In a prefectural city at the border between two countries, he walked and instructed his special forces to investigate the border for a period of time, observing the enemy's troop numbers and their preparations for war.
The two countries had previously opened trade, but due to matters in the Jin state, trade between Wei and Yun was closed. The Crown Prince of Wei's visit earlier in the year was also intended to resume commerce.
As the prince of his own fiefdom, Huangfu Xian accompanied him on this trip.
Upon arriving at the Prince's Mansion, wealthy merchants and local gentry outside repeatedly invited Prince Xian to dine, under the guise of missing him.
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow at the blushing Huangfu Xian, saying, "The prince lives a truly wonderful life. Don't sell yourself for Yun Country!"
"Sister-in-law, you... you can't joke like that. If word got out, my reputation would be ruined!"
Heh, so he still knew about face.
But in the eyes of this couple, that bit of face was already gone.
His fiefdom was a mess, with rampant bandits, failing crops, and corrupt officials who treated human lives as grass. Any one of these charges was enough to punish him.
And yet, he still followed Prince Xiaoyao around playing, how dare he show his face to them.
"Go on then. We'll rest for a bit and then go out for a walk. If this Mingyuan Prefecture is also in shambles under your governance, then you shouldn't be a prince anymore. Go to the army and be a deputy general, training every day. It's better than you running around everywhere with all your energy!"
Huangfu Xian dared not go drinking with those wealthy merchants and gentry anymore. He dutifully stayed by the Emperor's side, never leaving his left or right, to the point where he'd practically be handing the Emperor paper if he went to relieve himself.
The ancient-looking streets were clean and tidy, shops were open, and the crowds bustled with activity. Once bilateral trade was reopened, Mingyuan Prefecture would surely be even more prosperous than it was now.
After inspecting the area, he found it commendable. It seemed Prince Xian wasn't entirely an idle prince who did nothing.
However, Prince Xian currently had no official consort, which was ultimately not ideal.
Fan Zehao tugged at his wife's wide sleeve and whispered in her ear, "See if you want to arrange a marriage for Prince Xian. Without an official consort, his concubines aren't producing heirs either. He doesn't even have any illegitimate sons or daughters now. This affects my abdication and delays our family's travel plans."
As soon as travel was mentioned, Zhao Jiaqi's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly, "If it weren't for Yu Meng's tip-off last time, maybe they would have had children by now. We can't miss this opportunity again. But when he marries a princess, it should be of equal standing, don't you think?"
The couple was plotting, while Prince Xian, standing nearby, wished he could stretch his ears to listen, but Shi He stood guard, and he truly dared not step forward to eavesdrop.
After the couple finished their discussion, they exchanged smiles, like cats who had stolen cream.
The next day, after breakfast, Zhao Jiaqi deliberately summoned the concubines, consorts, and even room-sharers from Prince Xian's mansion, under the pretense of casual chat, but in reality, with a specific purpose in mind to see them.
Inside, there were quite a few women kneeling on the ground. A rough count revealed seventeen or eighteen!
Plump or slender, beautiful women, with so many beauties by his side, he was truly enjoying life.
In contrast, Concubine Fan Mingyue was the plainest looking among them. Compared to the pampered and nurtured noble flowers in a greenhouse, she was more like a wildflower from the mountains.
"Be seated!"
After sizing them up, Zhao Jiaqi withdrew her curious gaze and gestured towards a chair on the side, indicating for them to sit and talk.
"I have summoned you all today simply to discuss Prince Xian!"
The women in Prince Xian's mansion were a bit bewildered by the Empress's words.
Fan Mingyue, perhaps emboldened by the fact that the current person was her sister-in-law, dared to speak.
"Sister-in-law, this younger sister doesn't quite understand what you mean!"
"How presumptuous! The Empress is sovereign, and you are a subject. A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject. How can you all call each other relatives here? Do you not want your heads!" Chun Fen stepped forward and reprimanded Fan Mingyue sternly.
Do not think the Empress is unaware of her little intentions. In front of all of Prince Xian's concubines, calling the Empress sister-in-law is simply to gain an advantage over them, believing that with the Empress's backing, she could do as she pleased.
Wishful thinking!
The one being scolded sat on the chair, blushing furiously, her head bowed low.
The other women beside her covered their mouths and smiled, their beautiful eyes filled with ridicule.
Zhao Jiaqi heavily put down her teacup and scanned the people in the hall. Although she disliked Fan Mingyue, she did bear the surname Fan.
"Today I have called you here to announce something good."
"You have been in the mansion for many years, yet you have no children. Therefore, I have devised a plan. Whoever can give birth to the eldest legitimate son will be rewarded with one hundred thousand taels of silver. For the eldest legitimate daughter, five thousand taels of silver. There is also a position of secondary consort remaining in the Prince's Mansion. Whoever can give birth to the first child for Prince Xian's mansion, regardless of gender, I will personally ensure that the position of secondary consort is hers."
Her words were like a drop of water falling into a hot wok, instantly exploding.
Madam Ru bowed and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, the Prince is rarely in the mansion. Even if we wish to, we are powerless! Moreover... after each night of intimacy, we drink contraceptive soup. How can we have children!"
"Yes, if the main consort has not given birth to a legitimate son or daughter, the concubines are not eligible to give birth!"
Zhao Jiaqi glanced at the speakers. If she had a solution, would she resort to this method?
Prince Xian's refusal to marry a main consort worried her and her husband more than anyone.
If absolutely necessary, she would marry him off blindfolded and supervise their consummation to produce a child.
She refused to believe that given a man and a woman, dry wood and fierce fire, they couldn't achieve something.
That's right, Prince Xiaoyao couldn't be let off either. Both hands needed to be firm!
"For the next few months, the Prince will be staying at the mansion. I don't care what method you use, conceiving a child is the top priority."
See? Wasn't she good to these concubines?
This was something others dreamed of, and she was opening the door wide.
As she was leaving, Zhao Jiaqi suddenly thought of something, turned around, and called out Fan Mingyue by name, "For the next three days, you will attend to the Prince. I will speak to Prince Xian about it, and also have the imperial physician give you some fertility pills. You do not need to take contraceptive soup for these three days. If asked, say it's my permission."
Fan Mingyue wore a faint smile and bowed, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty!"
Sister-in-law was still a person with a cold exterior but a warm heart. She spoke harshly but protected her with practical actions. However, her sister-in-law's good intentions might be in vain.
Because she mistakenly consumed poisoned food from the Prince, her body could no longer conceive. Therefore, over the years, the Prince had doted on her out of guilt.
Only the imperial physician and the Prince in the mansion knew about this matter. Otherwise, she would be ostracized to death by these concubines.
In the hall, the other concubines glared at her with malicious eyes, each wishing they could tear her apart. Three days, and she didn't even need to take contraceptive soup. What a great favor.
Why didn't they receive such treatment?
The Empress was still biased towards that bitch Fan Mingyue.
When the news reached Prince Xian, he gave a bitter smile.
His Majesty, the Empress would do anything to shed the throne. Such a devious plan was being used.
He was afraid he could not escape the fate of marrying a main consort.
However, for every policy, there is a countermeasure. He was not afraid.