Chapter 253 What if the Empress had a son?
Qin Mo and Lu Sheng finalized a "big deal" in just a few words, leaving everyone around them dumbfounded, including Prince Yan Qin Mu and Prince Chang Le Qin Jian.
"Lu Sheng, as the steward of Chengtian Pavilion, you can only have one master, and that is the monarch. Now you are pledging allegiance to someone else. Are you betraying the imperial family?" Qin Rui, the son of the Prince of Changle, was the first to lose his temper and stood up to shout at Lu Sheng.
"Why do you say that, Your Highness? When have we ever betrayed the Imperial Family? Doesn't the Empress count as part of the Imperial Family? When the new Emperor comes of age, we will naturally hand over Chengtian Pavilion to His Majesty and then follow the late Emperor in death."
“That’s a very good idea. The new emperor is not yet an adult, so it’s good that the Empress is in charge of Chengtian Pavilion for the time being.” Xiao Xinyan stroked his beard and nodded silently.
"Qin Rui, you have no right to speak here, sit down!" Qin Mu's gaze swept over the agitated Qin Rui like lightning, sending a chill down his spine.
"You two are truly... loyal to Her Majesty the Empress!" Prince Chang Le, Qin Jian, looked at Lu Sheng and Qin Mo, suppressing his resentment, and said sourly.
Lu Sheng was using Qin Mo as an excuse to subtly express his attitude. He preferred the posthumous son of Emperor Zhaowu in the wombs of the two imperial concubines to be the new emperor. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said, "Before the new emperor comes of age, he will serve the empress as the master." His Qin Rui was already an adult, so it was clear that Lu Sheng was unwilling to choose Qin Rui as the new emperor.
"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have brought this eunuch here today." Qin Jian was filled with regret.
After Emperor Zhaowu passed away, Qin Mu and Qin Jian immediately sought out Lu Sheng, since Chengtian Pavilion was the most precious asset of the imperial family.
As a result, Lu Sheng gave the two of them an unexpected surprise: Emperor Zhaowu had already passed on the method of making the Vitality Elixir to him. This made Qin Mu very gratified. He now knew that Emperor Zhaowu had health problems, so he believed that this was a backup plan left by Emperor Zhaowu in advance.
Lu Sheng told the two princes that no matter who became emperor, he would remain loyal and do his best to assist the new emperor.
They brought Lu Sheng here today to show their respect for him, but unexpectedly Lu Sheng suddenly expressed his opinion, clearly stating that he did not want Qin Mo to have any interest in the throne, and Qin Mo agreed. What's going on here?
The civil officials now favor the children unborn to the two imperial concubines to succeed to the throne, while Prince Chang Le naturally wants his son Qin Rui to ascend the throne. Qin Mu has been remaining neutral, and no one can discern his intentions. Just now, Qin Mo stated that he would not shamelessly recommend himself as emperor, which relieved Xiao Xinyan and Qin Jian.
After Qin Mo forcefully entered the palace yesterday, they all had a sleepless night because, apart from some bloodline issues, Qin Mo was just too suitable.
Young, wealthy, of high moral character, powerful, and with offspring already in place, the situation of Emperor Zhaowu will never occur again.
If it weren't for the fact that their two families really didn't get along with Qin Mo, and they weren't afraid that Qin Mo would settle scores with them and make them suffer after taking power, they would have given up resisting.
But Lu Sheng's next move disappointed Qin Jian. The civil officials, Qin Mo, and Lu Sheng all expressed their desire to support Emperor Zhaowu's posthumous son as the ruler. Would Qin Mu support him? Obviously not!
"Preventing this child from touching the throne is a way for me to fulfill the late emperor's wish. Alas! I hope Her Majesty the Empress can understand my predicament." At this moment, Lu Sheng felt a different kind of emotion.
Looking at Qin Mo's nonchalant attitude, Lu Sheng felt a little guilty. To be honest, he also thought Qin Mo was very suitable to be emperor, but Emperor Zhaowu had spoken ill of Qin Mo to him more than once. Lu Sheng had no choice but to do his best for his deceased master and then switch to Wang Yushi's tutelage.
Given Wang Yushi's relationship with Qin Mo, she should be able to understand her and wouldn't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs or betray her after she's served her purpose.
As expected, Wang Yushi will become the Empress Dowager of the Great Xia Dynasty in the future. Serving her as the master will not be considered a betrayal of the imperial family, nor will it violate his original promise.
That said, a powerful empress dowager from the Heavenly Realm is sitting in the palace, and you're pretending not to see her? Aren't you going to show your loyalty? Do you really think you're irreplaceable?
Qin Mo's withdrawal and Lu Sheng's statement greatly encouraged Xiao Xinyan's civil official group. They were not in a favorable position in this competition for the crown prince. It was still unknown whether the two concubines were carrying boys or girls, and there were many talented people among the collateral branches of the imperial family. They had prepared for a difficult struggle, but the situation took an unexpected turn, and their side became the favorite.
"Prince Heng is magnanimous and admirable. I wonder if Your Highness has a suitable candidate to share so that we can discuss it further?"
Feeling pleased, Xiao Xinyan gave Qin Mo face and let him speak first about his preferred candidate.
"Of course he's the late emperor's orphan, is there even a need to ask?"
Is this really true?
"Is it really true?"
Xiao Xinyan was beaming with joy. When the two imperial concubines were pregnant, the civil officials were the first to bet on them, establishing contact through their families and expressing their loyalty.
After Emperor Zhaowu passed away, the two imperial concubines also stated that before a new emperor came of age, they would definitely make good use of the civil officials in order to counter those other members of the royal family who had ulterior motives.
Xiao Xinyan was already envisioning the future, wondering what the springtime would look like for them, the civil servants.
"The Heng Prince's lineage is indeed loyal and virtuous for generations, worthy of our respect! The two imperial concubines will be giving birth soon, shall we wait patiently for good news?"
"Lord Xiao, our Great Xia royal family is full of talented people, why must we let a baby sit on the throne?"
"Why does the Prince of Chenliu say such a thing? The late emperor's orphan is the legitimate heir of the imperial family. We have received the late emperor's favor, so are we to be disloyal and unjust people now?"
"Prime Minister Xiao, matters concerning our royal family should be discussed by us ourselves. This time, you have taken two imperial concubines to your residence. What are your true intentions?"
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