Zhao Ye lowered his eyes, his long crow-green eyelashes covering them straight down, hiding the emotions in his eyes.
He stared at the teacup in his hand without saying a word.
"Your Highness, think twice!" Li Yan spoke again: "I'm not talking about other things, just talking about talents. If Your Highness hadn't been the prince, how could the Tian family's father and son have left so simply?
If His Highness loses his position as Crown Prince, he will only be several times more miserable than the lower official is now!"
"You get up first." Zhao Zhen put down the tea cup: "I know."
"Your Highness, will you give me the right words?" Li Yan was worried.
Zhao Zhen rubbed his forehead: "I'm just tired. Just say whatever you want. Get up."
Li Yan felt relieved now: "Your Highness must not mention such words again next time."
"I know." Zhao Zhen nodded.
Li Yan paused for a moment and asked, "I wonder when the next time His Highness will choose a concubine?
I will persuade Xin'er to go to the palace."
Looking at Zhao Zhen's current behavior, what is there that he doesn't understand?
These two children, alas!
"Father has not decided yet." Zhao Zhen stood up and said: "There are still official matters in the East Palace, I will go back first.
Marquis Jing'an, please take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will see you later." Li Yan stood up and saw him off.
Zhao Jie just returned to the East Palace, and Emperor Qianyuan's decree came to the East Palace, announcing his entry into the palace.
Wu Zao took the horse, and Zhao Ji mounted it again and went straight to the palace.
Qinzheng Hall.
Emperor Qianyuan was reviewing the memorial.
Zhao Ji strode into the palace and saluted: "Father."
Emperor Qianyuan paused for a moment and then glanced at him: "Ping yourself up, come closer and talk."
Zhao Ye then walked to the desk.
After Emperor Qianyuan approved the memorial unfolding in front of him, he spoke slowly: "I heard that you have been chasing after your sweetheart these past two days?"
Zhao Ye lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Emperor Qianyuan asked again: "Are you really that caring about your heart girl?"
Zhao Ye paused for a moment and replied: "Humans are not grass and trees, how can they be ruthless."
"Is that what it means to be in love for a long time?" Emperor Qianyuan raised his eyes and looked at him.
Zhao Ye pursed his lips and said nothing.
"If you don't speak, you are acquiescing." Emperor Qianyuan put down his pen and his tone became a bit harsh: "People do have feelings.
But the prince cannot have one, and neither can I, do you understand?"
Zhao Ye lowered his eyes: "I understand."
"What do you understand?" Emperor Qianyuan opened another memorial: "Tell me and listen."
"If you have feelings, you will have more weaknesses." Zhao Ye said slowly: "With feelings, you will have joy, anger, sorrow, and joy. It is easy for people to see through your preferences and try to please or take advantage of them."
"Yes." Emperor Qianyuan raised his eyes and looked at him: "Don't think that just because you are the prince, you can protect the people you want to protect.
As the emperor, I can't do it, let alone you are just a prince."
Zhao Jie was noncommittal.
Emperor Qianyuan said again: "Do you know why your mother and concubine and I are always at odds?"
Zhao Ye blinked his eyes and looked at him.
"There was a time when I loved your mother and concubine very much and was completely obedient." Emperor Qianyuan had a look of memory in his eyes: "At that time, she almost lost her life several times.
There are so many women in the harem, and there will always be times when I can’t protect myself!"
Zhao Zhen was thoughtful after hearing this.
"Stop talking about this, just know what you know." Emperor Qianyuan looked at him and asked, "What did you say, girl Xin?"
Zhao Ye shook his head.
"I see it's more difficult for you than it was before. That's all. I'll just give you a marriage." Emperor Qianyuan waved his hand and was about to give the decree.
"Father." Zhao Zhen stopped him: "I don't want to force her."
"Tsk." Emperor Qianyuan said with emotion: "It is indeed mother and son, and your mother and concubine said the same thing.
My dear girl, you are so lucky.
Ze Yu, please tell me carefully, do you really care about her so much?"
Emperor Qianyuan leaned forward, with a smile in his eyes, and looked at Zhao Gong with interest. He seemed to be just interested and had no other thoughts.
Zhao Xie shook his head: "I only care about the friendship between young people and my mother-in-law.
In fact, it is the same no matter who I marry as the crown prince."
Emperor Qianyuan's eyes flashed with satisfaction: "Well, if you say that, I feel relieved."
This is what a prince should look like.
Zhao Ye lowered his eyes, Gan Qing said so much just to test him.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Chen is here." Dejiang reported at the door.
"Please come quickly." Emperor Qianyuan immediately changed his face and waved his hand towards Zhao Gong: "You should go back to the East Palace first."
Zhao Zhen bowed, turned around and walked out.
"Mother Concubine." He saluted Concubine Chen who was coming towards her.
"Ze Yu, where are you going?" Concubine Chen asked him.
"Go back to the East Palace." Zhao Ye bowed his head and replied.
"Don't leave." Concubine Chen pulled him over and said, "I was just about to ask someone to ask you to come. I don't want you to be in the palace."
"Concubine Chen has left the prince, is there something wrong?" Emperor Qianyuan asked from above.
"Something's wrong." Concubine Chen pulled Zhao Ji forward and said, "Xin'er promised to come to the palace to choose the crown princess.
Your Majesty decrees that we will make the selection this afternoon."
"This afternoon?" Emperor Qianyuan was stunned: "Is it too hasty?"
"What's the hurry? Today is a double day.
Anyway, those noble ladies have already prepared their jewelry and dresses, so when can’t they come?” Concubine Chen said meaninglessly: “Besides, Ze Yu doesn’t choose them, as long as his heart is ready.”
If she delayed it any longer, she was afraid that Xin'er would change her mind again.
"There is no rush now." Emperor Qianyuan hesitated: "Otherwise, the day after tomorrow will be soon..."
"Zhao Ling." Concubine Chen interrupted him coldly: "Who said that day that Ze Yu's marriage was all arranged by me?
Aren't you a man of words? What? Doesn't it count if you turn around?"
"How could it be?" Emperor Qianyuan had no choice but to wave his hand towards Dejiang: "I have given you an oral instruction to select a concubine for the crown prince in the imperial garden this afternoon."
"yes."
Dejiang agreed and went out to deliver the message.
"Ze Yu, when the time comes, you will choose Xin'er, do you hear me?" Concubine Chen turned around and told Zhao Zong: "If you choose someone else, I won't even recognize you."
Zhao Ye lowered his head and the tips of his ears turned slightly red: "I listen to my mother and concubine."
"Go and go back to the East Palace to prepare." Concubine Chen smiled and patted his arm.
Zhao Ye bowed and left the palace.
Emperor Qianyuan stood up: "Concubine Chen, come to my place."
"What are you doing?" Concubine Chen turned around and looked at him with a frown.
"Just talking to me." Emperor Qianyuan tried his best to look confident: "Why, can't it be done?"
"No time." Concubine Chen turned around and left: "Let's wait until the matter between Xin'er and Zeyu is settled."
Emperor Qianyuan stretched out his hand, knowing that he could not keep her, so he gave up.
After leaving Qinzheng Hall, Concubine Chen slowed down her pace and looked much better.
"Empress." Nafu asked in a low voice, "Why don't you just tell His Highness the Crown Prince that Miss Seven is willing to be the Crown Princess?
My servant looks at His Highness the Crown Prince. He has lost weight these days. The seventh girl ignores His Highness. His Highness must be feeling very uncomfortable."
"I have to make him feel uncomfortable so that I can cherish Xin'er later." Concubine Chen said with a smile: "Of course you can't let him know what Xin'er wants.
If your daughter takes the initiative to say this, she will be looked down upon easily."
"Look, slave, His Highness the Crown Prince is not that kind of person." Nafu said.
"Whether he is or not, I can't give anyone a chance to hurt Xin'er." Concubine Chen looked ahead and said: "Besides, when it comes to this kind of thing, the man's family should have taken the initiative.
As long as the marriage is settled, I will feel at ease, and they will leave the rest to themselves.
Slowly, things will get better, they are not without feelings."
"Yes." Nafu said with a smile: "Today's happy event is sure to come true. I would like to congratulate you in advance."
"I'd like to lend you some good words." Concubine Chen said cheerfully: "When the time comes, you will all be rewarded."
"Thank you, empress." Nafu smiled and saluted again.
After lunch, carriages were lined up at the entrance of the palace, and all the ladies were helped down by the maids, waiting for the door to open.
Li Can got off the carriage and looked at the ladies in front of them wearing different clothes, but they were all eye-catching, like a cluster of flowers.
"Why did they all come so early?" She stood beside the carriage.
Seeing so many people gathering together, she didn't want to go there.
She does like to watch the excitement, but she is not interested in it today, and it is inevitable to touch people when there are many people, and she doesn't like others to touch her.
"Seventh girl."
Someone is coming on horseback.
Li Can turned around and saw Qin Yuheng jumping off his horse and walking towards her.
"Master Qin." Li Can greeted him with a smile.
"Have you decided to go in?" Qin Yuheng looked in the direction of the palace gate.
"Yeah." Li Can felt a little embarrassed and a little regretful: "Master Qin, I'm sorry."
"Miss Qi has nothing to apologize to me for." Qin Yuheng smiled: "Miss Qi should ask her heart, is she willing?"
Not far behind him, Zhao Zhen stopped.
"I know you are very good." Li Can looked at him: "Go back, we are not destined."
"Miss Li Qi." Qin Yuheng looked at her with a smile: "If you lose the election, how about we get engaged?"
Li Can didn't dare to look directly at the hot affection in his eyes and turned his eyes, not knowing what to say for a moment.
If Zhao Zhen really doesn't choose her, she... where should she go?