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54: Imperial Concubines

"Refused to acknowledge you?" Du Luo's interest was piqued. "That's strange. Hua Jianli has been following your orders obediently all this time, why would he suddenly go against you? What 'good' thing did you do?"

"Me?" Ye Yin said innocently. "I just squeezed a few women into his harem!"

"Women?" Du Luo's mouth opened wide. "Did Hua Jianli anger you in some way? With his personality, you... you forced women onto him! Only you could think of something so devious."

Ye Yin curled his lip. "Brother Du, how can you think that way! What do you mean devious! I have my own reasons too, I was forced. If I didn't have a good reason, you think Hua Jianli would still obediently give in and accept those women?"

"Reason? What kind of reason?" Du Luo's voice was filled with doubt.

"He needs concubines for the imperial power to stabilize. Right now, there are few officials from the large clans. In order for the throne and clans to develop relationships, it is natural to let their women become concubines. Actually, the large clans have become much more well behaved over the past four years, so I cannot continue to suppress them. When things reach an extreme, they can only move in the opposite direction. Thus, once these women join his harem, first, it will maintain a balance of power, and second, it will allow the large clans to have a taste of power. For any of their women to be selected will be a great honor. So! Brother Jianli has sat on the throne for four years, but he has never had any concubines, which creates many rumors. It is not proper for the emperor to be gossiped about. It might even cause the neighboring countries to be suspicious. This is why he must accept the concubines."

Du Luo sneered. "You have the face to use such a reason? Only that idiot Hua Jianli would be tricked!"

"What's wrong with this reason?" Ye Yin was displeased. "This is a technique of emperors!"

"Technique of emperors? You call that a technique of emperors?"

Du Luo snorted disdainfully. "Give the large clans a taste of power? Is there anyone who doesn't know that you are the true ruler pulling the strings? What use is the prospect of marrying Hua Jianli? So they can strut around proudly? Or so they get some other kind of benefit? Hua Jianli has listened to your words obediently this whole time, everything is decided by you! They might as well marry you instead!"

"And those rumors have been going on for four years, but you only decided to quell them now? Afraid of arousing suspicion from the neighboring countries? Humph, who'd believe that!" Du Luo did not give Ye Yin the chance to retort, continuing, "Everyone in West Zhi believes that the emperor does not like women, but the renowned prime minister. It is because of the young minister that he does not have any concubines, but lovesick because of the young minister's loving marriage. Everyone believes it is because of his wife that the young minister and emperor now do not get along. I heard this rumor even at Xili two years ago at a market. If you want to quell the rumors, it's already far too late!"

"Who said I wanted to quell the rumors?" Ye Yin humphed.

"If you wanted to quell the rumors, you would have done it long ago. You must be tired of those dark gazes those chancellors always give you, so you just decided to drag Hua Jianli down with you. You're not the type to suffer alone."

"No matter what you say, I'm not that mean."

"It shouldn't just be that. Did Hua Jianli annoy you again? Did he want to desert the throne again? Right now, the generals over at Yulong river are fighting pretty intensely with East Zhi, of course he's not willing to stay at the palace!"

Ye Yin didn't say anything, gulping a swig of wine. Du Luo stopped scolding because he knew Ye Yin loved to remember "good" deeds. If he angered him, perhaps he too would suffer like Hua Jianli.