0p0 Chapter 1042 The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (164)
Chapter 1042 The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (164)
Chapter 1042: The eldest daughter is as bright as spring flowers (One Hundred and Sixty-four)
The emperor couldn't help but sigh. Everyone was forcing him to appoint a crown prince, fearing that he would die suddenly, but Prime Minister Song didn't say so and even said there was no rush.
Thirty years later, he was already in his eighties!
Intellectually, the emperor knew that he might not live to be eighty years old because none of his parents had lived to be eighty years old, but emotionally, the emperor could not curse himself to die early.
Although the emperor knew that Song Shuyun's words and actions were only to please him, he was very pleased.
As expected, Prime Minister Song is very adaptable. No wonder he has been inseparable from Prime Minister Song over the years. Not only can he help him solve problems in political affairs, but he is also a close friend in daily life.
The emperor wanted to work hard to stay healthy and live another twenty or thirty years. His youngest son had grown up, and this time he had to seriously train his youngest son, Zhao Jing. Jing'er was his hope.
"Prime Minister Song, please don't even mention resigning and returning home to become a teacher after your daughter gets married. I can't bear to leave you. You should stay in the capital, enjoy your grandchildren, and help me solve my problems."
Prime Minister Song smiled and said, "I'm afraid Your Majesty will find me becoming more and more talkative."
"I won't dislike you."
The emperor and his ministers got along harmoniously, and Eunuch Heshi, who was serving on the side, also breathed a sigh of relief.
When Prime Minister Song returned home, he called his children over.
As usual, Prime Minister Song advised his children to be cautious and not to become targets, especially not to get involved in the fight for the throne.
Qingli actually felt that the fact that Zhao Qing didn't die instantly was a sign of the person behind the incident having failed, or perhaps not been ruthless enough. She wondered if it was the Queen or one of the concubines. Could it be that they were planning to make Zhao Qing suffer rather than die? Was this to make Concubine Ye suffer for the rest of her life?
She asked curiously, "Father, His Majesty is really not planning to appoint a crown prince? The remaining ones are all the descendants of Concubine Shu."
Outside the study, guards were everywhere. Prime Minister Song couldn't help but complain to his children, "The Emperor doesn't want to appoint any of them as the heir. I don't know what he's thinking. Maybe he really doesn't worry about any accidents happening.
I have long seen the emperor's intentions and have never considered opposing him. Those two princes are not worthy of my service. Lingji, you should also be more careful in the court and avoid getting too close to the princes.
Song Lingji nodded. He wasn't planning on getting involved in the fight for the throne. The Song family held such a high position and had deep roots. Although their direct lineage was small, their collateral branches were numerous. There were at least a hundred Song family members within the fifth degree of mourning serving as officials in the court.
Of course, the highest-ranking official was his father, Prime Minister Song, followed by several of his cousins.
Prime Minister Song pondered, "Your Majesty is in good health. Perhaps he truly intends to wait until the day when he can directly let the next emperor take the throne, eliminating the need for a successor. But as for the remaining people, alas, there really aren't many good choices."
Song Lingji was worried: "But now that things are like this, Your Majesty is not afraid of the remaining two princes... People are subject to misfortunes at any time, and the sky is full of unexpected changes. Choosing a crown prince is a major matter, so it is best to decide it as soon as possible."
Prime Minister Song wasn't exactly going along with the Emperor's wishes; the greater good of the country was paramount. However, the two princes were not up to the task, and he had no desire to promote either of them to the position of Crown Prince.
"His Majesty has made up his mind. He will not appoint a crown prince for the time being, even if the ministers force him to do so."
Song Lingji thought back to what had happened in the past two years and wondered, "Does Your Majesty really not care about the brutal fights between his heirs? Many things could have been avoided."
Qingli joked, "Brother, we're not His Majesty, so how can we know what he's thinking? Maybe, like the Minister of Rites, he's thinking of handing over the family business to the newborn."
Song Lingji rubbed his sister's head. How could it be possible? His sister was talking nonsense again. "Li'er, His Majesty only has four sons left alive. Two are already disabled, and the remaining two are getting older. Where did the little one come from? Right now, His Majesty loves the Eighth Prince and the Fifteenth Princess the most, but when it comes to the critical moment, even that little bit of favor is not that reliable."
"Haha, I'm just saying this casually. The royal family is so complicated. Who knows, maybe one day a prince will appear and be helped to ascend the throne by His Majesty?"
"It's not a play, so the possibility is very small."
The two siblings' words plunged Prime Minister Song into deep thought. Could it be that His Majesty was secretly supporting other princes, allowing these concubines and princes to fight each other to the death? Could His Majesty be so insidious and ruthless?