The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Kunning Palace was filled with jubilation, while the other palaces were enveloped in ominous clouds, as if a storm were approaching.

Fuhai Palace.

Concubine De had a face like frost, taking a deep breath as she looked at Prince Xiao who sat beneath her with an ominous expression, saying: ”Once the Emperor speaks, the Crown Prince’s position cannot be altered unless he proves disloyal, unjust, and unfilial, or has an unfortunate fate...only then could another be chosen for merit.”

Prince Xiao raised his eyes, gritting his teeth as he spoke bitterly: ”Consort Mother, I cannot comprehend, the fifth is so young, how can he bear any responsibility? Father abandoned the elder and chose him merely because he is the legitimate son? I am the eldest son, apart from this birthright, what do I lack compared to this little brat who hasn’t even grown all his hair? Father, he is simply senile...”

”Silence!” Concubine De sharply reprimanded, glaring fiercely at him, her voice lowered as she scolded: ”Are you mad, daring to speak so recklessly and slander your father? I think you are the one who has lost your mind.”

Prince Xiao, knowing he misspoke, replied sheepishly: ”I was momentarily overcome with anger.”

”You can’t even control this temper, how can you accomplish anything great? This land bears the surname Chu, and your father is the sovereign of the Chu dynasty; whoever he appoints as Crown Prince is his prerogative, and it is not your place to question him. If your words were to spread, you could forget about being a Prince.”

”Consort Mother, I know my mistake.” Prince Xiao stood up to admit fault, saying: ”It’s just that I feel discontent; where do you think I fall short?”

Concubine De’s anger remained, her face cold as she said: ”Sometimes, it is simply due to birthright; if you must blame, blame that you were not born from the Empress but from a mere Concubine.”

This was true anger.

Prince Xiao quickly said: ”Consort Mother, please don’t say that; being born to you is a fortune I cultivated in nine lifetimes, you are the best lady in the world.”

Concubine De snorted, then sighed: ”Your father’s heart is deep; in this palace, even the Empress Dowager as his mother cannot discern his true intent; who can truly understand his thoughts? Now that the Crown Prince is established, it cannot be changed for some time, but as you said, the Crown Prince is young and still years away from adulthood.”

”Consort Mother?”

Concubine De half-closed her eyes, saying: ”The Crown Prince has a good fate, but this good fate is truly when seated on the throne. Your father is still in his prime, and the Crown Prince is so young; who knows how long until he ascends? Why the urgency?”

Prince Xiao’s eyes flickered, sitting beside her, speaking in a voice so low it was hardly audible: ”Consort Mother, are you suggesting?”

”Suggest what?” Concubine De cast him a sidelong glance, sneering: ”We need not suggest anything, you are the eldest son; no need to rush, many are more anxious than you, why dirty your hands?”

Prince Xiao remained silent.

”Small impatience disrupts strategic plans; the Consort Mother still says this: your father remains in his prime, changes could happen at any moment; but Hui’er, do not act impulsively, some matters require complete certainty, never act recklessly.” Concubine De warned him, saying: ”Now the Crown Prince is established, in tomorrow’s morning court, you can clearly request a duty from your father, under the pretext of assisting him, also assisting the Crown Prince, thus gaining the good name of a brother caring for younger siblings. If your father wishes to compensate you, the duty given will naturally not be a trivial one. As for the future, without preparation, what future is there to seek?”