The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 920: Chapter 920: Emperor Chu: Did the Traitor Deliberately Defy Me?

The speaker is unintentional, the listener is attentive.

Emperor Chu listened to Song Zhiyuan’s words, and his heart stirred slightly. He said, ”You are indeed selfless. The so-called ’elders first’—many families in the capital value the eldest son’s lineage and choose heirs based on this. You also have sons, two of them now. Isn’t it a bit early to discuss this?”

It’s one thing if Song Zhiyuan had chosen his second son over his eldest, but his behavior clearly shows a preference for his nephew.

Song Zhiyuan said, ”The order of seniority is clear to me. I do have personal interests, but beyond my personal interests, I value the future of the Song Family more.”

”Your Majesty, the legacy and growth of old families, you also understand, cannot be achieved merely by the birthright of the eldest son. It requires an outstanding leader to guide the family forward. I have ambitions. The rise of the Song Family has been a mere thirty years, flourishing under Your Majesty’s benevolence, but compared to those families that have existed for centuries, trust me, they may not say it, but they do look down on us in their hearts.”

Centuries-old families have their heritage within them, even if currently at the peak of popularity, holding significant power as Prime Minister; who knows when a tall building might collapse, when the power of Great Xia might vanish overnight. Hasn’t that happened before?

Yet among those old families, even if they gradually decline, they still have their legacies to hold onto. Why is that? Isn’t it because of the heritage built over time?

Therefore, Song Zhiyuan is dedicated to leading the family further. Only a strong family, with extensive branches and leaves, can have excess strength.

”Actually, I am not deciding the heir right now. It’s just that when there is good talent, it’s crucial to cultivate it. As you know, our family comes from a poor background. Although there are several brothers, the time of rising is too short, and the descendants are still not plentiful.”

Emperor Chu spat, ”Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning saying this? Among you brothers, there are three legitimate sons. In the next generation, the legitimate males—I count them—five or six at least? You call this an insufficient number of descendants. Aren’t you afraid those truly childless in the capital, like Prince Xin who has only one child, will ridicule you?”

”The fourth doesn’t count. Thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence, he was ’married out’, and even his legitimate son is part of the Niu Family, bearing the Niu name, with a grand name granted by Your Majesty.” Song Zhiyuan said, folding his hands.

Emperor Chu: ”...”

The rebellious minister seemed a bit defiant, intentionally provoking him.

Song Zhiyuan said, ”There are several legitimate sons, but the eldest is only sixteen, my eldest son. The time is still far for him to take the helm, not even married yet. At my age, should I not be a grandfather? You already have several royal grandchildren.”

Emperor Chu looked down, ”With royal grandchildren, the ambitions grow bigger, all competing, and the Imperial Censorate is pressuring them to compete.”

Song Zhiyuan sat solemnly, as the topic shifted to the issue of setting up the heir apparent.

”As you said, ignoring the order of birth, focusing only on merit, can this be applied in the royal family?”

Song Zhiyuan rubbed his fingers and said, ”It depends on how Your Majesty thinks. Whether by seniority, by virtue, or by legitimacy, it entirely relies on Your Majesty’s holy decision. I’m not afraid to be upfront with you. My eldest son is patient and has the ability to maintain stability, but in terms of competing in the officialdom, in pioneering, he is not as good as Jie’er. Ideally, if they can complement each other, I would have no worries for the next generation. But it’s too early to say this, as my second son is still in swaddling clothes.”

Understanding one principle, all hundred become clear.

Emperor Chu appeared thoughtful.