The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

As for Emperor Chu’s fatal question, Song Zhiyuan did not reply at once, but fell silent, until Emperor Chu spoke: ”Go on then, tell me. If there were no edict, and I were to falter, whom would you support to the throne? I will pardon you in advance.”

Song Zhiyuan was quiet for a moment, then said: ”If it truly came to that, I would join with several Lords and senior ministers to support Prince Xiao’s accession.”

Emperor Chu’s brows lifted slightly: ”Prince Xiao?”

Song Zhiyuan nodded and said: ”In choosing an heir, it has always been a matter of choosing the worthy, the legitimate, or the eldest. Your legitimate son is only the Fifth Prince, but he is now merely eleven years old, and still needs a long time to grow. If we set him up, aside from the several Princes above him coveting the throne like tigers, during the young Emperor’s growing years there will inevitably be a Regent King. If the young Emperor’s temperament is not strong enough and the Regent King’s ambition is too great, the young Emperor will surely become a puppet.”

Emperor Chu pressed his lips together, fingers rubbing lightly.

”Of course, the greatest hidden worry with a child Emperor is that, being young, he cannot yet stand on his own. If the Emperor is still here to teach him with care, he will surely become an enlightened ruler.” Song Zhiyuan pretended not to see Emperor Chu’s deliberation and continued, ”But if the Emperor is no longer here, then that young legitimate son should be given more time to grow. Elevating Prince Xiao, first, satisfies the criterion of seniority and can win acceptance; second, Prince Xiao has always taken Your Majesty as his measure, presenting himself with an image of benevolence and great virtue, all for the sake of reputation—he will only treat his other brothers with familial affection.”

”Prince Xiao’s benevolence is all on the surface; as for ability, ha.” Emperor Chu sneered. ”If he had even a few degrees of competence, I wouldn’t have dragged things out to this point. Leaving ability aside, his nature is rather weak and indecisive—a textbook case of ’startled by ghosts at the bow, frightened by thieves at the stern.’”

Song Zhiyuan said: ”Yet it cannot be denied that, for the sake of that outward reputation, he will also be lenient and benevolent toward his younger brothers. You are the Emperor, yes, but also a father. No matter who ascends the throne, you would still wish to see your other children all live well, would you not?”

Emperor Chu’s brow eased; these words struck right at his heart.

”As for Prince Wu, he falls short in his birth. If he were to take the throne, I fear he would be unable to suppress several of his brothers, and that would mean another bout of internal strife—a loss outweighing any gain. Prince Zhou, on the other hand, has a maternal clan that is too illustrious. If the imperial affines were to seize control of the Court, it would be harmful to the state. Prince Zhou himself is obstinate and self-willed; if he were Emperor and refused to listen to remonstrance, it would easily lead to the people living in misery.”

”And Prince Yan?”

”Prince Yan? His ears are soft.” Song Zhiyuan sighed. ”In truth, Prince Yan and Prince Zhou are not so different. The Fan Family, one could say, holds two hands of cards. If Prince Zhou ascends, the Fan Family will surely become the imperial affines, with an Empress Dowager seated in the Court. If Prince Yan takes the throne, they will still throw all their strength behind ensuring that the legitimate son under Consort Zhou becomes the next Crown Prince, thus pushing out an Empress Dowager.”

”Actually, if Prince Xiao were to take the throne, Prince Yan and Prince Zhou could only restrain each other. If they were to join in rebellion, then whoever ascends in the future will still have to compete, so their trust in one another will always be limited, and mutual suspicion will remain.” Song Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, ”The above is my analysis, naturally, based on the assumption that you have left no written edict and yet are no longer well. Since you are well now, whoever you choose to establish is already decided in your heart. Even if you favor the Fifth Prince, you still have time to teach him into a qualified Emperor. Therefore, I ask that Your Majesty take good care of the imperial body.”

Emperor Chu slanted a glance at him. ”You really have no private motives.”

Song Zhiyuan gave a bitter smile and said: ”I do. Only if you are well and Great Qing is at peace can I speak of the future and open up a hundred years of wilderness for the Song Family. I, and the Song Family behind me, are all depending on you.”

Emperor Chu gave a soft snort, yet his brows and eyes opened up as he rubbed the Large Ring in his hand: ”I’ve stayed out of sight these few days; they are anxious now.”