Madam Su's statement, "The men of the Su family have a rule that they do not take concubines, and daughters cannot become concubines either. The family they marry into can only have one principal wife," made many ladies from noble families consider giving up.
In the Great Chu, what man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? Even if the other woman is a daughter of a general, how can she stop her husband from taking a concubine?
But that's how the Su family has always behaved, so no one dared to say anything.
Madam Su's words spread throughout the capital and even reached the palace.
When Wei Qiming arrived at the palace, he discussed with the Empress Dowager the idea of having his third son, Wei Xuelin, marry Miss Su as the principal wife.
The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment: "Brother, I have my own arrangements for Xue Lin's marriage."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qiming understood that the Empress Dowager had taken a liking to the eldest daughter of the Su family.
He was merely the Duke of Dingguo; what could he possibly use to compete with the Emperor? He had no choice but to return to his residence and inform Wei Xuelin of the Empress Dowager's intentions.
Wei Xuelin lowered his head, concealing the disappointment in his eyes.
That day at the Su residence, the moment he saw Su Ruojin, a seed of admiration was planted in his heart.
Even after returning home for many days, he dreamed of Su Ruojin every night.
Upon hearing Madam Su declare that Su Ruojin would only marry a man as his principal wife and that her husband would not be allowed to take a concubine, Wei Xuelin sought out the Duke of Dingguo.
He expressed his willingness to marry only Su Ruojin for the rest of his life and never take a concubine, hoping that his father would grant his request.
Wei Qiming had always intended for Wei Xuelin to marry Su Ruojin, and had previously worried that his son would not want to marry only Su Ruojin.
I'm naturally happy that my son brought it up himself.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager rejected it.
"Xuelin, don't worry. Your aunt, the Empress Dowager, said she will definitely find you a good marriage. Just wait a little longer."
Wei Xuelin bowed and said, "Your son will obey your father's arrangements in everything."
After leaving the study, a dark glint flashed in Wei Xuelin's eyes as he returned to his courtyard.
Cixi Palace.
The Empress Dowager instructed Granny Xin to summon Xiao Chenyi.
"Your Majesty, what are your feelings for Miss Su?" Empress Dowager Wei asked directly.
Xiao Chenyi had been staying in Consort Chun's palace almost every day recently. When he suddenly heard his mother mention the eldest daughter of the Su family, the image of Su Ruojin from that day appeared in his mind.
If Consort Chun was as passionate as fire, then Su Ruojin was as elegant as a lotus, possessing a cool and aloof temperament beyond her years, which tempted Xiao Chenyi.
Moreover, Xiao Chenyi had also heard the rumors about the Regent and this Miss Su.
Xiao Chenyi felt excited just thinking about the possibility of snatching the woman the Regent cared about from him.
"The eldest daughter of the Su family is not only stunningly beautiful, but also possesses excellent medical skills. I wonder what Your Majesty means by asking this question?"
No one knows a son better than his mother. Seeing her son's reaction, Empress Dowager Wei understood his intentions.
"I wish to bring her into the palace."
Xiao Chenyi's eyes lit up, "I will do whatever Mother says."
Empress Dowager Wei frowned slightly. "But Madam Su has declared that daughters of the Su family will not be concubines, nor will they share a husband with another man."
Xiao Chenyi was stunned. He didn't expect the Su family to have such a rule. He already had an empress and several concubines. Neither of these rules met Madam Su's requirements.
"Mother, I am the Emperor. With a single imperial decree, would the Su family dare to disobey?"
Empress Dowager Wei shook her head. "Yi'er, that's the Su family. Back then, the late emperor was able to ascend the throne and maintain peace in the Great Chu for decades. The Su family made an indispensable contribution. If it weren't for the Su family, you wouldn't have been able to sit in this position."
Moreover, Su Yunfeng currently commands an army of 200,000, and Su Wenzhou leads 50,000 troops stationed on the border. We can only try to win over the Su family, not force them.”
Xiao Chen was also puzzled. "Mother, the eldest daughter of the Su family has entered the palace, and I immediately bestow upon her the title of Imperial Concubine. Isn't that a good thing for the Su family?"
The title of Imperial Concubine was second only to the Empress, a glory that many could only dream of.
Empress Dowager Wei remained silent for a while, and then what she said stunned Xiao Chenyi.
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