In the blink of an eye, it was the Spring Festival of the eighth year of Yuntai. After Lin Jiabao was promoted to Vice Prince, Xuanyuan Hancheng often brought him to the various banquets and celebrations held in the palace.

Lin Jiabao would always obediently accompany the Crown Prince. His speech and behavior were very appropriate and made people feel very comfortable.

Sometimes, when the Empress summoned the womenfolk of the imperial court, she would also call the Jia Bao to accompany her.

Over time, the imperial concubines and womenfolk of the imperial court all knew this Vice Prince Lin Jiabao, who was doted on by the Crown Prince and the Empress.

In the third month of the eighth year of Yuntai, officials of the fifth rank and above from all over the country sent their daughters to the capital. The selection that would last for the eighth year of Yuntai began.

After being filtered through family background, appearance, and other layers of screening, only thirty or so women were left to live in Chuxiu Palace. They would live here for a period of time, learn the rules of the palace, display their talents, and be observed for their conduct. Only then would they be able to decide whether to stay or leave.

Wen Wenqian and Chang Chunwei both smoothly passed the selection. After several months of Doctor Qian's treatment, Chang Chunwei now looked no different from an ordinary person except for being thin and weak.

Chang Chunwei vaguely felt that her time was running out. She also knew about the agreement between the Crown Prince and her parents.

There was a belief supporting her. She knew that her parents were doing this for her sake.

Chang Chunwei thought that she must fulfill her parents' wishes. Only then could she leave without regrets …

Yao Yulan was not able to participate in the selection this time. Since Xuanyuan Hancheng did not want her to enter the palace, he naturally would not give her any chance.

A few days before the selection, Yao Yulan suddenly had a rash on her body.

The rash on her face was densely packed and made people feel terrified.

Yao Yulan was flustered and exasperated. She cursed that someone wanted to harm her, but Madam Yao could not find any clues after investigating for a long time.

Even after inviting an imperial physician to treat her, her condition did not improve. The Yao Family could only helplessly claim that their daughter was ill. The Yao Family originally had high hopes for the Consort Selection, and Yao Yulan was very unwilling to give up on it.

When Empress heard that Yao Yulan couldn't participate in the talent show, she sighed and said, "What a pity …"

In a corner of the Imperial Garden, the candidates were admiring the beautiful scenery in the Imperial Garden.

Today, the Empress invited everyone to admire the Imperial Garden. All the beauties tried their best to show their best side in front of the Empress.

Empress looked at the 30 candidates and found that the most outstanding ones were Wen Wenqian and Chang Chunwei.

In addition, among these thirty people, there were two Shun 'er. They must have heard that the Crown Prince liked to have two Shun' er, so they were sent to the palace.

Empress saw that the two of them were born as sons of concubines and were not as cute as the Jia Bao. She thought that they were destined to return empty-handed.

On the other side of the Imperial Garden, Xuanyuan Hancheng brought his younger brother to a pavilion and looked in the direction of the candidates in the distance. The pavilion was relatively high, so they could see very clearly.

"Eldest Brother Crown Prince, let's go back. It's too embarrassing." Xuanyuan Hanqi said shyly when he saw so many young and beautiful candidates.

"Second Brother, you're not young anymore. It's time for you to marry a wife. Imperial Mother is helping you find one … What kind of wife do you like?" Xuanyuan Hancheng asked his younger brother.

"I … I … As long as Imperial Mother likes her, she will definitely be good." Xuanyuan Hanqi rubbed his head and said naively.

"That's your wife. Of course, you have to like her."

Xuanyuan Hancheng pointed at Wen Wenqian, who was answering in the distance. "What do you think of that young lady wearing a light green dress? That's Wen Wenqian, Count Jingxi's legitimate daughter. She's educated and reasonable, and her talent and appearance are top notch.

Imperial Mother and I both want her to be your Imperial Consort. "

Xuanyuan Hanqi looked in the direction the Crown Prince pointed. He saw the young lady from the Wen Family had an elegant temperament, as if she had walked out of a painting. Xuanyuan Hanqi's handsome face instantly flushed red. He stuttered, "I … I'll follow Imperial Mother's idea …"

Xuanyuan Hancheng saw this and understood clearly.

After that, Xuanyuan Hancheng told Empress that his younger brother was interested in Wen Wenqian. Empress thought about it and was still a bit hesitant. "This Wen Wenqian was originally chosen for you to be the Crown Princess …"

"A gentleman doesn't take what others like. Since my younger brother likes her, as an older brother, I naturally have to fulfill his wish," Xuanyuan Hancheng said.

"It's been hard on you to always think of your younger brother." Empress praised the Crown Prince.

"Alright. Since your younger brother likes her, and the two are very compatible, I will talk to your Imperial Father.

Then what about you, Crown Prince?

Is there anyone you like? "

"Erchen wants to take Assistant Minister Zhang's legitimate daughter as a secondary consort." Xuanyuan Hancheng said to Empress.

"Chang Chunwei is not bad. Her body also looks much better." Empress also agreed.

Xuanyuan Hancheng said to Empress, "Erchen will definitely let you hold an imperial grandchild next year …"

Empress laughed when she heard this. "Then Imperial Mother will wait for the Crown Prince's good news."

In the end, Chang Chunwei and Wen Wenqian were both left behind.

After Wen Wenqian returned home, Countess Jingxi hurriedly asked, "How are you in the palace?

Does Empress often talk to you?

Have you seen His Highness the Crown Prince? "

"No. Empress Empress always asks a few candidates to meet him together.

However, the nannies and eunuchs in the palace take special care of me … "Wen Wenqian replied.

"It's rumored that His Highness the Crown Prince will remarry the Crown Princess this time. Since your name is left behind, then …" Countess Jingxi thought that regardless of family background or character, her daughter was the best candidate for the Crown Princess …

"Mother, we'll know when we wait for the decree."

Wen Wenqian knew that her family had great expectations for the consort selection this time, but she didn't feel that Empress treated her specially.

One day later, the imperial decree was issued. The legitimate daughter of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites would be the Crown Prince's secondary consort next month.

Countess Jingxi's legitimate daughter would be the Second Prince's consort. The wedding would be held in February next year.

Assistant Minister Zhang's family didn't feel surprised when they received the imperial decree. After receiving the imperial decree and thanking the Empress, Assistant Minister Zhang and his wife finally felt relieved.

After receiving the imperial decree, Countess Jingxi's family still didn't come back to their senses. How could she suddenly become the Second Prince's consort?

However, when they came back to their senses, Wen Family was still very happy. It was a great grace to be the Second Prince's consort.

In April, Chang Chunwei endured her illness and pretended to be normal when she entered the palace. That night, she lay in bed in a coma and didn't get up.

Xuanyuan Hancheng had sealed off the news and only announced to the public that Secondary Consort Zhang had fallen ill from exhaustion on the day she entered the palace. The Empress was rather critical of this and felt that this Zhang Chunwei was too weak to stand up to the wind.

She didn't expect that Consort Zhang's illness didn't get better. Instead, it got worse and worse. Finally, one morning in late April, she died of illness.

The news of Chang Chunwei's death shocked everyone inside and outside the harem. She clearly looked like a good girl during the consort selection. How could she die of a serious illness after marrying the Crown Prince?

For a time, everyone inside and outside the court was very surprised. The rumors about the Crown Prince's innate illness spread again.

Empress flew into a rage in Yongshou Palace. "How did the imperial physicians treat her? How could they not treat her?"

Empress was very angry. She said that Chang Chunwei's body was weak, but the Crown Prince wanted to marry her. Alas, now the rumors about the Crown Prince's tough life were coming back.

"Imperial Mother, please quell your anger. Perhaps it's because Erchen killed too many people in the past that Secondary Consort Zhang was cursed by me." Xuanyuan Hancheng comforted the Empress as he spoke weakly.

Empress heard the Crown Prince's downcast tone and immediately retorted: "Crown Prince, don't listen to these rumors. It's Chang Chunwei's bad luck. How could it be your fault?

Look at Jia Bao, isn't he fine? I saw that Jia Bao grew a bit taller a few days ago. "

"Jia Bao has Imperial Mother's love and care. Naturally, he's blessed." Xuanyuan Hancheng said to Empress.

Empress's mood improved a bit after hearing this. She said to the Crown Prince: "You're going on an inspection tour next month. How are your preparations?

Bao Bao will have to go as well. We need to bring more people to serve him. "

"Thank you for your concern, Imperial Mother. Everything is ready." Xuanyuan Hancheng thought that Jia Bao's birthday was in June. He would prepare a surprise for him.

Guai Bao's sixteenth birthday was finally here. He really couldn't wait to eat him.

At the beginning of May, His Highness the Crown Prince took Lin Vice Prince to inspect Luo Cheng, Jiang Zhou, and other places.

Xuanyuan Hancheng took Lin Jiabao, Yuan Fu, Yuan Qing, Shu Qin, and Shu Ya with him. General of Agile Cavalry Cao Yan led two thousand soldiers to protect them.

Xuanyuan Hancheng's first destination was Luo Cheng. Then they took a boat from Luo Cheng to Jiang Zhou via the Luo River.

Lin Jiabao was very excited along the way. He leaned against the window and looked at the scenery along the way. His joy was overflowing with words.

Xuanyuan Hancheng looked at Guai Bao's happy appearance. He felt that if there was a chance in the future, he must take him out of the palace often.

"When we reach Luo Cheng, your husband will take you around." Xuanyuan Hancheng promised as he hugged Guai Bao.

Luo Cheng was a very prosperous city. He believed that Guai Bao would have a lot of fun.

Lin Jiabao nodded happily. He was suddenly filled with anticipation for Luo Cheng.

After traveling for more than ten days and passing by several cities, their group finally saw Luo Cheng's city gate.

The civil and military officials of Luo Cheng and the surrounding provinces were already waiting in front of Luo Cheng's city gate.

Xuanyuan Hancheng got off the carriage. The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Liu Zeqi, led the officials to kneel and welcome him.

"Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for formalities." Xuanyuan Hancheng looked at the officials who came to welcome him and asked, "Is Dai Zhongheng not here?"

"Official Dai is still patrolling the riverbanks in Jiang Province. He can't come." Liu Zeqi replied.

Luo Cheng's prefect, Zhong Kejie, came forward and bowed to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness the Crown Prince must have had a hard journey. I have already prepared a welcome banquet for Your Highness. Please go to your residence and settle down."

When Xuanyuan Hancheng heard this, he thought that Guai Bao was also tired. He turned around and mounted his horse. The exquisite and luxurious carriage followed behind him.

The officials had already heard that the Crown Prince was bringing along his most beloved Vice Prince Lin Jiabao on this tour.

They thought that Vice Prince Lin Jiabao should be in this carriage. They wondered what kind of appearance the Crown Prince would have to dote on so much.

Liu Zeqi was also very curious. He stared at the carriage for a while.

That night, the officials of Luo Cheng held a welcome banquet for the Crown Prince.

The banquet was split into two sections. The officials in the front and the Crown Prince sat together.

The prefectural magistrate's wife and a group of officials' wives accompanied Vice Prince Lin Jiabao at the back.

The prefectural magistrate's wife saw that Vice Prince Lin Jiabao was only 14 or 15 years old. He had a kind and polite personality and didn't put on airs.

She thought to herself, 'So the crown prince likes this kind of Shuang' er … '

At the banquet, the prefectural magistrate's wife enthusiastically introduced the local customs of Luo Cheng and invited Vice Prince Lin Jiabao to enjoy Luo Cheng's specialties.

Lin Jiabao listened attentively to the prefectural magistrate's wife's introduction of Luo Cheng and carefully tasted Luo Cheng's specialties.

When the prefectural magistrate's wife saw that Vice Prince Lin Jiabao was very interested in listening to her, she felt very proud. She spoke even more energetically about Luo Cheng's historical sites.

The other officials' wives were not to be outdone. They hurriedly tried to curry favor with Vice Prince Lin Jiabao. The atmosphere of the banquet was very lively.

Lin Jiabao very appropriately responded to each of their words without the slightest bit of impatience.

He made all the officials' wives feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. Lin Jiabao also left a very good impression in their hearts.

The prefectural magistrate's wife thought that it was no wonder that the Crown Prince liked this Vice Prince Lin Jiabao so much. With such a person by his side, how could the Crown Prince not feel comfortable and happy?

At night, Lin Jiabao and Xuanyuan Hancheng returned to their residence. The residence they were staying in was given to them by a very wealthy merchant in Luo Cheng.

Shu Ya and Shu Qin had already tidied up the bedroom. After the two of them washed up, Xuanyuan Hancheng hugged Jia Bao and lay down on the large jade bed.

"Guai Bao's performance tonight was very good!"

Lin Jiabao was very happy to receive Xuanyuan Hancheng's praise. "I learned it from the Empress. When the Empress summons the women of the imperial court, I often watch from the side.

This time, I'm going on an inspection tour with my husband. Of course, I have to perform well and not lose face for my husband. "

Xuanyuan Hancheng hugged Guai Bao and kissed his little dimples. "Guai Bao, you can do whatever you want. You don't have to deliberately perform …"

"The prefectural magistrate's wife is very enthusiastic. She invited me to the prefectural magistrate's residence as a guest. Can I go?" Lin Jiabao asked expectantly.

"Of course, as long as you like. But you have to bring more guards with you.

I have to take care of some official business for the next few days. After that, I'll take you around Luo Cheng … Okay, darling.

Let's go to bed early … "As Xuanyuan Hancheng spoke, he had already unbuttoned Jia Bao's inner clothes and reached his hand into Guai Bao's chest.

Lin Jiabao hugged his husband's shoulders and let him touch and kiss his body. Now, his husband had to strip him naked every night. Even the way he looked at him made him feel like he was about to spit fire.

As his birthday approached, Lin Jiabao was both shy and full of anticipation …