Two years might not be long, but two years was enough to change a youth. It had been two years, and Tianyao had grown into a handsome sixteen-year-old youth. There might not be many men in this world who were more good-looking than him. However, he was no longer that innocent and cheerful child. Ever since he found out the true cause of his mother's death, he had become a completely different person. Every day, he was either practicing in the training field or reading in the study. He had not even laughed in the past two years. Every day, he was cold. However, he would still pay his respects to Shang Zhirong on time every day. Other than that, he rarely even saw An Zhen.
Tianyao would occasionally go to the lotus pond to look at the lotus flowers, because he remembered that he had promised a little girl that he would often come to see her mother who had turned into a lotus. Since he had promised, he had to do it.
Fortunately, Quanzhong was a thoughtful person. Ever since Wen Miaoran passed away, he had taken good care of Tianyao. Although Tianyao didn't say it on the surface, he knew it clearly in his heart.
Ever since Wen Miaoran had passed away, Tian Ze's health had been deteriorating day by day. The imperial physicians all knew that it was a mental illness, but there was nothing they could do. Recently, Tianyao had just been crowned. According to the customs of the royal family, it was time to give the crown prince a wife. Tian Ze entrusted this matter to Shang Zhirong. Tianyao only replied,"I'll listen to Mother."”Actually, it didn't matter who Tianyao married because he had long buried all his love and his childhood with his mother.
On this day, Shang Rui specially entered the palace for Tianyao's consort selection.
"Zhirong, His Majesty has entrusted this matter to you. Do you have a suitable candidate?”Shang Rui didn't make any unnecessary small talk and went straight to the point.
"Father has asked your daughter. Your daughter asks herself, in this world, other than my niece, your precious granddaughter Yan He, who else is qualified to be the Crown Princess.”Shang Zhirong acted as if this was the stupidest question in the world.
Shang Rui stroked his beard and said,"No, no."”
"Then who else do you think is more suitable than Yanhe?" Shang Zhirong asked, puzzled.”
Shang Rui looked at the confused Zhi Rong and smiled,"Yan He is the granddaughter that I, Shang Rui, dote on like a treasure. She was born to be the Empress. Unless she is officially conferred the title and holds the Phoenix Seal, how could I bear to let her be the Crown Princess first?”
"Father is still the one who has thought it through. It's your daughter who is stupid. Then if we don't choose Yanhe, which family's young lady should we choose? Could it be that Father already has a suitable candidate in mind?”Shang Zhirong asked.
"But there is one person." Shang Rui looked at Zhi Rong and smiled again." Recently, the Imperial Guard General Shen Yi has been highly regarded by the Emperor. His family had a daughter who was eighteen years old and was waiting to be married. Even though she was older than the Emperor by two years, but from her family background, Shen Young Lady was the most suitable candidate to be the Crown Prince Consort besides Yan He. However, that boorish man Shen Yi really doesn't know how to be flexible. He actually captured three of my aides because of a small matter like injuring someone after drinking. He didn't give this old man any face. I wanted to take him in, but he's so inflexible. Don't blame me for not giving his daughter a chance to become a phoenix. Not only that, this old master will make sure that no one in the entire Tian Cheng Dynasty dares to marry her daughter. He wanted his daughter to die of old age in her boudoir and never be able to marry.”Shang Rui's face changed completely as he spoke, his tone unusually vicious.
Shang Zhirong saw that her father was angry and could only comfort him,"Father, please calm down. Why are you angry for this kind of rough person? Wouldn't it be easy for her father to deal with someone like Shen Yi? Let's put this matter aside for now. Since this Young Lady Shen cannot be taken, I wonder if Father still has a suitable candidate?”
Shang Rui calmed himself down and returned to his usual expression. He said calmly,"There is indeed one more person. His Majesty recently promoted Qiu Zizhou, who was transferred from Jinzhou. He had a daughter who was seventeen years old, one year older than the Crown Prince. I've been thinking of taking this person in for my own use these days. Why don't you do me a favor and sell this favor to Father so that Tianyao can take Qiu Yunqing of the Qiu family as his concubine?”
Shang Zhirong saw that her father had calmed down and immediately felt at ease. She said obediently,"Since Father has already said it, I have nothing to say. I will do everything according to Father's wishes. I'll go back to His Majesty and issue an edict. Let Miss Qiu marry into the palace as soon as possible, so that she can help her father achieve his goal earlier.”
Shang Rui looked at Shang Zhirong with satisfaction. He had an unfathomable look on his face, and no one knew what conspiracy he was plotting.
It seemed that another innocent woman had been dragged into the palace.
Xuanzheng Hall.
After Shang Rui left, Shang Zhirong only brought two maids with her and hurried to the Hall of Public Announcement.
Quan Zhong saw the Empress from afar and quickly went up to greet her.
"This old servant pays his respects to the Empress.”Quan Zhong said respectfully.
"Chief, please excuse the formalities. His Majesty is in the palace right now, right?”Shang Zhirong looked dignified.
" This..." Quan Zhong looked troubled." Your Majesty, His Majesty has ordered that apart from military reports, no one is to be seen." This old servant is indeed in a difficult position. Why don't the Empress come another day?”
"Chief Steward Quan, BenGong indeed has an urgent matter to see His Majesty. The Crown Prince's consort selection was also something His Majesty had instructed bengong to do. Compared to the military report, this is also a major matter. So BenGong must see His Majesty today.”Shang Zhirong had no intention of going back.
Seeing the Empress like this, Quan Zhong did not dare to betray her and could only reply,""Then this old servant will pass the message on behalf of the Empress.”
"No need." Shang Zhirong stopped Quanzhong," BenGong can go in by herself. You all can wait outside."”
Quan Zhong had no choice but to agree to the Empress 'request. He turned around and respectfully opened the door for the Empress.
The Empress nodded and entered the hall.
Shang Zhirong was afraid that she would disturb Tian Ze if she suddenly entered without informing him, so she kept her footsteps very light. Tian Ze sat in front of the desk and was writing something with a pen. Shang Zhirong saw this and could only say in a low voice,"ChenQie greets Your Majesty."”
Tian Ze did not raise his head and continued to write and draw something. He only said indifferently,""The Empress is here."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Shang Zhirong replied softly.
Seeing that Tian Ze did not say anything else, Shang Zhirong had no choice but to speak first,""Your Majesty, regarding Yao 'er's consort selection, ChenQie already has an idea.”
"Oh?" Only then did Tian Ze raise his head and look at Shang Zhirong rather seriously." Tell me about it."”
When Shang Zhirong saw that Tian Ze was finally looking at her, she immediately put on a smile and continued,""ChenQie has already seen all the girls of the right age from the prestigious families and has indeed found a suitable candidate.”
Tian Ze laughed lightly when he heard this," So the Empress is also so superficial, only paying attention to the so-called status and family.”
Shang Zhirong looked embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.
Tian Ze did not want to make things difficult for her and said," Empress, please continue.”
"Yes." Shang Zhirong then returned to her normal state and continued," I think Qiu Yunqing, the daughter of Qiu Zizhou, who had just been transferred to the capital to join the army, is a good child. Qiu Junjun had a strict family background. Miss Qiu came from such a scholarly family, so she must be a well-educated and talented woman. She was a perfect match for Yao 'er.”
Tian Ze thought for a moment and said," Qiu Zi Zhou is indeed a promising person. He is also from a scholarly family. The girl that his family has educated would definitely not be that kind of superficial woman. Just follow the Empress. The matter of preparing for the wedding should also be handed over to the Empress.”
Shang Zhirong heaved a sigh of relief when she heard Tian Ze's words, and her face lit up with joy." Your Majesty, I've already given Yao 'er and Yun Qing their eight characters. The two of them are simply a match made in heaven." ChenQie had already decided on the date. The tenth of next month is a good day. Although it is a little rushed, ChenQie will definitely hurry up and prepare for Yao 'er's grand wedding.”
Tian Ze said to the Empress in admiration,""The Empress will issue a decree to prepare for Yao 'er's marriage. You've been taking care of Yao' er ever since Miaoran passed away. The harem has been harmonious under your management these years. You are really my virtuous wife.”
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? ChenQie has long treated Yao 'er as her own child. As a mother, it is only right for her to work hard for her son. Moreover, ChenQie is His Majesty's Empress, so she should share His Majesty's worries.”This was the first time that Shang Zhirong heard Tian Ze praise her for this reason, and she felt a lot of emotions.
Tian Ze looked at Shang Zhirong's understanding expression and said,""The Empress is right. Zhen was confused.”
Shang Zhirong smiled, thinking,"It's been a long time since His Majesty spoke so much to her." Moreover, he had praised her today. It would be best to get closer to the Emperor. So she asked," ChenQie doesn't know what Your Majesty is busy with. You seem to be very worried. I wonder if ChenQie can help Your Majesty relieve your worries?"”
Tian Ze looked at Shang Zhi Rong and hesitated for a moment before saying," Empress, please come to Zhen's side."”
Shang Zhirong happily walked over to Tian Ze's side.
Tian Ze looked at the unfinished painting on the table with a pensive look. The woman in the painting was dressed in luxurious clothes and had a slim figure. Her black hair hung down behind her, and she was very beautiful. However, the woman in the painting didn't have eyes, which was a pity.
Tian Ze looked at the painting and said faintly,"Zhen has been missing Imperial Noble Consort Wen Hua for the past few days, so Zhen wanted to draw a portrait of her to commemorate her." It was a pity that he could not draw the eyes well and could not draw the charm of Miao Ran.”As he spoke, he touched the face of the beauty in the painting. He sighed deeply.
Shang Zhirong's face froze, and she forced a smile." Imperial Noble Consort Wenhua's beauty is unparalleled. Moreover, the Imperial Noble Consort had already passed away for two years. It was normal for His Majesty not to remember.”
"No." Tian Ze retorted,"Perhaps it's because I remember it too clearly that I don't dare to draw anymore." She was just afraid that she would feel even more heartbroken if she saw it every day. I know that I have drawn many beautiful women in the harem, all of them with a wave of my hand. But, but perhaps when you love someone deeply, you will no longer be able to draw her. You will always feel that she is much more beautiful than in the painting.”Tian Ze said emotionally as he looked at the painting.
Shang Zhirong looked at Tian Ze with a straight face. He thought to himself, Is His Majesty talking about love? The emperor with three thousand beauties in his harem was actually talking about love. Looking at Tian Ze who was immersed in his memories, Shang Zhirong could only remain silent. Was it love? Shang Zhirong smiled bitterly.
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