"Old man, are you crazy?"
Yang Hong looked at Yang Zhong's excited face with astonishment.
It wasn't that Yang Hong was surprised, it was just that what Yang Zhong said was too outrageous.
"Hehe~ Good grandson, Director Yuan also supports this matter. It will definitely be beneficial to you, to the Great Sui, and even to the world."
"But, old man, have you ever considered how many girls this is? Are they willing?"
"Even if they were willing, I wouldn't be!"
"I'm not a stud pig!"
Yang Hong still refused with disgust, as Yang Zhong's arrangement was too excessive.
"Hahaha~ You don't need to worry, it's really not many, and they are all willing, very willing, if you don't believe me, ask them."
The "they" Yang Zhong was referring to were Noble Consort Zhou and the other six imperial concubines living in the Pavilion of Deliberate Neglect.
All seven imperial concubines had come to Yadu Tower, as the matter Yang Zhong had just announced was related to them.
"Sixth Prince, we agree."
"Yes, we are very willing."
"We can't wait."
"Sixth Prince, please agree."
The seven women agreed one after another, their eyes sparkling, looking eager.
"Haha~ Good grandson, it's useless for you to refuse, I've already started arranging it."
Yang Zhong ignored Yang Hong's refusal and laughed heartily.
To be honest, Yang Zhong enjoyed seeing Yang Hong flustered.
This grandson was always so indifferent, as if he desired nothing.
Neither wealth, nor power, nor beauty held any appeal to him.
This displeased him greatly. A prince of the imperial family should have spirit, should strive.
It was precisely because of this belief that the princes of Yang Jian's generation had killed each other in droves.
Yang Zhong had over 200 sons in his lifetime, but only 6 survived.
That was until Yang Jian ascended the throne.
It could be seen how insane Yang Zhong's beliefs were.
Since Yang Hong had shown his capabilities, Yang Zhong had been trying to tempt him in various ways, while preventing him from cultivating martial arts.
However, Yang Hong had a system, and he had no interest in Yang Zhong's temptations,
He was even somewhat repulsed by them.
"Old man, they agreed, but what about their families? And the families of those families?
You are a tyrant, but I am not."
Yang Hong shook his head and stood up, about to leave Yadu Tower.
However, a figure blocked his path.
It was Jia Yuanchun.
"Sixth Prince, would you be willing to listen to this humble one's words?"
Jia Yuanchun was always so gentle, unlike the other six who were always so fiery towards Yang Hong. This gave Yang Hong a good impression of her.
Therefore, Yang Hong gestured for her to speak.
"Thank you, Sixth Prince, for being willing to listen to my foolish words."
Jia Yuanchun curtsied first before continuing.
"Sixth Prince should also know that I come from a noble family, a founding meritorious family like the Jia family."
"But for various reasons, I still entered the imperial palace, became a Xiu Nu, then an imperial attendant, a noble consort, and a high-ranking concubine. Although I was eventually banished to the Cold Palace."
"Honestly, when I first entered the Cold Palace, I thought of ending my own life, to end everything.
Fortunately, I did not commit suicide. I came to the Pavilion of Deliberate Neglect, and I met the Sixth Prince. This is my good fortune."
"Although the Sixth Prince has been indifferent to us, the respect he shows us is genuine. It is more sincere than the respect my family showed me when I was young."
As Jia Yuanchun spoke, the other imperial concubines and their maids all nodded like pecking chicks.
They all understood deeply that although Yang Hong's attitude towards people seemed indifferent, his respect was ingrained.
Yang Hong, however, frowned.
He thought his detached demeanor, disguised by his coldness, would keep these women away from him. He never expected that his habits from modern society would go so deep, and his actual actions would earn him more favor.
This needed to change.
Yang Hong didn't want to hear flattery and rudely interrupted Jia Yuanchun's rambling.
"Get to the point!"
"Yes, this humble one will get to the point now."
Jia Yuanchun suddenly gave Yang Hong a charming glance, which made Yang Hong's heart flutter slightly.
"Although my Jia family is a founding noble family, it has declined. Furthermore, after making mistakes in the previous breeding base incident, we could be confiscated and exterminated at any moment.
At that time, my younger sisters would have no other recourse but to become official prostitutes.
Now that they can be taken in by the Sixth Prince, it is their good fortune, immense good fortune."
"Wait~ Your Jia family was also involved in the breeding base incident?"
Yang Hong suddenly interrupted, somewhat surprised.
He had some understanding of the Jia family's power, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them a declining clan. Yet they dared to participate in such a rebellious affair?
"Alas~ misfortune of the family."
Jia Yuanchun sighed and suddenly fell silent. She suddenly realized she had no standing or qualification to persuade Yang Hong to take in her younger sisters.
"What about you all? Were you also involved?"
Yang Hong looked at the other imperial concubines.
"Yes."
Except for Noble Consort Zhou, the others nodded with bitter expressions.
Noble Consort Zhou said, "My family was not involved, and I don't have any sisters."
After speaking, she proudly raised her head.
Yang Hong looked at Yang Zhong and asked, "How many?"
"Hehe~ Not many, not many. The girls from the Jia family are more numerous. Seven young ladies, and I handpicked 14 maids who looked good. The other five families only have their legitimate daughters entering, a total of only 8."
"Fifteen! Old man, are you crazy?"
Yang Hong's eyes widened, becoming even more displeased.
Was he truly treating him like a stud pig?
"Hehe~ These are just the first batch. Later, I will send you good-looking girls from aristocratic families."
Yang Zhong raised his eyebrows and smiled somewhat lewdly.
"Heh~ Just arrange it. I won't touch them."
"Hehe~ As long as you can resist, I have nothing to say."
Seeing that Yang Hong had relented, Yang Zhong looked smug.
Then he went off to make arrangements in a flurry.
Yang Hong saw the seven imperial concubines still looking at him expectantly and waved his hand.
"There are six more small buildings. Arrange them yourselves.
From today onwards, without my consent, even if Song Yuzhi invites you, you cannot enter Yadu Tower, including Xiao Cao."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xiao Cao was the first to agree, and the others reluctantly complied.
Song Yuzhi looked a little upset, but dared not say anything.
Yang Hong was a prince, and the head of the family, he must have the authority he deserved.
"You may leave now."
"..."
Jia Yuanchun and the others all looked resentful and obediently left Yadu Tower.
Yang Zhong's actions were swift. In just two days, 37 girls entered the Pavilion of Deliberate Neglect.
Besides the 7 young ladies from the Jia family, each brought two maids. The 8 legitimate daughters from the other five families also brought one maid each.
This brought the total number to 37.
Among these 37 people, the oldest was the sister of Noble Consort Li, who was already 32 years old. However, her martial cultivation was the highest, at the peak of first-rate.
The youngest was Jia Xichun, only 11 years old, still a child.
There was no fear in their eyes, only excitement and anticipation.
It was unknown how Yang Zhong had brainwashed them.
Yang Hong only met them once, recognized them, and let these nominal members of his harem know him.
Looking at the charming and alluring girls, he felt no excitement, only sorrow for them.
After carefully observing the 37 people, Yang Hong turned to Song Yuzhi and said.
"Yuzhi, from now on, you will lead these people. Besides daily martial arts training, you must also lead them in farming. No one has special privileges; everyone must work in the fields."
"My husband, rest assured, your concubine will arrange it properly."
Song Yuzhi nodded excitedly, rubbing her hands, ready for a great undertaking.
Yang Hong turned to leave for Baolian Pond, but a soft voice called out from behind him.
"Wait, Sixth Prince, please wait."