The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The Crown Prince was decided during the Longevity Festival. Some people knew it was coming, while others were taken by surprise, including Empress Gongsun, who was surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs in Kunning Palace at the moment to offer congratulations.

Empress Gongsun tried her best to conceal her inner excitement, instructing her trusted head eunuch and palace matron to observe the reactions from various palaces. She also wanted people to stay close to the Crown Prince to prevent him from being led astray due to his young age or harmed secretly.

”There will definitely be some losses within the palaces today. Anything damaged, make sure to register it and let the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department replace it in time. There’s no need to argue with them,” said Empress Gongsun.

”Yes, Lady.”

”Furthermore, while it’s true that there is joy in the Central Palace, do not use this occasion to bully others by acting imperiously. If I discover anyone using the favor of the Central Palace to commit wicked acts or deduct provisions from other palaces, they will be punished and transferred out of Kunning Palace, never to be used again,” Empress Gongsun remarked to the two Grand Stewards, with profound intent: ”The Crown Prince has just been established, but has not yet been officially invested. Even when invested, one must remain cautious.”

The Grand Steward knelt down: ”I obey Lady’s command with caution.”

They all understood that the Crown Prince was decided, yet not been officially invested, so there was a lack of formal justification, and changes could occur at any time.

Especially since the Crown Prince has several older brothers eyeing him eagerly from above.

Thus, being prudent and cautious is correct; being too complacent would lead to downfall.

”Good to know, you may rise.”

”Emperor has arrived.”

Empress Gongsun stood up quickly from the phoenix throne to greet him, seeing Emperor Chu in casual bright yellow attire, she curtsied down: ”Your servant pays respects to the Emperor, may the Emperor have everlasting health and peace.”

Emperor Chu laughed, pulling her up and holding her hand, he led her back to the phoenix throne to sit, the palace maids swiftly served tea.

”You all may leave, just have one person stay to attend, I want to chat with the Empress.”

Empress Gongsun glanced at Biluo beside her, who dismissed everyone else while she remained a distance away, observing discreetly.

”I established the Fifth Prince as the Crown Prince today, are you dubious or frightened in your heart?”

Empress Gongsun replied with fearful reproach: ”I wouldn’t call it dubious, but frightened surely, you caught me completely off guard. You favor Ye’er certainly, but he is only eleven years old this year, compared to his brothers, his age alone makes people unconvinced. How can he undertake great responsibilities?”

Emperor Chu laughed: ”The Fifth Prince is naturally intelligent, and being born of the legitimate line, he holds an esteemed status, and this alone is enough to earn trust from the people. Scholars all say he is a rare talent with grand strategic capabilities, as long as he is diligently taught, I am not afraid he won’t become a worthy asset.”

”Rest assured, since establishing him as the Crown Prince, I naturally have made arrangements for the officials in the Eastern Palace, including those who will instruct him. I will carefully select them, and though he is young, he can be better molded, I will work with the Grand Tutors meticulously so he becomes a responsible Crown Prince.”

Empress Gongsun said: ”Your high hopes, I fear he might fail to live up to them. I also understand that once the Emperor speaks, it’s irrevocable, but for the sake of the Great Qing’s everlasting national policy, I boldly ask one thing.”

Emperor Chu raised his eyebrows.

Empress Gongsun pursed her lips, stood up again and knelt beside Emperor Chu’s feet, bowing her head slightly: ”I boldly request, that if, after instruction from you and the Grand Tutors, the Crown Prince remains an untalented child, incapable of being sculpted, please depose him and select another more virtuous candidate for Crown Prince, to ensure the eternal stability of Great Qing’s ancestral shrine.”