The March draft, held every three years, has attracted considerable attention.
Not to mention that the number of women to be selected this time is unprecedented, so many that the Chuxiu Palace cannot accommodate them all. Rumors are spreading that the favored Consort Rong is pregnant and unable to serve the Emperor, so she is using this selection process to choose a few more close confidantes for the Emperor.
When Consort Rong learned of the rumors circulating among the people, she was so angry that she almost miscarried, while Jiang Yu silently gave the Bai family a thumbs up.
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince is kneeling outside, requesting an audience."
Jiang Yu was stunned. Why did Gu Qingfeng come to see her at this time?
Strangely enough, Gu Qingfeng seemed to have disappeared since leaving the Dingyuan Marquis's residence before the New Year. He even claimed illness and did not attend the New Year's Eve banquet.
"The Second Prince said that Your Highness must see him, as he has something to say to you."
In March, the air was still chilly, and it even started to rain, accompanied by thunder.
Jiang Yu looked towards the direction outside Zhaoning Palace and said, "It's about to rain. Let the Second Prince return to Longfeng Palace as soon as possible."
[Coming here at this time, I'm afraid, is to seek justice for Consort Rong. If that's the case, why should I bother seeing Gu Qingfeng and inviting trouble?]
The rain was getting heavier, and after hesitating for a long time, Ling Mama went back into the house. "Your Highness, is the Second Prince still kneeling outside?"
"Still kneeling?" Jiang Yu suddenly felt that she couldn't see through Gu Qingfeng anymore.
Outside the gates of Zhaoning Palace, Gu Qingfeng knelt with his head bowed, letting large drops of rain fall on him, mingling with his tears, as he waited for the palace gates to open.
He understood, and he wanted a chance to atone for his sins.
"Squeak—"
Gu Qingfeng suddenly looked up, and the moment he saw Jiang Yu, he smiled, revealing his white teeth. "Your son greets Your Majesty."
"If you've come to me to seek justice for Consort Rong, I can..."
Before Jiang Yu could finish speaking, Gu Qingfeng hurriedly interjected, "I'm not doing this for Consort Rong. What does Consort Rong have to do with me? I'm just my mother's child."
[Has Gu Qingfeng... just been struck by lightning?]
Gu Qingfeng's smile grew increasingly bitter. "I have done many wrong things before. Please give me a chance to atone for my sins, Mother."
At this moment, Jiang Yu finally understood the reason for Gu Qingfeng's trip.
Jiang Yu slowly squatted down, meeting Gu Qingfeng's gaze, and the two of them were exposed to the torrential rain. "Gu Qingfeng, I don't need your atonement."
"Please, give me a chance to atone for my sins."
In an instant, countless fragments of her past life flashed through Jiang Yu's mind.
Atonement? What sins can I atone for? Now, I need none.
"Wanji, escort the Second Prince back to the Dragon and Phoenix Palace. Don't let him catch a cold."
After saying that, Jiang Yu turned and walked towards Zhaoning Palace, easily wiping away a tear that had rolled down her cheek.
"I will follow your previous arrangements for me," Gu Qingfeng shouted loudly. "I will practice martial arts diligently and strive to grow into a brave and skilled general, using military merits to save my life."
"I will remember to respect my elder brother, control my temper, always remember the difference between ruler and subject, and avoid putting myself in a dilemma."
“I remember everything you said before perfectly. I was really wrong.”
"I will grow up quickly and protect you."
The palace gates closed again, and Gu Qingfeng collapsed to the ground, powerless. He remembered everything. Why had he spoken so harshly to his mother's instructions? He had truly been bewitched.
"Second Prince, please come back with me." Wanji said softly, "If the Second Prince catches a cold, Her Majesty will be worried."
"Will she feel sorry for me?" Gu Qingfeng grabbed Wanji's sleeve. "If I catch a cold, will she really feel sorry for me?"
"Second Prince..."
Gu Qingfeng wiped his face. "Eunuch Wan, please help me up."
......
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Gu Qingyan watched as Jiang Yu held the ancient book as if nothing had happened, and pursed his lips.
In the past, he might have said a few words in support of Gu Qingfeng, but now that he knows Gu Qingfeng is not his mother's biological child, the less ties his mother has with Gu Qingfeng, the better.
"What are you thinking about? You're lost in thought." Jiang Yu's voice rang out. Gu Qingyan snapped out of his reverie and, seeing Jiang Yu's smiling eyes, lowered his head somewhat guiltily.
He and his uncle kept this important matter a secret from their mother.
"I was thinking about the lessons the teacher taught me yesterday." Gu Qingyan quickly regained his normal expression. "Also, I was a little worried about Mother just now."
"Only with love can there be hate." Jiang Yu's face showed a look of reminiscence. "My love was exhausted a long time ago."
Because the price she paid was too high, she no longer had any such thoughts.
"But if there is one more person to protect Mother, I would be happy to do so."
Jiang Yu reached out and ruffled Gu Qingyan's hair. "With you protecting me, Mother is all I need."
The incident of Gu Qingfeng's visit to Zhaoning Palace was deliberately concealed by the palace servants. After returning to the Dragon and Phoenix Palace, Gu Qingfeng did indeed develop a high fever, but after the fever subsided, the childishness on Gu Qingfeng's body visibly faded, and various books were moved into the room.
He even personally begged Gu Heng to find him a new martial arts teacher, and practiced diligently every day.
After a few days of peace, the day for the final selection of the imperial concubines finally arrived.
If Consort Rong hadn't deliberately tried to annoy Jiang Yu, Jiang Yu definitely wouldn't have attended the final selection. Jiang Yu and Gu Heng sat side by side in the seats of honor, and Jiang Yu was in a great mood watching Consort Rong's discomfiture.
Today, I will certainly select several suitable women for Gu Heng on behalf of Consort Rong.
"With her dignified bearing and inner and outer beauty, I think she should be kept on the list."
"Though of humble origins, you still possess a kind heart. With you serving by the Emperor's side, I am at ease."
"Are your father and brothers at home still well? When I was little, your father would specially buy me food to make me laugh."
After the final selection, only Jiang Yu and the selected women were happy.
"Empress, shall I choose the concubines or will you?" Looking at Consort Rong's bloodless face, Gu Heng finally couldn't help but confront Jiang Yu.
If I were to select concubines, the number today would likely more than double.
Jiang Yu spoke with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, I was only thinking of Your Majesty's best interests. None of the concubines in the palace can catch Your Majesty's eye these days, and besides, those younger sisters were all so beautiful and charming, that's why I..."
Gu Heng was somewhat powerless to refute, so he could only flick his sleeves and accompany Consort Rong back to Lingxi Palace.
Jiang Yu smiled and saw Gu Heng off, revealing a hearty smile. "The harem will only become more lively in the future. What a coincidence, I love watching the excitement."
A pregnant concubine and a beautiful new bride, Gu Heng, how will you choose?
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