After the King of Zhao forced the emperor to abdicate and rebel, and the emperor was almost killed, the court officials became nervous.
They are afraid of going through something like this again.
"If Your Majesty had appointed a crown prince earlier and established the relationship between the monarch and his subjects, such a horrific act of forcing the emperor to abdicate would not have occurred."
The court officials nodded in unison.
That’s indeed the case.
The emperor's willfulness and procrastination almost led to a big mistake.
Therefore, as an important official of the country, you must urge the emperor to correct his mistakes.
Taking advantage of the emperor's summons, all the ministers gathered in Xingqing Palace.
No matter what the emperor said, they had only one request: "Your Majesty, please appoint a crown prince as soon as possible and don't make the same mistake twice."
"Your Majesty, please appoint a crown prince."
"Your Majesty, are you going to abandon the country and the people?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes and asked casually, "My dear ministers, which prince do you think I should appoint as the crown prince?"
The court officials were overjoyed after hearing this.
Then he began to debate who to appoint as the crown prince.
"Prince Ning can be the crown prince."
"Prince Ning is not suitable. He has a bad record and is not worthy of being the crown prince."
"The tenth prince can be the crown prince."
"The fifteenth prince can be the crown prince."
The court officials had different opinions, and almost every prince who was qualified to compete was brought out and examined again and again.
The emperor did not comment on the opinions of his court officials.
"It seems that you, my dear ministers, have not reached a consensus. How about this? Go back and think it over carefully. Submit a memorial tomorrow to clarify your respective positions."
The court officials were somewhat surprised. "Your Majesty really wants to listen to the advice of me and others?"
The emperor said affirmatively, "Of course. This is a matter concerning the country and the people. How can I make a unilateral decision? My dear ministers, you can even organize a court meeting. I would also like to hear your opinions."
"Your Majesty has given orders, and we will obey them faithfully. A court meeting will be held in five days. Will Your Majesty attend?"
The emperor nodded and said, "I will attend."
The court officials were overjoyed.
After decades, the emperor finally listened to everyone's opinions. This was a great victory.
The court officials left happily and discussed the grand court meeting.
The emperor had a smile on his face and seemed to be in a good mood.
…
Upon hearing the news of the grand court meeting, Prince Ning immediately began to curse, "The old man is old in body but young in heart. He's still making trouble at this time. Is he trying to drive everyone crazy? Who will be the crown prince is up to him."
Liu Zhao looked at the irritable Prince Ning and said calmly, "Grandfather may be stalling for time."
"Why do you make such a guess, brother?"
After a year of hard work, Liu Yi was finally qualified to stand in the Bixi Pavilion and discuss state affairs with King Ning.
Liu Zhao ignored him and instead addressed Prince Ning, saying, "Noble Concubine Xue, Prince Zhao, and Prince Yan—these three culprits—your Royal Grandfather has been dragging his feet in dealing with them. Clearly, he wants to catch all of their accomplices and wipe them out in one fell swoop. Your Royal Grandfather's delay in appointing a crown prince is nothing more than a test of public opinion to see who will lose their patience and leap out first. Your Royal Grandfather wants to play a big game."
Prince Ning hummed a sound before continuing, "This is the old man's style. He won't stop until he's tortured someone to death. It seems I need to cultivate my character for a while."
Liu Yi was worried, "If Grandfather really listens to the opinions of the court officials and appoints a crown prince, Father will miss a great opportunity if he is cultivating his character at this time."
Prince Ning stared at Liu Yi and asked, "Do you want me to contact the court officials?"
"My son believes that we cannot interact with the court officials in a high-profile manner, but we cannot do nothing either."
Prince Ning smiled and asked Liu Zhao, "Boss, what do you think?"
Liu Zhao's face was expressionless. "If my father is interested in that position, he should not do anything. The more he does, the more mistakes he makes. The less he does, the fewer mistakes he makes. My grandfather has been in power for decades and would not tolerate anyone making trouble under his nose."
Prince Ning laughed heartily. "The eldest brother is truly insightful. Fourth brother, you still need more experience and to understand your royal grandfather's mind. Even though the old man suffered a stroke and is now paralyzed, he is still mentally sound. If he wants to manipulate people, how could I, the king, be so foolish as to fall into his trap?"
Liu Yi clenched his fists, then unclenched them. He smiled and said, "I will always remember your father's teachings. Big Brother is very experienced in this field, and I have many things to ask you in the future. Please be kind and teach me."
Liu Zhao raised his eyelids, his face cold, "I'm busy!"
Liu Yi was choked, his face full of innocence and helplessness. He looked at Prince Ning with a pitiful expression. His face was filled with the thought: "I'm disliked by my elder brother. Father, please help me."
Prince Ning, however, was enjoying the show and laughed heartily, "It can be found if we squeeze in some time. Boss, don't be so stingy."
Liu Zhao looked disgusted and said, "I'm not free. If you have nothing else to do, father, I'll take my leave."
After saying that, he left Bixi Pavilion without even looking at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi lowered his head, sneering in anger but also with a hint of joy in his heart.
Just based on Liu Zhao's attitude, he would offend everyone.
How can Liu Zhao, who is unpopular, compete with him in the future?
He raised his head and said to King Ning, "Big Brother may think I am too dull and inexperienced, so he is unwilling to teach me."
Prince Ning laughed out loud, "So what are you going to do?"
There was absolutely no intention of comforting the younger son.
Liu Yi's eyes lit up. "Father, please assign me more tasks. I want more experience and strive to catch up with my elder brother."
"It's rare that you're so ambitious. Since you're looking for experience, I have a small errand for you to do."
"Thank you, father. I will do my best to complete the task."
…
Liu Zhao left Bixi Pavilion and went back to the East Courtyard while there was still time.
As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard Yu Ge'er crying.
"You little brat, your voice is getting louder and louder. Judging from the sound of your crying, you must be hungry or you've wet your pants."
Liu Zhao's serious expression naturally softened.
He walked into the upper room and came to Gu Jiu. "What's wrong with you, brat? Aren't you full?"
Gu Jiu was holding the child and coaxing him. When he heard Liu Zhao's voice, he felt like he had found a savior. He quickly put Yu Ge'er in his arms.
"You comfort him. I'm exhausted after a long day. I'm almost dead."
"What's wrong? Is he pestering you again?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "As soon as he woke up, he wanted me to hold him, not even Nanny Fang. Now, he only recognizes you and me."
Do young children have memories?
Gu Jiu wasn't sure.
Anyway, after she returned safely, Yu Ge'er didn't accept her for the first two days. He probably thought she was a stranger because he had been away for too long.
Gu Jiu was quite sad at that time.
She was the one who felt the most uncomfortable because her precious son was unfamiliar with her.
However, after the first two days, when the unfamiliarity wore off, Yu Ge'er started to cling to her. As soon as he woke up, he would ask her to hold him or to accompany him.
He would cry whenever Gu Jiu left for a while.
I don't know whose temper this child resembles, but once he starts crying, he won't stop. He won't stop crying until Gu Jiu holds him and comforts him.
Of course, Yu Ge'er also fell for Liu Zhao's tricks.
Liu Zhao hugged him and he was happy too.
As soon as Yu Ge'er was in Liu Zhao's arms, he stopped crying. Not only did he stop crying, he even secretly closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Gu Jiu rubbed his sore arms. It was really tiring to take care of the children.
Compared to raising a child, pregnancy is like heaven.
She slumped down on the couch, her whole body nestled in the soft pillow, completely relaxed.
Liu Zhao sat down next to her.
Neither of them spoke, and the tranquility at that moment was a tacit understanding between them.
"Don't worry about the rumors outside. I will handle all the problems."
Liu Zhao suddenly spoke.
Gu Jiu nodded and said "hmm".
She had been missing for such a long time, and since she was a woman, it was inevitable that people would talk about her.
After she was rescued by Liu Zhao, all kinds of speculations arose.
Those who were previously worried about her safety are now speculating about what she went through during the time she was kidnapped.
Have you lost your virginity?
Have you ever been molested?
Have you ever encountered violence?
In short, when a woman is kidnapped and imprisoned for a long time, people will always think of the most terrifying and unbearable side.
Even if Qingmei explained to others that nothing could happen, no one would believe her.
Instead, people would say, "Of course she'll say she's innocent. Which woman would admit she's not clean?"
Everyone seems to have determined that Gu Jiu is not clean.
Some even said that as the wife of the emperor's grandson, if Gu Jiu cared about her reputation, she should die to prove her innocence.
Some people also said that Gu Jiu should ask to leave the palace and was not qualified to continue to occupy the position of Madam Zhao.
Even the Gu family had similar remarks.
Not to mention the royal family, there were many people who laughed at Liu Zhao behind his back for being cuckolded.
Some even said to Liu Zhao directly, "A man should always be content with not having a wife. You are the emperor's grandson. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about the reputation of the imperial family."
Someone else came to Prince Ning and said, "Liu Zhao is unable to make a decision because of their past relationship. Your Highness should make the decision for Liu Zhao. How can a woman with a dirty reputation remain in the palace?"
Many people came to Pei's ear and whispered, "Liu Zhao is too honest. Why is he still hesitating at this point? The palace should quickly find a few women from noble families for Liu Zhao to choose a new wife."
"That's right! The royal family also needs to maintain its reputation."
Apparently, more people were talking about Gu Jiu than those talking about Prince Zhao and Concubine Xue.
The matter between Prince Zhao and Concubine Xue was too sensitive, involving too many people. No one dared to discuss it until the dust settled.
But when discussing Gu Jiu's affairs, everyone felt no burden at all.
Gu Jiu was a woman who was kidnapped and imprisoned. I heard her captor was a man. Why shouldn't people discuss such a big piece of gossip?
The wife of the emperor's grandson is not clean, but she still occupies the position and refuses to give way to others. Isn't it fair that people don't talk about her?
Various discussions about Gu Jiu filled the aristocratic circles of the capital, and there was a tendency for the discussion to spread from the aristocratic circles to the middle class.
However, people in the middle circle still have some concerns. They are worried that the palace will investigate their remarks, so everyone is very cautious when discussing them.
When discussing someone, they only mention that person, not their real name. And the discussion is usually limited to a small circle.
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