After Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s son, Li Qian, healed the red birthmark on his face, the Empress smashed things for several days, her heart twisted with hatred.

The peace she once felt was now gone, for without a doubt, Li Qian could now compete with her son. Noble Princess Consort Xiao is not one to be easily satisfied, her family is not weak, and regarding the throne, she would surely have Li Qian contest for it. To unify the world and see all its lands, who wouldn’t want that?

The Empress’s father, Zhang Mingji, was appointed as the Right Minister.

Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s father, Xiao Hong, served as the Secretary in the court.

On the surface, the Right Minister’s position is higher than that of the Secretary, but the Secretary manages more diverse affairs than the Right Minister, has more interactions with other ministers, and, speaking of playing to one’s strengths and avoiding weaknesses, it is a lucrative position.

These past few years, the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Xiao competed both openly and secretly, each urging their sons to perform well in front of the Emperor.

The relationship between the Right Minister and the Secretary in court was also adversarial.

As Li Qian matured, studying under a renowned scholar of the time, his literary skills improved over the years. Since the red scar on his face faded, he visited his father more frequently. Emperor Jingping, feeling a bit guilty for neglecting him previously, was patient with him every time his eldest son visited. Over time, he realized that he had much in common with his eldest son, reminiscent of the enjoyable conversations he had with the State Preceptor. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The father and son’s relationship improved~

As Li Qian’s visits to the Imperial Study Room increased, the Empress grew more uneasy.

Today, I came to the Crown Prince Mansion to bring the Lady Painting for my son to select a Concubine.

As for the position of Crown Princess Consort, I already have a candidate in mind.

Li Changnian, at fourteen, had a straight nose and bright eyes, a full and pronounced forehead, sitting upright at the black lacquered square table.

"Mother, why isn’t there an image of Qingxi in this Lady Painting? Her father is a Third Grade official, also a court minister. Although she is a concubine’s daughter, she is still worthy of the position of Concubine. I have said I would listen to mother and give the Main Wife position to whomever, but Qingxi must be a Concubine."

The Empress elegantly sipped her tea and then looked at her agitated son: "I don’t know what charm she has used on you, but your Concubine position should be reserved for a woman who can help you. If you really like her, bring her in as a concubine."

"No way, how can Qingxi be wronged to be a concubine." Li Changnian immediately stood up to refute his mother.

The Concubine position is one level lower than the Princess but higher than other Concubines or concubines.

In the mansion, besides the Princess, the highest rank is the Concubine.

According to ’Shiming’, it states: "Concubine, receive, is a favored one in servitude." A concubine is also called a secondary wife, she must serve her husband at all times and be subject to the duties of the main wife, half servant and half maid, indeed pitiable.

Any woman from a respectable family with some dignity would not want to be someone else’s concubine.

Of course, if one could become a concubine in a noble family, it’s considered virtuous.

For example, in front of the Crown Prince.

In the Empress’s eyes, allowing Liu Qingxi to enter the Eastern Palace is already a form of grace.

The Empress showed no sign of backing down, tense as she said, "I’m doing this for your own good, so you can take the throne and hold it longer in the future. Your elder brother, Li Qian, may seem gentle on the surface, but he might rebel one day."

A timid and cautious elder brother would rebel?

Li Changnian sneered disdainfully, "Mother, you’re overthinking it. You haven’t seen how cowardly he looks, running after the Chief of Staff’s young daughter with his lips pouting, not showing a bit of manliness. Because he is my elder brother, I give him some respect. If he actually dared to rebel, I would hold the sword of justice in my hand and punish the traitors."

"Bang."

The Empress slapped the table, causing the teacup to clatter, spilling the tea.