Chapter 373 Finale Part 1
The day of the palace examination.
Not only civil and military officials were present, but also the teacher from Huating Academy.
They are the examiners and can ask any questions they want.
Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou will assess whether the candidates are qualified to serve as officials in the court based on their answers.
Soon, the Golden Palace became lively.
It didn't end until noon.
Out of more than one hundred students, only one hundred remained.
Although it is not enough to completely fill the vacancies in official positions, it is enough to keep the departments functioning normally.
After the issue of the official vacancy was resolved, Ye Chutang rarely attended court.
She focused on people's livelihood in the harem.
Different development plans are formulated based on the geographical environment and population size of each state and county.
She wanted to turn every state and county in Yan'an Kingdom into a prosperous and peaceful Tianshan County.
Qi Yanzhou attended court every day, reviewed memorials, and solved problems that officials could not handle.
And implement the plan formulated by Ye Chutang.
It's a good thing that two people can work together and get twice the result with half the effort.
However, because Ye Chutang did not attend court, she was gradually regarded by all officials as the "Queen" in the harem.
One day, the imperial censor made a memorial, proposing to let Qi Yanzhou fill the harem.
"The Emperor has only one son and one daughter. There are too few offspring. Please choose a concubine to expand the royal family!"
This is a problem faced by emperors of every dynasty.
Therefore, the censor did not think there was anything wrong with his proposal.
After hearing this, Qi Yanzhou's face turned cold.
"If the Emperor needs to choose a concubine, then the Empress must also keep a few concubines? We are both emperors, so we can't favor one over the other, right?"
As soon as these cold words came out, all the officials shivered with cold.
A thin layer of sweat broke out on the censor's back, and he answered under tremendous pressure.
"The emperor and the empress are naturally different. It is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines."
Qi Yanzhou's smile did not reach his eyes.
"Your words are correct. I will order you to have three wives and four concubines and choose a day to get married."
Imperial Censor: “…”
He quickly knelt down and rubbed his head against the ground.
"Emperor, your humble servant..."
Qi Yanzhou interrupted the censor and asked, "Why, does Censor Zhang want to disobey the order?"
"I dare not!"
"I think you are very daring! You actually want me to take a concubine and force me and the Emperor and Empress to separate. You deserve to be killed!"
"Your Majesty, I have no such intention!"
Qi Yanzhou picked up the memorial on the table and smashed the censor's head until it was bleeding.
"I have no such intention. I think you can't bear to see me and the Empress get along well!"
Song Jingning took a step forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, calm down. Censor Zhang definitely has no intention of alienating you and the Empress."
As soon as these words came out, Qi Yanzhou knew that Song Jingning was going to use his ultimate move.
He sneered, "The Regent is saying that I have wronged Censor Zhang?"
"I dare not. I just think that people have different ideas. Censor Zhang thinks that it is common for men to have three wives and four concubines. The emperor and empress will not be dissatisfied, nor will they be at odds with the emperor. There is nothing wrong with this idea."
When Censor Zhang heard this, he immediately looked at Song Jingning with gratitude.
As a result, Song Jingning's next words made him feel like he was falling into hell.
“I propose that Censor Zhang not only have three wives and four concubines, but his wife must also keep seven male lovers.
If the couple is still as loving as before, it will prove that he has no intention of alienating the Emperor and Empress. ”
When Censor Zhang heard this, his eyes went dark and he almost fainted.
Qi Yanzhou nodded in agreement.
"What the Regent said makes sense, so let Censor Zhang prove it to me."
After saying this, he looked at Eunuch Fu.
"Bring the imperial edict. I will personally grant marriages to Censor Zhang and Madam Zhang. As for the selection of the third wife, fourth concubine and favorite, let Censor Zhang and Madam decide for themselves. The marriage will be completed in three days."
Censor Zhang was about to collapse and kowtowed and begged for mercy.
"emperor……"
Before he could even utter the words of begging for mercy, Qi Yanzhou interrupted him harshly.
"If you disobey my order, you will be guilty of a heinous crime punishable by the death of your entire clan!"
Censor Zhang knew that Qi Yanzhou was killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, and he regretted it so much that his intestines turned green.
"I obey the decree and thank you Lord for your kindness!"
After he received the order, Qi Yanzhou glanced at all the officials coldly.
"The Empress and I are deeply in love and will never take concubines. If anyone is dissatisfied with the lack of royal offspring, then they can seize my throne and have as many children as they want!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the officials knelt down in fear.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. We have absolutely no such intention."
"If anyone mentions taking a concubine again, Censor Zhang will be used as an example. Dismiss!"
Qi Yanzhou left angrily.
All the officials stood up and wiped the sweat from their foreheads.
When Censor Zhang proposed that Emperor Tang take a concubine, many officials began to think of putting people into the harem.
Fortunately, the Emperor got angry before I could bring it up.
Otherwise they would have to marry three wives and four concubines, and keep seven male lovers for their wives.
So scary!
Song Jingning walked up to Censor Zhang, who looked as pale as death, and kindly reminded him.
"Censor Zhang, go home and get ready. It's not easy to gather three wives, four concubines and seven lovers. In three days, I will go to the Censor's Mansion to ask for a glass of wedding wine!"
After saying that, he walked away.
***
When Ye Chutang heard the news that Censor Zhang proposed that Qi Yanzhou take a concubine, she had just finished writing the development plan for southern Xinjiang.
She organized the plan she had written and put it in an envelope with "Southern Xinjiang" written on it.
"Aunt Jin, pack up. We will go south to Yangzhou in three days."
Jinzhi is now Ye Chutang's personal nanny.
She thought Ye Chutang was angry, and hurriedly said, "Empress, the Emperor not only did not listen to Censor Zhang's suggestion, but also severely punished him, ordering him to marry three wives and four concubines in three days, and to keep seven male lovers for his wife, and to ensure that the couple live in harmony."
After being surprised, Ye Chutang chuckled.
“That’s really mean.”
Qi Yanzhou heard these words as soon as he stepped into the imperial study.
He walked behind Ye Chutang, rubbed her shoulders, and said with a smile: "It's not me who is being insulted, it's my brother."
The two spoke privately, just as casually as before.
He did not become arrogant or polite and distant just because his status changed.
"The censor must be regretting his decision now."
"It's all your own fault!"
After Qi Yanzhou finished speaking, he asked, "I just heard that you are planning to go to Yangzhou in three days?"
Ye Chutang nodded, sorted out the development plans for each state and county, and handed them to Qi Yanzhou.
"I have done my work and just need to wait for feedback from the states and counties."
It will take at least three months from implementing the plan to getting feedback on the results.
This time is not only enough for her to go to Jiangnan, but also allows her to take An An to have a good time along the way.
Qi Yanzhou really wanted to go to Yangzhou with Ye Chutang, but he couldn't.
"Go early and come back early. I haven't seen Lele for a long time. I miss her."
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Chutang affectionately.
"I don't want to be separated from you for too long. Seeing you every day will make life in the palace less difficult."
Ye Chutang looked at Qi Yanzhou who was pretending to be pitiful and felt soft-hearted.
"Okay, I'll be back as soon as possible. After all, my brother still has to teach An An, so he can't leave Beijing for too long."
Three days later.
After attending the morning court, Qi Yanzhou sent Ye Chutang and Song Jingning out of the capital.
The three most distinguished people in Yan Anguo went to Censor Zhang's house and asked for a glass of wedding wine.
If it was an ordinary wedding for an official, having the emperor and empress in person would be a way to show off his honor for a lifetime.
But Censor Zhang's marriage was a punishment, and it turned into a lifelong humiliation.
Ye Chutang looked at Censor Zhang, who had lost weight and had a dull look in his eyes, and felt that he was a little pitiful.
But after leaving the Censorate, Qi Yanzhou said something.
This made her immediately put away her sympathy for Censor Zhang.
He said: "I have long reminded all officials not to set their sights on my harem. Censor Zhang knowingly committed the crime and deserves this punishment!"
The role of the censor is to impeach officials and kings who are lacking in moral conduct.
Instead of trying to interfere in his family affairs in the name of doing good for the emperor!
Of course, his punishment on Censor Zhang was indeed a bit too severe.
But only severe punishment can completely eliminate the evil ideas of some people.
There was no way Ye Chutang would share her husband with other women.
She climbed onto the horse and said with a smile, "Azhou, if there are any more blind people in the future, the punishment can be more severe. Officials can be forced to keep male lovers and ladies can be forced to marry wives and concubines."
Qi Yanzhou was amused by Ye Chutang's words, "Okay."
"You can go back to the palace. My brother and I are leaving."
"Bon Voyage."
Qi Yanzhou and others returned to the palace reluctantly only after they could no longer see Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang and Song Jingning rode at full speed during the day and rested at night, and it took them seven days to reach Yangzhou.
The brother and sister did not say hello in advance, and when they arrived it was already night and the door of the Tang family was closed.
Song Jingning dismounted and suddenly felt a little homesick.
"Chu'er, do you think my grandparents will allow me to be included in the Tang family's genealogy?"
This wasn't the first time he asked this question.
Ye Chutang once again answered affirmatively: "Of course!"
After saying that, she handed the reins to Song Jingning and walked forward to knock on the door.
The doorman's voice came quickly, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Ye Chutang."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Chutang heard a "bang" and something hit the door panel.
Then she heard the doorman shouting, "Go and inform the master and mistress, the cousin is here!"
The vermilion door was opened, and the doorman, with a big bump on his forehead, bowed in panic.
"Common people..."
As soon as he opened his mouth, he realized that he should kneel.
So he knelt down immediately.
"I have seen the Emperor and Empress. Long live them!"
Ye Chutang was most annoyed by these false formalities and said, "In the Tang family, I am just a cousin. Get up."
"Thank you, my cousin."
As soon as the doorman stood up, the two elders of the Tang family ran over in a hurry.
Just as they were about to pay their respects to Ye Chutang, they were stopped.
"Grandfather, grandmother, if you are so distant, I will not enter the Tang family."
Mr. Tang said, "Chu'er, your current status is not ordinary, and the rules cannot be abolished."
After saying this, he was about to kneel down.
Ye Chutang turned around immediately and said, "Then I'll go."
When Mrs. Tang heard this, she immediately became anxious.
"As a family, we don't need these empty formalities. Chu Er, come in quickly."
Before she finished speaking, she reached for Ye Chutang's arm, fearing that she would really leave.
At this time, Lele's voice with a crying tone came.
"Mother!"
She was small and ran slowly, so she was left behind by the two elders and was so anxious that her eyes were filled with tears.
Ye Chutang hadn't seen Lele for more than a month and missed her very much.
She immediately turned around, walked quickly towards Lele, picked her up and kissed her on the cheek.
"Do you miss mother?"
Lele hugged Ye Chutang's neck and rubbed it affectionately.
"Yes, Lele misses daddy and mommy very much!"
As she spoke, she kissed Ye Chutang on the face with a crisp sound.
The Tang family's attention was all on Ye Chutang, and they did not notice Song Jingning who was leading a horse outside the gate.
He looked at Ye Chutang who was surrounded by people, a smile appeared on his face, and he was not so nervous anymore.
Ye Chutang carried Lele to the gate and pointed at Song Jingning.
"LeLe, look, who is that?"
The two elders of the Tang family also looked over where Ye Chutang pointed.
When they saw Song Jingning, they immediately guessed his identity.
Tears suddenly filled my eyes.
Lele's crisp voice rang out, "Uncle!"
After shouting, she opened her arms towards Song Jingning and asked for a hug.
Song Jingning didn't care whether the horse would run or not. He immediately threw away the reins, came to Lele and took her over.
"Is Lele doing well in Yangzhou? Is he listening to his great-grandfather and great-grandmother?"
Lele hugged Song Jingning's neck and nodded obediently.
"Lele is very obedient. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother like Lele very much."
"So, do you think they will like their uncle?"
"Of course I would."
Lele said this affirmatively and looked at the two elders of the Tang family.
"Great-grandfather and great-grandmother, why are you crying? Don't you like your uncle?"
The two elders immediately said: "I like it, of course I like it!"
They looked at Song Jingning. They obviously had a lot to say, but they were so excited that they didn't know how to start.
Ye Chutang said, "Grandpa and grandma, my brother and I are on our way here and haven't had dinner yet. How about we eat and talk at the same time?"
"Okay, let's eat and talk. Jing Ning, come in quickly. I'll ask the kitchen to make whatever you like."
Song Jingning knew that the old lady wanted to express her welcome to him, so she mentioned two of her favorite dishes.
Mr. Tang smiled and said, "Your mother also likes to eat squirrel mandarin fish."
Just one sentence brought the grandfather and grandson closer together.
He called the servants and said, "Go to the restaurant and get a mandarin fish."
Several people went to the front yard.
Ye Chutang took Lele to watch the stars in the yard.
Song Jingning and the two elders of the Tang family were chatting in the main hall.
Although it was their first meeting, they didn't feel strange.
After chatting for a while, Song Jingning said, "Grandfather, grandmother, I have made my background public and left the Song family. I want to take my mother's surname and enter the Tang family tree. Is that okay?"
The two elders of the Tang family only knew that Song Jingning had made his background public, and after leaving the Song family, he recognized Song Mingyu as his godfather.
I didn't know that he wanted to take his mother's surname and marry into the Tang family.
When I heard this suddenly, I was surprised and very happy.
Old Madam Tang recalled the past with a sigh.
"In your mother's generation, the Tang family was the only one with a talent for business, so your grandfather and I wanted to recruit a son-in-law to pass on the family business to your mother. Unfortunately, she was deceived by Ye Jingchuan and threw her heart into him, and ended up losing her life."
"Jingning, if you are willing to return to the Tang family and take your mother's surname, your grandfather and I will naturally agree. From now on, the Tang family's property will be divided equally between you and Chu'er. Is that feasible?"
Song Jingning smiled and said, "Just give the family business to Chu'er, I don't need it."
Ye Chutang, who was in the yard, heard this and quickly refused.
"Brother, I won't take advantage of you. We'll each take half."
"Chu'er, you can't say that. The Tang family's comeback is all thanks to you."
"Grandpa and grandmother can do it without me. If you don't want the family property, then I don't want it either. Just give it all to those good-for-nothings in the Tang family."
Song Jingning knew that Ye Chutang was using the method of provoking him.
He had no choice but to agree, "Okay, the Tang family's property will be divided equally between us brother and sister."
The two elders of the Tang family were very satisfied when they heard this.
The old lady asked, "Jingning, when Chu'er came to Yangzhou last time, he told me that you would bring your sweetheart to see us. Why are you here alone now?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
