Beyond the long pavilion, a row of leafless trees stretched to the end of the road, standing like solemn soldiers on guard.
In Beijing’s second month, the air still carried a chill.
Jiang Si had intended to return to the Earl of Dongping’s residence to share a simple meal with her father and elder sister, but Jiang Ancheng stopped her: “It’s better to return to the Prince’s mansion and rest early. You’re with child now, don’t go running about everywhere.”
He had heard that the Princess Consort of Prince Qi had miscarried after attending the New Year’s family banquet at the palace. It was safest for pregnant women to stay at home.
Seeing Jiang Ancheng’s insistence, Jiang Si didn’t persist and returned to Prince Yan’s mansion with Yu Jin.
Erniu happily came out to greet them, circling Jiang Si twice and barking twice at her swollen belly, as if greeting the future young master.
Yu Jin glared at Erniu and said to Jiang Si, “Walk slowly.”
Jiang Si was six months pregnant, yet unlike most expectant mothers, she wasn’t cumbersome or inconvenienced. Apart from her slightly protruding belly, she still had slender arms and legs, walking with grace.
She slowed her pace, strolling in the garden with Yu Jin.
The garden was already showing signs of green, with apricot blossoms blooming in profusion at the corners of the walls.
“Asi, don’t worry. I’ve written to my friend in the Southern Frontier, asking him to take special care of Jiang Zhan and secretly assign someone to follow him,” Yu Jin said.
“Mm, I just hope Second Brother returns soon.”
Mentioning Jiang Zhan’s journey, Jiang Si couldn’t help but worry, though she knew she couldn’t stop him.
Seeing Jiang Si’s smile, Yu Jin placed his hand on her small belly and asked happily, “What do you think we should name our child?”
“We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet, how can we name it?”
“Let’s choose a milk name first. I’ve already thought about it. If it’s a boy, we’ll call him Ali, and if it’s a girl, we’ll call her Ajiao. What do you think?”
Erniu, who had been following behind the couple, became agitated and raised his head, barking twice.
Naming the young master Ali? He didn’t agree!
Yu Jin, already accustomed to Erniu’s occasional outbursts, glared at him before turning back to await Jiang Si’s response.
Jiang Si nodded with a smile, “Both Ali and Ajiao are nice. Let’s go with those.”
A thud sounded, and they both turned to see Erniu sprawled on the ground, looking utterly dejected.
As a dog with opinions, he couldn’t accept the young master being called Ali!
While Prince Yan’s mansion remained calm, turbulent undercurrents stirred beyond its walls.
The ministers, who had long been eager to act, finally raised the request to establish a Crown Prince.
Whenever Emperor Jingming held court, several officials would inevitably stand up to mention the matter of establishing a Crown Prince.
If the Emperor’s attitude was soft, the ministers would become aggressive, showing a readiness to crash into pillars if their demands weren’t met.
If the Emperor’s attitude was cold and unyielding, the ministers would weep and wail, crying out that with the position of heir apparent vacant, the kingdom was unstable, and they couldn’t be the sinners of the Great Zhou for the sake of personal glory.
Back in the Imperial Study, Emperor Jingming slammed the table furiously, cursing, “These bastards, every one of them acts better than the performers on stage! If they’re so talented, why don’t they go sing in the opera!”
Pan Hai silently picked up the fallen novel from the ground, tucking it under a pile of memorials without responding to the Emperor’s outburst.
Matters concerning the establishment of a Crown Prince were not something he could comment on.
Emperor Jingming, still unable to quell his anger, continued pounding the table, “I’m not seventy or eighty years old yet! The position of Crown Prince has been vacant for less than half a year, and these bastards are already so impatient. Establish a Crown Prince? Who do they want to establish? Prince Jin or Prince Qi?”
The Emperor’s voice had risen quite high, and the eunuchs standing at the door lowered their eyes and held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
“Your Majesty, please don’t upset yourself. The ministers are just concerned about the welfare of the state…” Pan Hai hurriedly tried to calm the Emperor, fearing he might fall ill from anger.
Emperor Jingming raised an eyebrow, “The welfare of the state? Whose kingdom is this, and whose state? Who to establish as Crown Prince and when to do so, I have my plans. It’s not for them to pressure me!”
The next day at court, when a minister once again raised the issue of establishing a Crown Prince, the enraged Emperor Jingming lashed out with these words.
After a moment of silence in the hall, the Censor who had spoken out continued passionately, “Your Majesty’s words are mistaken. We are all subjects of the Great Zhou, eating the Emperor’s grain and bearing the Emperor’s worries. We cannot stand idly by while Your Majesty hesitates. That would be irresponsible to the state—”
“You!” Emperor Jingming, rarely angered, pointed at the Censor. Before he could rebuke further, his vision suddenly darkened, and he slumped to one side.
The court immediately erupted into chaos.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty—”
Amidst the commotion, Pan Hai appeared in the great hall, his face ashen.
The buzzing discussions immediately ceased, and the ministers surrounded Pan Hai, eagerly inquiring, “Eunuch Pan, how is His Majesty?”
Pan Hai coldly replied, “Rest assured, gentlemen. His Majesty is merely overworked. The Imperial Physician says he needs to rest quietly for a few days, but there’s no serious concern.”
The ministers collectively sighed in relief, “That’s good, that’s good.”
“Gentlemen, please disperse now.”
Some officials began to leave, but many more remained standing, “Eunuch Pan, will there be court tomorrow?”
Pan Hai rolled his eyes and said, “His Majesty needs to rest and won’t be holding court for now. His Majesty said that if any of you have matters to discuss, just write them in a memorial and submit it…”
Returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Pan Hai looked at Emperor Jingming lying on the couch and quietly sighed.
Being an emperor wasn’t easy either, not only fainting from anger but also having to feign illness to avoid the ministers’ pressure.
“Have they all dispersed?”
“They have.”
“Good, don’t let them bother me these next few days!”
Pan Hai thought for a moment and reminded him, “Your Majesty, since you’re claiming to be ill and resting, the princes and princesses will surely come to visit. When that happens—”
“Let them in when they come,” Emperor Jingming said calmly.
The establishment of a Crown Prince was indeed unavoidable. He might as well use this time to think it through carefully.
As soon as news of Emperor Jingming’s “illness” spread, Prince Jin was secretly delighted.
Ever since Princess Consort Qi’s miscarriage, his fourth brother seemed to have suffered a significant blow and showed signs of giving up.
With Father Emperor ill, if his health were to worsen, a Crown Prince would need to be established quickly, increasing his chances.
Although Prince Jin wanted to immediately go and attend to the Emperor to win his favor, he felt that being the first to visit might seem too eager. So he restrained himself, waiting for others to make a move before acting.
Prince Qi thought the same way.
The bird that sticks its head out gets shot first – he always remembered this saying.
Moreover, he wanted to lull Prince Jin into thinking he had lost the will to compete for the throne, so it wouldn’t be good to appear too enthusiastic.
The first to visit Emperor Jingming was Yu Jin.
Emperor Jingming was surprised but quite pleased.
As father and son were talking, Pan Hai reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Jin has brought the Crown Prince to see you.”
“Let them in.”
Soon after, Prince Jin entered with his son and paid respects to Emperor Jingming.
Emperor Jingming’s gaze fell on Prince Jin’s son, young master Fu.
Fu’er was a shy child who instinctively feared his imperial grandfather, and he hid behind Prince Jin.
Prince Jin’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was anxious: This child Fu’er truly doesn’t know how to be endearing!
Just as he was about to say something, the eunuch announced, “Prince Jing has brought his heir to pay respects to Your Majesty.”