PDLP Chapter 160 Controversy
Chapter 160 Controversy
The sun rises as usual in the early morning, revealing a ray of golden light shining on the earth and dispelling the coolness of the morning mist.
Luqi opened her eyes and looked for Song Qinghong.
Seeing that the worry was no longer on her face, he felt relieved. He then stood up, quietly left the room, and went to wash up.
Wen Xiangzhu left the courtyard early in the morning and went to the palace. Qi Binwei sent someone to tell him to go to the palace today.
When they arrived outside the palace, they met Song Yuanbai and Prime Minister Song. They were nominally a family, so they greeted each other and went in together.
In the hall, ministers arrived one after another.
The Queen Mother woke up early for once, so she came to listen to their opinions and decide on the new emperor. However, she was worried because the Fourth Prince had not returned yet and she was afraid that something had happened to him.
No matter which of the two brothers did it, she felt heartbroken.
Everyone was present and the time had come. Eunuch Fu Hai pinched his voice to announce the start of the morning court. After the ceremony, the ministers began to discuss who should be the new emperor.
As the Queen Mother expected, more people supported the Third Prince than the Fifth Prince.
Only Prime Minister Song did not say a word. He listened carefully to every word they said and observed the expressions of each of them.
After a long while, Prime Minister Song spoke slowly, "I think the Fourth Prince is more suitable, and the Fifth Prince is second. The Fourth Prince is kind and respectful, and he won the hearts of the people when he went to Qinghe City this time. The Fifth Prince is cautious and has never made a big mistake, but he has no achievements either."
He was the last one to speak. The Queen Mother became interested after listening to him. She thought he would mention the Third Prince at least. After all, he was his sister's child. But he didn't say a word.
Instead, the fourth prince was mentioned, the prince who was not in the palace.
"It's hard for Prime Minister Song to still remember the Fourth Prince. Only a few people still remember my grandson. Why didn't others mention the Fourth Prince? Do they think that the Fourth Prince's behavior is not good enough to be trusted?"
When the ministers who had not mentioned the Fourth Prince heard this, they all lowered their heads and dared not speak. They looked at each other, and they all had something to hide.
Just last night, the news came that the Fourth Prince had died. The ministers who were originally on the Fourth Prince's side had to make up their minds immediately, and it was nothing more than choosing one between the two princes.
So there was the scene just now. They mentioned everything except the Fourth Prince.
Of course Prime Minister Song also knew about it. After Song Yuanbai returned home, he told the second prince that the fourth prince had died and what the third prince had done two years ago. Then someone sent a flying arrow to inform the second prince.
What he received were two copies, one was about the Fourth Prince, just like what the other ministers received, and the other was a handwritten letter from Concubine Shu.
Regarding the Fourth Prince's letter, the original words were: The Fourth Prince is dead, and another master must be found.
Although they did not mention who to choose, they already had a plan in their minds.
In the letter sent by Concubine Shu, there was no explicit request for Prime Minister Song to recommend the Third Prince, but every word and sentence revealed the intention to ask him to recommend the Third Prince.
Seeing that they were silent, the empress dowager was not in a hurry, as there was still a lot of trouble to be done in selecting the new emperor.
"I know what you said. The third prince was the most beloved by the late emperor. He also gave advice to the court that was accepted by the late emperor. Although he did not achieve success, he was also a man of strategy. The fourth prince was well-behaved and never caused trouble. He rarely spoke in the court, but he dared to go to the remote areas of Qinghe City to personally deal with the drought. He was deeply loved by the people and was courageous. The fifth prince was not favored by the late emperor because of his background, but I also know that he is sensible, taciturn but works silently, without any merits or mistakes. Do you think what I said is right?"
"The Queen Mother is right."
The ministers were convinced and responded in unison.
……
Qi Rui and Qi Binwei also arrived early in the morning, but did not attend the court. Instead, they waited in a side hall next to the main hall.
The voices of the courtiers were not small, and they could occasionally hear some conversation.
After Prime Minister Song spoke, Qi Rui's face became so dark that ink seemed to drip out.
There were only a few palace maids and eunuchs serving in the side hall. Qi Rui glanced at Qi Binwei and couldn't help but stand up, walked up to him, pointed at his nose and cursed.
"I underestimated you! What kind of magic potion did you feed Prime Minister Song? Why would he speak for you?"
Qi Binwei's eyes were calm, and Qi Rui's accusation did not cause any waves.
"I don't understand what Third Brother is saying. All the ministers respect Third Brother. It seems like the trend of the times will make Third Brother the king soon." Qi Binwei lowered his head, and the words he said seemed to be congratulations, but there was not a trace of congratulations in them.
Qi Rui let out a strong disdain from his nose and looked at him fiercely, "Don't play dumb with me, I know what you are thinking!"
"Father is dead, eldest brother is crippled, and fourth brother has not returned yet. You and I are the only ones who can inherit the throne in this palace. How can you not be tempted? You have been a mean kid since you were young, staring at what we have and never keeping to yourself. Later on, you became much more sensible, but now it seems that you are just pretending to be obedient!"
Qi Binwei did not deny his accusation, but he did not admit it either. He just said lightly, "Why do you say that, brother? I am of humble origin. I am honored to be treated kindly by Concubine De. I dare not compete with you for the throne. You have also heard what the Empress Dowager said about me. Everyone knows what kind of person I am. How can I compete with you for the throne?"
After these words, Qi Rui's expression improved a lot, but he still had doubts and said, "You are so sharp-tongued, it's better to do as you said. If I find out that you have ill intentions, you will bear the consequences yourself."
If he is determined to fight for the throne, then send him to see the fourth brother and let them get together.
Qi Binwei raised his lips slightly, revealing the gentlest smile.
"Yes. Chao Yan came to the palace to look for me, I'm leaving first."
Qi Rui waved his hand and let him go. He didn't need to hear too much about what happened in the court. In short, he was determined to get the throne.
Qi Binwei turned around and left. The ministers' discussions were all under his control. There was nothing here worth his stopping for.
He came to the Jiaxi Palace where Concubine De lived. Chao Yan was talking to Concubine De inside. Concubine De liked Chao Yan very much and talked to her for a long time.
The more she looked at this daughter-in-law, the more she liked her. Now she just wanted them to live a stable life and give her a grandson as soon as possible.
Chaoyan was at a loss, and when she saw Qi Binwei coming, she immediately looked up at him for help.
Qi Binwei chuckled and stepped forward to rescue Zhao Yan, saying, "Mother, our fate has not yet arrived. We can't rush this matter."
Chao Yan nodded and said, "Yes, fate has not arrived yet, and our child has not come yet. If there is good news, I will tell you as soon as possible."
Seeing that the couple were of one mind, Concubine De felt comforted. She suppressed her smile and said, "Okay, okay, I am relieved that you two are of one mind."