Zhou Gaoshi looked at Yang Yi's leaving figure, confused.
"This Yang Yi is so flustered, why does he look weird?"
"Mom, is she Yang Yi? The niece of Empress Dowager Yang?"
Zhou An's eyes lit up and he stared at Yang Yi's back reluctantly.
He wandered around Lin'an City all day long and had heard of Yang Yi, but this was his first time meeting him.
When they met, they were immediately distracted, and like Wei Jinyu, they couldn't resist Yang Yi's lethality.
"Stop looking and stop making decisions. She is the emperor's person!"
Zhou Xiuniang frowned as she looked at her younger brother who looked wretched.
"Second brother, I heard that you are still fighting crickets and often go out to fight against each other. Are these things happening?"
Looking at this look, he looked just like the emperor who was so lustful when he saw Jia Sijin.
"I... didn't! Don't listen to people's nonsense!"
Zhou An looked away from Yang Yi's back, reluctantly denying it.
"Brother-in-law is so lucky! He is hugged from left to right, and his heart is filled with shame. It makes people jealous!"
"shut up!"
Before her mother could get angry, Zhou Xiuniang immediately spoke up to stop her brother from talking nonsense.
After living in Lin'an City for two years, even the emperor couldn't stand his bad habits. He was really bold.
"These are strictly prohibited by the imperial court, so you'd better quit as soon as possible. If the news reaches the emperor, he will not rub dirt in his eyes. When something happens, don't blame me for not warning you."
Seeing her brother's eyes twinkling, Zhou Xiuniang knew that his brother was not telling the truth.
The imperial court implemented the New Deal and banned gambling, and the uncle took the lead in gambling. If he was found out, how would the emperor feel?
"My brother-in-law can become the emperor, doesn't he rely on our Zhou family? Just fight with each other, who dares to touch me?"
Zhou Anxin felt guilty and muttered.
"Shut up (quickly)!"
Zhou Xiuniang and her mother started angrily at the same time.
"Zhou An, if you keep talking nonsense like this, I will not recognize you as my son!"
Mrs. Zhou Gao glanced nervously at the palace maids around her with a stern look on her face.
"What I just said, you all swallowed it in your stomach, you know?"
The wealth of the Zhou family comes from the emperor's favor. His son Zhou Ping is in charge of the anti-corruption department, and his daughter is the only one who favors the harem, which is extremely glorious. God knows what the emperor would think if he heard about his youngest son's treachery.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The maids nodded in agreement together.
The emperor's mother-in-law is so hot, who dares to talk nonsense?
"Everyone, please step back!"
Zhou Xiuniang waved her hands and the maids retreated. Only then did Zhou Gao's face darken and she scolded her son.
"The emperor ascended the throne on his own merits and has nothing to do with the Zhou family. I don't want to hear what I just said again. If you want to die, go die yourself and don't drag the Zhou family with you!"
Zhou Gaoshi scolded in a low voice with a dark face. Zhou An lowered his head and pouted, still unconvinced.
"You all know that you are talking about me. My eldest brother followed the emperor all over the world and was so majestic. Why don't you know that if you give me an official position, I can do something!"
"How can you compare with your eldest brother? Your eldest brother is well-educated in poetry and literature, has both civil and military skills, and is thorough in doing things. What can you do? If you don't study well and don't care about business, if you are asked to go to Jinling University, you yourself will be worried about the exam. If I can’t get there, I don’t dare to go. I’ll give you an official job, but what if you mess up the job?”
Mrs. Zhou Gao's face turned livid and her voice got louder. Zhou Xiuniang couldn't stop herself.
"You spend the whole day doing nothing, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. Look at you, what else can you do? The Zhou family has disgraced you!"
"I think you are just partial! My eldest brother is good at everything, but I am bad at everything. That's enough!"
Zhou An couldn't bear to lose face and became angry.
"Mother-in-law, what's wrong? Everything is wrong?"
Zhao Hong came over accompanied by the eunuch. Seeing the different faces of the Zhou family, he asked curiously.
Observing his words, he also knew that Zhou An, the devil in the world, had made his mother-in-law angry.
"Your Majesty, it's nothing, just a small matter."
Zhou Gaoshi quickly put on a smile.
Zhao Hong glanced at Zhou An, then picked up his son and started playing with him.
This dandy brother-in-law is a man of wine, sex, and wealth. In the colorful world of Lin'an City, heroes are short-tempered, let alone these rich children.
"Your Majesty, there is something that needs to be said. Don't blame me."
Zhao Hong couldn't help but be stunned by Zhou Xiuniang's words.
"Xiu Niang, just tell me what's going on."
"Your Majesty, I will tell the officials of the Ministry of Rites to include Yang Yi and Jia Sijin in the selection of concubines this time. I hope you won't be offended."
"Yang Yi? Jia Sijin?"
Zhao Hong was slightly startled. He couldn't help but see that fair face and the woman as soft as water appearing in front of his eyes.
After these two women entered the palace, together with Zhou Xiuniang and Li Weiming, there were four people in the harem who could form a mahjong table.
Not to mention, there is also a Cuizhu with charming silky eyes and graceful waist. Isn’t this a great blessing for everyone?
The blessing of Qi people requires a good body!
"Your Majesty, Yang Yi loves you, are you going to let her never marry? Besides, if you marry her, the relationship between you and the Queen Mother will ease. The officials and dignitaries behind the Queen Mother will also feel at ease. As for Jia Jia Sijin, that was chosen by the officials of the Ministry of Rites and has nothing to do with me."
Zhou Xiuniang said with a smile, her face gentle.
Marrying Yang Yi can ease the relationship between Zhao Hong and Queen Mother Yang Guizhi, making Zhao Hong feel more relaxed and free from worries. This is what she cares about most.
As for some of Yang Yi's shortcomings, she selectively ignored them.
"An official from the Ministry of Etiquette, a good judge, but his eyes are really vicious!"
Zhou Xiuniang's words made Zhao Hong smile bitterly and sigh.
"Xiu Niang, thank you for taking this matter. However, we have to wait until next year to talk about these things. You have to take care of yourself and our children."
If a king of a country only has one concubine in his harem, it would be abnormal. Either the monarch is incompetent, or the harem is domineering. What the Ministry of Rites did was to spread the branches and leaves of the royal family. It was upright and in line with the regulations. Even Zhou Xiuniang, the only child in the harem, had nothing to say.
It seems that Zhou Xiuniang recommended Yang Yi because she had no choice but to go with the flow.
He was just a little curious, how did Jia Sijin get discovered by the sharp-eyed officials of the Ministry of Rites?
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I know it myself."
Zhou Xiuniang was still a little embarrassed since her mother and younger brother were both there.
"Brother-in-law, you have a sister, why are there so many women around you?"
Zhou An became dissatisfied and seemed to be fighting for his sister.
"Presumptuous! Royal affairs are related to the country. Is this what you should say?"
Zhou Gao's face immediately darkened and he scolded angrily.
This unfilial son dared to interfere with the emperor's family affairs, and his behavior became increasingly unruly.
If she had known this, she would not have brought this guy into the palace.
"Your Majesty, Zhou An is rebellious, please forgive me."
Zhou Xiuniang quickly knelt down and begged Zhao Hong.
This arrogant younger brother, choosing a concubine is a state matter, and he, a common man, can't make any arbitrary decisions.
Now that Zhao Hong is becoming increasingly powerful, she can't guess many of his thoughts. He seems to be amiable and amiable, but also seems to be ruthless and unpredictable.
