Seeing Yan Qingqing's calm expression, Mu Xi couldn't help but ask, "Madam, aren't you worried at all? Once the Qian family joins forces with the First Prince, won't he have an extra layer of support?"
Yan Qingqing laughed upon hearing this, "What's there to be anxious about? This eldest prince is destined to have no chance of ascending the throne."
Mu Xi, who wasn't very knowledgeable about politics, asked in surprise, "Why?"
Yan Qingqing said, "Although our Emperor is a good emperor who is diligent in governing and loves his people, he is also soft-hearted and lacks his own opinions."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to simultaneously think about passing the throne to Mo Chen while watching Xiao Mo Yan's power gradually expand, to the point that he's now hampered whenever he wants to do something.
In truth, he was probably somewhat hesitant. He wanted to appoint Mo Chen as the crown prince, but he didn't necessarily need him. After all, during the two years that Mo Chen was away from court, he must have placed high hopes on the eldest prince.
However, after this incident, the Emperor should have fully seen Xiao Moyan's character. Granting their marriage would also fulfill his own wishes. The Emperor might even bestow upon him the title of King, but at the same time, he would likely also appoint Mo Chen as Crown Prince.
Mu Xi asked with some doubt, "But the Emperor favors Prince Chen. This is common knowledge."
Yan Qingqing scoffed upon hearing this, "What you said isn't entirely untrue. He may genuinely like Mo Chen, but you must understand that he is first and foremost an emperor, and only then a father."
No matter how favored Prince Chen is, he will always be secondary to matters of state, as evidenced by the Emperor's intention to reinstate him and bestow favors upon Consort Yu and her son before the new year.
Yan Qingqing wasn't that naive; she didn't think that just because the emperor liked Xiao Mochen, he would definitely hand over the Great Yan Dynasty to him.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the Emperor was reviewing memorials as usual. After finishing his work, he said to Eunuch Xiang, "Grind the ink and draft the edict!"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang quickly agreed, then put down his whisk and began grinding ink.
The emperor unfolded the imperial edict of Emperor Ming, thought for a moment, picked up his pen and wrote: "By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees:
The Great Yan dynasty has lasted for three generations since I came to power. Although I have worked diligently, I am aware that I am mediocre and cannot match the great achievements of my ancestors in establishing a lasting dynasty.
However, I have four sons, all of whom are now adults, which brings me great comfort.
In accordance with the laws of our ancestors, we hereby confer the title of Prince Ping upon the eldest prince, Prince Duan upon the fourth prince, and Prince Rui upon the fifth prince.
From this day forward, cultivate self-discipline, maintain harmony among brothers, and help and support one another. This is bestowed by imperial decree!
When Eunuch Xiang saw the imperial edict, he was secretly surprised. The emperor had conferred the title of prince on three princes in one go!
The Emperor hadn't given anyone a hint about it before.
The emperor noticed the eunuch's shocked expression and asked, "What's wrong? Are you finding this a bit sudden?"
Eunuch Xiang quickly composed himself and said with a forced smile, "How can this old servant have any say in His Majesty's actions?"
However, this matter is probably surprising not only to this old servant, but also to the ministers, since Your Majesty has never mentioned it in court.”
Seeing that Eunuch Xiang was being frank, the emperor smiled and said, "You old fox, you know how to shirk responsibility."
However, how can I let them see through my actions? They all think I have a good temper and am easy to manipulate.
Hmph, I won't do that!
Actually, there are some things I've kept to myself and never told anyone. Just let them go in one ear and out the other after you hear them today.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang smiled obsequiously, but inwardly he was bitter. He would rather the Emperor keep it to himself.
However, the emperor didn't care about Eunuch Xiang's thoughts and said, "It's true that I dote on Mo Chen."
However, Mo Yan and the others are also my sons. I may not place high hopes on them, but I cannot ignore their needs.
Over the years, I have been thinking about who will sit on this dragon throne after I pass away.
Actually, it's not that I absolutely have to choose Mo Chen. I also considered Mo Yan, but his actions have disappointed me too much.
He was short-tempered, mistreated his servants, and had no tolerance for others.
Mo Chen was previously sickly and weak, and the mother of the fourth and fifth princes was of low birth. One was timid and fearful, and the other had no opinions of his own, so I never considered either of them.
Now that Mo Chen has gained considerable experience and shows the qualities of a wise ruler, it is time for me to make a decision.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang was once again filled with shock. The Emperor was planning to establish a Crown Prince.
I'm afraid another fight will be unavoidable then.
However, in his heart, Eunuch Xiang also hoped to make Xiao Mochen the crown prince.
Moreover, making a decision early can also make those people give up their thoughts sooner.
Half a month later, the eldest prince married his concubine Qian Yingying.
The Crown Prince's residence and the Qian residence were both decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
The Qian family was indeed very wealthy, and the dowry they gave Qian Yingying was definitely the most generous in the entire capital.
The servants carrying the betrothal gifts had already arrived at the First Prince's residence, while those behind them had not yet left the Qian residence.
Just before Qian Yingying got into the bridal sedan chair, a hint of madness flashed in her eyes. She wasn't marrying the eldest prince; she was aiming to become the empress dowager.
However, what Qian Yingying didn't expect was that the moment she entered the First Prince's residence, the promise that Madam Qian had made for her vanished.
When the eldest prince took a concubine, quite a few ministers went to the wedding banquet.
Yan Qingqing also sent a congratulatory gift over, to maintain the proper etiquette on the surface.
Just as everyone was toasting and congratulating the Crown Prince on returning with his beloved, someone from the palace arrived. And the person who came was none other than the Grand Eunuch Xiang.
Everyone assumed that Eunuch Xiang had come to deliver a wedding gift to the eldest prince, and even the eldest prince himself was beaming with pride.
He walked up to Eunuch Xiang and said with a smile, "Eunuch Xiang, what brings you here? Did Father Emperor send you to deliver a congratulatory gift to me?"
Grandpa Xiang replied with a smile, "I suppose so!"
Xiao Moyan frowned upon hearing this, looking somewhat displeased. What did he mean by "sort of"? Didn't this old eunuch know whether it was true or not?
Eunuch Xiang didn't even look at Xiao Moyan's expression; he really didn't take someone destined to never become an emperor seriously.
Reaching out from the eunuch behind him, he took an imperial edict from the Emperor and said, "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, and Fifth Prince, receive the edict!"
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince also attended Xiao Moyan's wedding, which saved Eunuch Xiang a lot of trouble.
The fourth and fifth princes exchanged a glance; they hadn't expected to be involved.
So he quickly knelt down as well.
After unfurling the imperial edict, Eunuch Xiang read aloud: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
When Xiao Moyan heard that he had been granted the title of Prince Ping, a smug look appeared on his face. However, when he heard that the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince had been granted the titles of Prince Duan and Prince Rui respectively, the smile on his face instantly froze.
Compared to their titles, the character "Ping" seems quite ordinary.
The eldest prince was resentful. It was one thing for Xiao Mochen to be superior to him, after all, he was the legitimate son of the Empress, but why did these two idiots have the upper hand?
The fourth and fifth princes were overjoyed upon hearing this, as they had never expected their father to bestow the title of king upon them at this time.
They had no ambition; they would be content as long as they could be princes, and then become princes of the first rank after the new emperor ascended the throne.
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