The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The Longevity Festival banquet was just like every year, with the sounds of music and dance, various forms of birthday greetings, and songs praising Emperor Chu.

Song Ci sipped her fruit wine lightly, feeling utterly bored.

This kind of state banquet, attending once opens one’s eyes, but participating year after year loses its novelty. If she were truly fortunate to return to the modern era, would she scoff at similar banquets, thinking that even the Emperor’s birthday banquet was dull?

Thinking about this, Song Ci couldn’t help but smile.

The sound of music suddenly stopped; it was a minor state’s envoy asking Emperor Chu while offering birthday greetings about the vacant Eastern Palace of Great Qing, and whether there might be good news to bring back to the Inner Territory, celebrating nationwide this year?

Song Ci raised her eyes to look, her interest piqued.

The astute son had already revealed that succession was mentioned every year, but this year Emperor Chu suddenly fell ill, which scared everyone, so this year there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance the Crown Prince will be designated.

However, who was favored remained pure speculation until an edict was issued.

Song Ci looked over at the officials’ seats, those few princes sitting at the front all straightened their backs with a reserved smile on their faces. But their eyes?

One need not look; looking would surely reveal their determination to win.

Her gaze shifted again to the women’s seats, where several concubines also perked up their ears, looking tense.

And the Empress?

The Empress was speaking with Empress Dowager Wang, a faint smile on her lips, as if she was indifferent to the succession.

Song Ci lowered her eyes; claiming indifference would be false. Although whoever was chosen would have to honor her as Empress Dowager, in truth, if a Prince not born of her was truly designated, even as Empress Dowager, she might not have authority over the Emperor’s own mother.

In this world, it is still the Emperor who decides.

And the only one who can influence this Great Qing is the Emperor on the throne.

Naming the Crown Prince is indeed a grand drama showcasing the myriad expressions of humanity, truly.

At this moment, there were already officials sparring wits with the envoy.

Joking aside, deciding the Crown Prince is an internal affair of Great Qing; how could a small country get involved?

Emperor Chu raised his hand, and the hall fell silent.

”The vacancy in the Eastern Palace is a national matter. Since ancient times, the Emperor, inheriting heaven’s mandate, must establish a Crown Prince to maintain governance...”

Here it comes, within these words was the introduction. Could it be that the matter of succession will be finalized at today’s Longevity Festival banquet?

Everyone involuntarily held their breath.

Prince Xiao and others didn’t dare to take a single breath, clutching their wine cups for fear of missing Emperor Chu’s words, missing their own name being called.

Consort Fan and others, having drunk a few glasses of fruit wine and hearing these words, were as excited as if their entire faces had turned the color of red carpets.

”In the succession of Great Qing, the principle of honoring sons is upheld. The legitimate son, Chu Hongye, son of the Empress, possesses outstanding talents and exceptional intelligence, making him suitable to inherit the great legacy. He is now appointed Crown Prince Hongye, positioned in the Eastern Palace, to fortify the nation’s foundation, ensuring the unbroken continuity of the imperial line through the ages...”

In the vast hall, silence reigned, only Emperor Chu’s authoritative voice resounding.

The Empress’s son is appointed Crown Prince, positioned in the Eastern Palace.

Eastern Palace, positioned, the Empress’s son.

The entire place fell silent, eyes darting to the Prince’s seat where legitimate son Chu Hongye was situated.

Chu Hongye originally thought Song Lingjie, wherever he was, might not return to the capital soon, as half a year had passed since his departure. He missed that fellow.

Suddenly hearing father Emperor speak, oh, the appointment of the Crown Prince; who could be the chosen elder brother?

Then, subjected to the overwhelming gaze of everyone, Chu Hongye was utterly astonished: ”!!!”

He became the Crown Prince?