“What do you mean by that, Lord Zhao?” Lü Xiao asked.

Zhao Liting smiled and said, “Lord Lü, you’ve mistaken one thing. The Charity Foundation is not unique to Noble Consort Shu.”

“If the other imperial consorts are instated as empress, the Charity Foundation can be completely transferred to them. This isn’t difficult at all.”

Lü Xiao paused, wanting to retort but unable to find the words.

Because what Zhao Liting said was entirely correct.

Indeed, he had mistaken one thing. The Charity Foundation was to be managed by the empress, who was the mother of the nation.

However, the Charity Foundation was not tied to Noble Consort Shu.

Once the empress was confirmed, the Charity Foundation could simply be transferred to her.

Being refuted point by point by Zhao Liting, Lü Xiao couldn’t help but say, “Lord Zhao, are you opposing Noble Consort Shu becoming empress?”

Hearing this, Zhao Liting wished he could strangle Lü Xiao.

This was completely making him out to be an enemy of Noble Consort Shu!

That was not what he intended.

The reasons he had painstakingly come up with were only to protect Noble Consort Shu.

In his heart, Noble Consort Shu was indeed the most suitable candidate for empress.

Facing Lü Xiao’s question, Zhao Liting said, “Lord Lü, I am merely stating a few facts.”

“As for which imperial consort will become empress…”

Zhao Liting bowed to Jiang Chen, “That will still have to be decided by His Majesty.”

Jiang Chen was very satisfied. Zhao Liting completely understood his intentions.

Before Lü Xiao could say anything more, Jiang Chen said, “What Imperial Advisor Zhao says is very reasonable.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers' thoughts instantly diverged.

Previously, everyone felt that Noble Consort Shu becoming empress was a certainty.

But now it seemed that His Majesty did not mean that?

Then who did His Majesty favor?

The ministers began to ponder in their hearts.

In fact, the ministers' proposal for Noble Consort Shu to become empress was not because they favored Noble Consort Shu, but because Jiang Chen's previous actions had indicated this intention.

Who became empress had nothing to do with them, so they didn't care at all.

What they cared about was Jiang Chen's intention.

Seeing that the ministers had quieted down, Jiang Chen said, “The empress is the mother of a nation. This matter is of great importance and must be carefully considered.”

After speaking, Jiang Chen quickly gave Feng Jin a look.

Feng Jin quickly said, “Dismiss court!”

Back in the Qinzheng Hall, Jiang Chen reached out and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

This was the first time he had broken out in a cold sweat in court.

Although there was no visible bloodshed in this matter, Jiang Chen was very clear that once he showed his intention to instate Noble Consort Shu, something was bound to happen.

Jiang Chen’s statement in court quickly reached the ears of the imperial concubines in the harem.

After hearing that Jiang Chen had praised Zhao Liting, who was unwilling to instate Noble Consort Shu as empress, in court, the hearts of the fifteen concubines were instantly stirred.

They had been quite worried, after all, Noble Consort Shu had been particularly favored by His Majesty since Consort Mei was still around.

The Charity Foundation later proved this point even more.

They had thought they had no hope, but now they realized that His Majesty seemed to have other plans.

“Someone, tell the kitchen to brew soup. I want to send it to His Majesty,” one of the concubines ordered.

So that noon, Jiang Chen drank a total of fifty thousand soups.

In the afternoon, more than a dozen concubines showed up one after another, trying to curry favor with him.

Jiang Chen understood these concubines' thoughts very well.

They just wanted to show themselves in front of him in order to increase the possibility of being instated as empress.

In order to protect Noble Consort Shu, Jiang Chen had no choice but to respond with a smile.

And Jiang Chen's attitude greatly encouraged these concubines.

This was a signal!

In the following days, these concubines continued to perform, which left Jiang Chen speechless.

In the end, Jiang Chen had no choice but to issue an order that when he was handling government affairs, no outsiders were allowed to disturb him, in order to restrict these concubines.

But even so, these concubines would appear in a timely manner whenever he finished dealing with government affairs.

This day, after the early morning court session, Jiang Chen returned to the Qinzheng Hall and saw Jing Yue waiting inside.

“What is it?”

Jiang Chen asked with a frown.

Generally speaking, Jing Yue would not take the initiative to appear.

And once Jing Yue appeared, it meant that something serious must have happened!

“Your Majesty, this subordinate has discovered that these fifteen concubines have received many gifts from various people in the past two days,” Jing Yue said in a deep voice.

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

This matter didn't sound like a big deal, but coming from Jing Yue, it meant there was definitely a problem.

“Who sent them?” Jiang Chen asked.

“Mainly ministers from various parts of Great Wei, as well as the feudal lords,” Jing Yue said.

A hint of coldness appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

These people were really good at taking advantage of opportunities.

Knowing about his words in court, they had placed their bets on these concubines.

There was no doubt that these people were not simply congratulating them, but wanted to gain benefits from it!

Otherwise, Noble Consort Shu would not have been treated coldly!

“Is there a list?” Jiang Chen asked.

Jing Yue had already prepared it, taking out a list and saying, “Please take a look, Your Majesty.”

Jiang Chen took the list, opened it, and let out a cold laugh.

This list was as thick as five memorials!

There were really a lot of people giving gifts!

Looking at the top, Jiang Chen laughed even more coldly.

Some of the ministers or feudal lords who gave gifts, in order to ensure that they would not bet on the wrong person, had actually given gifts to every concubine!

And the things on it were also varied.

Some sent expensive rouge and powder, some sent rare jewelry, some sent local specialties, and some were simple and crude, directly sending silver.

Looking at these contents, Jiang Chen kept sneering.

It was fine for the feudal lords to have money to send things, but these local officials had so much money to give gifts. Jiang Chen didn't believe that they were all bought with their salaries!

It seemed that the previous methods were not severe enough, and there were still so many corrupt officials!

However, Jiang Chen was not in a hurry to take action. These people were on the list, so he would be able to find them accurately when the time came.

He would first see how much background these people had!

Just as he was thinking about it, Feng Jin hurried in and said, “Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Hui requests an audience!”

Jiang Chen frowned, “Didn’t I say that when I am dealing with government affairs, do not disturb me?”

Feng Jin’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. Of course he knew, but he also had his own difficulties.

Feng Jin explained, “Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Hui said that she has important matters to report to Your Majesty.”

“Oh?”

Jiang Chen raised his eyes.

This Imperial Concubine Hui was as intelligent as her title suggested.

It seemed that she had found an excuse to deliberately approach him.

Jiang Chen gave Jing Yue a look, and Jing Yue slowly disappeared.

After Jiang Chen put away the list, he said, “Let Imperial Concubine Hui in.”

Feng Jin breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went out to lead Imperial Concubine Hui in.

As soon as she entered the Qinzheng Hall, Imperial Concubine Hui had a bright smile on her face and said, “Your Majesty, this concubine has an idea and would like to discuss it with Your Majesty.”