The wives of the concubines are empresses

The songs and dances arranged by the Ministry of Rites and the Music Room were all gentle, majestic, and powerful, which were very suitable for the purpose of this banquet.

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace stood in the courtyard, looking towards the banquet.

"Are you hosting a banquet today to entertain the soldiers returning home?"

Nanny Li nodded slightly: "That's right."

Thinking of what the emperor said some time ago, the Empress Dowager Donggong finally felt less anxious.

"Eighteen years old, young general."

The prince has people he can use so that he won't be restricted in all aspects.

Thinking of the changes in her daughter in the past few months, she felt both relieved and distressed.

I am glad that the emperor is finally a qualified emperor. I feel sorry for my young daughter, but she has to support such a big country, and the responsibility is extremely heavy.

Some are happy and some are sad. Concubine Wen - Bai Xuanyi sent people to inquire about the appearance of the young general.

It is said that this young general is only eighteen years old. Being so young makes him feel a deep sense of crisis.

After inquiring about the situation, Mo Yan returned to Yongkang Palace and said, "I pay my respects to the Lord."

Concubine Wen-Bai Xuanyi hurriedly asked: "How?"

"General Nan has an upright posture, a handsome and resolute face, and a slender figure."

Chen Lie saw that his concubine's face turned dark, and thought to himself that it was not good. He was afraid that his concubine would be jealous.

Concubine Wen - Bai Xuanyi angrily took a gulp of tea, completely losing her usual noble demeanor, and looked like an angry young wife.

Everything went on as usual at the banquet, with singing and dancing, which pleased the four generals very much.

The Right Prime Minister raised his glass and bowed to General Nan Shaoan and the others: "I offer a toast to all the generals."

"Thank you, Right Prime Minister!" The five of them drank it all in one gulp, giving face to the Right Prime Minister, making his wrinkled old face smile like chrysanthemums.

General Xuanwei, who was once a brave and skilled general, also admired capable generals.

"Come on, five generals, I'll toast you too. I'll drink first."

The Right Prime Minister felt extremely happy when he thought that he was one step ahead of General Xuanwei.

Several ministers in the court paid tribute to the five generals one after another.

Concubine Wu, who came from a family of military commanders, also picked up the wine glass.

"Five generals, I'll toast to you as well."

The five generals sensed the same aura in him and were delighted. They drank the whole drink in one gulp, feeling as if they had met too late.

The Defei Mu Wennian who was present thought about it and raised her glass.

"Come, five generals, I'll toast you a glass as well." In terms of official position, his rank was still a bit low.

Seeing the happy crowd below, Shangguan Wanjun pursed her lips slightly, everything was going in a good direction.

When the atmosphere seemed to be about right, Shangguan Wanjun glanced at Liu Cheng. Liu Cheng understood and left to get the imperial edict.

When the ministers saw this scene, they knew that the highlight of the night was about to begin, and they all waited with anticipation.

Liu Cheng stood in front of the main seat and opened the imperial edict. Seeing this, all the ministers knelt down.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that General Nan Shaoan, as the chief commander, led the other generals in repelling the Xia Kingdom's Xieyu people and capturing the city. His contributions are invaluable, and he is hereby granted the rank of Third Rank General Zhaoyong. He is also granted a general's residence, two thousand taels of silver, twenty bolts of silk, and one hundred acres of fertile land. This is my decree!"

Liu Cheng looked at General Nan Shaoan and said, "General Zhao Yong, please accept the order."

"I will accept your order and thank you for your grace."

After General Nan Shaoan took over the imperial edict, Liu Cheng looked at Minglan. Minglan understood and picked up the imperial edict beside her and opened it.

"...General An Yong and his commander, General Nan Shaoan, worked together to defeat the enemy and capture the city. Their contributions are invaluable. They are hereby granted the title of Fourth Rank General Mingwei. They are also granted a general's residence, two thousand taels of silver, fifteen pieces of silk and satin, and fifty acres of fertile land each. This is my decree!"

Minglan looked at General Anyong and congratulated him, "Congratulations, General Mingwei. Please accept the order."

After General Anyong took it, Minglan continued to read the next imperial edict.

"...General Yan Zhengpin and his commander, General Nan Shaoan, worked together to defeat the enemy and capture the city. Their contributions are invaluable. They are hereby granted the title of General Xinwu, a fourth-rank general. They are also granted a general's residence, 1,500 taels of silver, 10 pieces of silk, and 50 acres of fertile land each. This is my decree!"

The other two, General Wan Zhanye and General Shi Jun, were both fourth-rank officials, and their rewards were the same as General Yan Zhengpin's.

After the promotion and reward, the national treasury lost five mansions, sixty-five rolls of silk and satin, three hundred acres of good farmland, and eight thousand five hundred taels of silver.

This does not include the rewards for other soldiers. Shangguan Wanjun glanced at the Minister of Revenue and found that he had the worst expression.

The smile on her face was uglier than crying, and she could hardly bear to look at it.

Mu Xiang whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, the imperial edict has been read."

Shangguan Wanjun nodded slightly and looked at General Nan Shaoan.

"General Nan, do you have anything else to ask for?" She was curious about what he would ask for.

General Nan Shaoan was stunned. He didn't expect that he could make a request?

"Your Majesty, are you serious?"

Shangguan Wanjun smiled and nodded: "Yes, as long as it does not harm the interests of the people, does not violate the laws of our dynasty, and does not make me do anything heartless and unrighteous, everything is negotiable."

As an emperor, she still couldn't make final decisions and had to leave room for maneuver.

General Nan Shaoan was in deep thought, his brows slightly furrowed, as if the question was a bit difficult.

A minister began to urge: "General Nan, I wonder what you want to ask for?"

"Yeah, you might as well say it out loud so everyone can hear it."

As a man, all he wanted was promotion, wealth, and the company of beautiful women. They all understood this, especially General Nan, who was still a young man full of vigor and vitality.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at him with a smile on her face: "Yes, but you can say it."

General Nan Shaoan bowed solemnly and said, "General, I would like to ask to be your consort."

The ministers were shocked and the whole palace was in an uproar.

Shangguan Wanjun was stunned. "Huh?"

Did she hear it wrong?

Time suddenly froze, and the other four generals were shocked. How could the general have such an idea?

The first one to react was Minglan. Seeing that the emperor was frightened, Minglan whispered a reminder.

"Your Majesty, everyone is looking at you."

Alas, it is not easy for her to be the emperor.

"Are you serious, my dear?" She had to confirm it again and again to avoid that she had heard it wrongly.

"I am sure there is also An Yong."

General An Yong suddenly opened his eyes wide. What did the general just say? He also wanted to enter the palace as a concubine?

My God, the general is really bold. This is the empress, not an ordinary girl.

Shangguan Wanjun shifted her gaze to General An Yong. Under her indifferent, interrogating gaze, General An Yong nodded for a moment, then turned pale with horror: God, what has he done?

"Since that's the case, I'll oblige you. As for the title and rank, I'll need to consider it and give you two a reply tomorrow."

Shangguan Wanjun felt that neither the national treasury nor the private treasury was safe, and her situation was really difficult.

Is she too charming?

The young general who just came in was willing to ask to be her concubine, but he shouldn't be that crazy.

The ministers had eaten too much tonight and were wondering about General Nan's intentions all the way.

An Yong was still confused until he returned to the place where he was assigned to live in the palace.