The first time in history

Chapter 138: The Western Regions not only have fine wine, but also beautiful women!

"What about the sixth son?" Ruiyou asked, "Do you think he has a chance? Concubine Shu has always been favored by our father! This time when our father went north, only Concubine Shu and Concubine Zhao accompanied him!"

Qian Mingduo smiled and said, "The you I just mentioned, actually... my sixth brother is also among them!"

"You mean... it's possible that Concubine Shu will be crowned as the empress?"

"Empress Hui has her own advantages, and Empress Shu naturally has her own advantages." Qian Ming thought for a while and said, "Empress Hui is older and more stable, and acts impartially and respectfully; Empress Shu is handsome and beautiful, with a lively and cheerful personality, and is favored."

Qian Mingduo paused here and continued, "These two ladies have their own strengths. If the emperor wants to appoint a queen in the future... these two ladies... Anyway, I can't guess what the emperor is thinking!"

"Rui Yin was ahead of me in becoming the eldest son, and Rui Shen is competing with me for the heir." Rui You stood up suddenly, glanced coldly at Rui Chen who was picking up food, and sat down slowly again.

"On the fifth day of next month, the King of Southern Chu will come to Beijing. Father has gone to the north and has not returned yet, so he ordered my sixth brother to meet the King of Southern Chu on his behalf. Third brother...what do you think?" Qian Mingduo asked indifferently.

"Is there such a thing?" Ruiyou said with a frown.

Qian Mingduo nodded gently and said, "My father asked me to take on the duties of the Ministry of Rites. These days, the officials of the Ministry of Rites are working out the details of the reception. I still know a little about these unimportant matters."

"How can it be considered an insignificant matter?" Ruiyou put his hand on Qian Mingduo's shoulder. "There are so many princes, but father only ordered Ruishen to represent the emperor to meet the monarch of another country. Is this considered an insignificant matter?"

"Isn't it normal for the emperor to appoint a prince to meet him on his behalf when he has gone north?"

"Then why was it Lao Liu who was ordered to meet him? And not you or me? And not Rui Yin?" Rui You patted Qian Mingduo on the shoulder, "Think about it carefully!"

Qian Mingduo looked at Ruiyou in confusion, as if he suddenly understood. "Third brother means... Father ordered sixth brother to meet the King of Nanchu on his behalf. Could it be that he wants to make sixth brother the emperor..."

"You are in charge of the Ministry of Rites. All state affairs between countries must be equal." Ruiyou said, "When the emperor knew that the King of Nanchu was coming to Beijing, he could have gone north a few days later. It wouldn't be too late to go after the meeting. Why did he leave Beijing and go north when the King of Nanchu was about to visit?"

Qian Mingduo nodded thoughtfully and said, "According to etiquette, when a king visits, it should be the king of his own country who meets him. This is in line with the etiquette of equality."

"So that's why!" Ruiyou sighed, "Father's behavior is incomprehensible."

Qian Mingduo looked at Ruiyou who was lost in thought, and said slowly: "Now it seems that the second brother is secondary. He only has the advantage of being the eldest son. And the sixth brother... not only can he rely on his mother's status, but also has the potential to be the legitimate prince."

Qian Mingduo paused for a moment, "If it is true as Third Brother said... Father intends to make Sixth Brother the Crown Prince. Then... Sixth Brother will be the first to suffer!"

"Fifth brother, as long as you and I join forces, we may still have a chance of winning." Ruiyou stared at Ruichen, "Since you just said that you have no intention of becoming the crown prince, I will just take it as your sincere words..."

"Third brother." Qian Mingduo interrupted Ruiyou, "I really have no intention of becoming the crown prince. I have explained the reasons very clearly. Why do you still think I am deceiving you?"

Ruiyou nodded affirmatively and said, "Third brother believes you, otherwise I wouldn't have told you so much. I opened my heart without reservation."

"I understand." Qian Mingduo said calmly, "Haven't I been helping Third Brother all day...prejudicing the emperor's will?"

Ruiyou put his hand on Ruichen's shoulder again and said, "Since you have helped Third Brother guess the emperor's intentions, does that mean you are ready to help Third Brother?" Seeing Ruichen nodded, "Third Brother knows that you have a very powerful intelligence network. In the future... can you be used by Third Brother?"

"I am willing to obey Third Brother's orders."

Ruiyou picked up the wine glass and whispered, "Third brother won't say that after the success, I will share the world with you. In a word, after the success, third brother will never treat you unfairly."

"As long as my third brother gives me the title of prince," Qian Mingduo touched the wine glass raised by Ruiyou, "I will be satisfied."

"Ha, ha, ha..." Ruiyou laughed heartily. He drank the wine in the glass and clapped his hands. "Do you know why Third Brother invited you to drink this fine grape wine today?"

Qian Mingduo shook his head, "What do you mean, Third Brother?"

"This wine comes from the Western Regions, and the Western Regions not only have this kind of fine wine, but also beautiful women..."

Two graceful ladies with their faces covered in white veils swayed into the pavilion, stood gracefully, and held colorful hand drums lightly in their hands as soft as catkins.

They danced to the drum beats with light bodies, like nimble butterflies, twisting their waists softly, and every swing brought endless charm.

Her eyes are charming and deep, as if hiding a mysterious story. As she dances, her long hair flies like silk, exuding an exotic charm.

The sound of the hand drums was like a call from their hearts, and the enchanting dance was more like an invitation.

The palace was only 200 miles away from the capital, of great size, and faced south. To the north of the palace was the vast grassland.

The summer here is not as scorching as in Beijing. Whenever a breeze blows, it brings a slight coolness.

Today, dark clouds covered the moon and the palace was shrouded in thick darkness, with only the occasional flickering palace lanterns emitting a faint light.

The night watch guards were patrolling the palace as usual, and their orderly footsteps echoed in the silent palace.

On the stone steps in front of the Jingxin Hall stood two imperial guards. The younger one was Tao Jun, and the older one was the foreman of the imperial guards, Wen Zijian.

Jingxin Hall was Rui Yuhuan's bedroom. The pale yellow candlelight had just gone out. It was obvious that the emperor had just finished reviewing the memorials and had just gone to bed.

Tao Jun said softly. "It's so quiet tonight."

"It's good that it's quiet, which means there's nothing unusual." Wen Zijian responded, but his eyes were still scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

"The clouds are so thick," Tao Jun looked up, "Is a rainstorm coming?"

Wen Zijian also looked up at the sky and frowned slightly: "It is indeed possible. The weather is unpredictable. We must be more careful. Once the rainstorm comes, something unexpected may happen."

Tao Jun nodded: "Your Excellency is right. But who dares to enter this imperial palace without permission?"

Wen Zijian snorted, "Don't take it lightly. As the imperial guards, protecting the emperor's safety is our top priority. We must never let our guard down."

Tao Jun said solemnly: "Yes, I understand. My lord, you said that the emperor is so busy every day, it is really hard."

Wen Zijian sighed, "The emperor shoulders the heavy responsibility of the world, so it is naturally hard. What we can do is to fulfill our duties and ensure the safety and peace of the emperor."