Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

The candlelight in the hall flickered, casting mottled light and shadow on the faces of the concubines, as if they were also spying on the undercurrent situation in the harem.

Concubine Yong raised her eyes slightly, took light steps forward, and bowed in a graceful manner.

Her figure was like a weeping willow swaying in the spring breeze, graceful and elegant.

She opened her red lips and spoke in a steady voice, yet it seemed to carry the chill of winter, with a hint of coldness.

"Your Majesty, I dare to make a suggestion.

I believe that the importance of the harem is just like the towering palace walls, and its foundation lies in rules.

Without strict and detailed rules, even if the sisters seem to get along harmoniously on a daily basis, they are actually just a group of scattered sand.

If something goes wrong someday, it will affect the entire system, and the consequences will be disastrous."

Concubine Yong paused, turned her head slightly, glanced at everyone and continued, "I have always been fair and just, and have always followed the palace rules.

I dare not say that everything can satisfy everyone, but under my management, everything in the harem is in good order, and there has never been any major chaos.

Your Majesty, think about it, this temporary replacement of the Queen's responsibilities is related to the stability of the harem.

To put it in a broader sense, it is even more about the reputation of the imperial court.

Naturally, we have to choose people who can strictly abide by the rules and handle things fairly. Otherwise, how can we convince the public?

How can I handle all the affairs of the harem?"

When Concubine Guo Hui heard this, she was secretly dissatisfied.

That dissatisfaction is like weeds that quietly emerge in spring, growing and spreading in the heart.

But her face was still full of smiles, like a peony in full bloom, beautiful yet without any sign of abnormality.

Concubine Guo Hui gently waved the silk handkerchief in her hand, walked forward slowly with lotus steps, and said in a tender voice: "Sister Yong, what you said does make sense at first glance!

But if the sisters in the harem only follow the rules when getting along with each other, without considering the feelings.

It's like there's no charcoal fire in this cold winter, it lacks some warmth.

If the sisters are unhappy and feel aggrieved all day long, how can they sincerely manage the affairs of the harem?

In my opinion, this affection is also extremely important."

Concubine Yong frowned, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

She immediately looked at Concubine Guo Hui, and replied with a questioning tone: "Sister Guo, you said it lightly. If everyone only thinks about feelings and completely ignores the rules, then wouldn't the harem be in chaos?
By then, one person will ask for an exception today by relying on friendship, and another person will break the rules tomorrow because of friendship.

Wouldn't the harem become like a street corner, with no manners at all?
My sister values ​​friendship so much, could it be that you want to act arbitrarily based on friendship in the future?"

The smile on Concubine Guo Hui's face froze for a moment, but soon returned to normal.

She still smiled and said: "Sister Yong has misunderstood me. I just thought that although rules are important, affection can also make sisters united.

How could it be as bad as my sister said?
Sister, please don't misinterpret my meaning."

The two of them were talking to each other, seemingly politely, but there were hidden meanings in their words.

The atmosphere became increasingly tense, just like an undercurrent in an ice river.

The surface seems calm, but underneath there are turbulent waves and hidden crises.

Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting at the top, and looking at the two imperial concubines in such a state, he felt helpless.

He frowned slightly, raised his hand and waved, and said in a deep voice: "Okay, don't argue, we will consider this matter ourselves.

You guys should leave first and let the queen have a good rest."

The two imperial concubines then stopped talking, bowed respectfully, and slowly retreated.

But the secret rivalry did not stop there.

It seems that the seeds that have been buried will take root and sprout as soon as a spring rain comes.

Apparently, more invisible seeds of conflict have been quietly planted in this harem.

Concubine Cheng Mu was standing quietly by the side at this time. She had a graceful figure and a gentle face.

Just like the warm sunshine in spring, it gently shines on everyone. The people in the harem have always had a good opinion of her.

It’s just that Concubine Cheng Mu has been accustomed to following the arrangements of others since she was young, and lacks her own opinions on everything.

Just like the willow branches swaying in the wind, it lacks a backbone.

She was born into a prominent family and was taught by her elders to be gentle and well-behaved since she was a child.

Over time, when she grew up, Concubine Cheng Mu was always hesitant when faced with choices.

Just like a traveler wandering at a fork in the road, not knowing which way to go.

Once upon a time, the harem was planning a small sacrificial ceremony.

Concubine Cheng Mu actually had her own ideas in mind. She was thinking about what sacrifices to choose and how to arrange the ceremony process.

But that thought was like a bird in a cage, fluttering in my heart but unable to fly out.

She was afraid that once she made a decision, what would happen if something went wrong?
Concubine Chengmu stood in the courtyard with a frown on her face.

She clutched a silk handkerchief in her hand, looked at the nanny beside her helplessly, and said softly, "Madame Wang, which of the offerings do you think would be good?

As for the process of this ceremony, I am thinking of arranging it this way, but I am afraid it may not be appropriate."

Nanny Wang beside her bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "My Lady, I think what you think is good.

But it is always safer to follow the old rules, otherwise just follow the old rules."

Concubine Cheng Mu bit her lip, hesitated for a while, and finally nodded.

"Then let's do as Nanny Wang says."

Although the activity was successfully completed in the end, Concubine Cheng Mu was always regretting her cowardice.

The regret was like the continuous drizzle, lingering in Concubine Cheng Mu's heart and could not be shaken off.

At this moment, she walked forward slowly with lotus steps, her figure as graceful as the lotus in the pond.

Concubine Cheng Mu bowed her head and saluted with graceful movements.

The voice was soft, with a hint of timidity.

Just like the little lotus with its pointed tip just beginning to show, it looks a bit shy.

"Your Majesty, I am terrified!"

Concubine Cheng Mu raised her eyes slightly, then quickly lowered them.

Her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, just like the sunset on the horizon, tinged with a hint of shyness.

"I realize that I have always been indecisive and I am afraid that I cannot take on this important task.

Just like a fragile baby bird, it can hardly soar into the sky.

However, I think that if I can get help from my sisters, and if I study and understand hard, I may be able to make up for my shortcomings slowly.

I am willing to use my sincere heart to carefully understand the affairs of the harem and try my best to relieve your majesty's worries."

After she finished speaking, Concubine Mu's cheeks became redder and she twisted the corners of her clothes with her hands unconsciously, looking like a child who had made a mistake.

But she had secretly made up her mind in her heart: I want to change myself, just like a silkworm that breaks out of its cocoon and is reborn, striving to usher in a new transformation.

In comparison, Concubine Zhenmu was outstandingly talented and well versed in etiquette.

She was born into a scholarly family and had been immersed in poetry and literature since childhood. She had an almost obsessive commitment to etiquette and rules.

Just like a guard protecting the treasure, he never leaves.

In the eyes of Concubine Zhenmu, the harem is like a regular chessboard.

Every step should be orderly and in accordance with etiquette.

Just like a chess master, he makes his moves without regret and moves with caution. (End of this chapter)