Succession
Since ancient times, winning the throne has not been an easy task.
As if aware of his sons' restless thoughts, the emperor first watched coldly.
At the beginning, Prince Xuan and Prince Ling were naturally the most glorious. One of them was the eldest son of the emperor and the other was the eldest legitimate son of the empress dowager. They had legitimate reasons and confidence, and many people were willing to bet on one of them.
But the emperor suddenly conferred titles on his harem when his two sons were fighting fiercely.
Concubine Ying was promoted to Noble Concubine Ying, and Concubine Qing was promoted to Noble Concubine Qing; Concubine Shu was promoted to Concubine Shu, and Concubine Xiang was promoted to Concubine Xiang.
"ha."
When the news of the grand conferment of titles on the harem came out, Prince Xuan couldn't help but laugh at himself in secret.
The emperor actually did not hesitate to honor the births of Prince Yue, Prince Chun and Prince Tao to defend this arena!
Emperor Xianshun was both stingy and generous with his harem positions. He was stingy in that he wouldn't give out high-ranking positions, but generous in that as long as a royal heir was born, a position was guaranteed. Yet, in his thirty-plus years on the throne, the emperor only appointed one noble concubine: Concubine Qi, now the Empress Dowager. Ancestral rules stipulated a limit of two noble concubines, but even so, Concubine Qing, despite years of favor and the birth of three adult imperial children, remained unable to achieve this status for over twenty years.
To keep his sons in check, the emperor appointed Concubine Qing as Imperial Concubine Qing. Prince Yue and Prince Chun also became Imperial Concubine's sons. Not to mention Imperial Concubine Qing enjoyed the emperor's favor, while Concubine Xian had long been marginalized. Prince Yue and Prince Chun were no worse off than Prince Xuan. Concubine Xiang became Concubine Xiang, ranking among the four concubines, and Prince Tao was no worse off than his brothers.
The position of the commander of the nine gates, which originally belonged to Prince Xuan, was taken over by Prince Tao at the emperor's command.
Prince Xuan's only official post was commanding the Nine Gates, responsible for guarding the capital, unlike his brothers who served in the Six Ministries. He still had willing generals under his command, and occasionally received assignments from the Six Ministries when raising an army, but without a war, his limited military power was useless. The Nine Gates Commander had also been dismissed, and the Emperor was beginning to be wary of him.
Prince Xuan was like someone had a basin of ice water poured over his head, instantly sobering him up. He had been too hasty, and the emperor's slap was meant to make them realize that he was not dead yet, and the decision on who would become the crown prince was still his.
Stay calm. It's especially important to stay calm at times like this. Prince Xuan took a deep breath and said to himself: Don't lose your composure.
However, this is not the worst news.
The Prince Xuan's Mansion, which had restrained its actions due to the suppression of the emperor, had no time to catch its breath before it received the news that Concubine Xian was seriously ill in the palace.
"...The imperial physician said it will happen in the next one or two months."
After Liang Pei'an finished speaking, he curled up and knelt down below. Prince Xuan was silent for a long time before he said, "I understand."
Concubine Xian's health has always been uncertain. She was one of the first people to serve the emperor and was a few years older than the emperor. Now she is in her fifties and has been ill on and off for several years. Prince Xuan also knows that her life is over.
It's just that the timing was so coincidental that Prince Xuan had to suspect that someone had stolen Concubine Xian's time, otherwise why would she fail at this time when she was being suppressed?
Although he knew he shouldn't think this way, Prince Xuan still felt uncomfortable.
"Since there's nothing to do anyway, pack up and get ready to go to the palace." Prince Xuan lowered his eyes and ordered in a calm voice.
Concubine Xian was seriously ill, and as her daughter-in-law, Princess Xuan was obliged to attend her at the palace out of filial piety. Furthermore, in this situation, there was no need to travel back and forth between the palace and the prince's residence, so Princess Xuan began packing her necessary luggage the moment she heard the news.
"I'll leave the entire palace to you," Princess Xuan gave Li Qingping some instructions. "But fortunately this time, the news of entering the palace to attend to the sick was still able to get out. Normally, the prince and I trust you, but when the time comes for the Empress... the palace must take action immediately. Given the current situation, the palace cannot allow others to get hold of any evidence."
Li Qingping agreed solemnly, but there was unstoppable worry in his eyes.
Princess Xuan sighed, "After the Queen left... our lives became even more difficult." No matter how noble the person buried underground is, he is not as useful as the living.
Whether you can go further or not is all up to fate.
After Prince Xuan and Princess Xuan entered the palace, Prince Xuan's Mansion fell silent. People couldn't help but sigh as they watched the deserted mansion.
Perhaps once Concubine Xian died, Prince Xuan would be out of the fight for the throne. After all, he didn't have many chips left.
It's almost the winter solstice, right? It's cold.
When the imperial physician issued the ultimatum, Concubine Xian even sent the wife of Prince Xuan away, leaving only her son to speak.
"I know what you are planning. Since the death of the Crown Prince, no one in this palace can hide their thoughts. Everyone wants the position of crown prince. But Yunchun,"
"The Emperor's most preferred heir is, and only is, the former Crown Prince."
Concubine Xian was now in her final moments of life, and her words were no longer as labored as before, her eyebrows even raised. She wouldn't let anyone hear what she said, as she knew Prince Xuan could read lips.
Prince Xuan silently looked at his mother who gave birth to him. No matter how bad the relationship between mother and son was, it could not change the fact that they were two people connected by blood in this world.
Hearing his mother's words, Prince Xuan lowered his head. Concubine Xian's skinny hand tightly grasped his wrist. She stared at him intently, her lips moving silently. "He won't let any son replace his most beloved son. As long as he's alive, none of you can become emperor. Do you understand what I mean? It's just that everyone is blinded now. When those people see clearly, what do you think will happen?"
“!”
Prince Xuan's eyes were sharp, and his heart suddenly tightened.
"Everyone says I'm eccentric and unworldly, but so what? As the Fourth Consort, whose face do I need to look after?" Concubine Xian sneered. "I don't like you, your wife, or your children, so what can others do except gossip? But the one I hate most is Empress Yuan. Before you, I've been pregnant several times, but without exception, I lost every one. Guess who it was?"
Prince Xuan frowned slightly: "...Empress Yuan?"
"It's a pity that despite all her schemes, she still made me give birth to the eldest prince. Even the second prince is not hers. But some people are lucky, and their only son is the prince when he is born. It's a pity that a fire and a pot of poisoned wine will make him the prince forever." Concubine Xian smiled with some pride and some weirdness.
Prince Xuan had an absurd thought in his mind. He almost whispered into his mother's ear, his eyes bloodshot, "On the Mid-Autumn Festival...was it you?"
But how did Concubine Xian do it?
Even the queen could not poison the palace without anyone knowing.
But Concubine Xian didn't intend to explain anything. She simply said, "In life, we are honored; in death, we are mourned. Yunchun, remember that those who write history books always have the last laugh."
"Mother is waiting for your good news downstairs."
On the winter solstice of the 36th year of Xianshun's reign, Concubine Xian of the Yanx Palace passed away.
The emperor posthumously conferred her the title of Consort Xian, and buried her in the imperial mausoleum with the rites of a Consort Xian. A Consort Xian was a prestigious position, and all women of the third rank were required to attend the funeral and offer tributes to express their condolences.
The concubines and children in the prince's mansion all had to go to the palace to pay their respects. Concubine Yang had been locked up for a long time and when she suddenly came out to hear the news, she felt empty as if she had lost her soul. Fortunately, there was no trouble, so Concubine Li led her and the children into the palace with a worried look on her face.
"Is everything okay in the mansion?" Princess Xuan asked quietly when she saw someone.
Concubine Li said with red eyes: "Don't worry, my sister is taking care of you."
"Prince? It's time for us to go to the funeral." Princess Xuan turned to the man who was in a trance and reminded him softly.
No one knows what Concubine Xian and Prince Xuan said, so Prince Xuan's wife now has no idea what made Prince Xuan become like this, but she can only remind him to do what he should do.
Prince Xuan suddenly came back to his senses, tears falling without warning, but he remained calm and composed: "Once everything is settled, I'm afraid we will have to leave the capital for some time."
Princess Xuan: "Go to the garden?"
"No." Prince Xuan took a deep breath and said, "Go to Xijing."
Princess Xuan's eyes widened in shock, and she nodded with trembling lips, saying, "Okay, I understand."
Less than two months after Concubine Xian was buried in the concubine's tomb, the emperor found a reason to send Prince Xuan to Xijing, and everyone in the prince's palace followed him.
Although Xijing was the secondary capital of the Great Qi, the arrival of the prince from the capital to Xijing seemed to send a signal: Prince Xuan seemed to have no chance of becoming the emperor.
The next day after the imperial edict came down, Yu Jin hurried back home and held Li Qingping's hand tightly, refusing to let go.
"Is it true that I can't go west with you? If you all leave, I, I..."
Li Qingping touched Yu Jin's face and said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? What will happen to my son-in-law and the child if you follow us? Don't worry too much. Write and come quickly when you have time. Xijing is no worse than the capital. It is also a wealthy place. We have the same material conditions as the capital."
Yu Jin looked sorrowful, weeping uncontrollably on Li Qingping's knees. Once the palace's people set off, even though she was still in her hometown, she would be separated from her family. What could she do?
No matter how strong Yu Jin is usually, at this time she is just a girl in the eyes of her family.
Li Qingping was also filled with reluctance. Fortunately, Yu Jin now had her own little family, and her son-in-law Zhao Fengming and children could provide her with some comfort. With the Qin Palace at her side, Yu Jin wasn't afraid of being without support in the capital. The marriage they had arranged had given Yu Jin the confidence to survive in the capital.
Li Qingping also had a hunch that when they returned from Xijing next time, the capital might have a new owner.
"People are saying your father has lost the emperor's favor and has no chance of succeeding to the throne. The crown prince will most likely be chosen from among your uncles. I don't think that's the case." Li Qingping pulled Yu Jin aside and whispered, "The crown prince is the future of the country. Even if the emperor still misses the late crown prince, if he had the will, he wouldn't have left the position of crown prince vacant for two years."
"Your father had already informed the Empress that we were going to Xijing before she left. I think the Empress gave us some instructions before she left. Although the Empress has a mediocre relationship with the Prince, she has never harmed her own son over the years. The Princess and I don't know about the instructions, only your father knows, so it's hard for us to speculate. But based on this alone, our trip to Xijing this time may not be a bad thing."
Yu Jin was only momentarily bewildered by the imperial edict, but in reality, he was quite intelligent. After thinking about it for a moment, his face became solemn. "You mean, there won't be another crown prince..."
"Just watch them fight in the capital. Even if your father hadn't been responsible for the current situation, we'd be safe if we went to Xijing, away from the fight for the throne. When the new emperor ascends the throne, he won't have a reason to punish us. "
Yu Jin suddenly fell into deep thought.
"I understand." Yu Jin said slowly, "Then let's see who will have the last laugh."
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