that her family, the Zhongjing Marquisate, had made great contributions to the war horses in Datong.

There is even Emperor Jianzhang. If he had made Concubine Hong his concubine, the eldest prince would have been in the same situation as he was before.

But he didn't want to let Yunxiu down. They were the ones who truly loved each other. They had been close friends since childhood. The eldest prince's wife, who was once a stable wife, became a concubine. But she never complained and always cared about him wholeheartedly.

Lin did nothing wrong; it was his fate that was wrong.

Sometimes he even wondered why, when he was about to get married, Concubine Lin said that her sister was blessed with good fortune. The late emperor believed in such things and sent people to Datong to inquire about the matter. The emperor was told that the girl was kind and generous, giving out porridge and relief, and had a very good reputation.

So, the Crown Prince's wife was replaced.

Thinking of this, Emperor Jianzhang thought of the recent phoenix appearance that happened to Lin and had a different opinion. If this so-called auspicious sign happened to Concubine Hong, it might be that she was eager to become the empress, but when it happened to Lin, it could only mean that she was repeating her old tricks.

What auspicious signs such as purple air coming from the east and the arrival of the phoenix? After doing this kind of thing too many times, they really think that the royal family can let them do whatever they want.

Moreover, this so-called auspicious sign came from a strange source. Since this incident, the country has suffered disasters and civil unrest every year. This proves that Lin is probably not a blessed person. He is more like a ferocious bird than a phoenix.

"Father, I offer you a toast, and wish you everlasting prosperity and good weather."

When Emperor Jianzhang heard the voice, he knew it was Xuan Ce without even looking. This child was truly intelligent and noble, very capable, and extremely filial to him, more attentive than a daughter.

Emperor Jianzhang looked at his son carefully again and couldn't help but say, "Has Ce'er grown taller again? I think this child has grown a lot taller."

Concubine Hong smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this child is already seventeen years old. I heard that the second son's height stopped growing after the age of eighteen. In my opinion, Ce'er will not grow much longer either."

At this moment, the emperor and his concubine seemed like a normal couple.

This made Lin and the eldest prince Gao Xuanzhan seem to be unconcerned. Gao Xuance thought that his father had become ill this year and seemed to be seriously ill, even dying. Even he was repeatedly given poison because of his father's illness.

Because they seemed unable to escape from being princes in their previous lives, do you think that others will let you go if you behave yourself? Conferring the title of Prince of Chen was not what he wanted, but making compromises would not win others' tolerance for you. Instead, it would make others think that you are weak and can be bullied, so you act recklessly.

This time, he also wanted to find something to do for Lin's mother and son.

Moreover, he practiced Taoism in his previous life, and Taoism and medicine have been inseparable since ancient times. He can often help keep an eye on his father's health. As long as his father lives to be a hundred years old, Lin's mother and son will not dare to act rashly.

The best defense is to use offense as defense and make the enemy run around in a hurry.

After the banquet, Gao Xuance sent his mother back to Kunning Palace. The mother and son had always been very close. Concubine Hong also said to him, "Recently, there have been many memorials to ask the emperor to make me queen. I don't care that much in my heart, but there is one thing that I am worried about."

Gao Xuance was very smart and had guessed what Concubine Hong was worried about: "Are you talking about marriage?"

"Yes, after the auspicious incident last time, it is very difficult for Lin to be crowned as queen. The marriage between your brother and you is the top priority. Originally, I was very fond of the daughter of Duke Xian, but she is quite arrogant and conceited. She even asked your sister to call Lin the queen many times. I feel that it is not suitable for you." Concubine Hong certainly wanted to find a girl with a good family background for her son.

Gao Xuance had no idea that her mother had such thoughts, so she said, "This Zhuang probably doesn't understand the difference between the monarch and his subjects. He thinks he is arrogant just because he comes from a Duke's Mansion. My son doesn't like people like this."

Concubine Hong smiled and said, "What about the earl's daughter? Her father has now been promoted to the commander of the infantry and has full control over the military power. If you marry her, in the future -"

When Concubine Hong wanted to choose a daughter-in-law for her son, the most important things were family background and talent. Family background was even more important. Their Hong family could not compare with those noble families. It would be great if her son could marry someone with a military background.

"Mother, in fact, too much help is not necessarily a good thing. The most important thing is that Jane is in the emperor's heart. Of course, I know that in your heart, if I were an ordinary person, you probably think that only the princess is worthy of me. If you are not in the emperor's heart, what does it matter if you marry the daughter of the world's marshal of soldiers? The emperor will think it is a threat." Gao Xuance said.

After hearing this, Concubine Hong felt that her son was too self-conceited. What he meant was that no matter how high her status was, she could not compare to the prince. As long as he was favored, he would have a position in the future.

This is not just self-confidence, it is complete arrogance.

Concubine Hong added, "There is also Li Tianjiao, but it's a pity that she is not good-looking. The Xu Qingrong family is very jealous. Now that the country is suffering from drought and floods, I'm afraid they won't select any more talents. But you brothers are all older, so it's best to choose from these companions. So, who do you like?"

These companions had all lived in the palace for many years. They were both well-educated and good-looking, and they were also very familiar with the palace.

Gao Xuance smiled and said, "I don't care what kind of woman I marry, as long as she is filial to my mother, I don't care about anything else."

This certainly made Concubine Hong very happy, and she couldn't help but say, "Actually, none of the people I just mentioned are suitable for you. The only one I like very much is Yao Niang, oh, that is Miss Luo."

Gao Xuance raised his eyebrows: "Really? Then why didn't you mention her before?"

"She is born with the beauty to conquer the country, so you can't marry a very pretty woman, otherwise the man will be easily distracted. What's more, her father is a civil servant, and he is not as good as a military officer in commanding the army." Concubine Hong felt it was a pity, and actually she really liked Yao Niang.

Gao Xuance thought to himself, "You don't know how capable her father is of stirring up trouble, so he said, "It would be better to send her out of the palace to get married first, which would be a good thing."

Just arrange a marriage for her, as long as the person has no connection with the Lin family.

Concubine Hong smiled and said, "How can that be possible? I think she and your brother are a good match. They both like to read and write. Your brother is not good at martial arts, but she is good at riding and shooting. Wouldn't it be great if the two of them complement each other?"