"right!"

"How can a woman be an empress?!"

"Have you forgotten what it was like when Empress Dowager Feng was in power?!"

The ministers immediately began to clamor, but some of the more shrewd ones remained silent, secretly plotting their next move.

They were pondering the deeper meaning behind Zhao Huan's words.

Yuan Yun is Zhao Huan's daughter-in-law and now has Zhao Cheng's son. Even if Yuan Yun becomes the first female emperor of Da Jing, who will she pass the throne to in the future?

That's her son, of course!

What's her son's surname? Isn't it also Zhao?

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, won't the future of the Great Jing dynasty belong to the Zhao family?

If Zhao Huan were to ascend the throne now, even if the court officials supported him, people among the common people would inevitably call him a usurper.

His move appears to be a gesture of humility, but it is actually a long-term strategy!

"Father!" Zhao Zhan shouted loudly, whether he didn't understand or was unwilling.

Zhao Huan immediately glared at Zhao Zhan, and Zhao Zhan dared not continue speaking.

"General Long, I disagree!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Yuan Yun walk into the hall, her eyes red.

Zhao Cheng quickly got up to greet her and helped his wife up.

"Ah Yun, take care..."

"Let's not talk about that now."

Yuan Yun bowed deeply to Zhao Huan and said, "Commander Long, when I decided to marry into the Right Prime Minister's household, I made a promise to the Emperor that I would never concern myself with court affairs again and would only want to be a virtuous wife and loving mother in peace. Now that Changli is growing up, I only want to take good care of him and raise him to adulthood."

Zhao Huan said, "Your Highness, you have the ability, and you are qualified..."

Yuan Yun interrupted, "I disagree. No matter what you say, it's useless."

Xu Shouli tentatively said, "Princess, you are the most suitable candidate. If you also disagree, then there is only one option..."

Yuan Yun said, "I have said that I will no longer concern myself with matters of the court. I do not care who you choose to install!"

Suddenly, Yuan Yun's face turned serious, and her eyes reddened as she said, "I only ask that the new emperor of Dajing never forget the national humiliation, and that he must avenge the emperor and exterminate the entire Wen family!"

Zhao Cheng gripped Yuan Yun's hand tightly, feeling her body trembling violently.

After this was said, the hall fell silent once more.

"Let's disperse. The princess is tired, and so am I." Zhao Huan suddenly walked out of the hall.

Li Shu asked, "What about the new emperor...?"

"I will give you an answer tomorrow!"

Zhao Zhan quickly followed Zhao Huan and they walked out of the palace together.

...

"Father, Father!"

Outside Tianze Palace, Zhao Zhan chased after Zhao Huan, calling out to him, but Zhao Huan's pace quickened.

"Father, the ministers have already advised you to this extent, please don't refuse anymore!"

Zhao Huan didn't slow down, saying as they walked, "Can't you learn from your older brother and be a little more composed?"

Zhao Zhan said, "Didn't my elder brother just persuade him to go ahead with the plan?"

"And what about him now?"

"He had to stay with his sister-in-law and didn't have time to come out and chase after you."

Zhao Huan suddenly stopped, stared at Zhao Zhan, and asked, "Do you really want me to become emperor?"

Zhao Zhan said, "Those who do not accept Heaven's favor will surely suffer the consequences; it is the inevitable trend of the times!"

Zhao Huan squinted and said, "I think you just want to be the emperor someday, don't you?"

Zhao Zhan's face darkened immediately, and he said, "Even if Father becomes emperor, it will be my eldest brother who succeeds to the throne!"

Zhao Huan suddenly grabbed Zhao Zhan's collar and said in a deep voice, "Fourth brother, remember this: apart from the second brother who grew up with your mother, you and the third brother were both raised by your eldest brother!"

"Dad, what are you thinking!"

Zhao Zhan said urgently, "I just hope that our Zhao family will be better off!"

"Then you should watch your mouth and be more composed!"

Zhao Huan released Zhao Zhan and continued walking forward, saying, "Whatever decision I make, don't make a fuss!"

"knew……"

"Stop! Don't follow me!"

"yes……"

Zhao Zhan glanced angrily at Zhao Huan's retreating figure, then looked back at the Tianze Palace and sighed.

...

Yu Yun Zhai.

Tu Haiping came with Yuan Yun and moved into Yu Yun Zhai with her.

Zhao Huan did not go in, but instead called someone to bring Tu Haiping and the two children out.

The two children were very sensible; they greeted Zhao Huan obediently as "Grandpa," which made Zhao Huan laugh heartily.

"Feng Jing and the others went to Yun Jing. It's a bit of a pity you didn't get to see them this time."

Zhao Huan led them to the courtyard outside Yu Yun Zhai.

Tu Haiping said respectfully, "The Princess and I get along very well. Although I did not see my old friend, I do not feel lonely."

Zhao Huan nodded slightly, stopped by a pond, and turned to look at the two children.

Yuan Wushang grew very quickly, becoming a head taller than the last time I saw him, while Yuan Wuyou remained the same as before.

How old are these two kids?

"No injury at eleven, no worries at seven."

Yuan Wushang interjected, "It will be the twelfth in another half month."

"Heh heh, he's quite a young man now!" Zhao Huan chuckled as he patted Yuan Wushang's head, carefully observing his features. He noticed that Yuan Wushang was more mature than his peers, and a sinister glint, unlike that of a child, would occasionally flash in his eyes.

On second thought, Zhao Huan understood the child's situation.

His parents died early, and his grandfather passed away not long ago, unlike Yuan Wuyou who still has Tu Haiping, his biological mother.

Zhao Huan's gaze fell on Yuan Wushang's chest, looking at the Qilin lock pendant, and said, "I heard my boss say that there are three Qilin locks, right?"

"Ah, right!" Tu Haiping quickly took Yuan Wuyou's Qilin lock from his collar and said, "The prince made three of them out of meteorite, originally intending them for his three grandsons, but unexpectedly Wuji..."

“So I gave Wuji’s to Changli,” Zhao Huan said.

"Yes." Tu Haiping nodded.

Zhao Huan said, "Champion Wang has good intentions. He hopes that my family can become brothers with these two children."

Tu Haiping said, "Although Changli is still young, he is very intelligent and enjoys being with Wuyou."

Yuan Wuyou chuckled and said, "I like Changli, my little brother!"

“I like it too,” Yuan Wushang interjected.

Zhao Huan placed her hands on the two children's heads and smiled, "You've taught these two kids very well."

"You flatter me, Commander Long."

"Madam Yuan, what do you think of Changsui?" Zhao Huan suddenly asked.

Tu Haiping was a little confused and asked doubtfully, "Changsui City... that's naturally much better than life on the border."

Do you want to stay here forever?

"ah?"

Tu Haiping was taken aback for a moment, then immediately said, "Wherever the Princess is, Haiping will be there."

"no the same."

Zhao Huan's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said, "Although you and A-Yun are both in Changsui, your responsibilities are different."

Tu Haiping was even more confused and asked, "What responsibilities do I have besides taking care of these two children?"

Zhao Huan smiled without saying a word, then slowly squatted down and looked at Yuan Wushang's face.

"Yuan Wushang, do you want to be the emperor?"