The Prime Minister Seduced Me to have Babies!

Chapter 1079: Selecting the Prince Consort

Both the Duke and Jiang Youzhi took the matter of Qi Er and You Er formally apprenticing very seriously.The next day, following the customs of Great Chu, they had the two children offer tea and kowtow to Duanmu Lei.

Duanmu Lei drank the tea, which marked the official acceptance of the apprentices.

From then on, You Er and Qi Er followed Duanmu Lei every day to practice martial arts.

Ruru sometimes joined them in practice, and Duanmu Lei would also guide her.

As the New Year approached, suddenly there was news from the palace that consorts were to be selected for the Princes.

The Emperor had yet to appoint a Crown Prince, leaving everyone uncertain of his intentions.

Many were speculating, since the Second Prince born of the Empress was the rightful choice, but the Emperor’s delay in appointing a Crown Prince suggested he might favor the Eldest Prince, born of the Imperial Concubine.

Thus, the court was subtly divided into two factions, one allied with the Imperial Concubine and the other with the Empress.

The Emperor was well aware of this, but merely observed coldly, never interfering.

Now, both the Eldest and Second Princes are nearing eighteen, the Third Prince is seventeen, and the Fourth Prince is sixteen, all of marriageable age.

The Emperor entrusted the marriage arrangements for the four Princes to the Empress, with the Imperial Concubine assisting, to settle all their marriages this time.

The selection range included daughters aged thirteen to seventeen from families with officials of the sixth rank or above.

Families with eligible daughters who were not yet betrothed had to report to the Ministry of Rites.

In the provinces, they reported to the local government office, which would verify their identities for the initial selection, before sending them to the Capital City for the final selection.

For a time, families with daughters in officialdom felt mixed emotions.

The Duke Mansion was quite troubled.

Whether it was the Duke, Jiang Youzhi, or Yun Jiao, none of them wanted Ruru to participate in the selection.

They did not wish to involve themselves in the Imperial Family’s struggles.

However, the Duke Mansion could not make an exception; they still had to submit her name.

Upon hearing this, Ruru was indifferent, "Father, brother, sister-in-law, don’t worry. I won’t be selected. They’re looking for ladies, not someone like me who loves swordplay and martial arts."

The Duke and Jiang Youzhi exchanged a glance, and after Ruru left, the Duke said, "Perhaps I should enter the palace and request the Emperor’s favor to exempt Ruru’s name."

Jiang Youzhi replied, "There’s no need to rush. In any case, Ruru might not be selected."

The Duke shook his head, "How could that be? Ruru is my daughter, and your sister; even if she were plain, the Empress and the Imperial Concubine wouldn’t let her be eliminated."

Jiang Youzhi laughed, "Father, with Ruru’s personality, both the Empress and the Imperial Concubine would get headaches dealing with her; they may not necessarily want her as a daughter-in-law."

"Let’s wait and see. If she makes it to the final selection, then it’s not too late for you to seek the Emperor’s favor."

The Duke nodded, "Alright."

Jiang Youzhi returned to his room, and Yun Jiao couldn’t help but murmur to him, "You know, the Grand Tutor Xie’s grandson was very close with Ruru a few years ago. In recent years, since Ruru stopped entering the palace to study, the kids grew up, and Young Master Xie hardly visits us anymore."

She sighed, "That child is well-behaved, has a gentle temperament, and is talented. I originally thought he’d make a good son-in-law."

Jiang Youzhi remained silent, as he had always thought Xie Heng would be a good match for his sister.

Yun Jiao continued to mutter, "After the New Year, Young Master Xiao Xie will also be eighteen. Their family hasn’t made any announcements about arranging a marriage for him, so I’m unsure."

Jiang Youzhi replied calmly, "What’s the rush? Our Ruru won’t be left unmarried. Even if she doesn’t marry, we can support her."

"In any case, if their family doesn’t bring it up, we won’t push it either."