Hearing Xiao Ruxun's words, Xiao Rulan first smiled, then her expression became a little strange.
"Ji Xin cares so much about the children, as an elder brother, I have nothing to worry about. The children are blessed that you can do so well."
Xiao Ruxun saw that Xiao Rulan's expression was a little off. She said it like this, so it shouldn't be about the children. Then what was it about?
"Big Brother, you seem to have something to tell me?"
Xiao Ruxun stopped in his tracks and looked at Xiao Rulan.
Xiao Rulan's expression became sluggish. She hesitated for a moment, then revealed a helpless expression.
"I can't hide anything from you. Ji Xin, Big Brother indeed has something to discuss with you."
"Big Brother, please speak. Between us brothers, there is no need to worry."
Xiao Ruxun said it very straightforwardly.
Xiao Rulan nodded, as if she had made up her mind, and said: "It's like this, our Xiao clan has a small population. Ordinary clans naturally don't matter, but as the imperial family, this is really too small. So, us brothers all want to take in a few concubines and have more children."
Xiao Ruxun thought it was something important, and smiled: "Then go do it. This isn't a big deal, why are you discussing it with me? When did I say that I won't let you brothers take in concubines? "
"That's not the problem. The key is, Ji Xin, you are the emperor, the head of our Xiao clan. Up until now, you only have one official wife and no other concubines. You are still the emperor. As princes, if the emperor doesn't choose concubines, how can we take in concubines? This is not good to hear. "
Xiao Rulan's words made Xiao Ruxun depressed.
"Big Brother, taking in wives and concubines is the most basic of family matters. Other people can manage heaven and earth, but they can't manage your family matters. If everyone is like this, then let's just have one wife and not take in concubines, right? I don't choose concubines, but it doesn't mean that you can't take in concubines. "
"But, this title is really... easy to be criticized. We are all princes now, and our identities are not ordinary. If we don't do well, won't we lose face for the imperial family?"
Xiao Rulan thought a lot.
Xiao Ruxun thought for a moment and slowly said, "Big Brother, there are many reasons why I didn't choose Xiu Na as a concubine. First, Caiyun has suffered a lot for me. She hasn't been able to live in peace all year round. She has wandered from place to place, traveling thousands of miles to the north and south. I am often out on campaigns and not at home, which makes her worry about Handkerchief. However, she has always worked hard without any complaints. She is such a good wife. I don't ask for anything else. I just want to give her everything I can and not make her unhappy.
Secondly, the Daqin had just been established, and there were too many things to do. I didn't have any energy to spend on the inner palace. If I took a concubine, wouldn't there be many examples in the imperial harem of jealousy? How would I have the extra energy to deal with it?
Thirdly, all the civil and military officials want me to choose Xiu Na as a concubine because they don't want me to put all my energy on the imperial court and make them unable to breathe. However, I want to firmly control the imperial court. I know clearly what they want to do. I can't let them succeed.
Of course, they also have some ideas. They hope that I won't follow the previous dynasty's custom of choosing the daughters of small families to enter the palace. Instead, I will choose the noble families and let them enjoy the glory, splendor, and wealth. This is too much thinking.
Big Brother, I have no opinion on you taking concubines. You can do as you please. However, there is one thing I want to remind you. Whether it is you or the children, especially the children, you must firmly remember that in the Ming Dynasty, there will be no worries of relatives. I don't need to say more. Big Brother should be clear about the worries of relatives. "
Xiao Ruxun's words were very impolite. He had already realized that some people seemed to have thoughts where they shouldn't have.
Xiao Rulan hurriedly nodded and didn't say anything else.
Since some people had thoughts that they shouldn't have, Xiao Ruxun felt that it was time to make a move.
It seemed that the Investigation Department hadn't made a move against the officials for a few months, and they were starting to get restless.
There were some taboos that couldn't be touched.
Xiao Ruxun and Xiao Rulan came to the Emperor Emeritus's side together. They saw the Emperor Emeritus show his might and stand against the opinions of the masses. He gave his youngest son a very mighty and majestic name, Zhenwu. However, seeing the strange expressions on the faces of the members of the imperial family, Xiao Ruxun couldn't say anything.
Xiao Ruxun couldn't refute his father's kind intentions. Thus, his youngest son's name was set as Xiao Zhenwu.
The Emperor Emeritus was very happy. That night, he wanted the whole family to hold a celebration banquet to congratulate the birth of his little grandson. Then, he said that he would start to prepare for Zhenwu's full moon banquet. He wanted Xiao Ruxun to invite some officials into the palace to participate in the banquet.
Xiao Ruxun agreed to them one by one. He told the imperial kitchen to start preparing and Li Sheng to start arranging this matter. Then, he sent invitations to the important officials in the court.
It wasn't appropriate to invite too many people. Basically, he only invited the important officials and the main generals. Otherwise, the officials would have to spend time preparing gifts and wouldn't have the mood to do their work.
That day, the family banquet lasted until late at night. Only then did the Emperor Emeritus return to the palace to sleep. Xiao Ruxun arranged for the imperial family to leave the palace, and then called Zhou Yao into the palace.
"May I know what orders Your Majesty has for me?"
Zhou Yao stood in front of Xiao Ruxun.
"Recently, which officials have been close to the King of Chu and the King of Zhao?"
Zhou Yao immediately replied, "There aren't many. Most of the officials have a lot of things to do. The King of Chu and the others have always lived in seclusion, or they would go hunting in the hunting grounds outside the city. They don't have any other interactions. If you really have to say, it's only Duke of Wei who has some interactions with them. They used to hunt together, and later, they occasionally visited each other."
"Duke of Wei …"
Xiao Ruxun slowly nodded his head, "Today, the King of Chu mentioned to me about the concubine selection. Xu Hongji's family seems to have a few good womenfolk, right? Although they are young, they have good looks and are very cultured, right? "
"Yes, Your Majesty. Did Duke of Wei mention these things to the King of Chu?"
Zhou Yao still didn't seem to understand what Xiao Ruxun was trying to say.
"This is something you should find out, not for us to tell you how to investigate!"
Xiao Ruxun suddenly said heavily. Zhou Yao immediately knelt down and prostrated himself, "This official is guilty! This official has been negligent! Please punish me, Your Majesty! "
"We have told you more than once that we can't be the slightest bit negligent towards the former officials of the previous Ming dynasty. We have to strictly investigate their interactions with the officials of the current dynasty. Now, Xu Hongji has reached out to my elder brother, and we didn't even know about it! How can we allow Xu Hongji and my elder brother to unite by marriage? Hmm?
On the surface, the King of Chu is saying that he wants me to take a concubine, but in reality, he is testing me to see if I will allow him to unite by marriage with the nobles of the previous dynasty! How on earth did you do your job? How can we not know about this in advance?! "
Zhou Yao knelt on the ground, his forehead full of cold sweat.
"This official … this official has been negligent. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
"Of course! You will be punished for half a year's salary. Find out the ins and outs of this matter for us! If there is a next time, don't take this position! "
Xiao Ruxun's words were very heavy. Zhou Yao's heart trembled, and he hurriedly said, "This official thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness! This official will do it immediately! "
"Immediately!"
Xiao Ruxun directly chased Zhou Yao out of the palace.
Zhou Yao quickly left the palace. As he walked back, a ferocious expression appeared on his face.
Xu Hongji, you old brat, you dare to plot against me?
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