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

Chapter 223

After the morning court session, Zhao Xingjin heard from Yang Zhian that Sun Baolin had given birth to the fifth prince, and he was immediately overjoyed.

"Very well, issue my decree that Lady Sun has rendered meritorious service in giving birth, and shall be promoted to the rank of Consort."

"Your Majesty, Consort Sun has been exhausted all night and must have just rested. I was thinking of issuing an imperial decree," Yang Zhian reminded her.

Zhao Xingjin waved his hand, "There's no need to disturb her. Just send the reward over and let her rest well. I will personally visit her and the child this afternoon."

"Yes!" Yang Zhian replied.

As the imperial decree and rewards arrived at Yanqing Palace, gifts from the Empress Dowager and the Empress, as well as congratulatory gifts from other concubines, followed one after another.

Because Zhao Xingjin had issued an imperial edict not to disturb Consort Sun's rest, the Yanqing Palace was lively, but Consort Sun was not disturbed.

However, the constant flow of congratulatory messages would inevitably disturb others, which made Consort Zhuang feel increasingly annoyed.

"It's just that she had a son, what's so special about that? It's like everyone has had a son before."

When she gave birth to the fourth prince, she was still in the palace, so it couldn't compare to the grand celebrations she's receiving now, which made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Peizhu comforted her, "Your Highness, don't overthink it. She's only in the limelight today. When the Fifth Prince is taken away to be raised elsewhere, she'll probably be very upset."

These words made Consort Zhuang feel a little better.

He then scoffed, "Being able to give birth is nothing special; being able to keep the baby is what truly matters."

After speaking, he turned and went inside, ignoring the commotion outside.

For the next month, the palace was peaceful.

Having just welcomed a prince, Zhao Xingjin was in high spirits and frequently visited Consort Sun and her son at Yanqing Palace. It was also at this time that he announced to the public that Consort Sun would raise the fifth prince herself until he was six months old.

This was something that had been promised beforehand, and Zhao Xingjin would not go back on his word. However, outsiders who heard this were not very comfortable with it.

Fortunately, neither the Fifth Prince nor Consort Sun is currently in anyone's way, so no one is causing trouble.

A month later, at the Fifth Prince's full moon banquet, it was clear that Sun Baolin had recovered well. Although she was still somewhat plump, her complexion was excellent, and she would likely recover gradually.

When Consort Chen accompanied the Empress Dowager to the banquet, she was not in good condition.

She looked rather haggard. When the Empress asked her about it, she said it was due to morning sickness.

However, whether it was due to morning sickness or something related to her family is unknown.

In short, when Chen Meiren saw Xie Jiu, her eyes seemed to be filled with poison.

Of course, not only Xie Jiu, but also Liu Cairen was within the scope of her resentment.

During this time, while taking care of her pregnancy, Chen Meiren tried to find out about her family. She discovered that her father had been accused of accepting bribes, and that Xie Jiu was involved, with Liu Cairen also helping him.

Therefore, Chen Meiren now hates the two of them to the core.

Even if her father broke the law and deserved his punishment.

However, Xie Jiu doesn't take Chen Meiren seriously anymore. Chen Meiren will behave herself like a quail until she gives birth.

Without the protection of her maternal family, who were now considered criminals, all she could do was try to minimize her presence, maintain a sensible image, and try to retain some goodwill in Zhao Xingjin's heart so that she could live a more peaceful life.

After all, she would be moving out of the Empress Dowager's Fukang Palace after the Fifth Prince's full moon celebration.

They moved back to their original location, the Yingchun Hall of the Xiefang Palace.

Without the Empress Dowager's protection, she had to be extra careful to protect her belly.

The Empress went to Xiefang Palace to visit her immediately. Consort Chen understood the meaning behind this very well, so she obediently accepted the Empress's kindness again and attached herself to Weiyang Palace.

She had no better choice.

With a new concubine about to enter the palace, she faces threats from both sides and must choose one to rely on. Besides, it's uncertain who will be using whom; with the Empress's help, she can accomplish many things.

However, for now, it's best to remain quiet.

The palace was peaceful and tranquil, which was the most comfortable place for Xie Jiu.

She has so much energy to plan things outside the palace.

Xie Mingshen died, and Xie Wei was promoted by Zhao Xingjin, who then took control of the Xie clan. However, he now represents Zhao Xingjin's will and is considered a pawn in Zhao Xingjin's hands, with his real power greatly diminished.

However, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. As long as Xie Wei is capable enough, he will naturally be able to occupy a place in the court in the future.

What Xie Jiu needs to do is to leverage the reputation Xie Weigang has built up from his act of sacrificing family for the greater good to continue cultivating a positive image for him.

For example, the reform of academies.

The Xie family has been running Donglin Academy for many years, and naturally, it has its share of problems. For example, although the academy is supposed to be free and selective in admissions, some children from wealthy families are still able to bribe examiners or teachers to become students, while truly talented but poor students are squeezed out of the opportunity.

Such things happen often, and Xie Mingshen had never paid attention to them before, since he thought they were perfectly normal. But Xie Wei had to take action.

The saying goes that a new broom sweeps clean. Reform is a must. These three actions are not only driven by one's own ambition, but also a show for others.

In addition, Zhao Xingjin wanted to establish a musket battalion, and Xie Jiu recommended Du Qian to join as part of the management team. There was also news about this.

It became.

Du Qian is now the Right Deputy Commander of the Musketeer Battalion. The Commander-in-Chief and the Left Deputy Commander are both confidants of Zhao Xingjin.

That's understandable. After all, if this musketeer battalion is run well, it will be a formidable force with immense power. Of course, it's safest to have it under Zhao Xingjin's control.

Xie Jiu was already quite satisfied with the position of Right Deputy Commander.

Not only her, but Du Qian was also very excited. He had almost no connections in the officialdom, so he never thought that he could get such an important position at his age. At the same time, he really wanted to follow Xie Jiu.

After all, it was Xie Jiu who had previously helped him seek justice and reclaim his military merits, even at the cost of offending Consort Zhuang and her maternal family, the Marquis of Yongyi.

And now, this position in the musketeer battalion was also arranged by Xie Jiu.

Du Qian could sense that Xie Jiu genuinely wanted to cultivate and promote him, which was a great inspiration to a passionate young man who had been struggling for a long time and whose talents had not been recognized.

People always want to be recognized.

As the saying goes, "A scholar will die for one who understands him."

Although Du Qian hasn't reached that level yet, he has already implicitly acknowledged in his heart that he is now on Xie Jiu's side.

Xie Jiu wasn't in a hurry; the bonds between people always deepen gradually.

However, before we knew it, it was July, and a momentous event occurred in the palace that drew everyone's attention.

The day for the selection of the imperial concubines has arrived.

Fifty-four girls were selected from various prefectures and counties, and the final palace selection would be made from among them, making it a selection process that was one in ten thousand.

The day for the palace selection was set for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The empress said that this day was both the Daughters' Festival and the Qixi Festival, so she would follow the principle of "Qixi" and simply hold the ceremony on this day.

Prior to this, on the first day of the seventh lunar month, the young women had already entered the palace to learn the palace rules for a few days, so as to avoid making mistakes in front of the emperor.

Because they were to assist the Empress in the selection of concubines, Consort Zhuang and Xie Jiu would also go to the selection site. However, Xie Jiu felt that she and Consort Zhuang were just there to play a supporting role, and that the final say would still be in the hands of Zhao Xingjin and the Empress Dowager. The Empress was only slightly stronger than them.

"Your Majesty, please wear a peony-red palace dress today, it's so festive." Qingfang started dressing Xie Jiu early in the morning.

Xie Jiu shook his head, "Today's selection of candidates is the focus, so I don't need to stand out at this time and risk displeasing the Empress Dowager. I'll just wear a light green one; it'll look refreshing."

“That makes sense.” Qingfang nodded. “As for the hair ornaments, I’ll keep it simple.”

Xie Jiu nodded and said nothing more, but suddenly she remembered that she had also entered the palace a year ago at this time.