Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 388 The Emperor’s Selection (2)

Xiao Yiran became increasingly alarmed as he listened. Did His Majesty intend to have Jiazhen enter the Imperial Palace?

Seeing that the Prime Minister seemed hesitant, the Emperor, supporting his head with one hand, added, "My cousin Fo Conghui is lively and charming, straightforward in nature, and the two of them get along so well. One honored as the Empress, and the other as the Imperial Noble Consort. With both of them in my harem, I would be spared many troubles. Don’t you think so, Prime Minister?"

"Your Majesty, Jiazhen has been spoiled by my wife and me since childhood. I’m afraid that entering the palace might be..." Xiao Yiran chose his words carefully with each sentence, truly not wanting his precious child to enter the devouring Imperial Palace.

"My cousin and I grew up together like siblings. I am well aware of her temperament. There’s no need for modesty, Prime Minister," Dugu Han sneered inwardly, thinking to himself, ’Sly fox, today I will force you to make this decision. Let’s see where your heart truly lies among us brothers.’

As a veteran official who had served under two dynasties, Xiao Yiran was well aware of the intricacies involved. Since the Emperor had spoken to such an extent, it appeared that he had made up his mind long ago. After blinking his somewhat slack eyelids, he took a deep breath, "If Your Majesty holds my daughter in such high regard, it is her fate and her good fortune. As her father, I thank Your Grace for your magnanimity." Rising, he knelt to the ground.

Dugu Han stood up, personally helped the Prime Minister to his feet, and with a faint smile parting his thin red lips said, "Prime Minister, we shall be one family from now on."

"Your Majesty, your servant..."

"Enough, I know what you want to say." He interrupted him and took his seat back on the Dragon Throne.

"Carry out the selection meticulously, adhering to the usual protocols," instructed the Emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You may go if there’s nothing else."

"This old servant takes his leave."

Returning to the Xiao Residence, Xiao Yiran locked himself in his study, sighing deeply for a long time until dinner had to be heated up thrice before he emerged from the study.

Jiazhen, seeing her father’s troubled face, felt puzzled. She had intended to hold back her questions but couldn’t repress them. In the end, she asked, "Father, what’s the matter with you?"

Looking up at his daughter, Xiao Yiran gently stroked her hair with a contented sigh, "You have always been more obedient and comforting than your brother since you were a child. Your father is happy."

"If Father is happy, then why the frown?" Jiazhen didn’t seem to believe her father’s words, sensing that something was amiss.

"It’s about your elder brother," he sighed, putting his bowl and chopsticks down, and returned to his study.

Once the decree for the selection of consorts was issued in the palace, it didn’t take many days for the entire Xueyan Country to know about it. All daughters of officials above the seventh rank, aged fourteen to twenty, were eligible to participate.

Just by walking on the street, one could see maidens, their faces veiled, stepping out to choose various new clothes and fabrics. From head to toe, they lacked nothing, especially the fragrances from Zuixiang Restaurant, the favorite destination for all the ladies of the Capital City. Its perfumes and rouge were unparalleled, a unique treasure within the whole Xueyan Country.

"Princess, Zuixiang Restaurant’s profits this month are sure to exceed the total profits of the past few months," Baihe said as she followed behind Feng Xuxu, inspecting the shops and noting how busy Zuixiang Restaurant was, with people constantly entering and leaving, each buying something to take home.

Feng Xuxu was also very pleased, wishing the Emperor would hold selections more often each year, so that her store could earn even more.

After hearing about the selection, Jiazhen felt uneasy. One afternoon, while she was resting, she received a letter from her cousin Fo Conghui. As she read it, her face grew even paler. She got up, burned the letter, and began to pace back and forth in her room. Finally, she made up her mind; she would run away with her cousin to escape this marriage. As for who would become the Empress, she didn’t care one bit.