There is nothing special about Li Youlan's story. Just like many TV series that Xia Shang has watched, a young girl cannot escape being used as a pawn by powerful ministers to coordinate the power of all parties. She came here to choose concubines.
But not for the current emperor.
Now that the emperor is old, he is no longer capable of practicing human ethics. The purpose of Li Youlan's visit to Beijing is what will happen after the next emperor ascends the throne.
The world has become enlightened, and it has only been nearly two years since the emperor passed away.
After the new emperor ascends the throne, after the period of observing filial piety, the first priority is to select the harem for the new emperor.
When the new emperor takes the throne, no matter who he is, there will definitely be a major reshuffle of the powers in the capital. In order to deal with the general purge of the capital, every official must find a way to maintain his current status. The most direct
The most common way is to cultivate a trustworthy beauty to pay tribute to the emperor.
But Li Youlan's situation is not that simple. General Li Yi and Shangshu Jia Shangjie are not seeking simple self-preservation. They also want to take this opportunity to further expand their power. Therefore, the beautiful women they choose to pay tribute to the new emperor must be
Let the new emperor like her, and like her from the bottom of her heart, and cultivate feelings. She will be cultivated as a candidate for the queen in the future.
Nowadays, among the princes who are most likely to inherit the throne, without exception, they are all middle-aged men in their forties or fifties. They already have enough wives and concubines at home. It is a bad idea to bring tribute to the palace in the usual way, because people who also pay tribute to beautiful women
A lot, which would make Li Youlan fall into the trap of vulgarity.
As for the superior choice, there is no need to pay tribute. The new emperor will pay attention to it and fall in love with it. Only such a natural feeling will be valued by the emperor.
In other words, Li Youlan came to Beijing not to marry the future emperor, but to make the future emperor truly fall in love with her.
Planning like this is bound to not be an easy task.
In order to achieve this goal, Li Youlan's first priority in coming to Beijing is to establish a reputation in the capital, and this rare gift of classics is an excellent opportunity. Not only can she make friends with powerful juniors in the capital, but she can also
Let Li Youlan's status be raised to a higher level. As long as she stays there for one day, she will be on an equal footing with Li Zijin, Li Boyuan, Fu Qianqian and others, and she will easily become a master in the capital.
Furthermore, in the ceremony of classics, there are not only the young prince, but also Princess Jiaqian, Li Boyuan and others. Their father is the most advantageous contender for the throne. In the future, we can use them as a springboard to meet Li Xin or Li Xin.
It's Li Xiangyang, so she has the opportunity to get close to the future emperor, and has an inherent advantage over ordinary women.
What Li Youlan doesn't want is too much. She doesn't want to be reduced to a pawn, and she doesn't want to use her peerless youth to please two half-century old men.
It will leave a lifetime of infamy.
This is an unworthy relationship, but it has no choice but to affect the fate of the family. Moreover, I dare not violate my father's orders, so I can only regret myself and come to the capital.
Li Youlan told her story very slowly, looking at the starry night through the window, without any emotion in her words.
It wasn't until he finished speaking that Li Youlan glanced at Xia Shang faintly: "Will you look down on me?"
"Life in this world is not easy for everyone. Everything everyone does is for survival. Everyone has his or her own path. There is no such thing as high or low. It's just that some people have an easy life and some have a tiring life.
"
"Then tell me, if you were in my current situation, what would you do?"
"I?"
"Yes, will you obey your parents' orders and climb to the position of queen step by step?"
"of course!"
Li Youlan looked very surprised at Xia Shang's affirmation: "Why?"
"For the happiness and well-being of my family, it doesn't matter no matter how hard I suffer."
"That's it..." Li Youlan murmured, a little disappointed.
Xia Shang added: "But I don't want you to comply with your parents' orders."
"Why is this?"
"Because I don't want to see a flower-like woman unable to control her own destiny."
"Like a flower..." Li Youlan pointed at herself, her pretty face blushing slightly, "Am I like this?"
Xia Shang nodded.
Li Youlan smiled and shook her head: "My story is over. You must fulfill your promise and stay with me. Stay by the bed and don't leave."
After saying that, Li Youlan lay down again, got into the bed, squinted her eyes, and soon fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Li Youlan was awakened by Ping'er's hurried shouting.
The first day after a new injury healed was the most uncomfortable. The pain from the wound made her frown, and then she touched her pillow, but there was no one there.
Li Youlan was startled and opened her eyes: "Where is Xia Hui?"
Ping'er was arranging the young lady's clothes and said without raising her head: "Of course he is sleeping in his nest."
"When did he leave last night?"
"He left after the lady went to bed."
"This liar!"
Li Youlan pouted and cursed, not wanting to disturb the wound, and narrowed her eyes in pain.
"Miss, are you okay?"
Li Youlan shook her head repeatedly: "What time is it?"
"At three o'clock in the morning."
"Why did you wake me up so early?"
"A big shot has come to the courtyard. Miss, get up quickly. Ping'er will help you out."
"Big shot? Who is it?"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Prince!" Li Youlan was startled, she lost all sleep, and almost forgot the pain of the wound, "He...why did he appear suddenly?"
"His Royal Highness the Prince came personally to inquire about what happened yesterday. The young lady was the only one who was arrested, so His Highness personally came to find her. Now she is already waiting in the main hall!"
This Li Xin is Li Youlan's target. I can finally see him. I don't know what it feels like, but I am wondering what he looks like. Is he a big devil? And seeing him like this.
, will it make a bad impression on the other party? And will it ruin what the father is planning?
Li Youlan was still thinking, when a strong and upright voice came from outside the house: "The girl from the Li family is injured, so there is no need to go out. Li Xin will ask the girl a few questions here. As long as the girl tells the truth.
.”
The words outside instantly made Li Youlan panic: "Ping'er, hurry up, ask him to ask Xia Hui. I don't know anything."
Ping'er was also a little scared. After all, the person outside was a famous figure in the capital, the number one contender for the future emperor, and the most powerful person in the capital.
Ping'er shook her voice and shouted weakly: "My young lady said that she doesn't know anything. Please ask His Highness the Crown Prince to ask Xia Hui."
Someone in the group of people outside the house cursed after hearing this: "You are so outrageous, whose girl is this? She doesn't know etiquette!"
The leading man in front of the door waved his hand: "Hey, it's just a small matter. Don't make a fuss. But who is Xia Hui?"
The Bieyuan family members on one side were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and said, "I'm reporting to you, Madam...Prince, Xia Xiaxia...I'm Miss Shutong. I was captured by thieves together with Miss."
"This will spread the news that Xia is coming back." (To be continued)