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

Chapter 220 Under Planning
“Those who do many unrighteous deeds will surely perish. Even one’s own children, as long as they have their own sense of right and wrong, will not condone their parents’ mistakes. Otherwise, it would be blind filial piety.” Zhao Xingjin said calmly, “Your elder brother is Chicheng, and I will cultivate him well.”

After he finished speaking, Xie Jiu looked up at him with a surprised expression.

It seems they didn't expect to receive such a promise.

Zhao Xingjin took her hand. "What, do I look like someone who would break his promise?"

"No, Your Majesty, I just didn't ask for that much." Xie Jiu shook her head, then smiled through her tears. "I think that Your Majesty's willingness not to take your anger out on the entire Xie family, or on my brother, is already a great act of mercy. I never hoped that my brother's career would be the same as before. My brother was already prepared for that."

Seeing her tears of joy, so pure and innocent, Zhao Xingjin's gaze softened unconsciously.

Although Zhao Xingjin remembered that he came to Jingming Palace because he had found value in Xie Jiu again, for some reason, he suddenly felt that he might have come again just for this woman.

But what he didn't know was that all of this was part of Xie Jiu's plan.

The idea that Zhao Xingjin is currently considering—using the Xie family to control scholars—was secretly presented to him by Xie Jiu. As long as Zhao Xingjin is willing to use the Xie family, Xie Jiu will gradually make the Xie family's name her bargaining chip again.

This time, the Xie family can truly become a weapon in Xie Jiu's hands, because Xie Wei is of one mind with her, unlike before when Xie Mingshen was merely using her.

"Alright, from now on, just stay by my side. As long as your brother remains steadfast, there will be no worries." Zhao Xingjin lowered his eyes, withdrew his hand from Xie Jiu's, and said solemnly, "I plan to have your brother participate in the preparation of this autumn examination."

This can be considered a sign of great trust.

Xie Jiu was genuinely surprised this time, "Brother is still young."

“It’s alright. He is meticulous and fair in his actions, and he is quite respected among the students of Dajing. Letting him participate in the preparation will also demonstrate to the students that the imperial examinations are fair and just now, unlike in the past when there were many shady dealings.” Zhao Xingjin directly stated his thoughts.

After all, it's quite easy to guess, and there's no need to hide it.

“That’s true.” Xie Jiu understood. “As long as my brother can serve the Emperor, that’s fine.”

Zhao Xingjin nodded, then decided not to dwell on the topic any longer and changed the subject.

Xie Mingshen was sentenced to death and beheaded ten days later.

"it serves him right."

Xie Jiu's face instantly turned cold.

Visible disgust burst forth from his eyes.

Zhao Xingjin could naturally sense her emotions. For no reason, he suddenly remembered how Xie Jiu had cried and knelt down before Yang Shi on her deathbed, desperately begging him to leave the palace to see her mother off.

"Do you want to see him one last time?"

Unable to resist, Zhao Xingjin asked the question.

Unexpectedly, Xie Jiu simply shook her head, "No, once we meet in the Imperial Study, this matter should be settled. I don't want to waste my time on this matter forever. I hate him to the bone. Seeing him will only make me angry. It's better not to go."

“Very well, the Heavenly Prison is a gloomy place, it’s not a good place to begin with.” Zhao Xingjin nodded.

Then, Xie Jiu sighed, then suddenly smiled and looked at him.

"Would Your Majesty like to stay for a meal today?"

"No, thank you." Zhao Xingjin lowered his eyes. "The Empress Dowager requests that I go to Fukang Palace."

Hearing this, Xie Jiu seemed a little disappointed, but still nodded obediently without saying anything more.

But then Zhao Xingjin said, "I'll come over to keep you company tonight." "Okay." Xie Jiu's eyes lit up again.

Seeing this, Zhao Xingjin's mood inexplicably improved.

The two talked for a while longer before Yang Zhian came in to remind them that it was almost time.

Zhao Xingjin then got up and left Chengming Hall, heading to Fukang Palace.

When they arrived, the Empress Dowager was talking with Consort Chen.

"I, my concubine, see you, Your Majesty."

Upon seeing Zhao Xingjin, Chen Meiren immediately stood up and bowed, her eyes showing restraint and a hint of timidity.

How could she not be afraid? After all, her family had just committed a crime and been sentenced to exile. She was now the daughter of a disgraced official, no longer the daughter of a meritorious official.

If I hadn't been pregnant, I don't know how difficult life would be for me now.

"Rise." Zhao Xingjin bypassed her and walked to the Empress Dowager's side. "Your son greets Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, smiling kindly, "Please sit down. The Emperor has been so busy lately that he has lost some weight. Tonight, I had the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes, as well as mutton soup. It's still cold, so eat some to warm yourself up."

"Your Majesty has gone to great lengths." Zhao Xingjin could sense the Empress Dowager's genuine concern for him, so his expression softened.

Consort Chen watched from the side, then nervously tugged at her handkerchief before taking the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, I will not disturb the Empress Dowager and the Emperor any longer. I shall take my leave now."

"Yes, go ahead." The Empress Dowager waved her hand.

The latter bowed again before leaving.

After she left, the Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Xingjin and asked, "Where did the Emperor come from?"

"I went to Jingming Palace," Zhao Xingjin answered truthfully.

The Empress Dowager held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and lowered her eyes slightly. "The crimes committed by Consort Jin's father are too numerous to count. Although she and her brother took the initiative to denounce their father and put righteousness before family, it is ultimately not advisable to favor him too much in the future. As for the Xie family's son, I'm afraid he is two-faced and holds a grudge. The Emperor is kind-hearted, but we must not be careless."

The Empress Dowager always harbored prejudice against Xie Jiu.

She felt that Xie Jiu was too scheming and ruthless to herself, and was willing to risk everything. Such a woman was not suitable to be kept by her side. Furthermore, Xie Jiu was a second wife who entered the palace, which the Empress Dowager was also very unhappy about.

The Empress Dowager felt it was unfair to Zhao Xingjin that his son, who was already the emperor, was still required to marry a woman who had been married before.

The Empress Dowager had agreed to this matter before because Zhao Xingjin said that he brought Xie Jiu into the palace in order to bring down Xie Mingshen. Now that Xie Mingshen has been convicted and imprisoned, the Empress Dowager felt that Zhao Xingjin should no longer favor Xie Jiu.

As for Xie Jiu's family, sparing their lives is already a blessing.

Of course, it cannot be said that the Empress Dowager's idea was wrong; it can only be said that for Xie Jiu, not gaining the Empress Dowager's approval was another troublesome matter.

However, Zhao Xingjin's actions this time already indicated a new arrangement and plan for the Xie family, so he did not immediately agree to the Empress Dowager's words.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Consort Jin and her brother have long hated Xie Mingshen to the bone and are not on the same side as him. Consort Jin's brother, Xie Wei, has a good image among the students. With the imperial examination just around the corner this year, it is not advisable to harm him, lest it cause controversy among the students. Therefore, I plan to keep him on to perform his duties for now. If he is good, then so be it, and I will give him a way out. If he is of bad character, then I will naturally not tolerate him."

At this point, Zhao Xingjin paused, then casually said in a low voice.

"As for Consort Jin, she is just a young woman. Since I have already taken her as my concubine, as long as she is obedient and sensible, there is really no need to make things difficult for her."