Emperor Jingming first eliminated Prince Qin from consideration.
Prince Qin was an adopted son, and no matter how magnanimous he was, the Emperor didn’t want to pass the throne to an adopted son when he had biological children.
The Fourth Prince – thinking of Prince Qi, Emperor Jingming frowned unconsciously.
First attacking his first wife, then scheming against the Empress Dowager – how could such a person be trusted to treat his brothers well if he ascended the throne? The Emperor didn’t believe it.
The Fifth Prince was a fool. If he became Emperor… he might even count money for someone who tricked him out of the throne. How could the Emperor face his ancestors then?
The Sixth Prince was not bad, and Consort Zhuang was also undemanding, but after two years of marriage, the Sixth Prince’s wife still showed no signs of pregnancy. This was also a concern.
As for the Seventh Prince – Emperor Jingming instinctively wanted to skip over Yu Jin, but then realized that the Seventh Prince was no longer that pitiful child sent out of the palace at a young age, but now the Empress’s son.
Thinking carefully, apart from less formal education, the Seventh Prince was not lacking in other aspects. Now even the gap in status had been closed, no, even surpassed.
The Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince…
Emperor Jingming hesitated for a moment.
After some time, Pan Hai approached cautiously, “Your Majesty, have some tea.”
Emperor Jingming took the teacup and sipped twice, then glanced at Pan Hai with displeasure.
This Pan Hai was becoming less and less considerate. He only knew how to bring tea. Why couldn’t he be like the Empress’s maids and bring him some peeled chilled grapes?
Pan Hai felt confused and wronged under the Emperor’s gaze.
He had only brought a cup of tea and done nothing else. How had he displeased the Emperor?
Emperor Jingming put the teacup down on the table and said flatly, “Go tell Han Ran to find out what Prince Shu and Prince Yan have been doing lately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Pan Hai retreated.
It didn’t take long for Han Ran to report back: “Your Majesty, Prince Shu has been frequently engaging in cricket fights with Prince Kang, while Prince Yan rarely goes out and spends most of his time reading in his study.”
Emperor Jingming thought he had misheard and asked with wide eyes, “Say that again, what has Prince Shu been doing lately?”
Han Ran lowered his gaze and repeated clearly, “Engaging in cricket fights with Prince Kang.”
Emperor Jingming clenched his fist, almost choking on his breath.
This wasn’t right. The Sixth Prince had always been an intelligent and diligent child in his impression. When did he start engaging in cricket fights?
Suppressing his anger, Emperor Jingming asked again, “Prince Yan has been reading lately?”
“Yes.” Han Ran answered exactly what the Emperor asked, not adding a single word.
The Emperor’s sudden interest in the princes’ recent activities was unusual, so it was best to say as little as possible.
Emperor Jingming pondered for a long time, then waved his hand, “I understand. You may go.”
After Han Ran left, Emperor Jingming gulped down some tea, thinking that the position of Crown Prince needed to be decided quickly. Otherwise, if these scoundrels continued like this, he wouldn’t approve of any of them and would have to consider his adopted son.
“The Seventh Prince neglected his studies in his youth due to circumstances, but at least he knows that diligence can make up for shortcomings,” Emperor Jingming murmured.
Pan Hai chimed in, “Your Majesty forgets, Prince Yan has an exceptional memory, with the ability to remember things after seeing them once.”
Emperor Jingming was startled, then remembered.
That’s right, the Seventh Prince had an exceptional memory. He had once thought that if the Seventh Prince had been properly educated from a young age, he might have even surpassed old Zhen’s son.
In that case, as long as the Seventh Prince was diligent in his studies, shouldn’t he be able to quickly make up for those few years of missed education?
The eldest was adopted, the fourth had a flawed character, the fifth was foolish, and the sixth was obsessed with cricket fights. After going through the list, only the seventh seemed passable.
Diligent in studies, excellent in martial arts, skilled in solving cases, the Empress’s son… Emperor Jingming suddenly felt that not choosing this son would be inexcusable.
Emperor Jingming was usually mild-mannered, often seeming indecisive, but once he made up his mind on certain matters, he could be exceptionally resolute.
He slapped the table, his expression determined: It’s decided!
At Yuhe Garden in Prince Yan’s residence.
Yu Jin held a book in one hand and asked Jiang Si with a smile, “Asi, can you guess what Father Emperor has been worrying about lately?”
Jiang Si’s eyes flickered slightly, “That’s not hard to guess. It must be about naming the Crown Prince.”
Yu Jin put down the book and pulled Jiang Si to sit beside him, “Then look carefully, what else might Father Emperor be dissatisfied with about me?”
Jiang Si’s beautiful eyes scanned Yu Jin up and down, her delicate hand pointing at the book he had just put down, “He might think you don’t have much knowledge in your belly.”
Yu Jin snorted.
Jiang Si pushed him lightly, “What, you don’t agree?”
Yu Jin glanced at her and said irritably, “I agree, that’s why I’ve been studying diligently these days. When it reaches Father Emperor’s ears, it’ll be seen as making up for my shortcomings through hard work.”
Nonsense about making up for shortcomings, did he need to? He was just putting on a show for his old man, to make him decide to name the Crown Prince sooner, so everyone could have some peace.
He didn’t believe it. Ignoring Prince Qin and Prince Lu, only the Sixth Prince had a chance to compete. How could the Sixth Prince, obsessed with cricket fights, compare to him?
“What if Father Emperor favors Prince Shu?” Jiang Si asked with a smile.
Yu Jin raised an eyebrow at her, “Is he blind?”
Jiang Si burst into laughter, “We can’t rule out that possibility.”
Yu Jin smiled coldly, “Originally, I didn’t want to go all out against the Sixth Prince since he’s behaving himself. But if Father Emperor has poor judgment and makes the wrong choice, I’ll just have to try harder.”
Jiang Si shook her head, “Prince Shu is quite clever. It might not be easy to find his weakness.”
“Being clever has its advantages. When people are smart, they tend to overthink, and when they overthink, they become more cautious,” Yu Jin said nonchalantly.
If there were no weaknesses, he would create them. Having chosen this path, he couldn’t afford to lose.
Looking at his wife’s radiant smile, Yu Jin thought to himself: He couldn’t afford to lose.
“Alright, leave these matters for me to worry about. I expect we’ll have results soon,” Yu Jin embraced Jiang Si and looked out the window.
Outside, flowers were in full bloom. Ahuan was being supported by a maid as he toddled after a large dog.
Little Ahuan stumbled forward after a few steps and fell onto the big dog, giggling.
Erniu looked helpless, wagging its tail to fan away mosquitoes for Ahuan.
Yu Jin couldn’t help but smile, thinking that since Erniu was so skilled at babysitting, it might be time to give Ahuan a little brother or sister.
Hmm, better to have a son. If they had a daughter, his position would be pushed back again. Better to have a son to secure his place.
Erniu looked vigilantly towards the window.
Was the master plotting something again?
Hmph, if this continued, it would quit!
Ahuan stood up and tottered forward again.
Seeing this, Erniu forgot everything else and quickly followed to protect him, pushing the maid aside with a look of disdain.
The result came even faster than Yu Jin had anticipated.
The next day at court, Emperor Jingming announced earth-shattering news: For the eternal stability of the Zhou Dynasty, Prince Yu Jin, the Seventh Prince, was to be named Crown Prince.
When the imperial edict was issued, the civil and military officials seemed to be under a spell, forgetting how to react.
What had the edict just said? They must have misheard.
They had just been urging His Majesty to decide on an heir, expecting at least a tug-of-war lasting months or even years. How had the edict naming the Crown Prince come so suddenly?