Chapter 857: Chapter 24: Shocking! Great Emperor, So This Is Who You Really Are
Emperor Longchang slowly closed the document, his voice slightly amiable as he encouraged: "Liyao’s arrival in the capital this time has demonstrated astonishing talent and potential. Yes, yes, seeing her today, she truly is an extremely outstanding Great Celestial Pride."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise," Wang Liyao responded neither haughtily nor humbly.
"I hear, Liyao, that you are also planning to challenge the Nine Sacred Veins?" Emperor Longchang asked with a half-smile, "Such great courage, could it be that you are paving the way for the future Saint Son? No, that’s not right, the Struggle for the Saint Son is still early, why such urgency? Or is there another hidden reason?"
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty." Wang Liyao took a sip of Spirit Tea, her expression calm and composed, but what she said was like a thunderclap, "Our Changning Wang Family has decided to support Prince Anjun in vying for the position of Emperor’s Son. Therefore, I came out first to pave the way, earn some fame, and build momentum for Prince Anjun."
With these words,
the smile on Emperor Longchang’s face gradually solidified, pulling a hint of coldness at the corners of his mouth.
"Bold!" Old Yao rebuked softly from the side, "How dare you discuss the matter of competing for the Emperor’s Son in front of His Majesty!"
As he spoke, he secretly signaled to Wang Liyao with his eyes.
"Lord Yao, the Changning Wang Family supports vying for the Emperor’s Son, not competing for it," Wang Liyao looked squarely at Old Yao, her eyes clear as water, "Moreover, according to the Daqian Kingdom’s system, the so-called ’Struggle of the Imperial Sons’ is meant to select two or more quasi-crown princes, allowing them to display their various abilities within a set period to choose the most excellent successor, giving Daqian the best future."
"This is a fair and open matter, where’s the impropriety? Why should it be done stealthily? Besides, what I said is the truth. If I were to deliberately conceal it after the king inquired, wouldn’t that be the crime of deceiving the monarch?"
Old Yao had nothing to say to that, but in his heart, he was secretly rolling his eyes.
Even so, the Struggle of the Imperial Sons is ultimately linked to the sensitive topics of Your Majesty’s advancing age and limited lifespan.
In recent years, as the Great Emperor nears the end, topics like these have become increasingly sensitive. Even many princes, including Prince Kang, try to avoid them in front of His Majesty to prevent causing him distress.
This young girl, however, openly discusses the ’Struggle of the Imperial Sons’. She truly is fearless like a newborn calf facing a tiger.
"No need, no need, Old Yao, don’t meddle," the coldness on Emperor Longchang’s face had dissipated at some point, transforming back into "amiability and kindness," "Liyao is right, ambitious matters like the Quasi-crown Prince striving for the position of Emperor’s Son are within the ancestral framework to select a better heir for the future Great Emperor under clear skies, not through underhanded tactics."
"However, Liyao, your Changning Wang Family is but a mere Sixth-Grade Noble Family, and although there are several promising young ones in your clan, merely relying on your support for Prince Anjun may fall short, don’t you think?"
"Responding to Your Majesty, my father has a very high opinion of Prince Anjun’s character and aptitude," Wang Liyao replied with a bow, "Thus, he wishes to do what little we can. As for whether it will succeed in the end, all must rely on Your Majesty’s sacred judgment."
Of course, the outcome of the Struggle of the Imperial Sons must be adjudicated by the entire Imperial Family. However, since Emperor Longchang is both the ruler and Patriarch, his approval carries significant weight, potentially even swaying situations when quasi-crown prince support rates are closely matched.
Thus, Wang Liyao wasn’t wrong to mention His Majesty’s sacred judgment.
Hearing this, Emperor Longchang was slightly intrigued: "The gap between Prince Anjun and Prince Kang is quite large at present, even with your support, Wang Liyao, the Great Celestial Pride, it may not tip the scales. Do you Wang Family have any clever strategies up your sleeve?"
For someone of Emperor Longchang’s caliber, already advanced in age and nearing the end, interest in most affairs wanes significantly. Even the Struggle of the Imperial Sons garners little attention from him, as the current situation seems without suspense.
How could something without suspense stir the interest of an elderly Great Emperor? It’s merely going through the motions, after all.
"Replying to Your Majesty, our Wang Family has no clever tricks," Wang Liyao shook her head and said, "My father has always been committed to working diligently and steadfastly. He believes that those who work with resolve will achieve success, and the world will eventually recognize Prince Anjun’s accomplishments."
This statement caught Emperor Longchang off guard, leaving him uninterested once more, replying idly: "Sounds like he’s on the same path as that kid Wu Mingyuan, no wonder they recognize each other. Fine then, as long as it’s within the ancestral standards and national guidelines, you and Wu Mingyuan can have your little antics."
"But be careful not to go overboard. The successor, that child’s temperament takes after mine, quite vindictive and petty. In case you don’t succeed, watch out for repercussions."
Uh... petty? Your Majesty, are you not including yourself in that statement~
Wang Liyao couldn’t help but smile, feeling that His Majesty seemed a bit more approachable, immediately bowing and saying, "Your Majesty jests, you are renowned as an expansive and wise ruler, an accomplished Great Emperor. During your reign of over three thousand two hundred years, the territory expanded more than twofold. My father had nothing but praise and admiration for Your Majesty’s achievements."
"Hey, you better believe it," Emperor Longchang chuckled, "Go back and ask Duke Dingguo of your Wang Family Main Lineage whether it’s true. Just because they sided with the wrong faction back then and offended me, I’ve been giving them trouble for over three thousand years, reducing the Wang Family from the Second Grade to the Third Grade. If not for the ancestors of the Wang Family..." heh heh~
