After their lovemaking, Zhao Yunwan slowly spoke.
"Your Majesty, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is on good terms with my sister. Liang Jiamei is the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and she is a suitable match for Sheng'er. What do you think?"
“This… Wan Niang, you’re so smart, you should understand why I brought Liang Qianfan to Ding’er’s side.”
"Your Majesty, are you referring to the position of Crown Prince?" Zhao Yunwan's eyes gleamed.
"Wan Niang is indeed the smartest."
"But this move is quite difficult! Liang Qianfan is an old stubborn man, not so easy to persuade."
"So, if Liang Jiamei is made the principal wife and promised the position of empress, why would the Liang family be afraid of not supporting the change of the law on the succession?"
"The position of Empress has been given away just like that?"
"Wan Niang, why have you turned into a little fool again? How did you get your empress title?"
Zhao Yunwan understood instantly.
“Jinglang, Liang Qianfan is a tough nut to crack! The position of Empress might not be enough to persuade him.”
“He used to be a tough nut to crack, but he won’t be anymore.” Xiao Jing’s cheerful expression puzzled Zhao Yunwan.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Yunwan voiced her doubts.
"Wan Niang will understand later. Get up, you will dine with me today."
The palace servants had already prepared the imperial meal, all of which were Zhao Yunwan's favorite dishes.
"Wan Niang, should Liang Jia Mei be made the principal wife or a concubine? Please give me your opinion. This matter needs to be decided quickly. Also, please help me consider the concubines for Sheng Er."
"I'll reconsider. This matter hasn't been leaked yet, has it?"
"Your earth-shattering cry was probably heard by everyone in the Qianqing Palace. But don't worry, the news won't get out. Zhao Yunshu put a lot of effort into the Qianqing Palace back then."
Zhao Yunwan was fully aware of her elder sister's abilities, but she only learned today that Zhao Yunshu had tampered with the Qianqing Palace. Where exactly? She'd have to have her teacher come and see for herself another day.
Upon returning to Kunning Palace, Zhao Yunwan said she had a headache and asked Yuan Qibao to invite Lu Dacheng to examine her.
Before long, Lu Dacheng arrived at Kunning Palace.
Zhao Yunwan dismissed her attendants and discussed Emperor Hui's decision with Lu Dacheng.
In the end, the two agreed that they should put Xiao Ding on the throne as soon as possible, lest things get complicated.
Xiao Sheng is currently with the Li family. Although his skills are not yet proficient, at least he is not under their watchful eyes.
They wanted to infiltrate the Li family with spies, but didn't know where to start.
"Whether Liang Jiamei has the fortune to become empress is another matter. Right now, we need to get the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to stand on Ding'er's side, and also get some old stubborns to follow in Liang Qianfan's footsteps and step in!"
The Empress replied to the Emperor, saying that the Second Prince's marriage was entirely up to the Emperor.
The royal selection of a bride was early, and after the imperial edict was issued, the entire Golden Palace was in an uproar.
The ministers could have imagined that the emperor would betroth the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to the Crown Prince, but they never expected that the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices would now become the Second Prince's wife.
When Yu Shiyun heard the news, she was still wandering around the Imperial Garden following Xiao Yuyan around.
In a moment of panic, he stepped on a loose stone and fell flat on his back.
Although the Yu family is now in a weakened state, the Empress has not stripped Yu Shiyun of her position as a companion student and still allows her to stay by Xiao Yuyan's side.
However, they often have bad luck.
Yu Shiyun's misfortunes include, but are not limited to, falling into the water today, tripping and falling tomorrow, and getting a cut on her face the day after.
She could only endure these things because Yu Chengzhu had repeatedly warned her that the family's decline was caused by her, and she had to perform well in the palace to appease the Empress so that the Yu family could rise again.
Xiao Yuyan knew that Yu Shiyun had upset her brother, so the excitement she felt when she was chosen had vanished. Keeping Yu Shiyun around was just to torment her and make her brother happy.
Xiao Yuyan has always been an eccentric girl, cold and sarcastic to everyone, only showing the demeanor of a little girl when facing her brother and mother.
However, it's already clear that she's a ruthless young girl. She shows no mercy to palace servants who make mistakes, and always punishes them severely.
Xiao Yuyan had seen her brother sitting and crying late at night, because he was not qualified to be the crown prince simply because he was born one day later than the crown prince.
But my brother is clearly more outstanding and talented than that prince.
She didn't understand laws and ancestral rules; she only felt that her brother deserved the best, that he should be the crown prince, and that he should marry the most beautiful woman.
She will help him.
Yu Shiyun made him sad, so she would make Yu Shiyun suffer.
According to what my mother said, the Yu family is already in trouble. That's really true.
Yu Shiyun is nominally a study companion, but Xiao Yuyan has not yet entered the Imperial Academy, so at present she is just a playmate, and an unlucky playmate who takes the blame.
Finally, one day, Yu Shiyun's face was completely disfigured by Xiao Yuyan's prank.
The Empress offered a few words of comfort and then ordered someone to send Yu Shiyun back to the Yu family.
Yu Chengzhu and his family were addicted to opium and obeyed the Empress's every word, but they could not salvage their careers.
The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices eventually retired from his high position due to illness, and then the emperor, following the empress's advice, promoted a new person.
When Xiao Sheng learned at the Li family home that Liang Jiamei had been betrothed to Xiao Ding as his principal wife, he felt relieved.
He will never have any contact with a woman like that in his entire life.
Xu Ningyou and Li Ting pushed Li Xingran for a walk in the garden.
"My lord, has the selection of the new Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices been finalized?"
Li Xingran listened to her mother's words with her big eyes wide open.
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