In the same month that the Empress married her husband, she made her eldest daughter, Langhuan, the Crown Princess, causing an uproar throughout the court.
On the surface, the Crown Princess is the daughter of the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort. Since the Empress's marriage to her husband, Lin Muhan, their relationship has been very close, even surpassing her previous affection for the Imperial Noble Consort. No one expected that the Empress would appoint her daughter with the Imperial Noble Consort as Crown Princess, which means that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this Crown Princess will be the next heir to the Yun Dynasty.
Once this decree was issued, the entire palace watched Lin Muhan make a fool of himself.
What's the use of having the emperor's favor? The eldest son of the legitimate wife must be chosen. Now that Langhuan is the crown princess, even if the empress and her husband Lin Muhan have a child in the future, she will still miss out on the throne.
Although Langhuan is now registered under Lin Muhan's name and calls him "father" every day, he is not the Crown Princess's biological father. When His Majesty passes away, no one can say for sure what the Crown Princess will do.
With the support of the Crown Prince's father, Yun Zhang has been like a smug peacock these days, occasionally bumping into Lin Muhan in the palace and exchanging a few sarcastic remarks.
On this day, the two happened to meet in the Imperial Garden.
Lin Muhan spotted Yun Zhang from afar and was about to avoid him when the other man called out loudly.
"Oh, isn't this our newly appointed Imperial Consort?" Yun Zhang's voice carried a hint of mockery and provocation as he slowly approached, his eyes filled with undisguised smugness. "I've heard that His Majesty has already named Langhuan, the daughter of His Majesty and me, as the Crown Princess. This is a major event for our Yun Dynasty. Imperial Consort, what are your thoughts on this?"
Lin Muhan stood there, his posture upright, his face calm as still water, as if the changing world had nothing to do with him.
He returned the greeting calmly and slowly said, "Your Highness is mistaken. The position of Crown Princess was decided by His Majesty and has its own profound meaning. I am but a husband, how dare I make such a comment?" His voice was gentle yet powerful, every word perfectly chosen, neither impolite nor lacking in sharpness.
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhang's lips curled into a cold smile, and a barely perceptible glint of anger flashed in his eyes.
"Hmph, Your Majesty, you have quite the composure. Aren't you worried about your position being threatened? After all, the winds in the palace can change in an instant."
Lin Muhan smiled gently, a smile that seemed to hold endless meaning. "Your Majesty is overthinking this. I believe that His Majesty knows what he's doing. As for status, it has never been bestowed by others, but earned by oneself."
This scene naturally did not escape the eyes of the surrounding palace maids. Although they appeared to be pruning and watering the trees, pretending to be busy, they were actually listening intently, afraid of missing even the slightest bit of gossip.
The undercurrents between the two masters made them both nervous and excited.
"Look, the Imperial Noble Consort is usually so domineering, but today she can't gain any advantage in front of the Imperial Consort." A palace maid whispered to her companion beside her.
"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor is truly unfathomable. He remained so calm and composed in the face of the Imperial Noble Consort's provocation," another palace maid chimed in, her eyes gleaming with admiration for Lin Muhan.
If she had to choose, she would definitely choose the gentle and considerate royal consort.
This silent contest, though seemingly calm on the surface, was actually brewing with undercurrents within the palace walls.
The appointment of Crown Princess Langhuan is not only a matter of personal fate, but also the beginning of a reshuffling of power in the court. A contest for power and status is quietly unfolding.
At the same time, Lin Muhan began to target the powerful clans led by the Imperial Noble Lady.
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