Chapter 64 The Queen Mother's Calculations

Xiao Chenglan had just returned to Changqing Palace from Chengqian Hall where the grand court meeting had taken place when he heard the report from the emperor.

"Your Majesty, someone from the Wanshou Palace just sent word that the Empress Dowager had a headache when she woke up this morning and might not have the energy to attend the morning meeting with the concubines tomorrow. They asked Your Majesty to send someone from the Imperial Household Department to inform all the palaces."

Xiao Chenglan took off the emperor's twelve-tasseled crown and casually handed it to Fu Wanquan, saying calmly:

"Really? Change my clothes for me. How can I not go and see my mother?"

In the Wanshou Palace, when Xiao Chenglan entered, the empress dowager was half lying on the couch, and Nanny Xia was massaging her Taiyangxue point.

"I heard that the Queen Mother was not feeling well, so I came to see her."

Empress Dowager Xue slowly opened her eyes and said weakly, "Now that the Emperor has arrived, please take a seat. I sent someone to the Imperial Court not to disturb you, but to make plans for tomorrow's morning meeting. I didn't expect you to come and visit me in person. You are so thoughtful."

Xiao Chenglan smiled faintly and said with concern: "My mother is ill, so of course I have to come and visit her as soon as possible."

"It's just some old ailments, not worth mentioning. It will be fine after a rest."

"Then I'm relieved." Xiao Chenglan said, as if relieved, but then his expression became more worried.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Xue asked, "It's been hot lately, and I've been feeling restless. It seems the Emperor is the same. Why is he so upset today?"

Xiao Chenglan sighed slightly and pondered for a few moments before speaking, "My Queen Mother is ill. I shouldn't have disturbed her peace by speaking this out, but I'm really unsure."

"What's the big deal? I'm just hoping to share your worries. Just tell me."

Xiao Chenglan spoke slowly, "Recently, the court officials have urged me to appoint a queen, and I'm having trouble deciding. This matter concerns the foundation of Daye State, and I'm not sure if my decision is right."

Empress Dowager Xue was startled. Has the emperor already made up his mind?

She was panicking, but she managed a forced smile and said tentatively, "The candidates recommended by the ministers are the result of careful consideration. Why should the emperor worry?"

Xiao Chenglan sighed softly, "I'm not worried about the selection, but the empresses of previous dynasties were either senior crown princesses or chosen three to five years after ascending the throne. Queen Mother also knows that I've only been on the throne for a hundred days. Choosing a queen now feels a bit hasty."

Empress Dowager Xue paused.

This reminded her.

It is not necessary to appoint a queen after ascending the throne. The court is urging him to do so now, and the Su family has joined forces with several other families to submit a petition.

Normally speaking, it is normal to appoint a queen within three to five years of ascending the throne.

Thinking of this, Queen Mother Xue immediately had an idea.

"The Emperor is right. It's too hasty to appoint a queen now. This group of concubines has only just entered the palace. Their personalities and abilities haven't even been revealed yet. If we hastily select a queen and she turns out to be incapable of handling the responsibilities, it will be detrimental to the country."

Xiao Chenglan nodded, "My Queen Mother truly understands my concerns. I'm thinking that we can choose someone to temporarily take charge of the palace and manage the affairs of the six palaces. Why rush to appoint a queen?"

Empress Dowager Xue saw the opportunity and said, "It's always better to be cautious. Besides, I have a say in matters concerning the harem. Those concubines have been causing trouble every other day lately. They are still too immature. In my opinion, it's premature to appoint a queen now. The Emperor's opinion is most appropriate for the current situation."

Xiao Chenglan's brows relaxed a bit. "After all, I'm not as thorough as my mother in considering the affairs of the harem. With your words, I'm relieved. Then I will announce this matter at court tomorrow. I will not appoint a queen, but will choose someone to temporarily take charge of the palace and manage the affairs of the six palaces."

After this matter was finalized, Empress Dowager Xue finally felt relieved.

The other half lies in the person who temporarily holds power in the palace.

If the power of the palace fell into the hands of Su Qingrong, it would still be just as difficult. After all, if she could successfully take over the six palaces, it would be a matter of time, place and people for her to be crowned queen in the future.

No, even the possibility of Su Qingrong temporarily taking control of the palace must be nipped in the bud.

"Has the emperor decided on the person who will temporarily take charge of the palace?" Empress Dowager Xue asked casually.

Xiao Chenglan: "Among the petitions for the empress, Concubine Song and Concubine Xin have the highest support. I think that if I want to temporarily take over the palace, I should choose from among them."

Queen Mother Xue thought quickly.

Su Qingrong and Song Wanyan...

Neither of them is easy to deal with.

However, the Song family is better off than the Su family. After all, if the Su family gets the power of the palace, it will be difficult to pull her down, otherwise it will be suspected of splitting the family. But if the Song family gets the power of the palace, before the queen is crowned, the Xue family can still unite with several other families to fight against the Song family.

Empress Dowager Xue immediately said, "If the Emperor has not yet made up his mind, why not listen to what I have to say?"

Xiao Chenglan said humbly, "Mother, please speak."

"Now Concubine Xin is only a Concubine. If we choose her to temporarily take charge of the palace power, she will definitely have to skip the level and be promoted to the rank of Concubine. This is too big a leap and it is not appropriate. Moreover, Concubine Xin has violated palace rules and was punished since entering the palace. It is difficult to convince the public."

Xiao Chenglan paused and asked doubtfully, "So, the candidate that Mother has in mind is Concubine Song? I thought Mother would support Concubine Xin."

Empress Dowager Xue felt a little guilty. Xiao Chenglan wanted to give face to the aristocratic family, but she had her own considerations and she wanted to fight for the Xue family.

"Does the emperor think that because the Xue and Su families are on good terms, I have a private relationship with them? I have always believed in appointing the most capable."

Listening to Empress Dowager Xue's high-sounding words, Xiao Chenglan lowered his eyes and smiled, hiding the contempt and calculation in his eyes, and said calmly:

"Your Majesty, your Majesty is selfless. It is I who am narrow-minded. I will carefully consider your advice."

When Empress Dowager Xue heard her say this, she knew that the matter was almost half settled, and another big stone in her heart fell to the ground.

Xiao Chenglan walked out of the Wanshou Palace, and the respectful and filial expression on his face faded away, replaced by full joy.

Fu Wanquan knew that His Majesty was playing a cruel trick on him again.

Xiao Chenglan glanced at Fu Wanquan and said calmly, "If Su Qingrong asks you about what happened today, you should know how to tell her."

Fu Wanquan quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, of course I know. Last time I robbed the Su family's private treasury, wasn't my work done beautifully? Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Xiao Chenglan smiled faintly, "I actually forgot that I haven't given you the reward for what happened last time."

Fu Wanquan quickly said, "No, no, I just did my duty and served Your Majesty loyally. I dare not ask for a reward."

Xiao Chenglan commented lightly: "Slippery tongue."

Fu Wanquan didn't mind at all, smiled flatteringly, and did not forget to remind Xiao Chenglan to be careful on the steps.

Fu Wanquan knew exactly what he wanted.

He rose from a small eunuch who cleaned the floor tiles to become the chief steward in front of the emperor. He rose to become a singer because of the emperor's appreciation.

He is respected wherever he goes now, and it is all because of the influence of His Majesty. What reward can compare to His Majesty's recognition?

Those eunuchs who used to boss him around back then, now they don't know where their bones are rotten. He must cling to His Majesty, worrying about His Majesty's worries and rejoicing in His Majesty's joys.

What's more, Your Majesty is really powerful. He broke out of the siege in the gaming field and didn't even see the door of the Eastern Palace. He entered the palace directly with an imperial edict.

Although the situation in the court is a bit serious now, His Majesty has ideas and means. His Majesty knows that his own people are not strong enough to confront the aristocratic families head-on, so he lets them fight among themselves.

If we start fighting among our own people, we can win without fighting.

It’s really wonderful.

Follow the right people, take the right path, and you will have a lifetime of wealth and glory.