Mei Qingxue had not returned from the south yet, but Du Gu You and Empress Yirong had already started arranging concubines for Du Gu Qing.
"Mother, please don't arrange concubines for me. If you force them on me, there will just be a few more mouths to feed in the Crown Prince's Mansion!" Mei Qingxue had just left, and now his mother was bringing this up?
"It's quite common for a man to have several wives and concubines. As the Crown Prince, it's not inappropriate for you to have a few concubines..." Just as the empress was about to say something, Du Gu Qing interrupted, "Father has so many concubines. Don't you ever resent or blame him?"
Empress Yirong fell silent. She wanted Du Gu Qing to marry more women in the hope that they would have more children.
Even though the emperor had favored her in the past, with so many concubines, he had to spread his favors evenly. Had she never resented this? Yes, she had.
Hearing her son thinking about his wife, the empress's face softened. "You're different from your father in this regard. I'm very pleased. But you should talk to your father about this yourself." It was time for their father - son relationship to improve.
"Yes, Mother."
"Aren't you worried about letting your Crown Princess go to the South alone?"
"I've assigned enough guards to her. Moreover, her grandfather is in the South. Qingxue will be well - taken care of. Mother, please rest assured. Qingxue is a smart girl." The only one who might make her suffer was probably himself.
"Qin'er, today I've learned that there are quite a few eligible official's daughters in the court." Du Gu You walked in, talking excitedly. Then he saw Du Gu Qing.
"Qing'er is here. Perfect. I've picked out a few girls for you. They're all excellent."
"Are they more beautiful than Mei Qingxue?" Du Gu Qing asked.
Du Gu You was taken aback. Mei Qingxue was the most beautiful woman. How could there be anyone more beautiful? "No. But..." He wanted to say that those girls were well - educated and well - behaved.
"Are they smarter than Mei Qingxue?" Could they command thousands of troops and make a veteran general willingly submit?
"No. Your Mei Qingxue is so clever. Who could surpass her?" Seeing Du Gu You being rendered speechless by his son, the empress covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Qin'er, don't just stand there watching. You have to help me persuade Qing'er!" Seeing the empress smiling, Du Gu You was overjoyed.
"I've already promised not to find concubines for him. If you want to persuade him, do it yourself." The empress's eyes were filled with a smile as she watched Du Gu You try to persuade Du Gu Qing. That child was just as stubborn as she was.
"Gu Qin'er!" Du Gu You exclaimed anxiously. This was the first time he had called her by her full name. How could he persuade his son? If he used his authority to force the issue, their father - son relationship would only get worse. If he relied on his words, he really didn't have the ability.
"I won't help!" The empress swayed her waist and lifted the curtain to enter the inner chamber. Du Gu You was too embarrassed to chase after her with his son there. He said seriously, "You're a noble of the royal family. How can you have only one wife?"
"With only one wife, I can focus all my love on her."
"What if she never has a child?" Du Gu You was also worried about the issue of heirs. "Even if she never has a child, she's the only one for me. Father, please don't bring up this topic again."
"But those girls are already in the imperial garden. I've invited them in your name to enjoy the flowers." Du Gu You said.
"I have my own way to deal with them. I'll take my leave first!"
After saluting, Du Gu Qing left. He would just let those girls in the imperial garden wait for a while, and they would go home on their own. He had learned this from Mei Qingxue. When the empress was Concubine Qin, she had tried to send two concubines to him, but Mei Qingxue had made them go back by letting them wait in the sun.
Those who didn't leave today could continue to enjoy the flowers tomorrow. Anyway, there were few shaded areas in the imperial garden.
Du Gu Qing walked through the imperial garden with his hands behind his back. Seeing a group of girls like colorful butterflies, a sneer appeared on his lips. No matter how good these girls were, compared to his Xue'er, they were just common and vulgar.
"I heard that the Crown Prince used to be weak and impotent, and he was only recently cured." A girl in a yellow dress whispered mysteriously to the girl next to her.
"Ah?" Her words caused quite a stir.
Only a cold and elegant girl with a book in her hand said coldly, "It's none of your business. Stop gossiping behind people's backs. If you want to marry the Crown Prince, go and ask for it yourself."
Du Gu Qing was just behind the flower bushes when he heard the girl's voice. He immediately thought this girl was good. He waved to a eunuch. "Later, call that serious - looking white - dressed girl to the Fish - watching Pavilion. The one with a book in her hand." Du Gu Qing pointed.
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Du Gu Qing walked slowly towards the Fish - watching Pavilion. Soon, he saw the eunuch leading the girl over.
"I pay my respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!" The white - dressed girl was neither over - deferential nor over - arrogant. Her eyes clearly showed resistance.
"Whose daughter are you?"
"I'm the daughter of the Grand Marshal." She was the one who had almost married Mei Haoxuan.
"So, you don't want to be a concubine of the Crown Prince?"
"I'm afraid I have to say no!" Li Yuefeng, the daughter of the Grand Marshal Li Zhonghuai, remained as cold as ever. "I just want to marry a heroic man who can go to the battlefield." Pride flashed across Li Yuefeng's face. "He should have only me as his wife in his whole life."
"You know that it's quite common for a man to have several wives and concubines."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, among so many beautiful girls, why did you only choose me?" Li Yuefeng knew that the Crown Princess was an extraordinary woman. It was the Crown Princess who had turned the situation around on the border battlefield.
"Because I think you're the one who least wants to marry the Crown Prince."
"What if I change my mind?"
"Then you can be the Crown Princess." Du Gu Qing turned around. Li Yuefeng didn't understand what Du Gu Qing meant. She knelt on the ground gracefully. "I don't want to be a concubine!"
"I can fulfill your wish, but your marriage will be decided by the Crown Princess."
"Oh? Please explain, Your Highness!" Li Yuefeng was completely confused by Du Gu Qing's words. Why should her marriage be decided by the Crown Princess? "You just go home and prepare for your marriage!"
After saying that, Du Gu Qing flicked his sleeve and was about to leave. "Your Highness, what about those people..." What should be done with them? Li Yuefeng glanced at the garden. "It's okay. After a few days in the sun, they'll understand my intentions."
Li Yuefeng thought for a while and a smile appeared on her lips. She had heard that when the empress was Concubine Qin, she had sent two beautiful concubines to the Sixth Prince, who was newly married at that time. But the Sixth Princess had made them go back after letting them wait in the sun until they turned black.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, but those are all official's daughters. They're delicate." Li Yuefeng wanted to plead for her sisters.
"Just say what you want. You're not the type to be hesitant!"
"Yes, Your Highness. The third daughter of the Censor - in - Chief also doesn't want to be a concubine, but she can't disobey the imperial order. She's also in the crowd now. Her body can't stand the hot sun."
"I didn't expect you to be so kind - hearted. Let me tell you, with your personality, the Crown Princess will definitely like to make friends with you. I think she won't let you marry someone unworthy. You can rest assured. Those who want to marry into the royal family can just stay in the sun for a few days. Anyway, I've seen them all."
"Yes!" Li Yuefeng returned to the imperial garden, called the daughter of the Censor - in - Chief, and the two of them quietly left from the back. With the Crown Prince's protection, they believed the emperor wouldn't make things difficult for them. It was just that it would be hard to explain to their families when they got home.
"Sister Yuefeng, what if the Crown Prince blames us for leaving without seeing him?" Su Lin'er was full of worry. "Don't be afraid. I've seen the Crown Prince. He won't choose any of these girls, including you and me." "Really? Then how can I explain to my father when I get home?"
Her father had been looking forward to her marrying into the Crown Prince's Mansion. Now that she was leaving, she would have no chance. "The Crown Prince has left." Li Yuefeng grabbed Su Lin'er. "Don't worry. I guarantee that even if those girls are sun - tanned, the Crown Prince won't even look at them."
"Oh. But my father will blame me!"
"Your father has to listen to the Crown Prince."
Li Yuefeng didn't give Su Lin'er a chance to argue and sent her back to the Censor - in - Chief's Mansion. What could her father say? He might just scold her a few times. It wasn't a big deal. Her father, the Grand Marshal, didn't even want her to marry into the royal family.
If it weren't for the emperor's order that all eligible unmarried girls must enter the palace for the Crown Prince to choose from, she wouldn't have entered the palace. She wasn't a commodity to be chosen.
"Qing'er has left." Empress Yirong and Du Gu You came to the imperial garden. They saw that the girls had already been sun - burned. They no longer looked as graceful and dignified as they did before.
"Qing'er has been spoiled by you." Since Du Gu You couldn't find Du Gu Qing, he complained to the empress. "You used to neglect us mother and son. I only wanted to have one husband in my life. How could I know that Qing'er would learn this from me?"
"And his stubborn temper is just like yours!"
"If my son doesn't resemble me, wouldn't there be something wrong?" The empress gave Du Gu You a coquettish look. "Let these girls go back. It seems that Qing'er is determined."
"Then I'll arrange two marriages for him?"
"Go ahead and try. Anyway, the Crown Prince's Mansion is big. We can even build a nunnery there!" Du Gu Qing would do what he said. If those girls were forced in, they would just live a lonely life. It's better not to have such hopes. "Okay. I'll let them go later!"
Du Gu You looked at the girls in the garden and sighed slightly. Marrying them would be a good opportunity to control power.
It was a pity that Du Gu Qing didn't appreciate it. Which emperor hadn't done this? He didn't believe that Du Gu Qing wouldn't fill his harem if he became the emperor in the future.
"Let's go!"
Seeing Du Gu You standing there in a daze looking at the girls in the garden, the empress said, "Do you have a fancy for anyone? I'll arrange for you to take her in." Her tone was full of jealousy.
"I like them all, but unfortunately my son doesn't appreciate it."
Du Gu You sighed. The two of them slowly walked away. Those poor and delicate girls were still in the garden. It wasn't until Du Gu You and the empress had finished their lunch that they remembered them and sent them back to their respective mansions.