readytorunbook Chapter 401 Establishing an Heir Apparent
Chapter 401 Establishing an Heir Apparent
Xiao Qinian smiled and said, "Your Majesty has already chosen a candidate, and I naturally support Your Majesty's decision."
"Haha, Minister Xiao, do you think the Fifth Prince is capable of undertaking this great responsibility?" Now that Emperor Zhou has a candidate, he is no longer troubled as before. In fact, he had already chosen a successor, but he was still unsure and had some hesitation. Today, however, he has a clearer understanding.
"The Fifth Prince is outstanding in both civil and military affairs. Although he is still young and has not been exposed to much political affairs, he has handled each matter remarkably well, even very well. In a few more years, with enough experience and with His Majesty's guidance, he will surely do even better. Why should His Majesty worry?"
Xiao Qinian had high hopes for the Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince was not yet of age, so there was no rush. With proper training, even if he could not become a wise ruler like His Majesty, he would be more than capable of maintaining the status quo.
"Well, then the Fifth Prince will need Minister Xiao's guidance in the future."
Huh? Xiao Qinian looked at Emperor Zhou with confusion, only to see Emperor Zhou smiling at him. Xiao Qinian thought to himself, he is the Minister of Revenue, not the Grand Tutor, so why should he bear the responsibility of teaching the Crown Prince?
However, since His Majesty had spoken, he could not refuse, so he could only say, "Your subject will teach His Highness the Fifth Prince what he is capable of."
"Very well, with Minister Xiao's guidance, I am at ease." Emperor Zhou chuckled as he rose from his dragon throne, walked to Xiao Qinian's side, took Xiao Qinian's hand, and then said to Eunuch Wei, "Serve the meal. Today, I wish to dine with you, Minister."
A few days later, the Fifth Prince was officially named Crown Prince. Some people in the court were happy, while others looked grim. But no matter what, the position of Crown Prince was now set and could not be changed, so they could only be disappointed.
The announcement of the heir apparent was made public throughout the country, and even the deposed prince, who was still in the former residence of the eldest prince, knew about it. From his initial desperate gamble, to his resentment at the failure, to his disbelief at being demoted to a commoner, to his current resignation, his emotions went through great ups and downs. He seemed to have lost all his energy and spirit, and his eyes were vacant.
Hearing the whispers of the servants outside today, I learned that it was the ceremony for the crown prince to be conferred his title, and hatred rose in my heart again.
"Father, Father, since you already have someone in mind, why give your son hope? In your heart, are we all just pawns except for Xuanyuan Xu?" The eldest prince believed that Emperor Zhou had already established the position of crown prince, and that they were just stepping stones to hone the crown prince. Hatred surged in his heart.
Xuanyuan Shuo screamed for a long time with heart-wrenching cries. The servants, seeing Xuanyuan Shuo gradually going mad, dared not approach him, for fear of hurting themselves.
The eldest prince shouted for a long time until he was exhausted and collapsed to the ground. After a while, he started laughing again.
"Haha, Xuanyuan Qi, Xuanyuan Qi, we've fought for so many years, and in the end, neither of us has won. You must be furious now, hahaha... We're all just pawns, just pawns. Why is Father so heartless?" Xuanyuan Shuo muttered to himself, his hair disheveled, completely unlike his former refined self, looking like a madman.
The Zhou emperor, who was holding the ceremony of establishing his heir with his crown prince and ministers, was unaware of the deep hatred his eldest son harbored for him.
After Emperor Zhou and his fifth sons finished offering incense to their ancestors at the ancestral temple, he looked at the officials below and gestured for Eunuch Wei to read the imperial edict.
Eunuch Wei received the order and opened the imperial edict in his hand: "Your Majesty decrees: I, having received the mandate of Heaven, govern all under Heaven. Now that the nation is enduring, the establishment of the Crown Prince is crucial to the foundation of the country. My eldest son, Xuanyuan Xu, is benevolent, filial, virtuous, intelligent, and quick-witted. From a young age, he has studied the classics and history, has the world at heart, and is deeply knowledgeable in the ways of governing the country and ensuring its stability. I have observed his words and deeds, and examined his virtue and talent, and I firmly believe that he can shoulder the heavy responsibility of the nation and continue the legacy of our ancestors. Therefore, I hereby establish Xuanyuan Xu as the Crown Prince, to be placed in the Eastern Palace. I hope that he will cultivate his character and virtue, diligently pursue his studies, and live up to my high expectations and the trust placed in him by the people. This decree is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know. This is the imperial decree."
The Fifth Prince lightly brushed his robes aside, knelt before Emperor Zhou, and accepted the imperial edict with both hands: "Your subject obeys the edict. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's love and trust in entrusting me with the important task of Crown Prince. This is the greatest fortune of my life. Your subject will certainly devote himself wholeheartedly to fulfilling Your Majesty's expectations, keeping the well-being of the people in mind, safeguarding the ancestral legacy, and working diligently day and night to learn the ways of governing the country from the ministers. I will take benevolence as the foundation and virtue as the basis to ensure the future of our dynasty. I will definitely cultivate myself and reflect on my actions, live up to Your Majesty's cultivation, and not dishonor the dignity of the royal family."
"Very well, Your Highness, please rise." Emperor Zhou was very satisfied and personally helped the Crown Prince up, letting him stand beside him.
All the officials bowed to the Crown Prince in unison: "We congratulate Your Majesty and the Crown Prince. Long live Your Majesty and the Crown Prince!"
"My beloved ministers, you may dispense with the formalities. Today, I pay homage to our ancestors and proclaim to the world that I have established my eldest son, Xuanyuan Xu, as the Crown Prince. From now on, my beloved ministers must assist the Crown Prince, work together with one heart and one mind, and jointly build the foundation of our Great Zhou Dynasty for thousands of generations to come."
"The ministers obey the order."
After the ceremony for establishing the heir apparent concluded, Xuanyuan Xu officially moved into the Eastern Palace, becoming the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the next Emperor of the Great Zhou.
This palace coup ended completely after the establishment of the heir apparent. From now on, the Great Zhou Dynasty has a clear next emperor, and the other princes have completely given up any thoughts of him.
The Empress, whose position in the harem was already secure, is now unshakeable thanks to the establishment of the Crown Prince. The concubines are now trying to cultivate a good relationship with the Empress so that they can enjoy their later years in peace.
"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty be well." After finishing his work, the Crown Prince came to Fengyi Palace to pay his respects to the Empress.
The Empress looked at her tall and elegant son, dressed in the magnificent attire of a crown prince, and a smile appeared in her eyes. She didn't know how long she had been waiting for this moment, but now it had finally come true.
"My son, get up quickly and let those behind the scenes take a good look."
The Crown Prince understood the Empress's excitement and allowed her to look him over. He even turned around to make it easier for her to see him more clearly.
"My son is indeed exceptionally handsome. Xi'er, look at your brother's imperial robes, don't they fit him perfectly?"
A woman sitting nearby, around twenty years old, smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Mother, your brother's imperial robes fit him perfectly."
These were all custom-made; there's no way they could be ill-fitting. The Empress was just too happy, which is why she said that.
The crown prince's ceremonial robes were usually worn only on important occasions. If they didn't fit properly, the palace servants who made them would probably be killed.
The Empress admired it carefully before calming down her excited emotions.
The royal family is ruthless. Although she was the empress, she lived in constant fear. There were many women in the harem, each with their own thoughts. Although she always wanted her son to be the crown prince, she dared not take any action. At the same time, she warned her son not to do anything to deceive the emperor.
She and Emperor Zhou were husband and wife in their youth, so she naturally knew him well. If her son did anything wrong, the fate of the current eldest and second princes would also be her fate.