Chapter 428: The Emperor's Deepest Thoughts

"Your Majesty has been on the throne for three years; it is time to consider the matter of continuing the lineage."

The court was completely silent. Only the person who spoke stood in the center of the procession, holding a tablet and bowing his head, with a few beads of sweat unconsciously forming on his forehead.

Yu Shiyan sat upright in his high seat, his eyes lowered, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the dragon pattern carved on the armrest. Even the tassels of his crown could not hide the coldness in his eyes.

"I already have one son, that's enough."

The group exchanged glances, clearly indicating that no one was willing to step forward and speak up for them.

The man was still unwilling to give up and continued, "The eldest prince is ultimately not comparable to His Majesty's offspring."

"Why not?" Yu Shiyan's voice was extremely low, his aura exuding an imposing presence.

"Naturally, he is unworthy of the position. May I ask Your Majesty, how can the heir of the Crown Prince's rebellious faction be worthy of the throne?"

"If I remember correctly, Minister Fang was previously aligned with the Crown Prince's faction."

Yu Shiyan narrowed his eyes slightly, his hands clasped together, conveying a silent pressure. "So, my dear minister, you are also dissatisfied with your official position?"

The minister was speechless, and could only angrily flick his sleeves and return to the ranks.

Yu Shiyan chuckled softly, glanced at the several memorials piled on his desk, and remained elegant and composed in his every move. "These words are not just for Minister Fang's ears. I do not consider myself a wise ruler. If you all bring this up again in the future, I am not obligated to deny it."

As for the few from the former Crown Prince's residence, since I never kept them by my side, I will not consider them again.

The hall became even more silent.

It can be said that no one can figure out what the new emperor is thinking. Just now, Minister Fang also had ulterior motives, using the guise of selecting concubines to test his attitude towards the sons left by the former crown prince.

During the palace coup, the Crown Prince's residence caught fire. Shen Ruolan carried the infant Yu Shengping step by step into the sea of ​​fire, but for some reason, it was Qingzhi who perished in the fire with her.

Some speculated that Qingzhi exchanged herself for the child, while others thought that Shen Ruolan softened her heart because she had almost become a mother herself. As for the former Crown Princess Shen Ruomei and her concubine Xin Jin, although they were frightened, they were all safe and sound in the end and each gave birth to a son and a daughter.

However, given the changing political landscape of the court, these minor matters cannot be prioritized for the time being.

The most important thing now is that the new emperor is more astute and cunning than the deceased emperor.

That Minister Fang merely made a slight probe, yet he had already casually blocked all the paths ahead; even the emperor's heart is as deep as this.

Preventing the daughters of court officials and noble families from entering the palace as concubines was already a violation of the delicate balance between the emperor and his ministers, yet he did just that and the court officials couldn't do anything about it.

Ultimately, it all boils down to two words: Yuan family.

The Empress Dowager is still in good health and can hold onto power. Although General Yuan Jin returned to the northern border to guard the area after quelling the rebellion three years ago, he is undoubtedly a great help to the new emperor.

Who can sway such a situation during an interview?

Everyone regretted that the late emperor had not made Yuan Siyin a princess earlier and sent her to the north for a political marriage, so that the winds could have turned around so suddenly.

"Minister Lin, please stay a moment, I have something to discuss with you."

Xiao Minzi immediately stepped forward and called out in a drawn-out tone, "If you have something to report, speak up; otherwise, the court is dismissed!"

As the crowd surged out of the main hall, Yu Shiyan relaxed his tense expression and leaned back on the dragon throne. "Give Prime Minister Lin a seat."

Lin Wanxian put away the jade tablet and chuckled lightly: "Since Your Majesty has important matters to discuss, why not go to the study to discuss them?"