Chapter 104 – Imperial Concubine (34.1)
In the imperial study, the emperor flipped through the memorials while chatting happily with the crown prince.
“The Luo River flood control project is progressing rapidly this time. The embankment in Jiang Province has been completed, and the canal in Jiang Province section has also been dug to connect with the Luo River. Getting the military and the civilians to cooperate is indeed a good idea. The work speed was greatly accelerated. The Luo River project is a great achievement for both the people and the Xuan Yuan Empire.”
“It is all thanks to Imperial Father’s good fortune that things progressed so smoothly. At this rate, we can connect the Hu Province, Jiang Province, Li City, and Luo City by canals within two years. The convenience of water transportation and the prosperity of commerce have brought great benefits to our dynasty.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng said.
Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.
In this lifetime, he got the military involved in the project, thus increasing the speed of progress by leaps and bounds compared to the speed of completion in his previous life. Xuan Yuan Han Cheng had witnessed the impact it had on the Xuan Yuan Dynasty after the canals were connected.
“Next year I intend to have you inspect the Jiang Province area on my behalf…” the emperor said to the crown prince. “I have my heart set on you as the heir to the throne, and I also hope that you can see the mountains and rivers of my Xuan Yuan Empire before taking the throne, so that you can understand the people’s sentiments better.”
“Understood. Erchen will definitely live up to Imperial Father’s expectations.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng knelt down and promised. He has always been very grateful to his imperial father for his teachings and guidance. In this life, he would definitely take good care of the country passed down to him by his imperial father.
The emperor then brought up the topic of next year’s talent selection* with the crown prince again.
[*T/N: It’s called a “talent selection” but it is basically a concubine selection for members of the imperial family.]
“The talent selection will take place during the third month of the following year. Your mother intends to have you select a crown princess and two imperial concubines. If there are others that you like in this talent selection, you can choose a few more. You are the crown prince, and your health is now in good shape, it is time to increase the number of people in your harem. There are too few people in your harem right now. It does not look good…”
Support the translator. Read this on: vmnovels.com
Xuan Yuan Han Cheng was silent for a while, and then he looked up at his imperial father and asked, “Did Imperial Mother say whom she wants [to be in my harem]?”
“The candidate for the crown princess has not yet been decided. Your mother said that Wen Wen Qian, the daughter of the Wen family, is good. What do you think? As for the imperial concubine positions, Zhang Chun Wei, the daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites, and Yao Yu Lan, the daughter of the Governor of Bei Guang, are both good candidates.” The emperor said. Then he asked the crown prince, “Do you have a favorite candidate?”
Xuan Yuan Han Cheng thought for a while and then said, “The Assistant Minister of Rite’s di daughter is a good candidate for an imperial concubine, and Assistant Minister Zhang is very prestigious among the court officials. As for Yao Yu Lan, both her father and elder brother are already in high positions, erchen does not want to take a woman with such a maternal background as an imperial concubine. In addition, erchen does not want to marry a new crown princess right away. After all, we announced to the public that Xue-shi had just died of illness, and she was already exempted from being eligible to enter the imperial mausoleum. To take a new crown princess so soon would appear cold [to the masses]. I heard that the di daughter of the Wen family is a good person, and my brother is not young anymore, so it is time for him to marry a main wife.”
After listening to the crown prince’s words, the emperor took a long and deep look at his son. “Is it really because of this reason that you don’t want to take a crown princess?”
“Erchen does not dare to lie to Imperial Father. Among the three candidates that Imperial Mother prefers and all the girls in next year’s talent selection, erchen thinks that not one of them is qualified to be the crown princess.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng answered truthfully. In this lifetime, asides from his darling there was no one else who could walk beside him.
Translations by Vanilla Muse. Read on vmnovels [dot] com
The emperor sighed after hearing what the crown prince had to say. Obviously, the crown prince’s answer did not satisfy him. “Let’s wait until next year’s talent selection and then make a decision… In short, you must accept at least one imperial concubine into your harem during next year’s talent selection.”
“Understood. Imperial Father… Inspecting the Jiang Province next year will take a long time, so erchen wants to take Lin-cejun along.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng said to the emperor.
After thinking for a while, the emperor nodded in agreement, and said with deep meaning, “It’s not impossible for you to take your cejun along with you, but zhen must remind you, as the heir apparent to he throne, having children is the most important thing!”
“Thank you for your permission, Imperial Father. Erchen understands. Erchen will not disappoint you, Imperial Father.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng said seriously.
After Xuan Yuan Han Cheng came out of the imperial study, he did not go back to Ping Le Courtyard right away. Instead, he went directly to Yong Shou Palace and met with his imperial mother alone. Xuan Yuan Han Cheng told his imperial mother what he and his imperial father had said concerning the talent selection.
“That Zhang Chun Wei comes from a scholarly family. She has a docile temper and she is also beautiful, but her health seems somewhat lacking… bengong is worried about her producing heirs in the future. Bengong thinks that Yao Yu Lan is better. Why don’t you just take both?” The empress expressed her concerns.
Ah la la~
The worshiping of blood ~
I honestly though he would express more anger but I guess he is smarter than me uvu
Thank you for the update.