The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Prime Minister Song, You Are Bold

The selection of consorts by princes is naturally not just about choosing whoever they want; in the end, the decision still lies with the Emperor. Naturally, if you’re favored and ask the Emperor for an imperial decree of marriage, it’s not impossible to make it happen.

Moreover, the selection of a consort by a prince is a major consideration; it starts first with benefits. Can the wife’s family help provide support? Can they make one’s status more stable or secure? It’s less about selecting a consort and more about selecting the wife’s family, where everything needs to be considered thoroughly.

Chu Hongzheng ranks third among the princes, and his mother is the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Fan in this dynasty. Apart from the Empress’s legitimate son, his status is the most honorable, making the selection of his Prince Consort even more prudent.

"Mother, Second Brother hasn’t chosen a consort yet. If I choose now, will it be...?" Chu Hongzheng hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Consort Fan sneered at his words and said, "Your Second Brother is struggling to survive under Noble Consort Duan’s name. She herself has a sixth son, so how could she be concerned? Besides, even if she chooses, he can’t surpass you. He’s merely someone born from a lesser concubine, no matter how skilled, he can’t compare to you, my son, with your noble birth."

Chu Hongzheng felt somewhat self-satisfied as well; indeed, Second Brother is just an unnoticed prince among many.

He thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "Mother, do you have someone in mind?"

Consort Fan raised her eyebrows and asked in return, "Does my son have someone in mind?"

Chu Hongzheng lowered his head and softly said, "Every time I go to my maternal grandfather’s home, my aunt always has Cousin Minyi accompany me."

Consort Fan’s eyes flickered, "Zheng’er doesn’t like her?"

"Cousin Minyi is very pleasant, but Father..." He looked at Consort Fan and then smiled, saying, "Mother, your judgment has always been good. You will definitely choose a good consort for me."

"Naturally." Consort Fan lowered her voice and said, "Today at court, there was a proposal to establish an heir, but your father still has reservations about this and did not agree. Zheng’er, make sure to be cautious in front of your father and avoid mentioning such things."

Chu Hongzheng felt a warmth in his heart: "Mother..."

"You only need to be filial in front of your father, the rest I will plan for you. I will never harm you," Consort Fan said lovingly.

Chu Hongzheng nodded.

...

Imperial Study.

Emperor Chu tossed a memorial towards Song Zhiyuan.

Song Zhiyuan caught it and said somewhat helplessly, "Your Majesty, we are at this age, we should be more gentle. Throwing memorials takes effort too."

Emperor Chu chuckled without amusement, "Stop being cheeky with me. Just now you acted like it had nothing to do with you, quite capable, aren’t you?"

"This blame I shall not bear, at least I retorted Prime Minister Fan back," Song Zhiyuan opened the memorial, glanced through it quickly, and then closed it, placing it directly on the stack of documents to be reviewed.

Emperor Chu raised an eyebrow, "What does Prime Minister Song think?"

"What I said in court is not baseless, this is a family affair of the Emperor," Song Zhiyuan said with a bow.

"Song Yunzhi, are you also bantering with me here?" Emperor Chu squinted.

Song Zhiyuan: "Your Majesty, the timing of establishing an heir is up to you. It doesn’t have to be now, but it’s necessary to observe the princes."

"Oh? If established, should it be the legitimate or the eldest?"

"If it’s for the everlasting stability of Great Qing, establish the capable," Song Zhiyuan raised his head and said, "Though I am the eldest son, I believe that if a family wishes to grow and prosper, the Family Head must be capable. Lacking talent, virtue, and ability, merely sitting securely on the seat due to being the legitimate eldest, such a family is in danger."

"Prime Minister Song, you’re bold!" Emperor Chu scolded.

Song Zhiyuan straightened his official robes and knelt down, "I spoke out of turn, please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Chu: "..."