Her tenderness captivated him, and Hu Mingmei was reluctant to leave, but he had no choice but to go. When he got out of bed, Bai Nuo wanted to get up with him, but Hu Mingmei stopped her. "It's still early, you can sleep a little longer. After you get up, remember to eat breakfast. If there's anything you need, let Mudan and the others do it. If you're bored, there are many books in the study, you can go and take a look, but don't read for too long. Remember to rest, or go find Grandma and your younger brother."
Bai Nuo slid into the silk quilt, leaving only her head sticking out. She watched the man dress while he kept nagging her, nodded, and lazily replied, "Hmm..." She didn't say anything else, just watched him walk back and forth, feeling very satisfied.
Hu Mingmei finished dressing, stood by the bed, looked at Bai Nuo, then lowered his head with utter helplessness, kissed her forehead, and whispered a promise, "I'm leaving. I have to report to the yamen today, but I'll be back as soon as possible."
In the past, Hu Mingmei would always promise her that he would come back to have dinner with her before he left, and Bai Nuo would also ask him if he would come back for dinner before he left. But today, neither of them said anything. Bai Nuo knew that he had just taken office and must have a lot of things to sort out, so she just reached out and smoothed out the wrinkles on his collar. "Go on, the baby and I will wait for you to come back at home!"
After the court session, Hu Mingmei stood in front of the Imperial Study and requested an audience with Emperor Jingkang. Emperor Jingkang quickly let him in. Once inside, Hu Mingmei took out the box containing the military tally and said, "Your Majesty, I have disgraced you. I beg Your Majesty to take this item back!"
Jingkang wasn't surprised, as if he knew Hu Mingmei would come after reading it. "You've read it?"
"Hmm!" Hu Mingmei nodded. "This item is too valuable for me to accept. I beg Your Majesty to take it back and give it to a suitable person."
In fact, it is a time of peace now, and there is no war with any country. The military tally will not be given to anyone else, but is in His Majesty's hands. Hu Mingmei's words also meant to urge Jingkang to make a decision quickly.
If the decision had been made sooner, there wouldn't have been so much infighting in the court. He shouldn't have just given this thing away so casually.
"You must be thinking that if I had established a crown prince earlier, there wouldn't have been so much trouble, right?" Emperor Jingkang asked casually, his eyes still glued to the memorial in front of him.
Hu Mingmei did not want to discuss this matter, "Your subject dares not!"
"That's exactly what you think!" Emperor Jingkang smiled slightly. "I can see it. Your thoughts are written all over your face. Today, it's just the two of us here. Tell me, what do you think of Prince Cheng and Prince Duan? Everyone in the court is saying that they are the most likely candidates to become the crown prince!"
Hu Mingmei said, "Who should be chosen as the crown prince is naturally up to His Majesty!"
"I'm asking you now, what do you think of those two? Not who decides on the selection of the crown prince!" Emperor Jingkang gave you an expression that said, "What if you don't want it?" and didn't want to answer your question.
Hu Mingmei had no choice but to say something nice: "Prince Duan is kind and benevolent, and Prince Cheng is exceptionally capable. Both of them are exceptional talents, one in a million."
"Hmph!" Jingkang snorted coldly, "I know you chose the nicer way to say it, and I also think that as long as the crown prince is established, the court will be stable."
Hu Mingmei remained silent. The Crown Prince is an important factor in the stability of the country. Right now, the Great Zhou is constantly embroiled in open and covert struggles. Isn't it because everyone sees that the position is vacant, and naturally they have their own ideas? How can things not be chaotic?
“They want the position I’m sitting on, not the position of Crown Prince. As long as I’m still sitting on this position, and it’s not one of them sitting on it, the world will continue to be in chaos.”
Hu Mingmei lowered her head.
Emperor Jingkang continued, “Everyone in the world thinks I will choose one of the two of them, but that’s not what I think. The person I’ve chosen is still young and not strong enough to contend with them right now. If I give the military tally to either of them, it will cause speculation, but it’s different if I give it to you. Giving it to you will not arouse suspicion.”
"I have no ability to protect this thing!" Hu Mingmei honestly admitted defeat. He understood what Emperor Jingkang meant; Jingkang wanted him to protect that young prince.
“You have it!” Jingkang said confidently. “The lineage of the Eldest Princess, up to your grandmother’s generation, has been protecting the Great Zhou. It is only right that your generation should do the same. This is the mission of our Hu family. Once I have given out the military tally, I will not take it back. If you do not comply, I will have no choice but to give it to your princess consort!”
Giving it to Bai Nuo was worse than giving it to him. How could Hu Mingmei bear to let Bai Nuo take such a risk? Emperor Jingkang even resorted to threats and inducements. Hu Mingmei had no choice but to put the military tally back into his sleeve. "Your subject takes his leave."
Go!
After Hu Mingmei left, Eunuch Qian came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Chu has already left."
Emperor Jingkang nodded casually. "What is your opinion of the Princess Consort?"
Eunuch Qian had served Emperor Jingkang for many years, starting from childhood and now for fifty years. Naturally, he knew what Jingkang was thinking. However, he only spoke the good points: "This old servant has met the Princess Consort a few times. Her appearance is outstanding, and she manages such a large business as Duobaoge. Her abilities are certainly commendable. Most importantly, she and Prince Chu are very much in love."
Jingkang snorted, clearly displeased with Eunuch Qian's statement. "You're just good at saying nice things. I've heard that woman comes from the countryside, has no connections or influence, and is utterly useless. Moreover, she was threatened tomorrow because of her!"
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