Xiao Shan had always known that Consort Lan was dissatisfied with Xie Zhui, but he never imagined that her dissatisfaction could reach such an extent.

 

They had been married for only three months, and she was already eager for him to take a secondary consort. This wasn't just dissatisfaction with Xie Zhui; it was outright hatred.

 

Given Consort Lan's attitude towards Xie Zhui, if Xiao Shan's character were any more unruly and if he harbored even a slight prejudice against Xie Zhui, Xie Zhui's days in Prince Li's residence would likely be worse than those of an ordinary servant.

 

Fortunately, Xie Zhui encountered him, so he wouldn't be bullied to such an extent. However, thinking about Consort Lan's temperament, Xiao Shan sighed inwardly, unable to determine whether Xie Zhui's fate was good or bad.

 

Xiao Sheng saw Xiao Shan's eyes widen in surprise and heard him utter an "ah" without any further sound.

 

Unable to help himself, Xiao Sheng frowned and said, "Why aren't you speaking?" Whether you have an opinion or not, you should at least say something. What does it mean to open your mouth and not make a sound?

 

Xiao Shan wiped his face and said weakly, "I'm too shocked to know what to say."

 

Xiao Sheng's frown deepened. He felt that Xiao Shan's words implied that the matter was too troublesome to know what to say, but because Xiao Sheng and Consort Lan were elders, Xiao Shan couldn't say it outright.

 

The thought that he had become a figure to be understood by Xiao Shan made Xiao Sheng quite frustrated, as if he were being unreasonable. Xiao Sheng tried to soften his tone, "Your mother consort is already looking for candidates for you. Zhen just wanted to ask what kind you prefer, so we can keep an eye out for suitable ones in the future."

 

Xiao Shan looked utterly surprised and shocked. He scrutinized Xiao Sheng and said with a peculiar expression, "Father Emperor, your son has just gotten married, and now you want me to take a secondary consort. Given your nature, shouldn't you be scolding me for being extravagant, indulgent, and lacking ambition? Why are you so readily agreeing to me taking a secondary consort?"

 

A vein throbbed on Xiao Sheng's forehead, and fire rose from the depths of his eyes. "In your mind, is Zhen such a muddle-headed person that Zhen has to manage even your private affairs?"

 

Xiao Shan hadn't intended to truly anger him, so he quickly tried to extinguish the fire. "Father Emperor, that's not what I meant. I'm just frustrated. I've only been married to Xie Zhui for a short time, and Mother Consort is already thinking about getting me a secondary consort. If you don't oppose it, then you must be in favor, but I really don't have the heart for it right now."

 

"When I married Xie Zhui, I said that if I wasn't satisfied, I wouldn't marry. Now that Xie Zhui and I have just started to get to know each other, why would we bring someone else between us? My eyes are currently fixed on Xie Zhui; I can't see anyone else."

 

Xiao Sheng knew that Xiao Shan's words were sincere. He remembered when Consort Lan tried to push people into Xiao Shan's bed, hoping he would understand such matters and marry early.

 

Xiao Shan had bluntly stated that no one should pressure him in this regard; he would rather become a eunuch than be forced.

 

Xiao Sheng was so shocked by these words that he was momentarily stunned. A dignified prince saying such things was unheard of.

 

He had considered testing Xiao Shan's resolve but feared that his son's stubborn nature would make the situation uncontrollable. Moreover, Xiao Jin had always spoken well of Xiao Shan. In the end, he let it go and allowed Xiao Shan to handle his marriage as he saw fit.

 

When in a good mood, Xiao Sheng had even asked Xiao Shan what kind of person he wanted to marry.

 

Xiao Shan had said that as long as the person had a good temperament and was pleasing to his eye, it would be fine.

 

When he bestowed Xie Zhui upon Xiao Shan, it was a decision made after much deliberation. Not dealing with Xie Zhui could easily cause divisions in the court, while dealing with him too harshly could dishearten the border soldiers.

 

Arranging a marriage for him also required finding a suitable person. Xiao Sheng thought long and hard, and eventually considered the unmarried Xiao Shan.

 

Setting aside the matter of Xie Zhui concealing his identity and going to war, Xie Zhui was a decent person. Moreover, Xiao Shan was of an appropriate age, and in recent years, he had become less extreme in his actions. This marriage seemed relatively feasible.

 

Secondly, Xiao Shan had always been very supportive of Xiao Jin as the Crown Prince and valued him greatly. His marriage to Xie Zhui was also most beneficial to Xiao Jin's position as the Crown Prince.

 

Of course, there were other miscellaneous considerations, but in the end, Xiao Shan did not oppose the marriage.

 

After the marriage, he seemed very satisfied with Xie Zhui.

 

However, yesterday, Consort Lan had cried to him. She didn't complain about the outrageous rumors she had heard outside the palace but instead brought up the issue of offspring.

 

Consort Lan said that Xie Zhui was a righteous person and suitable as Xiao Shan's main consort, but it was extremely difficult for a ger to bear children. If Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui remained childless, they would easily be criticized by the public. Therefore, she wanted to give Xiao Shan two secondary consorts, so that when they bore children, they could be directly adopted under Xie Zhui's name.

 

Xiao Sheng could find countless reasons to bestow the marriage between Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui, but when it came to the matter of offspring, he had to be cautious.

 

In all things, it was better to be safe than sorry.

 

This was also the main reason he specifically kept Xiao Shan behind today.

 

Facing the straightforward Xiao Shan, Xiao Sheng brought up the issue of offspring.

 

Xiao Shan immediately frowned upon hearing this. "Father Emperor, offspring are a gift from heaven and cannot be forced. The more you try to force certain things, the less likely you are to get them. It's best to relax and let nature take its course."

 

Besides, the thought of Xie Zhui having children made his feelings quite complicated. It wasn’t as if he absolutely needed children. Given his status, was he really afraid that no one would honor him after his death if he had no children?

 

Xiao Sheng could guess most of his thoughts but couldn't fathom this astonishing part.

 

Xiao Shan's comment about letting children come naturally also hinted at the situation with Xiao Jin and Crown Princess Liu Jingyi. Xiao Jin and Liu Jingyi had been married even longer, and it was only now that Liu Jingyi was pregnant.

 

Xiao Shan couldn't directly speak about such matters, so he could only hint at them.

 

Xiao Sheng naturally understood his hint, but he wanted to point out that Xie Zhui and Liu Jingyi were different.

 

As a ger, Xie Zhui was destined to have difficulty bearing children, whereas Liu Jingyi had a higher chance of conceiving. Xie Zhui might never be able to have children in his lifetime.

 

However, Xiao Sheng couldn't be too blunt about this, as it involved the Crown Princess, and it was inappropriate for him to say too much.

 

Seeing Xiao Shan's reluctance, he asked, "Do you really not want to take a secondary consort?"

 

Xiao Shan nodded vigorously. "Father Emperor, having one person managing the household is enough. Too many people would make it too noisy, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy it."

 

Xiao Sheng: "..." Is he implying that my harem is too crowded?

 

In fact, Xiao Shan didn't mean it that way; he was just speaking off the cuff.

 

If Xiao Sheng wanted to overthink it, there was nothing Xiao Shan could do about it.

 

Seeing Xiao Shan's firm stance against taking a secondary consort, Xiao Sheng remained silent for a while before conceding slightly. "This isn't something that can be decided immediately. Keep it in mind and think it over. You might find someone you like in the future."

 

Xiao Shan quickly said, "Father Emperor, please don't make me think it over. I've already made up my mind. Please ask Mother Consort not to dwell on this matter, so we don't end up arguing over it in the future."

 

He was speaking the truth. If Consort Lan insisted on this, he would definitely be unwilling, and things would get ugly between them. It would be better for the Emperor to nip this idea in the bud while it was still fresh in Consort Lan's mind, to avoid future complications.

 

Xiao Sheng glared at him. Only Xiao Shan dared to say such rebellious things to his face.

 

Anyone else, including the Crown Prince, wouldn't dare.

 

Xiao Shan understood Xiao Sheng's look and gave a dry laugh. This was just his nature, and there was no changing it.

 

Xiao Shan truly did not want a secondary consort, and Xiao Sheng could not really force him, having already pressed him once with the matter of Xie Zhui. To do so again would be too unfair to Xiao Shan.

 

Thus, he said, "Since you are not willing, go pay your respects to your mother consort and leave the palace." Implicitly, he would handle the matter with Consort Lan himself.

 

Xiao Shan was satisfied with this response and left after bowing.

 

As his figure disappeared behind the halls of Ganming Hall, Xiao Sheng sighed deeply and murmured, "What is really on this child’s mind? Mentioning taking a secondary consort is like asking him to live with vipers."

 

At this moment, only Chang Le was serving in the hall, but he couldn't respond to such a question and pretended to stand far away, as if he hadn't heard anything.

 

Xiao Sheng knew that Chang Le was an old fox and would never answer such a sensitive question.

 

The Emperor felt a bit lonely at that moment. In the vast palace, there wasn't a single person with whom he could speak his true feelings.

 

Xiao Shan dared to speak his mind, but the Emperor wasn't sure if he dared to ask him, fearing that Xiao Shan's answers might infuriate him.

 

***

 

As Xiao Shan headed towards Jinglan Hall, Consort Lan had already summoned Xie Zhui into the palace.

 

When Consort Lan heard that the Emperor had kept Xiao Shan behind, she immediately sent someone to Prince Li's residence.

 

This time, when Consort Lan saw Xie Zhui, she didn't use any petty tricks to make things difficult for him. Instead, she got straight to the point and asked if the rumors about him being watched were true.

 

Xie Zhui did not deny it.

 

Consort Lan's face was filled with anger, but then she remembered what she wanted to say. She barely managed to suppress her anger, her eyes reddening as she said, "I can't and don't want to control what happens outside the palace, but Shan'er is my son. I want him to live happily and not be hurt by rumors. I plan to bestow two secondary consorts upon Shan'er. One reason is to help you share some of the household responsibilities of Prince Li's residence, and the other is to ensure Shan'er has offspring. I am already selecting candidates, and this matter is settled."

 

Xie Zhui: "..."

 

Xie Zhui took a deep breath and said, "Mother Consort, I do not agree."