Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 380 Price

Liu Yuechu's sudden remark clearly indicated her dissatisfaction with the matter.

Consort Yu said she was sending people to Yuan Cuo right in front of her? Did she really think she was a pushover?!

Seeing that Yuan Cuo did not refute, Consort Yu couldn't help but smile. "The Duke of Baoguo is a meritorious official and a hero of the Great Qi. Such a pillar of the state should not be envied by the Duchess. She should select someone to serve in the household and produce more offspring to serve the Great Qi. I heard that you have not yet selected anyone to serve the Duke of Baoguo, not even a maidservant?"

She did indeed make a point of inquiring about the Liu family.

Yu Fei's words caused a complex expression on the faces of everyone present.

The court officials present, even if they didn't have three wives and four concubines, were all surrounded by beautiful women. Even the poorest among them had a maidservant to serve them. Yuan Cuo didn't even have that.

It's really strange.

Even though Yuan Cuo was a son-in-law before, he later became the top scholar in the imperial examination and rose to a higher and higher official position. Now it has been revealed that he is the son of Emperor Qi Xiao and Emperor Chu. How can Liu Yuechu still treat him so domineeringly and harshly? It is really outrageous!

Emperor Qi Xiao did not expect that Yuan Cuo did not even have a maidservant.

But he was, after all, the emperor of the Great Qi, and could not possibly manage the private residences of his subjects.

The Empress was naturally aware of this, but she was trying to win over and flatter the Liu family, so she wouldn't bring it up.

Seeing the murmurs and the expression on Emperor Qi Xiao's face, Consort Yu's attitude became even more resolute. "It seems that this rumor is true... The Duchess has indeed made great contributions in giving birth to a son and a daughter for the Duke, but she should not be too controlling."

"There are indeed many outstanding and beautiful women participating in this selection. When I am selecting for the Duke of Baoguo, the Duchess can also give some advice and help with the selection."

Liu Yuechu remained silent for a long time without saying a word.

She knew that this kind of thing would happen sooner or later.

Previously, when Yuan Cuo was a son-in-law living with his wife's family, some people used this as an excuse to attack her. Now that Yuan Cuo has become the Duke of Baoguo, there are many people who want to send their daughters to the Duke's mansion...

"I have no objection. As long as my husband is willing, and someone is taking care of the household, what's wrong with that? With someone serving my husband, I can freely travel to explore the mountains and rivers of Great Qi. The Meng and Yan kingdoms have also opened up trade with our Great Qi, so I would like to broaden my horizons."

But once you go, you might never come back.

She would never allow herself to share her husband with other women.

Yuan Cuo raised an eyebrow. "Madam's suggestion is excellent. I can also accompany you on the trip. In any case, the people His Majesty bestowed upon us wouldn't dare to act recklessly. They can help us take care of the children at home."

Liu Yuechu: "???" Taking care of the child?

“That was the bedmate chosen by Consort Yu for her husband, not a wet nurse or nanny.”

“Such an excellent woman, wouldn’t it be better for her to take care of the children? She is proficient in all the arts, and perhaps seeing such a beautiful woman will motivate our children to study harder in the future. After all, she is better than an old scholar with a beard who only wants to fall asleep when he hears classical Chinese.” Yuan Cuo finished speaking and glanced at Yu Fei.

Consort Yu was furious, and wondered what he meant by this.

Liu Yuechu deliberately suppressed her laughter, "But if my husband is so ungrateful, won't people say I'm jealous again?"

"I am the Duke of Baoguo, still young and handsome, and now a hero of the Great Qi, praised by the people. Want to be my woman? It's not that easy. You'll have to come up with at least 100,000 taels of silver to even be considered. Otherwise, you won't even be allowed to take care of my children."

Yuan Cuo spoke with a narcissistic expression, and even struck a refined and elegant pose.

The courtiers wanted to spit in his face; he was being far too arrogant! And it sounded like he was insulting them for being old, incompetent, and cheap.

After all, they have to pay extra to select women to enter their household; it's not about making money!

Emperor Qi Xiao was even more dissatisfied upon hearing this.

Even a Duke of Baoguo has to pay 100,000 taels of silver for entry into the imperial selection process. He is the emperor, so if there are no requirements, wouldn't he lose face and be as cheap as these court officials?

But he's the emperor, how could he set a price? Setting a price would be like selling oneself, and he couldn't bear that kind of humiliation!

"I am old, and my heart is only for the future of the Great Qi. This selection of candidates is for the royal family and the princes and earls. Consort Yu did not make this clear before."

"Besides, why make such a big fuss over a talent show? Today is the full moon celebration for these two lucky little ones. No one should interfere with anything meaningless, or I will not let them off lightly!"

When Emperor Qi Xiao uttered these words, everyone present was speechless.

Consort Yu was surprised that Emperor Qi Xiao refused to accept any young women into the palace. What was the point of all her fussing about this?

"Your Majesty..." She panicked a little. Wouldn't all the previous arrangements be completely wasted?

"Alright, stop talking nonsense!" Emperor Qi Xiao's expression grew even colder, and Consort Yu dared not speak again.

After all, she didn't dare to ask His Majesty to retract his order in front of all the ministers, but instead insisted on putting a few women in his bed.

The Empress was very pleased with this little incident. "Yes, yes, we can't keep our little lucky stars waiting!" She waved her hand and summoned the palace servants to go through the formalities.

From that moment on, no one dared to make a mistake again.

After watching the two little ones grab something, the Empress deliberately put on an act and asked His Majesty to bestow names upon them.

Emperor Qi Xiao had already decided on the name, and it was after much thought that he settled on it.

"The boy was named Yuan Yanzhou, and the girl was named Yuan Jinghong."

Literary talent and wit can conceal cunning and scheming; they can both support and overthrow a regime, and this is also a way of maneuvering.

When the court officials heard this name, they knew that Emperor Qi Xiao had great expectations for this child.

As for Yuan Jinghong, there's no need to elaborate. With just a glance, she would naturally become the most precious woman in the Great Qi Dynasty, surpassing even the princesses in the palace.

Although Liu Yuechu wasn't entirely satisfied with the two names, they were still better than Yuan Cuoqi's dumplings and buns.

The couple expressed their gratitude and kowtowed, then began to enjoy the congratulations and gifts from the assembled officials...

Several more cartloads of gifts were received at this imperial palace.

The Empress generously bestowed many gifts upon Liu Yuechu and even summoned her to her side to whisper a few words.

Actually, the two of them weren't talking about anything important; they were discussing Gu Yu's marriage.

The Empress stated that the girl had already been given to Liu Yuechu, and that Liu Yuechu should make all the decisions herself, without needing to interfere in the palace any further. Liu Yuechu understood what she meant.

However, the whispering between the two women was seen as factionalism by the other concubines, who felt that the Empress's position was becoming more and more secure, and that even if the Crown Prince went mad, no one could shake the Empress's position!

I've been busy and fussing all day.

Liu Yuechu left the palace, got into the carriage, and fell asleep on the wool blanket.

The two little ones slept very soundly, and were quite tired from all the chattering congratulations today.

"What is this?" Yuan Cuo suddenly noticed an unfamiliar gift box on the carriage.

The palace's rewards were all carried in the carriage behind; no gifts were placed in his and Liu Yuechu's carriage.

The coachman hurriedly said, "Someone just delivered a gift, saying it's a full-month celebration gift for the young master and young lady."