Li Qingmu listened quietly.

This dynasty of the Ancient Times, he had read quite a bit of unofficial history about it and knew a few things, but the truly important matters are all recorded by the Imperial Family, which is not accessible to the common people.

The Zhou Dynasty was the last dynasty of the Ancient Times, and also the last complete dynasty of that era. After that came the era of continuous warfare.

During those years, warlords divided territories, wars broke out incessantly, lasting hundreds of years, and the people were indeed in dire straits.

The root cause of all this was the dwindling bloodline of the Zhou Imperial Family.

The Zhou Imperial Family placed too much emphasis on royal bloodlines. If a woman’s background wasn’t very good, she couldn’t become a concubine of Emperor Zhou.

Because the requirements for bloodlines were too stringent, the members of the Zhou Imperial Family became fewer and fewer, ultimately dwindling down until there were no suitable heirs to the throne.

In contrast, a vassal lord surnamed Tian under Emperor Zhou opened the back gardens wide, not only taking in many concubines but also allowing them to associate with men outside.

The children they bore were all given the surname "Tian," and over time, the Tian Family flourished, with a burgeoning population and a plethora of talents, almost replacing the Zhou Imperial Family.

It was precisely because of this bloody lesson that throughout each successive dynasty, there was a hope for the proliferate offspring of the Imperial Family, especially the Emperor’s offspring.

Rong Si also wanted Li Qingmu to take in more concubines and have more offspring.

Rong Si recounted the history of the Zhou Family in great detail and then looked at Li Qingmu: "Mu’er, do you understand your mother’s meaning now?"

To take in more concubines, to have more offspring...

Li Qingmu was quite resistant to such things in his heart, but he did not refute Rong Si and instead respectfully said, "I understand, Mother."

Rong Si glanced at the young women and waved for them to withdraw, only then turning to Zhi Jin at the side.

At this moment, Zhi Jin’s heart was beating faster than ever before. She even felt that she wasn’t this nervous when facing threats to her life!

She cautiously came to Rong Si, shyly glancing at Li Qingmu.

Li Qingmu stood beside Rong Si, his eyes looking at his nose, his nose looking at his mouth, his mouth looking at his heart, appearing very honest.

"Mu’er, your mother only just learned today that Jin’er has always admired you. Ah, to think Jin’er has been by your mother’s side for many years now and is quite grown. If she doesn’t marry soon, her life will just slip by like this."

Li Qingmu looked up at her, and perhaps due to shyness, Zhi Jin did not dare to meet his gaze.

Otherwise, she could surely catch a hint of coldness in Li Qingmu’s eyes!

"Then, according to Mother’s intention?"

"Mother is prepared to confer her the title of Lady Jinfu, to preside over the Palace Embroiderer. You needn’t go elsewhere tonight; just accompany Jin’er well in the Palace Embroiderer!"

At these words, joy blossomed in Zhi Jin’s heart, and she hurried to bow in gratitude to Rong Si.

Li Qingmu pondered a little, also bowed, and withdrew.

He neither explicitly agreed nor refused, leaving one feeling quite puzzled.

Watching Li Qingmu leave the palace gate, Rong Si smiled slightly: "Jin’er, why not hurry after him? Happiness must be pursued by oneself, right?"

Rong Si’s words truly struck a chord with her, and Zhi Jin once again joyfully thanked her.

Watching Zhi Jin’s hurried departing figure, a trace of mockery flashed in Rong Si’s eyes.

"Princess, Jin’er’s mind has changed!"

The old nanny whispered in Rong Si’s ear.

Rong Si yawned, drank a mouthful of bird’s nest soup, and chuckled lightly: "Changed or not, in the end she is a woman, always wanting to try something never tried before. That Zhi Jin dared to speak up for Li Qingmu shows she truly loves him deeply, and such a person can no longer be used."

With just a single sentence, Rong Si sealed Zhi Jin’s fate!

Moreover, as a betrayer, if there’s anything wrong in the future, she would surely die miserably.

"It’s just, Princess, it seems rather unfair to Your Majesty..."

"Fairness? Haha, what fairness is there in this world, those who speak of fairness are weak, always hoping that the strong will sympathize with them, such thinking is the most despicable!"

Rong Si had spoken to this point, so the old nanny couldn’t say more and got up to bring water to help Rong Si wash her face.

Rong Si lightly rubbed her face, feeling something was off, "Forget it, let’s bathe!"

"Yes."

...

Li Qingmu returned to the study with a dark expression.

He looked up at the sky outside the window, staring at the gradually setting sun, feeling annoyed!

Just last night, he talked about it nicely, planning to see the blooming lotus in the pond tonight, but now it seems he’s going to stand someone up.

Rong Si directly mentioned him by name to go to the Palace Embroiderer!

Heh!

Who knows whether Rong Si genuinely wants to give her to him, or is testing him, or something else?

Li Qingmu propped his forehead with one hand, feeling a headache.

He thought of his father’s headaches, is it that being Emperor comes with a common ailment?

"Your Majesty, it’s getting late, should we go to the Palace Embroiderer?"

"Can I not go?"

Chen Liu was asked quite awkwardly and had to withdraw, letting Li Qingmu stay a bit longer.

Gradually, night fell.

In the Liang Palace, candlelight flickered, as bright as day, the clear wind gently blew in the air, and the rippling water near the corridors shimmered beautifully.

Li Qingmu’s Dragon Carriage moved slowly along the shade-covered path, gradually heading towards the Palace Embroiderer.

Along the way, palace maids and eunuchs knelt down to pay their respects.

Li Qingmu closed his eyes to rest, looking quite at ease.

The Palace Embroiderer had been reached.

Zhi Jin, dressed in a splendid embroidered robe, greeted Li Qingmu’s arrival respectfully.

Li Qingmu gave her a brief glance and moved straight into the Palace Embroiderer.

Zhi Jin quickly followed him.

Entering the inner chamber, Li Qingmu said nothing, merely sat down and drank tea.

Upon entering, Zhi Jin hastily instructed people to serve snacks and food, and personally went to the temporarily erected stove at the back to prepare a bowl of sour plum soup for him.

In the hot summer, something refreshing should be drunk.

But Li Qingmu didn’t like the taste of the sour plum soup and only frowned.

"Your Majesty, is it not to your taste?"

"Hmm, I don’t like it!"

Zhi Jin didn’t catch the double entendre in Li Qingmu’s words and immediately said, "Then I will make some other soup. Oh, would you like to have some white fungus and lotus seed?"

Li Qingmu frowned: "I don’t eat sweets!"

Though he said this, Long Yue often made sweet foods for him.

But Zhi Jin was unaware and thought Li Qingmu truly didn’t eat sweets, so she said, "Then I’ll make Century Egg and Lean Pork Congee!"

Watching her depart, Li Qingmu toyed with two finely crafted jade beads in his hand, spinning them continuously there.

The Century Egg and Lean Pork Congee was quickly brought over, but Li Qingmu merely tasted it lightly and didn’t continue to eat.

Zhi Jin was bewildered: "Your Majesty doesn’t like it?"

"Hmm!"

"..."

Zhi Jin suddenly didn’t know what to say.

Li Qingmu found sitting tiring, so he slowly stood up: "Since Lady Jinfu is busy cooking, I shall not disturb you then, farewell!"

Holding the plate, considering what else could please His Majesty’s taste, Zhi Jin, upon hearing these words, stood petrified, motionless!