Consort Mei Hui was stunned.

What is this... what kind of rhythm is this?

"Mother... in five years, can you really save the lives of us, mother and children?" the Sixth Prince asked, kneeling as well.

“I told you, I will not harm your father’s offspring. Your mother’s family is not prominent, and she has never offended me, so I will not harm her either. If you really refuse, I will choose the eighth prince. There is no need to be afraid. However, if you change your mind in five years, we will see who is more powerful,” Yan Nangui said.

Before Consort Mei could speak, the Sixth Prince quickly said, "I am willing. I will listen to Mother and trust Mother."

The 12-year-old sixth prince had no choice. Perhaps this was not good, but what if he was still useful?

That way, my mother and brothers can live a good life, right?

"I chose your mother because she was favored by your father. Her son became emperor, so she can be posthumously honored as empress. Perhaps this will please your father," Yan Nangui said calmly.

“Your Majesty, I…” Consort Mei Hui suddenly burst into tears: “I will listen to you.”

"Mother, choose me." The sixth prince wiped away his tears: "I will never go back on my word."

Yan Nangui looked at the mother and child and nodded: "Alright, then get up."

The mother and son got up, unsure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or remain anxious.

After the mother and son left, Yan Nangui summoned Song, the Prefect of the Imperial Household Department.

The affairs of the deceased emperor must be handled, and the affairs of the new emperor must also be handled.

"We'll discuss the date of the coronation ceremony with the Ministry of Rites."

"Your Majesty...this...your subject..." Prefect Song hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is it His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"There is no Crown Prince." Yan Nangui smiled, quite pleased with the question he had asked.

"The late Emperor passed away suddenly and did not establish a crown prince. I have no son, but Consort Mei has been favored for many years and has three princes. The eldest, the sixth prince, will be the next emperor."

Prefect Song felt immediately at ease.

Okay, let's select it.

"Yes, then I will choose an auspicious day according to the Sixth Prince's birthday."

"Yes, since the Sixth Prince is going to succeed to the throne, Consort Mei Hui should also be granted a title. Everything that needs to be done for the imperial mausoleum should be done properly. The Empress Dowager is getting old, so she should also be given a title when the time comes, so don't take it lightly. All the concubines in the harem should be given titles, except for Consort Ning Shu."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Prefect Song was glad that he had a good relationship with the Empress from the beginning.

After he left, Yan Nangui met Yun Ji.

After paying his respects, Yun Ji remained silent for a while before uttering the unspoken words that Shu Chengfeng had been holding back.

Yan Nangui smiled and said, "He's right. I will take care of the people he cares about."

Yun Ji's eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep: "The Crown Prince's decision is His Majesty's. Although the matter was urgent and there wasn't time to issue a formal decree... But this is His Majesty's intention. How could Your Majesty not know?"

“Yunji, I know. But it can’t be him. His Majesty is too confident, thinking that leaving a will can protect all the princes and princesses. Don’t you know who the Ning family is?” Yan Nangui asked.

“But…” Yun Ji was speechless.

"How much has Consort Ning done? I haven't dealt with her because she doesn't dare to touch me. If her son ascends the throne, can I spare the child and abandon the mother? If I kill Consort Ning, won't Shu Hengyuan hate me? Even if I can suppress it, there will come a day when I can't. I won't lie to you, for the sake of my child, I can't take the risk. And if I don't kill her, won't she come after me? At that time, she will be the emperor's birth mother, and it will be legitimate. Can I fight her? Do I still remember the Empress Dowager from back then?"

“But that was His Majesty’s will…” Yun Ji said wearily.

“I know. I went against his wishes.” Yan Nangui took a deep breath: “I chose the Sixth Prince.”

Yun Ji was taken aback: "The Sixth Prince?"

"Yes, the Cheng family isn't exactly a powerful clan. Consort Mei's relationship with the Cheng family isn't good either. Choosing him, at least, won't cause any major future troubles. But if it were Shu Hengyuan, if His Majesty were still alive, he could naturally suppress the Ning family and gradually weaken them. But His Majesty is gone. My family certainly has military power, but how can we suppress the Ning family? Do you know what people outside are saying about the Ning family? They say half the court is theirs. Half the court is made up of their people. Is the First Prince any outstanding person? You're with the Emperor every day, don't you know? If he were really that good, why hasn't His Majesty appointed a Crown Prince for twenty years?"

"Back then, who suppressed the Ning family?"

Yun Ji sighed: "In the end, I'm just a eunuch..."

“Yes, you are a eunuch. You are someone who followed the emperor from prince to emperor. I consider you a useful person. I promised him that I would not harm his offspring. I will keep my promise. I don’t need to explain so much to you, but because it’s you, I’ll say it anyway.” Yan Nangui looked at him: “You don’t need to do anything, you don’t need to go against his wishes. I’ll take care of everything. But I also hope you won’t stop me.”

Yun Ji remained silent for a long time, finally sighing, "So be it, they are all His Majesty's offspring..."

“You must be tired too, go and rest first. The emperor left in a hurry, and you are still young. I need your help in many ways. Rest well, then come back to work. I hope you can cheer up and not become discouraged,” Yan Nangui said.

Yun Ji glanced at her a few times, then lowered his head and said, "Okay."

Soon after, the Empress issued another decree, announcing that the sixth prince would ascend the throne immediately after the late Emperor's funeral.

The entire court was shocked.

Now that things have come to this point, naturally many people have come looking for us.

Where is the Crown Prince?

The Ning family members are still imprisoned, so most of those who come to ask questions are not very firm in their convictions.

Inside the Beichen Palace, Yan Nangui looked at the assembled veteran ministers: "It's no secret that the First Prince is incompetent and has been out of the Emperor's favor for many years. The Ning family is powerful and harbors rebellious intentions. His Majesty acted hastily and failed to appoint a Crown Prince, leading many to mistakenly believe that the First Prince is His Majesty's chosen one. Others may not know, but I do. His Majesty will not appoint him. Consort Mei has enjoyed the Emperor's favor for many years, and the Sixth Prince is a sensible and talented child. With my support, he will be the next Emperor."

The veteran officials looked at each other in bewilderment, and Ding Min was the first to speak.

He wasn't unaware of the situation, but given what had happened, it seemed pointless to desperately try to support the crown prince.

"Has Her Majesty made a decision on this matter?"

“None of them were born to me, what do you think?” Yan Nangui asked.

Ding Min had nothing to say. Yes, they were not born to the Empress.

Moreover, the Empress has treated all the princes the same for many years, showing no particular preference.

Even if someone wanted to control someone, they wouldn't choose the sixth prince.

Regardless of who it is, with Yan Nanji's 60,000 troops outside the capital, Zhang Shaoyang has already seized control of all military power within the capital.

After seeing all this, what else is there to say?

The late emperor had no legitimate son, and the eldest prince was not as noble as the sixth prince.

Since the Empress insists on not recognizing him, then there is no Crown Prince.

Lord Xu stood up: "This old minister has no objection. In that case, the arrangements should be made."

When he says that, it means he has already given up.

If he's given up, who will persist?