With this in mind, Old Ge said: “His Majesty is wise, and succession is naturally determined by imperial judgment. Though the Crown Prince has shortcomings, he also has his strengths. If properly nurtured by Your Majesty, he could still be of assistance.”
Hearing this, Emperor Chunde suddenly raised his eyes to look at his teacher: “My mentor has stayed away from worldly affairs for years. If not for your wife’s serious illness requiring treatment from imperial physicians, you wouldn’t have even entered the palace to see me. Yet today you’ve praised the Fourth Prince several times. Could it be… that my mentor has discovered some exceptional qualities in him?”
Old Ge inwardly sighed: he knew why His Majesty had assigned him to teach the Crown Prince—because he was convinced the youth was hopeless mud that couldn’t stick to a wall, and would amount to nothing even with a famous teacher’s guidance.
The appointment served two purposes beyond the Emperor’s nostalgia and desire for an excuse to keep him in the palace as a companion. It also used his prestigious title as Imperial Tutor to bolster the weakened Crown Prince’s position, thus balancing power between the Empress’s and Consort’s factions.
For this reason, when other princes joined the study at the beginning, Ge Danian, not wanting to participate in the princes’ covert struggles, simply remained perpetually drunk to avoid the Emperor’s suspicion.
His Majesty valued loyalty. In his youth, he had a reputation for extraordinary righteousness, associating with many capable and honorable men.
Thus, Emperor Chunde had always been lenient and kind to those who had assisted his ascension to the throne, whether civil or military officials.
Even after… that incident years ago… he had remained merciful to his first wife’s Ye family until now…
But this mercy depended on acknowledging imperial grace and knowing propriety. Ge Danian understood that if he employed his cunning strategies as in the past to help a certain prince ascend, His Majesty would certainly not tolerate it.
Alert in his heart, Old Ge maintained his composure outwardly, continuing his praise: “As Crown Prince, he naturally surpasses the other princes. Though his writing is somewhat lacking, his painting is first-rate. Some days ago, he mentioned plans to draw a panorama of the capital, depicting the city’s prosperity. If completed and presented to Your Majesty… My wife and I have no children and lack the joy of family. The Crown Prince’s filial piety makes this old man envious!”
Hearing this, His Majesty frowned—this unworthy boy, not studying but indulging in painting, was still engrossed in irrelevant pursuits.
Moreover, the boy’s paintings, like his horsemanship, were utterly worthless. Despite his boasting, by the time the painting was completed, his father might already be in his coffin!
Old Ge probably didn’t want to contradict him as a father and was merely offering insincere praise for the fool.
However, Old Ge’s expressed envy seemed genuine.
The Emperor sighed softly: he detested the Fourth Prince’s lack of masculinity, finding his softness despicable! But A’yuan’s filial piety was indeed sincere and pure. The taste of that bowl of noodles still lingered on his tongue.
The mention of filial devotion by Old Ge slightly softened the Emperor’s heart. He realized that he was still healthy and in his prime; there was no need to hastily discuss deposition and succession.
No matter how inadequate the Fourth Prince was, he hadn’t committed unforgivable sins. After all, he was his offspring, and he should see if his son could improve.
If the Crown Prince remained pure-hearted and sensible, staying away from his maternal clan, cultivating virtue, and avoiding being led astray, how could he, as a father, not secure a peaceful future as a prince for his son, allowing him to establish his lineage?
Speaking of establishing lineage, the Emperor suddenly remembered that the Crown Prince was already seventeen.
Although he could marry in two years, it was time to select a Crown Princess. There was no need to make a final decision about the succession yet. Better to observe a while longer.
And wait for those specters to reveal their thoughts a bit more…
The next day, Emperor Chunde hinted to Empress Tang that although the Crown Prince had not yet come of age, it was time to fill the Eastern Palace by selecting daughters from official families as potential crown consorts, awaiting the future formal appointment of a Crown Princess.
After receiving the decree, Empress Tang couldn’t help but rub her temples.
Previously, the Emperor’s neglect of the Crown Prince had been worrisome, but now his sudden attention and care made it difficult to keep up.
She just hoped this fake phoenix of a Crown Prince wouldn’t reveal his true identity in front of a group of young ladies.
But the selection process couldn’t be neglected.
Years ago, when the Empress had delayed in bearing children, her father, as head of the Tang family, had mentioned several times his wish to send beautiful girls from the family into the palace to secure the Emperor’s favor for her.
She knew she had been merely a concubine’s daughter in the Tang family, not highly regarded. That’s why the Tang family’s legitimate daughters had been married to prestigious princes, while she alone had been given to an overlooked prince.
Fortunately, His Majesty had proven exceptional, defeating numerous princes to stand out. Now that the cold stove burned hot, how could she relinquish her position?
So when her father had repeatedly hinted about sending Tang family women to fill the imperial harem, she had rejected each suggestion, only to be mocked by her father for having a narrow vision and not understanding the bigger picture.
Later, after finally giving birth to Feng Qiyuan, she had secured her position as Empress and could firmly refuse other Tang family girls from entering the palace.
After all, the Crown Prince was now the Tang family’s only hope.
And the child-swapping incident from years ago was known only to her and her trusted old servant, not even to her father.
However, selecting concubines for the Emperor and selecting a wife for the Crown Prince were two different matters.
Although the Empress privately had many complaints about her father and maternal clan pushing women into the imperial harem, having Feng Qiyuan marry a Tang family girl would be ideal.
After all, the children born afterward, like herself, would share Tang family blood. That would create a closer bond.
As for how to consummate the marriage after the wedding, there was no need to worry. After all, the real Feng Qiyuan was still alive. Even if that useless boy disliked women, with a packet of aphrodisiac and the lights out, things could be accomplished.
Thus, the matter of the selection required the Crown Prince’s participation, going through the formalities.
On the day of the selection, Feng Qiyuan waited in the Empress’s palace, bored, adjusting his attire in a bronze mirror. Suddenly, a childish voice came from nearby: “Crown Prince, your appearance is extraordinary. This humble brother wishes Your Highness finds a worthy spouse.”
Yan Xiaoying turned to see Sixth Prince Feng Qiruo kneeling nearby, precociously paying his respects.
This young Sixth Prince was quite remarkable. After being raised under the Empress’s care, his every word and action seemed to take the Crown Prince as a cautionary example. Whether memorizing texts or accepting punishment, he never complained. Even when the Empress spoke harshly, he maintained a respectful, teachable demeanor, seemingly content.
This pleased the Empress considerably, often praising that raising a clever child wasn’t such a troublesome task after all.
However, a child too sensible inevitably loses innocence, becoming somewhat less endearing.
Yan Xiaoying bent down to pinch the Sixth Prince’s cheek: “A’Ruo is so young, what do you know about worthy spouses?”
The Sixth Prince seemed to want to dodge but endured, wooden-faced, allowing his royal brother to “mistreat” him, respectfully saying: “Those entering the palace today have all been carefully selected by Mother Empress—daughters of noble families and meritorious officials—naturally all worthy matches. However, the universally acknowledged most talented is Tang Ru, the youngest daughter of the Tang family’s second branch. Raised by her grandmother in the Tang family since childhood, her talents, musical skills, and appearance are outstanding. Even Grandmother Tang praises her character and learning as most similar to Mother Empress. If she becomes Crown Princess, it would surely meet everyone’s expectations…”
Yan Xiaoying rolled her eyes, looking somewhat playfully at the child who answered with lowered head, though her tone carried feigned alarm: “What? She… her temperament resembles Mother Empress? Wouldn’t that make her… wouldn’t that make her… unapproachable?”
Feng Xiaoliu lowered his head further, timely concealing the triumphant gleam in his eyes.
He had eavesdropped on palace ladies’ idle chat and heard that the Crown Prince had previously interacted with the Empress like a mouse encountering a cat. And daily, Mother Empress showed no particular kindness toward the Crown Prince.
If the timid Crown Prince were to choose a consort, how could he willingly select another fierce cat to share his bed?
If the Crown Prince resisted, showing unwillingness to marry the Tang family girl, he would surely offend the Empress and be despised by her!
The Crown Prince was nearly deposed, and he, fostered under the Empress’s knee, had promising prospects. But with the Crown Prince’s return from confinement, the Sixth Prince knew he could not compare to a biological child and needed to use some cunning to outshine the Crown Prince.
Just as Feng Qiruo knelt with his head lowered, secretly pleased, suddenly a face appeared ghost-like before him.
The Sixth Prince, his smile not yet faded, was startled, jerking backward and falling to the ground.
The Crown Prince had disregarded decorum, crawling on the ground like a frog to secretly peer at his face.
“Your… Your Highness, what are you doing?”
“I thought A’Ruo never smiled naturally, but it turns out you only smile behind people’s backs! Come, smile again for your royal brother. Oh my, these little cheeks, how adorable!”
Feng Qiruo had previously endured much bullying and ridicule from palace servants under Shen Jieyu’s care. He prided himself on patience, remaining unmoved by favor or disgrace, but his royal brother’s outrageous behavior was truly unbearable!
Gritting his teeth as he rose, he forced a smile: “Your Highness, stop teasing this brother. Those noble ladies are still waiting for Your Highness!”
But the troublemaker Crown Prince refused to stand, only leisurely reclining with his head propped on one hand, saying playfully: “For a wife, beyond virtue, beauty is essential. In my view, Duke Ding’s legitimate daughter Mu Yanyan is the most beautiful. Don’t you agree?”
Hearing this, Feng Qiruo once again couldn’t control his face, wanting to smile: this foolish royal brother! How bold! He could choose anyone, but dared to pick Mu Hanjiang’s legitimate sister. That famously beautiful tigress of the capital might break the Crown Prince’s leg on their wedding night to avenge her brother!
Just as Yan Xiaoying was about to continue evaluating the beauties, Song Ao entered with a cold face, looking disdainfully at the Crown Prince lying on the ground, urging him to quickly proceed to the front hall.
Yan Xiaoying rose, brushing off the dust, then flicked the Sixth Prince’s forehead before following Song Ao with a smile. Song Ao reminded her in a low voice not to forget the Empress’s instructions.
“Today’s attendees are all noble ladies from prestigious families. The Crown Prince must give these young women sufficient respect. During the selection, hesitate a while, acting as if the choice is difficult, then place the hairpin bestowed by the Empress on the Tang family girl.”
The Eastern Palace Crown Prince represented the Empress and naturally had to respect the officials’ daughters. Although Tang Ru was predetermined, they needed to maintain appearances.
Song Ao, fearing the wild girl might neglect the honored guests, admonished with a cold face all the way.
But looking at the girl’s carefree manner, she wasn’t sure if she had remembered.
Song Ao added: “To avoid mistaking the person, the Tang family girl will come to pay respects shortly. You should recognize her.”
Just then, a woman approached, dressed in red with maidservants surrounding her. Seeing the Crown Prince, she haughtily ignored him, merely offering a perfunctory bow before addressing Song Ao: “My mother has sent nourishing tonics for the Empress. Please keep them for me. After the selection ends, I will personally present them to Her Majesty.”
Song Ao’s old face bloomed with a smile as she agreed, complimenting Lady A’Ru on her radiance today.
This appeared to be the frontrunner for Crown Princess—Tang Ru.
Yan Xiaoying smiled, joining the conversation: “Cousin Tang, it’s been a long time.”
Tang Ru, who had frequented the palace since childhood as a Tang family noble lady and enjoyed the Empress’s favor, considered herself more prestigious than a princess.
Having often witnessed the Empress scolding the Crown Prince, she had developed contempt over time and, when younger, had frequently joined family children in bullying Feng Qiyuan.
Because of this, Feng Qiyuan’s legs trembled at the sight of her.
Tang Ru, accustomed to looking down on the bean sprout Crown Prince, found the thought of her effeminate future husband less than satisfactory.
She cast a sidelong glance at Yan Xiaoying, perfunctorily bowing again before preparing to leave as usual.
Yan Xiaoying, seemingly provoked by her disdain, couldn’t help but mock: “If you have an eye affliction that forces you to look at people sideways, why enter the palace and embarrass yourself? Better to return home for treatment!”
Song Ao, seeing the girl about to lose her temper, frantically signaled with her eyes to Yan Xiaoying.
Tang Ru, constrained by Song Ao’s presence, moved her jaw, suppressing her anger to retort: “The Crown Prince, unseen for years, has become quite talkative. When I see the Empress later, I’ll imitate Your Highness’s words for her to judge whether they are appropriate.”