After the matter of colluding with foreign powers was settled, some time passed, and people seemed to have forgotten about the Second Prince Hongshi and the deposed Empress Ulanara. The streets and alleys of the capital were filled with talk of Lanqin and Hongli's deeds.
On this day, the Thirteenth Prince was summoned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the Fourth Prince.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." As soon as the Thirteenth Prince entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he bowed to the Fourth Prince, who waved his hand to indicate that he did not need to be so polite. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I wonder if Your Majesty has summoned me to an audience today because of something to discuss?" After thanking the Fourth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince stood below and went straight to the point.
"I would like to ask the Thirteenth Prince to do something for me." The Fourth Prince did not beat around the bush and directly stated the purpose of summoning the Thirteenth Prince. If he wanted to make an empress, it could not be accomplished without the petition of a highly respected minister.
"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty." The Thirteenth Prince and the Fourth Prince had a deep bond since childhood, and the Thirteenth Prince had always done everything in his power for the Fourth Prince.
"The Ulanara clan's wicked deeds are well-known, and they have now been deposed. However, a country cannot be without an empress for a day. I would like to have the Thirteenth Prince take the lead in submitting a memorial to establish Consort Xi as the secondary empress. What does the Thirteenth Prince think?" If the Thirteenth Prince is willing to take the lead in submitting the memorial to establish Lanqin as the secondary empress, I believe many ministers will agree. In this way, Lanqin can rightfully become the secondary empress.
"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. In my opinion, with Consort Xi's virtue and talent, she is already qualified to be made Empress. Why not establish her as Empress, below her in virtue?" The Thirteenth Prince said, bowing to the Fourth Prince. The Thirteenth Prince felt deep gratitude and respect for Lanqin, and also admiration for her.
"I have also considered making Consort Xi the Empress, but she has always refused. She is a concubine, and if she were to become Empress, I fear it would be criticized by the servants. That would be my fault. I have no choice but to settle for second best and make her the Second Empress." Upon seeing this, the Fourth Prince revealed his true feelings. It was not that he was reluctant to give up the Empress position, but rather that Lanqin was unwilling.
"Consort Xi truly values the Qing Dynasty and the Emperor above all else, and is willing to forgo the position of Empress. She is a truly virtuous and wise person." The Thirteenth Prince couldn't help but sigh. Others always tried every means to take the Empress's position, but Lanqin repeatedly declined.
"That's why I feel so guilty towards Consort Xi. If I don't make her my secondary empress, I won't be able to eat or sleep properly." The Fourth Prince made Lanqin his secondary empress because he felt guilty towards her and wanted to do something for her.
"Your subject obeys." After understanding the reason, the Thirteenth Prince accepted the order and withdrew.
The Thirteenth Prince understood the Fourth Prince's meaning and immediately returned to write a memorial, requesting the Emperor to appoint Consort Xi as the secondary Empress. This news spread like wildfire, and officials flocked to the capital. Hearing that the Thirteenth Prince had already drafted a memorial for the Fourth Prince, civil and military officials began to stir. Soon after, a group of officials began writing memorials requesting Consort Xi's appointment as secondary Empress. Even those who had previously supported the Empress, seeing that Empress Ulanara had been deposed, began to echo this sentiment, writing memorials requesting the appointment of Niohuru Lanqin as secondary Empress. These officials were mostly opportunists, seeing the power of a powerful figure, and now that Lanqin was a patron, how could they not try to curry favor with her?
Occasionally, news of events from the previous dynasty would reach the inner palace. When Lanqin learned of these events, she knew in her heart that it must have been at the behest of the Fourth Prince, and she couldn't help but feel moved, but on the surface, she remained nonchalant. The situation was different in Changchun Palace; everyone was immersed in joy, awaiting Lanqin's appointment as the secondary empress.
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