Chapter 656: Establishment (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“His A/Iajesty is at the peak of spring and autumn.” A dark-faced general stood out with his chest puffed out and cupped his fists. “I think there’s no hurry to establish an heir. The commoners rely on the monarch of a country. It’s my blessing to have His Majesty’s dragon body safe and sound.”
As soon as these words were spoken, many people agreed.
Ever since the Eldest Prince returned to the country, His Majesty’s dragon body had indeed improved.
Imperial Duke Wei’s sharp gaze swept across the surrounding ministers with different thoughts. He also walked out of the line of generals with large strides and cupped his fists like a huge bell. “I think it’s too early and too late to choose an heir.”
“His Majesty only has one son, the Eldest Prince, and he’s the legitimate son. In just half a year after the Eldest Prince returned to the country last year, he has already made some achievements. Not only is he an upright person, but he’s also knowledgeable and good at using people. He definitely can afford to be the heir.”
As soon as Imperial Duke Wei expressed his position, right on the heels of that, the British Duke, Chang Anbo, and the other honorables also expressed their support for the opposing heir.
All the civil and military officials in the dynasty had their own opinions. They believed that each side believed it was correct, and both sides had their merits.
This wasn’t a rare thing. In all the dynasties, as long as a crown prince was appointed, all the civil and military officials in the dynasty would have to fight. Even back then, when Emperor Taizu appointed the previous Emperor as the crown prince, the officials also argued endlessly to establish a first wife or a virtuous heir. They argued for more than two years before establishing a crown prince.
The white-haired old official said seriously, “His Highness, the Eldest Prince, is still young and hasn’t reached his prime. He has only returned to the capital for half a year. There’s no need to be too anxious about establishing an heir.”
“Lord Li’s words make sense.” Someone slapped his thigh and shouted, “There’s no public opinion on Gu Ce’s case yet. It’s not too late to discuss the heir after this case is investigated.”
“As the heir of the country, it’s better to be cautious. If you act rashly, there will only be endless future trouble.”
The ministers had their own thoughts and became more and more excited. Soon, their faces turned red.
“Enough!”
A powerful shout sounded.
The ministers hurriedly turned around and saw Feng Yang, who was standing in the center of the throne room, sweeping her icicle-like gaze across the ministers.
Feng Yang said loudly, “I’m not seeking your opinion, but telling you that it’s time to appoint a candidate.”
Her gaze was extremely fierce, like a sword or a saber. Wherever her gaze swept, it emitted a terrifying aura, like a raging fire. Her expression was vigorous, and no one in the court could suppress her aura.
Under the deterrence of Feng Yang, the ministers fell silent together. The entire hall fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Feng Yang slowly looked at the ministers around her with bright eyes. She asked in a sonorous voice, “What’s wrong with establishing the Eldest Prince?” “Or do you have other candidates?”
“In the prime of His Majesty’s reign, you are competing over trivial matters!”
“Come, tell me. Who do you fancy?”
Feng Yang’s tone wasn’t high, but it was imposing. She had the dignified aura of a dragon and tiger, suppressing the ministers until they couldn’t raise their heads.
On the golden throne, the Emperor looked down at the ministers below calmly and smiled faintly without saying a word. Imperial Duke Wei and the other old ministers sighed in their hearts that the eldest princess, Feng Yang, was really as elegant as before. As for Lord Li and the other ministers, they felt that Feng Yang was still as domineering as ever. They secretly cursed: Isn’t it only right to fight over who takes the position of crown prince?
Feng Yang made it sound like they were all supporting Kang Wang’s advancement.
The white-haired Lord Li held his breath, his expression dark. He felt extremely wronged.
What he said came from his heart. For the country and the people, he believed that he had a clear conscience, but he was given such a big title by Feng Yang.
Lord Li looked up at Feng Yang and retorted righteously, “Your Highness, your words are too general! I’m wholeheartedly devoted to the country and have no selfishness, let alone any intention of competing for merit…”
“Lord Li,” Feng Yang interrupted Lord Li mockingly and said confidently, “Didn’t you often say that ‘To enjoy the ruler’s benefits is to bear the ruler’s concerns”? In that case, you should share the burden of His Majesty and support the establishment of an heir as soon as possible!”
“…” Lord Li immediately choked, and his white goatee trembled.
Imperial Duke Wei almost laughed out loud and tried his best to suppress his laughter. The eldest princess, Feng Yang, was a veteran of three dynasties, so she knew these old ministers who relied on their seniority the best. For example, Lord Li, who bragged about being knowledgeable and often said those dignified empty words, actually had no achievements at all. He was like a paper tiger that could be broken with a poke.
With Feng Yang’s eloquence, even if a few more ignorant court officials came, she could still fight the ministers with ease, blocking them until they couldn’t say a word.
Several officials secretly exchanged looks. They originally had a stomach full of words to say, but they couldn’t help but hesitate.
Feng Yang didn’t care what they thought. She looked at the Emperor again and smiled. “What do you think, Emperor?”
These words made the officials look at the Emperor again.
“What Imperial Aunt said is exactly what 1 want.” A smile slowly appeared on the Emperor’s lips. “It’s time to appoint an heir as soon as possible.”
The Emperor’s voice was neither light nor heavy, clearly ringing through the entire throne room, not hiding the joy in his words at all.
Anyone could guess that Feng Yang’s memorial today was most likely discussed between her and the Emperor long ago. The Emperor naturally wanted to appoint the Eldest Prince as the crown prince as soon as possible.
Once again, the entire court, both civil and military officials, began to stir restlessly, whispering and exchanging glances. For a moment, they were uncertain whether to oppose or offer their enthusiastic support.
Lord Liu looked at Xiao Shoufu, who was standing at the front of the civil servants’ line again. He saw Xiao Shoufu smooth his sleeves and cup his hands calmly. “Your Majesty, establishing the Crown Prince is a big matter in the country. The Eldest Prince is both civil and military, and he has both virtue and talent. It’s not wrong to establish him as the Crown Prince.”
The ministers were stunned when they heard that. Although Xiao Shoufu didn’t directly say that the Eldest Prince was qualified to be the crown prince, and what he said was even more complicated, everyone understood what he meant.
Xiao Shoufu actually didn’t object to the establishment of the crown prince!
This was the first time Xiao Shoufu had openly expressed his position on the matter of establishing an heir.
Many officials secretly pinched themselves. The pain told them that this wasn’t a dream.
The expressions of the ministers immediately became very strange, filled with suspicion and shock.
Could it be that Xiao Shoufu was also afraid of Feng Yang’s might, or was he only retreating for the time being?!
At the end of the line, an official couldn’t help but tug at the sleeve of his colleague and ask silently with his eyes, “Could it be that because of Princess Consort Kang, Li Yunrong, Kang Wang completely angered the aristocratic families, and they gave up on Kang Wang because of this?”
His colleague nodded slightly and sighed.
As everyone knew, aristocratic families valued bloodlines the most and had no eyes. They rarely even married into families other than aristocratic families. With the aloofness and arrogance of aristocratic families, they probably wouldn’t want to kneel down to a person with the bloodline of a family’s child and treat him as an empress in the future.
Thinking about it this way, what the aristocratic families did today seemed normal.
Therefore, the aristocratic families led by Xiao Shoufu most likely wanted to use the appointment of the heir to express goodwill to the Emperor and the Eldest Prince.
Lord Li couldn’t help but look at the officials of the aristocratic families in the queue. Seeing that none of them said anything, it was obvious that they followed Xiao Shoufu’s lead.
The ministers in the throne room couldn’t help but have complicated feelings. They suddenly felt the heaviness of the royal court that was about to change completely..