Chapter 35 Who is worthy of the Empress's position?

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Your son has completed the lessons assigned by the Grand Tutor."

It turned out he had been kept after school to do his homework. Ji Qingwu couldn't take her eyes off Yuan Heng, who looked like a snowball.

She didn't know Yuan Heng was her son before, but now that she does, she only regrets not having hugged him more that day.

Yuan Heng went directly to the north seat and sat next to Prince Yong. His small body sat upright, and his jade-like face was cold, already showing a gentlemanly demeanor.

Ji Qingwu's gaze remained fixed in that direction, never wavering.

Not long after, Emperor Wusu said, "Yuanheng, come to your father."

Yuan Heng's dark eyes were full of confusion.

He began to think back to whether he had done anything that had angered his father that day.

He walked with short legs and a somber expression to Emperor Wusu's side.

Ji Qingwu's gaze remained fixed on Yuan Heng. Judging from his expression, he was reluctant and somewhat fearful.

She thought of how Yuan Heng had been slapped twenty times on the hand for arguing with the grandson of Imperial Censor Yan. Even an adult like Ji Changlin had his palms turned red, so how could a little kid like Yuan Heng endure it?

Ji Qingwu glared at Emperor Wusu with reproachful eyes, blaming him for being too cruel to his own son.

Unfortunately, he was caught red-handed by the one sitting high in front of the palace.

Emperor Wusu raised his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes. Ji Qingwu quickly lowered his head.

What's going on? Did the emperor even have eyes on the back of his head?!

After a long while, Emperor Wusu turned his gaze away and said in a deep voice to Yuan Heng in front of him, "Sit next to me."

Yuan Heng was mature beyond his years, but he was also shocked by his father's words. He had never sat next to the emperor at a palace banquet.

He frowned and said, "Yes."

Others who frequently attended palace banquets were also secretly amazed. Emperor Wusu was strict with the young prince's upbringing. They were not only father and son but also ruler and subject. He had never been lenient with the prince because he was the only son. Yet today, he had the idea of ​​getting close to the prince.

Eunuch Li added a chair next to the emperor, and the father and son shared a table. Their identical sharp black eyes first looked towards Nan Xi in unison.

Ji Qingwu lowered her head and quietly pretended to be a little quail.

The two of them turned their gazes back as if nothing had happened.

The Empress Dowager was also happy to have an opportunity to get close to the young prince. After the incident of falling into the water, Yuan Heng moved from Consort Wei's Guanju Palace to Yongning Palace to live alone.

"Yuanheng, your grandmother hasn't seen you for quite some time. Are you afraid to live alone in Yongning Palace?"

"Won't."

Yuan Heng's answer was concise and to the point, directly cutting off what the Empress Dowager wanted to say next.

The Empress Dowager's expression faltered, and she sighed in a mocking manner. She changed tactics and began to bring up the old story again, "Although Consort Wei did not fulfill her duty of care last time, fortunately my niece is brave and kind-hearted, otherwise Yuan Heng would have been in grave danger."

Consort Wei, who had been named, put down her wine cup, smiled faintly, and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, you are right. I am also very grateful to Miss Ji. However, His Majesty has already dealt with this matter. The mastermind behind it, Consort Luo, has been ordered to commit suicide. The men of the Luo family have been exiled, and all the women have been enslaved. If you bring this up again, won't it frighten His Highness Yuan Heng?"

Ji Qingwu had long known that the Empress Dowager and Consort Wei did not get along and that they often argued.

But one said "Yuan Heng is likely to be in grave danger," while the other said "He should be given the option of suicide and exiled to slavery, but that would frighten Yuan Heng," clearly showing that they did not truly care about his safety.

Ji Qingwu frowned, looking at Yuan Heng's indifferent expression, as if he had long been used to it.

The Empress Dowager continued, "That matter is over, but there is another matter. Shouldn't the Emperor's harem be filled with some new women? If I remember correctly, the last imperial concubine selection was two years ago."

Compared to the previous dynasty, Emperor Wusu's harem was simply insignificant. Emperor Liang had three thousand beauties in his harem, while Emperor Wusu's harem consisted of only a meager dozen or so women.

In previous years, it was the first imperial concubine selection after the new emperor ascended the throne. To maintain the balance of power between the court and the harem, the women selected for the palace were all daughters of meritorious officials, but notably none were from the Ji family. Now that the country is stable, it is possible to select women that the emperor likes.

The noble ladies in the hall all sat up straight, and some even secretly picked up lip rouge to touch up their lips.

Emperor Wusu remained silent, his expression indifferent.

The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples, saying with a headache, "Your Majesty, I manage the affairs of the six palaces, but now I am getting old, and my energy and physical strength are not as good as before. It is time to establish an Empress."

From selecting concubines to establishing an empress, the emperor raised his eyes and asked, "Who does Your Majesty think is worthy of the empress's position?"

The position of Empress is not something noble ladies dare to dream of. Even someone as beautiful as Consort Wei, with such a capable brother, is not fit to sit on this throne.

Ji Qingyuan held her head high, like a victorious fighting rooster, displaying extraordinary self-confidence.

The most lucid person in the hall was Ji Qingwu.

She shook her head slightly. The Empress Dowager, caught in the vortex of the inner palace, had long been blinded by power.

The least likely candidate for empress is a woman from the Ji family.

The words Cui had spoken at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence had also enlightened her. After the new emperor ascended the throne, the Ji family, the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, became the dominant force. Furthermore, with the events of the previous dynasty as a warning, they had long been feared by the emperor.

If a member of the Ji family were to be made empress, the only prince would naturally be entrusted to the empress, his legal mother, for upbringing. With a young son by her side and her family powerful, what if he harbored rebellious intentions...?

The Empress Dowager observed the Emperor's expression and continued, "In my opinion, besides ensuring the Emperor's satisfaction, we should choose an Empress of noble birth who can genuinely care for Yuan Heng."

His intentions were obvious.

The Empress Dowager was born into the Ji family, and her niece Ji Qingwu risked her life to save a prince who had fallen into the water. In everyone's eyes, the Ji family took great care of the prince, but Ji Qingyuan was the only unmarried girl left.

"What Mother says is absolutely right, but it also depends on whether Yuanheng likes it or not."

Hearing Emperor Wusu relent, the Empress Dowager was overjoyed. Pointing to Ji Qingyuan at the southern seat, she said, "Grandson, look at that woman in the crimson dress over there. Do you find her attractive?"

Ji Qingyuan smiled gently at him.

The pressure suddenly shifted to Yuan Heng, but he immediately looked away, his small face cold as he said, "Your Majesty, I don't like it."

Ji Qingyuan's smile froze on her face; it was a forced, insincere smile that looked somewhat ridiculous. The Empress Dowager also awkwardly closed her mouth.

Emperor Wusu smiled and asked, "My son, is there anything you like in the palace?"

Yuan Heng's gaze immediately locked onto one person.

Ji Qingwu didn't dare to look up, staring at the plate of snacks in front of her. Although her little one liked her and she was touched, she couldn't make her a target.

"There was someone I somewhat liked, but if she were to become my mother—"

As if he had made up his mind, Yuan Heng said loudly, "Your subject is not pleased!"

Emperor Wusu was slightly surprised: "Why?"

Yuan Heng glanced at the emperor, pursed his lips, then leaned closer and whispered something in Emperor Wusu's ear.

Everyone saw the emperor's face darken instantly.

Yuan Heng's heart was pounding. Seeing his father angry, he was afraid, but he still stubbornly resisted and was determined to stick to his decision.