Tiantang

Chapter 421 You have given me a problem!
Chapter 430 You have given me a problem!
Zhang Xuan's reaction was so extreme that Pei Mian was taken aback.

Pei Mian quickly shut up and stopped reporting, raised his head to look at the emperor respectfully, and whispered, "Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xuan stared at Pei Mian and let out a long breath, "Pei Mian, the Guo Fu you mentioned just now is Guo Ziyi's youngest daughter, Guo Fu?"

Pei Mian still thought that the emperor was dissatisfied with his draft pick girl, this was the first time Pei Mian accepted the important task of the emperor since he entered the court, if he messed up, his position in the court would be worrying.Therefore, Pei Mian attached great importance to this draft, devoting almost all his energy to this matter, working with all his heart, the 100 girls he reported to the emperor's desk, regardless of their appearance, talent, temperament and background Character, are outstanding, can be said to be one in a million.

Of course, he also had some selfish intentions. In order to maintain his power and status, and even to go further, he even sent his niece Hulan into the palace.Fortunately, his niece, Hulan, is as beautiful as the other beautiful girls, and it is not considered favoritism or fraud for him to do so.

When the emperor mentioned Guo Fu's name, Pei Mian breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, it is Guo Fu, the daughter of Master Guo. Shuangquan, worthy of being the queen of the gate."

"This is Guo Fu's portrait, Your Majesty, please have a look." Pei Mian took out Guo Fu's portrait from a thick stack of portraits of beautiful women in the hands of several subordinates on one side, and handed it up respectfully.

In order to wait for the emperor's review at any time, Pei Mian ordered more than a dozen court painters to paint portraits of some outstanding girls and provide them to the emperor.

Without even looking at it, Zhang Xuan casually placed Guo Fu's portrait on the side of the desk.He had met Guo Fu many times, and he was very familiar with the face of this woman, so why bother to look at some portraits.

Pei Mian's evaluation of Guo Fu was very pertinent in Zhang Xuan's view, because she was Guo Ziyi's daughter, and Zhang Xuan knew her well in Longshuo.

According to Guo Fu's conditions, entering the palace as a concubine is more than enough.but……

Zhang Xuan was really not mentally prepared to accept the daughter of his confidant and favorite general as a concubine.

He frowned, and said softly, "Pei Mian, Guo Fu is the daughter of a general, she can choose her husband to marry, why bother to enter the palace to join in the fun? Does Guo Ziyi know about this?"

Pei Mian thought to himself, how could it be possible that Guo Ziyi didn't know that his daughter was going to serve the emperor in the palace, if he could be favored, their Guo family would ascend to the sky in one step and become even more powerful, why would he not be happy.

Pei Mian bowed and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and grandeur. He is the Lord of all ages. Women all over the world admire His majesty's majesty. It is their honor to enter the palace to serve His Majesty and be His relatives."

"There are more than 3000 applicants for this draft. Including Guo Ziyi's daughter, Guo Fu, I have carefully selected hundreds of beautiful girls for His Majesty's recommendation."

"Although Guo Fu is the daughter of a general, it is her honor to enter the palace to serve His Majesty."

Although Zhang Xuan knew that Pei Mian was sycophanting, but this kind of words sounded comforting to the heart, the so-called flattery is the truth.

Besides, Pei Mian did not exaggerate, being able to enter the palace to serve the emperor was indeed the dream of many folk women and even rich and powerful daughters.It is actually normal for Guo Ziyi's daughter to enter the palace.

Zhang Xuan frowned.

He was unwilling to accept Guo Fu. If Guo Fu was allowed to enter the palace, if he didn't favor her, it would cause unnecessary rifts in his relationship with Guo Ziyi.And if you want to pamper her... To be honest, Zhang Xuan really feels a little funny.

Will his confidant and beloved general, Minister Hume, turn around and become his father-in-law?

Seeing Zhang Xuan frowning tightly, Pei Mian felt a little uneasy.

He carefully observed Zhang Xuan's face, his thoughts flashed, and he thought: Could it be that the emperor doesn't like this Guo Fu?That's right, that's right, Guo Ziyi was born as a general of Longshuo, and His Majesty is the Marshal of Longshuo, so he must be very familiar with Guo Fu, and it's not uncommon for him not to like him.

Thinking of this, Pei Mian immediately laughed and said, "Your Majesty, if His Majesty doesn't like it, I will hook Guo Fu away."

Before Zhang Xuan could speak, a soft female voice came from the entrance of the palace: "Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

While talking, Empress Cui Ying walked in dignifiedly with Ruyan and Ruyu.

Pei Mian and other officials quickly bowed down, "I will pay my respects to the empress!"

Cui Ying smiled gently, waved her hands and said, "Pei Xiang, excuse me!"

Zhang Xuan waved to Cui Ying and said with a smile, "Ying'er, why are you here? Come, come and sit here."

Cui Ying smiled and walked over to Zhang Xuan and sat down beside him, Ruyan and Ruyu hurriedly stood behind them.

Cui Ying glanced at the portrait of Guo Fu on the table, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this Miss Guo family, I have seen this concubine not long ago, she is indeed dignified and well-versed in civil and martial arts, she is worthy of being your Majesty's concubine."

Zhang Xuan frowned, and just as he was about to speak, Cui Ying said again, "Your Majesty, it has been a common occurrence since ancient times for a minister's daughter to enter the palace to serve His Majesty, Your Majesty must not just because Guo Fu is the daughter of Lord Guo Ling- —”

Speaking of this, Cui Ying suddenly leaned into Zhang Xuan's ear and lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, if you take Guo Fu out of the palace, where will the Guo Ziyi family's face be put? Don't think it's just a draft, but if your majesty really gives up, There are bound to be criticisms in the court, and it is a big blow to Guo Ziyi's prestige."

"I was established at the beginning of the dynasty, and His Majesty is going to open up new territories and achieve great achievements in the past. It is just the time for employing people, so I can't chill the hearts of my subjects..."

Cui Ying's words hit Zhang Xuan's mind.He was quite troubled because of this.If he refuted Guo Ziyi's daughter from the palace, Guo Ziyi's prestige in the court would definitely be greatly reduced, which was contrary to his idea of ​​supporting Guo Ziyi to replace Chen Xilie as the head of the officials in the future.

but……

Zhang Xuan couldn't help sighing, quite helpless and speechless.

"Besides, not only Guo Ziyi's youngest daughter Guo Fu, but also Pugu Huai'en's daughter Pugu Lingguang, Yan Zhenqing's niece Yan Qiaoqiao, Zhang Ying, the daughter of General Yubayashi Zhang Tong, and even the youngest daughter of Guo Ziyi, Guo Fu, are selected for the draft this time. There is Hulan, the niece of Pei Mian, who is in front of your Majesty, and there are also ladies from the Zheng family, the Wang family, and the Lu family from the noble families."

"In the eyes of the courtiers and concubines, these women are quite outstanding in appearance and character. Your Majesty should accept them all into the palace, so as to appease the hearts of the courtiers."

Cui Ying's thoughts are very simple and straightforward.Since these dignitaries sent their daughters to the palace, they accepted them as a way for the emperor to win over people.

Zhang Xuan frowned more and more tightly.

This ordinary draft has turned into a power dispute between North Korea and China.As an emperor, if he doesn't handle it well, it will affect the gradually stable situation in the court.

Zhang Xuan glanced at Pei Mian, and said calmly, "Pei Mian, is what the queen said really true?"

Pei Mian didn't hear the first half of Cui Ying's words because her voice was too low, but the latter part was clearly heard, especially when the queen mentioned her name.

Pei Mian smiled awkwardly, "Your Majesty, what the empress said is true."

Zhang Xuan suddenly got up annoyed, and said in a deep voice, "Pei Mian, quickly pass on my oral order to let Guo Ziyi, Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Tong and others come into the palace to see me."

Pei Mian was a little surprised, but still took the order to go.

After Pei Mian left, Cui Yingfu whispered a few more words in Zhang Xuan's ear.

Hearing this, Zhang Xuan's countenance changed, he jumped up against the case, and said angrily, "It's really playing the piano indiscriminately! It's unreasonable, let her go out of the palace and return it to the Tang Palace!"

Cui Ying hurriedly got up and bowed down, and said softly, "Your Majesty, calm down. Sister Wan Chun's move was only because of the Tang King's repeated requests, so she had no choice but to do it. If His Majesty is furious and lets Yanguang go out of the palace like this, Sister Wan Chun will lose face." I can't make it through! Now that my sister Wanchun is pregnant, I can't get emotional, please think again, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xuan raised his eyebrows, suppressed his anger, and said with a wry smile, "Ying'er, this can't be helped. In any case, there is no room for discussion on this issue, we must leave the palace!"

Cui Ying sighed softly, got up and said, "Your Majesty, what Tang Wang did is just to relieve the uneasiness in his heart. How about..."

Cui Ying walked to Zhang Xuan's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, "Okay, that's it. Come here, Xuan Li Yanguang will see you!"

Li Yanguang walked into the palace with extremely complicated and apprehensive feelings, not knowing what fate awaited her.

The emperor wanted to summon him in person—couldn't he promise himself to enter the palace as a concubine?Li Yanguang's thoughts flashed, sorting out his messy thoughts.

Walking into the palace, seeing Zhang Xuan aloof, and Empress Cui Ying beside her, she hurriedly prostrated herself in the tunnel, "Li Yanguang, daughter of the people, pay homage to Your Majesty, Empress Empress!"

"Li Yanguang, you are Concubine Ning's niece, that is, my junior. The matter of entering the palace, let it go, and it will not be mentioned again from now on." Zhang Xuan said lightly.

Li Yanguang's heart trembled, he didn't dare to raise his head, and bowed down on the ground.

"Yanguang, you are beautiful and talented. I like you very much. I intend to adopt you as a foster daughter. I wonder if you are willing?" Cui Ying said with a smile.

Li Yanguang was shocked, and immediately raised his head to look at Cui Ying and the emperor, his eyes flickering, he didn't know what the emperor and empress meant, so he didn't dare to speak.

"Why, don't you want to?" Cui Ying smiled, "If you recognize me as your mother, you can't afford it."

Li Yanguang didn't dare to hesitate any longer, and said in a trembling voice, "Yanguang is willing to—"

"You still don't pay respects to your mother?" Cui Ying had a weird smile on her lips.She is actually not a few years older than Li Yanguang, but her seniority is here, and she is the queen of the dynasty, so it makes sense to accept Li Yanguang as a righteous daughter.

"Daughter Yanguang pays homage to the queen mother." Li Yanguang bowed down in a daze, and he didn't recover for a while.

Cui Ying smiled slightly, got up and went down to help Li Yanguang, took her hand and walked back, motioning her to stand aside.

Zhang Xuan glanced at Li Yanguang, and said in a clear voice, "Decree—canonize Li Yanguang, the righteous daughter of the empress, as Princess Jingxin, who will live in the central palace and always accompany the empress."

Li Yanguang was suddenly ecstatic, she never thought that there would be a day when she would regain the title of princess.She was originally the princess of Li Tang, the princess of the subjugated country, but now she has become the princess of the new dynasty, Her Royal Highness, the adopted daughter of the empress, and she can always accompany the middle palace. How much favor is this?

Li Yanguang prostrated himself on the ground with tears of gratitude, "Yanguang thanks Your Majesty Long En, long live my emperor!"

She tried her best to enter the palace. She wanted to be the emperor's favorite concubine, but in the end she became the queen's adoptive daughter. It was a surprise to get the title of princess.

Cui Ying smiled, got up with Yanguang and Ruyan Ruyu and said, "Your Majesty, the concubine will go back to the palace first."

Zhang Xuan nodded, but looked at Li Yanguang and said indifferently, "Yanguang, I named you Princess Jingxin. I hope you can cultivate your mind and serve the queen with peace of mind. In the future, I will personally choose a good son-in-law for you. The ceremony is to marry out of the palace."

"Come here, send an order to the Tang Palace to bestow a set of gold, silver and jewelry to the Tang King."

Li Yanguang's heart trembled, and he quickly bowed and saluted, "Yanguang understands, thank you Your Majesty for your kindness."

……

……

Pei Mian, Guo Ziyi, Yan Zhenqing, Zhang Tong and others walked into the hall.He didn't expect that, less than half an hour after he went out, the emperor would confer the title of a princess, Li Yanguang, the daughter of Tang Wang Li Heng, who was adopted as a righteous daughter by the empress.

All the ministers bowed down, "The ministers wait to see His Majesty, long live my emperor!"

It was when he was paying homage to Long Live Shanhu that Pei Mian suddenly discovered that the four ministers present basically had daughters or close relatives and juniors in the big list of show girls, including himself.Except for Pugu Wynn who is far away in Fanyang.

The emperor wants to... Thinking of this, Pei Mian felt uneasy and nervous.

All the ministers bowed down, but the emperor didn't move and didn't let him get up.

The four of them became a little nervous, not knowing why.

After a long time, Zhang Xuan said coldly, "You all get up."

Guo Ziyi and the others stood up and lined up on both sides, only to realize that the emperor's face was a little unhappy.

Zhang Xuan's stern gaze swept over Guo Ziyi and the others one by one, and suddenly said loudly, "You have presented me with a problem! A very big problem!"

Guo Ziyi and others were astonished.

"I have repeatedly emphasized that when I employ people, I prefer those who have both ability and integrity. I don't use people who have virtue but no talent, because it will delay my state affairs. I don't use people who have talent but no virtue, because it will bring disaster to the world."

"Therefore, whoever I use depends first on whether you have virtue and talent, whether you can truly serve the court, seek the well-being of the people of the world, and share my worries."

"I will use the truly capable and virtuous ministers."

"If you want to be reused by me, you have to see if you can become a capable and virtuous minister. This is the only criterion for me to select my ministers. As for the others, they are crooked."

"You guys are all my close ministers. I thought you would understand my thoughts, but it turned out not to be the case. To be honest, I am very disappointed, very disappointed!"

"The purpose of my draft this time is to complete the court's etiquette system and improve the inner court. It is not because I am greedy for women. I believe you all know this. But you know this, and you still go to great lengths to send your daughter to the palace... ...Isn't this a problem for me?"

"Do you think that if your daughter is favored by me, you can do whatever you want? I am not a foolish king, how can I abolish the public for personal reasons, hmph!"

Zhang Xuan suddenly slapped the table.

Everyone blushed and lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Guo Ziyi was extremely ashamed, and immediately knelt down on the ground and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I am guilty for this minister. I will take the little girl out of the palace now, Your Majesty, please rest the wrath of the thunder!"

Yan Zhenqing also kowtowed to the ground in embarrassment, "I am guilty, I am ashamed! Please appease your majesty!"

Pei Mian and Zhang Tong also prostrated themselves on the ground, pleading guilty again and again.

"After entering my inner palace, do you still want to go back? Do you think my inner palace is a vegetable market?" Zhang Xuan suddenly slapped the table again.

Guo Ziyi and others were terrified and fell to the ground.

"Forget it, you guys are shameless, I want shame!" Zhang Xuan snorted coldly, "Pei Mian!"

Pei Mian said sincerely and fearfully, "The minister is here!"

"Get up—get out of here!" Zhang Xuan reprimanded.

"Pei Mian, pass on my will. Jin conferred Hui, Ning, Shu, Li, Hui and Yi as imperial concubines, Guo Fu as Duan concubine, Pugu Lingguang as Kang concubine, and Zhang Ying as Chen." Concubine and Hulan are concubines, each given a palace."

"This is not an example. If you commit the crime again, I will never forgive you lightly! Everyone retreat!" Zhang Xuan got up and left in a huff.

Guo Ziyi and the others got up and looked at each other in blank dismay, and were immediately a little happy.Although the emperor got angry, he still took care of their face after all, which showed the status of these few people in the emperor's mind.Moreover, the emperor not only agreed to accept their daughters into the palace, but also promoted them to a higher level and canonized them as concubines instead of concubines or lower status, which is enough to prove that the emperor values ​​them.

After entering the palace, it depends on everyone's luck and ability.

Guo Ziyi and the others greeted each other, said haha, and left the palace with smiles.

The draft ended here, and Guo Ziyi and other ministers' daughters or close relatives entered the palace and were canonized as concubines, and their status in the court was more stable.And some noble women from noble families were also selected and canonized as concubines, Jieyu, beauties, etc.This time, a total of 20 people were accepted into the palace.

As a result, Zhang Xuan, the emperor's inner court backyard, had 27 women with identities and titles.

Zhang Xuan thought it was quite a lot, but in the eyes of Chen Xilie and other courtiers and common people, it was still very "shabby", and it was far from showing the majesty of His Majesty the Khan of Heaven, the emperor of a great country.

Fortunately, this is only the first draft.From now on, every three years, re-election, and the formation of regulations will be fine.This is what Chen Xilie and others are thinking.

These women entered the palace, waiting for the emperor's favor with nervous anticipation.Then, since they entered the palace, they didn't even see the emperor's face once, only the empress and the six imperial concubines summoned them once, and gave them a lecture, telling them to guard the palace and keep their duties.

The girls couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but the gate of the palace was as deep as the sea, and once they entered the palace, they couldn't help it.

For half a month, Zhang Xuan didn't intend to summon these new concubines. Even the empress Cui Ying felt that it was too much. No matter if she was favored or not, she must be summoned once, right?Instead of looking at the monk's face and the Buddha's face, at least they should take care of their natal family's face, right?
Cui Ying asked Ruyan Ruyu to speak a few times, but Zhang Xuan was always perfunctory.

Wan Chun giggled, "Sister Empress, it seems that Your Majesty can really hold on, with so many beauties by her side, she can't be tempted... Hee hee!"

"You stinky girl! You're just making fun of me!" Cui Ying frowned, and said to Li Tengkong, "Sister Kong'er, why don't you go and talk to His Majesty? Your Majesty will have to meet the new nobles See."

Li Tengkong smiled, "Okay. But, sister, you are a queen, and His Majesty doesn't listen to your words, and His Majesty doesn't care about what my slaves say."

"Who said that? Your Majesty listens to Sister Kong'er the most. Now that my third sister and Sister Yulian are pregnant, the one who serves His Majesty the most is Sister Kong'er. People say it's pillow wind, Sister Kong'er, you Just take advantage of your majesty staying overnight in your palace, and blow on the pillow more, can your majesty not listen?"

Wan Chun chuckled.

Third Sister Yang and Yang Yulian smiled and said nothing, Feng Ming also covered his mouth and smiled lightly.

These days, indeed.Wan Chun and Yang Yulian were pregnant almost at the same time, and the third sister Yang had a happy relationship again, while Su Hudong and Feng Ming often got together to practice martial arts to pass the time, most of their energy was spent on training female soldiers, and they often went out of the palace for a day.Empress Cui Ying was in charge of the harem, busy with affairs, and had to take care of her son Zhang Qian herself. Li Tengkong was the one who could often accompany Zhang Xuan in the palace.

Li Tengkong was embarrassed and ashamed, blushing and said angrily, "Sister Wanchun, stop talking nonsense!"

The seven daughters are facing each other in adversity, and they have not changed their previous habits after entering the palace. They often get together with Cui Ying in Zhonggong, so their relationship is getting closer and closer, and they speak casually with each other.

Cui Ying also laughed, "Sister Kong'er, His Majesty is going to spend the night with you tonight, so you can tell His Majesty something while you have time."

Li Tengkong blushed and saluted, "Yes, my concubine obeys."

……

……

That night, the emperor really came to Li Tengkong's palace to spend the night.

Of course, before coming to Li Tengkong's place, he went to Wan Chun, Yang Sanjie and Yang Yulian's one by one, asked them about their pregnancy, and then returned to Li Tengkong's place to rest.

"Your Majesty, my concubine, please go to the empress and other sisters to rest more in the future, my concubine..." Li Tengkong knelt there and said softly.

Zhang Xuan frowned and said in surprise, "What's the matter? Kong'er?"

"It's nothing, my concubine just thinks that His Majesty favors Konger too much..." Although Wan Chun was joking in the daytime, Li Tengkong also felt something in his heart.Recently, the emperor came to her place too often.

Although every time the emperor came here, he didn't want to be happy with her every time, but talked with her more about state affairs and military affairs.

Zhang Xuan pondered for a while, then said with a smile, "Konger, you don't have to worry too much, I have my own opinion. Besides, I don't always come to you. Whenever I have time, I will visit Wan Chun and the others. I am pregnant and need to rest. Although I rest in the harem, I often act on behalf of the state and stay up late..."

"Then, Your Majesty should go and summon those new dignitaries." Li Tengkong said with a smile.

Zhang Xuan frowned, "Did Yinger tell you to tell me? I said it before, don't worry about it, I'll talk about it when I come back!"

Li Tengkong smiled wryly, and said quietly, "Your Majesty will go to the Royal Conquest this time, Wuwei to seek thieves, and pacify Tubo. The shortest is half a year, and the longest is more than a year. The concubine feels that His Majesty should summon them once... Anyway, they all They are His Majesty's concubines, if His Majesty doesn't favor them, how can they survive in the palace?"

(End of this chapter)