The first time in history

Qian Mingduo rode to the Lin'an government office, and the guard at the gate asked him to go directly to the prefect's back house. In ancient times, officials generally would not invite colleagues to the back house unless there was some secret or a confidant.

Qian Mingduo didn't know what was going on, so he quickly entered the backyard. This was also the first time Qian Mingduo entered the backyard of the prefect since he took office in Lin'an.

After passing through a moon gate and walking along a cobblestone path, there was a small pavilion in a small bamboo forest. The prefect Zhao Yongzheng was sitting on a stone bench. There was a letter on the stone table in front of him, and a maid was standing beside him.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to Lord Zhao. May I know what brings me to your palace?" Qian Mingduo bowed.

"Lord Lu, please take a seat." Zhao Yong stood up and bowed slightly in return.

When Qian Mingduo sat down, he glanced at the letters on the stone table.

"This is a document from the Ministry of Rites," Zhao Yong pushed the letter in front of Qian Mingduo, "The emperor will come to my Lin'an Prefecture soon, and the Ministry of Rites has instructed us to receive him carefully."

Zhao Yong paused, "I have specially called you here today to discuss how to receive the emperor."

Qian Mingduo finished reading the official document and said, "If you have anything to say, just tell me. I will do as you tell me."

"Didn't you see that the document specifically mentioned that the emperor came to my Lin'an Prefecture this time to summon you to receive him and to accompany him."

"I am honored by the emperor's love, but I am a subordinate of Lord Zhao. As for the order from the Ministry of Rites to welcome the emperor, I am just accompanying the emperor to receive the emperor."

Zhao Yong nodded with satisfaction. "You handled the dispute between the two villages in Zhuji very well. I will speak well of you in front of the emperor."

Qian Mingduo bowed and said, "Thank you, sir. The handling of this matter is all due to the merits of Lord Zhao. Just think about it, if Lord Zhao had not taught the people well, how could I have built a canal to divert water in two days to resolve the dispute."

Zhao Yong smiled and nodded. "I heard that Lord Lu completed the provincial, metropolitan and palace examinations within two hours. He also won the top three prizes. Lord Lu is definitely not an ordinary person!"

"It's nothing more than suffering from the pain of getting up early and going to bed late, and the punishment of being hung from the beam. How dare I accept the reputation of being an extraordinary person." Qian Mingduo smiled, "Your Excellency is too kind."

"Lord Lu, there is no need to be so modest." Zhao Yong paused, "How many wives and concubines does Lord Lu have?"

"One wife and one concubine."

"My wife has a younger sister who is extremely beautiful." Zhao Yong stroked his beard. "I wonder if Lord Lu is interested in taking a concubine?"

Qian Mingduo didn't expect Zhao Yong to be his matchmaker. He was stunned for a moment. "Mr. Zhao, your kindness... "

"That's what happened." Zhao Yong looked at Qian Mingduo, "My sister-in-law admires Lord Lu's talent, and my wife's family is also a famous family in Lin'an. My father-in-law was the Minister of Personnel during the reign of Emperor Huizong, and he only had two daughters. My daughter is twenty-three this year, and she would not marry anyone except a talented man. So until now... she is still in the boudoir!"

"Of course I appreciate your kindness and justice," Qian Mingduo said with embarrassment, "but I already have a wife and a concubine, and I dare not marry again!"

"Lord Lu, you don't have to reject this marriage so quickly." Zhao Yong's sister-in-law is not only talented but also beautiful. He has long wanted to take her as a concubine. However, his wife has a strong temper and his father-in-law is a high-ranking official of the previous dynasty. Zhao Yong can only have the will but not the courage.

"Although my wife's sister is a little older, considering her family background..." He looked at Qian Mingduo. "She is not someone else's concubine. It is only because I really like your talent that I am willing to lower myself to be your concubine!"