Grand Secretary Song, who was standing nearby, immediately asked, "Do you intend to make Consort Song empress?"
"I do indeed have this plan."
The crown prince glanced at them.
"No!"
"Your Highness, please reconsider!"
"Although Madam Song has been meritorious in giving birth, her family background is not prominent. How can she be compared with Madam Zhao?"
Several ministers started shouting.
Grand Secretary Song remained silent.
His family is now related to Song Xibai's family by marriage, so they need to avoid suspicion at this time.
On the contrary, it was Imperial Censor Zhou who stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and then made a suggestion.
"There's no need to rush into deciding who will be empress. We can discuss it after His Highness's coronation ceremony."
The crown prince had anticipated opposition, but he hadn't expected even his maternal grandfather to be against him. He was immediately depressed and had no interest in discussing things with them.
"I'm feeling a bit stifled sitting here for too long, I'll go for a walk first."
Making up an excuse, the crown prince got up and walked out of the palace gate.
As soon as he left, the ministers exchanged glances.
After a moment of silence, the Minister of Rites was the first to mutter something.
"How can someone of Song's background be appointed as Empress?"
Imperial Censor Zhou smiled and explained on behalf of his grandson: "You all must also understand His Highness. He was harmed by treacherous officials and had no children for many years. Now that he has suddenly gained two children, he naturally loves them very much. He must also love Song Shi because of her."
"Hasn't His Highness's illness been cured? There will be more children in the future."
"I heard that Lady Song gave birth prematurely, and the eldest prince is weak. I don't know if he will live to adulthood."
"A child born outside the palace to an unidentified person—who knows if there's anything fishy going on?"
The person speaking was from the Zhao family, who clearly had long harbored resentment towards Song Xibai.
In the end, it was Imperial Censor Zhou who smoothed things over.
"His Highness is young and impetuous, and he can't think straight for the moment. He'll be fine in the future. Colleagues, let's think about the reign title instead!"
The events that occurred inside the Qianqing Palace were quickly reported to Feng Jia by a young eunuch.
Feng Jia was imprisoned and severely tortured after being captured by the fake emperor and brought back to the palace. He was only recently rescued.
He has lost a lot of weight, but his spirits are still good. However, he has some hidden injuries that will take a long time to heal.
After the Crown Prince entered the Qing Palace, Feng Jia became the undisputed Grand Eunuch.
Of course, nominally he was still the chief steward of the Qing Palace for the time being.
After listening to the little eunuch's vivid retelling, Feng Jia's eyes lit up, and he ordered someone to go outside the palace to deliver a message to Song Xibai.
As far as Feng Jia was concerned, he would naturally prefer Song Xibai to be the empress.
In the past, Feng Jia would never have resorted to tricks in such matters, but the thought of Qingxi's affair filled him with uncontrollable rage.
Qingxi was his apprentice, not his only one, but the one he cared about the most.
To celebrate his future, he specially sent him to the east side hall.
Unexpectedly, this kid was actually from the Zhao family!
Qingxi had been by his side for six or seven years. Who knows if he had told the Zhao family some of his secrets?
Thinking about this, Feng Jia felt both angry and worried.
"But the Zhao family is powerful; I wonder if Master Xi can defeat them..."
He muttered something to himself, straightened his hat, and jogged off to deliver a message to the Crown Prince.
His men acted swiftly, and within an hour, they had delivered the message to Song Xibai.
After hearing this, Song Xibai's smile remained unchanged. He had Wei Hong reward the messenger and then told him to go back.
After seeing the person off, Wei Hong returned with a worried look on her face.
"Master, what should we do?"
"What do you mean, 'what to do'? This is none of our business."
Song Xibai remained expressionless, teasing Zhaojing on the kang (a heated brick bed).
"How could this be unrelated to you? It's very relevant! His Highness wants to make you Empress! If the Crown Princess finds out, she will definitely take action against you."
Wei Hong paced anxiously back and forth in the room.
"How about I go find Commander Yue and ask him to come and help me think of a solution?"
"Sit down."
Song Xibai waved to her, then said with a serious expression.
"This matter must not be communicated to Commander Yue, Mr. Jin, or anyone else."
Wei Hong opened her mouth, then stammered, "Why?"
"It is precisely because this matter concerns me that I cannot take any action."
Song Xibai sighed.
Originally, everyone shared a common goal and worked together for the sake of the crown prince, so naturally, everyone benefited.
But now that the great cause has been accomplished, everyone is waiting to claim credit, so how can things still be as harmonious as before?
Song Xibai was unsure whether Commander Yue and Mr. Jin would still stand on his side.
Moreover, Song Xibai had another hidden worry.
Given her current situation, she has a chance to compete for the Empress's position, but doing so would inevitably mean revealing all her cards.
Regardless of whether the people under her command can compare to a behemoth like the Zhao family, even if they could, it would inevitably make people think that she is ambitious and power-hungry.
Song Xibai never thought that everything would be peaceful after the fake emperor was overthrown.
Even without the fake emperor as an enemy, there are still complex court relationships to manage.
Just by looking at today's events, it's clear that these officials who originally supported the Crown Prince all had their own ulterior motives.
Song Xibai patted Zhaojing's little hand, her mind racing with thoughts, and finally said something.
Let's wait and see!
Wei Hong still trusted her and nodded, but asked again.
"Are we really not going to do anything?"
Song Xibai's eyes flickered.
“There are some things I can’t do, but others can. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
The Zhao family, of course, needs to be dealt with.
She hasn't settled accounts with them yet regarding the matter on the estate!
The conflict with the Zhao family was already irreconcilable. Even if she were magnanimous and willing to let the Zhao family off the hook, they wouldn't believe her.
"Fortunately, Zhao Fen acted first. The Crown Princess can live, but the Zhao family must not be allowed to live any longer."
Song Xibai muttered to himself.
After saying that, she composed herself, bent down and picked up Zhao Yan as well, and took a small silver bell to tease the little guy.
Song Xibai originally thought that the matter was over for the time being.
Unexpectedly, that afternoon, the courtyard welcomed an unexpected visitor.
When Wei Hong came in to report, she didn't believe it and thought she had misheard.
"Who did you say came?"
"They are from the Zhou family."
Which Zhou family?
"It's the Zhou family, the maternal grandparents' family of the Marquis of Chengen! And it's the wife of the Marquis of Chengen's heir!"
Song Xibai lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, then raised her hand to ask her to invite the person in.
The Crown Prince's wife came alone.
She was dressed in brand-new clothes, and her face was well-maintained, making her look like she was in her early thirties, not at all like a woman in her forties.
As soon as she entered, a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she concealed it well and curtsied to Song Xibai.
"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Highness, the Lady of the Palace."
"There's no need for such formalities, Your Highness's wife."
Song Xibai politely asked Wei Hong to take a seat.
"This humble abode is cramped and I fear I have slighted you, Madam. May I ask what brings you here at this hour?"
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