Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 387 The Emperor’s Selection (1)

Dugu Chen hung his head and looked at his wife in his arms, truly at a loss for words. In the Imperial Palace, even the least favored concubines would only be subject to mocking by guards and eunuchs at most; they would never wear someone down like this. Clearly, someone had instigated this, but unfortunately, the child had not had the chance to see the world before perishing.

July arrived belatedly amid the summoning heat of midsummer, the clear sky showcasing a merciless sun that scorched everything on the parched earth, as if a huge steamer enveloped the ground, making it hard to breathe, and even the clouds in the sky quietly hid away.

Several princes returned to their fiefs a month ago, except for Dugu Chen, who stayed because the child was too young to travel. With the emperor’s permission, he would set out for his fief after the start of autumn.

In the Prime Minister Residence, Xiao Yiran had a headache as he looked at the petitions from various Ministers, all urging the emperor to select an empress and concubines. Since his accession, the emperor had not chosen any consorts apart from several concubines, and there were no other women in the harem. For the sake of a century-old legacy and prosperous descendants, coupled with the private desires of the Ministers, they all rushed to present their petitions, but they were uncertain of the emperor’s intentions, hence they sent them to the Prime Minister Residence.

Xiao Yiran sighed, took the petitions, and traveled to the Imperial Palace in his family’s carriage.

In the Imperial Study, the emperor looked at the petitions on the dragon desk and found it quite amusing. He had indeed not held a selection for consorts, and the position of empress had been vacant for a long time. He also had no heirs, which was not very advantageous for him. Considering that these Ministers had quite a few eligible daughters at home, their intentions were clear. Their actions clearly pleased Dugu Han, who, in a great mood, curled up the corners of his mouth: "We decree it so. The Prime Minister shall have full authority over all matters."

Xiao Yiran bowed his head slightly, glanced at the emperor, and clasped his hands in obeisance: "Your servant obeys the decree," he said.

Dugu Han raised an eyebrow and said to Eunuch Shi behind him, "Bring a Taishi Chair for Our uncle."

"Your Majesty, your servant truly dares not accept such a title from Your Majesty," Xiao Yiran said with a pale face upon hearing the emperor call him uncle, hastily replying.

The emperor smiled faintly: "Why not? In court, you are a subject; out of court, you are Our uncle."

Eunuch Shi ordered someone to bring a Taishi Chair, placed it behind Prime Minister Xiao, and then retreated.

Xiao Yiran felt a chill in his heart, unable to fathom the new emperor’s thoughts, and carefully bowed: "Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor, but there must be a distinction between sovereign and minister. Your servant truly dares not overstep the bounds and begs Your Majesty’s pardon." With that, he lifted his robe and knelt on the ground with a thud.

Dugu Han’s eyes narrowed slightly, a fleeting gleam flashed in the depths of his eyes, and a hint of surprise showed on his face: "What is the meaning of this? Rise quickly. We shall speak no more of it."

Eunuch Shi, standing behind the emperor, raised an eyebrow, winked at the emperor, flicked the dust whisk in his hand, and stepped forward to help Prime Minister Xiao up from the ground: "Prime Minister, what are you doing? His Majesty’s intention is sincere," he said.

Xiao Yiran stood up, glanced at the eunuch, and bent forward with a look of shame: "Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor; your servant is unworthy."

Dugu Han shook his head and smiled, "Sit."

Xiao Yiran complied, settling his body into the chair.

"Speaking of the position of empress, Uncle, do you have someone in mind?" He put down the petition in his hand, leaned back, held the teacup, and blew gently on the steam rising from within it, sipping slowly. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Xiao Yiran slightly furrowed his brow: "Your Majesty, your servant has no one in mind."

"Jiazhen seems to be of age this year; she is graceful and elegant, smart and clever, and her appearance is also very pleasing." His lips curved up slightly as he put down the cup, looking at the Prime Minister with a smile.