Chapter 192 The Succession Troubles
"Sister Huan, based on the clues we've found so far, the Queen is definitely involved in Queen Chunyuan's misfortune. However, we still need to put more effort into finding the key evidence."
When she had nothing to do on weekdays, Zhen Huan would often go to Yiku Palace to chat with Nian Shilan. She never expected to receive such news on this day.
The original speculation that the death of Queen Chunyuan was related to the Queen was simply because the current Queen was a jealous person. How could she be willing to give up her position as the legitimate wife so easily to someone else, even if that person was her own sister?
But all these were just their guesses, and they didn't expect that their guesses were getting closer and closer to the truth.
"No rush, Sister Hua, we've been waiting for so long, we still have some patience. But I really want to know, if it is really the Queen who harmed Queen Chunyuan, will the Emperor continue to protect her after he finds out?"
A sarcastic smile appeared on Zhen Huan's lips.
She had seen very clearly over the past few times that no matter how serious a crime the queen committed, the emperor would appear to have severely punished the queen, but in fact, it had no effect on the queen's status at all, and she continued to sit firmly on the throne of the empress.
What about deposing her? These words were just to intimidate the queen. For the sake of the balance of imperial power, the emperor would not take action against the queen easily.
"Perhaps. After all, hasn't our emperor always boasted of his deep affection for Queen Chunyuan? For example, you, and the current Concubine Zhao, aren't they all shadows of the Queen Chunyuan he talks about?"
Nian Shilan sneered. Now she no longer had any expectations for the emperor.
Zhen Huan also understood Nian Shilan's words in the same way, but these were not important to them now. Toppling the queen was their most important thing.
"Jinxi, are Queen Chunyuan and I really that similar?"
After returning to Yongshou Palace, Zhen Huan looked at herself in the mirror and asked Jing Xi who was standing beside her very seriously.
Jingxi has been with Zhen Huan for quite some time. Although she is not as trusted by Zhen Huan as Liuzhu and Yuyan, generally speaking, Zhen Huan does not avoid her in some things. So when she heard Zhen Huan ask such a question, she was not too surprised and just answered her question carefully.
"You and Queen Chunyuan do have some similarities in appearance, but your personalities are completely different."
Jinxi is an elder in the palace, and she always knows a little more than others about the events of many years ago.
"Did the Queen always stay by Queen Chunyuan's side when she gave birth?"
In fact, this is what Zhen Huan cares about most.
"Please forgive me, my lady. Actually, I don't know much. Some things I have heard from others. However, I have heard rumors that when Empress Chunyuan entered the palace, she was favored by the current emperor, who was still the prince. And because the current empress is Empress Chunyuan's sister and has some knowledge of medicine, she was arranged by the emperor to serve Empress Chunyuan after she became pregnant. As for whether she has always been there, we are not sure. Some old people in the palace may know more. Why don't I ask around when I have the chance?"
Jin Xi told everything she knew, but there were many obscure things that outsiders did not know.
"Medical knowledge? The Queen knows about medicine?"
For some reason, Zhen Huan always had a strange feeling in her heart when she heard these two words.
"Go and find out, and do it covertly."
"yes."
"My lady, the emperor is here."
Xiao Yunzi walked in from outside and saw that Zhen Huan looked a little unhappy.
"knew."
Zhen Huan was not at all moved by the emperor's arrival, but what Sister Hua said to her made a lot of sense. No matter what, they were also the emperor's concubines, and they had to act like them even if they had to pretend.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
When Su Peisheng's voice rang out, Zhen Huan had already walked to the door to greet him.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
"Hurry up, Huanhuan."
The emperor gently supported Zhen Huan's arm, then took her hand and walked into the house with her.
"I haven't seen Lingxi and Hongzhou in a while, so I came to see them today since I have some free time. Besides, I miss Huanhuan a little."
After the emperor sat on the couch, Zhen Huan personally poured him a cup of tea.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I didn't know you would be coming today. Lingxi and Hongzhou happened to go to Lingrong's place to play with their brother. I will send someone to call them back."
"Forget it, I think they are having fun now, I won't disturb them."
After chatting for a while, the emperor mentioned what happened at the morning court today.
"Do these ministers think I'm old now? At this morning's court, everyone was urging me to appoint a crown prince as soon as possible, and they even said it would help stabilize the country. If I don't appoint a crown prince now, will my country be in jeopardy?"
Thinking of this, the emperor's anger began to burn again.
"These ministers are not anxious when they should be, and are worrying about things they shouldn't be. The emperor is in his prime, why is he already considering the issue of the succession to the throne?"
Zhen Huan had heard from Nian Shilan before that the emperor had intentionally tested this issue, but she didn't expect him to bring it up in front of her again today.
She sneered in her heart, it turned out that there was no family affection under imperial power.
"In fact, I have thought about the issue of succession, but it seems that the Third Prince has no big thoughts on these court affairs, and our Sixth Prince is still young. As for the Fourth Prince."
I don’t know what the emperor was thinking about, but he couldn’t help but pause for a moment when he mentioned the Fourth Prince.
"Every time I see the Fourth Prince, I always think of his background. Although I have seen the child's efforts in recent years, I still prefer our Sixth Prince the most."
Nian Shilan had discussed the Queen's recent behavior with her before. Under normal circumstances, she would have sought an opportunity to make up for it after suffering such a big loss, but this time she was unusually quiet, which was very unreasonable.
Now, hearing the emperor mention the court's discussion about the succession, Zhen Huan realized that it seemed that the queen was secretly fanning the flames in this matter.
"I see the emperor's love for the Sixth Prince, but he is still young. I just hope they can grow up safely and healthily."
Zhen Huan clearly expressed her thoughts in front of the emperor. She had no intention of involving the Sixth Prince in such a fight, and she did not want the emperor to be suspicious of the Sixth Prince all the time.
"Don't worry, Huanhuan. I will definitely protect Sixth Prince and won't let him suffer any injustice."
After hearing Zhen Huan's attitude, the emperor's smile towards Zhen Huan became more sincere, which made Zhen Huan feel even more sarcastic.
But he is really a "good father", always on guard against his children.
"The Fourth Prince actually has a good character, and now he is being raised under the Empress's name. I think it is understandable that the ministers value him so much."
The Queen wanted to use the court officials to persuade the Emperor to appoint the Fourth Prince as the crown prince, but Zhen Huan refused to let her do so.
She hoped that the Fourth Prince would become a dragon among men in the future, but definitely not through the Queen's hands.
After hearing what Zhen Huan said, the emperor pondered for a moment, and then continued chatting with Zhen Huan as if nothing had happened, but the topic subtly never mentioned this matter again.
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