Traveling through time and space

"That's the best. Since she doesn't have a prominent maternal family, your father doesn't have to worry about the disturbances from the maternal relatives. If you marry a woman with a prominent maternal family, there will be many concerns and worries. This way, you won't have to worry about it. She just needs to live a loving life with your father for the rest of her life." Su Yuanyuan spoke frankly as she ate.

"Is that what you think?"

"Yes, Yuanyuan hopes that father will have a woman by his side who will only treat him well and be in perfect harmony with him. She has no ulterior motives, no utilitarianism, no inducements, and is simply a woman who takes good care of him."

"Really? Father is so old, but he still doesn't see things as clearly as you think. He still cares about those useless things. Eunuch Shen, send someone to inform the Ministry of Rites that I want to make Yin Ruyi the Empress of the Central Palace. As for the four, the first two will be concubines, and the last two will be given to the prince as concubines. For the first two, just choose a suitable title from their names. Let Jiang Dayou and the others decide for themselves." The emperor said it very firmly.

Su Yuanyuan gave him a thumbs-up in admiration. "Father, now that your issue is resolved, it's time to talk about Yuanyuan's." Su Yuanyuan looked around to make sure no one was around. "Father, Yuanyuan explored the He Mansion's cemetery last night. We searched thoroughly but didn't find anything. However, we did find a coffin with a person still inside. They've been dead for some time. Ayu and Aluan said it was He Xuanzhong, the commander of the Imperial Guards."

"He Xuanzhong? That's impossible. I summoned him yesterday and he was still alive and well. He is responsible for the safety of the palace today." The emperor looked at Su Yuanyuan in confusion. Su Yuanyuan nodded, and she was sure that she would see He Xuanzhong dead tomorrow.

"Father, they are very sure it is He Xuanzhong, and Yuanyuan even reached out and touched his face to make sure he was not wearing any mask."

"It seems that something is really wrong with the He family."

"Father, we must take the long-term view and not alert the enemy. Is the current He Xuanzhong real or fake? Also, Father, have someone investigate whether the He family gave birth to twins. A Yu said that the person in the coffin looked like He Xuanzhong himself."

"Okay, I will pay attention to it." The father and daughter had a very comfortable meal. The noise outside the door had nothing to do with the inside. Su Yuanyuan explained in detail the plan to use the nameless villa and the nameless farm to trial-plant various vegetables and fruit trees. The emperor listened to her one by one and also gave some of his own suggestions. Of course, Su Yuanyuan also listened carefully.

"Father, there was someone on the roof of Yishuyuan last night," Su Yuanyuan had just finished speaking when she heard a quarrel outside.

"Eunuch Shen, I want to see my father, why are you stopping me?"

"Your Highness, I dare not stop you. It's just that the Emperor is having breakfast. Allow me to go in and report. Your Highness, please go in. Third Prince, Sixth Prince, Ninth Prince, please wait a moment. I will go in and report." The door was pushed open by Eunuch Shen from the outside. The Emperor waved his hand, motioning for them all to come in.

The princes came in and greeted each other first, "Your son greets your father."

"Yuanyuan greets all the royal brothers." Su Yuanyuan stood up and greeted them.

"Yuanyuan, what do you want to talk to your father about? If it's a small matter, don't bother your father anymore. Your brother can handle it. Your father is always worried about state affairs, so how can he have time to care about your trivial matters?"

"Thank you, Prince. Today, Yuanyuan has something to ask Father for help. Late last night, a guest arrived at the Yishu Courtyard of the Princess's residence. We don't know if this guest is a friend or foe, but he didn't stay long. The guards at the residence startled him. Yuanyuan has been thinking about it all night. He hasn't offended anyone, so why would he visit the Princess's residence at night? And what is his purpose? Does he want to kill Yuanyuan, or does he have other intentions?"

"That's not easy to do. Let Commander He arrange a few people who are in good physical and mental condition and kill them directly." The prince said, with a shrewd look in his eyes.

"That's not necessary, my dear brother. The guards at the Princess's mansion are more than capable of killing a petty thief. However, Yuanyuan doesn't know how powerful the legitimate princess is. She also doesn't know if someone comes looking for trouble. As the legitimate princess, can she just kill them? I thought about it again and again yesterday, but had someone scare him away instead of killing him, to avoid being accused of killing innocent people."

"You shouldn't be so cautious. Since he sneaked onto the roof of the princess's mansion in the dead of night, he's definitely not a good person. You can kill him. Moreover, you are the legitimate princess appointed by our father. You have the power of life and death, not to mention when it comes to saving your own life. You are an honest child and don't know how to protect yourself. What legitimate princess would let others bully her? From now on, anyone who disrespects you can beat or kill them. In this world, there is no one else who can discipline you except me. Of course, you should not actively bully others."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Yuanyuan is not the kind of kid who would take the initiative to cause trouble. Well, now that I have Your Majesty's order, anyone who comes to the Princess's Mansion uninvited can be killed. I believe that my brothers have something to discuss with Your Majesty, so Yuanyuan will take her leave first." Su Yuanyuan retreated to the door.

"Didn't you say you wanted to see those beauties? Let them take you there, but don't miss the Lixiang Palace." Su Yuanyuan was a little confused by her father's words. When would she go see the beauties? But looking at her father's expression, it seemed he wanted her to go see the person he liked.

"Then Yuanyuan thanks Father. It is a pleasure to appreciate a beautiful woman."

"Father, she's a girl. How can she go to see a girl?"

"My dear Crown Prince, everyone in the world loves beauty. Even though Yuanyuan is a woman, she also likes to look at beautiful women. Not only beautiful women, but also good-looking men."

"If you don't leave now, I will send a few nurses to the princess's mansion."

"Father, I'm leaving now. My brothers, I'm leaving first," Su Yuanyuan said as she slipped out of the Lixiang Pavilion. "Xiao Xiangzi, where are all the concubines?"

"In reply to the princess, we are all currently living in Xuanxiu Palace, Yixiu Palace, and Yuxiu Palace. After today, we will have other places to go."

"Oh, so many women, can the emperor handle them all?" Su Yuanyuan muttered quietly, only to realize that this was the palace and words could not be spoken carelessly. "There must be fairies here with beauties so beautiful that they can make fish sink to the bottom of the water, geese fall to the ground, and the moon hide in shame."

"Princess, the Emperor doesn't just select beauties during the selection process; he also considers all aspects of a person's character, talent, upbringing, and accomplishments."

"How old are they?" Su Yuanyuan was very curious about the concubines. She had never seen any of them in her past or present life.

"Sixteen to twenty-two?"

"Aren't girls supposed to get married after they reach the age of 15? How come you're still unmarried at the age of 22?"

"In Qingyang, the customs are not so strict about the age at which girls can marry. Some people observe three years of mourning for their parents' hometowns, some delay their marriage to take care of their families, and of course there are those who simply want to send their daughters to the palace. Since the death of the previous queen, there have been no selections for five years in Qingyang. In short, no matter whether it is a boy or a girl, you can marry whenever you want, and the court will not interfere."

"When my grandmother passed away, didn't someone say that I only needed to stay by her side for a month?"

"Princess, those are your grandparents. You are the princess, so you can only stay for one month." Nanny Shang explained.

"Madam Chen, Princess Anle wants to come and see the concubines," when they arrived at the gate of a courtyard, Xiao Xiangzi went forward and spoke to the old woman guarding the gate.

"This servant greets Princess Anle. I will ask Madam Zhou, the steward, to come over."

"No need, I'm just going to take a look." Su Yuanyuan was about to step into the yard.

"Get out! This isn't a place you can just enter and leave. These are all nobles who will be canonized later. Not just anyone can come in." This arrogant voice was followed by the appearance of a woman in her thirties, dressed in palace attire. Su Yuanyuan didn't know how to describe her; she simply didn't look kind or gentle. "Empress An said you can't just enter this courtyard."

"Then do you know who I am? Concubine An from the Qin'an Palace? Then go and call her over here and see if I can get in?" Su Yuanyuan stopped. "Only I can ask for the emperor's permission before Concubine An can let me in."

"Your servant, your servant, your servant greets Princess Anle," the visitor knelt down hurriedly. Su Yuanyuan glanced at her and entered the yard. "Princess, please wait a moment. Mrs. Chen, go and move the chairs. Princess, please rest. I will ask all the girls to come over."

"No need to go to so much trouble. I heard that these ladies are all dignified and well-mannered, with beautiful complexions. I'll just take a look around."

The noise had startled many people, and girls were gradually making their way over. Su Yuanyuan looked at them and thought they were just so-so, but prettier than most. "Xiang Rui, the eldest daughter of the Lu family, pays homage to the legitimate princess," she said with a standard bow.

"Manrong, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qi, meets the legitimate princess."

"The eldest daughter of the Liu family, Shijuan, pays homage to the princess."

"Yin Jia Ruyi pays homage to the legitimate princess."

Each one of them greeted the emperor with greetings. Some were extremely respectful, others were careless. Of the twenty-nine concubines, they met twenty-two. Finally, they met the person the emperor liked. She looked quite old. Although she was not as flamboyant as the other concubines, she was neat and tidy. Her simple attire was pleasing to the eye. She was not frail either, and would surely be a good childbearer in the future. Su Yuanyuan nodded calmly, "Please excuse the formalities, everyone. There are many beauties in Qingyang, and their faces are as dazzling as jade."

"Princess, are you saying that we should show off our beauty?" a woman stepped forward and asked.

"Princess, this is Princess Manyong of the Duke of Qi's Mansion." Nanny Zhou beside her stood up at some point and stepped forward to introduce her.

"Princess Manyong, women who show off their beauty cannot enter here," Su Yuanyuan stood up and walked out.

"Greetings to the legitimate princess." Su Yuanyuan didn't notice that someone was coming over.

"Second brother, why are you here?" After a closer look, it turned out to be Prince Wei and two other men.

"He Chengkai, He Chenghao, meet the legitimate princess."

"Second brother, is this your friend? Please stand up and talk. But why are you so polite?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"All of you stand up and talk." Second Brother Wei looked at the people behind Su Yuanyuan.

"Princess, there is a pavilion nearby. You and the prince can talk there."

"This place is not far from Yuanfu Palace. Princess, please go back to the palace and rest for a while." Nanny Shang stepped forward and reminded.

"Okay, second brother, let's go to Yuanfu Palace." Su Yuanyuan could tell that they must have something to do, and the three of them looked very strange. "Second brother, what's the matter?"

"Second brother wants to ask you for a favor. Call out one of the girls. These two have something to say to them."

"That won't do, second brother. These beauties are all chosen by our father, and they can't see other men."

"These are the girl's brother and younger brother. Please call her out. Just consider it as your second brother owes you a favor. Her name is He Wancheng." He looked serious.

"He Wancheng, He Wancheng." Su Yuanyuan was wondering whether she had seen this girl just now.

"Princess, the girl wearing sky blue clothes and a tasseled gold hairpin is Miss He Wancheng." Nanny Shang reminded.

Su Yuanyuan looked at her second brother, who nodded. "Dongmei, you and Nanny Shang go in and call out Miss He. Tell her that this princess really likes the hairpin on her head and wants to draw a model. Let Miss He go to this princess's Yuanfu Palace. If anyone stops her, ask her if she wants to ask the emperor for an order." After Su Yuanyuan finished speaking, she turned and walked towards her own Yuanfu Palace. "There are so many people in the palace today?" People greeted her along the way. "Second brother, both Mr. He, please have a seat." When Su Yuanyuan arrived at the main hall of Yuanfu Palace, she sat down. Someone brought hot water for washing hands, and someone served tea and cakes.

"Mrs. He, please come in." Su Yuanyuan, who was sitting in the room drinking tea normally, heard someone talking outside. She looked carefully and saw that it was the eldest princess' mother.

Everyone stood up, "Mother, you are here."

"Your servant He Du greets Princess Anle." The woman who came with her mother bowed and saluted as she entered the room.

Here comes another person named He. It seems that she has been taken advantage of by them. "Is this Mrs. He the mother of these two Mr. Hes?" Judging from their age, they should be about the same, Su Yuanyuan asked.

"I'm sorry," Mrs. He was about to kneel down, and Su Yuanyuan reached out to support her.

"Everyone go out and wait at the gate of the courtyard. Little Maozi, you wait there. If that girl comes, please send her in. If anyone spreads the news that I, the princess, entertain guests at Yuanfu Palace, will be killed on the spot. I, the princess, don't like people who spread messages." Su Yuanyuan knew that there must be something going on, and it must be a big thing. Moreover, judging from the face of this Madam He, she must be seriously ill. Since her mother and second brother were willing to help them, she might as well lend a hand.