The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 941 - 935: Conditions for Selecting a Consort

The Emperor glanced at Jin Zijin and said in a low voice, "That’s true, Zijin, what do you think?"

Jin Zijin stood up and replied, "The Empress Dowager is wise, I will listen to the Empress Dowager."

This obedience struck others as odd, but the Empress Dowager didn’t think much of it and was naturally very pleased.

"Good, since that is settled... Empress, select some good candidates from among those suitable young ladies of good family in Beijing. I want to see them myself."

The usually reticent Noble Consort Sheng suddenly stood up, respectfully greeted the Empress Dowager, and said, "Mother, just last year concubines were selected for King Jin and Prince Qin. At the time, nobody knew there was another Prince who has now reached the marriageable age with good family credentials. The girls of suitable age and good family have all already been designated to King Jin and Prince Qin. Selecting for the elder Prince now, it naturally won’t be possible to find someone whose family background surpasses those of King Jin and Prince Qin’s wives."

The Emperor at her side furrowed his brows and looked at both Noble Consort Sheng and Jin Zijin with surprise. After a moment, he said, "My consort speaks the truth. Waiting another two years would indeed offer more choices. However, Zijin is already of age and cannot wait. Mother, for Zijin’s selection of a wife, let’s not focus on whether the family background is good or not. There are many women of less distinguished families who are talented and beautiful. Let us prioritize integrity and choose women of unblemished family backgrounds. What do you think?"

"That’s fine, of course that would be acceptable. Since both Noble Consort Sheng and Your Majesty have said so, this time let’s choose a woman who is both talented and beautiful... Then..." She glanced at the Empress whose expression had soured and continued, "Let Noble Consort Sheng handle this matter!"

The responsibility had been transferred from the Empress in an instant, and her expression worsened.

But the other concubines were delighted, firstly because Noble Consort Sheng was easier to talk to, and secondly, if family background wasn’t a criterion, did it mean that those from lesser families also had a chance?

Right away they decided to send word to their families to see if there were any suitable women of both talent and beauty.

A Prince had appeared out of nowhere, and who the world would belong to in the future was yet uncertain. Moreover, he had just returned and had no one of his own; this was an excellent opportunity to get close to the elder Prince.

If their daughter could gain favor with the elder Prince, perhaps they could turn their fortunes around.

The Empress watched coldly as the excited concubines buzzed with joy. Her thoughts were different from those women’s.

Focusing on talent instead of family background, wasn’t this tailored for Gu Youyou?

Her gaze fell on Noble Consort Sheng, and her eyes gradually darkened.

Was Noble Consort Sheng truly grateful to her former mistress, or was there another reason she was so eager to please Jin Zijin?

...

Gu Youyou hadn’t seen Jin Zijin for several days now, ever since he moved into the Imperial Palace.

Now she actually wanted her aunt to let her go out and visit the Imperial Palace to see for herself, but as soon as she mentioned entering the palace, Madam Lin reacted like a startled rooster, vehemently disagreeing.

Gu Youyou felt a warmth in her heart. She thought that her aunt’s firm opposition to her going to the palace was for her own good.

At least she didn’t blindly side with the Empress, and it was clear, she hadn’t betrayed Gu Youyou.

Unable to figure out a solution, Gu Youyou had no choice but to call over Searcy.

"Go out today and head to Sanqing Temple to find Yue Rujing. Tell her I need to see her."

"What do you need her for?" Searcy kept writing with the ball pen that Gu Youyou had specially made.

They had always been researching various antibiotics.

Gu Youyou replied annoyedly, "Just go, why all the questions?"