The selection of consorts by princes is naturally not just about choosing whoever they want; in the end, the decision still lies with the Emperor. Naturally, if you’re favored and ask the Emperor for an imperial decree of marriage, it’s not impossible to make it happen.
Moreover, the selection of a consort by a prince is a major consideration; it starts first with benefits. Can the wife’s family help provide support? Can they make one’s status more stable or secure? It’s less about selecting a consort and more about selecting the wife’s family, where everything needs to be considered thoroughly.
Chu Hongzheng ranks third among the princes, and his mother is the legitimate daughter of Pri Minister Fan in this dynasty. Apart from the Empress’s legitimate son, his status is the most honorable, making the selection of his Prince Consort even more prudent.
"Mother, Second Brother hasn’t chosen a consort yet. If I choose now, will it be...?" Chu Hongzheng hesitated for a mont before speaking.
Consort Fan sneered at his words and said, "Your Second Brother is struggling to survive under Noble Consort Duan’s na. She herself has a sixth son, so how could she be concerned? Besides, even if she chooses, he can’t surpass you. He’s rely soone born from a lesser concubine, no matter how skilled, he can’t compare to you, my son, with your noble birth."
Chu Hongzheng felt sowhat self-satisfied as well; indeed, Second Brother is just an unnoticed prince among many.
He thought for a mont and asked tentatively, "Mother, do you have soone in mind?"
Consort Fan raised her eyebrows and asked in return, "Does my son have soone in mind?"
Chu Hongzheng lowered his head and softly said, "Every ti I go to my maternal grandfather’s ho, my aunt always has Cousin Minyi accompany ."
Consort Fan’s eyes flickered, "Zheng’er doesn’t like her?"
"Cousin Minyi is very pleasant, but Father..." He looked at Consort Fan and then smiled, saying, "Mother, your judgnt has always been good. You will definitely choose a good consort for ."
"Naturally." Consort Fan lowered her voice and said, "Today at court, there was a proposal to establish an heir, but your father still has reservations about this and did not agree. Zheng’er, make sure to be cautious in front of your father and avoid ntioning such things."
Chu Hongzheng felt a warmth in his heart: "Mother..."
"You only need to be filial in front of your father, the rest I will plan for you. I will never harm you," Consort Fan said lovingly.
Chu Hongzheng nodded.
...
Imperial Study.
Emperor Chu tossed a morial towards Song Zhiyuan.
Song Zhiyuan caught it and said sowhat helplessly, "Your Majesty, we are at this age, we should be more gentle. Throwing morials takes effort too."
Emperor Chu chuckled without amusent, "Stop being cheeky with . Just now you acted like it had nothing to do with you, quite capable, aren’t you?"
"This bla I shall not bear, at least I retorted Pri Minister Fan back," Song Zhiyuan opened the morial, glanced through it quickly, and then closed it, placing it directly on the stack of docunts to be reviewed.
Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow, "What does Pri Minister Song think?"
"What I said in court is not baseless, this is a family affair of the Emperor," Song Zhiyuan said with a bow.
"Song Yunzhi, are you also bantering with here?" Emperor Chu squinted.
Song Zhiyuan: "Your Majesty, the timing of establishing an heir is up to you. It doesn’t have to be now, but it’s necessary to observe the princes."
"Oh? If established, should it be the legitimate or the eldest?"
"If it’s for the everlasting stability of Great Qing, establish the capable," Song Zhiyuan raised his head and said, "Though I am the eldest son, I believe that if a family wishes to grow and prosper, the Family Head must be capable. Lacking talent, virtue, and ability, rely sitting securely on the seat due to being the legitimate eldest, such a family is in danger."
"Pri Minister Song, you’re bold!" Emperor Chu scolded.
Song Zhiyuan straightened his official robes and knelt down, "I spoke out of turn, please punish , Your Majesty!"
Emperor Chu: "..."
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