Chapter 85.1 - Defying an Imperial Decree

An Zi Ran paused in the middle of writing when he heard the servant coming over to inform him. After a long while, he finally looked up at the servant. "Someone from the palace came and even brought a big group of women?"

"Yes, wang fei." Steward Zhou replied respectfully.

He was the new vice-steward appointed in the prince's palace. He knew that the wang ye attached great importance to wang fei, and with Steward Li's blunder as an example*, he did not dare to be contemptuous to the wang fei like Steward Li did, even if the wang fei was a man.

[*T/N: 前车之鉴 to learn a lesson from the mistakes of one’s predecessor (idiom)]

"Let's go see."

An Zi Ran was silent for a moment and then he got up.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

Steward Zhou followed him quickly to the main lobby.

They had yet to arrive at the lobby but they could already hear the burst of conversation coming from inside. Occasionally, they heard the sound of a sharp, shrill voice, which seemed to belong to a eunuch.

The two of them reached the doorway of the main lobby and the people inside immediately noticed them.

A very dressed-up eunuch came over to them. He gave An Zi Ran a once over. Laughing, he said, "You must be the jun wang's wang fei, this servant is the palace's Xiao Le Zi*. By order of the emperor, I brought these beauties here."

[*T/N: Eunuchs were often nicknamed "Xiao ____ Zi." Both "xiao" and "zi" implies little or small.]

"Bringing them here, what is the meaning of it?"

As An Zi Ran entered the main lobby, he asked this question. But he already knew that the Chong Ming Emperor wanted to insert his people into Fu Wu Tian's back courtyard. As for what reason he could use to do so, An Zi Ran already guessed. It was nothing more than grasping at the point that he, An Zi Ran, could not have children.

The eunuch covered his grin and said, "Fu wang fei really knows how to joke with this servant. Naturally, it is to let them live in the Imperial Fu Palace. These beauties were all specially chosen by the emperor for the jun wang. Each and every one of these beauties' faces is the cream of the crop. They absolutely would not bring disgrace or humiliation to the jun wang. Fu wang fei, as a man, you should be considerate of the jun wang. The emperor said, two days from now he will pass a decree to give wang ye a few concubines."

On the surface, it seemed to be for Fu Wu Tian's sake, but in reality, it was just an excuse to plant spies in the prince's palace.

An Zi Ran understood this right away. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

If he had not been candid with Fu Wu Tian, and if he did not do married couple things with him, then he would not care how many people the emperor wanted to insert into the prince's palace. But since he was already sitting on the wang fei seat, forget a group of people, even if it were just one person, he would not let her walk a single step into the Imperial Fu Palace.

"It is better for you to take these people back. Wang ye does not need them."

Xiao Le Zi replied, "Fu wang fei, it is very normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Not to mention you are a man and cannot give birth. If the Fu bloodline ended because of you, then you would be a big sinner. Besides, you are not the jun wang, how do you know that jun wang does not need them? Even if you throw a fit you still have to be mindful of the time and place."

An Zi Ran turned and looked at the confident eunuch. The corner of his lips twitched up. Just as he was about to speak, one of the beauties stepped forward.

The beauty turned towards him and half rose out of her chair as a polite gesture. Her slightly lowered body revealed white skin and an ample bosom. It was a very nice view, but too bad no one was admiring.

The beauty raised her head and revealed a beautiful face. She said with a smile, "What eunuch Xiao Le Zi said is correct. Fu wang fei is a man, so you should also have self-awareness. Since you can't laid an egg, shouldn't you give the other little sisters* a chance? Furthermore, the emperor personally decreed this. Could it be that the wang fei is trying to defy an imperial decree and not comply?"

[*T/N: The main wife is considered the big sister while the concubines are considered her little sisters. Because the Chinese place a lot of importance on seniority, the little sisters are supposed to respect the big sister.]

Little sisters?

An Zi Ran frowned.

Who would've thought that he would have a day like this, to fall to the state of fighting with a bunch of women for the husband's favor? If it was before, he would've never thought this possible, and he would definitely not believe it could happen.

Xiao Le Zi and the beauties saw his expression and thought that he was afraid of the consequences of defying an imperial decree. They, the group of women especially, were happy in their hearts. They have all heard about the jun wang, and they all longed for him. Moreover, the Imperial Fu Palce had a Fu wang fei that couldn't give birth. What did this mean? It meant that in the future they all had a chance to depend on their children for wealth and status. If they gave birth to a son, perhaps that boy could even become the heir. At that time, they would be set for life. Once they thought of this, the beauties became even more determined to enter the Imperial Fu Palace.

The Chong Ming Emperor targeting Fu Wu Tian, this wasn't something new.

Ever since the incident with Chang Province spread, the emperor was always in a hurry to grasp some weakness or fault of Fu Wu Tian, that way he could cancel out Fu Wu Tian's merits, and not have to reward him.

If An Zi Ran defied the imperial decree before him, then wouldn't he be giving the emperor the perfect excuse?

The situation had gotten a bit difficult.

An Zi Ran got up hesitantly.

Xiao Le Zi thought that he was compromising, and spoke in a high voice, "Since Fu wang fei has no objection, then please arrange living quarters for these beauties. This servant still has to go report back to the palace."

"Then I ask this eunuch to take these beauties back with you when you go to the palace." An Zi Ran faintly answered.

Xiao Le Zi nodded subconsciously. When he finally caught on, his eyes immediately widened.

"Fu wang fei, you want to defy an imperial decree and not comply?"

"Steward Zhou, see the guests out." An Zi Ran did not answer his question, instead he had Steward Zhou, who was standing behind him, to send the guests out in his stead. His attitude was so strong and unflappable that they all revealed an incredulous expression.

Steward Zhou immediately came out. "Eunuch, please."

Xiao Le Zi's expression turned ugly. He said coldly, "In that case, this servant will withdraw. But this servant gives Fu wang fei a word of advice. It is no ordinary matter to defy an imperial decree. You should mentally prepare yourself."

With this sentence, Xiao Le Zi left the prince's palace, bringing the beauties, who all also had ugly expressions, with him.

Steward Zhou returned to the main lobby and saw wang fei sitting inside with a thoughtful expression. After thinking about it, he said, "Wang fei…"

An Zi Ran raised his hand to stop the rest of his words.

"No need to say more, I know what I am doing."

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