Rebirth of the High Gate Mistress

Chapter 456: Adopting a Harem

 After being informed by Li Ling, Mr. Zhang, the Minister of Rites, was led into the royal study by the palace officials.

The minister could not look directly at the sky. Master Zhang lowered his eyes and was about to kneel down to salute the emperor when he heard a childish voice: "Hello, Master Zhang!"

The old minister was startled. This voice made him immediately throw away the etiquette and rules that had been engraved in his bones, and he subconsciously raised his head.

He met the bottomless gaze of the emperor.

Master Zhang was startled again and quickly lowered his head. He knelt down and apologized again and again: "I am disrespectful to you. I hope your majesty will atone for my sins."

 “My dear, please get up!”

When he heard the calm voice, Master Zhang said that the childish voice he heard just now was due to his tinnitus. But as soon as he stood up, he heard the person above him ask again: "Master Zhang is looking for my father, why?" Why?"

Mr. Zhang raised his eyes and saw a fluffy little head with two small pendants **** under the imperial desk, and then he became convinced.

It's really outrageous to bring the princess to the royal study to cause mischief!

Mr. Zhang couldn't help but darken his face as he thought about what he was thinking. He replied loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report to you when I ask for an audience."

Li Ling said: "Zhang Aiqing, please speak."

Master Zhang took a breath and said loudly: ""Zuo Zhuan" said, 'The most important thing for the country is to sacrifice to the Rong.' Sacrificing sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth is a top priority. From the beginning of Xia and Shang Dynasties, emperors of all dynasties would sacrifice to heaven and earth. , offering sacrifices to grains, and offering sacrifices to ancestors are grand sacrifices. As the saying goes, the palace has rituals in the order of the sun. It has been more than a year since His Majesty ascended the throne. Since the coming of the Yanjing style, the common people have looked up to them, clearing the Yi and brushing them, and repaying virtue and merit. .”

Before Master Zhang could finish speaking, Sister Bao interrupted him childishly: "Master Zhang, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand a word?"

 Lao Shangshu was talking enthusiastically, but when he heard Sister Bao's words, he almost choked up and lost his breath.

Li Ling pulled his daughter, looked at Zhang Shangzhu and said, "I understand what Aiqing means. It's just that I just performed the Five Sacrifice a year ago. What is Aiqing doing? To put it bluntly."

If he hadn't been suddenly interrupted by Sister Bao, Zhang Shangshu would still be in a good mood. Now seeing Li Ling asking him a direct question, although he felt unhappy, he could only reply briefly: "Your Majesty paid homage according to the rules years ago. Five sacrifices were made, but only His Majesty and the Queen were not present, so this sacrifice cannot be considered a ceremony."

Li Ling smiled helplessly and replied: "The queen had just given birth and was very weak. How could she have the energy to participate in the sacrifice?"

 Zhang Shangshu came here to persuade Li Ling to enrich the harem.

He hurriedly replied: "According to the rules and etiquette, if the queen is unable to participate in the sacrificial ceremony, the concubine with the rank of royal concubine or above should do it for her. In this way, the ceremony is considered successful."

“It’s just that the father has no concubines, only the mother.” Sister Bao’s **** eyes blinked at Zhang Shangshu and replied in a childish voice.

 The old minister took the opportunity to persuade him to accept a concubine.

Li Ling became more and more bored. He glanced at Zhang Shangshu and said perfunctorily: "We will discuss this matter later."

Zhang Shangshu saw Li Ling's perfunctory attitude again, and he continued: "Your Majesty, the royal descendants are prosperous, and the country and the country can be passed down stably. Your Majesty has only the queen in the harem, which is against the rules both emotionally and rationally. Now the affairs of the court are stable, and the world is peaceful." Return to your heart, Your Majesty should welcome the harem broadly."

"My father has already said that he will not accept any other concubines except my mother." The old minister was talking quietly, but Sister Bao interrupted him again.

Zhang Shangshu secretly held his breath, but refused to give up. He continued: "Your Majesty, according to the rules, the emperor's harem should be complete with three palaces and six courtyards. Your Majesty only has the middle palace when he enters the palace now." "Father, this is Why is the inkstone purple?" Sister Bao held the inkstone on the imperial desk high in front of Li Ling and asked childishly.

Li Ling replied with a crooked eyebrow: "This is different from the stone inkstone. It is made of purple gold."

“Your Majesty, the number of emperors in the harem of all dynasties has been fixed. In order to have a prosperous royal heir, seventy-two concubines in three palaces and six courtyards is the minimum standard.”

"Father, is this mill Hui Mo?" The old minister was here persuading Li Ling to accept the harem. Sister Bao picked up another mill and held it up to Li Ling and asked.

Li Ling touched his daughter's head and replied with a smile: "This is Hui Mo."

Before Lao Shangshu could speak, Sister Bao said again: "I have been practicing calligraphy recently. Father, can you give me a stick of Hui ink?"

 Li Ling held his daughter on his lap and said with a smile: "My little princess has finally started to learn calligraphy. Then my father will give you a stick of Hui ink as a reward, okay?"

 “Thank you very much, Father.”

Zhang Shangshu glanced at the emperor and the princess, who were kind and filial to their father and daughter. He sighed helplessly and held his hands again: "Your Majesty, in view of the emptiness of your harem, I propose that the Ministry of Rites begin to recruit beautiful girls to enrich the harem. Please also ask your majesty." Yes."

This old minister came to see Li Ling's concubine every now and then. Although Li Ling refused again and again, he still became more and more courageous and tireless.

 Li Ling is very annoyed and even more helpless!

Li Ling winked at the daughter in his arms. Sister Bao understood and immediately said to Zhang Shangshu: "Master Zhang, you are so knowledgeable and a great scholar."

Hearing this, Zhang Shangshu looked slightly proud. The old man finally looked more favorably on the little princess who was causing trouble.

“It’s just that you always advise my father to take concubines, which is really annoying.”

 The pride on Lao Shangshu's face suddenly disappeared, and even his beard trembled slightly.

"My father is a dedicated person. He only likes my mother and his queen, and will not accept any other women. My father is so busy with government affairs that he has no time to play with us. How can he have the energy to deal with so many women?" The second is. Also, my father has always advocated frugality in the harem, how much money will be wasted if you choose so many concubines to come in."

“Therefore, Lord Shangshu, please don’t bother your father with the matter of having a concubine from now on.”

The always eloquent old minister was choked for a moment, and his gray beard trembled even more.

 Li Ling glanced at his daughter proudly, and then comforted the old minister: "The princess is still young and her words are not measured. Please don't be angry."

"Master Zhang is a great Confucian, how can he be so angry as a child?" After saying that, Sister Bao pulled Li Ling and shouted: "Father, I promised that Master Zhang would accompany me to play after the meeting. Your Majesty, please don't make a mistake. Let's go and let Father play with me."

 Li Ling stood up with a smile and pretended to be helpless to the old minister: "The children are used to making mischief. I can't do anything with this child. Please come back, my dear."

Sister Bao pulled Li Ling and jumped out of the imperial study. When he reached the door, the little guy turned to the stunned and depressed old minister and shouted: "Master Zhang, you are so knowledgeable. I like you very much. Next time you ask to see my father." Emperor, I’m coming back.”

 (End of this chapter)