The Fourth Prince's mood gradually brightened, and he became much more diligent in attending court. Lanqin handled all matters, big and small, in the palace in an orderly manner. Just when Lanqin thought that life would continue at this leisurely pace, a memorial broke the tranquility of the situation.
Lanqin reached for the memorial on the ground, but before she could even read it, the Fourth Prince angrily pointed at thin air and cursed, "You're really blinded by greed! I've only just ascended the throne, and you're already submitting a memorial demanding the establishment of a crown prince..."
Lanqin opened the memorial and read it carefully, only to realize that someone in the court had proposed establishing a crown prince. Lanqin was startled. Establishing a crown prince was always one of the most sensitive matters in history, especially since the Fourth Prince had only recently ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager had passed away, and there were still many things to be done in the court. Establishing a crown prince at this time was somewhat premature, no wonder the Fourth Prince was angry.
Lanqin smiled as she neatly arranged the items on the table, saying with a smile, "Perhaps it was just a few individuals making a fuss on a whim, sir. There's no need to get so worked up. Establishing a crown prince is a matter of state and importance; it's only right to consider it sooner rather than later..."
"Where is one person? Look at these... and these..." Fourth Master angrily spread out the memorials that Lanqin had just sorted out, turned away in anger, and adjusted his breathing.
Lanqin glanced at the petitions and, sure enough, they were all requests for the establishment of a crown prince. It seemed these people weren't acting on a whim, but rather had conspired to jointly demand the emperor appoint a crown prince. Some seemed impatient. Lanqin wondered who it was, and who was behind it all.
"So many people are demanding the establishment of a crown prince? The emperor should take this seriously, but perhaps it's not a good idea to rush things like this..." Lanqin seemed lost in thought, so she spoke absentmindedly.
The Fourth Prince sighed, turned around and pulled Lanqin to sit down, then said to her earnestly, "Qin'er, do you even think I should establish a Crown Prince now?"
Lanqin mistakenly thought that her words had misled the Fourth Prince, and quickly said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I just didn't want you to be angry. Whether or not a Crown Prince is established is none of my concern..."
Fourth Master covered Lanqin's mouth with his hand and said seriously, "How could it not have anything to do with you?"
Lanqin's eyes flashed, and she suddenly looked at Fourth Master: "Master, what do you mean?"
The Fourth Master looked at Lanqin with a smile, remaining silent...
Lanqin was somewhat flustered and said nervously, "Master, Lanqin has no ambition for the position of Crown Prince, besides, Hongli and Hongzhou are still young... I just..."
The Fourth Prince patted Lanqin's hand with satisfaction, indicating that she didn't need to be nervous. He then said with deep emotion, "Alright, no need to explain. Don't I know what you're thinking? If everyone were as unambitious as you, I wouldn't have anything to worry about. I already have a choice for the Crown Prince, but now is not the best time to bring it up. Firstly, I have only recently ascended the throne, and the people's hearts are still unsettled. Secondly, my mother has passed away, and the Fourteenth Prince has been spreading rumors and making irresponsible statements in Changping, so the people seem to have a lot of controversy about me. Even if I rashly establish the Crown Prince now, it would not be good for the Crown Prince's position and situation. Therefore, I can only be patient for now and wait for the right time to make a decision..."
Lanqin breathed a sigh of relief, a weight lifted from her heart: "My lord, whatever decision you make, I will support you..."
Although the Fourth Prince ignored all the proposals from the court to establish a crown prince, and would find excuses to avoid them if he couldn't avoid them, the people making these proposals kept coming in, as if they wouldn't give up until a crown prince was established. Lanqin could only advise the Fourth Prince indirectly not to offend these ministers in a moment of anger, and to be patient in all things.
Sure enough, not long after, seeing that the Fourth Prince no longer mentioned the matter of choosing a Crown Prince, and realizing that there was no point in offering further advice, everyone gradually quieted down.
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