Ye Qiu was absolutely right. Seeing that the imperial decree hadn’t arrived, the old Emperor and Crown Prince were anxious, and indeed, they were considering the next candidate.
"These traitors, they are attempting rebellion!" The old Emperor angrily smashed the inkstone by his side. His health was already poor, and his anger turned his face red, his breathing becoming rapid.
"Please don’t be anxious, Father Emperor. Since they are so resistant to our recalling Ye Qiu, it is evident that they have resorted to many sches. It’s hard to ensure the imperial decree reaches the border." The Crown Prince was equally worried, though he didn’t externally show it like his father.
"Then should we let them force my hand? Every day at court they say you’re too weak as Crown Prince, and don’t exhibit the deanor of a ruler. They say you’ve accomplished nothing of great importance. Does the Second Prince really have the deanor of a ruler then?" The old Emperor was losing his temper.
Feeling regretful again, he lanted: "It’s all my fault for being afraid you’d encounter misfortune, not allowing you to work outside the capital. Now, it’s beco a ans for them to criticize."
"Father Emperor needn’t fret over this matter. If I, as your son, had left the capital, I might not have survived. Even if I returned by chance, those people wouldn’t stand by idly while I made achievents. That would just be another form of criticism." The Crown Prince was very clear-minded, and precisely because of this, he felt deeply powerless.
He was well aware that in this era of powerful aristocracy, royal authority was heavily restricted. If he ascends the throne, his first action would be to weaken the aristocratic influence on the court.
But now, Father Emperor’s health was worsening, and his younger brothers had united. If the imperial decree never arrives, even if Father Emperor passes the throne to him, he may not be able to hold it securely. The urgent matter is to find a Crown Princess Consort capable of countering Noble Princess Consort Zhang’s power while Father Emperor is still relatively healthy.
Although Ye Qiu couldn’t be used by him, at the sa ti, she wouldn’t be used by Noble Princess Consort Zhang and her faction. Having her guard the border was relatively safe.
"Father Emperor, why must we have General Ye return to the capital and beco Crown Princess Consort? If she doesn’t take the position, soone else can."
"It’s not that I haven’t thought about this, but only Ye Qiu is most suitable." The old Emperor sighed helplessly.
"But given the current situation, Noble Princess Consort Zhang won’t allow General Ye to receive the imperial decree."
"Who do you have in mind as a candidate?"
"There are two options. One is your aunt’s daughter Tong Yingxin. Although your aunt is wild, she holds a special imperial guard given by Grand Emperor during his ti, and Duke Tong’s past influence still lingers. Perhaps so military power can be mobilized."
"However, your aunt’s reputation is poor, and her demands are extrely high. If her daughter beca Crown Princess Consort, public dissatisfaction might arise, and it would be an encumbrance to your future. Not to ntion, she has maintained good relations with Noble Princess Consort Zhang over the years. Who knows if her intentions are genuine? She doesn’t care about reputation anyway. As long as the Second Prince ascends, her daughter would still be honored and affluent. It’s inappropriate. Who else?"
The Crown Prince had already predicted his Father Emperor’s response, so he revealed the most favored candidate: "The other option is the Pri Minister. Although he lacks military power, he holds deep influence among civil servants, and his brother-in-law has defended Dengyun State for years. A swift journey from Dengyun State to the capital takes just half a day."
"But the Pri Minister’s power is too great. I’m afraid after my death, you’d fall under his control, just like in my younger years when I couldn’t exercise freely. Back then, I had several factions dividing power, whereas you’ll face foreign relatives wielding influence, making it even more difficult." The old Emperor hesitated as well.
"But if I don’t act, I might not have the chance to ascend the throne. As long as I smoothly succeed, no one can predict the future. Then I’ll call General Ye to the capital to counterbalance, won’t I?" The Crown Prince thought things through thoroughly, his gaze becoming sharper.
The old Emperor shifted from his prior hesitation and looked at him with a gratified expression: "You’ve grown up, thinking far ahead. But what if Ye Qiu doesn’t willingly enter the palace as a concubine?"
"Father Emperor, don’t you believe in my charm?" The Crown Prince’s confident smile spread. "Besides, even if General Ye doesn’t wish to enter the palace, I can grant her marriage to the person I designate. She can’t resist indefinitely. Defying the imperial decree repeatedly - even if she doesn’t fear for herself, what about her two sisters-in-law and her young nephews and nieces?"
"You make a good point, but will the Pri Minister, that old fox, still be willing to stand by us at this mont?"
"He will surely agree."
Sure enough, two days later, unexpectedly to Noble Princess Consort Zhang and the Second and Third Princes, the Heir of the Pri Minister was decreed marriage as Crown Princess Consort, with the Observatory stating it’s best to complete the marriage within a month to ensure the Emperor’s health.
"Bang!" Upon hearing the news, Tong Yingxin smashed everything that could be smashed around her.
"Look at your conduct, where is the deanor of a Commandery Princess?" The Princess frowned, saying, "If you like the Crown Prince that much, once your Second Cousin ascends, how about placing him in your manor?"
"Mother, how can that be the sa? By then, he wouldn’t be the Crown Prince anymore." Tong Yingxin objected.
The Princess looked at her puzzled: "Do you desire power or are you attached to the Crown Prince himself? Are you foolish? If you beco Crown Princess Consort, who knows how many concubines and hidden daggers you’d have to deal with in the harem? You are a Commandery Princess, and I’m a Princess with military power; who in the capital would dare to disrespect us? Don’t you find that more comfortable and free than being a Crown Princess Consort?"
"But..."
"There’s no ’but.’ Your Crown Prince cousin doesn’t seem like soone who would devote himself entirely to one person. If he truly cared for you, you would have been granted marriage today. If you love him for who he is, once he becos a prisoner, he’d be under your control without any other won to worry about, how is that not good?"
Hearing her mother’s words, Tong Yingxin’s mind couldn’t quite wrap around it. She felt her mother’s logic was sound, yet simultaneously sensed sothing wasn’t right. More frustratingly, she had no ans to change it.
Yet why did it have to be Shang Wenjun?
"Curious why Shang Wenjun beca Crown Princess Consort?" The Princess shook her head at her daughter, "It’s not strange. The marriage imperial decree sent to the border was obstructed by Noble Princess Consort Zhang. The Crown Prince only had a few people to ally with. Your curiosity shouldn’t be why he chose Shang Wenjun, but why Shang Wenjun agreed."
"What do you an?"
"The Pri Minister can choose to remain neutral with his power, ensuring an undefeated position no matter who ascends. Yet he agreed to assist the Crown Prince. Why do you think that is? How have you not inherited any of your mother’s intelligence? Perhaps Shang Wenjun and the Crown Prince had a secret affair long ago, while you foolishly regarded Ye Qiu as an enemy."
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