Emperor Jingming had not intended to consult with the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court when he summoned him to the palace. He merely meant to inform him. He hadn’t expected the elderly minister to still be so unaware, which displeased him somewhat.
What was this? The Empress, princes, and princesses were enough for him to worry about, and now he had to placate his old uncle too?
The old Minister, clearly unaware of the Emperor’s displeasure, persisted, “Your Majesty, the Son of Heaven has no private family matters!”
Emperor Jingming’s smile faded as he replied coolly, “If the Son of Heaven had no family matters, the Six Ministries and Nine Chief Ministers would suffice. What need would there be for the Imperial Clan Court?”
The old Minister was stunned into silence.
If he continued, wouldn’t he be arguing for the obsolescence of the Imperial Clan Court? That was too frightening—
“But Your Majesty… how did you suddenly think of this?” After a moment’s hesitation, the old Minister couldn’t help but ask.
Could it be that he, the dignified Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, was just a figurehead, expected to agree to any unreasonable demand from the Emperor?
In the previous emperor’s time, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court could even file complaints at the ancestral temple…
The old Minister felt increasingly indignant.
Emperor Jingming raised an eyebrow and said, “Uncle Wang, your words pain me. Do you think of me as someone who acts on whims and makes unreasonable demands?”
The old Minister’s mouth twitched. He wanted to say, “Yes, you are!” But of course, he didn’t dare. Instead, he replied against his conscience, “Of course, Your Majesty is not such a person.”
Emperor Jingming appeared relieved. “I’m glad Uncle understands me. This matter has been carefully considered…”
Pan Hai, standing to the side, silently looked to the heavens.
So this was how “careful consideration” was used.
“But Your Majesty—”
Emperor Jingming calmly interrupted the old Minister, “Uncle, do you object to the Empress having a son of her own?”
The old Minister was once again at a loss for words.
After all, the Emperor himself had been adopted by the Empress Dowager. If he openly opposed adopting a prince under the Empress’s name now, how could the Emperor be pleased?
Age brings wisdom, and someone who had held the position of Minister of the Imperial Clan Court for so long certainly wouldn’t be blindly stubborn.
After calming down, the old Minister understood that Emperor Jingming’s decision was final and unchangeable.
In that case, why should he continue to object and cause trouble for himself?
As the old Minister fell silent, Emperor Jingming spoke in a calm tone, “Upon seeing you today, Uncle, it seems your legs aren’t as nimble as before. If the affairs of the Imperial Clan Court are too burdensome, perhaps you should delegate to younger officials and focus on taking care of your health…”
The old Minister shuddered involuntarily: the Emperor was threatening him!
It seemed that if he continued to object, he would have to hand over his position as Minister of the Imperial Clan Court.
Losing the position of Minister would be a tremendous loss.
The imperial clan was vast, and not all members lived in luxury. Many had fallen on hard times, and whichever family held the position of Minister could naturally secure endless benefits for their descendants.
For this reason, even though the old Minister was so corpulent that he could barely fit on the small stool, he was still reluctant to give up his position.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This old official still feels quite healthy.”
“Then regarding the Empress adopting a prince—”
The old Minister bowed, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Emperor Jingming smiled slightly.
If only he had agreed earlier, they wouldn’t have wasted so much time.
“I knew Uncle would be able to share my burdens. With you in the Imperial Clan Court, I can rest easy.”
The old Minister thought: Hmmph.
After further discussion between the emperor and his minister, the old Minister was finally escorted out, tottering, supported by a eunuch.
The Imperial Study was brightly lit, allowing every change in Emperor Jingming’s expression to be seen clearly. However, after the Minister left, the Emperor’s face became expressionless.
“Pan Hai—”
Pan Hai quickly responded, “This servant is here.”
“Announce it tomorrow.”
“Yes.” Pan Hai agreed verbally, but inwardly he marveled.
He had long felt that Prince Yan was extraordinary. In such a short time, he had become half a legitimate son. Before this, Prince Yan had been seen by everyone as the prince with the weakest foundation, having left the palace at a young age.
Indeed, fortunes can change drastically over time.
Pan Hai could already foresee the uproar this announcement would cause.
The next day at court, unusually, all the officials were present. Emperor Jingming listened to their reports while maintaining a wooden expression.
Based on his recent experience, this would make them behave better.
Sure enough, the officials continued their previous docility, with no one mentioning any controversial topics.
The Emperor had been in a bad mood these past few days, so it was better to postpone any sensitive matters. After all, the issues weren’t going anywhere.
Thinking this way, the officials soon had nothing more to report.
Emperor Jingming coughed lightly and slowly said, “After much careful consideration, I have something to tell you all, my beloved ministers.”
The officials exchanged glances, becoming alert.
For the Emperor to speak so solemnly, it must be a significant matter.
After giving the officials a moment to prepare themselves, Emperor Jingming glanced at Yu Jin and the others standing to the side, and began, “The Empress is virtuous and diligent, having managed the inner palace for me for many years. She is a model for all women in the empire… However, like the waxing and waning of the moon, the Empress remains childless, which I deeply regret. After much consideration, I have decided to adopt the Seventh Prince under the Empress’s name, to address this regret…”
The officials could no longer hear the rest of his words. They all stared at the Seventh Prince, Prince Yan, in astonishment.
No wonder all the princes were at court today. So this was the big announcement!
The Emperor’s strange behavior these past few days was for this— The officials turned their heads, collectively staring at the old Minister of the Imperial Clan Court.
Of course, they had wondered why the Minister was here so early, thinking perhaps he was just taking a walk due to his obesity.
For the Emperor to adopt the Seventh Prince under the Empress’s name, he must have consulted with the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court. This old fat man must have known all along.
Realizing this, some officials felt like biting the old Minister.
How despicable! Such a momentous matter and this old fatty didn’t breathe a word!
Even more stunned than the officials were the princes.
Prince Qi turned to stare at Yu Jin, already feeling his neck stiffening, but his body was even stiffer.
The Seventh Prince adopted under the Empress’s name?
Did this mean the Seventh Prince would now be considered half a legitimate son? Wouldn’t that give him a fighting chance for the throne—
No, not just a fighting chance. Given Father’s emphasis on legitimacy, the Seventh Prince would now be his biggest threat!
But how could Father have come up with this idea? For such a significant matter, how could Mother not have known?
Prince Qi felt his mind in chaos and a bitter taste in his mouth.
Prince Shu’s mood was no better.
He had already been at a slight disadvantage against the Fourth Prince, and now with the Seventh Prince suddenly entering the fray, the waters had become even murkier.
Only Prince Lu was purely shocked, and after the shock came resentment: It’s unfair! The Seventh Prince beat up the former Crown Prince and now becomes half a legitimate son, while he beat up the former Crown Prince and is still just a mere duke!
Among them all, the one whose heart was stirred by the highest waves of shock was Prince Xiang.
He instantly recalled being summoned to the palace with Yu Jin yesterday, where they had also met the Empress. He had wondered then why the Empress was present, and now the Seventh Prince was being adopted under her name…
By now, Prince Xiang understood everything, with only one thought in his mind: He had been truly foolish!