Finally, the group decided that Xiao Mochen would first inform the emperor about the matter, and then Yan Qingqing would write a memorial on the method of refining fine salt.
Of course, this was top secret, and only the five people present knew about it before it was officially announced.
Xiao Mochen wanted to catch Consort Yu and Xiao Moyan off guard.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Consort Yu and the eldest prince were extremely pleased with themselves.
Consort Yu praised, "Yan'er is so clever, she thought of using this to blackmail your father."
I believe you will soon be bestowed the title of Prince, and your mother will be restored to the rank of Imperial Concubine.
Xiao Moyan scoffed and said, "He's just a minor prince. I don't even care about him. What I want is the position of Crown Prince."
If we succeed this time, I will force my father to appoint me as the crown prince next time.
"I've cultivated my influence in the court for so many years; most of the officials are my men. What can that little beast Xiao Mochen possibly compare to me?"
Of course, the more arrogant Xiao Moyan is now, the uglier his expression will be later.
After Xiao Moyan finished speaking, he looked at Consort Yu and said unhappily, "Mother, if you have any secret weapons, don't keep them."
Now is the time for us to fight for the throne. If we hold back now, we will have our regrets in the future.
Imagine if I were to become emperor in the future, you would be the supreme empress dowager, and you would be in charge of the entire harem.
"Then you'll be able to punish whoever you want, won't you?"
Consort Yu was tempted by Xiao Moyan's words, but she still couldn't let him know about her secret weapons.
So, feeling a little guilty, she said, "Mother Consort doesn't have any secret weapons. She just relies on the influence of your maternal grandfather's family."
Before the New Year, your maternal grandfather sent a message saying that if your mother couldn't win the Emperor's favor, he would send your cousin into the palace.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Moyan stood up abruptly and roared, "Mother, what did you say?"
Consort Yu sighed and said, "Your cousin Yi'er is as beautiful as a flower, and she looks somewhat like that woman. When your maternal grandfather saw that I couldn't win the Emperor's favor, he had the idea of sending her into the palace to help us, mother and son, secure the Emperor's favor."
Xiao Moyan calmed down and said, "Mother, please don't be confused. Father is in his prime."
My cousin looks somewhat like the late Empress.
If my cousin were to enter the palace and give birth to a prince, would my maternal grandfather still favor us?
Consort Yu was taken aback by these words, and then said, "You are your maternal grandfather's grandson. Even if your cousin enters the palace and gives birth to a child, there is still a generation difference. He can't bypass us, mother and child."
The eldest prince got anxious and immediately retorted, "Why not? My maternal grandfather is getting old. How many more years can he live? In the future, won't it be my uncle who will be in charge?"
My cousin is my uncle and Qian's daughter, so she'll be a lot more of a help to us than we are.
Consort Yu fell silent after hearing Xiao Moyan's words. She had considered these things, but she was old and her beauty had faded, so she could no longer hold the Emperor's heart.
But based on Xiao Moyan's analysis, it's really not advisable to let her niece enter the palace.
A sinister glint flashed in Xiao Moyan's eyes as he said to Consort Yu, "Mother, please don't concern yourself with this matter. I will find a way to resolve it myself."
Consort Yu didn't know what Xiao Moyan was planning, but seeing that he was determined to do it, she didn't stop him.
The mother and son each harbored their own secrets, and neither was willing to be honest with the other.
Meanwhile, the emperor was also deeply troubled, sitting alone in the Hanlong Hall sighing during the New Year.
Seeing this, Eunuch Xiang said with concern, "Your Majesty, it's the New Year, and we're finally free from the affairs of state. Why don't we go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden?"
The emperor waved his hand impatiently and said, "What's there to see? I'm tired of those flowers. Besides, what's there to see in the dead of winter?"
"If I ever go to the Imperial Garden, I guarantee there will be more people than flowers."
Eunuch Xiang was well aware of this situation; the concubines in the harem had specifically assigned people to keep an eye on things.
They're guaranteed to be faster than the Emperor himself whenever he makes a move.
Eunuch Xiang could only awkwardly laugh and say, "Indeed, people are more beautiful than flowers. The ladies of the harem can also add some spring color to the Imperial Garden."
The emperor snorted coldly and said, "You old thing, you've lost your roots, but you know quite a lot."
"Tell me quickly, have you taken bribes from someone and are waiting to betray me?"
Eunuch Xiang exclaimed in surprise and said he dared not, he just didn't want to trouble the Emperor like this.
The Emperor knew that Eunuch Xiang was loyal, and couldn't help but sigh, "I am truly a pathetic emperor, forced into a corner by a group of scoundrels."
They even want to interfere in my family affairs now. How can I possibly give in to their wishes?
Eunuch Xiang dared not respond to this. He knew about the officials who were pressuring the emperor to make the eldest prince the king and reinstate Consort Yu. Although the emperor pretended to be indifferent on the surface, he was actually very angry inside. It was quite helpless for an emperor to be forced to this point.
Just as the Emperor was racking his brains for a solution, Eunuch Yue came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Prince Chen has arrived."
The emperor did not react when he heard this. This son of his was really something else, wishing he could live in Mingzhao Mansion every day.
Instead of spending the Lunar New Year with his elderly father, he reportedly went to pay New Year's respects to Lady Mingzhao.
If it weren't for this brat's future, why would he be in such a predicament? He could have just passed the throne to Xiao Moyan. But what father is he in front of him?
Unfilial sons! They're all unfilial sons!
Seeing that the Emperor had not spoken, Eunuch Yue was unsure of the Emperor's intentions—whether he should see him or not.
So he looked at Eunuch Xiang for help.
Seeing this, Eunuch Xiang scolded, "You little brat, His Highness Prince Chen must have come to pay New Year's respects to the Emperor. Why don't you hurry up and invite him in? If you neglect His Highness, you'll be in for a beating."
Upon hearing this, the younger brother angrily retorted, "New Year's greetings? What kind of New Year's greetings are you offering? Who comes to offer New Year's greetings this afternoon?!"
Although the emperor said this, his eyes kept glancing outwards, looking on with eager anticipation.
Seeing this, Eunuch Yue quickly crouched down and retreated.
Soon Xiao Mochen entered, then knelt down and said, "Your subject wishes Your Majesty a Happy New Year and a long and healthy life."
The emperor's anger subsided considerably upon seeing Xiao Mochen. Seeing Xiao Mochen's unusually respectful attitude, he couldn't help but smile and wave his hand, saying, "My son is so kind. Please get up, please get up."
Xiao Mochen then stood up.
The emperor looked at Xiao Mochen and couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you go to Mingzhao Prefecture to wish Lady Mingzhao a Happy New Year? Why did you suddenly decide to come to the palace to wish me a Happy New Year again?"
Xiao Mochen had always known that the emperor was somewhat bothered by his close relationship with Yan Qingqing, but his aunt had given him a second life and helped him a great deal, so he was determined not to let her down.
So he replied, "If it weren't for Aunt, there would be no Xiao Mochen in this world. Since Aunt is in the capital, I will naturally go to wish her a Happy New Year."
The emperor was not an unreasonable person. This life-saving grace was like a second birth, and Xiao Mochen's gratitude proved that the child was of good character.
However, what Xiao Mochen said next shocked the emperor.
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