The Yongxing Emperor's grand display this time was not solely for his concubine selection.
It was also because his two princes had both come of age.
Previously, due to special circumstances, neither had married a principal wife.
Prince Zhou was in a better position; while he had no principal wife, his manor was filled with ladies and concubines, and it was rumored that a concubine was already pregnant.
Prince Chen, however, was more troublesome.
Not only did he lack concubines or maids, but even those who served him were eunuchs and young attendants.
This led to many rumors circulating outside.
Some said Prince Chen had issues with his sexual orientation.
That he didn't like women, but preferred men.
Initially, this was just casual speculation.
But with the involvement of conspiracy theories, the rumor spread further and wider, almost becoming an open secret within and outside the palace.
The faction close to Prince Chen was becoming increasingly anxious.
If such rumors continued to spread and reached the Yongxing Emperor's ears, it would be no good.
At best, it would affect the Emperor and the civil and military officials' perception of him.
At worst, he could lose his position as crown prince.
After ascending the throne, the Yongxing Emperor had not directly appointed a crown prince as previous emperors had.
This indicated his hesitation, or perhaps his belief that all his sons still needed to prove themselves.
He wanted to choose the best and most suitable successor.
Therefore, he was not in a hurry.
The Yongxing Emperor's intentions were good.
But he had underestimated human nature.
His idea was to select the superior candidate between the two.
However, neither faction thought that way.
Especially Prince Zhou's faction, who were extremely anxious.
They constantly schemed and planned to bring down Prince Chen, preferably in a way that he could never recover.
Therefore, the current rumors were like a pillow arriving just when they were feeling sleepy.
Thus, they instigated people to fan the flames of the rumors.
Now, from the elderly to young children, everyone knew about Prince Chen's situation.
How could the Yongxing Emperor, who held the power of the Imperial Guards, not be aware?
He simply didn't believe it!
However, after all, they were his own sons, and they didn't have a mother.
As their father, he had to worry about them and make arrangements.
So, when Shen Yun mentioned selecting concubines to enrich the harem, his first thought was to find a noble family's legitimate daughter with a pure background and noble bloodline for Liang Jingchen as his principal wife.
When Su Xiaoqi heard that the Yongxing Emperor was finally concerning himself with Liang Jingchen's marriage, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She had indeed heard the rumors about Liang Jingchen preferring men over women.
Initially, Su Xiaoqi hadn't taken it to heart, because based on her previous understanding of Liang Jingchen,
He shouldn't be someone who liked men and disliked women.
But after hearing it so often, especially now from Shen Yun, Su Xiaoqi had to re-evaluate the matter.
"My wife, do not worry. Your husband will handle this," Shen Yun said, looking at Su Xiaoqi with a hint of jealousy.
He did not wish for her to be too close to Liang Jingchen.
Su Xiaoqi outwardly agreed.
However, the next day, after Shen Yun went out on official business, she specifically sent a message to Liang Jingchen.
Half an hour after receiving the message, Liang Jingchen personally came to visit.
Although he was familiar with both Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi,
This was his first time visiting the Grand Scholar's Residence.
He stood outside, looking at the shining three large characters, and shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
What a Grand Scholar's Residence.
Someone like him, even if he studied for another twenty years, would surely have no connection to being a grand scholar.
Su Xiaoqi waited for him in the front courtyard reception hall.
Knowing Liang Jingchen's preference for roasted buckwheat tea, she specially took some from her spatial dimension to entertain him.
Liang Jingchen was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon, and a fine imperial green jade pendant hung from his waist.
His hair was tied with a jade crown, and although his skin was still slightly tanned, he carried himself with a majestic bearing, walking with powerful strides.
Su Xiaoqi felt, for the first time, that the young man who once stood in the fields had grown up.
"Xiao Qi..." Liang Jingchen saw Su Xiaoqi and quickly walked towards her, greeting her.
"Your Highness!" Su Xiaoqi curtsied.
However, she could not complete the curtsy.
Because Liang Jingchen, through his sleeve, held her wrist.
He said, with a hint of hurt, "Xiao Qi, you are being distant."
Su Xiaoqi smiled indifferently, "You are now royalty, and I am a subject's family. It is only natural to curtsy."
Since she had decided to fully integrate into this era without compromising her own principles,
There was no need to dwell on minor matters like curtsying and kowtowing.
She would curtsy when it was appropriate.
To avoid gossip.
Liang Jingchen understood her unspoken meaning and said softly, "Since Xiao Qi knows I am a prince, she should also know that I do not lack a curtsy from you.
You are still the most important person to me!"
By the end, Liang Jingchen's voice was very low, with the hoarseness characteristic of someone who had rushed and not drunk water for a while.
If one listened carefully, there was even a hint of sexiness.
Su Xiaoqi did not insist on the full curtsy. She wasn't particularly inclined to do so anyway, and was happy to avoid the cumbersome process.
After clarifying the matter of the curtsy, they both sat down.
Upon taking the first sip of tea, Liang Jingchen showed a moment of surprise: "Hmm, is this the roasted buckwheat from Yuanbao Mountain in Mianzhou City."
Su Xiaoqi smiled, "As expected of a prince, you are very knowledgeable."
Liang Jingchen's remark was not meant as flattery, but purely teasing.
He was somewhat pleased.
He did not like Su Xiaoqi to bow down to him like others.
In his memory, Su Xiaoqi was never that kind of person.
She would not do such a thing. He liked her, and should respect her and protect her preferences,
Not selfishly force her to do as he wished with his power.
"On this day two years ago, I couldn't even afford Yuanbao Mountain's roasted buckwheat tea.
Ever since I tasted this tea at your place, I have never forgotten it.
At that time, I thought to myself that I would remember the taste of this tea for a lifetime.
After arriving in the capital, I've had Junshan, Yunnan Pu'er, Fujian Tieguanyin, and Jiangzhou Biluochun.
Indeed, I have drunk many fine teas.
But the one I miss the most is this cup.
It's just that the most expensive roasted buckwheat tea sold in the capital is not from Yuanbao Mountain.
I thought that tea would not be transported to the capital."
Liang Jingchen spoke with a touch of melancholy, and Su Xiaoqi was unconsciously drawn into his emotions.
She took out ten jin of roasted buckwheat tea and said, "Here, these are all from Yuanbao Mountain.
Actually, it's very easy for you to get the tea from Yuanbao Mountain.
You can send someone to Xiao Zhu, oh, perhaps that's not possible now. You can write a letter to my sixth uncle, and the tea will be delivered to you."
Liang Jingchen heard her words but remained silent. He looked at the tea leaves Su Xiaoqi had placed on the high table and reached out to take them carefully.
He said with a smile, "Good." It was unclear whether he was referring to the tea being good, or Su Xiaoqi's suggestion being good.
Su Xiaoqi did not have the mood to closely investigate the true answer.
She was, after all, here for another important matter.
To determine their respective positions with Shen Yun.
Su Xiaoqi was trying to figure out how to ask, while Liang Jingchen simply looked at her.
His hand, seemingly intentionally, caressed the tea package.
He wondered if it was his imagination, but he seemed to smell Su Xiaoqi's unique fragrance within the faint aroma of roasted buckwheat.
Threads of delicate orchid fragrance, entwining around his nose, blooming little by little, and then dissipating into his breath.
This fragrance carried a calming and soothing aura.
Liang Jingchen breathed in with a hint of intoxication, as if all his worries had vanished.
The difficult problems all seemed to open up here.
He felt refreshed, as if he were in a mountain stream on a cool morning in the midst of a scorching summer.
Morning dew dripped into his palm, cool and clear.
"Achen..." Su Xiaoqi's clear and pleasant voice rang out.
Liang Jingchen quickly came back to his senses, savoring the two words "Achen" with which Su Xiaoqi had addressed him. He felt that everything was now complete.
He responded crisply, "Yes, Xiao Qi, please tell me."
Anything you say now, I will agree to.
Su Xiaoqi called Zhang Yu over, asking her to guard the perimeter and ensure their conversation would not be leaked.
After a moment's thought, she decided to get straight to the point: "Currently, there are only you and Prince Zhou. What are your thoughts?"
Liang Jingchen was momentarily stunned: Uh, this direct?
Seeing Liang Jingchen taken aback, Su Xiaoqi explained, "Given how familiar we are, I don't think I need to beat around the bush, do I?"
Some things needed to be said directly. If you spoke in circles, the meaning of the words would change.
After all, Chinese characters were profound and rich in meaning, and could not withstand too much scrutiny.
Liang Jingchen also wanted to say something, thinking that Su Xiaoqi's willingness to speak to him like this, as she said, showed her trust in him.
He nodded, signaling Su Xiaoqi to continue.
"Although the Emperor is currently preparing for the selection of concubines to fill the harem,
It will take ten to twenty years for an adult prince to be ready.
So what are your thoughts?"
If the Yongxing Emperor were to start making babies right now, it would still take eighteen years for them to grow up.
Facing elder brothers who were ten to twenty years older, they would definitely not be competitive.
After all, abandoning adult princes to choose a young ruler was not an easy decision.
Liang Jingchen listened to Su Xiaoqi speaking, and had almost adapted to her rhythm and depth.
He also began to think seriously.