There are many absurd things in this world, but to be judged as a good kid just by saying eight words in total, made Fan Xian, who was almost seventeen, feel that this was extremely ridiculous. The Imperial Palace was indeed very different from other places. High-ranking nobles always made judgments too casually and based on their own preferences.

Although Fan Xian never knew about the relationship between Madam Liu and Consort Yi, it didn't prevent him from learning from Wan'er's mouth that Consort Yi was a very favored concubine at the moment. Otherwise, under the Emperor's reputation for self-cultivation and abstinence from women, it would have been impossible for her to give birth to a prince who was only eight years old.

As they chatted in the palace, Consort Yi seemed to really like Fan Xian. The expression on her face became happier and happier. Fan Xian, being tactful, told a few jokes he remembered from his previous life, and a burst of silver bell-like laughter rang out in the hall. Fan Xian found that this Consort was surprisingly cheerful. He was a little surprised and admired how she was still able to maintain such a temperament in this hidden palace.

After chatting for a while, the sun had gradually risen. Madam Liu asked with a smile, "Where is the Third Prince?" Consort Yi sighed and said, "That child is still terribly shy. After getting up, he shrinks in the back hall and refuses to come out. He probably won't show his face until mealtime." Madam Liu chuckled and said, "So our Third Prince is quite shy."

Although there was a distinction between ruler and subject, Madam Liu and Consort Yi were sisters after all, so their conversation didn't have so many formalities. Consort Yi stretched out her slender index finger, her nails painted with bright red, which looked very attractive. She pointed at Fan Xian and said, "Isn't this one of your family shy too?"

At that moment, a slightly shy smile appeared on Fan Xian's face, which happened to correspond with Consort Yi's words.

"Alright, Sister, you and Ruo Ruo can stay here and chat with me." Consort Yi seemed to know that Madam Liu was unwilling to go to the Empress and Eldest Princess's place, and took it upon herself to keep her as a guest. "I'll have Xing'er take Fan Xian to those other palaces."

Madam Liu's eyebrows furrowed slightly. She bowed and said, "How can that be? I came to the palace today upon summons, and the first thing I did was to come and see Consort Yi. I'm already worried that it will displease those other consorts. If I come to the palace and don't visit them, I'm afraid it would be somewhat disrespectful." Hearing this, Consort Yi snorted from her nose and said, "Sister, I think it's better for you not to go. Originally, only Fan Xian was summoned to the palace. You just stay and talk to me. I'd like to see who in this palace dares to say anything."

Consort Yi was a noblewoman who was cheerful with a hint of naivety, but when she lost her temper, she still appeared very majestic, and the entire palace fell silent. Fan Xian coughed lightly and said, "Aunt... Second Madam, I can go by myself. You and my sister can stay and talk to Aunt Liu."

Seeing that he also said so, Madam Liu reluctantly agreed and sent Fan Xian to the palace gate with the palace maid named Xing'er. She softly instructed him on some precautions and then, almost imperceptibly, moved to Fan Xian's side and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Everything has been taken care of throughout the palace. There will be people receiving you in each palace. Don't be too nervous."

Fan Xian's heart tightened. He agreed and turned around to see that his sister had also followed him out, looking at him with an encouraging expression. For no reason, a warmth filled his heart. He smiled and thought, "A mother-in-law always looks at her son-in-law with more and more fondness. Besides, I was born with such a beautiful body. Dealing with a few disgruntled women in the palace won't be a problem."

After the prospective son-in-law left Consort Yi's palace, Madam Liu gave Fan Ruo Ruo a few instructions and then went into the inner chamber with Consort Yi. Consort Yi looked deeply into her eyes and said, "I advised you four years ago not to listen to the advice from those two palaces. Now, Fan Xian is still alive and well, but you have cooled Great Master Fan's heart. Sister, you have been wise all your life, how could you have been so confused at that time?" Madam Liu was stunned in place, unable to speak for a long time. Her eyes gradually became resentful, and she softly said, "Your Highness is also clear that we mothers only care about our own children, right? The Third Prince is still young, so you can stay out of it. After a few more years, I'm afraid you will understand why I made such a big mistake at that time."

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Xing'er was a petite girl with smooth eyebrows and eyes, about thirteen or fourteen years old. As Fan Xian walked with her in the palace, he noticed that the little girl kept her head down. He couldn't help but joke, "Can't you see the road under your feet?" Miss Xing'er giggled, revealing small, jade-like teeth, and said, "Master Fan, it's better to speak less in the palace." Fan Xian shook his head with a wry smile. He knew that the rules in the palace were strict, but he didn't expect even the little girls to be so cautious and restrained.

Fan Xian followed behind Xing'er, looking at the palace maid uniform on her body. His eyes swept over the little girl's not-yet-developed waist and immediately shifted to the palace buildings. He wore a smile on his face, but his brain was working rapidly, trying to memorize these complex roads and scenery in his mind, in preparation for that future matter.

After passing flowers and trees, stepping on stone rollers and grass, the palace was large, but there would always be a time to arrive. There were many halls and pavilions, but not every one had to be magnificent and towering. Looking at the quiet courtyard in front of him, Fan Xian took a deep breath and followed the palace maid Xing'er inside. This was the residence of Consort Shu, the birth mother of the Second Prince. This Consort seemed to love peace and quiet. The courtyard was also decorated very plainly. Apart from a few pink flowering trees, there were no other decorations. A bamboo curtain concealed everything inside, but could not conceal the fragrance of books that permeated from behind the curtain.

"Paying respects to Consort Shu."

"Master Fan, please sit."

Without any unnecessary greetings, Fan Xian sat opposite Consort Shu behind the curtain. Without any prelude, Consort Shu suddenly asked in a clear voice, "Ten thousand miles in grief, often a guest. Master Fan often stayed in Danzhou when he was young. Could it be that he thinks of the capital as just a temporary residence?"

Fan Xian was slightly stunned. He answered solemnly, and starting from this point, he and the Consort discussed all the classics, histories, philosophical works, poetry, lyrics, and prose in the world. It wasn't until both of their mouths were a little dry that they stopped speaking with great tacit understanding. Fan Xian was somewhat afraid. He really didn't expect that the mother of the Second Prince was actually a talented woman in the palace, with extremely impressive knowledge. He almost couldn't handle it. He couldn't help but wonder, what kind of person would a prince raised by such a woman be?

"Don't be nervous." Consort Shu's temperament was extremely gentle. Through the bamboo curtain, he could vaguely see that she only wore a wooden hairpin on her head, simple and out of place with this palace. "Wan'er grew up in the palace since she was a child. Before His Majesty adopted her as his goddaughter, we women who had nothing to do treated her as our daughter. Everyone in the palace, from top to bottom, likes her, so since Master Fan is going to marry the most precious pearl in the palace, we can't help but take a closer look."

Cold sweat was hidden on Fan Xian's back. Although he usually had some understanding, today he truly felt the position of his fiancee in the palace. Consort Shu was gentle and refined, and seemed to be quite satisfied with Fan Xian's conversation. After a while, she let Fan Xian leave, but before parting, she said softly, "I like to read, and His Majesty has also collected some rare books for me. I have already had the palace servants pick out some precious ones and copy them. Master Fan, you are going to visit other consorts now. I will have someone send them to Consort Yi's place."

Fan Xian's heart tightened. He knew that this was a generous gift, and he knew that this Consort was giving a gift on behalf of the Second Prince. Not daring to say more, he gave a deep and steady bow and retreated.

After leaving Consort Shu's small courtyard, Fan Xian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The palace maid Xing'er, who was leading the way in front, was a little familiar with him. She walked on tiptoes, bouncing along, and looked back at him with curiosity. She asked, "It's not hot today."

Fan Xian shook his head with a wry smile. He originally thought that entering the palace today would just be a courtesy visit. How could he know that it would be even more nerve-wracking than the palace examination? It seemed that these consorts in the palace were very curious about Lin Wan'er marrying him, so they wanted to see Fan Xian's literary and martial talents. Next, the two of them went to the place of Consort Ning, the birth mother of the Eldest Prince. Fan Xian knew that although this woman's rank was not high, only a Consort, Wan'er had told him that it was because of her Dongyi ethnicity, so Fan Xian deliberately paid extra respect.

Consort Ning was nearly forty years old, but she still retained her charm, and the amorous feelings between her eyebrows and eyes certainly had the gentle feeling of a Dongyi woman. Over the years, the Eldest Prince had been guarding the border in the Western Barbarian lands, and she had no one under her knees, so she was inevitably a little lonely. Fortunately, Lin Wan'er often came to this place to play when she was in the palace, so her feelings for Wan'er were different from those of other consorts. She looked at Fan Xian coldly, and her phoenix eyes turned cold as she said, "You are Fan Xian!"

Fan Xian knew that this noble lady had saved His Majesty the Emperor on the battlefield in those years, and had also raised a son who was capable in battle, so she herself must be a very dignified person. He was not surprised, and replied calmly, "Indeed, I am your subject."

"Hmm." Consort Ning sized him up a few times, and unexpectedly didn't say anything. She just said coldly, "Treat Wan'er well."

Fan Xian liked this clean and straightforward feeling and happily replied, "Please rest assured, Your Highness."

"There must be something strange about the Niulan Street incident. I don't believe you can kill an eighth-rank master." Consort Ning sized up his body and snorted coldly, "Looking at your weak appearance, you don't look like someone who is good at martial arts." Fan Xian was stunned, thinking, could it be that after just finishing the literary exam, he was now going to be tested on his martial arts? But Your Highness, you are a forty-year-old noblewoman. There is a distinction between ruler and subject, and a distinction between men and women. Surely you wouldn't personally use your powder fist to hit yourself?

"But since Ye Ling'er admits that she is no match for you, then it will be fine. Alright, that's it for today. Go to the other palaces and don't delay too much time." After saying this, Consort Ning didn't say anything else and directly drove him out of the hall.

Fan Xian touched the back of his head, looking at the tightly closed wooden door, and thought that His Majesty the Emperor was truly a blessed person. The women lying next to him were so "colorful." There was Consort Yi, who was charming and cheerful, Consort Shu, who was intellectual and gentle, and even Consort Ning, who was a wild girlfriend? - But he knew earlier that Consort Shu's talent was really amazing, and this Consort Ning was probably also a rough-on-the-outside-but-meticulous-on-the-inside type. Adding the unfathomable Empress, His Majesty was able to put these women in one big house and live peacefully for so many years. He had to say, this Qing Kingdom Emperor's methods were really extremely powerful.

At least Fan Xian thought he didn't have this ability.