Do You Know?: Rule the World

After a moment, she said softly, "Sister Shulan sent a message today saying they have arrived safely in Youyang."

"Only when we were halfway there, we encountered a group of pirates. Fortunately, we had enough guards with us, so nothing happened."

"Xiao Liu has always been timid. I don't know if this scared her."

Zhao Han raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and asked with a half-smile, "Is she timid?"

"Yes, in the past, whenever the sisters had a quarrel, she would always hide at the back and even speak in a soft voice."

"I think she was probably frightened by the sight of Wei Xiaoniang hanging by a thread in her death in Yangzhou."

"It would be great if my fifth sister could be like her."

Zhao Han shook his head. "You still don't really understand this Xiaoliu."

"When I played polo with her, she whipped the horse more skillfully than any other soldier in the army."

"The third daughter of the Yu family has been left far behind. With such a magnanimous demeanor, you actually think she's timid?"

In his eyes, Minglan was just a little fox in rabbit skin, and she pretended to be better than anyone else.

Hua Lan frowned slightly, then after thinking carefully, she smiled and said, "Playing polo is playing polo. That's what my grandmother taught me."

"In short, Xiaoliu is the most timid and docile sister in my eyes."

"Speaking of which, when Your Highness went out to play polo that day, was it for Xiaoliu or for Miss Yu?"

Zhao Han stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, "Of course I have both."

"Ah?" Hua Lan blinked, a little surprised.

Then, she said slowly, "I was thinking that if Your Highness wanted to take care of Miss Yu, you could choose an auspicious day to welcome her into the Eastern Palace."

"As for Xiaoliu, she hasn't even reached the age of marriage yet, so Your Highness, please don't worry about her for now."

Zhao Han smiled slightly, pulled her into his arms, and the sisters went into the house together to serve.

Not to mention him as the crown prince, even in the families of those civil servants who claim to be upright, this is a very common thing.

Besides, Minglan's appearance is beyond words. She is also intelligent, measured and cautious. If such a girl is given to others,

It's not just a pity, it's a lifelong regret!

"By the way, how is the old lady in the eldest house doing?"

Hualan put away her smile and sighed softly, "Sister Shulan said in her letter that she is not well anymore. I'm afraid she will die in the next few days."

"It's a rare achievement for the old lady to be able to hold on until she sees the marriage between Changwu and Aunt Kang's daughter."

Now the Kang family's reputation is ruined and Kang Haifeng's career is completely hopeless.

Although Kang Yun'er is the eldest daughter, not only is she not a good match for the other family, but even families of lower status avoid her.

Wang Ruoyu knew that he could not marry into Changbai, but he was too embarrassed to go to the Sheng family in person to ask for a marriage for him.

Although she was not a good person, she loved her three biological children very much and could only write letters to Mrs. Wang to cry out her feelings.

Old Lady Wang had always favored Wang Ruoyu, so she put aside her pride and wrote a letter personally to Old Lady Sheng to ask for this.

Old Lady Sheng took into consideration the relationship between them and the Wang family for many years, and although Kang Yuner was born in the Kang family, she was well-educated, beautiful, intelligent, and had a rare good character.

He personally acted as a matchmaker and betrothed her to Sheng Changwu, the second son of the eldest son.

Although the eldest son's family is a merchant family, Shulan's status is very different now, and Kang Yuner is still marrying up.

-

The next day, after the court meeting ended.

Just as Zhao Han was about to go to the Military Equipment Bureau in person, Old Master Yu sent a visiting card.

Although Grand Tutor Yu has retired, his students and former officials are spread all over the country. Nearly 30% of the officials in the six ministries of the court are from his school.

Old Madam Sheng and Old Madam Yu are close friends.

When the Sheng family first came to the capital, the old lady had thought of letting Changbai marry Yanran into the mansion in the future.

After all, Yanran is the old master's most beloved granddaughter, and she will definitely do her best to support Changbai in the future.

But at that time, Yanran's father looked down on the Sheng family.

In his eyes, Yanran marrying into the Sheng family would not bring him any benefits, so he told them to give up the idea.

After all, as the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, there are many noble families who want to marry her.

Chapter 118: The position of concubine, the people of the Yu family

"Set up tea and invite Old Master Yu in." Zhao Han gave a deep order to the palace servant beside him.

Not long after, Old Master Yu, wearing an indigo robe with cloud patterns, walked slowly over.

Although he is over 60 years old, his back is still as straight as a pine tree, and he exudes an elegant demeanor when he walks.

Just as Grand Tutor Yu was about to salute, Zhao Han was quick to step forward and support him.

"The old Grand Tutor is a veteran of three dynasties, highly respected and virtuous. He doesn't need to care about those empty formalities."

Upon hearing this, a trace of relief flashed in Old Master Yu's eyes, but he still bowed slightly and said, "Etiquette cannot be abolished."

"Your Highness is kind and gracious, but I must be tactful."

Seeing that he was determined to do so, Zhao Han did not force him, but personally helped him sit down on the sandalwood armchair beside him.

"I originally wanted to find an opportunity to visit the old master in person at his residence."

"I didn't expect that the old Grand Tutor would come here today. I am both surprised and happy."

"Is the old master in good health these days? Is everything alright at home?"

Old Master Yu stroked his graying beard and said with a smile, "Thanks to your concern, Your Highness. This old man is still in good health."

"I originally planned to return to my hometown in Shandong to spend my remaining years in retirement, but I couldn't let go of my granddaughter who had been without her biological mother since she was a child."

Zhao Han's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, "Old Master, are you talking about Miss Yanran?"

Old Master Yu sighed softly, "Yes, this child is too kindhearted and can't stand the slightest bit of wind and rain."

"Your Highness must have seen it at the Wu family polo match."

"I've had a smooth career, serving in three dynasties. I never thought I'd end up not even being able to protect my granddaughter."

He has seen everything his daughter-in-law Fang has done over the years, but his incompetent eldest son is under her control.

He almost obeyed everything he said, and the granddaughter he brought up, Yu Yanhong, was also arrogant, domineering, and hot-tempered, which was incompatible with the style of the Yu family, a family of scholars.

As early as several years ago, he had thought about asking his eldest son to divorce his wife, but he never said it out loud to save face.

"The old Grand Tutor is able to manage the court and settle affairs at home, but as for the trivial matters in the harem, it is difficult for an honest official to judge them."

"Besides, under your protection, Miss Yanran has grown into a well-educated and sensible person with a kind heart. Who in the capital would not praise her?"

Yanran's needlework skills were unmatched in Bian Jing, regardless of one's social status.

Even if the prostitutes from Guangyuntai and Yiyunlou came to ask for advice, she would not refuse and would teach them seriously.

Facing Zhao Han's praise, Old Master Yu's heart moved, and he stroked his beard and said, "Yes, this child's biggest fault is his soft temper. He always lacks decisiveness when encountering things. This makes me often worried. I don't know who to entrust him to in the future."

"I wanted to bring her here today to thank His Highness for his help."

"It just so happened that her grandmother was unwell last night. Yanran, always filial, insisted on staying by her bedside to serve her medicine."

Since ancient times, marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. The old master knew this very well, even though Yanran was raised in his care.

But her lifelong affairs ultimately require the consent of Lord Yu.

It was even clearer that Lord Yu and stepmother Fang were determined to marry Yanran off to a prominent family, preferably one with a wealthy background.

It was the notorious family like the Duke of Lingguo's Mansion who came to propose marriage.

As long as the betrothal gift is large enough, they will agree without any objection and will not consider Yanran's wishes at all.

As for taking Yanran away and marrying her far away, it seems that Old Master Yu is not willing to do so at the moment.

Although the Yu family is not a top-tier powerful family, they have been operating in Bian Jing for many years and have a deep network of contacts, so they can still control the situation.

If Yanran were to marry someone else and get wronged, even if the Yu family wanted to support her, they would be powerless to do anything.

After thinking it over, he set his sights on Zhao Han.

After the prince ascends the throne in the future, he wants to quickly gather the civil service group and gain a firm foothold.

When filling the harem, one cannot avoid the noble families such as the Hai family, the Han family and the Yu family.

The Hai family has ancestral teachings to follow, and the Hai family's daughter has a reputation for being jealous.

All the granddaughters of marriageable age in Lord Han's eldest son's family have married, and currently only his Yu family still has a legitimate eldest granddaughter.

My nephew Yu Sixian is extremely talented. He passed the imperial examination in the same spring as the crown prince. He has now been sent to Liangzhe for training and will be transferred back to Beijing in a few years.

As long as he lives, the prince will never let Yanran down.

Her sarcastic stepmother and arrogant sister would never dare to show Yanran a bad face again.

Zhao Han smiled slightly and said gently, "Old Master, there's no need to worry too much."

"To be honest, when I saw her that day, I was quite interested in Miss Yanran."

"Since the old Grand Tutor is here today, I will speak frankly. If the old Grand Tutor is willing, I am willing to treat you as my concubine and will not let my family down in the future."

After hearing the words "I will never let the Yu family down", Old Master Yu's eyes changed a little when he looked at Zhao Han.

He no longer had any hope for his eldest son, and his grandson Yu Erlang spent all his time fighting cocks and running errands, so he wasn't a promising talent.

I just hope my granddaughter can find a good home.

"Your Highness, are you serious about what you said?"

Zhao Han nodded slightly and said solemnly, "A gentleman's word is as good as gold."

"It's just that marriage is a serious matter, and ultimately it requires mutual love. I hope the old master will first ask Miss Yanran's opinion."

"If Miss Yanran agrees, I will find an opportunity to tell the emperor about this."

Old Master Yu nodded secretly, feeling even more confident that he had not made a mistake.

He had already decided in his heart that he and his wife would continue to stay in Bian Jing, and after the crown prince ascended the throne, he would return to his hometown to spend his remaining years.