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When Qin Yumo, Shen Huai, and Qi Mingyu stood in the Diligent Government Hall, not only did they find it unbelievable, but even the few attendants in the Diligent Government Hall frequently cast them strange looks.
Qin Yumo was probably the most composed among the three, because Princess Pingyao had the highest status among the three princesses and did not abuse him. Shen Huai remained quietly standing to the side, his pale face and lifeless eyes reflecting a sense of despair towards his fate.
The Regent and the ministers were still discussing matters, so the three of them had a brief opportunity to chat.
“I’ve heard some things, just keep them in mind.” Qin Yumo spoke softly, “Yesterday, Princess Jiayu held a flower appreciation gathering at her residence, and the cousin from the Regent’s residence was also invited.”
Qi Mingyu was startled. Could this incident have been caused by Princess Jiayu?
He listened attentively to Qin Yumo, not daring to interrupt.
“Because Miss Gu likes the Regent but cannot be with him, Princess Jiayu gave her a packet of medicine, saying that if it was put into the Regent’s food, it would make the Regent fall in love with her and remain devoted without changing his heart.”
“How is that possible?” Qi Mingyu’s expression changed slightly, “How could there be such medicine in noble families?”
“I don’t know if such medicine exists, but Miss Gu believed it and, after returning yesterday, actually put the medicine in the Regent’s food. Unfortunately, it was detected on the spot, and later, when the Regent found out that it was Miss Gu who administered the medicine, he directly betrothed her to one of his generals in the military.” Qin Yumo lowered his voice, “That is, the general whose original wife died, and who is nearly forty years old and still alone.”
Qi Mingyu felt uneasy: “She really poisoned the Regent?”
“Yes.”
“Was the medicine poisonous?”
“Correct.” Qin Yumo nodded, “Princess Jiayu was probably acting on the Empress Dowager’s orders, wanting to use Miss Gu’s hand to poison the Regent, thinking that even if the truth came out, the Regent would go easy on Miss Gu for the sake of his late mother.”
“Unfortunately, she was still betrothed to a rough man in the military.” Qi Mingyu frowned at Qin Yumo, “How do you know all this so clearly?”
Qin Yumo said, “Princess Pingyao has access to good information.”
“Then…” Qi Mingyu was puzzled, “What does this have to do with us?”
Logically, if the Regent wanted to punish Princess Jiayu, he could simply order it. Why summon the three husbands into the palace to receive orders?
“I suspect that dealing with the two princesses would be a bit of overkill for the Regent. He’s giving you power so that you can counterbalance the two princesses.” Qin Yumo whispered, “And he’s even allowing you to take concubines.”
Shen Huai remained silent throughout, showing no reaction to their words.
Concubines?
With Princess Jiahe’s temper, she wouldn’t wait for him to take concubines. If he so much as glanced at any young lady, she would find a way to destroy the other party’s entire family.
“I’ve heard that General Wei’s temper isn’t very good.” Qi Mingyu frowned, “Wasn’t there a rumor before that General Wei’s original wife was beaten to death by him?”
Qin Yumo was surprised: “Shouldn’t be, right?”
“Well, the military generals are indeed great on the battlefield, but when they return home, no one knows what kind of temper they have.” Qi Mingyu said, “But this matter has nothing to do with us. What I’m concerned about now is whether the Regent will really give us power and let us enter the court?”
Qin Yumo was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: “I don’t know, it’s possible, but it’s also possible that he’s just using this opportunity to teach the two princesses a lesson.”
“A lesson?” Princess Pingyao walked in, her black cloak fluttering majestically, “He didn’t even spare his own cousin. What are the two princesses to him? The Regent is indeed going to punish Princesses Jiahe and Jiayu, but you need to seize the opportunity yourselves. Don’t be that useless mud that can’t be supported.”
The expressions of the three men changed slightly, and they immediately stopped discussing, bowing respectfully to Princess Pingyao.
Princess Pingyao walked over and rubbed Qin Yumo’s face: “Perform well, don’t disappoint me.”
Qin Yumo’s cheeks turned red.
The other two husbands looked at him with subtle expressions, unsure whether to envy Qin Yumo’s good fortune or sympathize with his situation of being treated like a little cherished husband.
However, upon reflection, they realized that they should sympathize with themselves more.
Qin Yumo at least wouldn’t be beaten at every turn. Princess Pingyao was just a bit domineering, a bit unruly, and a bit unconventional, but she was never cruel. She wouldn’t beat or scold Qin Yumo without reason.
“By the way.” Princess Pingyao turned to leave, looking at Qin Yumo lazily, “Shen Huai and Qi Mingyu might have the opportunity to take concubines in the future, but don’t even think about it.”
After saying this, she walked out with an unhurried pace.
There was a moment of silence in the Diligent Government Hall.
The three husbands, who came from similar backgrounds and now had similar identities, remained silent for a while.
“The Regent has arrived!”
The three men immediately came to their senses and knelt down respectfully to pay their respects: “We greet the Regent.”
Ji Yucang was followed by Ling Feng, who was holding a large stack of memorials, sighing for the tenth time that he, as a close bodyguard, was being used like the head of the internal servants.
The hall was so quiet it was almost oppressive, making people uneasy.
Ji Yucang walked to the desk, turned, and looked at the three men: “Starting today, you three will enter the palace at the same time as the ministers for the morning court, and wait here. I will have someone arrange a dedicated desk and chair for each of you. You will write one policy paper each day, and you can choose your own topics, such as war, people’s livelihood, governance, diplomacy, and trade.”
“I will assign four close guards to each of you, with a one-month deadline. Those who show exceptional talent will be granted official positions by me and will serve as advisors in the Diligent Government Hall. If you are dull and incapable, don’t blame fate for being unfair.”
A glimmer of hope that Shen Huai couldn’t suppress was born in his heart.
Perhaps the heavens had finally heard his despair and given him this chance when he was at his wit’s end.
He must seize it well, or else… or else his future would be even more irretrievably lost.