Harem Daily Life

"Stop throwing purses, everyone!" Song Shiqing shouted from his horse, "I, Song, have long had someone I love, and I will not marry anyone but the one I desire. Once I enter the palace and obtain His Majesty's decree of marriage, I will come to marry you!"

This shout caused the crowd on the street to burst into laughter, and Duan Chaopei and Su Xing couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Wow, confessing in the street, who is she confessing to? It's so hard to guess—" Duan Chaopei teased, and He Yinuo blushed for once.

"Princess Consort, please stop talking. Nuo'er is shy. What if she runs away? No one will pay today's bill." Su Xing covered her mouth and laughed, teasing He Yinuo.

"What's there to be afraid of? You can run away, but you can't hide. Your brother will pay for the money you owe, sister." Duan Chaopei simply ordered a few more dishes; she was going to eat to her heart's content today.

He Yinuo watched the crowd below slowly disperse and said angrily, "All you guys do is make fun of me. Humph, I'm never asking you guys out again."

Duan Chaopei took a bite of the tender chicken: "Yes, yes, we know you'll be busy preparing your dowry and won't have time to meet us. We understand, we won't bother you and your son-in-law..."

"Oh dear, Fourth Sister-in-law!" He Yinuo was genuinely embarrassed. It was all Song Shiqing's fault; why did he have to confess in public?

In the Hall of Diligent Governance, the crowd returning from the parade knelt before the Emperor, led by the top scholar. He Linzhang looked at the new batch of talented young men, a satisfied smile on his face. But when his gaze fell on the third-ranked scholar, he frowned slightly.

Previously, the emperor had personally selected the top three scholars. The top scholar won first place with an outstanding essay. Song Shiqing's essay was also very good, but because he was from Yanzhou, the title of top scholar did not go to him. After much consideration, He Linzhang personally selected him as the third-ranked scholar.

These people were all selected based on merit to serve as officials in the court. At this moment, Song Shiqing was mixed in with the group, and it was difficult for He Linzhang to decide what official position to give him.

It would be best to keep him in the Yanzhou army, but this man is a man of both literary and military talent. He Linzhang also cherishes talent, and at this moment, he is conflicted and finds it difficult to assign him a position.

"Before the imperial examination, I made a promise that those who rank in the top three this year could make one wish, and if I could grant it, I would. So, what do you want?"

The Minister of Personnel stepped forward and said with a smile, "You should think carefully before you speak. His Majesty's word is law, so don't miss this golden opportunity!"

The three men looked at each other in bewilderment. The second-ranked scholar spoke first: "Your Majesty, I ask for nothing but the prosperity of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the longevity of Your Majesty."

The powerful words invigorated the entire court, and some stroked their beards—the sycophantic younger generation had arrived.

Not to be outdone, the top scholar stepped forward and said, "I ask for nothing but to serve the Great Zhou with all my might until my dying breath."

The entire court cast scrutinizing glances at him, some even considering whether to take him as a son-in-law. With that kind of ambition, what couldn't he accomplish?

Some people also looked at Song Shiqing. Many people knew his identity. He was a young man who came from Yanzhou last year. He was not old and was highly regarded under the command of Marquis Qi Yizheng.

He was a man of both literary and martial talents, and also had an outstanding appearance. It was just a pity that he was from Yanzhou. Even if he became a third-ranked scholar, he would probably not achieve much.

Song Shiqing stepped forward and bowed deeply to He Linzhang: "Your subject, Song Shiqing, has no other request but that Your Majesty marry the Fifth Princess to me. I wish to plant a phoenix tree in the courtyard and lead the phoenix carriage back home."

The entire court stared at him in shock. How dare Song Shiqing covet His Majesty's beloved Fifth Princess! He probably doesn't even know the meaning of death!

Over the years, families vying for the Fifth Princess's hand in marriage could circle the capital three or four times, but who among them succeeded? They were all turned away. The princesses themselves selected candidates, the Crown Prince selected, the Empress selected, and even His Majesty had to select again. After going through these selections time and time again, he was still not satisfied with any of them.

Those were all heirs whom each family had painstakingly cultivated. To be sent to the royal family as sons-in-law and then selected in such a way severely damaged their self-confidence.

With all the prestigious families in the capital rejected, the Fifth Princess's marriage was also delayed, and no one dared to mention it again.

You, Song Shiqing, a descendant of the Yan state, dare to ask for his hand in marriage? No matter how handsome you are or how accomplished you are in both literature and martial arts, don't even think about His Majesty's approval!

The entire court was eager to see a spectacle, but after waiting for quite some time, they didn't hear His Majesty veto the order. They all looked up at the person above them, only to see their Emperor turned away with an indescribable expression, as if whispering something to someone.

Their gazes involuntarily turned to the back of the pillar, but they saw no one, only a fleeting glimpse of a pale yellow hem of clothing.

"Ahem. The Fifth Princess's marriage cannot be approved immediately. I must ask the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Nuo'er for their opinions." He Linzhang did not say his refusal on the spot, but instead used a delaying tactic. He hurriedly left the court and headed directly to Chang Le Palace.

At this moment, He Yinuo was already sitting in Chang Le Palace, looking at Tao Yanyan with a flushed face.

As soon as He Linzhang entered, his face darkened: "After all that searching, you've chosen someone from Yanzhou? If you get married, what are your mother and I supposed to do? Are we supposed to move the court to Yanzhou and rebuild the capital? My Great Zhou has so many outstanding young talents, you should choose carefully again!"

He Linzhang, who loved his daughter dearly, looked at her and was reluctant to let her marry far away.

He Yinuo coughed lightly: "In order to come to the capital to serve as an official, he even took the imperial examination. Father Emperor made an exception and gave him a minor official position in the capital. Isn't that the solution?"

At first, He Yinuo didn't understand why Song Shiqing wanted to take the imperial examination. But after hearing what he said behind the pillar in the Hall of Diligent Governance, she finally understood that it was all for her sake.

He entered officialdom through the formal imperial examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and could rightfully serve as an official in the court. His identity as a descendant of the Yan State was negligible in the face of true ability.

He Linzhang frowned in deep thought. After more than a decade of ethnic integration, there were quite a few intermarriages between the people of Yanzhou and the people of Dazhou. Even the Fourth Princess had married into Yanzhou, so Yunuo was not an exception. However, Yunuo was, after all, his most beloved daughter, and he was very concerned about her marriage, not wanting it to have even the slightest flaw.

Seeing her father hesitate, He Yinuo turned her gaze to her mother. Tao Yanyan steadied herself and said, "Are you really sure you want him?"

He Yinuo nodded: "If it's not good, we can change it again."

Tao Yanyan: “…”

What else could be said at this point? Tao Yanyan tugged at He Linzhang's sleeve: "Why don't you just give in?"

Seeing the mother and daughter gazing at him expectantly, He Linzhang's heart softened, and he nodded slightly.

At the end of that year, the Great Zhou royal family had a series of happy events.

First, Crown Prince He Yucheng successfully became a father, and Crown Princess Duan Chaopei gave birth to the eldest son, the eldest grandson of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Secondly, He Jin'an and his wife returned to the capital to attend the wedding of the fifth prince. When they left the capital, it was just the young couple, but when they returned, they were a complete family of five. Hua Yurong's womb was fertile, and within four years she gave birth to her eldest son and a pair of twin daughters. The two soft and cuddly little girls immediately won He Linzhang's heart.

Thirdly, He Yinuo got married. The most favored little princess of the royal family successfully married Song Shiqing, who had just been promoted to the third rank in the imperial examinations.

The Fifth Princess's wedding was an extremely grand affair. His Majesty granted a general amnesty, and the banquet lasted for three whole days. The amount of wedding cakes and money given out was more than double what was given out at the Crown Prince's wedding. The people of the capital were all talking about how His Majesty doted on his daughter to an extreme degree...