Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 912: Chapter 748: Are We Really Going to Establish the Crown Prince?

There were also officials angrily criticizing the extravagant waste of holding a hundred-day banquet for someone’s family, and the like, countless complaints.

The hall had entered a state of mutual verbal attacks, many officials disregarding dignity, pointing at each other and shouting, red-faced and furious, making it hard to watch.

The Emperor watched coldly but did not open his mouth to stop them.

Xia Qing stood at the front and glanced at the Emperor, finding the Emperor watching below with a faint smile, which made his heart jolt.

He naturally disdained to quarrel with these officials; after all, others were doing the groundwork, so why should he step in?

Moreover, what was his status? Engaging in verbal battles with these people would be unworthy of him.

The Eldest Prince frowned deeply, glancing around with great dissatisfaction. This chaos was comparable to a marketplace.

But when he saw that there were officials from his faction involved, he could only turn his head, choosing to ignore it.

The Second Prince looked worried, occasionally glancing at the Emperor, as if worried that the Emperor would become angry.

As for the Third Prince, there was no need to mention him; he was already sneering, waiting for the Emperor to deal with them.

Gradually, the conflict escalated. The officials were no longer satisfied with arguing over trivial matters and had moved the focus to the dispute of selecting the Crown Prince.

"Hmph! The Eldest Prince is the eldest son. Who other than him should be the Crown Prince?"

Bian Shengrong glanced disdainfully at Huo Huai Zhong, who was quarreling with him, mocking him for previously being abandoned by the Third Prince, yet still speaking for him now.

In truth, Huo Huai Zhong was also quite helpless. He had long been on the Third Prince’s ship of thieves. Even if he wanted to switch allegiance now, he had to find someone who could trust him, right?

Moreover, since he had been working with the Third Prince, he inevitably had handles that the Third Prince held against him.

Even if he wanted to extricate himself now, it was too late, and provoking the Third Prince would only lead to dire consequences.

If he truly angered the Third Prince, he certainly wouldn’t let him off easily.

"Hmph! Speaking of the Crown Prince’s position, our Second Prince is the most suitable candidate. The Second Prince is the legitimate son of the Central Palace; if the Eldest Prince is chosen, wouldn’t that mean legitimates are lesser than illegitimates?"

Qian Licao was not to be outdone; this position was originally meant for the Second Prince, and yet these people dared to covet it.

His words hit hard, making the atmosphere tense instantly.

In these officials’ families, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate was clear, and illegitimates held far lower status than legitimate sons, a rule passed down since ancient times.

In previous dynasties, this was the rule, where illegitimate sons weren’t even considered masters and were treated very harshly.

It was only starting with the Qing Dynasty that the Emperor’s slogan was ’the capable occupy it, regardless of legitimacy,’ and this practice has continued to this day.

Of course, this applied only to the Royal Family and had nothing to do with these officials.

Other than the Second Prince, the rest are all born to concubines. Naturally, the other princes turned their gaze to Qian Licao, whose sharp, piercing looks almost made him unable to stand.

But he still stood straight, for he was within the Second Prince’s faction, and with his official position not low, why should he fear them?

The Second Prince touched his forehead after hearing this. Was this going to completely tear faces apart? Though he’s not afraid of those brothers, could the words be more cautious?

Lest anyone think he was so arrogant because he was a legitimate son of the Central Palace, this was outright inciting resentment!

However, even if Qian Licao hadn’t said this, the resentment from his brothers wouldn’t have been any less.

Luckily, the Emperor was also legitimate; otherwise, with Qian Licao’s words, losing one’s head would be light in comparison; even whipping the corpse a hundred times wouldn’t quench the Emperor’s fury.

"Hmph! When the late Emperor was around, it was said that the Crown Prince should be the capable one, regardless of legitimacy or illegitimacy. What do your words mean? Do you think the late Emperor’s holy words were wrong? Such thinking is treasonous!"

And then the quarrel broke out again, and the hall turned into chaos, noisier than before.

The Second Prince listened to the mutual attacks among the courtiers, remaining calm inside.

Perhaps at first, he hoped for an early appointment of the Crown Prince, feeling nervous about it. But after several such occurrences, he had grown accustomed.

The other princes were also quite calm; they had seen this so often that it became a clichéd discussion.

"Enough!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and everyone finally quieted down.

The officials, seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, knew he was irritated by their noise.

They quickly returned to their places, lowered their heads, silent as quails, their rapid change startling.

This was their old tactic; whenever the Emperor got angry, they all promptly behaved sensibly.

If the Emperor showed significant anger, they would immediately kneel, pleading for him to calm down.

"The matter of establishing a Crown Prince, I too think cannot be delayed further. Originally undecided, I hesitated about the candidate. But now, I am old, and handling court affairs is becoming increasingly difficult. It is indeed necessary to establish a successor to assist in managing duties."

At the Emperor’s words, everyone was surprised.

No one had expected the Emperor to relent this time.

The princes even had a feeling of being dizzy with a windfall; is this real? Is the Crown Prince’s appointment real? Has the Father Emperor agreed?

Seeing the stunned officials present, the Emperor scanned with slight impatience and then spoke with a touch of irritation.

"What? Do you think establishing a Crown Prince is too early? Then why not wait a bit longer."

"Emperor, early establishment of the Crown Prince would indeed allow someone to assist in managing duties and oversee the governance, I second it!"

Xia Qing stepped forward, expressing his support first.

He realized that although the Emperor was unwilling internally, he also understood his own advancing age and the impossibility of delaying the establishment of a Crown Prince any longer.

As the Prime Minister, he couldn’t always hide behind; he must make a stance first.

Even if the Emperor was dissatisfied with him, what of it? In any case, who in the hall dared say that not establishing the Crown Prince was feasible!

"We second it!"

With Xia Qing taking the lead, the other officials naturally followed suit.

What’s more, they have quarrelled over this matter countless times, and today it finally seemed to settle.

After a while, the others looked at each other, not daring to ask. Dai Yuanji, unable to hold back, stepped forward first, breaking the silence in the hall.

"Does the Emperor have a decision on the Crown Prince’s candidate?"

He glanced at Xia Qing, the old fellow truly shameless, merely echoing with a phrase, and unwilling to say more.

At this, the other officials held their breath, while the princes pricked up their ears, eyes set expectantly.

This day had finally come; how could the princes not be tense inside?

There’s only one Crown Prince. Once set, the other princes would have to return to their fiefdoms.

No matter who became the Crown Prince, how could the remaining princes have good futures? Subject to the Crown Prince’s suspicion, sooner or later, they would be dealt with.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over the three princes, still silent.

The three princes’ hearts were in their throats; they were anxious!

But they feared even more hearing words of disappointment, each one’s heart filled with anxiety.

Taking in the expressions of everyone below, the Emperor finally spoke.