Chapter 1094: Candidate for the Crown Prince
Imperial Palace.
The Empress Dowager dismissed the palace servants and sat down with the Empress in the pavilion.
The table was filled with exquisite and delicious snacks and flower wine.
However, none ot them was in the mood to eat or drink.
“I know that you and the Emperor Jing Xuan are united on the surface but separated on the inside.”
The Empress Dowager spoke.
The Empress stood up and knelt down in front of the Empress Dowager. “I wouldn’t dare.”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. “Alright, I’ve lived to this age and have seen everything I need to see. There are many pitiful women in the palace. If you don’t have an emperor in your heart, you can live freely. Get up.”
The Empress bowed and sat back on the stone bench.
The Empress Dowager said, “From the looks of it, the Emperor probably can’t get better. Do you have anything to say about the candidate for the Crown Prince?”
The Empress said cautiously, “I don’t dare to discuss it.”
The Empress Dowager looked at her and said, “You’re the Empress. All the princes have to respectfully call you Mother. No matter who becomes the Crown Prince, your status can’t be shaken. I believe in your fairness. Just say it.”
The Empress Dowager seemed to disregard the governmentl affairs, but how could a woman who could support her son to the throne be a simple woman?
The Empress paused. “Then let’s be straightforward. Among the three princes, Third Brother has the most outstanding aptitude, but unfortunately, he’s also the least favored. Second Brother is brave and resourceful, but his personality is a little straightforward. Once he has decided on something, eight horses can’t pull him back. As for Eldest Brother, he’s slightly inferior in all aspects.”
The Empress Dowager said, “Second Brother is on the same side as his father and only believes his father’s words. His father said that the Wei family is rebelling. If he takes over, he will definitely suppress the Wei family. I heard that he suffered a lot in the Southern Wilderness this time and it was due to the Wei family.”
The Empress said, “It’s said to be the previous King of the Southern Wilderness.”
The Empress Dowager snorted. “That excuse is enough to fool the officials. There’s no need for us to put on an act.”
The Empress lowered her eyes.
The Empress Dowager continued, “Can Third Brother tolerate the Wei family?”
The Empress said, “Third Brother is different from His Majesty. He’s not suspicious. Although he does have a grudge with Wei Ting, the two of them have already buried the hatchet. With Jing Yi, Hui An, and the Wei family on good terms, I believe Third Brother won’t do anything to the Wei family.” The Empress Dowager sighed. “I’m just afraid of what the Wei family will do.”
The Empress was slightly stunned. “Mother means…”
The Empress Dowager looked at the pitch-black night. “The Wei family might rebel.”
At the Protector Duke’s Estate, a few restless little heads leaned against the crack in the door.
Creak—
The door was pulled open.
The few of them lost their balance and pounced in, falling together.
At the bottom was Wei Liulang, who was suppressed the most.
Above him were the Wei brothers and Su Ergou.
Wei Qing was the most cunning. He pushed Wei Ting and pulled Su Xiaoxiao away.
If he was really questioned by them, he could say that he was protecting his sister-in-law.
Su MO did not eavesdrop.
He was wiping his sword on a stone stool from afar.
Wei Xu looked at the unfilial sons coldly. “Get up.”
The few of them got up and did not forget to turn around and glare at Wei Qing.
Wei Xu helped Su Ergou up and patted the dust off his knees.
It was obvious that General Wei Xu doted on Su Ergou.
Wei Liulang said excitedly, “Dad, should we…”
Wei Xu said, “Shut up.”
Wei Liulang said, “Oh.”
Su Xiaoxiao cleared her throat. “Ergou, let’s go back first.” Su Ergou obediently slipped away with his sister.
The Old Marquis sat in the study and did not leave.
Su MO came over and said, “Grandpa, let’s go see Fourth Brother.”
The Old Marquis turned around. “I’m not going!”
Su Cheng said cleverly, “It’s getting late. Uncle and Mo’er can rest here tonight. I’ll get someone to clean up the house!”
Wei Xu said to his son, “The few of you, follow me.”
The four of them followed Wei Xu out of the courtyard.
Wei Xu said, “Don’t spread a word of what was said just now, do you hear me?”
The four of them nodded.
Wei Xu looked at them again. “What do you think?”
Wei Liulang was eager to try, but Wei Ting covered his mouth.
Wei Qing looked at Ghostfear. “Brother, what do you think?”
Ghostfear said, “Tell me.”
The second son was the best at strategy in the family. Ghostfear would not be jealous and would only be happy to have a powerful younger brother.
Wei Qing said, “I agree with both sides. We can protect this world. However, even if we really want to rebel, the time is not ripe.”
Wei Xu said, “Continue.’
Wei Qing nodded. “Currently, the greatest enemy is not the person sitting on the dragon throne, but the hidden forces trying to control the royal families of the various countries. If we don’t figure out their goal, anyone can be the next Emperor Jing Xuan.”
Wei Ting said, “I agree with Second Brother. Let the Xiao family fight for this position first. It’s more convenient for us to do things in the dark. It won’t be too late to do anything after we find the hidden forces and eliminate them.”
The next day, the Empress Dowager summoned the cabinet and the ministers. Wei Xu and the Old Marquis also received the Empress Dowager’s decree.
Qin Canglan was not around, so Su Cheng entered the palace on his behalf.
The Empress dowager sat at the master seat, and the Empress sat beside her. The Empress Dowager said, ‘His Majesty suddenly had a chronic illness and had a stroke yesterday.”
Other than Wei Xu and the others, the others were stunned.
Grand Commandant Lin asked, “Your Majesty is so young. Why did he have a stroke?”
The Empress Dowager said with heartache, “It was the State Preceptor who did him in. This person has already been arrested and brought to the Dali Temple. The minister of the Dali Temple is holding a strict trial to find out who instructed him.”
Everyone present was in danger, afraid that this fire would burn their heads.
Although they did not collude with the State Preceptor, trouble would sometimes come, regardless of whether one was innocent or not.
The Empress Dowager said, “I didn’t summon you here to investigate who framed His Majesty, but to discuss the appointment of the heir.”
Everyone was shocked again.
His Majesty had not appointed a heir for so many years because he felt that he was in his prime and was not in a hurry to do so.
Could it be that… His Majesty was about to die?
Grand Tutor Yao said, “Empress Dowager, shouldn’t you ask His Majesty about the appointment of the heir?”
The Empress Dowager said with dignity, “His Majesty wants to hear your opinions. ”
Everyone looked at each other.
Prime Minister Guo said, “I think that His Second Highness is both smart and brave. He has made many contributions and should be the Crown Prince.”
Grand Tutor Yao said, “His Second Highness has just been stripped of his status as a King because he slandered a loyal subject. Would it be inappropriate to make him the Crown Prince?”
Prime Minister Guo said, “How can anyone not make mistakes? Your Highness was also deceived. In terms of talent, His Highness does have the ability to be the heir. ”
Grand Commandant Lin said, “I think the eldest should be the appointed.”
“Appoint the virtuous.”
“Appoint the eldest!”
The hall was in a heated argument.
Xiao Duye was the eldest son. Without a legitimate son, he was the most legitimate. There were actually many officials who supported him.
Xiao Shunyang was the most loyal prince to Emperor Jing Xuan. Even Emperor Jing Xuan’s trusted minister had recommended him.
Jing Yi’s father strongly recommended King An, Xiao Zhonghua. There was nothing to say.
Wei Xu, the Old Marquis, and Su Cheng remained silent.
The Empress Dowager looked at the three of them and said, “Minister Su,
Minister Wei, Duke Protector, what do you think?”
The Old Marquis cupped his hands. “Empress Dowager, I think that His Highness, King An, is talented, talented, and virtuous.”
Wei Xu said, “I second that.”
Su Cheng said, “I agree.”
The Empress Dowager looked at them deeply..