Chapter 29

Chapter 29

In the Chonghua Palace, Xiao Yunzhou could not help but ask Liu the Elder, "What do you think about those people demanding that I establish a Crown Prince?"

Not long after Xiao Yunzhou left the morning court session, he was again summoned by five ministers of the Imperial Cabinet, the Minister of Rites, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

As one batch of petitioners left in disappointment, another arose to take their place.

Xiao Yunzhou was very troubled.

In truth, he knew that he could not avoid this nagging issue.

As long as he did not establish a Crown Prince, they would not leave him in peace for even a few days!T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

Xiao Yunzhou's happiness from the morning court session lasted only for a short while before he became gloomy again.

He currently had a favorable impression of Liu the Elder, so he thought to ask for his opinion.

"Liu the Elder, what do you think should be done?"

Liu the Elder cleared his throat lightly.

In his heart, he was grateful for the reminder from Little Princess, though his face did not show the joy he felt within.

He even tried to empathize with the situation.

"Well, if I were in your position..."

Xiao Yunzhou stared at him intently.

Liu the Elder pondered and said, "If my wife, my son, and the few servants in my household who sweep the floors and cook were to pester me every day to appoint the next head of the family, I would truly want to beat them!"

Xiao Yunzhou: "!"

He never could have expected such a response.

For a moment, he could not help but laugh heartily, "Liu the Elder, you truly have a sense of humor."

In Liu the Elder's heart, he chuckled, thinking it was thanks to the reminder from Little Princess that he knew emperors were always suspicious of those around them.

This was not the fault of the person, but the burden of the imperial throne!

The 'son-in-law' before him was the Emperor!

He could never forget that.

"If servants were to overstep their bounds and advise me on such matters, I would certainly feel they had overstepped their authority. But how could they disobey me, the head of the household?"

Liu the Elder considered as he spoke.

"When I was in the village before, my ancestors were all farmers, and we all obeyed the clan leader. When the clan leader was alive, he never appointed a successor."

Xiao Yunzhou was overjoyed.

At last, he heard the words he wanted to hear.

Liu the Elder understood him!

"However," Liu the Elder raised his eyes and glanced furtively at the Emperor before making a clever turn, "the court ministers are urging Your Majesty to establish a Crown Prince out of their own considerations."

Xiao Yunzhou immediately frowned.

Liu the Elder coughed lightly.

Did the Emperor only want to hear pleasing words?

That would not do.

Three years later, when he passed away, what would become of his own granddaughter, grandson, and daughter?

He had to persuade the Emperor as well, to establish a wise and virtuous Crown Prince early on.

Even if his own Little Princess could not become the Emperor, they needed a new ruler who was wise, virtuous, and tolerant.

"Your Majesty, the matter of imperial succession is crucial to the well-being of the nation and its people, unlike the ordinary families of myself or the commoners."

After stroking the Emperor's ego earlier, the Elder of the Liu family now spoke the truth.

"After leaving court, this old minister pondered the matter. Your Majesty was fortunate to escape disaster during the recent rebellion, but who knows what the future holds? The nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day."

Xiao Yunzhou's expression darkened!

But after taking a deep breath, he did not rebut.

"This method is flawless and seamless!"

Xiao Yunzhou heaped praise without restraint.

There was no denying that every step of Liu the Elder's proposal aligned perfectly with his own needs and considerations.

It resolved all his problems with complete satisfaction and ease.

How tremendously pleasing!

Xiao Yunzhou looked at Liu the Elder with an intensity of warmth and gratitude like never before.

"Among all the Imperial Cabinet, the Minister of Rites, and the Grand Censorate, not one could conceive of such a solution. They only stubbornly demand that I establish a Crown Prince, never considering my perspective or the future of the princes."

"Only Liu the Elder has truly considered the interests of myself and the long-term well-being of this nation!"

Liu the Elder could not help but blush.

It was all thanks to the reminder from his granddaughter, otherwise he would not have thought of this solution either.

Alas.

"Summon someone! Award Liu the Elder a jade ru-yi scepter, a nine-colored peony in a pot, and three potted plants of pine, bamboo, and coral branches."

Liu the Elder: "!"

Here it came again.

More rewards!

Liu the Elder rested in the Emperor's study but could not sleep at all.

In his good mood, Xiao Yunzhou had generously allowed him to personally select the nine-colored peony.

"That is a tribute recently presented by the Liao King, blossoming nine colors in winter, a true auspicious omen."

"I shall share it with Liu the Elder."

A winter peony was worth over a hundred taels of silver.

This reward, combined with the others, amounted to well over a thousand taels.

After leaving the study, Liu the Elder was personally escorted by the injured Wei Zheng to the heated greenhouse of the South Imperial Garden to choose the peony.

"Sir Wei, thanks to you for saving me. You should go rest now; let others take me there instead."

Liu the Elder was grateful.

"It's no trouble. My injury is just to the arm, not the legs. I am honored to serve the Emperor and protect Liu the Elder from harm."

Wei Zheng smiled warmly, as if his broken bone was a promotion rather than an injury.

He asked Liu the Elder to wait outside the garden, "Inside the South Imperial Garden, there may be consorts strolling. I shall go in first and clear the area, Sir Liu, please wait here."

"How about this, Wei Zheng, you select a pot for me, so I don't have to enter in person."

"That won't do. The nine-colored peonies are a precious gift from the Liao King in Xuantong. Each pot has its unique nine colors, cultivated over a decade, priceless beyond measure."

"His Majesty has spoken, he wants Sir Liu to choose in person."

Liu the Elder had to obey, letting out a long sigh.

But soon, he saw in the distance his daughter Concubine Liu, accompanied by Little Princess's wet nurse, and the Fifth Prince returning from studies, all heading towards the South Imperial Garden.

Liu the Elder's eyes lit up with a smile.

Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince, delighted, quickened their pace to meet him.

"I greet you, Fifth Prince, Concubine Liu."

"Father."

"Grandfather!"

The joyous family reunion was about to begin when suddenly their expressions froze.

[Nine-colored peonies? The Liao King, my thrifty Emperor father's uncle?]

[Woof! I remember now, barely a hundred days after the nine-colored peonies were tributed, the Liao King rebelled, attacking the capital gates!]

The Fifth Prince, Concubine Liu: "!"

Liu the Elder: "!"