jdhmnovel Chapter 171 The Scheming Emperor
Chapter 171 The Scheming Emperor
Inside the Yongchun Palace in the imperial harem.
The Imperial Noble Consort served the Emperor a bowl of chilled plum and hawthorn soup.
"Your Majesty must be tired after a long day. Please have something cool to cool down." She picked up a fan beside her and personally fanned the emperor, adding, "This is an ancient recipe that I personally found in a book, with some cooling herbs added. Your Majesty, please try it."
The emperor had been in a bad mood these past few days because of the court officials' clamor about choosing an heir. He had little appetite, but the smell of sour plums and hawthorns made him unable to resist taking a small bite.
The Imperial Noble Consort said, "Your Majesty, regarding Yuan'er's matter..."
"I know you are anxious. Doctor Yu is already treating you, so you can rest assured." The emperor's tone was somewhat ambiguous.
The Imperial Noble Consort slowly waved the fan in her hand, smiling almost imperceptibly, "Your Majesty, I understand."
"If Your Majesty enjoys this hawthorn soup, I will prepare it every day, waiting for Your Majesty to come to Yongchun Palace in your spare time."
"Ok?"
"Can't I go to my study?" The emperor suddenly asked, his face darkening.
The Imperial Noble Consort put down her fan, rose, and curtsied. "Your Majesty," she said, "I have been well-versed in history since childhood and am well aware of the differences between the inner palace and the outer court. If I were to go there frequently, I would inevitably encounter things I shouldn't see and hear things I shouldn't hear."
The Imperial Noble Consort stared at her, "If everyone were as obedient and sensible as you, I wouldn't be so angry that I can't eat."
The Imperial Noble Consort looked up. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Why should you let others upset you?"
“Ah, you don’t understand,” the emperor said, “Being the emperor isn’t that easy.”
“But what Your Majesty possesses is something that others may never obtain in their entire lives,” the Imperial Noble Consort said. “The Great Yan’s empire belongs to Your Majesty, so it is inevitable that it will suffer some setbacks.”
The emperor curled his lip, "What you said makes some sense."
He gestured for the Imperial Noble Consort to sit beside him, saying, "Although you don't understand politics, you see things in the court more clearly than I do."
The Imperial Noble Consort lowered her head. "Your Majesty flatters me."
"You needn't be so modest, my beloved consort," the emperor waved his hand. "Do you think what I did was wrong?"
The Imperial Noble Consort shook her head. "His Majesty's actions are all for the sake of his people, so how can he be wrong?"
"Do you know that the Northern Barbarians intend to invade my Great Yan?"
The Imperial Noble Consort was shocked. "I've heard similar rumors in the palace these past few days. Could it be true?"
The emperor laughed, "However, these Northern Barbarians are just nobodies, not enough to warrant a major war. Yet some people say that I need to cede cities to protect Great Yan. Do they all think I'm a fool?"
The Imperial Noble Consort said solemnly, "His Majesty will naturally not entrust the empire to others. If the Northern Di people were to invade and demand money from him at his doorstep, he would understand His Majesty's good intentions."
The Emperor glanced at the Imperial Noble Consort, "Indeed, they don't even understand such a simple principle."
The Imperial Noble Consort comforted him, "Perhaps they have also seen the court dispatch troops, and therefore are not afraid. Your Majesty, please do not let this matter harm your health."
“This matter is of great importance,” the Emperor said. “However, I have not yet found a suitable candidate. Ji You’s White Tiger Army is difficult to subdue, and Ji You is unwilling to send troops for me. The ministers all know to tell me to establish an heir, but they have never been able to come up with a plan for these matters.”
After a moment of contemplation, the Imperial Noble Consort said, "If Your Majesty is worried about unrest in the White Tiger Army, why not wait until Yuan'er wakes up and let him try? After all, he has been training for a long time and is waiting for an opportunity."
The emperor remained indifferent.
What skills could he possibly have?
The Imperial Noble Consort smiled gently, “Although Yuan’er has never been in the military, she is not lacking in skills. If we do not choose Yuan’er, Your Majesty has so many capable people around you, you will surely find a suitable person.”
Her gentle tone soothed the emperor's anxious nature.
He looked at her, an idea forming in his mind.
"Why?"
Inside the imperial study, the eldest princess suddenly stood up.
"Why should I lead the troops?" she raised her voice, and in her excitement, she accidentally knocked over the teacup beside her, spilling tea all over the floor.
The emperor smiled, "Elder sister, don't be in such a hurry."
The princess gestured to the palace maids who came forward to tidy up, and then took out a silk handkerchief to wipe the water stains off her clothes.
She softened her tone, "Why has Your Majesty made such a decision?"
"I really have no other choice but my elder sister," the emperor said seriously. "Wei Zhuo of the Northern Di is bullying us because we have no one to rely on, while the court officials are just pushing and shoving. After thinking it over, I still think my elder sister is the most suitable."
"I also hope that my elder sister can share my burdens and solve my problems."
The princess put down her handkerchief. "But I haven't been to the army camp in a long time."
"The anniversary of the late Empress Dowager's death is approaching soon, and a memorial service should be held."
"My elder sister's abilities are evident to all," the Emperor said solemnly. "She has served in the army since childhood, but was prevented by our father. This time, her wish has been fulfilled."
"The memorial ceremony for Zhuanqing will be held in a few days, so there is no need for you to worry, Your Highness."
The eldest princess remained silent, her face showing great distress.
The emperor glanced at her. "Imperial sister, are you unwilling?"
The eldest princess shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "What Your Majesty says? How could I possibly refuse? My carefree life these past years is entirely thanks to Your Majesty's protection."
"Now that His Majesty needs me, how can I stand idly by? I see you constantly worrying about the affairs of the state, and I am deeply concerned as well. However, when I lead troops, I need a supervisor. Does His Majesty intend to send the Prince of Liang?"
The emperor countered, "Who does my elder sister wish to be?"
The eldest princess sighed deeply, "Military affairs are of utmost importance, why would His Majesty joke with me? In my opinion, although the Prince of Liang is a general of the White Tiger Army, he still has some shortcomings in his abilities."
"Whom does Your Majesty want to send?"
After thinking for a moment, the eldest princess suggested, "The General of the Flying Cavalry stationed in the south is a brave and skilled general. Why not choose him to lead the troops?"
The emperor snorted, "Do you think I haven't thought about this?"
“Lu Pingsheng has never fought in the north. If we rashly send him to be a commander, I am afraid that the place he was originally stationed will be lost.”
The eldest princess frowned. "Then is there really no suitable candidate?"
“So,” the emperor continued, “I entrust this to you, my elder sister. In battle, Ji You will charge into battle, while you will need to stay and oversee things.”
The princess could only lower her head. "Your Majesty, please rest assured, although I am not on good terms with him, I will obey Your Majesty's orders and will not jeopardize important matters."
“Of course I trust my elder sister,” the Emperor said, looking at her, “but Ji You’s temperament is truly wild. If he is defeated, so be it; but if he returns victorious, I intend to hand over command of the White Tiger Army to my elder sister, and he will no longer need to fight.”
"That's good." The eldest princess breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "His Majesty's choice is truly brilliant. Since he doesn't have military power, even if he wants to stir up trouble, there's nothing he can do."
Seeing that his elder sister understood his good intentions so well, the emperor said, "The northern lands are not like the capital, so it will naturally be more difficult. I'm sorry for the hardship, elder sister. As for the consort, I'll let him stay in the capital and wait for your triumphant return."
"His Majesty is so thoughtful," the Princess said with a smile. "He is so delicate, and I can't bear to see him suffer."
"Your Majesty should not forget the anniversary of the late Empress Dowager's death. I remember it on her behalf."
The emperor knew that the eldest princess had a good relationship with the late empress, so he dared not neglect her death anniversary. If he did, the court officials would start to complain.
"Understood," the emperor said with a smile.