Everyone in my harem is talented

Chapter 191 Companion Reading

In the fragrant month of April, the pond is surrounded by green shadows.

The fish sink into the deep water and no waves are created.

In Zhaozheng Hall.

Qin Zhi had just finished discussing state affairs with his courtiers and was now diligently reviewing memorials to the emperor.

Not long after, the eunuch suddenly entered the palace and reported, "Your Majesty, the military officer Liu Lifang wants to see you."

Liu Lifang, a doctor in the Ministry of War, is the father of Concubine Rou Liu Yiren and the grandfather of the eldest prince Qin Mingyu.

The Langzhong of the Military Department was a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of War, in charge of carriages, post stations, and horse breeding. He was a practical official position below the Shangshu and the left and right vice ministers of the Ministry of War.

Liu Lifang was already a Langzhong of the Ministry of War before Qin Zhi ascended the throne.

To put it nicely, Liu Lifang is an honest man who works diligently and conscientiously, but in reality, he is just a person who only knows how to follow instructions and does nothing.

In Qin Zhi's eyes, he was an incompetent person who only cared for the elderly and lived off them.

For the sake of Concubine Rou Liu Yiren, who died of illness after giving birth to the eldest prince Qin Mingyu.

Out of respect for Liu Lifang's capable and promising elder brother, the Minister of Revenue Liu Shuofang, who was in charge of the purse strings, Qin Zhi did not kick him out directly.

Of course, the main reason is that although Liu Lifang does nothing, he does not have the ability to cause trouble.

If someone not only does nothing but also gets in the way, no one can help him.

The new people promoted by Qin Zhi to reform the postal system marginalized Liu Lifang.

Qin Zhi let Liu Lifang occupy the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Driving. After the newcomers' merits were settled and their qualifications were improved, he could clean up the situation, let the newcomers take over, and Liu Lifang would retire and go home.

The postal reform of the Jiabu was going very smoothly, and Qin Zhi had more and closer eyes monitoring the world, but this had nothing to do with Liu Lifang, who was nominally in charge of the world's post stations but actually did nothing about it.

"What is he here for?" Qin Zhi thought for half a second but had no clue.

"Call him in."

Qin Zhi paused for a moment while marking the memorials, then continued to focus on the memorial at hand at a leisurely pace.

"May your majesty be well and healthy."

Liu Lifang bowed and greeted him very respectfully. Perhaps because of Qin Zhi's prejudice, Qin Zhi heard a hint of flattery in his voice.

"I am fine, what's the matter?"

Qin Zhi kept writing with his red brush and looked at Liu Lifang thoughtfully.

Could it be that Liu Lifang came here to be the study partner of the eldest prince Qin Mingyu?

Does this have anything to do with him?

It seems that there is some connection.

Although in February of the tenth year of Jingzheng, after the court officials returned from a one-month annual leave and officially started working, the eldest prince Qin Mingyu, the third prince Qin Mingjin and the fourth prince Qin Mingyin also started to go to Shangxiang Palace to study.

However, Qin Zhi only selected enlightenment teachers for the three princes and defined the courses they should learn and master in the first few years.

As for the arrangements for the study companions for the princes, Qin Zhi originally said that he would wait until the beginning of spring, that is, after the third day of the third month of the Shangsi Festival, to select study companions for the princes.

Qin Zhi did not say how long it was afterwards, but it is already April now, and the news of the princes selecting their study companions is like a stone sunk into a pond, with no follow-up.

As the maternal grandfather of the eldest prince Qin Mingyu, Liu Lifang was encouraged by the flattery of his colleagues who had ideas about the prince's tutor to come to Zhaozheng Palace to find Qin Zhi to inquire about the news.

It's said to be the beginning of spring, but it's already April. What happened to choosing a study partner? Your Majesty!

"Your Majesty, I am your humble servant, your humble servant, your humble servant,"

Liu Lifang walked into Zhaozheng Hall, saluted in a formal manner, then looked up at Qin Zhi's stern gaze that was casually sweeping over him, and suddenly began to stutter. It was over, he had forgotten all the speeches he had prepared, and his mind was blank.

Liu Lifang was still breaking down in his heart.

"If you have something to say, say it. If not, get out of here. Don't stand here and disturb me while I'm reviewing documents."

Qin Zhi was speechless.

The eldest prince Qin Mingyu's grandfather was so stupid. I hope the eldest prince will inherit Liu Lifang's character when he grows up.

It’s really hard to put into words.

If Liu Shuofang had only one "engaged" daughter, how could Emperor Taizu have chosen the daughter of Liu Lifang, who had done nothing, as a concubine for his grandson Qin Zhi?

Of course, Liu Yiren was able to advance because of her good conditions, beautiful appearance, and elegant manner.

Fortunately, apart from her beautiful appearance, Liu Yiren doesn't look like her biological father Liu Lifang in any other way.

A slight feeling of relief flashed through Qin Zhi's mind.

"Your Majesty, I have heard from my colleagues in recent days that Your Majesty is planning to select study companions for the princes after the spring, so I would like to recommend myself."

Liu Lifang was instigated by a group of people and had planned to use his identity as the grandfather of the eldest prince Qin Mingyu to help everyone ask His Majesty about the rules and arrangements for selecting study companions for the princes.

If Your Majesty has forgotten about selecting a study partner, he will come to remind Your Majesty.

But now that I'm here, and since I want to ask about the rules or remind Your Majesty, why not recommend myself?

If he could be chosen as the eldest prince's study companion, it would also be an opportunity for his Liu family to build a relationship with the eldest prince and get closer to him.

Ever since his daughter Liu Yiren passed away, His Majesty entrusted the eldest prince born to her to be raised by Shi Qingzhang, the former head maiden of Lanlin Palace.

Shi Qingzhang was an unrelated person who came from a humble palace maiden background, but thanks to the influence of her daughter and her relationship with her grandson, the eldest prince, she became a concubine of high rank.

However, the Liu family, who are blood relatives of the First Prince, cannot often go to the palace to care for their grandson, the First Prince, and have almost cut off contact with the First Prince.

Is this reasonable?

If it weren't for his daughter Liu Yiren and his grandson, the Crown Prince, Shi Qingzhang would never have had the good fortune to rise to such a high position, but he never thought of repaying them.

Speaking of the maternal family, does Shi Qingzhang have the power of his maternal family to support the eldest prince?

No.

It still depends on his Liu family.

I really can't figure it out.

Fortunately, Shi Qingzhang doesn’t have his own son yet.

In the future, if Shi Qingzhang has his own son, the eldest prince will be grown up and sensible, and will not fall into such a difficult situation.

Now is the age when His Royal Highness the First Prince is ready to study. The Liu family can take advantage of the opportunity of the prince choosing a study partner to contact His Royal Highness the First Prince again.

When Shi Qingzhang has his own son in the future, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be closer to the Liu family.

As Liu Lifang thought about it, she began to feel indignant towards Shi Qingzhang who had taken the seat of beauty.

The status of a beauty among the inner court ladies is equivalent to that of a county marquis of the third rank.

It was much higher than the fifth-rank Langzhong position of the Ministry of War, which he had held for many years without being promoted.

Fortunately, as an outsider, he had no chance to meet the ladies in the harem. If he did, he would have to pay his respects to his daughter's former maid, which would be so embarrassing.

"Self-recommendation?"

Qin Zhi glanced at Liu Lifang with a half-smile and said jokingly:

"How old are you, Doctor Liu? I have arranged for people of your age and profound knowledge to be teachers to the princes. As for you, which prince are you going to recommend yourself to be a study partner? It's not impossible for me to consider you as a study partner."

Liu Lifang's heart trembled and he was in a trance for a moment.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I am not recommending myself. I want to recommend my eldest grandson, Liu Jingzhou, to be the study companion of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Liu Lifang smiled awkwardly and continued:

"My nephew Liu Jingzhou is the eldest grandson of my elder brother Liu Shuofang. He is only two years older than the eldest prince, so he is just the right age.

Jingzhou has been clever, calm and steady since he was young. It has been two or three years since he started to receive education. It was his elder brother who personally taught him.

Besides, in terms of bloodline, Jing Zhou is also the eldest prince's cousin.

Your humble servant, your humble servant feels that it would be most appropriate to let Jing Zhou be the eldest prince's study companion, so I came up with the idea of ​​recommending him.

What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Liu Lifang's eyes were filled with anticipation. The more he spoke, the more confident he became, until he had completely convinced himself.

"Have you discussed this with Liu Shuofang and Grand Master Liu at home?"

Qin Zhi looked at Liu Lifang leisurely and asked with a smile.

He felt a little pity for his beloved Minister of Revenue Liu Shuofang.

Liu Shuofang will probably have to clean up the mess of his own brother for the rest of his life, and he will have to sacrifice his entire family as well.

As a result, as soon as he was not optimistic, the smart and clever eldest grandson Liu Jingzhou was sold out by his younger brother Liu Lifang.

Even if he was not his eldest grandson, but one of his younger brother Liu Lifang's grandsons, Liu Shuofang would probably want to slap Liu Lifang to death.

As long as the old lady of the Liu family is still alive, the family cannot be divided. As long as the family cannot be divided, we are still one family.

They are brothers from the same mother, and whose grandsons are they? How can you tell them apart?

However, the importance of this eldest grandson is indeed greater.

When Qin Zhi was selecting a concubine, Liu Shuofang's daughter said that they were engaged. In fact, it was just a verbal statement. The two families had not yet exchanged engagement letters, and they could regret and refuse at any time. It could be treated as a joke and just laughed it off.

However, Liu Shuofang chose to use the excuse that his daughter was already engaged to refuse his daughter's request to enter the palace to be the Crown Prince's concubine, because he did not want to be involved in any risk of fighting for the throne. Unexpectedly, his own brother Liu Lifang jumped out and pushed his own daughter out, which made Liu Shuofang very angry.

Concubine Rou Liu Yiren gave birth to the eldest prince Qin Mingyu and has been bedridden ever since.

After her death, Liu Shuofang, as the head of the family, has been restraining Liu Lifang and his wife from trying to get close to the eldest prince.

However, Liu Lifang did not seem to notice that his elder brother and sister-in-law were becoming estranged from Lanlin Palace and even the eldest prince Qin Mingyu.

That's right, because only ladies of noble birth can enter the harem, and the welcoming and seeing off of guests are also presided over by the women in the family. The one who leads everything in the Liu family is the eldest brother Liu Shuofang and his wife.

Liu Shuofang and his wife, one in charge of the interior and the other in charge of the exterior, keep the Liu family under close watch.

Who would have thought that after a while, Liu Lifang ran to Qin Zhi holding Liu Shuofang's eldest grandson to show off.

Really interesting.

Qin Zhi smiled secretly.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Rou is my biological daughter, and the Crown Prince is my biological grandson.

It is natural for me to want to get close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. How could my brother object? How could he object? "

Liu Lifang was originally feeling a little guilty when Qin Zhi stared at him, but after a few words, he began to feel justified.

Who told him that his grandson was only four years old, younger than the eldest prince? How could he be a companion to the eldest prince? How could he take good care of the eldest prince? How could he give advice to the eldest prince?

The eldest brother’s grandson is his grandson, and his grandson-in-law is also the eldest brother’s grandson-in-law. How can they be separated?

So when choosing a study partner for his grandson, it would be most appropriate to suggest his eldest brother's eight-year-old grandson Liu Jingzhou.

He sent his eldest brother's eldest grandson onto the ship of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and his eldest brother will definitely help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the future.

"Is it yes or no? I don't want to hear such ambiguous answers."

Qin Zhi stared at Liu Lifang slowly and forced him to give a definite answer.

Liu Shuofang, Liu Shuofang, if your brother committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, I think you would definitely help him to get away with it. You only have this one biological brother, and he is a stupid brother who you have spoiled since he was a child.

Since you choose to help him get over it, then I...

Qin Zhi selectively ignored the problem that Liu Shuo had to compromise. If he refused again, would it mean that you looked down on the royal family of Dayong and were unwilling to be loyal to the emperor and the country?

Liu Shuofang is an old fox who would avoid Liu Yiren even if she was his biological daughter. Now he is about to be backstabbed by his own brother again!

Is it useful to hide for so long?

I think it's only a matter of time before he is dragged down by the people around him.

But before that,

Qin Zhi hoped that he could do his task well; whether or not to go into the water was another matter.

The eldest prince is still young after all. If Liu Shufang is capable but cannot do his job well, Qin Zhi will have serious objections.

The moment of getting into the water was when Liu Shuofang could use his remaining energy for him.

Qin Zhi sighed softly in his heart.

"Your Majesty, my elder brother has agreed."

Liu Lifang's eyes were wandering and he nodded heavily.

Zhang Deli stood behind Qin Zhi, his eyes twitching. He could tell whether Liu Lifang was good at lying or not.

Doctor Liu Lifang is all show and no substance. He has a good-looking body. Even though he is already a grandfather, he is still so elegant and graceful that he can fool many people.

Your Majesty cannot be fooled, so is Your Majesty playing a trick on us again?

"In this case, I will grant your request. Liu Jingzhou will be the eldest prince's companion. Zhang Deli, send someone to draft an imperial decree and ask Doctor Liu to take it back."

It’s none of my business. It’s your brother who is bullying the emperor.

If he says that you have discussed it, I will believe it. You must not let me down, Grand Tutor Liu of Dayong, my beloved Minister Liu.

I don’t know how angry Liu Shuofang will be after Liu Lifang returns with the imperial edict. Qin Zhi sighed.

In fact, he is gloating.

Before Zhang Deli left, Qin Zhi gave Zhang Deli a knowing look, and Zhang Deli nodded slightly before leaving.

Play is play, make noise is noise, get angry is angry, but it can’t delay work.

After a moment of gloating, Qin Zhi calmly returned to his job.