Chapter 1017 - Chapter 1017: Chapter 1015: Who Should be the Empress of the Great Cheng Dynasty?

Chapter 1017: Chapter 1015: Who Should be the Empress of the Great Cheng Dynasty?

As she passed the Hall of Diligent Government, court had just been dismissed, and the officials were coming out of the palace road. From afar, they saw a woman seated on the imperial palanquin.

Gathering together, they chitchatted, “The emperor has just ascended the throne, and the harem is still vacant. Who is so bold as to sit on the emperor’s palanquin? The path she’s taking doesn’t seem to lead to the harem, but directly to the emperor’s sleeping quarters instead.”

After his ascension, Chu Yihan had chosen not to use the sleeping quarters once occupied by Chu Mingyuan. Instead, he selected chambers located between the Hall of Diligent Government and the imperial study as his sleeping quarters, convenient for attending court and handling government affairs.

This move earned the respect of the officials, convincing people everywhere that he cared not for the harem and was a peerless emperor, wholly devoted to governing the land.

The appearance of a woman on the imperial palanquin now surprised the civil and military officials.

The old Prime Minister, Leng Yi, watched Su Yingxue’s receding figure with deep-set eyes.

“Old Prime Minister, the emperor has just ascended the throne, and the position of empress remains unfilled. There are still several granddaughters in your household of marriageable age. Could it be that the emperor might consider elevating one of your Misses to empress?”

“Indeed, besides the Misses directly born into the Prime Minister’s family, who else is fit to be the most honored empress of the Great Cheng Dynasty?”

Several civil officials discussed.

The old Prime Minister, who had been firmly established in the royal court for decades and stood at the very pinnacle of the civil officials, was naturally a man of great strategy. Should the empress hail from his household, the Prime Minister’s Estate would surely gain immense prestige and honor.

But he would not fully trust these flattering words and cautiously said, “Hold your tongues, before his ascension, the emperor had already taken a princess consort. As for whom he will select as empress, he surely has already made his decision.”

An official spoke up, “That princess consort left the Li Mansion on her wedding day, and after many twists and turns, was finally found. Who knows if the emperor will appoint her?”

“Exactly, and I heard that the princess consort has always resided at her natal Marquis’s Manor, never entering the palace nor living at the Ninth Prince’s Mansion. It’s as if she has been abandoned by the emperor and has nowhere to go!”

“Perhaps the emperor won’t even bring her into the palace at all!”

“Stop your nonsensical talk. Who else could be brought into the palace if not the Ninth Princess Consort?”

The old Prime Minister sternly reprimanded them, warning them not to discuss Chu Yihan’s private affairs, and then returned to his residence.

Although he did not show, in front of the other officials, his desire to see the position of empress fall to someone from his own family, being an old fox well-versed in the ways of the court for many years, such a distinguished honor could not help but stir his thoughts.

He called over his two young granddaughters, Leng Shuqing and Leng Muling. One was sixteen, the other seventeen, both beautiful and graceful, with dignified elegance. In Jiang Du City, amongst young misses from rich families, they had excellent reputations. He often brought these two granddaughters to various palace banquets, and they were the subject of much envy, hence his pride in them.

After Leng Shuqing and Leng Muling had paid their respects, one poured tea while the other massaged his shoulders, serving him with the utmost filial piety.

“Grandpa, the new emperor is very diligent since his accession, but you’re getting on in years and should take care of your health to avoid overworking yourself,” Leng Shuqing offered hot tea with tenderness.

Leng Muling cheekily smiled and said, “Grandfather may be advanced in years, but having served through three reigns, he is a pillar the emperor relies heavily upon. It’s natural for those who can do more to be busier. Being busy also brings Grandfather joy.”

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“The two of you, always so eloquent!”

Leng Yi looked at his two granddaughters with great satisfaction.

He believed that either of them could possess the grace to be the mother of the nation if chosen as empress.

“Father, I heard you wanted to see me.”

A young man approached. He wore a silver robe embroidered with subtle patterns, tall and well-proportioned, with a handsome and crisp countenance. A neatly combed fringe added a lively and spirited aura to his youthful appearance.