The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Establishing an Heir in the Court

Can Song Ci’s words be trusted? That’s a matter of personal perspective. But for a woman longing for a daughter, hearing such a novel approach, it’s worth trying.

”Sister-in-law is right. It’s not some medication, just regular ingredients. It won’t harm anyone, so I must give it a try,” Jiang said, looking at the two. ”Unlike you all, who already have daughters, my husband and I dream of having a girl.”

Madam Song chided, ”Then just give it a try. We do have too few daughters in our family.”

Their family is not impoverished; it’s not like they can’t afford to raise a girl. Again, if raised well, a daughter can also bring blessings to the family.

Lu envied the two, imagining how the diet at the Prime Minister’s Mansion would change. Unfortunately, her husband wasn’t around, so she had no way to try having a child herself.

She touched her belly, recalling Song Ci’s words: opportunity favors the prepared. Her husband would return to the capital at the end of winter to report on his duties, and they could reunite then.

Thinking this, Lu felt more confident and decided to carefully adjust her regimen.

Thus, that very day, Song Zhiyuan noticed the meals in his wife’s quarters had changed. There were more seafood and she was eating more vegetarian meals.

Shortly after, when Second Master Song returned, he found his meals had little meat, while his wife’s had more variety. He exclaimed if she’d seen a new erotic manual, but that’s a story for another time.

...

While Song Ci and the others were discussing childbearing matters, undercurrents were stirring at the court.

Some officials proposed that the Eastern Palace had been vacant for too long and, to maintain the stability of the Great Qing, suggested appointing a crown prince. After all, Emperor Chu had been on the throne for eighteen years and would soon reach the age of knowing destiny.

As some proposed establishing a heir, others flattered the emperor, saying it was too soon because the Emperor was in the prime of his life.

The debate over whether to appoint a successor, how to appoint one, and who it should be began unfolding at the court.

Emperor Chu leaned on his dragon throne, fondling the jade ring on his thumb, watching the two sides argue with a hint of a smile.

The topic of appointing a successor had been raised before, but with more noise than action. Now, it seemed someone was genuinely impatient.

The princes were grown, each with their own intentions. If not them, their maternal clans surely would be interested.

Emperor Chu glanced at Song Zhiyuan, who was calmly resting with his eyes closed holding his scepter, and twitched his mouth.

So calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Displeased, Emperor Chu crumpled a piece of paper into a ball and tossed it straight at Song Zhiyuan.

The arguments abruptly halted.

All the officials: ”...”

Your Majesty, you are the Emperor, is this really appropriate?

Song Zhiyuan opened his eyes, proclaiming long live the Emperor.

Emperor Chu: ”Right Minister, what is your view on the matter of appointing a successor?”

Song Zhiyuan said, ”This is a family matter of the Emperor’s. The Emperor has his own decisions to make, and it’s not for ministers like me to intervene.”

Emperor Chu was unsurprised by this response.

”Prime Minister Song, your words are incorrect. The Imperial Family has no family matters, only state matters. This is a matter of national importance,” Fan Zhang retorted, stepping forward.

Song Zhiyuan glanced at him, ”Ah, if Prime Minister Fan says so, I must argue. Why isn’t it a family matter? The Imperial Family is still a family, and the Emperor is a man and a father. Just like us, he decides which son will lead the family in the future. Can we replace him? It’s just like I can’t bypass you and decide the head of the Fan family!”

Fan Zhang looked at Song Zhiyuan’s earnest yet innocent face, growing dark with anger, and cursed inwardly at the cunning ’Song Fox’, calling him an ass-kisser and coward.