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"Does Lin'er dare to be the first of dozens of dynasties in thousands of years?"

Yan Xizheng, Nie Ao and Yang Zhimin left the imperial study at the same time.

In the biting cold wind, Yan Xizheng's back also became hunched, and Nie Ao slightly raised his head to look at the sky with a heavy expression.

It was difficult to move around in front of the palace. Yang Zhimin's tears hadn't dried yet, so he deliberately walked behind the two men and secretly wiped them with his sleeve. Before he finished, he saw them both looking back at him, their faces filled with the same worry, as if the sky was about to fall. Yang Zhimin wiped his face hastily twice, opened his hands, and pushed one of them forward, whispering, "Haven't you two figured it out yet?"

Yan Xizheng stared at him and asked, "What do you understand?"

Yang Zhimin smiled and said with a nostalgic tone, "When the Emperor decided to start the rebellion, I was just as worried as I am today. If I followed the Emperor, I was afraid of failure and death. If I didn't follow the Emperor, I was afraid of losing the brotherhood I had cultivated for over a decade. After much deliberation, I was torn between two options. In the end, I decided to go because I couldn't bear to leave these close friends and brothers behind. I would rather live and die with them. Furthermore, I believed that the Emperor was no mere impulsive person."

"Because we saw the Emperor's potential as a wise ruler, we braved the dangers and achieved the feat of following him. Now that we also believe he possesses the potential to be a wise ruler, why should we fret over future hardships? Could any difficulty be greater than the one the Emperor faced in founding his country? He bravely faced the challenge, yet we, in turn, are afraid to assist him? Therefore, the Emperor is right. We should not underestimate others."

Regarding the secret of the succession, even though there was no one around, Yang Zhimin still cautiously replaced "princess" with "that person".

Nie Luo sighed, "That's right, there really is no better choice."

Originally, Prince An's identity as the eldest son was the most convincing to the people, but Prince An could not and did not want to be the emperor. Even if the emperor chose Prince Jing or Prince Xian, Prince An's lineage might have the intention to seize the throne in the future. If the emperor chose the princess, at most there would be two more lines of Prince Jing and Prince Xian. But as long as the princess and her successor could maintain their prestige, there would actually be nothing to be afraid of. It would only be a matter of who would kill whom. In a royal family, that was not uncommon.

They both looked at Yan Xizheng at the same time.

Yan Xizheng smiled bitterly: "Don't look at me, I'm already this old, and giving advice is to be loyal to the emperor. Since the emperor has already made plans, I don't need to worry about it. In the future, you young and strong people will assist the new emperor."

Nie Ao: "...I'll be sixty after the New Year, so being young and strong has nothing to do with it."

Yang Zhimin coaxed, "You two are both old but still strong, don't even think about slacking off!"

.

Qin Liang is now a third-rank guard commander, on the same rank as Deng Kun, Zhang Su and others, and is also qualified to attend court.

After the court was dismissed, his father was called to the imperial study to discuss the issue of appointing a crown prince. Qin Liang had to follow several commanders of the North Camp back to the North Camp. After learning that his father had returned to the camp, Qin Liang continued to be busy for a while before finding an excuse to meet his father.

The King of Yong knew what his son was going to ask from the look in his eyes, and waved his hand. "Your uncle has forbidden us from spreading the news. Just pretend it never happened. The answer will be revealed on the ninth day. Get out of here."

The eldest brother's meaning was very clear. He dared to tell his son that if his son came up with any bad ideas again and the eldest brother caught him, he would break the legs of both of them.

Qin Liang didn't leave. He tried to guess his father's expression and asked, "Third brother?"

Prince Yong was already fuming with nowhere to vent his anger, so upon hearing this, he jumped up and kicked his son: "Don't you understand what I'm saying? Get out!"

Qin Liang: "..."

Prince Yong could keep his mouth shut, and more than a dozen important ministers such as Yan Xizheng and Nie Ao would not violate the taboo. Even Zhang Jie did not reveal anything to Zhang Su after returning home, and even the look in his eyes when he looked at his son was the same as usual. It was so normal that even the wife of the Duke Xu could not guess how big the matter was in the palace this morning.

Zhang Su didn't need his father to reveal anything. The princess's mansion had become Prince An's mansion. The emperor's choice was obvious, but few people thought of the princess.

During the two days Emperor Xingwu gave these important officials, Prince Yong entered the palace once at dusk on the seventh day. He first tried to persuade his elder brother to choose a prince as the crown prince. When he failed, he inquired whether anyone else had made suggestions that day. Upon learning that no one had, Prince Yong became even more furious: "They are all a bunch of cowards who are afraid of offending their elder brother and getting themselves fired!"

Emperor Xingwu practiced calligraphy while saying, "If they weren't afraid of me, wouldn't I have been emperor for over a decade in vain? But they are my subjects, they should be afraid of me. You are my brother, you don't have to be afraid. Even if you disagree with my choice of Lin'er in front of the entire court, even if you point your finger at my nose and call me old and confused, I won't be angry with my own brother."

Prince Yong knelt again, looking up to express his loyalty. "Brother, don't say such words in anger. Think about it yourself. When have I ever disobeyed you except for this matter? I lost my father when I was born, and my mother doesn't make much money. It was all thanks to you, brother, that I was raised, fed, and sent to martial arts training. Without you, I would be just a wild child in the village, nothing!"

Emperor Xingwu stopped writing, looked at his brother and said, "How rare! You still remember everything."

Prince Yong slapped himself twice. "I'm not very good at talking, and I made big brother angry again, but I really have no selfish motives. Lin'er..."

Emperor Xingwu: "Don't call her Lin'er, you don't deserve it."

Prince Yong's eyes widened in astonishment.

Emperor Xingwu had only one sentence for his brother: "My Great Qi, I have the final say. When I am gone, Lin'er will have the final say. If you still want to call her Lin'er, then be a good uncle to her."

.

Throughout the entire day of the eighth day, no minister came to the imperial study to offer advice on the matter of the crown prince, including Prince Yong.

Before dusk, Emperor Xingwu sent someone to summon the three brothers, Prince An, Prince Jing, and Prince Xian, to the palace for a banquet.

It was just a simple family dinner. After Qin Hong and his three brothers arrived, Emperor Xingwu sent someone to call the second concubine and the youngest daughter. He thought that the eldest daughter would only cause trouble if she came, so it would be better not to call her.

Qin Hong kept his eyes downcast. Qin Ren looked back and forth between his elder brother and his father. Qin Bing was itching all over because of this strange atmosphere. He couldn't help but ask, "Father, it's not a festival or a New Year's Day, but you suddenly called us into the palace so late at night. Is there something going on?"

Emperor Xingwu said: "Yes, there is something. Let's talk about it when everyone is here."

The East Palace and the West Palace are about the same distance from the Qianyuan Hall. The two concubines walked slowly and had to wait for another companion, so Qingyang, who came alone, arrived first.

Seeing his sister in her princess costume, Qin Bing was actually quite unaccustomed to it. He said with a smile, "Seeing my sister acting as a military supervisor all the way, I almost forgot how our Lin'er looked like a fairy in women's clothing. But this face still needs to be covered up."

Qingyang: "...No matter how dark I am, I am still whiter than my second brother."

Qin Bing: "Yes, not only is he whiter than me, he's also whiter than Zhang Su."

Qingyang didn't bother to pay attention to him. He walked around to his father's chair and hugged his father from behind.

Emperor Xingwu smiled and patted his daughter's hand: "Why are you acting like a spoiled child again?"

Qingyang rested his forehead against the back of his father's head. Taking advantage of the fact that his three brothers couldn't see, he let a few tears fall into his father's hair. He pretended to be annoyed and said, "I haven't had the chance to be close to my father since we returned to the capital. And he's been too busy these past few days to see me. I miss him."

She really wanted to tell her father that she could rely on herself, and wanted him to focus on state affairs and not worry about her until his hair turned gray.

Emperor Xingwu looked at his three sons and said, "It's alright, alright. I'm done with my work. From now on, Lin'er, you can come over whenever you want, until you get tired of seeing me."

Qingyang burst into laughter, wiped his eyes with his father's shoulder, stood up again, and quickened his pace to walk to his third brother.

Qin Ren noticed his sister's red eyes, but then his sister glared at him, telling him not to say anything more.

After a while, the Imperial Concubine and the Beautiful Concubine also arrived.

Emperor Xingwu sat in the main seat, with his two concubines sitting to his left and right, then addressed the three siblings standing beside his eldest son. "Ever since your eldest brother resigned the crown prince position, I have spent the past twenty days pondering who would be the most suitable choice for the new crown prince."

Qin Bing lowered his eyes and glanced at his third brother beside him. Just as Qin Ren was about to refuse, he heard his father say, "According to the royal rules of previous dynasties, the throne was passed down to the princes, either the eldest son or the most virtuous prince. Of course, I think so, but I only have three sons. The eldest is decent in both civil and military affairs but can't take on responsibilities. The second has brute force but no brains. The third is lazy and afraid of both cold and heat. Tell me, who among you is sure to be the second generation of wise rulers of the Great Qi?"

Qin Hong was the first to kneel down, his face filled with shame: "I am a useless son, and I dare not accept this responsibility."

Qin Ren followed closely behind, head bowed. "I, your son, am lazy and hate work. At best, I can get a sinecure in the Ministry of Rites. I am incompetent and dare not dream of presiding over state affairs."

Qin Bing had thought that after his eldest brother passed away, he would be more suitable to be the crown prince than his third brother, but that did not mean he was confident that he could be a wise ruler. His father had just scolded him, so Qin Bing knelt down and said, "I am not afraid of work or tiredness, but I am afraid of not being able to handle so many state affairs."

Emperor Xingwu said: "Don't be afraid. You definitely can't handle it well. I even personally followed you on your southern tour. What task have you done perfectly?"

Qin Bing also lowered his head.

Three princes, three with drooping heads, the imperial concubine was angry just looking at them, and Concubine Li was clutching her handkerchief beside them, feeling uneasy.

Emperor Xingwu stared at his three sons. "Look, none of you three are useful, and I can't hand over my throne to outsiders. So, let Lin'er be the Crown Princess of Da Qi. She is capable of governing a country with both literary talent and military prowess, and at such a young age, she's a more capable ruler than I was. How about you three brothers loyally assisting your sister from now on?"

When they had only said half of their words, Qin Bing and Qin Ren both looked up at their sister beside them in shock. Concubine Li was so shocked that she felt as if she was in a dream.

While they were stunned, Emperor Xingwu waved to his daughter. When she came closer, he smiled and asked, "Crown Princess, this is the first of our Great Qi Dynasty, and the first of dozens of dynasties in thousands of years. Do you, Lin'er, dare to take on the title?"

Because it was just a question and not an order, Qingyang did not kneel. He calmly answered with one word: "I dare."

Emperor Xingwu nodded with satisfaction and signaled his daughter to turn to her three brothers.

Qingyang looked at his eldest brother first.

Qin Hong smiled gently, "Your Majesty is wise, and I approve of appointing my younger sister as the Crown Princess. From now on, I am willing to serve you."

Qingyang looked at his second brother again.

Before Qin Bing could say anything, Qin Renxi said, "I agree too! I can't do much to help you, but I know you will be a great Crown Princess!"

His father is so powerful. He never dared to think that he could let his sister be the crown prince. It is obvious that his sister is the most suitable person!

The eldest and third brothers both supported her. Qingyang directly asked the second brother, who was gradually frowning, "Why, second brother, do you think I am not worthy of being the crown prince of Da Qi?"

Qin Bing was stunned and anxious by his father's words. He shook his head at his sister first, then looked at his father who was sitting behind his sister: "Of course my sister has the ability, but my sister, my sister and Zhang Su..."

Emperor Xingwu said: "Now that Lin'er has become the Crown Princess, Zhang Su will naturally marry into our Qin family. Lin'er's children will be your nephews and nieces, and will also have the surname Qin."

The imperial concubine smiled and praised, "That's great. I was reluctant to let Lin'er leave the palace. Now that Lin'er becomes the Crown Princess, she can stay with us in the palace forever."

After saying this, the imperial concubine quickly winked at her silly son.

Although Qin Bing still felt something was amiss, his mother was glaring at him, his eldest brother and third brother had all agreed, and his sister was also watching him, waiting for his answer. Qin Bing scratched his head, thinking of his sister's ability to deal with the civil officials during the southern tour, and how his sister risked her life to capture Yelu Chong and his brother, including how their ability to reach the Donghu royal court was also due to his sister's tactics. Qin Bing was convinced and said readily, "Okay, then let my sister be the Crown Princess. Anyone who dares to disobey will be beaten into submission!"

Qingyang finally smiled.

These are the three brothers who grew up with her. They were the three royal brothers who liked to play with her when she was a child and who took care of her or listened to her when they grew up. If possible, Qingyang doesn't want to be estranged from any of her royal brothers.

Emperor Xingwu also breathed a sigh of relief. If his three sons were willing to support Lin'er, at least the brothers and sisters could avoid a fratricide.

His three sons may not be promising, but they are still good brothers when it comes to caring for their younger sisters.

"Get up. I will issue an order tomorrow morning. There will inevitably be a verbal battle. I am telling you first, I don't want you siblings to quarrel among yourselves and make a fool of yourself in front of others."

Qin Bing: "That can't be done. Father, don't worry!"

Emperor Xingwu scoffed, "What worries me most is you. These past few days, your uncle Wang has been so confused that he's convinced that even if Lin'er's future child has the surname Qin, it will still be the offspring of the Zhang family. You've been just like your uncle Wang since childhood, and I'm afraid you'll be as foolish as he is."

Qin Bing hated to hear people say he looked like Uncle Wang, so he subconsciously retorted, "What do you mean by 'born from the Zhang family'? The surname Qin means we are from the Qin family. Even Zhang Su is one of them. He has lived and worked in the palace since he was a child, so he is already a member of the Qin family."

He grinned at his sister.

Qingyang didn't like such vulgar words, but she understood her father's good intentions, so she pretended not to hear them.

As for her children, if she becomes emperor, they will naturally be proud of the surname Qin. Those who want to have the surname Zhang are either stupid or treacherous, so it is better not to have them.

【Author’s words】

Here she comes, the Crown Princess will be enthroned tomorrow!

100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow~