In addition to Qin Zhilan, the Queen Mother also issued two other decrees.
The first decree was for the fifth princess Rong Jinyue to marry Chen Qingwu, the second son of the Chen family of the Queen Mother's mother clan. The marriage was to be completed in mid-October.
The second decree was for the two daughters of the Chen family, Chen Jinyi and Chen Linxue, who were seventeen years old, to be married to the prince as concubines.
As soon as these two imperial edicts came out, not only the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty made speculations, but also the East Palace staff also speculated on the Queen Mother's intentions.
"Give the prince a concubine?" Qi Jin frowned, wondering what the queen mother wanted to do. "When the emperor wanted to give the prince a marriage, he always asked the prince's intention first. As soon as the queen mother came up, she took care of the two daughters of the Chen family. Entering the East Palace? It shouldn’t be the Queen Mother’s turn to interfere in the Prince’s backyard, right?”
"The Queen Mother's purpose is obviously not as simple as the concubine position." The Eighth Prince stroked his chin, his handsome eyebrows showing deep thought, "The fifth princess married the Chen family, the Chen family's daughter entered the East Palace, and Qin Zhilan married the King of Jin'an... It seems that what the Queen Mother wants has been laid out on her face.”
In the study room of the East Palace, Rong Huaishu stood in front of the case, lowering his head and studying ink.
There are two piles of memorials piled on the desk.
Xie Lin was selecting memorials for the prince. He was dressed in a crimson official uniform and showed his handsomeness. He raised his hands and feet in the style of a noble prince from a noble family. Even his tone of voice showed the elegance of a noble prince: "The eighth prince's mind is getting more and more sensitive." Wow, I can actually guess the Queen Mother’s intention.”
The Eighth Prince glanced at him: "Uncle Xie Xiaoguo, are you mocking me?"
"I dare not." Xie Lin bowed his head and said, "I am telling the truth."
Rong Cang immersed himself in reviewing the memorial and turned a deaf ear to the discussions of several people. However, when he heard that Chen's daughter entered the East Palace, a look of disgust and alienation appeared on his chiseled profile uncontrollably.
The Seventh Prince spoke calmly: "Uncle Xie Xiaoguo is an elder. A few jokes are nothing. The eighth brother must accept it with an open mind."
When the Eighth Prince heard this, he glanced at Rong Cang silently.
Although everyone present was the junior of Uncle Xie Xiaoguo according to their seniority, only the prince had the closest relationship with Uncle Xie Xiaoguo.
After Rong Cang became the Queen's legitimate son, Xie Lin was his legitimate uncle. However, Xie Lin was similar in age to them, so no one seemed to mention this issue specifically.
"Isn't Prince Qi not married yet?" Ji Ziyi waved her fan and said leisurely, "Why don't we welcome the Chen family's daughter into the Zhongyi Marquis Mansion to offer her to her? This will directly defeat the Queen Mother's purpose."
"Young Master Ji is still unmarried, so why don't you welcome her into Langya City to support her?" Qi Jin looked at him angrily, "Although the prince does not want him, as a minister, I openly competed with the prince for women. Isn’t that disrespectful? It’s one thing for me to be arrogant and domineering, but I still have the proper sense of propriety.”
Rong Cang raised his eyes slightly and said in a cold voice: "If you are really willing to snatch someone away, Gu will spare you the crime of disrespect, and anyone who dares to cause trouble for you will be taken care of by Gu."
"...That's not necessary." Qi Jin waved his hand quickly, "But I think the seventh prince and the eighth prince can each take one back and share the worries of His Highness the Crown Prince."
The Eighth Prince quickly took two steps back: "My mother-in-law will break my legs."
"You don't have to worry about these trivial things."
Suddenly a gentle female voice came from outside the palace. Everyone turned to look and saw Chu Yunfei walking in with two maids. They quickly saluted: "See the Crown Princess."
"No need to be polite." Chu Yunfei smiled lightly and stepped into the palace door, "The Queen Mother gave Rong Cang a marriage, which is a blessing for both of us. It proves that the Queen Mother is thinking of us and Rong Cang. Grandson, what are you anxious about?"
Rong Cang raised his eyes and saw Chu Yunfei walking in with the support of Bao Chan, with a comfortable and leisurely smile on her face, and she didn't seem to be worried about the marriage given by the Queen Mother at all.
Rong Cang stood up and helped her walk to sit next to him: "Looking at you, you look confident. It seems that you have already thought of a countermeasure?"
"There's nothing we can't deal with. Since we were given by the Queen Mother, how can we still resist the Queen Mother?" Chu Yunfei said, smiling at Rong Cang Yingying, "His Royal Highness should smile and accept it."
Rong Cang: "..."
Chu Yunfei glanced around at the young talents in front of him: "Gu Yilan hasn't entered the palace these days?"
"Why is the Crown Princess so obsessed with that oiran?" Qi Jin frowned, "He is really enjoying himself these days. He is everywhere in the major brothels in the capital. I heard that there has been a secret trend of cutting off sleeves, and many dignitaries and dignitaries are secretly thinking about it. Start raising a henboy."
Chu Yunfei raised her eyebrows slightly: "He's really quite capable."
"Gu Yilan is indeed very capable." Xie Lin smiled warmly and looked at Qi Jin, "On the surface, the brothel and the Chu Pavilion have become prosperous, and the business of the Nanfeng Pavilion has improved a lot, but the intelligence collected secretly has also improved. Quite a bit, Prince Qi, please don't stick to the superficial glory. If people like Gu Yilan are used well, they will be a great help to His Royal Highness in the future."
"I agree with Uncle Xiaoguo's view." Chu Yunfei nodded, "A king should know how to use others well. To govern the world, we need loyal and capable ministers, but the world is not all bright and open. There are many shady secrets in the world. Gu. Yilan has long sleeves and is good at dancing, and is good at dealing with the three religions and nine schools. If you take him as your own, he may play a greater role than an upright and loyal minister."
The words fell to the ground quickly and slowly.
Rong Cang was speechless and didn't feel surprised, because he knew his wife better than anyone else.
However, the Seventh and Eighth Princes, Xie Lin, Qi Jin and Rong Huaishu couldn't help but cast strange looks at her.
During the discussion in the East Palace during this time, they had already seen the status of the Crown Princess in the Crown Prince's heart, and they also understood that the Crown Princess was never one of those women nowadays who only know books and principles, are dignified and virtuous but have no independent opinions. She has her own ideas and political opinions. She often has unique insights, and the prince agrees with her, and they also feel that her transparency is something few others can match.
Hearing her talk about Gu Yilan at this time was even more surprising.
In the eyes of ordinary people, brothel goulan is a low-class place. Gu Yilan, a beautiful man who wanted to recommend himself to the prince when he first came to the capital. His only use is to serve others with sex. In the eyes of many nobles, he is lower than an ant. Their existence seemed to stain their eyes just by looking at it.
Chu Yunfei said he was a useful talent?
A smile overflowed from the corners of Xie Lin's lips. Perhaps until this moment, he truly felt that the Crown Princess was the wife Rong Canghui had married with his eyes, and the only woman worthy of the status of the Crown Prince.
It is different from what they think of nowadays as a good match of family background or good looks, but a good match in terms of ability and cognition.
"What the Crown Princess said is true." He nodded slowly, "I also think Gu Yilan is a useful person."
