Chapter 142 Suspicion
The ladies had different expressions when they heard this, and they looked at each other at first.
Mrs. Zhou looked at everyone and then at Xiao Fuguang.
"Princess, you are here to support Prince Rong."
He spoke with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face.
"Princess, you saved my son's life. Logically, as long as you asked, I should do as you said. But Princess, the Fifth Prince calls my husband uncle after all, so I..."
Xiao Fuguang glanced at the ladies. Those who were able to sit here today had already opened their hearts to each other.
"Madam Zhou, it's because the Fifth Prince calls your husband uncle and you aunt that the Minister of Rites should recommend that Prince Rong be made the crown prince."
As soon as these words came out, not only Mrs. Zhou, but the other ladies also looked puzzled.
How can you support others instead of supporting your own nephew?
Mrs. Zhou frowned and asked in confusion.
"What do you mean, Princess? I am not very knowledgeable, so I hope you can explain it to me."
Xiao Xiao Fu Guang took a sip of tea, his eyes deep, and spoke slowly.
"Madam Zhou, the Fifth Prince has just entered the court and has only one task at hand. Prince Rong already has a strong foundation. If the Zhou family does not follow the trend, the Fifth Prince will be targeted by Prince Rong. As the Fifth Prince's in-laws, the Zhou family must keep a low profile and avoid competing with him."
The censor's wife looked at Xiao Fuguang, and a deep meaning flashed in her eyes.
"I understand what the princess means. This is not something that harms the interests of the people. I will discuss this with my master when I return."
Several other ladies also nodded, indicating their willingness to cooperate.
"I'll convince my father when I get back."
"The princess has helped us many times, but we haven't done anything substantial for her yet. Now that the princess has spoken today, I will definitely have a good talk with my husband when I get back."
Xiao Fuguang nodded with satisfaction, raised his teacup, and drank tea instead of wine.
"Today's affairs, I'm deeply grateful to you ladies for your assistance. Come, let us drink from this cup together. May our friendship last forever, and may we lend a hand whenever we need one another."
In the box, the ladies raised their glasses in response.
Although they each represent different family interests, at this moment, because of Xiao Fuguang's wisdom and magic, they are closely united and willing to help each other.
Xiao Fuguang finished the tea in the cup.
"Then we'll call it a day. We'll get together again when we have time. When I return home this time, I'll draw some more amulets and charms to calm the spirits. I'll give them to the ladies at the next gathering."
Upon hearing this, the ladies hurriedly stood up and bowed.
"Then we will not be polite to the princess. We will take our leave today."
The ladies left one by one.
Xiao Fuguang then stood up and left with Xingyue.
In another private room on the second floor, a window was opened a crack.
Su Yan looked at Xiao Fuguang leaving from the first floor through the gap, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.
"Bai Shi, thoroughly investigate the owner of this restaurant. Also, thoroughly investigate what the Regent Princess discussed with the ladies today."
After saying that, he put on a hat and mask and jumped out of the window.
In the palace.
Tai Chi Hall.
Emperor Xuanyuan sat on the dragon throne with a majestic look on his face.
A minister came forward.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to submit."
Emperor Xuanyuan glanced at him.
"Please speak, Lord Feng."
Lord Feng continued to bow.
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has not attended court for a long time. The Crown Prince is the foundation of a stable country. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind and kind, and is a good Crown Prince, but his health... has been on leave for such a long time. This is really... Your Majesty, please consider the overall situation and appoint Prince Rong as the Crown Prince."
A minister standing behind Duke Yao also stood up.
"Lord Feng is right, Your Majesty. We are also concerned for Xuanyuan. The Crown Prince was injured by the Saint of Southern Border. Perhaps other countries have already learned of this. For the stability and future of Xuanyuan, Your Majesty, please appoint Prince Rong as Crown Prince."
The other ministers bowed.
"I second this motion."
During yesterday's morning court session, many ministers still expressed opposition or remained neutral. Today, those opposing voices have disappeared, and only a small number of ministers still maintain a neutral attitude.
Emperor Xuanyuan's expression couldn't help but darken. It seemed that Prince Rong's appeal was quite loud.
"Duke Yao, what do you think?"
Upon seeing this, Duke Yao slowly stepped out of the queue, with a barely perceptible dignity in his voice.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the most important affairs of state are sacrifice and military service. The position of crown prince is related to the safety of the country and must be handled with caution. Prince Rong is a man of both civil and military talents, and is highly praised by the court and the people. He is truly the best choice for crown prince. I hope Your Majesty will prioritize the overall situation and make a decision swiftly."
Emperor Xuanyuan's eyes were deep, as if he was weighing something, and finally his gaze fell on Xuanyuan Jing.
"What does the Regent think?"
Xuanyuan Jing bowed.
"Brother Your Majesty, it is true that the Crown Prince is frail, and Prince Rong is indeed both virtuous and talented, but the Crown Prince is the eldest son, legitimate and rightful. How can he be easily deposed? I believe that you, Your Majesty, are in good health and still young. Why worry about not being able to wait for the Crown Prince to recover?"
After hearing this, Emperor Xuanyuan looked at Xuanyuan Jing and spoke.
"The Regent's words are quite ambiguous."
Then his eyes fell on the fifth prince.
"Fifth Prince, what do you think?"
The fifth prince stepped forward, bowed respectfully and spoke.
"Father, although my brother the Crown Prince is ill, he has always been a role model in my heart. His reputation for benevolence is widespread, and he has been very kind to the people. My brother Prince Rong is exceptionally talented, both civil and military, and decisive in his actions. He is also a role model for me to emulate. I have just entered the court, and I only want to learn more from my two brothers, so that I can share your worries. As for who will be the crown prince, I am ignorant, so please don't make things difficult for me."
After hearing this, Emperor Xuanyuan looked at him and spoke unhappily.
"You don't offend anyone."
After hearing this, the fifth prince touched the tip of his nose and spoke with a simple and honest look.
"As long as I can complete the task at hand and reduce the worries of the emperor, I have done my best."
Emperor Xuanyuan took a look at the ministers who asked him to make Prince Rong the crown prince. Almost two-thirds of them thought that Prince Rong had won over so many court officials.
"Everyone has their reasons, but this matter concerns the foundation of our country and cannot be hastily decided. My mind is made up. The Crown Prince's position remains unshaken. I will send additional imperial physicians to treat the Crown Prince and hope for his speedy recovery. As for Prince Rong, I will also give him more important responsibilities to see how he performs. Let's leave this matter at that for today and do not bring it up again."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was silence in the hall at first, then some ministers whispered to each other, and finally they all bowed their heads to accept the order.
"Your Majesty, I obey your command."
Although Duke Yao, Lord Feng and others were unwilling, they had to accept the emperor's decision.
Listening to the reluctant voices of these ministers, a hint of helplessness flashed in Emperor Xuanyuan's eyes.
Then, he gave the eunuch a look, and the eunuch called out loudly:
"Withdraw from the court!"
The ministers saluted again.
"Your Highness is here to see you off."
After Emperor Xuanyuan returned to the imperial study, he took the tea brought by the eunuch, slowly drank two sips, and then gave instructions.
"Come here, summon the Imperial Master to the palace."
Regent's Palace.
Xiao Fuguang did not read today, but played chess with An Ning in the front hall.
As soon as Xuanyuan Jing came back, he saw the harmonious scene between the aunt and the sister-in-law.
"Playing chess?"
Princess An Ning stood up with a smile.
"Brother."
Xiao Fuguang spoke while holding a chess piece.
"The prince is back."
Princess An Ning glanced at the two of them, smiled and bowed.
"Since brother is back, please play chess with sister-in-law. An Ning, go to the kitchen and take a look. After brother and sister-in-law finish this game, we can have lunch."
Xuanyuan Jing sat down in the seat that Princess An Ning had just occupied, looked at the chess piece that was already half played, raised his hand, picked up a black piece and placed it down.
"Today in the court, unsurprisingly, two-thirds of the ministers requested that Prince Rong be made the crown prince, but in the end the emperor gave in."
Xiao Fuguang picked up a white piece and placed it down.
"In the past, the Emperor clearly intended to support Prince Rong and his mother to compete with the Empress and the Crown Prince. Now that the court is supporting Prince Rong, he is not happy about it."
Xuanyuan Jing placed a black piece and spoke in a deep voice.
"Anyone who can sit in that position is more or less suspicious."
"He has already asked the imperial physician to treat the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince has already suffered fundamental injuries, so it may be difficult to recover. Once he is sure of the Crown Prince's condition, he should be ready to support the Fifth Prince."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
