It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

In a corner of the palace, carefully crafted lanterns were quietly arranged, as if waiting for someone to arrive, and outside the distant palace walls, an unknown fate was quietly unfolding...

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan's mouth curled up into a helpless and deep smile, like a peach blossom that blooms accidentally in spring. With a bit of self-mockery, he slowly said, "Don't even bother to look at it. The harem is full of flowers and beauties. Why should Prime Minister Wu worry about my lifelong affairs?"

Eunuch Jiang became more humble, almost bowing to the ground, and his voice was a little anxious: "Your Majesty, calm down. I dare to remind you that those concubines are indeed charming, but what Prime Minister Wu mentioned is a major event related to the foundation of the country - the establishment of a queen. In the harem, the position of mother of the country has been vacant for a long time, and the country also needs a legitimate heir to stabilize the people's hearts and minds."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and the smile on his lips gradually faded. He took the memorial that carried the worries of important officials, and read it while walking, but said indifferently: "Is Prime Minister Wu too idle these days? If so, I will find him some real things to keep him busy."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Jiang leaned forward even deeper, speaking in a sincere and pleading tone, "Your Majesty, I dare to say that Prime Minister Wu's words are not without reason. Although Your Majesty has taken countless concubines, he has never appointed a queen. This is a rare move, and it is inevitable that discussions will arise inside and outside the court. In the past dynasties, how could the country be stable without appointing a queen?"

"Why is it unprecedented? Aren't we making history and opening a new era?"

Emperor Xuan smiled generously and threw the memorial in his hand casually, as if releasing a trace of irritability in his heart. The memorial seemed to be endowed with flying wings and fell far away.

"Your Majesty, please do not be so rash! For the sake of the country, please choose the master of the palace as soon as possible."

Eunuch Jiang's knees softened and he fell heavily to the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks. His pleading voice revealed his loyalty and concern for the royal family, "Empress Lu passed away early, and I am the only one left in the huge harem to accompany Your Majesty. I believe that the spirit of Empress Lu in heaven also hopes that Your Majesty can stabilize the country and continue the bloodline as soon as possible."

Mentioning his late mother, the hard lines on Emperor Xuan's face gradually softened, and a hint of imperceptible tenderness flashed in his eyes: "I didn't say that I would never establish a queen, it's just..."

Hearing this, Eunuch Jiang felt a glimmer of hope in his heart. When he looked up, his eyes sparkled with anticipation: "Your Majesty, do you really think so?"

Emperor Xuan chuckled, but his eyes were firm: "Of course it's true. The reason why I haven't appointed a queen yet is not because I don't care, but because I have already made plans in my mind. The future queen must be the woman I love, who can enjoy the country and face the ups and downs with me hand in hand."

Eunuch Jiang looked a little serious and continued to persuade: "But Your Majesty, the matter of establishing a queen is related to the country's status. It is the most critical thing to win over the old people of the previous dynasty and stabilize the current situation."

Emperor Xuan frowned, his eyes revealing a trace of disdain: "In the harem, there are three thousand beauties, isn't that enough to balance the forces of all parties? I don't want to pay attention to those old conventions. I only know that the future queen must be the one I truly love."

"But your majesty, how will you face the criticism from the ministers in the court?"

Eunuch Jiang still stood firm and refused to give up.

Emperor Xuan interrupted him, his tone carrying the unquestionable majesty of an emperor: "What can they do? When is it their turn to interfere in my marriage? Humph! This group of stubborn old ministers, if anyone dares to say another word, I will have a way to shut them up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he walked to the magnificent dragon throne, stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with a light that could not be challenged: "As an emperor, if you don't even have the power to choose your own wife, then you might as well not sit on this supreme position."

Eunuch Jiang's expression tensed up, and he hurried forward, speaking faster, trying to persuade him: "Your Majesty, you must not do this. This move will shake the foundation of the country! In the past, the late emperor also married the daughter of the Yan family as his queen after Empress Lu passed away in order to stabilize the government."

When mentioning the matter between the late emperor and Song Yuling, Emperor Xuan's eyes flashed with complex emotions, and he sneered: "That's because he is incompetent and unable to protect his loved ones, so he made such a compromise."

His words were powerful and full of determination: "In my lifetime, the position of Queen can only belong to the one I love in my heart!"

"That's enough, don't mention this matter again!"

Emperor Xuan's voice was filled with a firmness that would not tolerate any disobedience.

Eunuch Jiang sighed, his face full of worry, and looked at His Majesty distressedly, then bowed respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Just as he was about to retreat quietly, Emperor Xuan called him back: "Have you found the person I asked you to find?"

Eunuch Jiang paused and asked, "Who is it?"

Emperor Xuan took a few steps forward, looking a little anxious: "It's the ugly and greedy girl wearing a rabbit mask at the lantern festival!"

Eunuch Jiang suddenly realized what was going on and quickly responded, "We are looking for it. Your Majesty, please be patient. There will be news soon."

Hearing this, Emperor Xuan showed a satisfied smile on his face: "Okay, go and do it, as soon as possible!"

Eunuch Jiang saluted and quietly withdrew.

Emperor Xuan was in an unusually happy mood because of this sudden thought. He turned his head to look at the exquisite phoenix lantern on the table. The joy in his heart was overflowing like a spring breeze. He turned around and smiled at the palace maids and eunuchs standing behind him: "Rewards, all for you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone knelt down in unison to express their gratitude.

This setback ultimately did not make anyone's efforts go to waste.

At the other end, in the quiet courtyard of the Su Mansion, Tan Xinyue sneezed several times, tightly clutching the jade pendant of unknown origin in her hand, her eyes full of contemplation.

At the side, the maid Yan'er approached softly and said, "Miss, you have been staring at this jade pendant for several days. Don't worry about it anymore."

Tan Xinyue frowned, as if a heavy stone weighed on her heart. She said worriedly, "I have been thinking about how to find the owner of this jade pendant and return it to him."

Yan Er tried to comfort her: "Girl, there were so many people at the Lantern Festival that day. It would be too difficult to find the owner of the lost jade pendant."

"Why not just treat it as something that was destined to be with you? Someone who can wear such a precious jade pendant would not mind losing such a small piece of it."

Tan Xinyue shook her head slightly, her expression firm: "No, since I promised that girl to return the jade pendant, I must keep my word and cannot break it."

Seeing this, Yan'er sighed and said no more.

She understood her young lady's temperament. Once she made a decision, she would stick to it and would not change it easily.

Tan Xinyue carefully put away the jade pendant, stood up, and said with determination in her eyes: "Prepare a horse for me, I want to go to the Tan family."

Yan'er looked puzzled: "Girl, where are you going?"

Tan Xinyue explained, "Sister Yu used to go out with Master Su on business trips, and she has a wide range of knowledge. Maybe she has seen this jade pendant before. I'll go ask her."