Novel Full Chapter 1184 - 173: Prince Jing Is Dead
Chapter 1184 - 173: Prince Jing Is Dead
Ever since Xie Yi was deposed, the civil and military officials would spend every morning court session clamoring about "The nation cannot be a day without an Empress," "the harem cannot be a day without a master," and such.
The Emperor had long anticipated the ministers would come up with such a suggestion, so he asked them who they thought would be best to be made Empress.
The ministers who supported Prince Chu naturally proposed making Princess Li the Empress. She was considered the most qualified candidate in the harem to become the new Empress, suitable in every aspect. First: Princess Li hailed from the esteemed Li Family. Second: Princess Li had given birth to Prince Chu. Third: Princess Li was well-educated, virtuous, and kind. Fourth: Princess Li was the most senior concubine in the harem.
The officials supporting Prince Wei, of course, opposed making Princess Li the Empress. Their reasoning was simple: Princess Li was not the highest-ranked concubine in the harem; above her, there was the Noble Princess Consort Ying. Princess Li could not possibly surpass the Noble Princess Consort Ying to become Empress.
The ministers who did not support either Prince Chu or Prince Wei believed the Emperor could marry anew, with no need to choose from the harem concubines. Furthermore, the Emperor’s harem had too few concubines, and it was time to select new ones to expand the harem.
Previously, the ministers who supported Prince Wei had suggested to him to make Lady Liang the Empress. All of them knew of Prince Wei’s good relations with Lady Liang, and making her Empress would benefit Prince Wei greatly. Most importantly, Lady Liang’s biological son, Lord Han, was very wealthy. If Prince Wei could gain Lord Han’s support, it would surely fortify his position.
This proposal was rejected by Prince Wei. He had never considered such, as he did not wish Lady Liang to be embroiled in the succession battle, bringing her continuous trouble and danger, disrupting her serene and quiet life.
Some officials thought that despite Lady Liang being good to Prince Wei, ultimately she was not his biological mother. Moreover, she had her own biological son. If she truly were recommended to become Empress, then her biological son would become the heir, which would not be favorable to Prince Wei.
There were also courtiers who proposed making the Noble Princess Consort Ying the Empress. First: Noble Princess Consort Ying was the highest-ranked concubine in the harem. Second: She was deeply favored by the Emperor. Third: Noble Princess Consort Ying had no offspring.
Precisely because Noble Princess Consort Ying had no offspring, it was most fitting to make her Empress. Without a son, she wouldn’t favor her own child. Plus, Noble Princess Consort Ying didn’t have a distinguished maternal family, coming from humble beginnings, thus becoming Empress would entail no worries about powerful maternal relatives causing trouble in the previous dynasty or harem. After all, there’s no stipulation that an Empress must have her own son.
Many people felt making Noble Princess Consort Ying the Empress was most fitting.
Upon learning that numerous ministers suggested she be made Empress, Noble Princess Consort Ying was quite frightened. She immediately sought out the Emperor, expressing her unwillingness and lack of qualification to be Empress.
The Emperor looked amusingly at the visibly uneasy Noble Princess Consort Ying, "They suggest you become Empress, isn’t that a good thing? Why are you so scared?"
Noble Princess Consort Ying directly rolled her eyes, "This isn’t a good thing; it’s causing me harm."
"Do you really not want to be Empress?"
Noble Princess Consort Ying quickly shook her head and waved her hand, "I don’t want it, not at all." Making her Empress, wasn’t this tantamount to killing her? "Your Majesty, I am not destined to be Empress; I fear I would incur divine wrath."
Sun Kui, who was waiting nearby, was amused by Noble Princess Consort Ying’s words, almost unable to hold back laughter.
Noble Princess Consort Ying was simply too entertaining.
Seeing Noble Princess Consort Ying’s every gesture express refusal, the Emperor found it amusing, "Rest assured, I will not let you incur divine wrath."
Upon hearing the Emperor say this, Noble Princess Consort Ying instantly felt relieved, displaying a look of having escaped from calamity.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your wisdom."
The Emperor suddenly asked, "Who do you think is more suitable than you to be Empress?"
This question left Noble Princess Consort Ying dumbfounded. After a moment, she seriously replied, "Your Majesty, I think anyone is more suitable than me to be Empress." In any case, she was the least suitable.
The Emperor wasn’t surprised at all by Noble Princess Consort Ying’s answer. He waved at her.
"This concubine takes her leave." Noble Princess Consort Ying swiftly retreated.
Watching Noble Princess Consort Ying flee, Sun Kui eventually couldn’t hold back and laughed.
"I am at fault."
The Emperor didn’t mind Sun Kui’s indiscretion, "Don’t you say, she does indeed have some qualities suitable for Empress."
Sun Kui was startled by the Emperor’s words, "Your Majesty, are you really considering making the Noble Princess Consort Ying the Empress?"
The Emperor said, "I am not making anyone Empress." In the Emperor’s heart, he had only one wife, and that was Lady Liang. As for the Empress, it wasn’t a wife to him. "The harem is quite fine without an Empress."