455: Discussing candidate concubines

Mysterious Clarity Master watched Li Xuan's despondent appearance and then looked at Xia Wei's pitiful, tear-stained face. He frowned, his fingers twisting his beard while his mind raced for a solution.

He knew that his master was determined to take Xia Wei away.

If he refused, with his master's strength, he could overturn the entire Tianqi Palace City in an instant. At that time, the Li Family's empire might truly change hands.

But if he agreed, the Tianqi Imperial Family's face would be completely lost, becoming the laughingstock of the world.

In the future, when envoys from various countries came for an audience, they would likely use this incident to mock the Tianqi Dynasty, saying Li Xuan was a cowardly emperor who couldn't even protect his own empress.

This was a dilemma; one wrong step would lead to eternal perdition.

After a long time, Li Xuan took a deep breath and gave orders in a raspy voice to the attendants standing in the hall:

“Someone, send Noble Consort Xia back to her palace to rest. Without my decree, no one is allowed to visit.”

The attendants waiting outside the hall hurriedly responded and stepped forward, carefully supporting Xia Wei, who had almost collapsed to the ground, and slowly withdrew.

Xia Wei's steps were unsteady. With every step she took, she looked back at Li Xuan, her eyes full of pleading and fear, but in the end, she didn't dare say a word.

The palace doors were gently closed with a soft “creak,” cutting off the noise from outside and adding a bit more weight to the oppressive atmosphere within the Imperial Study.

At this moment, only Li Xuan and Mysterious Clarity Master remained in the Imperial Study.

The Dragons Saliva Incense still curled and burned, wisps of blue smoke spiraling upward, but it could no longer dispel the heaviness and oppression permeating the air.

Li Xuan looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and turned to Mysterious Clarity Master, asking in a hoarse voice:

“State Preceptor, for the prosperity of Tianqi and the stability of the empire, we... cannot refuse, can we?”

Mysterious Clarity Master was silent for a moment and then nodded heavily:

“Lord of the State, Tianqi's Luck relies on the Northern Border, and City Lord Situ is... unfathomable. In this matter, we have no choice.”

Li Xuan gave a miserable smile, a flash of unwillingness and sorrow crossing his eyes, yet he was helpless:

“Since we cannot refuse, we can only comply. However... the choice of the New Empress concerns the Foundation of the state. I wonder if the State Preceptor has any suitable candidates in mind? And what about tomorrow's investiture ceremony? We cannot just leave it aside and let the world laugh at us.”

Hearing this, Mysterious Clarity Master secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Li Xuan was willing to yield, there was still room for maneuver.

He lowered his hand from his beard, his expression becoming more solemn as he pondered:

“Your Majesty need not worry. The choice of the New Empress concerns the Foundation of the state, and I dare not speak lightly. However, besides Imperial Consort Xia, there are several others who can take on this heavy responsibility.”

Mysterious Clarity Master cleared his throat and said slowly:

“The Ministry of Rites previously drafted a list of noble ladies, which I have also seen. They are all legitimate daughters of high-ranking court officials or noble families who have long resided in the Royal Capital and have pure Foundations. They have clean backgrounds, upright characters, and the bearing to mother the world. Your Majesty can summon and examine them personally before making a decision.”

He paused, picked up a teacup, took a sip to moisten his dry throat, and continued:

“Last night, I observed the celestial phenomena and matched the birth charts of the noble ladies. Five are most suitable. First is Noble Consort Zhou Shurou, who is gentle and polite, known for her talent, and her small regular script is superb. She is well-liked in the harem and deeply respected by the other consorts. Second is Song Qing, the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke of Anguo; she is dignified, comes from a prominent Family, and her father Song Fuyun is the current Grand Preceptor, loyal and a pillar of the state. Making her empress can win over the hearts of the noble families. Third is Chen Jingling, the niece of the Prince of Pingxi, Chen Tian. She is sixteen, dignified and elegant, and her Family has guarded the Western Regions for generations, holding a hundred thousand iron cavalry and possessing great prestige. Making her empress can settle the hearts of the Western Regions and ensure border stability. Fourth is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Personnel, Liu Airu. As a consort in the harem, she is intelligent and well-versed in etiquette, proficient in the four arts, and more importantly, she is quite capable in financial management. Her father controls the nation's wealth and grain and is an indispensable official in the court. Making her empress can stabilize the harem, win over the Ministry of Revenue, and fill the national treasury. Fifth...”

Having said this, Mysterious Clarity Master paused, his eyes flickering slightly, and his voice dropped lower, carrying a mysterious tone:

“Is the widow of the late Marquis of Zhengdong, Jiang Wanlian.”

Li Xuan was slightly stunned upon hearing this, clearly not expecting Mysterious Clarity Master to mention the widow of the Marquis of Zhengdong.

He pondered:

“Jiang Wanlian? I have heard the name, but she lives in seclusion and rarely appears in public. Why does the State Preceptor mention her?”

Mysterious Clarity Master continued:

“She is thirty-seven. Although her Family's influence has waned, her parents are deceased, and she is alone—the Marquis of Zhengdong's estate is no longer as glorious as it once was—I have observed her destiny, and it is noble beyond words. Her birth chart matches Your Majesty's exceptionally well; it is a match made in heaven. Moreover, she is gentle in nature and strikingly beautiful. More importantly, she alone has managed the hundred or so people of the declined Marquis of Zhengdong's estate in an orderly manner, earning the respect of everyone in the household. Her methods and Heart-Nature are both top-tier. If placed in the harem, she would surely be capable of the position of empress and manage the affairs of the six palaces well.”

As Li Xuan listened, his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the dragon throne. His mind raced, quickly weighing the pros and cons of these five people.

Zhou Shurou has talent and a gentle nature, but she is a bit too weak and indecisive when things happen. She might not be the best candidate for empress.

Song Qing? Her father Song Fuyun is indeed a capable official, but he has no small ambition and is calculating and slick. If Song Qing were made empress, I fear there would be interference from the maternal relatives in the future, becoming an uncontrollable burden, leading to instability in the court and another storm.

Chen Jingling... The Prince of Pingxi's estate holds heavy troops and has guarded the Western Regions for years, already in a semi-independent state. If Chen Jingling were made empress, I fear the Prince of Pingxi's power would grow even more. If not handled well, it would be like inviting a wolf into the house, leading to the weakening of the imperial clan.

Liu Airu is a good choice. She is intelligent, virtuous, and after my own heart. Her father manages the nation's granary and is a high-ranking official. Making her empress can stabilize the harem and win over the Ministry of Revenue; it is good for both the country and the people.

“As for Jiang Wanlian...”

Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Mysterious Clarity Master, his eyes filled with inquiry:

“Is what the State Preceptor says true? Is Jiang Wanlian's destiny truly compatible with mine? Can she help me continue my lineage? And does she really have the means to manage the harem?”

“Absolutely true.”

Mysterious Clarity Master's tone was certain, his expression solemn. He took a step forward and lowered his voice:

“I have used the stars for deduction and tortoise shells for divination. Although her Phoenix star is newly budding, it is pure and bright, reflecting Your Majesty's Emperor star. It signifies harmony in the harem and the continuation of lineage, bringing subtle benefits to the national fortune. Furthermore, she is gentle and submissive and knows how to manage a household. She will surely bear offspring for Your Majesty and continue the Li Family's line.”

Hearing this, Li Xuan was quite moved, and his expression softened considerably.

He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment:

“State Preceptor, I have already selected three people in my heart. Please help me evaluate them.”

Seeing Li Xuan's expression soften and that he had clearly decided to give up Xia Wei, Mysterious Clarity Master immediately breathed a sigh of relief, stroked his beard, and chuckled:

“Your Majesty is wise. I wonder which three Your Majesty has chosen?”