Chapter 125 Eager to Establish a Crown Prince
Yuwen Che gently placed Su Luoxue back on the soft pillow and tucked her in.
"Xue'er, go to sleep and get some rest." He stroked her cheek and said softly, "I need to go to the Sizheng Hall to deal with some backlogged government affairs. I'll be back to be with you soon, okay?"
Although Su Luoxue was somewhat reluctant, she knew that national affairs were of paramount importance and that she did indeed need to rest. So she obediently nodded, her voice tinged with weariness: "Okay, go ahead. Don't overwork yourself."
Yuwen Che leaned down and kissed her forehead: "Yes, I promise you. Close your eyes and go to sleep."
He watched as she obediently closed her eyes and her breathing gradually became steady. Only then did he stand up and whisper to Fuling and Zhang Mama, who were standing guard beside him, "Take good care of her. If the Empress feels unwell at all, report to us immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Che took another deep look at Su Luoxue, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, before turning around and quietly leaving Guanju Palace to go to Sizheng Hall to deal with the court affairs that had been piling up for many days.
No sooner had Yuwen Che left Guanju Palace than Su Luoxue struggled to sit up.
"Your Highness! Why are you up! Lie down quickly!" Granny Zhang and Fuling hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade her.
Su Luoxue shook her head and looked at the wet nurse beside her: "Let me hold the baby."
"Your Highness, you are still weak and should not overexert yourself!" Zhang Mama tried to stop her.
"Just for a little while, Granny, I just want to see them." Su Luoxue's tone was soft but firm.
Zhang Mama and Fuling exchanged a glance, knowing they couldn't dissuade her, so they had no choice but to signal the wet nurse to carefully hand the little princess to Su Luoxue.
Su Luoxue took the soft bundle, looked down at her daughter's sleeping face, and couldn't help but lean down and gently kiss her forehead.
She looked up at the son being held by Granny Zhang, her eyes softening with tenderness: "Bring Cheng'an closer so I can see him too."
Granny Zhang brought the swaddled baby closer. Su Luoxue carefully examined her son's still slightly wrinkled face, especially the contours of his eyebrows and eyes. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she softly said:
"This child... looks just like A-Che."
Despite her weakness, holding her two children and watching their peaceful sleeping faces, Su Luoxue felt her heart filled with immense happiness and satisfaction, as if all the pain and danger she had experienced during childbirth had been worthwhile.
As Yuwen Che stepped into the Sizheng Hall, the warmth on his face was instantly replaced by coldness.
He looked at Li Dehai, his voice devoid of any warmth: "Li Dehai, has the matter concerning the Yang family been properly resolved?"
Li Dehai quickly bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, it has been completely dealt with. General Pei Xuan personally supervised the execution to ensure that nothing was overlooked."
Yuwen Che nodded, his tone chilling: "Good. Just make sure it's done cleanly."
He paused, tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk, and asked thoughtfully, "Um... now, besides the Empress, there's only one Consort Xian left in the palace, is that right?"
Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Consort Xian has always lived a secluded life, is gentle in nature, and has never overstepped any boundaries."
Yuwen Che's gaze was deep and unreadable, he simply gave a faint "hmm" and said nothing more.
Li Dehai stood by, but he already knew in his heart that the Emperor was probably considering whether Consort Xian should stay or leave.
After thinking for a moment, Yuwen Che instructed Li Dehai: "Issue my decree: Consort Lin, with her gentle nature and outstanding virtue, is hereby granted permission to go to the royal temple to pray for the country. Let her depart tomorrow."
Li Dehai sighed inwardly, "Just as I thought." He bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. And... the allowance and expenses for Consort Xian..."
"Supplies should be provided according to the rank of a concubine, and there should be no shortage," Yuwen Che added. "Tell her that focusing on her cultivation is the best way to show her loyalty to me and to the Great Zhou."
"This old servant understands."
Yuwen Che paused, as if remembering something else, and his tone became somewhat indifferent: "As for Hao'er... there's no need to bring him back to the palace for the time being. Let him continue to be cared for by the Dowager Consort."
His gaze turned towards the direction of Guanju Palace, his voice low and deep: "Xue'er is currently in poor health, and with Cheng'an and Tingxue to care for her, she is already overwhelmed. I too..."
He didn't say what he was going to say, but Li Dehai understood that His Majesty didn't want to see this son.
"Yes, this old servant will make proper arrangements so that the Dowager Consort Duankang can take good care of His Highness Prince An."
Yuwen Che waved his hand, signaling him to step back.
Just as Yuwen Che dismissed Li Dehai, he suddenly remembered something and called out to him, "Li Dehai, come back."
Li Dehai hurriedly turned around: "Your Majesty, is there anything else you need?"
Yuwen Che pondered for a moment, then said, "Issue my decree: immediately draft an edict and announce it to the world. The Second Prince, Yuwen Cheng'an, is hereby established as the Crown Prince. Princess Yuwen Tingxue is hereby conferred the title of Princess Yongning."
Upon hearing this, Li Dehai hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty... the Second Prince and Princess have only been born a few days ago. Isn't it... a bit too early to establish a Crown Prince and announce it to the world at this time? Shouldn't we wait until the princes are a month old...?"
Yuwen Che raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Just do as I say."
He looked at Li Dehai with a deep gaze and an unwavering determination: "If Cheng'an has great talent and ambition in the future and can protect this Great Zhou Dynasty, that would be the best outcome."
He paused, his voice steady and resolute: "Even if he is of mediocre talent, I will clear all obstacles for him, pave the way for him, and arrange capable ministers and generals to assist him. The throne of the Great Zhou is rightfully his."
Li Dehai was deeply moved by His Majesty's words, knowing that His Majesty had made up his mind. He said no more, bowed and replied, "This old servant obeys! I will immediately arrange for the drafting of the edict to be proclaimed to the world!"
Thus, Yuwen Cheng'an, still an infant, was already destined for the position of crown prince.
The imperial edict appointing the crown prince and princess was swiftly promulgated throughout the land.
When the news reached outside the palace, several officials who were having tea and discussing matters exchanged bewildered glances.
An official put down his teacup, his face full of disbelief: "No... it's only been a few days? Didn't we just hear news a few days ago that the Empress was having a difficult childbirth and was on the verge of death? How... how come the Crown Prince has been appointed so suddenly? The Second Prince was only born a few days ago!"
An elderly minister beside him sighed and said in a low voice, "Alas... let's say less. His Majesty's meaning is crystal clear. At this time, who would dare to provoke such a misfortune?"
He pointed towards the imperial city, adding with lingering fear, "Smell it, the stench of blood in the air... The vengeful spirits of the Yang family haven't even dissipated yet! His Majesty is determined to establish the legitimate heir; anyone who tries to stop him will die!"
The group immediately fell silent, nodding in agreement.
"That's right, that's right..."
"Establishing the heir as the legitimate son is perfectly justified, perfectly justified..."
No one dared to raise the slightest objection.
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