Concubine Pang waited until the wife of Duke Ping entered the palace and specifically mentioned the matter to her.
Lady Pingguogong sighed. Although she had expected this, she still couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
It is clear what the emperor thinks.
They choose concubines for the princes, but the Crown Prince's principal wife is not chosen from among these nuns. What this means is self-evident.
Hearing the sigh of Lady Pingguo, Concubine Pang felt less disappointed and regretful. She smiled and shook her head: "In fact, I have already made preparations long ago. The Crown Prince has been appointed. Since he was appointed at that time, His Majesty's intentions have been made clear long ago."
But it is the throne after all, who wouldn't be tempted
Concubine Pang was well prepared, but she also felt it was a pity.
Lady Pingguogong's thoughts also came back to her mind. She smiled softly upon hearing this: "Yes, what the Imperial Concubine said is true. In fact, this matter has already been decided. Now it is just that His Majesty has taken a step further to let everyone understand his determination. There is really nothing to think about."
She said this, looked at Concubine Pang, and after a while she said, "Your Majesty, please relax."
"I have nothing to worry about." Concubine Pang sat on the couch, raised her chin slightly and listened to the laughter of the Eleventh Princess outside. She turned her head and looked at the wife of Duke Ping and said, "I have known for a long time that people should not be too greedy. If... if Ah Heng's life experience had not been exposed, then I would still have the desire to fight for it. But since Ah Heng was found, I have actually figured it out."
Prince Zhuang was a suspicious person with a terrible temper and was extremely mean and ungrateful to others. Concubine Pang would definitely not sit idly by and watch her son live in fear under the rule of such a person. Besides, it was also possible for Concubine Pang to fight for the power of the Duke of Ping's Mansion.
After all, King Zhuang was just a concubine's son.
But Xiao Heng is different.
Xiao Heng's parents were the late crown prince and his wife, and Emperor Yuanfeng himself restored all the titles and honorific status of the late crown prince, so Xiao Heng was the indisputable eldest grandson of the legitimate wife.
The other uncles were about the same age as himself, and there were cases in previous dynasties where the throne was passed to grandsons rather than sons.
With the example of rules in mind, Concubine Pang never does anything without certainty, and it is even more impossible for her to risk her entire fortune for a vague possibility.
She regrouped and said, "I'd like to trouble you, sister-in-law. Although the Ministry of Rites would not dare to interfere, choosing a concubine is a big deal. I hope Xiaowu can choose someone who satisfies her and that we can live a good life together in the future. So, if you hear anything, please don't hide it from me."
Seeing that she was so open-minded, Lady Pingguo felt relieved. She responded with a joking tone and said, "Your Highness is good-tempered and has a generous heart. No matter who he marries, it will be a blessing for you. You will definitely live a good life in the future."
After saying this, Lady Pingguo returned home and told her father-in-law, the old Duke Pingguo, about the matter.
The old Duke Ping sighed, stroked his beard and shook his head: "It's good that your Majesty can think positively. So be it."
His Majesty’s intention is so clear, what else can we do
It's also good to learn to accept it.
The Duke Ping's Mansion fell silent.
This news could not be kept secret. Once the beauty pageant became known to everyone, the first thing everyone asked about was the selection of the Crown Prince's Consort.
The capital city suddenly became lively.
Xiao Heng, who was far away in Yunnan, was not concerned about the hustle and bustle in the capital at this time. After conquering the Black Mountain Camp, he began to make preparations to attack Dali.
But before that, he had to integrate the hundreds of thousands of people he had, which was not an easy task.
Although the Black Mountain Camp was conquered and handed over to Tang Yuan, the local soldiers were very different from the imperial court's troops. They had their own methods of marching and fighting. Previously, Councillor Yang had kept a very strict watch on the Black Mountain Camp in order to prevent infiltration by the imperial court, and the training of the local soldiers in the Black Mountain Camp was also neglected.
Now, while strengthening the training, Tang Yuan was asked to communicate more with Su Rong and others, and to train more local soldiers together with the soldiers from the garrison left behind by Wei Desheng.
Xiao Heng was busy as hell.
As for Su Yao, since things have calmed down temporarily, she has some free time.
When she had some free time, she suddenly realized that life outside was indeed very boring.
Mrs. Yuan came over with Niuniu in her arms to chat with her that day, and couldn't help but sigh, "I really don't know what to do. I was so busy a few days ago, but these few days are so free that I feel the days are very long."
People are like this. They don't notice the time when they are busy, but once they have free time, they feel that time is long.
Niuniu and Su Yao were already very familiar with each other. When she saw Su Yao, she used her hands and feet to pull herself up to Su Yao. Su Yao reached out and held her in his arms. Niuniu smiled and started to play with Su Yao's tassels. After comforting Niuniu, Su Yao smiled and looked at Madam Yuan: "It's not that I have nothing to do. There is something I want to discuss with Madam."
Madam Yuan turned her head and asked casually, "What's the matter, Xiaoyao, just tell me."
The more they got along, the more Mrs. Yuan liked Su Yao.
This girl looks unapproachable on the surface, but once you get to know her, you will find that Su Yao is so easy to talk to. She never says one thing to your face and another behind your back. She will not and will not bother to pretend what she thinks or whether she likes you or not. Getting along with such a person, Mrs. Yuan suddenly felt that she was a few years younger.
"The military households in the Black Mountain Camp heard that the local natives always have a strange disease, that is, their feet are swollen, and they often can't even walk." Su Yao had already thought about this problem. When he heard Madam Yuan's question, he didn't hide it and said very straightforwardly: "I was thinking, can I discuss it with Madam Liao? Doctor Shen has already checked and said that there is something wrong with the water that the local natives drink. The water here has many impurities and there are many poisonous insects in it, which leads to this situation. I want to purchase some medicinal materials."
Mrs. Yuan's eyes suddenly lit up.
She understood what Su Yao meant and nodded immediately: "What is there to discuss? Yaoyao, you know me. If there is anything you need from me, just tell me directly. I will never say no. You just need to discuss it with Madam Liao."
Su Yao just smiled.
She knew that Madam Yuan was indeed like that, so she didn't bother to be polite to her anymore: "In that case, I will go and tell Madam Liao about this."
Mrs. Liao was very busy. Because of a sudden mutiny in the Black Mountain Camp, Mr. Liao accompanied Xiao Heng and others to the Black Mountain Camp. They were away for more than ten days, and the matter of inviting the local gentry was also delayed.
Now that the matter of the Black Mountain Camp has been resolved, it is natural to prepare a banquet.