Professional Ethics of a Concubine

Ever since the Emperor found out that the white moonlight in his heart, the biological mother of his eldest son, was the Empress, he really took a long time to recover.

It felt like being struck by lightning, scorched from the inside out.

The main thing is, for the emperor, this matter and this woman have made him lose his sense of control.

He has an overwhelming status and a god-like superiority over other women. He can pamper them as he wishes and reward them with status and power, and no one can surpass him.

And they do have to depend on him and please him.

However, when facing the empress, he didn't have any such sense of superiority!

Moreover, the emperor felt a heavy sense of oppression in his heart.

Even the emperor couldn't help but start making comparisons.

They are both emperors. How does the empress's political achievements compare to his? Although the territory of Gulan Kingdom is much smaller than that of Da Zhao, it is also a big country in the Western Regions.

Especially after the empress came to power, she annexed several small countries. Her tactics were quite powerful.

Compared with her, he did not expand the territory. Just guarding the place left by his ancestors was very tiring. It seemed that he had not made any outstanding political achievements!

She is not young anymore. Has the position of crown prince been decided? The situation there is much more complicated than mine. I wonder if she can handle it.

He has a top-notch and outstanding prince... The emperor was just about to show off in his heart.

But the next moment he realized that this big boy was someone else's, and it was a good deal for him.

The emperor suddenly had another heart attack, and the feeling of oppression that made his scalp tingle, accompanied by a sense of guilt, reappeared.

In fact, to put it bluntly, the emperor cared about the empress's opinion, and because the other party was of equal status to him, his male self-esteem was at work, and he was afraid that after thirty years, he would be looked down upon by the other party.

As for love or not, they are both old and emperors, so what's the point of talking about love or not?

Even if she loved him when she was young, it is impossible for her to love him now. The emperor doesn't even believe that he has the nerve to do that.

My current position in her heart is probably not even as important as one of Haodaer's fingers.

However, even though he thought so, it did not prevent him from feeling sour.

Anyway, the emperor's various complicated thoughts cannot be expressed in words one by one.

"Father? Father!" Xie Jin raised his voice, and when he saw that he had finally come back to his senses, he continued,

"I think the alliance with Gulan can bring more tangible results than what we discussed before."

"Well, you can indeed think of it this way. The Empress is your biological mother, which directly deepens the foundation of trust between the two countries.

If she has a say and is thinking for you, deepening the economic trade, cultural and technological exchanges between the two countries and promoting the close development of relations between the two countries will be beneficial to both sides."

The Emperor agreed solemnly.

"When you go back, you can discuss with your Master Ye to see what practical exchanges you can have.

Tomorrow I will meet with the envoys of Gulan, resolve the issue of your biological mother's identity, and confirm the alliance between the two countries. Then I can discuss it in the court and let the cabinet come up with a preliminary plan."

The "Tutor Ye" the emperor was referring to was naturally Ye Qingzhi.

The emperor felt that calling her Ye was a bit distant, and calling her by her name was not quite appropriate, so he gave Ye Qingzhi the title of Ye Taifu.

The emperor originally wanted to give Ye Qingzhi the official title of Ye Taifu, an honorary title with no power, and no fixed court salary, but rewards or allowances.

Ye Qingzhi firmly refused!

Don't be so high-profile.

There is no substantial benefit to having the title of Taifu, except for attracting attention, being criticized, attracting jealous people, and causing trouble.

Therefore, the emperor only called him Grand Tutor Ye in private.

Xie Jin naturally agreed, and then asked, "Father, mother put forward her eleventh sister as my biological mother. Father, what title do you think is appropriate for her?"

The emperor was also a little troubled when he heard this.

Normally, the biological mother of the crown prince would be posthumously named queen. When the crown prince ascended the throne, she would be posthumously named empress dowager.

In order to highlight her status and virtue, she would be given a posthumous title, or her family would be posthumously honored, her clansmen would be granted titles, and she would be rewarded with land and so on.

However, in their case, as the true biological mother of the prince, it was impossible for her to be posthumously honored.

However, we still have to show the right attitude to the world.

Eleventh sister, the tool who was pushed out, was the kind that was hastily buried after her death because she had no marriage or partner. Now we can build a special cemetery for her, and she can be worshipped by future generations, which would be a relief to her.

With her as a bridge, the two countries can become allies, which is much more useful than a princess who is married to a foreign emperor. After all, the son she gives birth to is confirmed to be the crown prince, which is of great significance.

"Let's follow the rules. Confer the title of Empress posthumously and grant her the posthumous title of Huizhen. Also, build a mausoleum, relocate her grave, and place her tablet in the royal ancestral hall for her to enjoy incense."

The emperor spoke.

"Thank you, father, for your grace." Xie Jin knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

All these are enough to satisfy the Gulan Kingdom. In addition, they will deepen the exchanges between the two countries. If we make enough concessions, it will highlight their sincerity in the alliance and also show how much they value their biological mother.

"You just said that your mother gave you a box. Bring it here for me to see," the emperor said again.

"If your Majesty is anxious to see it, you can send a eunuch to find Qingzhi and get it. It's with her." Xie Jin said with a smile.

"Why should I be in such a hurry?" The emperor said, and turned around and ordered his personal steward to go and get it himself.

Xie Jin, ...

As long as you are happy!

-

The next day.

The envoys from the Kingdom of Gulan came to the palace to meet the emperor. The emperor received them with full respect and his attitude was as warm and amiable as spring breeze and rain.

The court officials did not understand why at first, but when they heard Su Ting say that the prince's biological mother was their emperor's eleventh sister, they were all stunned!

Their emperor is now related by marriage to the Queen of Gulan!

The relationship between the two countries suddenly became much closer.

No wonder the emperor is so enthusiastic, but some court officials have raised some doubts. I ask the emperor to treat the matter of the prince's biological mother with caution and investigate further.

If someone is related to the royal family of Gulan and is too deeply involved, it would be okay to be cautious.

The third prince of the envoy group, upon hearing the doubts of the courtiers, looked in the direction of Xie Jin and snorted coldly, saying in a sour tone,

"If you have seen the face of the Empress, you will not have any doubts. Your country's Crown Prince resembles the Empress' aunt. Who else could his biological mother be but a member of the Jiang family?"

Although the third prince was the son of the late emperor, his biological mother was of low status and died two years after giving birth to him.

At that time, when the empress first entered the palace to become queen, she raised the third prince, who had just lost his mother and had no one to protect him, by her side.

The Third Prince truly treated the Empress as his mother. He was respectful, filial, and respectful to her.

He was envious of the Fifth Prince, the biological son of the Empress, from the bottom of his heart. He envied him because he was the Empress's biological son and because he looked like the Empress. Therefore, he was loved by his father since he was a child.

However, now he saw that his nephew Xie Jin was more like the empress than the fifth prince, especially in his aura and charm, and some subtle expressions, he was simply a carbon copy of the empress.

He felt so sad.

I'm about to get conjunctivitis.

The Third Prince's attitude, coupled with his identity, left those court officials who had questioned him speechless.

"That's true." Su Ting said slowly and without any guilt.

“To be honest, we also had our doubts before. After all, it’s been thirty years, and some clues may be wrong.

However, after arriving in your country and meeting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, these doubts disappeared.

The Crown Prince's appearance is similar to that of his mother's family. This may be a revelation from God, allowing our two countries to form an alliance smoothly. From now on, we can share what we have, benefit each other, and help each other, and we can also jointly resist Dayan."

"Well said!" The emperor quickly made the decision, "The Empress of your country's opinion is also my opinion. I will issue an edict to posthumously confer the title of Empress to the Crown Prince's biological mother and give her all honors. The two countries will form an alliance and share what they have.

The two countries will send officials to discuss and finalize the specific agreement of the alliance. "

The court officials had no objection, and the Third Prince and Su Ting also expressed their agreement on behalf of the Gulan Kingdom. Thus, the identity of the Crown Prince's biological mother and the alliance were successfully determined.

-

Su Ting walked out of the Great Zhao Palace, let out a long breath, and then sighed deeply with worry.

"Sir Su, why do you keep sighing? The things His Majesty asked us to do have been done, and the Great Zhao did not make it difficult. On the contrary, the attitude was very enthusiastic."

The Third Prince felt that he was spoiling the fun, frowned, and said,

"Next, we should enjoy the customs and practices of Da Zhao. This Central Plains is completely different from where we are. We have finally come here, so we must not let it go to waste."

"Your Highness the Third Prince, how did you feel about the atmosphere in the court of Great Zhao just now?" Su Ting asked him.

"It's very good, very harmonious, and the decrees were passed very quickly." said the third prince.

"That's the problem. This is a matter concerning the Crown Prince's biological mother and the alliance between the two countries. There was no quarrel in the court, and no fighting among the various parties.

There are some doubts, but they are within reasonable limits, but there are no thorns who are deliberately looking for trouble.”

Su Ting looked up at the sky of Da Zhao, then looked at the people in the market in the distance, and then said,

"The monarch has strong control over the court, and the court officials do not have too many party disputes. These are the sources of a strong country. I just don't know how the Great Zhao is in other aspects."

The Third Prince was silent for a moment, then pulled him aside and said, "Just go and take a look and you'll know. Find a guide and have him lead the way."

Su Ting was slandering in his heart. How could he see the true face of Da Zhao if he was led by a guide? Naturally, he had to go and see for himself and listen to the voices of the grassroots people.

"It will be tiring for the Third Prince to explore the local customs and practices. I am also responsible for the detailed negotiations on the alliance between the two countries, so I am too busy to do anything else."

Su Ting made a bitter face and spoke.

"Sir Su, those who are capable should work harder. As the emperor's confidant, if you don't work hard, who will?" The third prince patted his shoulder and got into the carriage with a smile.

Su Ting also got on another carriage with an expressionless face.

The third prince returned to the guild hall, changed his clothes, and asked someone to find the reception official to inquire about the interesting places in the capital of Great Zhao, the delicious food, and the stunning beauties to enjoy.

"To reply to His Royal Highness the Third Prince, if you want good food, fun things, and beautiful women, then the Royal Manor must be the place."

The young official immediately smiled with pride and enthusiasm, and started selling with the sales pitch he had memorized.

“This is a recreational manor specially opened by the royal family. It only receives distinguished guests and dignitaries. It has various entertainment activities for noble men and women, both civil and military.

If you want to see something elegant, go to the Poetry Garden, an appreciation garden designed by our Prince Duan, where all kinds of precious calligraphy and paintings, including rare copies, can be seen.

There are also various literary competitions. As long as you have real talent and knowledge, you can immediately stand out and even become famous all over the world. It is the favorite entertainment for scholars.

If you want to stretch your muscles, there are special venues for playing Cuju, Touhu, horse riding, and archery, as well as special people to play with you.

Whether you want to play by yourself or form a team to compete with others, you can do so and we guarantee you will have a great time.

Moreover, all the delicacies in the manor are prepared by the imperial chefs, the servants are all eunuchs and palace maids released from the palace, and the singing and dancing beauties are also from the Jiaofang Bureau. In every aspect, it will definitely give you the best experience."

The third prince listened with bright eyes, was very moved, and nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, let's go to the Royal Manor."

"Your Highness, although the Royal Manor can bring you the best experience, the fee is not cheap. Even if you are a distinguished guest of Gulan Country, you still have to pay for it."

The young official said with a smile on his face.

Let me make it clear first, this is not free to play.

"Look at what you said. How can I not pay the money?" The third prince glared, "Stop talking nonsense and lead the way!"

"Your Highness the Third Prince, please come in!" The young official was startled and shouted with sparkling eyes.

He heard from his superiors that as long as the distinguished guests they brought over spent money in the manor, they would be given a small commission, which was a reward.

It's not easy for small officials like them to live in the capital. The housing prices and prices of everything in the capital are extremely expensive, and there are too many places to spend money.

Their wages are so low, just enough to make ends meet, it is impossible for them to live as well as they want.

Last month his wife gave birth to another son, and now the family has another money-spending boy, making their financial situation even tighter.

Now that there is an opportunity to make extra money legitimately, I naturally have to take advantage of the opportunity. No, I have to serve the benefactor well.

-

Royal manor, poetry garden party.

Ever since taking over the Poetry Garden Club, Prince Duan has been extremely busy. He has to take care of everything and ask about everything, and his legs are almost thin from running around.

After it was officially opened to the public, more and more people came to the poetry garden, and he was so busy that he didn't even have time to drink a cup of tea.

One moment, the young master invited him to appreciate calligraphy and paintings together and wanted to listen to his opinions. The next moment, he asked him to host a banquet to liven up the atmosphere.

Although he was very busy, to be honest, it also gave Prince Duan a great sense of satisfaction. He felt that the days now were much more interesting than when he hosted his own banquets in the past.

At this moment, he had just come out of the literary competition banquet in Haitang Garden and sat down to drink some tea to clear his mind when a eunuch came hurriedly to report.

"Your Majesty, the third prince of Gulan has arrived and is at the tasting garden. Do you want to go over there?"

Prince Duan immediately put down his teacup, straightened his clothes, and left in a hurry with high morale.

No matter what kind of tea you drink or what kind of mind you clear, this is a big job. As long as you can fool the third prince, you will surely satisfy your father and maybe even praise him.

Third Prince, I am here!