Chapter 170 The Emperor's Test
Concubine Yao's eyes were filled with deep thought. Didn't her father say that the crown prince had just passed away and that the issue of establishing a crown prince could not be mentioned now? Could it be that the emperor was testing her? Concubine Yao hurriedly stood up and knelt before Emperor Xuanyuan.
"Establishing a crown prince is a matter of national importance. The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. I dare not speak rashly."
Xuanyuan looked at her and spoke slowly.
"I allow you to discuss it."
"Since the Crown Prince passed away, our Prince Rong has always been the most popular. What do you think about this?"
Concubine Yao was shocked, but she maintained respect and fear on her face.
"Your Highness Prince Rong possesses both talent and virtue, and has always wished to relieve the Emperor's worries. However, the matter of appointing a crown prince concerns the foundation of the nation, and I, a dull-witted concubine, dare not make any rash comments. I only wish the Emperor good health and the nation prosperity. All else is up to His Majesty's wise judgment."
Emperor Xuanyuan stared at Concubine Yao for a moment, but did not ask him to stand up.
"I saw you giving a gift to Concubine Shu a few days ago. You are a virtuous and generous person."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yao spoke immediately.
"Sister Shu Guifei is pregnant, which is a great joy in the palace. Many sisters in the palace have gone to congratulate her. I only went to congratulate her out of sisterly love. The emperor praised my virtue and kindness, which is a great honor for me."
Looking rather humble, Emperor Xuanyuan continued to speak.
"If I grant the ministers' request and make Prince Rong the crown prince, you will be the queen."
When Concubine Yao heard this, she was delighted, but she spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the Empress is virtuous and kind, and I, a concubine, dare not even compare to her. If Prince Rong can help Your Majesty with your worries, I will be very pleased. As for the position of Empress, I absolutely do not dare to have the slightest unreasonable desire."
After hearing this, Emperor Xuanyuan pondered for a moment.
"What if I want to record Prince Rong under the Queen's name?"
How can that be? Concubine Yao gritted her teeth and lowered her head to speak.
"I will leave it entirely to the Emperor's decision."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuanyuan reached out to her.
"Come…………"
Concubine Yao placed her hand in Emperor Xuanyuan's.
"emperor."
Emperor Xuanyuan reached out and patted her hand.
"I know you've always been considerate. The Queen and I were married from the beginning. Now that the Crown Prince has just passed away, I have to take his feelings into consideration. If you have time, you can go and talk to the Queen and try to comfort her. I've been watching her being depressed these days, and having to force herself to manage the six harems. I'm always worried."
Although Concubine Yao was unhappy, she understood that the emperor's words could not be disobeyed, so she could only agree meekly.
"I obey your order. I will do my best to accompany the Empress and help the Emperor."
Emperor Xuanyuan nodded with satisfaction, seeming pleased with Concubine Yao's sensibleness.
"I am very relieved that you think so."
"I will stay in the Yikun Palace tonight."
Regent's Palace.
Xuanyuan Jing and Xiao Fuguang were preparing to wash up.
Wen Ying's voice came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, I have something urgent to report."
Xuanyuan Jing pulled Xiao Fuguang to sit down.
"Come in."
Wen Ying came in quickly and saluted respectfully.
"Prince, Princess."
"I have already found evidence that the Yao family is illegally producing salt. Furthermore, the Yao family is also involved in buying and selling official positions, collecting large amounts of money."
As he said that, he took out two notebooks and handed them forward.
Xuanyuan Jing took it and flipped through it, only to find that one of the books contained letters.
Hand it to Xiao Fuguang.
"Wen Ying, you are indeed the fastest at finding things."
Xiao Fuguang looked at the evidence of the Yao family's crimes and a smile appeared on his lips.
"With these things, the Yao family should fall."
Xuanyuan Jing pondered for a moment.
"These things cannot be given to the Emperor by us."
He handed the evidence back to Wen Ying.
"Find a way to deliver it to the Fifth Prince."
In the palace.
Early in the morning, Concubine Yao helped Emperor Xuanyuan wash and go to court.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."
Until Emperor Xuanyuan left her Yiku Palace.
Concubine Yao finally spoke.
"Cuizhu, have Prince Rong come to pay his respects to me after the morning court session."
Cloud guest ferry.
Hua Ziye looked at his favorite dishes on the table with a smile on his face.
"As expected, my cousin is the best to me. I can have a delicious meal again."
Xiao Fuguang smiled as he watched him eat.
"You have plenty of money, so can you go out and eat something delicious?"
Hua Ziye ate a piece of Dongpo pork.
"Cousin, you don't know. I've been following the Fifth Prince to investigate the salt tax recently. I also have to keep an eye on the Yao family's movements. Most of the time, I can only deal with two people, okay?"
Xiao Fuguang spoke upon hearing this.
"Thanks a lot."
"I was suddenly told to see you, but what's the important matter?"
Hua Ziye spoke while picking up some food.
"I don't know if it's important."
"Ever since the Crown Prince passed away, many officials from the Chen family have been forced to resign or demoted. With someone leaving, the position has become vacant. The Yao family has promoted many people to high positions, but many of them are mediocre and corrupt. This has led to the poor students who passed the exam feeling that their talents are not being recognized."
"One of them is called Li Wenyuan. I've observed his work and he's a decent official. However, he's been completely suppressed by the Yao family and has no chance of advancement. He also doesn't have the money to make a move."
Xiao Fuguang ate his food while listening to Hua Ziye's words.
"Cousin, have you ever heard of praying to Buddha across a mountain?"
Hua Ziye stopped eating and looked at Xiao Fuguang.
"Worshiping Buddha across the mountain?"
Xiao Fuguang nodded.
"Yes, it's like praying to a Buddha from afar. Although many ministers in the court have already sided with Prince Rong, many remain neutral. These ministers are only loyal to the one sitting on the throne. Find someone who values talent and have Li Wenyuan present evidence of his superior's corruption."
Hua Ziye's eyes lit up and he instantly understood Xiao Fuguang's intention.
"It's my cousin who's the smartest one."
Hua Ziye gave a thumbs up.
"High, it's really high!"
Yikun Palace.
Concubine Yao of the Rong Dynasty bowed.
"Your son greets your mother."
Concubine Yao raised her hand gently.
"Stop being polite."
"How do you feel about being in the court these days?"
Prince Rong pondered for a moment after hearing this.
"These days, I will attend court as usual and handle official business."
After hearing this, Concubine Yao spoke.
"Has anyone in the court mentioned the matter of appointing a crown prince?"
After hearing this, Prince Rong looked at Concubine Yao.
"Some ministers did mention it in the court these days, but they were not our people."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yao drank her tea and pondered.
"Your father came to mother's place last night."
Prince Rong's face lit up when he heard this.
"The Emperor is here to see Mother. This is good news."
There was no joy on Concubine Yao's face.
"That's not necessarily a good thing."
"As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Your father mentioned the issue of appointing a crown prince to me yesterday, and every word he said was a test."
Prince Rong frowned when he heard this.
"Father, does your Majesty not want your son to be the crown prince? Then who does he want? It can't be the Fifth Prince."
After hearing this, Concubine Yao looked at Prince Rong and spoke.
"Of course it can't be the Fifth Prince. With your current abilities, your father must have high hopes for you. However, the Crown Prince has just passed away, and your father is very sad. You and your uncle need to be careful with your words and actions, and don't let others get hold of you."
Upon hearing this, Prince Rong nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, mother. None of our people have mentioned anything about appointing a crown prince these days."
But Concubine Shu frowned when she heard this.
"If our people didn't mention it, I'm afraid there's something fishy going on. Who were the ministers who mentioned the issue of establishing a crown prince in the court?"
Prince Rong thought for a moment and said.
"I remember that several neutral ministers who are not particularly close to us mentioned this matter."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yao frowned.
"Neutral ministers? That makes this matter even more suspicious. They are either acting under someone's orders, or they have other motives. What is your father's reaction to this?"
Prince Rong shook his head.
"The Emperor did not express his opinion on the spot, but simply asked the ministers to continue discussing politics. He did not seem to care much about this, but he also seemed to be observing secretly."
Concubine Yao pondered for a moment.
"Check these ministers."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
