CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 324: BUSINESS COMES FIRST

After sending away the Quiet Consort, Emperor Jing went directly to the palace of Noble Consort An.

"Ah Le, I’m so troubled," Emperor Jing’s stern face collapsed, "Those courtiers say they want me to establish an empress, but what they’re actually eyeing is the position of the Crown Prince. Am I very old? Is that why they are worried about this!"

Clearly, he was in the prime of life, strong and capable!

"Your Majesty, the courtiers’ worries are not without reason," Noble Consort An said softly.

There isn’t a Prince now.

So, the problem boils down to one thing: establishing an empress.

The ideas of the courtiers are quite simple. Those with daughters naturally want their daughters to try their luck.

If she becomes the Empress, wouldn’t it be the glory of the entire family?

If she’s fortunate enough to give birth to a Prince, it would be the honor of several generations of the family.

"Ah Le, I will establish you as Empress," Emperor Jing said firmly.

"Your Majesty, why bring up this issue again? I have said before, I don’t wish to be Empress. I don’t have the ability to manage the harem well for you," Noble Consort An refused.

She was truly unwilling to be Empress.

It was not a ploy to attract attention.

"Everyone else is racking their brains to become Empress!"

"Your Majesty also said that that’s other people. Why must I be like others? I’m quite content being the Noble Consort and living a carefree life," Noble Consort An replied leisurely, "Anyway, Your Majesty shouldn’t pressure me."

Emperor Jing’s face turned ashen with anger, "An Changle, have I spoiled you too much all this time?"

"Yes, it’s precisely because Your Majesty has been so indulgent that I’ve developed this character. I think it’s very good and don’t want to change," Noble Consort An was unafraid of Emperor Jing, "If Your Majesty thinks this is bad, then kick me out of the palace. Then, I could learn from Sister Meng and travel around, seeing the scenery of our Zhou Country."

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled brightly, as if Emperor Jing just needed to say the word for her to pack her bags and leave the palace.

That Meng family again!

Had he known, he wouldn’t have let Changle become so close with her.

Now it was good, being led astray, making Changle’s personality even freer than before.

"Shuangxi, summon Zhao Ting to the palace for me!" Emperor Jing said in a fit of anger.

He needed to have a serious talk with Zhao Ting and get him to take control.

"Your Majesty, you forgot, General Zhao has already left the Capital City with the County Princess of Le’an," Shuangxi said.

Emperor Jing: ...

He actually forgot about this matter.

He shouldn’t have let Zhao Ting act recklessly, leading to the situation where he can’t find people now.

Truly frustrating.

"Summon Qi Yunye for me, oh, right, and have him bring Zhao Ting’s second son along," Emperor Jing commanded again.

The debt of the father could be considered by the son.

Qi Yunye brought Zhao Dahe to the palace.

This was Zhao Dahe’s first time entering the palace, and before he entered, he couldn’t help but be curious.

But once inside, apart from being bigger and more luxurious, everything seemed just okay.

Shuangxi had previously met Zhao Dahe briefly, and seeing him looking straight ahead now, he thought highly of him.

It’s known that many people can’t help but look around when they enter the palace for the first time.

Truly a son worthy of the General Zhao and County Princess of Le’an, quite composed.

"Qi Yunye, everyone is shouting for me to choose an empress, what do you think?" Emperor Jing asked Qi Yunye.

"This commoner has no opinion, I have yet to start a family, so I really can’t empathize with Your Majesty," Qi Yunye replied calmly.

"Those courtiers shouting for me to establish an empress, some of them also haven’t started families," Emperor Jing gritted his teeth; Qi Yunye clearly did not want to get involved.

"Then they’re simply shouting blindly," Qi Yunye said.

"I’m asking you to help me come up with ideas, not to engage in verbal sparring," Emperor Jing thumped the table heavily.

"Your Majesty, this commoner doesn’t have that ability; if you ask this commoner to earn silver, this commoner will absolutely do it without hesitation. But this matter related to the country is far beyond this commoner," Qi Yunye was unafraid of Emperor Jing.

"Fine, fine, you have a point, and I can’t argue with you!" Emperor Jing took a few deep breaths and forcibly smiled, "Dahe, right, I’ve heard your father mention you many times, praising you as naturally suited for officialdom."

Would his father say such a thing? Zhao Dahe didn’t believe it.

Most likely, it was the Emperor himself who said it.

"This commoner dares not accept such praise," Zhao Dahe bowed respectfully, as deferential as possible.

"Why so humble? Officially, your father and I are sovereign and subject, but actually, we’re good brothers. You don’t need to be so restrained in front of me," Emperor Jing said with a kind face.

"Yes, this commoner obeys the decree."

"Then tell me, how should I deal with the courtiers urging me to establish an empress?" Emperor Jing asked good-naturedly, "Feel free to speak your mind, today we’re just having a chat."

Zhao Dahe glanced at Qi Yunye, only to find him gazing at his nose then his mouth, utterly detached from the matter.

Well, obviously this uncle didn’t want to get involved.

"Your Majesty has commanded this commoner to speak, and this commoner dares not refuse. This commoner thinks quite simply, establishing an empress is like getting married in civilian life. If there are elders in the family, major decisions in marriage naturally follow the elders’ opinions. If there are no elders, naturally one makes one’s own decisions," Zhao Dahe said.

"Making one’s own decisions in one’s own matters? You make sense," Emperor Jing mused, "But what you said applies to ordinary families, I’m not the same as ordinary people."

"Does Your Majesty have any pressing concerns right now?" Zhao Dahe asked.

"Hm?" Emperor Jing was confused.

Qi Yunye glanced at Zhao Dahe, impressed, this kid’s brain worked well.

Though it’s not a strategy to be displayed on stage, it resolved the issue.

Qi Yunye threw a recent issue he encountered to Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing realized, ah, these people idle with nothing to do, give them some tasks, finish them well, then discuss the empress establishment.

"Your Majesty can let out word that whoever accomplishes their task well will have their daughter given priority to enter the palace," Qi Yunye added.

Just entering the palace, who becomes the empress is naturally decided by Your Majesty.

"Alright, alright, now that’s a tiger father’s son is no dog! Your father is my right-hand man, and Dahe, you’re no less. How is your preparation for the autumn exam?" Emperor Jing’s expression brightened, he asked happily.

"To answer Your Majesty, this commoner has been diligently preparing and has not relaxed," Zhao Dahe said.

"Good, I heard you’ve been top of the list in recent exams, keep it up!" Emperor Jing patted Zhao Dahe’s shoulder, "I have great expectations for you."

"This commoner will give his utmost," Zhao Dahe said.

Becoming the top scholar was always his goal.

"Then I’ll matchmake for you in due time!" Emperor Jing said meaningfully.

This meant Zhao Dahe’s marriage affairs must get his nod.

Zhao Dahe naturally couldn’t just casually say that his marriage matters would be his own decision, he responded with a face full of sincere apprehension, "This commoner thanks Your Majesty."

"Rest assured, I won’t mess up the matchmaking process. To arrange a marriage for you, I must ensure you approve. Otherwise——"

Both your father and mother are not easy to deal with.

"This commoner thanks Your Majesty."

Zhao Dahe inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

This was extremely good.

"Bring Dahe to the palace more often," Emperor Jing added.

"What do you mean by idling up? Your Majesty, do you think this commoner just eats, drinks, and plays every day? A few mines have been discovered at the junction of Nanchang Country and Zhou Country, doesn’t this commoner have to keep an eye on them? If Your Majesty says it’s unnecessary, this commoner would love to be idle and ensure Dahe visits the palace every day!"

"Official matters take precedence."