Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Who Is Worthy of the Empress’s Throne
"Greetings, Imperial Father. Your son has completed the assignments given by the Grand Tutor."
’So he was kept behind to do his homework.’ Ji Qingwu couldn’t take her eyes off Yuan Heng, who looked like a little snowball.
Before, she didn’t know Yuan Heng was her son. Now that she knew, her only regret was not holding him more that day.
Yuan Heng went straight to the North Seat and sat beside Prince Yong. His small body was perfectly straight, and his jade-like face was cold and aloof, already showing the bearing of a gentleman.
Ji Qingwu’s gaze remained fixed in that direction, never moving.
A short while later, Emperor Wu Su said, "Yuan Heng, come to your father."
Yuan Heng’s dark eyes were filled with confusion.
He racked his brain, trying to recall if he had done something to anger his Imperial Father again today.
He walked to Emperor Wu Su’s side on his short legs, his expression grave.
Ji Qingwu’s gaze still followed Yuan Heng closely. From his expression, she could tell he was reluctant and a little fearful.
’She recalled how Yuan Heng had received twenty strikes on the palm for his dispute with Imperial Censor Yan’s grandson. Even an adult like Ji Changlin had bright red palms from it; how could a child as young as Yuan Heng have endured it?’
Ji Qingwu shot Emperor Wu Su a reproachful glare, blaming him for being too cruel to his own son.
But, as luck would have it, she was caught red-handed by the man seated high at the front of the hall.
Emperor Wu Su raised an eyebrow, his eyes half-lidded. Ji Qingwu quickly lowered her head.
’What is going on? Does the Emperor have eyes on the back of his head?!’
After a long moment, Emperor Wu Su finally withdrew his gaze and said to Yuan Heng in a deep voice, "Sit here, beside me."
Yuan Heng was mature for his age, but even he was stunned by his father’s words. He had never once sat beside the Emperor at a palace banquet.
He frowned and said, "Yes."
The others who frequently attended palace banquets were also secretly amazed. Emperor Wu Su was strict in raising the little prince, treating him more as a subject than a son. He had never been soft on him just because he was his only heir, yet today, he had the notion to be closer to the prince.
Eunuch Li added a chair beside the Emperor. The father and son shared a table, their identical, sharp black eyes turning in unison to look toward the south seats first.
Ji Qingwu kept her head down, quietly playing the part of a timid quail.
The two then nonchalantly turned their gazes away.
The Empress Dowager was also happy to have a chance to get closer to the little prince. After the incident where he fell into the water, Yuan Heng had moved from Princess Consort Wei’s Guanju Palace to live alone in Yongning Hall.
"Yuan Heng, your Imperial Grandmother hasn’t seen you in some time either. Are you scared living by yourself in Yongning Hall?"
"No."
Yuan Heng’s succinct reply cut off whatever the Empress Dowager had intended to say next.
The Empress Dowager’s expression faltered. She let out a fake sigh, changed her tack, and began to bring up the past. "Last time, although Princess Consort Wei failed in her duty to watch over him, it was fortunate that my niece is brave and kind-hearted. Otherwise, I fear Yuan Heng would not have made it."
Princess Consort Wei, having been called out, set down her wine cup and nodded with a faint smile. "Empress Dowager, you are absolutely right. I am also very grateful to Miss Ji. However, His Majesty has already dealt with this matter. The mastermind, Beauty Luo, has been ordered to commit suicide, the men of the Luo Family have been exiled, and all the women have been enslaved. If you bring it up again, won’t you frighten Prince Yuan Heng?"
Ji Qingwu had long known that the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Wei did not see eye to eye. It was common for them to trade barbs.
’But one was talking about how Yuan Heng’s life had been in grave danger, while the other brought up suicide and enslavement, all while pretending to worry about scaring him. Neither of them truly has his safety at heart.’
Ji Qingwu frowned, looking at Yuan Heng’s cold, indifferent little face. He seemed to have long grown accustomed to this.
The Empress Dowager continued, "That matter is in the past. But there is another thing. Shouldn’t it be time for some new women to enter the Emperor’s harem? If I remember correctly, the last selection was two years ago."
Compared to the previous dynasty, Emperor Wu Su’s harem was barely worth mentioning. Emperor Liang had three thousand beauties in his harem, while Emperor Wu Su’s lonely court had merely a dozen or so women.
The first selection a few years ago, after the new Emperor ascended the throne, had to take into account the balance of power between the court and the harem. The women chosen were all daughters of meritorious officials, with the sole exception of anyone from the Ji Family. Now that the dynasty was stable, they could choose women the Emperor actually fancies.
The noble ladies from prominent families in the hall all sat up straighter. Some even secretly took out their lip rouge to touch up their lips.
Emperor Wu Su’s expression was impassive. He did not respond.
The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples and said as if nursing a headache, "Your Majesty, I am in charge of the six palaces, but I am getting old now. My energy and stamina are not what they used to be. It is time to appoint an Empress."
From selecting new concubines to appointing an Empress, the Emperor raised his eyes and asked, "Who does Mother think is worthy of the Empress’s throne?"
The noble ladies dared not covet the position of Empress. Even someone as stunningly beautiful as Princess Consort Wei, who also had such a capable older brother, could not secure that coveted seat.
Ji Qingyuan held her head high like a victorious fighting cock, brimming with extraordinary self-confidence.
The most clear-headed person in the hall was Ji Qingwu.
She shook her head slightly. ’The Empress Dowager has been caught in the whirlpool of the harem for so long that her heart has been blinded by power. The most unlikely candidate for Empress is a woman from the Ji Family. What the Cui Family said last time at Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion also opened my eyes to this; after the new Emperor ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, the Ji Family, grew too powerful. With the lessons from the previous dynasty as a warning, they have long been viewed with suspicion by the Emperor. If a Ji Family Empress were appointed, the only prince would naturally be handed over to her, the legal mother, to be raised. With the young son in her hands and her maternal family’s great power, what if they developed traitorous ambitions...’
The Empress Dowager studied the Emperor’s expression and continued, "I believe that in addition to pleasing Your Majesty, we must also choose an Empress of noble status who can treat Yuan Heng with a sincere heart."
Her intentions were as clear as day.
The Empress Dowager came from the Ji Family clan. Her niece, Ji Qingwu, had disregarded her own safety to save the drowning prince. In everyone’s eyes, the Ji Family cared deeply for the prince, but the only unmarried young woman left was Ji Qingyuan.
"Mother is absolutely right, but we also have to see if Yuan Heng likes her."
Hearing Emperor Wu Su relent, the Empress Dowager was delighted. She pointed to Ji Qingyuan at the south seats, "Imperial Grandson, look at the woman over there in the rose-pink dress. Does she catch your eye?"
Ji Qingyuan smiled at him gently.
The pressure immediately shifted to Yuan Heng, but he simply averted his gaze and said with a cold expression on his small face, "Replying to Imperial Grandmother, your grandson does not like her."
Ji Qingyuan’s smile froze on her face. It was a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, looking rather ridiculous. The Empress Dowager also closed her mouth in embarrassment.
But Emperor Wu Su chuckled and said, "Among those in the hall, is there anyone my son likes?"
Yuan Heng’s gaze immediately locked onto one person.
Ji Qingwu didn’t dare to look up, staring at the dessert plate in front of her. ’Although I’m touched that my little one likes me, he can’t make me a target for everyone.’
"There was one I quite liked, but if she were to become my Empress Mother—"
Yuan Heng seemed to have made up his mind and declared loudly, "Then I would not like her anymore!"
Emperor Wu Su was slightly surprised. "Why?"
Yuan Heng glanced at the Emperor, pressed his lips together, then leaned over and whispered something in Emperor Wu Su’s ear.
Everyone only saw the Emperor’s face instantly darken.
Yuan Heng’s little heart was pounding. Seeing his Imperial Father’s anger, he was afraid, but he still stubbornly stuck his neck out, determined to stand by his decision.
