Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 184 An Additional Layer of Planning

"Sun Baolin's child?" The Empress looked thoughtful, then shook her head. "Look at Sun Baolin, so timid and cowardly. Moreover, she had several mishaps during her pregnancy. Although the child survived, I'm afraid it might not be healthy when it's born."

Tingyun bent down and whispered, “Your Majesty, I think that if the mother and son are not biologically related, the more obedient the child is, the better. Sun Baolin’s family background is not high. Her family is just a name. Although her grandfather was a great Confucian scholar, he only held the official position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.”

Having said this, and seeing that the Empress did not object, he continued.

"On the other hand, Your Majesty knows that Consort Chen is probably just pretending to be honest. Besides, Consort Chen has a father who is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and has made meritorious contributions. He has a reputation in front of the Emperor. It would be difficult to get rid of the mother and keep the son. Even if Consort Chen could be eliminated, what would happen to the Chen family?"

"If Consort Chen gives birth to a prince, the Chen family will probably not be willing to give him away to others to raise. They will most likely send another woman into the palace to raise the child left behind by Consort Chen. In that case, Your Majesty will probably have a hard time making a living."

After listening to Yun finish speaking, the Empress lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

A moment later, her voice could be heard.

"I only want to raise a prince with good potential so that he can continue to protect the Zhou family's prosperity for me in the future. If Consort Sun remains obedient, or if Consort Chen has no ulterior motives, I can tolerate them. A prince with the support of two maternal families can go further."

"Your Majesty is kind-hearted, but you can't see into someone's heart." Tingyun loyally considered her feelings. "It's always safer to have an extra layer of planning."

The Empress naturally understood the reasoning behind this, and her gaze deepened even further.

"Yes, I need to think more about planning. At the plum blossom banquet, Xie deliberately made contact with those noble ladies from prominent families, which shows that she has great ambitions. The Emperor also favors her. Although her family can no longer control everything like in the previous dynasty, their power should not be underestimated."

After speaking, he took a deep breath, and a fierce look appeared on his face.

"Now there's another Lady Liu following her, and she's even persuaded Consort Wei to improve her relationship with her. Especially this Consort Wei, I don't know what got into her, she's become much more tactful now. Originally, I thought she was too sharp and rigid, and that she would soon cause a lot of trouble and obediently hand over the power of the palace. I didn't expect that she's now in charge."

Hearing this, Tingyun also frowned, "It's the same with Consort Jin. I thought that Princess Wenxi's accident would keep her busy, and then I could take the opportunity to push the task of taking care of Consort Chen's meals onto her. She would definitely not take on this hot potato, and she would probably use the excuse of taking care of the princess to shirk her duties in the kitchen. But I never expected..."

Unexpectedly, Xie Jiu came up with such an idea that he persuaded the Emperor to send Consort Chen to Fukang Palace to rest and prepare for childbirth.

The plan is to recuperate for three months. If Consort Chen is worried about safety outside and wants to stay longer, she can try to persuade the Empress Dowager. Considering the imperial heir, Consort Chen is quite clever and knows how to flatter, so it probably won't be too difficult, and the Empress Dowager will agree.

With the Empress Dowager in charge, who would dare to make a move? Even the Empress would have to keep her distance.

"Things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more. At least after this incident, we've managed to keep Lingyi by our side. My poor Zhaoqing, she'll be moving to Ruiyu Palace after the New Year." The Empress looked distressed.

Tingyun offered another round of words of comfort.

The people in the inner palace were all different, while at that time in the outer court, Zhao Xingjin was having tea and chatting with Gao Sui, the Prince of Yi of Xichi, on the Zhaixing Terrace.

"I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me alone. It's probably more than just tea," Gao Sui said with a smile, but his eyes betrayed his wariness and suspicion.

Zhao Xingjin also appeared easygoing, saying, "It's rare to have such good weather today. It's a wonderful thing to sit around the stove and brew tea in winter."

He did not rush to answer Gao Sui's question.

Seeing that he avoided the topic, Gao Sui also stopped talking about it and looked around. He then praised, "This platform is indeed exquisitely built. It blends seamlessly with the nearby artificial hills and greenery, giving one the feeling of being in the mountains and fields. It has a very elegant style. Xiao Wang likes to travel around and enjoy nature when he has nothing to do. He really likes this place."

“No matter how perfect it seems, it is not real. In the end, it is still within the palace surrounded by high walls.” Zhao Xingjin smiled slightly. “Just like the Prince, no matter how carefree he is, saying that he likes to be unrestrained, he still appears in the imperial palace of my Great Jing.”

Gao Sui's eyes flickered, and the smile on his lips faded. "Your Majesty's words are a little confusing to me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingjin chuckled softly.

"How could I not understand? It's all fake."

After saying this, the relaxed look on Gao Sui's face finally faded completely.

Seeing this, Zhao Xingjin stopped keeping him in suspense and said calmly, "Is Your Highness so young that you truly have no desires and only wish to live a leisurely life?"

Although his expression was calm, his eyes, fixed on Gao Sui, were very sharp, as if he had seen through everything and understood Gao Sui clearly.

Gao Sui knew in his heart that this founding emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty was no ordinary person, but the aura that Zhao Xingjin displayed today was much stronger than when they met before, and it was even more frightening.

“Life is too long. Young Wang’s temperament is fickle. He likes to live a life of leisure now, but it’s hard to say whether he will still be the same in a few years,” Gao Sui said.

Although not explicitly stated, it conveyed that he was ambitious, and his current state was merely a temporary measure.

Zhao Xingjin understood, and then personally poured tea for Gao Sui, chatting casually in the process.

"My cousin, the Earl of Qing'an, has an eldest daughter who just turned fifteen this year. She was born about half a year later than the Prince. She is exceptionally beautiful and talented. I think this little cousin is a good match for the Prince. I just wonder if the Prince is interested?"

Gao Sui's pupils twitched slightly, somewhat surprised, but his brows quickly furrowed, clearly in thought.

Marrying a girl from the Great Jing royal family means you'll be bound to the Great Jing forever.

"No rush, the Prince will be staying in the capital for quite some time, so take your time to consider it."

Zhao Xingjin refilled his cup with tea and took a small sip.

"It is rare for me to want to act as a matchmaker. If the Prince is willing, I will bestow the title of Princess upon my cousin and give her a grand wedding, guaranteeing the Prince the utmost respect. If we can become family, I will do my utmost to help the Prince in the future."

After speaking, he put down his teacup and gestured for Gao Sui to enter.

Gao Sui had indeed become much younger, and his emotions were already showing. He took a deep breath, his eyes revealing his inner turmoil.

However, just as Zhao Xingjin lowered his eyes, preparing to give up, he saw Gao Sui suddenly reach out, pick up the teacup, tilt his head back, and drink it all in one gulp.

"Your Majesty thinks so highly of me, it would be rather boring for me to refuse. However, I may not be able to decide my own marriage."

Zhao Xingjin laughed loudly, "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Don't worry, as long as the Prince agrees, it will definitely work out."