Chapter 233: Chapter 233: I have indeed been craving sour things lately, it’s just been for the last few days.

The one in the lead was none other than the Chief Eunuch, Gao Yong. Having served in Taiji Palace for many years, he was a favorite of the old Emperor. Every guest present recognized him.

Someone had arrived from the palace at this hour, and it was none other than the Emperor’s trusted confidant.

Xie Jinbai had no choice but to hold back what he was about to say, rising to his feet and descending the steps.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Gao Yong said, bowing hastily with a respectful air.

Xie Jinbai gestured for him to rise. His gaze swept past the people behind Gao Yong as he asked in a mild tone, "Chief Eunuch, for what reason have you come? Does my father, the Emperor, have instructions for me?"

Gao Yong straightened his back slightly.

"Your Majesty heard that you were holding a banquet today, Your Highness. He regrets that he cannot join in the festivities himself, so he ordered this humble servant to come in his stead and deliver a few items."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands. "His Majesty has said that a fine banquet cannot be without fine wine, and Your Highness should not be without beauties to attend to you. Thus, he has specially commanded this humble servant to deliver two jars of this year’s newly brewed Jade Liquid Wine, along with two young women to serve you."

The moment he finished speaking, as if on cue, the two palace beauties behind him glided forward and curtsied to Xie Jinbai. "We greet Your Highness."

They bent their knees, their shoulders and necks drawn in slightly. With their heads bowed, the delicate napes of their necks were exposed.

It was just a simple curtsy, yet performed with a thousand graces. Even through their thick fox-fur cloaks, one could discern their enchanting figures.

Their voices were as sweet and melodious as a warbling oriole, full of charm.

Many of the men in the hall felt a thrill run through them, their minds completely captivated.

Xie Jinbai’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze landing on the two beauties before him.

"Raise your heads."

His voice was placid, devoid of any ripple of emotion. It was impossible to discern whether he was pleased or angered.

The two young women trembled slightly as they slowly lifted their heads.

With delicately arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, lips as sweet as honey, and skin as white as snow.

They were the very picture of exquisite, flower-like beauty.

The air in the hall grew heavy, and a sudden silence fell.

Those chosen by the Emperor to serve his precious son were all one-in-a-million beauties.

Even the powerful nobles present, who were all accustomed to seeing beautiful women, were momentarily stunned.

As for the two young women, they were incredibly nervous themselves.

The man before them was the current Crown Prince, the future Emperor.

Excluding the old, decrepit Emperor, he was the most venerated man in all of Great Yue.

The opportunity to serve him was the most important moment of their lives.

Their entire futures hinged on this very moment.

The two young women had been specially trained, and they presented distinctly different personalities.

One, with trembling lashes and crimson cheeks, didn’t dare to meet the gaze of the man in authority.

The other was bolder. It was unclear what model she had been trained to follow, but upon hearing the command to raise her head, she lifted her gaze.

Her eyes met the man’s placid gaze directly.

As their eyes met, a bashful blush quickly colored her gaze. "This humble one, Lian’er, greets the Crown Prince."

’Before coming here, all I’d heard was of the Crown Prince’s fearsome reputation and glorious military achievements. I never expected... he would be so young and handsome.’

’His aura is terrifyingly heavy; a single glance from him is enough to make a person tremble.’

’I only dared to take one look, but I feel as if my very soul is being drawn out of me.’

Lian’er’s heart pounded like a drum, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

The beauty was already blushing with shy desire.

Xie Jinbai, however, looked away.

He said mildly, "Leave the Jade Liquid Wine. As for the two beauties, Chief Eunuch, please take them back."

A hush fell over the hall once more.

’This was a verbal command from the Emperor.’

’To say such a thing was no different from publicly refusing an imperial decree.’

The two beauties’ faces turned deathly pale in an instant. If they were sent back, they knew nothing good awaited them.

Gao Yong was also taken aback. "Your Highness, you mustn’t!"

"Indeed! Please reconsider, Your Highness!"

Before Xie Jinbai could speak, one of his advisors stepped out from behind him and urged in a low voice, "This is a gift from His Majesty. Even in the palace, he is always thinking of you. This truly shows the deep affection between father and son. You must not disappoint His Majesty’s paternal kindness."

"Just moments ago, this old official was reflecting on how Your Highness has achieved so much at such a young age, with only one thing missing to make it perfect. And now, His Majesty has sent beauties and fine wine. It is truly marvelous!"

The same official who had interrupted the conversation between the Changping Marquis and the Crown Prince before Gao Yong’s arrival also chimed in, "Why not accept them, Your Highness? In the future, this could become a celebrated tale."

The "celebrated tale," of course, would be one of deep affection between the father and son of the Imperial Family. If Xie Jinbai accepted the beauties his father bestowed, and if those two beauties held a formal position in his harem after he ascended the throne, the event would surely be recorded in the annals of history.

How could that not be considered a celebrated tale?

Those present today were either Xie Jinbai’s trusted subordinates, allied noble houses, or Princes.

They all hoped for his smooth ascension to the throne, which would grant them the honor of having backed an emperor. Naturally, they wouldn’t stand by and watch him defy a decree, so they all spoke up to persuade him.

The chosen heir had only one woman by his side for years, and she hadn’t even produced a single child. It was only natural that His Majesty would grow restless.

’It’s just a gift of two women. How could this possibly warrant defying a direct order?’

’A man destined to be an Emperor can’t be faulted for being a bit of a libertine.’

’In fact, stubbornly clinging to just one wife—that is the real fault!’

’He should fill his harem and give the young women of our families a chance to share in the imperial favor.’

’That is how our families can secure a brighter future.’

Waves of persuasion echoed through the hall.

Only the Changping Marquis and his two younger brothers wore grim expressions.

He had considered having his daughter arrange for the Crown Prince to take concubines to alleviate the pressure to produce an heir.

But he would have privately selected a few commoner women with clean backgrounds who would be easy to control.

That way, if they bore any children, the offspring could be officially registered under his daughter’s name.

They would not be women personally bestowed by the Emperor.

Regardless of their origins, being imperially bestowed gave them an entirely different status.

If women with such status were to gain favor and bear a son, how could a childless Crown Princess Consort possibly control them?

To say nothing of the fact that they were two such peerless beauties.

’Men always crave novelty.’

’Dallying in the arms of a beautiful woman, affection deepens with each day of intimate contact.’

’Even if his bond with his first wife is deep, even if he is utterly devoted to her, there will come a day when that affection wanes.’

As a man himself, the Changping Marquis naturally worried for his daughter and for his family’s future.

Xie Jinbai looked up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Seeing their expressions, some earnest and persuasive, others worried and frowning, he suddenly smiled. "Gentlemen, you all make a valid point. A gift from my father, the Emperor... it would be improper for me to refuse. I shall accept."

... ...

「In the rear courtyard, at Fang Garden.」

Onstage, the opera *Beating the Princess* was past its midpoint. The plot had reached its most exciting moment, capturing the full attention of the ladies.

Cui Lingyao watched the performance while leaning over to whisper with Chen Minrou.

On the small table beside them were several plates of delicate pastries and candied fruits.

When she once again caught sight of her friend popping a pickled plum into her mouth, Chen Minrou couldn’t help but comment, "Your tastes have really changed. I remember you never used to like sour things."

She had just tried one of the plums herself, and it wasn’t just sour.

It was so sour it had made her grimace, nearly causing her to lose her composure.

And yet her friend, who supposedly disliked sour things, was eating them one after another without so much as a change in expression.

A thought suddenly struck Chen Minrou. She stiffened and quickly glanced at her friend. "When did your tastes change?"

Hearing this, Cui Lingyao paused for a moment. She thought about it and said, "Now that you mention it, I have been craving sour things lately. It just started in the last few days."

She answered nonchalantly, but Chen Minrou gasped and grabbed her hand. "Good heavens, don’t you think you should have an Imperial Physician check your pulse?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.