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

Chapter 258

Zhao Xingjin tidied up quickly, dressed, and went to the outer room.

Inside, Xie Jiu was still combing her hair again. Seeing that Zhao Xingjin had left first, she lowered her voice and asked.

"Didn't Eunuch Yang bring me tea?"

"No," Chunrong replied, unsure of Xie Jiu's meaning in her question. "Is Your Highness thirsty?"

Xie Jiu hadn't told the two maids beside her about the strange thing about the tea, so she just shook her head.

"No, I was just asking."

She was secretly wondering what Zhao Xingjin meant. Could it be that he was going to cut off her medication and allow her to have children?

However, Xie Jiu was wrong this time. In fact, after the night ended, Yang Zhian ordered someone to bring in hot water and served tea while he was taking a bath.

Xie Jiu was feeling weak and was lying on the couch when Zhao Xingjin got up and took the teacup from her.

Yang Zhian didn't keep an eye on it, nor did he remind anyone who it was for, assuming that the Emperor remembered. However, Zhao Xingjin, having finished his physical labor, was thirsty and drank it.

So the current situation is that Yang Zhian did serve tea and handed it over to someone who should have been reliable, but the 'reliable' person was unreliable, so Xie Jiu's medicine was cut off.

Never mind, it's just this once. How can the accuracy be so good? Even if I stop taking the medication, I might not get pregnant.

Xie Jiu lowered her eyes and stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, she wouldn't be foolish enough to remind Zhao Xingjin, since Zhao Xingjin had never explicitly told her that the tea after sex was for contraception.

in the afternoon.

Everyone gathered at the camp, abandoning the hunt, and prepared to do something else for fun.

Nowadays, when scholars compare themselves, it's nothing more than composing poems, couplets, and paintings. Women compete in playing musical instruments, chess, or pitch-pot, but there's not much variety in it.

I don't know who came up with this new idea, but they had people draw lots to form groups of two. One person would compose a poem and the other would compete in archery. The poet would go first, and the emperor would set a question. Whoever composed a poem that more than half of the judges present would find acceptable would have their teammate shoot an arrow.

There are five arrows in total, and five poems must be written.

The final selection of the champion will be based on three factors: the quality of the poetry and prose, the skill of the archery, and the time taken to complete the competition.

That's quite interesting.

In no time, everyone present eagerly joined in, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

Xie Jiu's eyes darted around, and suddenly he took the lead in saying that they should place bets and gamble on which group would win the championship.

The women, who were not comfortable participating directly, became quite enthusiastic and placed bets as they were able to have a sense of involvement in this part of the game.

This really made the atmosphere on the field even more heated.

This is not only a good opportunity to show off in front of the emperor, but also an opportunity for some young noblemen and ladies to make their mark and get to know each other.

Seeing Xie Jiu's enthusiastic expression, Zhao Xingjin couldn't help but smile.

She's always so lively and always manages to liven up the atmosphere.

Guo Cairen sat below, watching Xin Baolin excitedly instruct her personal maid to place bets for her. Then she noticed Zhao Xingjin's gaze fixed on Xie Jiu, who was chatting with someone, lively and cheerful. Suddenly, she understood something.

The Emperor dislikes women who are too reserved, too restrained, or too conformist. The best is someone like Consort Jin, who openly expresses her joy, anger, and irritability while maintaining a proper balance. Someone like Consort Xin, who is pure, lovely, lively, and unconventional, is secondary. What the Emperor prefers is vibrancy and authenticity.

This is not a good situation.

Guo Cairen withdrew her gaze, and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Xie Jiu.

To thrive in the palace, one must wear a mask and put on an act—all of which are indispensable—yet still manage to make the Emperor believe that Xie Jiu is genuine, sincere, lovable, and upright. That is no easy feat.

At least she admitted that she couldn't do it.

Consort Xin has the advantage of her natural personality, but she is too naive and simple-minded, so she will definitely not be able to survive in the palace as long as Consort Jin.

And what about herself?

Consort Guo lowered her eyes. Imitation would not work. With Consort Jin as a shining example, no matter who tried to imitate her, how could a fake compare to the original?

She could be considered to have a carefree personality, but as for being lively, that was a different story. In fact, Consort Guo knew that deep down, she was somewhat dull. This was common among daughters of noble families, who were required to be dignified and composed from a young age, and it was a habit they couldn't shake off over the years.

Fortunately, she came from a military family, which had fewer rules compared to civil officials' families, and she was more free to act and straightforward.

Since you can't fake being lively, just be yourself and show your straightforwardness and decisiveness.

As expected of a clever person, Guo Cairen had already figured out her own path through her observations over this period of time.

Of course, it's also essential to be on good terms with Consort Jin.

Consort Jin wasn't the type to be jealous of those around her getting ahead. You could tell from how hard she tried to promote Consort Liu that Consort Jin probably really wanted an ally who could support her. Consort Guo felt she was qualified.

Whether in terms of family background or appearance, she stood out. Unlike Consort Jiang, who considered herself an exception, or Consort Wei, who had no interest in vying for favor, she was someone who wanted to rise to a high position, not out of ambition, but because she felt she deserved it and that she should stand at the top.

Just then, the results of the lottery for group assignments came out, and Xie Wei ended up in a group with Guo Cai Ren's brother.

Upon seeing this, Consort Guo immediately smiled and looked at Xie Jiu, "Your Highness Consort Jin, what a coincidence! I'm definitely betting on my brother's group. My brother's skills are excellent, he certainly won't disappoint me. What about Your Highness?"

"Since you're speaking up for your brother like this, how could I not believe you?" Xie Jiu instantly saw Guo Cairen's affection and teased, "However, my brother isn't exactly outstanding when it comes to poetry, but he's quite good at debating today!"

Consort Guo laughed along, "Your Majesty is always so humble, I don't believe it, but Lord Xie can definitely do it!"

After saying that, he ordered his personal maid to place the bet.

Meanwhile, He Anshi also joined the competition. However, his partner was also a civil official. Although He Anshi said that he could also compete in archery and that his partner would compose a poem, the man was worried that he would lose too much face, so he gave up.

This left He Anshi alone.

Just as he was frowning, wondering who to ask for help, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"I am Du Qian from the Musketeer Battalion. If Scholar He doesn't mind, how about we team up?"

He Anshi turned around and saw a handsome young man with a tall and upright figure looking at him. The man was calm and upright, and looked like someone who had practiced martial arts since childhood.

In fact, Du Qian did not want to join in the fun, but when he saw He Anshi being abandoned and looking somewhat embarrassed and helpless, he remembered how he was neglected and ostracized by others in the military camp.

Furthermore, now that they are both under Consort Jin's care, Du Qian felt he should lend a helping hand.

"Thank you, General!" He Anshi immediately bowed and saluted.

Since he was the only one left, there was no need to draw lots. He teamed up with Du Qian, and the two of them entered the arena.