Chapter 362: Sweet Person

Ji Zhao agreed with Zhao Lanhua’s suggestion.

In the early years, they left Shanghe Village and settled down in Dingyuan County. Later, they bought a peach blossom cottage in Yunchuan Prefecture, then lived in the capital for three years.

Three years was neither long nor short.

“A few days ago, the village sent a letter saying that the village chief’s health isn’t too good either. Your father is still worried about him.” Seeing Ji Zhao nod, Zhao Lanhua couldn’t help but sigh. “No matter how prosperous the capital is, it’s not our hometown… Now that the three brothers have gradually established themselves in the capital, your father and I discussed returning this time and staying in the village.”

“Mother.” Ji Zhao smiled and said obediently, “After the new year, we’ll accompany you back to Shanghe Village.”

“Okay.”

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve again. Emperor Jingchen held a banquet in the palace to entertain all the officials.

Among them, Shen Yao’s family was seated to the left of Emperor Jingchen.

The sound of silk and bamboo was incessant.

At the banquet, the officials toasted each other and were extremely happy.

After the banquet ended, Emperor Jingchen asked Shen Yao to stay.

Qianqing Hall.

Shen Yao took out two hangover pills and handed one to Emperor Jingchen.

“Thank you.” Emperor Jingchen smiled gratefully. “Runzhi, fortunately, I still have you by my side!”

“Your Majesty, I still have to return to the residence later. My wife and son are waiting for me at home,” Shen Yao said with a faint smile. “Speaking of which, Your Majesty’s harem is really too cold. It’s time for Your Majesty to find a caring person.”

“A caring person?” Emperor Jingchen shook his head. “If I hadn’t ascended the throne, I might have been able to find a caring person. But now…”

Emperor Jingchen smiled without saying anything.

Ever since he ascended the throne, most of the officials in the imperial court had tried their best to add to his harem.

On the surface, it was said to be for the sake of the royal family, but in reality, everyone knew what they were thinking.

“But Your Majesty’s harem can’t be empty forever,” Shen Yao advised gently. “But I believe that there must be someone in this world who will be Your Majesty’s soul mate.”

Emperor Jingchen’s heart was touched when he heard this.

In the end, Emperor Jingchen relented and put the royal selection on the agenda.

It was another March day. In the backyard of the Shen residence, the peach blossoms were dazzling.

Eldest Sister-in-law Shen looked at Feng Chunyan, who was standing below her, in horror. She was almost angered to death.

“Are you crazy? How dare you secretly register for the royal selection!”

Feng Chunyan lowered her head guiltily and pursed her lips without saying a word.

“Sister, I know I shouldn’t have not told you, but if I had, you definitely wouldn’t have agreed…” Feng Chunyan said pitifully.

“You! You’re crazy!”

Eldest Sister-in-law Shen really did not expect her sister to have such deep thoughts. The person she admired was actually Emperor Jingchen!

“Sister, don’t be angry. I really admire His Majesty,” Feng Chunyan advised in a low voice. “In my heart, the men I admire the most are His Majesty and Third Brother Shen. I also… know that my looks are average, but it’s rare for me to have the chance to participate in a royal selection! Sister, don’t be angry, okay?”

“Chunyan, you’re going to be sixteen this year, but His Majesty… he’s already past the age of thirty!” Eldest Sister Shen held her forehead helplessly, her eyes filled with tears. “During this period of time, without my permission, you’re not allowed to step out of the room!”

At that time, Ji Zhao was packing her luggage. After discussing with Shen Yao, they decided to leave on the 15th of March to accompany the old couple of the Shen family back to Shanghe Village.

When she heard that Eldest Sister-in-law Shen had walked into Peach Courtyard with tears all over her face, she could not help but feel a little worried.

“What’s wrong, Eldest Sister-in-law?” Ji Zhao looked at Eldest Sister-in-law Shen, who was crying so hard that her eyes were like walnuts, and asked with concern.

“Ah Tao…” The more Eldest Sister Shen thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. In the end, she actually knelt in front of Ji Zhao with a plop.

An hour later.

After finally understanding the ins and outs of the matter, Ji Zhao was very surprised.

“Chunyan secretly participated in the preliminary royal selection? And she has already passed the preliminary selection?”

“Yes.” Sister-in-law Shen, who had calmed down, said with a bitter smile, “This girl has been bold since she was young. Even ten cows can’t pull her back from her decision. I didn’t expect her to pass the preliminary test of the royal selection.”

In the first month, when Emperor Jingchen agreed to the royal selection, the courtiers’ joy was obvious.

Before they could celebrate for a while, Emperor Jingchen actually issued an imperial decree. The preliminary selection of the royal selection would begin with the common people.

Among the commoners, as long as they could pay the fee of ten taels of silver, they could participate in the royal selection. As for the women who came from official families, according to their father’s rank, the fees they had to pay were different.

At that time, Shen Yao had even joked with Ji Zhao that Emperor Jingchen had even thought of such a trick to fill the national treasury.

Emperor Jingchen wholeheartedly wanted to govern the Great Jing Dynasty. He had no intention of lust.

Now, he had used this opportunity to fill up the national treasury.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious.” Ji Zhao thought for a moment and advised gently, “I’ll go see Chunyan later.”

“Ah Tao, you have to help persuade her. She listens to you the most now!” Sister-in-law Shen grabbed her sleeve and said anxiously.

“Sister-in-law, Chunyan is already sixteen years old. She’s already a big girl.” Ji Zhao smiled and comforted her. “If Chunyan really has feelings for His Majesty, perhaps she can get what she wants in the future?”

“But don’t the books say that the palace is a place that eats people up without spitting out their bones?” Eldest Sister-in-law Shen quickly shook her head.

Ji Zhao was caught between laughter and tears. “Eldest Sister-in-law, have you forgotten that His Majesty is a good son who keeps himself clean? There’s no one in the harem until now…”

“Besides, Eldest sister-in-law, you can’t keep Chunyan by your side for the rest of your life, right? Everyone has to marry once they’re grown up.”

“With Chunyan’s current appearance, temperament, and background, it’s not difficult for her to find a good marriage. However, Eldest Sister-in-law, feelings cannot be decided. No matter how good the marriage you arranged for Chunyan is, what if she doesn’t like it?”

Eldest Sister-in-law Shen fell silent. She had indeed not thought of this.

After listening to Ji Zhao’s words, Eldest Sister-in-law Shen began to reconsider her plans for Feng Chunyan’s future.

Feng Chunyan laid on the table in her room unhappily. When she heard the footsteps behind her, she said aggrievcdly, “Sister, are you planning to lock me up for the rest of my life? I really like His Majesty. Why don’t you believe me?”

“It’s me.” Ji Zhao smiled helplessly. “I went to the kitchen to make some egg rolls. Chunyan, do you want to try them?”

Feng Chunyan first nodded, then shook her head. “Sister Ah Tao, are you here to persuade me not to enter the palace?”

Ji Zhao smiled and shook her head at her. “That’s your life. If you insist on entering the palace, no one has the right to stop you.”

“Really?” Feng Chunyan’s eyes lit up. “Then, Sister Ah Tao, can you help me persuade my elder sister? I really want to enter the palace.. I… I’ve liked His Majesty for a long time…”