Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 784 - 620: Struggle for the Crown Prince’s Position
Actually, this was a veiled threat: taking care of Gu Wanfang was one, and using him as a bargaining chip was the other.
If Gu Changbai wanted Gu Wanfang to pursue an official career, he must agree not to come to the Capital to find him before Gu Wanfang passed the Advanced Scholar exam.
He could not support Gu Changbai’s whole family; keeping Gu Wanfang was only because of his decent aptitude and temperament.
For someone like Gu Changbai, Gu Chengyu had been tolerant enough, sending him off to the Yingnan Mansion to settle things once and for all.
After sending Gu Changbai and the others back to Yingnan Mansion, Gu Chengyu finally had a few peaceful days.
Ye Zhiqiu’s spicy hotpot shop had opened, and Gu Chengyu brought some colleagues he knew to support it twice.
On this day, at the Taihe Palace, as usual, the morning court meeting was in session.
"Do any of the esteemed ministers have memorials to report?" After discussing the state affairs, the Emperor intended to dismiss the court.
"I have a matter to report, please allow me to speak!" From the left side, Left Deputy Imperial Censor Qian Licao stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor.
"Permission granted!" The Emperor glanced at Qian Licao and then nodded.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant believes that the matter of establishing a Crown Prince has been delayed for too long. I urge Your Majesty to establish a Crown Prince soon to stabilize the court’s framework!"
The Emperor slightly closed his eyes. These days, courtiers urging him to establish a Crown Prince had become overwhelming.
It seemed that the issue of establishing a Crown Prince should not be delayed any longer, as the court ministers were already very dissatisfied; a Crown Prince had to be established.
"I second the motion! The Eastern Palace has long been without a master, which is detrimental to the country’s stability. Your Majesty, I earnestly request you to establish a Crown Prince soon to manage affairs and guide the governance of the nation!"
"We second the motion!"
The Eldest Prince and the Third Prince standing at the forefront smirked; the time was ripe, and they had waited long enough.
The Second Prince and the Fourth Prince appeared composed, but what they felt in their hearts was unknown.
The Emperor looked at the officials kneeling on the ground and was extremely furious.
It’s not that he didn’t want to establish a Crown Prince, but among these four Princes, who should he choose?
The Emperor had been vacillating between these Princes, feeling that none of them was suitable for the throne of the Crown Prince.
The Emperor laughed angrily, "Then which Prince do you esteemed ministers believe is suitable to become the master of the Eastern Palace?"
The Taihe Palace fell silent; seeing the Emperor suppressing his anger, no one dared to step forward.
"Qian Aiqing, since you brought this up, what do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Qian Licao’s body trembled, and his gaze swept over the Princes at the front, pausing for a moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant believes that the Second Prince, born of the Central Palace, is gentle, humble, and worthy, making him the ideal choice for the Eastern Palace."
Qian Licao’s words made the Second Prince frown. Mr. Qian was too anxious; such eagerness might make the Emperor feel that he could not wait any longer.
Although other ministers had previously brought up the matter of establishing a Crown Prince, the Emperor had deflected them.
But saying it outright now seemed like a blatant ambition for the throne, inevitably displeasing to the Emperor.
Moreover, there’s likely to be something major happening later; proposing it now would only make the Emperor think he was too impatient, yielding no results.
With a flash in his old sharp eyes, the Emperor said, "Oh? The Second?"
"Please allow me to speak, Your Majesty. Your humble servant also has words to say."
At this moment, Vice Minister of Ministry of Justice Huo Huai Zhong also stepped forward from the left side and bowed to the Emperor.
"Huo Aiqing, do you have any objections to Qian Aiqing’s view?" The Emperor cast a glance at the Second Prince, making him shiver all over.
Was his father displeased with him? The Second Prince muttered incessantly in his heart.
"In reply to Your Majesty, although the Second Prince is of legitimate birth, his character is too gentle and not decisive enough in handling matters. I fear he may not be able to assume the position of Crown Prince," Huo Huai Zhong said.
These words drew angry glares from the Second Prince’s faction, but Huo Huai Zhong was fearless of confrontation. He originally sided with the Third Prince, and now at this critical moment, he certainly needed to exert his power.
To achieve esteemed ministerial status and enjoy wealth and glory in the future, some sacrifices must be made. Offending the Second Prince was nothing.
After all, he had long offended him; Huo Huai Zhong was not afraid.
The Emperor straightened his body and looked at Huo Huai Zhong, "Then, according to Huo Aiqing, who is capable?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, your humble servant thinks the Third Prince is capable of this great responsibility! The Third Prince is intelligent, fair in his dealings, and is an excellent choice."
These words made many ministers present sneer.
The Third Prince might have some wit, but thinking he could be the Crown Prince was far-fetched.
In the past, regarding Wan Xue Nian’s incident, there were shrewd and capable people in the court; some officials had long guessed that the Third Prince took ruthless actions.
He was the Third Prince’s maternal grandfather, after all! Before anything could happen, the Third Prince was eager to get rid of him for fear of implicating himself. Such conduct could only chill the heart.
Would anyone trust such a ruthless person, if he were to ascend to great power, not to abandon those who helped him?
Only those who had initially followed the Third Prince’s faction were still supporting him. They had boarded the Third Prince’s pirate ship, and even if they wanted to get off, no Prince could take them under their wing anymore.
After all, the open and covert contests had already soured relations, and other Princes wouldn’t dare to use anyone who betrayed their former master.
"An excellent choice? Mr. Huo’s words seem biased!" Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites Bian Shengrong laughed coldly.
He stepped forward, saluted the Emperor, and said, "Your Majesty! The Eldest Prince, as the firstborn, is resolute, always performing tasks you entrusted with utmost effort. Previously, when you were unwell, he attended to you daily, embodying both loyalty and filial piety, also showing love towards his younger brothers, and conducts himself righteously. Your humble servant believes the Crown Prince’s position can be fully entrusted to the Eldest Prince."
Bian Shengrong’s words made several officials present twitch their mouths; he truly had thick skin.
Praising as if he was unparalleled, as though the Eldest Prince had no faults.
But everyone knew the Eldest Prince was cruel; while decisive and capable, he lacked magnanimity.
"Does any esteemed minister have further suggestions? Feel free to speak candidly."
The Emperor’s expression was ambiguous, as these people were already impatient, seemingly ready to fully confront today.
Since it had started, the Emperor also wanted to know which officials secretly supported these Princes.
The factions of the three Princes were competing, and naturally, these three couldn’t stay indifferent, growing somewhat restless.
Only the Fourth Prince remained unfazed, snorting coldly in his heart; the chance of him becoming the Crown Prince was slim.
Even if the officials supporting him spoke fervently like the others, his father still wouldn’t list him as a candidate for Crown Prince.
So he might as well save his energy and not waste words.
Moreover, the road ahead is long; what is the Crown Prince position? His ultimate aim was that throne.
The Fourth Prince glanced at the Dragon Throne, making a silent vow in his heart.
Previously hiding and carefully planning was the reason his brothers still had a chance to compete here.
Wasn’t it just because he was soft-hearted and couldn’t strike? From now on, he wouldn’t hold back anymore.
