Yu Jin’s words rang out forcefully, but Jiang Si merely laughed in response.
“What’s so funny? Do you think I’m all talk?” Yu Jin was displeased at being taken lightly by his wife.
Jiang Si stopped laughing. “We’re of one mind, my dear. We needn’t fear contending with those people. But isn’t saying you’ll become Crown Prince as quickly as possible a bit hasty?”
With the Prince of Jin exiled to guard the imperial tombs and the former Crown Prince executed for treason, the position of heir apparent now lay vacant, closely watched by ambitious individuals. Emperor Jingming likely wouldn’t make a hasty decision.
The struggle for succession was typically a long and brutal process.
Yu Jin scoffed. “Ah Si, you underestimate me. Look at Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother – they’re practically drooling over the Crown Prince position, yet they dare not make a move, thinking themselves cautious. Hah! Is that caution? It’s stupidity! To truly win, excessive scheming is useless. Seizing the key point is what matters most.”
Infected by his confidence, Jiang Si couldn’t help but smile. “Ah Jin, then tell me, what is the key point?”
Yu Jin took a sip of tea, his expression serene, as if not discussing the heart-stopping matter of succession. “The key, of course, is the Empress.”
Jiang Si’s expression turned serious. “The Empress?”
It was interesting that in their discussion of this matter, each had a key figure in mind – for her, it was the Empress Dowager; for Ah Jin, the Empress.
Yu Jin leaned closer, asking casually, “Ah Si, what do you think Father Emperor values most in choosing an heir?”
Jiang Si pondered briefly before answering, “The position of heir is crucial. Father Emperor would consider many aspects, such as the prince’s virtue, ability… but I believe he values legitimacy most.”
Yu Jin’s eyes flickered with appreciation as he nodded at Jiang Si. “Correct, it’s legitimacy. In matters of succession, the Father is very traditional. You can see this from how he treated the former Crown Prince. That good-for-nothing… Father kept propping him up time and again, even when he wasn’t fit for the role. In the end, when he was truly beyond salvaging, Father was still reluctant to replace him. Why? Simply because he was born of the late Empress Yuan.”
Jiang Si deeply agreed.
Truth be told, it was good for an emperor to value legitimacy, especially in such an important matter as choosing an heir. Basing the decision purely on personal preference would be irresponsible. Unfortunately, Emperor Jingming had been unlucky, stuck with a legitimate son who was an utter disappointment.
If only the former Crown Prince had possessed even average intelligence, the situation wouldn’t have devolved to this point.
She vaguely guessed Yu Jin’s meaning. “Ah Jin, do you intend to use the Empress to gain eligibility in the succession race?”
Yu Jin shook his head. “I don’t just want eligibility. I want to be the most legitimate candidate, leaving Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother to continue drooling helplessly.”
He wiped his face, chuckling self-deprecatingly. “I never had such ambitions before, content with a carefree life. But then I realized there were so many mountains pressing down on us. That freedom was false, that ease was an illusion. True freedom comes only from the highest position. But once the succession struggle begins, there’s no turning back. I can’t risk putting you in danger.”
Yu Jin reached out to hold Jiang Si’s hand. His hand was large and warm, bringing comfort.
Jiang Si’s expression softened as she listened intently.
Yu Jin’s self-deprecating smile deepened. “Ah Si, I’m not afraid of you laughing at me. Since I’ve decided to vie for that position, I’m prepared to cast aside my dignity. Those who cling to righteousness and morality aren’t fit for such a brutal contest.”
“What do you plan to do?” Jiang Si asked calmly.
As long as certain bottom lines were maintained, losing face wasn’t an issue. As Ah Jin said, true gentlemen wouldn’t fight for the position of Crown Prince; they would quietly wait for the Emperor’s decision.
And that was truly laughable.
Since they had decided to wade into these muddy waters, there was no point in hiding behind a veil of lofty morality. Did they expect the throne to simply fall into their laps without employing any tactics? If so, Ah Jin would have to be Heaven’s son, not Emperor Jingming’s.
Yu Jin turned his gaze to the window.
Outside, plum blossoms were in full bloom, their subtle fragrance drifting in. In another month, all of nature would be stirring back to life.
Yu Jin spoke softly, “Noble Consort Xian has never truly regarded me as her son. And the Empress still lacks a son, doesn’t she?”
As mentioned before, given Yu Jin’s upbringing, he cared little for conventional ethics. In his view, only those who treated him well deserved his loyalty, not someone who claimed the right to hurt those he cared about simply because she had given birth to him.
From the moment he learned of Noble Consort Xian’s plot against Jiang Si’s life, she ceased to be his mother in his heart.
Acknowledging another as his mother might seem somewhat pathetic, but it was indeed the quickest way to cut through this tangled mess. It would prevent unknown dangers from befalling his wife during a prolonged succession struggle.
“This benefits both the Empress and me,” Yu Jin finished, then looked anxiously at Jiang Si. “Ah Si, do you think I’m being too unscrupulous?”
“A bit,” Jiang Si replied.
Yu Jin’s expression changed slightly, but then Jiang Si smiled and said, “Ah Jin, I’m not one to act self-righteous after benefiting from your actions. If you think this is appropriate, then do it.”
If not for her, Ah Jin would likely have been content as a carefree, willful prince – the kind who would throw a punch without hesitation if he felt like it.
But now he was willing to fight tooth and nail for her sake. If she were to look down on him for this, she’d truly be out of her mind.
Yu Jin’s lips curved upward, his eyes brightening.
“But the Empress has maintained a detached attitude all these years, showing no inclination to adopt a son,” Jiang Si reminded him.
Yu Jin smiled. “The Empress is indeed clever. Childless for so many years, she recognized Father’s emphasis on legitimacy, so she refrained from futile competition.”
“Yes, Father respects the Empress. Even without vying for anything, her position in the palace remains unshakable.”
“But in the future, would an Empress Dowager with only adopted sons have as secure a position as one whose son became Emperor?” Yu Jin’s gaze shifted from the red plum blossoms outside back to Jiang Si’s face. “It wouldn’t be difficult for the Empress to develop such thoughts.”
Only a clay figure would truly abstain from all ambition, certainly not someone who had survived so long in the imperial palace.
“So you already have a plan?” Jiang Si couldn’t hide her curiosity. “Tell me about it.”
Yu Jin suddenly winked, his serious demeanor vanishing. “Come, serve your lord well, and I’ll tell you.”
Jiang Si raised an eyebrow, uttering only one word: “Huh.”
Though Yu Jin was used to being outmaneuvered by his wife, it didn’t stop him from persisting shamelessly. He clung to her, saying, “Hurry up, or I really won’t tell you.”
“You really won’t tell me?”
“Really.”
“Fine then.” Jiang Si suddenly lowered the bed curtains and pushed him down.
After a while, the man’s slightly hoarse voice, tinged with breathlessness, broke the silence: “What next?”
The woman’s voice replied teasingly, “What next? There is no next, of course. Since you won’t tell me anyway, I’ll go comfort Ah Huan instead.”
Yu Jin: “…”