The Emperor wanted to abandon the Imperial Harem and leave only the Empress. Naturally, the courtiers would not allow it. Even the newly appointed Duke Chu and General Chu were shocked. They were not overjoyed, but worried.
None of the past Emperors only favored one woman. Now Xiao Yuanzhao only loved Chu Xiang and was willing to do such an outrageous thing for her. Naturally, they believed that this was true. But what about one year later, five years later, ten years later?
Beauty would age easily. It was easy to wear out all the passion for one person for a long time. At that time, Xiao Yuanzhao would regret it. He only needed to restart the Consort Selection to restore the Imperial Harem. But what would Chu Xiang do then? She would become the joke of the whole world, the most famous jealous Empress, the most hated existence of the Emperor, and the target of the next favorite concubine.
Only by bullying her again and again could the next favorite concubine prove that she was really favored, better than the Empress who used to only favor the Imperial Harem.
Duke Chu was worried. When he returned home, he asked Madame Chu to go to the Imperial Harem to talk about the interests of Chu Xiang. It was not easy to be favored alone. Duke Chu was a man himself. How could he not understand the mentality of men? He asked Madame Chu to make it clear to Chu Xiang that it was impossible to expect a man to be infatuated with a woman for a lifetime.
Madame Chu asked Chu Xiang to dismiss the servants and tried her best to persuade her. She hoped that she would give up the idea of monopolizing the Emperor. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble. She also took out several well-known favorite concubines in history as examples, worrying that Chu Xiang would follow in their footsteps. There was once an Empress and the Emperor who were childhood sweethearts. But later, she only got the Emperor's respect out of nostalgia. His favor had long been gone.
Chu Xiang listened patiently. She knew that they were all concerned about her, so she was not displeased. It was just that these worldly concerns were the least important to a powerful person. Because there was a solution to all of his worries. It was impossible for two people to maintain their passion for love for decades, but if they didn't want it to change, it was very simple. They just had to find something interesting to do every few years to maintain the freshness of their relationship.
As for whether or not Xiao Yuanzhao, an emperor, would treat her well for the rest of his life, of course he would. It was not about something as intangible as love. Her value alone was something that countless concubines, princes, and courtiers could not compare to. If the Emperor saw her value, how could he abandon her for those things? Although this way of thinking was utilitarian, it was very realistic and indestructible. Moreover, Xiao Yuanzhao was indeed sincere to her. With all these, he would not have a change of heart.
She did not like to test people's nature and whether or not a man's feelings would change. Therefore, after confirming that Xiao Yuanzhao was sincere, she had already eliminated all the factors that might affect their relationship in the future. As the saying goes, counter soldiers with arms, water with an earth weir. Not a single one of those things would happen.
Of course, she could not tell Mrs. Chu about this, so she only acted like she trusted Xiao Yuanzhao very much, comforting her mother happily, and then denied her mother's advice.
The members of the Chu Family were helpless. After thinking about it, they could only work for Xiao Yuanzhao diligently, and try their best to develop their power without provoking Xiao Yuanzhao. This way, even if Chu Xiang fell out of favor in the future, she still had her family to rely on. Xiao Yuanzhao and the other concubines would not be too harsh on Chu Xiang because of the power of the Chu Family.
The Chu Family worried a lot about Chu Xiang. Chu Xiang accepted this kindness and sent large amounts of rewards to the Chu Family, causing others to be envious. Especially the families of the three concubines. They all secretly hated that the favored one was not their own daughter.
But no matter what the courtiers thought, they could not stop Xiao Yuanzhao's decision. The imperial edict was quickly announced. All the people knew that the dynasty had canceled the draft. Some muttered that the Empress was a jealous woman, and some envied the love between the Emperor and Empress. In any case, Xiao Yuanzhao was strong. No one could do anything. This matter passed like this.
The three concubines were sent home. Chu Xiang gave them rich rewards, and allowed them to decide on their own marriage. If they were not willing, no one could force them to marry. This guaranteed their future lives to the greatest extent. It was also compensation to them.
Chu Xiang no longer lived in Taihe Palace, and moved directly into Xiao Yuanzhao's bedroom. In the morning, Xiao Yuanzhao went to attend court. Chu Xiang went to the specially opened farm to tend the crops. In the afternoon, Xiao Yuanzhao reviewed memorials. Chu Xiang sometimes read and accompanied him in the imperial study. Sometimes, she called for opera, books, and dancing to relieve her boredom.
When Xiao Yuanzhao was free, the two would admire the flowers and the moon, play zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, go incognito, and find all kinds of fun things to do. Their daily lives were interesting.
Of course, the courtiers did not give up on persuading her to start the draft. However, they were smart enough to not be direct. Instead, they used all kinds of things to test her again and again. The result of each test was disappointment. Of course, they were not convinced. After all, they did not know what Chu Xiang had done. On the surface, she was just a beautiful woman who had gained the Emperor's favor. There was nothing special about her. They could not understand why the entire harem would be abandoned like this.
Spring passed and autumn came. Chu Xiang's crops had a great harvest. She held Xiao Yuanzhao's hand and led him to stand on the high platform. Looking out, the crops were heavy with grain. The plants were bent from the weight. It was a patch of golden yellow. It was very dazzling!
She waved her hand and ordered Zi Yue to report the data. The production of crops in this dynasty was average. If Chu Xiang's plot of land was converted to the same area of land in the imperial farm, the production had increased by ten times!
Xiao Yuanzhao's expression that was originally playing with Chu Xiang turned to shock. He looked at Chu Xiang in disbelief, and then looked at the paddy field. "Ten times? Is this true? "
Chu Xiang said with a smile: "Of course it's true. Seeing is believing. I'm going to give you a big surprise. Is this surprise big?"
Chu Xiang thought that with the experience this time, the production could be even more next time. Not just paddy, there could be more of other crops and fruits.
Xiao Yuanzhao heard her thoughts and was pleasantly surprised as if he had seen fireworks. Chu Xiang had wanted to give him a gift at the wedding. Now, he felt that this was the best gift. With ten times the production, his people would have enough food and clothing. They would not starve to death so easily.
He did not care about the palace people around and hugged Chu Xiang tightly. His voice was filled with excitement, "Xiang 'er, you really are an inexhaustible treasure! How did you do it? This surprise is really too big. I like it very much and am very grateful. The subjects will all thank you! "
Chu Xiang looked up at him from his embrace, "I just happened to be enlightened in this area and discovered more than others. This way, no one will object to me dominating the Emperor, right? "
Xiao Yuanzhao laughed loudly, "You're so sincere. You didn't reveal anything and didn't let me announce your contribution. So this is what you were waiting for? With this great contribution, how many people will be slapped in the face? Alright, what do you want to do? "
"Of course it's to summon them into the palace to see with their own eyes so that they won't be so narrow-minded in the future. If they have the time, they should work hard for the country. Where would they find the energy to manage the Emperor's harem? You're such a smart Emperor. Would you favor a beautiful woman for no reason? They suspect that you've been charmed by beauty. I think they're the ones who are stupid. "
"Alright, we'll do as you say."
Xiao Yuanzhao summoned all the civil and military officials into the palace and ordered the officials in charge of farming to explain to everyone how amazing the results of this farm were. When the courtiers heard that this was planted by Chu Xiang, their gazes towards her were filled with shock.
Some people suspected that the Emperor was purposely creating momentum for Chu Xiang. But immediately after, Chu Xiang personally walked into the farm and spoke loudly about the things to pay attention to for each improvement and farming. Their thoughts were dispelled.
This wasn't creating momentum. This was really a great blessing that Chu Xiang had brought to the people!
Someone secretly asked Chu Ze, "The Empress knows how to farm? How did a family like yours allow the Empress to come into contact with farming? "
Chu Ze was still looking at the rice paddies in shock. He reflexively said, "She didn't like to go out in the past. She liked to take care of the flowers and plants in her yard. But, but I thought that she only liked flowers and plants. I didn't think that she also grew crops."
At this point, Chu Ze started to feel guilty, "I'm too bad as an older brother. In the past, I neglected the Empress and didn't even pay attention to her likes and dislikes. It was the Emperor's kindness that opened up this farm for the Empress and allowed the Empress to use her strengths. "
The courtiers nodded in understanding. They thought that when they went back, they had to ask the Furen what the girls in the family liked. They shouldn't restrict them and let them think about it more. Maybe they would be able to figure out something extraordinary.
When the courtiers confirmed that this high-yield crop could be spread to various areas, they excitedly knelt on the ground and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! "
The famine disaster was solved in their dynasty. These people also had more opportunities to be immortalized. In the future, when the future generations mentioned this dynasty, they would definitely praise this prosperous era. As officials of this dynasty, they felt honored and accepted the Empress of the Curtain Dynasty from the bottom of their hearts!
Chen Wanqing was under house arrest in a corner of the palace. She couldn't go out, but she could get news of the outside world. When she heard that Chu Xiang increased the grain production by ten times, she was completely stunned. She wasn't sure if Chu Xiang was a transmigrator because there were many capable people in the ancient times. It wasn't impossible for them to do this.
But if Chu Xiang was really a transmigrator, then her scope was much bigger than hers. The mirrors, skincare products, and jewelry that she took out were all for the sake of earning money from the other woman. They even carried some of the superior fortune of a transmigrated woman. However, Chu Xiang's actions were for the sake of benefiting others. Just this point alone, she understood why Xiao Yuanzhao did not care about her.
She was very beautiful and had many tricks, but Xiao Yuan Zhao already had someone better than her in his heart, so he naturally didn't care about her.
Her system needed her to do missions to buy things. She was trapped here and couldn't do missions. In order to escape, she had already spent all her points to buy the dagger, medicine powder, and space. Now that she couldn't get the system's help, she could only desperately think of everything in the modern era to prove that she was still valuable.
Her heart was filled with panic. She suddenly understood why Xiao Yuan Zhao never came to see her. It was because Chu Xiang's value was much higher than hers. Although the knowledge she took out was novel, it wasn't enough for the emperor of a country to pay attention to.
She had been urged by the system countless times to think of a way, but after knowing that Chu Xiang was so outstanding, she was disheartened. She didn't know how long she could live in this world. Maybe the final result would be her and the system dying together.
She regretted it. If she knew this would happen, she would have kept a low profile and wouldn't be arrogant just because she transmigrated and the system. But it was useless to regret. She could only continue to be trapped. She thought that at least her food and clothes were good. Other than the lack of fun, she wouldn't be tortured to extort a confession.
She was right. No matter how curious Xiao Yuan Zhao was about the modern era, he wouldn't pay much attention to her. She was just a normal person in the modern era. The things she described in the modern era couldn't be realized. To Xiao Yuan Zhao, it was like a castle in the air made up by a dreamer. It didn't have much value.
However, Xiao Yuanzhao did not do anything to her. Seeing that she had told him everything she knew, he gave her countless books and toys to help her pass the time.
She didn't suffer much in the palace. After she slowly stopped being afraid, she relaxed and accepted her fate. She lived until she was over eighty years old and died of old age.
Xiao Yuanzhao had created the strongest prosperous era in the past few hundred years. With Chu Xiang's help, the agriculture industry was extremely developed, and it also promoted the development of many other industries. The country was truly peaceful, and the people were well-fed.
He even reduced taxes for three years in a row, becoming the Emperor who paid the least taxes during his reign. Chu Xiang opened a girls' school and allowed girls to study. She also gathered merchants to promote charitable donations and opened schools in various poor areas. Not only did she teach the Four Books and Five Classics, she also taught craftsmen. She cultivated countless talents and raised the status of merchants.
The Emperor and Empress' contributions made the people submit. All the people were grateful when they mentioned them. The only regret was that they didn't have any children. There was once a court official who used this as a reason to ask Xiao Yuan Zhao to take in a concubine. Xiao Yuan Zhao rejected it on the spot.
Many people praised him for his infatuation with the Empress and regretted that he didn't have an heir. They had some complaints about Chu Xiang. No matter where Xiao Yuan Zhao was, he would punish the person who said this and protect Chu Xiang to the end.
This matter was like drinking water. Only the person who drank it would know whether it was hot or cold. Even though every Emperor hoped to pass the throne to his son, in reality, which Emperor and his son had a warm and pure relationship? There were countless cases of a father killing his son and a son killing his father. The so-called inheritance was just for the bloodline. In reality, when one reached his height, he really didn't care about the bloodline.
He knew from Chen Wanqing that no dynasty could last forever. After reaching the pinnacle of prosperity, there was bound to be a decline. He had already created an unprecedented golden age and was worthy of his ancestors and the people. He could not care less about the change of dynasties in the future, and he did not care if the future emperor had his blood flowing in his body.
Just like the "modern era" that Chen Wanqing mentioned, every modern "Emperor" didn't pass down their bloodline but relied on their abilities. Only then could they ensure the safety of the country.
He picked the smartest child from his brother's grandchildren and taught him for many years. He was then conferred the title of Imperial Grandson. Because the Imperial Grandson wasn't directly related to him, he didn't have the sense of superiority that he was born with. He was cautious in his words and actions and was very filial to him and Chu Xiang. He studied every knowledge that they taught him seriously. When he grew up, he was unexpectedly outstanding and had the style that he had in the past. He was extremely satisfied.
The courtiers never bothered him because of the issue of heirs. His feelings for Chu Xiang had never changed. First, it was because he loved Chu Xiang. Second, it was because what Chu Xiang had brought to him and his subordinates was something that no number of heirs could compare to. He had Chu Xiang as his companion and devoted his life to promoting the prosperous era, benefiting the people and conquering the border territories. When he was old, he still felt that he didn't have enough time and wanted to live for another five hundred years.
He had never wasted his time. The things that he obtained were things that no one could envy. He had no regrets at all. On the contrary, he was somewhat glad that he met a person like Chen Wanqing, who made him feel relieved about the future. He only needed to take care of the country in front of him and make it beautiful.
When he was about to die, he sent away the Imperial Grandson and everyone around him, leaving only Chu Xiang by his side. He held Chu Xiang's hand and said weakly, "Xiang 'er, I'm satisfied to be able to hold your hand in this life. It's a pity that I don't know if I'll be able to see you again in the next life. "
Chu Xiang sat by the bed and gently tidied up the hair on his temples. She said softly, "I've never regretted staying in the palace for you in this life."
Xiao Yuanzhao smiled weakly and slowly closed his eyes.
Just as he was about to die, he suddenly heard a strange voice.
[Xiao Yuanzhao, are you willing to bind the System? After binding, the System can take you through the space-time barrier to live in other worlds.]
Xiao Yuanzhao immediately thought of Chen Wanqing. [You're Chen Wanqing's System?]
[Chen Wanqing is already dead and is an unqualified host. The System has already removed the binding. You have strong willpower and meticulous thinking, so you're the most suitable host. Are you willing to accept the binding?]
Xiao Yuanzhao did not answer directly, but asked another question. [Why don't you bind Xiang 'er?]
[… She can't be bound, and I can't find out anything about her. Maybe she's a special transmigrator.]
Xiao Yuanzhao was not surprised. They had lived together for a lifetime, so he could more or less sense Chu Xiang's uniqueness. He knew that the System had never hurt Chen Wanqing, so he agreed after thinking for a while. After that, he felt the heaviness and discomfort of dying disappear. The moment he left his body, he saw Chu Xiang put their concentric knot in his hand.
He took one last look at Chu Xiang before the System took him to another world. Since Chu Xiang could be a special transmigrator, they might have a chance to meet again in the future.
Chu Xiang looked around in confusion. [Jing 'er, was there an energy fluctuation just now?]
[Yes, it disappeared in less than a second.]
Chu Xiang felt that it might be Xiao Yuanzhao's soul after he died. The soul had to be reincarnated, so it naturally could not stay. No matter what, Xiao Yuanzhao was no longer around, so she had to leave this world too.
The Heaven and Earth Mirror suggested. [Master, do you want to transmigrate into a special existence in your next life?]
[What special existence?]
[System. Master can choose one person to act as her System and help her reverse her life. It might be a novel experience.]
[Hmm? System?] Chu Xiang laughed. [Sounds interesting. I've seen the mind-reading ability in this life, so I'll be someone's cheat in the next life. There are so many good things in the Space, so I'm not afraid that there won't be anything for people to exchange. When the time comes, we'll give her a mission, and when she completes it, we'll give her points and let her exchange them to help her fulfill her wish.]
Chu Xianglai was interested, and immediately let the Heaven and Earth Mirror take her to an unknown new world. She already had the same lifespan, so she still had a long future ahead of her. She had to find something new and interesting to do, and pretending to be a System was a very interesting thing.
In the future, they would find more interesting things to try one by one, and experience endless fun. The world was so big, so there would be things that she had not seen before, waiting for her to encounter.
She was looking forward to the unknown and new journey.
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