The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Prime Minister Song and the Emperor Are of the Same Country

Fan Zhang has served as an official for decades and has never seen an official like Song Zhiyuan with no sense of propriety, yet holding great power at a young age. When he became Prime Minister, it was after he had reached the age of fifty, but his opponent was not even forty yet held a high position.

He couldn’t help but feel jealous.

At this moment, Song Zhiyuan, with his reckless attitude, had shut him up with just a few words, which was simply unbearable.

”Prime Minister Song is being dismissive. Matters of the Heavenly Family are no trifling affair. The succession cannot be talked of as child’s play like this. This is a significant national matter...”

Song Zhiyuan immediately interrupted, ”So Prime Minister Fan is not acknowledging that this is the Emperor’s family matter? Not acknowledging that he is a father?”

Ha, everyone gasped.

Only Prime Minister Song would dare to speak like this.

Fan Zhang opened his mouth to reprimand, but seeing the expression on Song Zhiyuan’s face, his heart suddenly sank. Damn, he almost fell into the trap this brat had set.

”I never said that.”

”If so, then Prime Minister Fan admits that it is the Emperor’s family matter. Right now, the Heavenly Family is run by the Emperor, and whoever he points to succeed the throne naturally decides. Unless he wishes, only then will he consult us ministers for opinions, right? Or has Prime Minister Fan become possessed by an immortal and, with a flick of his fingers, knows who is more suitable to be Crown Prince? For example, the Third...”

”Prime Minister Song, watch your words!” Fan Zhang almost jumped up.

The Third Prince, that’s his grandson-in-law, his daughter is the Lady Shu.

Song Zhiyuan, that rascal, digging one pit after another, laying thorns all over, a cunning creature.

Song Zhiyuan feigned innocence: ”What did I say? Look how anxious you’ve become.”

The ministers watched the verbal sparring between the Left and Right Prime Ministers of the court with great interest, almost pulling out sunflower seeds to chat while watching the spectacle.

Indeed, Prime Minister Song is young and eloquent, leaving Prime Minister Fan without any defense. His reputation for his slick tongue is well-deserved.

Fan Zhang was so angry he almost passed out on the spot, choosing no longer to bicker with Song Zhiyuan, instead turning to the Emperor to express his loyalty: ”Your Majesty, this old minister has served loyally through two reigns, steadfastly devoted to Your Majesty and unwavering in dedication to the Great Qing, with all I say and do for the sake of the everlasting foundation of the Great Qing, without any personal interest. Please Your Majesty, discern my sincerity.”

Song Zhiyuan muttered, ”As if none of us served through two reigns.”

After all, he was personally appointed as a top scholar by the late Emperor!

Fan Zhang glared at him fiercely, snorted, and decided not to bicker with him, lest he gets led into another pit.

Emperor Chu saw it all clearly and said, ”This matter of discussing the Crown Prince has been discussed for years. You bring it up every year, and I truly am getting old, not knowing when I’ll suddenly collapse with both legs stretched out, no wonder you’re anxious.”

The ministers were shocked and knelt down together, shouting long live: ”Your Majesty’s fortune is in abundance, may Your Majesty live as long as the heavens, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years.”

”If it’s truly ten thousand of ten thousand years, would a Crown Prince still be needed? Such words go against one’s true feelings.” Emperor Chu casually replied.

The ministers: ”...”

It is said that Your Majesty and Prime Minister Song are comrades who have shared hardships, indeed it’s true; your words dripping with sarcasm are exactly alike.

”To stabilize the people’s hearts and the military’s morale, and to ensure the security of the realm, a Crown Prince must be established. But how to establish one, and who to establish, is for Your Majesty to decide. We ministers dare not intervene.” Song Zhiyuan bowed to the ground.

”We ministers dare not intervene.” Officials of Prime Minister Song’s faction also bowed to the ground one after another.

Those in Prime Minister Fan’s faction looked at each other, thinking that everyone in Prime Minister Song’s faction is a sycophant.

”Let’s revisit the matter of establishing a Crown Prince. I can still fight tigers.” Emperor Chu patted the armrest of the dragon chair. ”Jiala Country comes to our dynasty to pay tribute, and wants to form an alliance through marriage. What do you all think?”