freenovelworld Chapter 223 Taking a Concubine
Chapter 223 Taking a Concubine
Chapter 223 Taking a Concubine
It turned out that after Chunyu Jing was tricked by Jingxuan, he bid farewell to Gongsun Yuan and did not even return to the Prince of Nanping's residence. Instead, he immediately rode at full speed to the palace.
Upon arriving at the palace, he intended to go directly to the imperial study to find the emperor, but he became suspicious and grabbed a eunuch for a thorough interrogation, only to learn that the emperor was currently resting in his mother's palace.
Chunyu Jing thought to himself that Heaven was on his side, so he hurriedly went to Consort Min's Xingning Palace and, as he wished, got to see the Emperor first. However, just as he was about to explain his purpose to the Emperor, he was slapped hard across the face by the Emperor.
"Your third brother also has something to discuss with me. You may come with me to the Imperial Study for a detailed discussion."
Looking at the emperor sitting in the palanquin ahead, his face aged and his hair white, Chunyu Jing clenched his fist tightly.
This was what he hated most about the emperor: if both of his sons came to see him at the same time, he would never favor one over the other, but would always bring them together to hear what they had to say. Of course, the crown prince was an exception.
This might be considered fair to a son born out of wedlock in an ordinary family, but in the imperial family, it reveals the emperor's cunning and shrewdness.
However, what surprised him the most was that his third brother had arrived at the palace so early. It seemed that he was truly deeply in love with that girl from the Marquis of Anshi's mansion.
Hmph, that's perfect. If there were no competitors, he wouldn't be interested. Now, he's even more determined to have Ye Pianran.
Passing through the Imperial Garden, through the winding and dark corridors within the palace, and leaving the inner palace area, one is greeted by bright, high-eaved glazed tiles. The flying dragons on the eaves soar into the sky, appearing even more majestic and awe-inspiring under the sunlight.
"The Emperor has arrived——"
Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, the eunuch announced loudly. Hearing the announcement, Chunyu Yang, who was inside the study, came out to greet him. Seeing Chunyu Jing beside the emperor, Chunyu Yang's pupils contracted sharply, but he calmly bowed and said:
"My son, I will meet my father."
"Rise," the emperor said. "Has the third prince been waiting long?"
Chunyu Yang turned to the side and, when the emperor reached his side, stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Your subject has just arrived as well."
The emperor gave a satisfied "hmm," then sighed, "Alas, I had hoped to steal a moment of peace and rest today, but you all insist on seeing me. I'd like to know what important business you have."
Supported by Chunyu Yang, the emperor sat on the dragon throne. He took the tea offered by the young eunuch, drank a sip, rested for a moment, and then spoke:
"Tell me, what is it all about?"
Chunyu Yang didn't know why Chunyu Jing wanted to see the emperor at this time. Although asking the emperor to arrange a marriage was not something difficult to say, Chunyu Jing's presence made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
Unlike Chunyu Yang, Chunyu Jing knew the purpose of Chunyu Yang's visit to the emperor. Seeing Chunyu Yang's hesitation, he immediately interjected:
"Your son has come to see Your Majesty..."
"Shaocheng," the emperor interrupted him, gently stirring the tea leaves in his bowl with the lid of his teacup, and said, "Your third brother arrived first, let him speak first."
Chunyu Jing's words were stuck in his throat, and a hint of resentment was hidden in his lowered eyes.
Chunyu Yang clenched his fists at his sides, raised his head, looked directly at the emperor, and said in a deep voice, "Father, I wish to take a concubine."
The emperor paused abruptly, his hand stilling as he fiddled with the tea leaves. He looked at Chunyu Yang, his expression one of surprise: "You want to take a concubine?"
Since the death of Princess Zhan Yinghong of Beiwu in childbirth seven years ago, his third son has never considered taking another wife. Court officials have recommended suitable candidates for Princess Zhan Yinghong, but his third son has never agreed, only saying that he wants to take good care of the son left behind by Zhan Yinghong.
The emperor was naturally dissatisfied with this. For a man, protecting his country is essential, but the most important thing is to get married, have children, and continue the family line, especially since his son was the emperor's son. However, his son was stubborn and headstrong, and if pushed too far, he would run to the border, leaving the emperor with no way to vent his anger.
The emperor could force Chunyu Yang to take a concubine, but the deceased Princess of Beiwu was no ordinary woman. She was the only daughter of General Zhan Tao, who commanded the Zhan family army and guarded five cities at the western border. If he were angered, he would resign and retire to his hometown. The emperor really couldn't find anyone to replace Zhan Tao.
Therefore, over the years, he turned a blind eye to Chunyu Yang, encouraging Chunyu Shan to invite him to more banquets and events, hoping that one day Chunyu Yang would come to his senses.
But this wait lasted seven years. He almost gave up, but Chunyu Yang told him himself that he wanted to take a concubine.
Taking a concubine! That means there will be another happy event in the Great Xia Dynasty, and he will have a grandson to hold!
"How strange, how strange! You've suddenly become enlightened!" The emperor laughed until his face was wrinkled and his eyes were almost invisible. "Whose daughter have you taken a fancy to? Why do you like her so much? Tell your father!"
"What a coincidence, Third Brother. I've come today to tell Father that I have found a woman I like and wish to marry her as my principal wife." Chunyu Jing, naturally, wouldn't let Chunyu Yang succeed, and interrupted again.
"Oh?" The emperor looked at Chunyu Jing. "Does Shaocheng also intend to take a principal wife?"
Chunyu Jing was five years younger than Chunyu Yang, only twenty-two years old at the time. However, unlike Chunyu Yang, he had one concubine and two mistresses in his household, and he made no secret of his interest in women. The reason he had not yet taken a principal wife was that the emperor was still selecting a suitable woman for him.
Actually, it wasn't just Chunyu Jing; Chunyu Shan was a year younger than Chunyu Jing and had just come of age last year, so the position of principal wife was also vacant.
It wasn't that the emperor didn't want them to take concubines. In the art of imperial rule, arranging marriages between princes and the daughters of ministers was a means of balancing power. However, among the emperor's many princes, who would marry which minister's daughter was a matter of great importance.
The Crown Prince is the next emperor, and the Crown Princess's family must be powerful enough. The Crown Princess herself must also be virtuous and capable enough to rule the country. In this way, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne and the new dynasty is unstable, the Crown Princess—that is, a member of the next empress's family—can help the new emperor balance the court.
Apart from the Crown Prince, if any of the other princes hold some power, then the family of the principal wife's father must not be stronger than that of the Crown Princess. Otherwise, if the princes have the support of their in-laws, they will develop the idea of vying for power and profit.
Take, for example, Zhan Yinghong, the deceased wife of Chunyu Yang. Zhan Tao was a second-rank military officer with military power and merits. The emperor feared that his military achievements would overshadow the monarch, so he had to find a way to restrain him. One such method was to arrange a marriage between him and a prince.
Having become related to the emperor through marriage, Zhan Tao had to consider the safety of Chunyu Yang's only daughter no matter what he did.
“Indeed, ever since that time at Qionglin Garden during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I have been unable to forget a certain woman,” Chunyu Jing said with a smile.
"Where is Boyuan?" The emperor did not ask Chunyu Jing who the woman was, but instead turned to look at Chunyu Yang.
Chunyu Yang had a vague premonition when Chunyu Jing spoke, otherwise he wouldn't have interrupted him time and time again. Clenching his fist, Chunyu Yang's eyes were calm and bright as he spoke clearly, word by word:
"Your subject wishes to marry Ye Pianran, the legitimate daughter of Marquis Anshi."