The Imperial Palace.

The Queen Mother dismissed the palace maids and sat down in the pavilion with the Queen.

The table was filled with exquisite and delicious snacks and wine.

But none of them had the heart to eat or drink.

"I know that you and the emperor are not in harmony with each other."

The Queen Mother spoke.

The Queen stood up and knelt before the Queen Mother: "My daughter-in-law dare not."

The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Alright, I have lived to this age and have seen everything I should have seen. There are many pitiful women in the palace. If you don't have the emperor in your heart, you will live a free life. Get up."

The queen bowed and sat back on the stone bench.

The Queen Mother said, "The Emperor is in such a bad state, I'm sure he won't be well again. Do you have anything to say about the selection of the crown prince?"

The queen said cautiously: "My daughter-in-law dare not make any rash comments."

The Queen Mother looked at her and said, "You are the Queen. All the princes must respectfully call you Mother. No matter who becomes the Crown Prince, your position is unshakable. I believe in your fairness. Just speak."

The Queen Mother seems to be indifferent to state affairs, but how can a woman who can help her son to the throne be a simple woman?

The Queen paused and said, "Then let me be frank. Among the three princes, the third prince has the most outstanding talent, but unfortunately he is also the least favored. The second prince is brave and resourceful, but he is a little too stubborn. Once he makes up his mind, no one can change his mind. As for the eldest prince, he is a little inferior in all aspects."

The Queen Mother said, "The Second Son is of the same mind as his father. He only believes what his father says. His father said that the Wei family has rebellious intentions. If he takes the throne, he will definitely suppress the Wei family. I heard that he suffered a lot in southern Xinjiang this time. It was the Wei family who did it."

The Queen said, "It is said that he was the former King of Southern Xinjiang."

The Queen Mother snorted, "Those words are enough to fool the officials. You and I don't need to put on a show anymore."

The queen lowered her eyes.

The Queen Mother asked again: "Can the Third Brother accommodate the Wei Family?"

The Queen said, "The Third Prince is different from Your Majesty. He is not a suspicious person. Although he did have a grudge with Wei Ting, the two have forgiven each other. Besides, Jing Yi and Hui An are on good terms with the Wei family. I believe the Third Prince will not do anything to the Wei family."

The Queen Mother sighed, "Now I am afraid of what the Wei family will do."

The queen was slightly startled: "What does mother mean--"

The Queen Mother looked into the pitch-black night: "The Wei family might rebel." -The Duke of Protectorate's Mansion.

A few restless little heads were poking at the crack of the door.

Crunch——

The door was opened.

Several people lost their balance and rushed in with a crash, falling onto each other.

At the bottom was Wei Liulang, who was the worst oppressed.

Above him are the Wei brothers and Su Ergou.

Wei Qing was the most cunning one. He pushed Wei Ting and used the force to pull Su Xiaoxiao away.

If I were really questioned by a few people, I could say that I was doing it to protect my younger siblings.

Su Mo didn't eavesdrop.

He was sitting on a stone bench far away, polishing his sword.

Wei Xu looked at the rebellious sons coldly and said, "Get up."

Several people climbed up and turned back to glare at Wei Qing.

Wei Xu helped Su Ergou up and brushed the dust off his knees.

It can be seen that General Wei Xu is very fond of Su Ergou.

Wei Liulang said excitedly: "Dad, should we——"

Wei Xu: "Shut up."

Wei Liulang: “Oh.”

Su Xiaoxiao cleared her throat: "Ergou, let's go back first."

Su Ergou followed his sister obediently.

The old marquis sat in the study and didn't say he was leaving.

Su Mo came over and said, "Grandfather, go see my fourth brother."

The old marquis turned around and said, "I'm not going!"

Su Cheng said cleverly: "It's getting late, uncle and Mo'er should rest here tonight, I'll go get someone to clean up the house!"

Wei Xu said to his son, "You guys, follow me."

Wei Xu said to him, "Don't let any word of what I just said spread. Do you hear me?"

The four nodded.

Wei Xu looked at the others again: "What do you think?"

Wei Liulang was eager to try, but Wei Ting covered his mouth.

Wei Qing looked at Gui Bu: "What do you think, brother?"

The ghost said in a panic, "You tell me."

The second child is the most strategic in the family. Gui Bu will not be jealous, but will be happy to have a powerful younger brother.

Wei Qing said: "I agree whether you rebel or not. We can protect and rule this world. But even if we really want to rebel, the time is not ripe yet."

Wei Xu said, "Go on."

Wei Qing nodded: "The biggest enemy at the moment is not the person sitting on the throne, but the dark forces behind the scenes trying to manipulate the royal families of various countries. If we don't figure out their purpose, anyone could be the next Emperor Jingxuan."

Wei Ting said: "I agree with my second brother. Let the Xiao family fight for this position first. It will be more convenient for us to act in secret. It will not be too late to act again after we find out and eliminate the secret forces." -The next day, the Queen Mother summoned the cabinet and the ministers of military affairs. Wei Xu and the old marquis also received the Queen Mother's decree.

Qin Canglan was away, so Su Cheng entered the palace in his place.

The Queen Mother sat in the main seat, with the Queen sitting beside her.

The Queen Mother said, "Your Majesty has suddenly developed a serious illness and suffered a stroke yesterday."

Except for Wei Xu and a few others, everyone else was stunned.

Lin Taiwei asked: "Your Majesty is so young, why did you suffer a stroke?"

The Queen Mother said sadly: "It was the Imperial Master who framed him. He has been arrested and taken to the Dali Temple. The Dali Temple officials are trying him strictly. Who instructed him?"

Everyone present here is worried that the fire will burn them.

Although they have no collusion with the imperial master, sometimes disasters can strike you, no matter whether you are innocent or not.

The Queen Mother said, "I called you here not to investigate who framed Your Majesty, but to discuss the matter of appointing a crown prince."

Everyone was shocked again.

Your Majesty has not appointed a crown prince for so many years because he feels that he is in his prime and is not in a hurry to do so.

Could it be that... His Majesty is almost dying?

Yao Taifu asked: "Queen Dowager, should I ask Your Majesty about the matter of appointing a crown prince?"

The Queen Mother said in a dignified manner: "Your Majesty would like to hear the opinions of the ministers."

Everyone looked at each other.

Prime Minister Guo said: "I think that the Second Prince is both wise and brave, and has made many meritorious contributions. He should be made the Crown Prince."

Master Yao said, "The Second Prince has just been stripped of his status as a prince for slandering a loyal and good person. Would it be inappropriate to make him the crown prince?"

Prime Minister Guo said: "No one is perfect. The Second Prince has also been deceived. In terms of talent alone, the Second Prince does have the ability to be the crown prince."

Lin Taiwei said: "I think we should appoint the eldest son."

"Li Xian."

"Stand up!"

There was a fierce quarrel in the hall.

Xiao Duye was the eldest son. In the absence of a legitimate son, he was the most legitimate son, and there were actually quite a few officials who supported him.

Xiao Shunyang was the prince most loyal to Emperor Jingxuan, and all of Emperor Jingxuan's trusted ministers recommended him.

There is nothing to say about Jing Yi's biological father, Marquis Weiwu, recommending Prince An Xiao Chonghua.

Wei Xu, the old marquis, and Su Cheng remained silent.

The Queen Mother looked at the three of them and said, "Lord Su, Lord Wei, and Duke Huguo, what do you think?"

The old marquis cupped his hands and said, "In reply to the Queen Mother, I believe that His Royal Highness Prince An is a man of great talent, intelligence, and virtue, and should be the crown prince."

Wei Xu: "I second the motion."

Su Cheng: "I second the motion."

The Queen Mother looked at them deeply.

Anyone want to see three more updates? If there are ten people, I will update.

(End of this chapter)