In Xianfu Palace, Concubine Duan was sitting in the Buddhist hall, tapping the wooden fish with her hands and chanting something in her mouth.
There was very little smoke in the incense burner, and accompanied by Concubine Duan's chanting, the place was rendered particularly peaceful.
Just as Concubine Duan was about to turn the pages of the scriptures, Lingsu appeared outside with a particularly complicated expression.
"Didn't you tell me not to spare my innocence?"
Across the curtain, Lingsu knelt down obediently and apologized: "Mother, the prince is dead!"
As Lingsu said these words, the sound of the wooden fish in the Buddhist hall suddenly stopped.
Concubine Duan was full of emotions at the moment, but in the end she just said lightly: "I know!"
Is the empress too calm? Lingsu had such a thought at this moment.
But the smart thing about her is that she never talks too much.
After Lingsu exited the Buddhist hall, Concubine Duan put down the things in her hands and slowly stood up from the futon.
Concubine Duan was heard murmuring: "The prince is dead... and then it's the queen's turn!"
These two people were the culprits who killed her eldest son and forced her younger son away. Having lost everything, all she could think about was revenge.
Concubine Duan already had an idea about this, and the first step was whether to remove Zhao Weiheng from the throne.
The prince died, and the top priority was to introduce a new prince.
The only ones who can be selected are those who are the sons and grandsons of dragons. If they are really too young, they can be excluded directly. There are only a few left.
Zhao Yanyuan, the tenth son of the emperor, was thirteen years old, Zhao Yansong, the eleventh son of the emperor, was twelve years old, Zhao Weilong, the eldest grandson of the emperor, was fifteen years old, and Zhao Weiheng, the second son of the prince, was fourteen years old.
There is no doubt that these four people are the strongest contenders for the reserve spot.
Thinking that Concubine Duan was quite unfair here, it was true that there were no tigers in the mountains and the monkeys were the king.
If her two sons were here, it wouldn't be these guys' turn to fight over her.
But no matter who comes to power, Concubine Duan has only one purpose, and Zhao Weiheng cannot be allowed to come to power.
Why? Because Zhao Weiheng’s mother is Li Suxin, and Li Suxin is the queen’s niece.
With the death of the crown prince, many people are now thinking about the position of crown prince.
For example, Zhao Yanyuan had the opportunity to be established as the crown prince. At this moment, he was called to the palace by his mother, Concubine Jing.
Inside the palace, Concubine Jing chased away everyone, and finally closed the door herself.
"Concubine, what are you doing?" Zhao Yanyuan asked in confusion.
He had already learned the news of the prince's death, but he hadn't fully digested it yet, so he never thought about the relationship between the prince's position and himself.
"Your Majesty, the opportunity has come for you and me, mother and son!" Concubine Jing pulled Zhao Yanyuan in front of her.
"this?"
Concubine Jing didn't have much time to spare and asked Zhao Yanyuan to think it over slowly. She said bluntly: "Now that the prince is dead, your brothers are either dead or have gone away... You are the true eldest son of the emperor!"
"The position of Crown Prince cannot be suspended for a long time. This matter will inevitably be decided in the next few days. You must be prepared!"
Hearing this, Zhao Yanyuan was stunned for a moment, then ecstasy filled his heart.
Yes, now that he is the eldest son of the emperor, shouldn't the position of prince fall on him?
Thinking of this, Zhao Yanyuan quickly asked: "Mother, concubine, what does my son need to prepare?"
"I have asked your uncle and the others to contact the courtiers, and they will submit a memorial at the appropriate time to make you the crown prince... You should study diligently these days, and maybe your father will take the exam for you!"
Zhao Yanyuan nodded. Although it was a headache to go to school, he was willing to endure a little more hardship for the sake of the crown prince position.
"I have to say that this is also due to your luck. Your ninth brother just happened to be gone, otherwise it would have been your fault!"
In fact, Zhao Yanyuan and Zhao Yanxun had a good relationship, so when his mother said "bad things" about Ninth Brother, Zhao Yanyuan felt uncomfortable.
"Concubine, Ninth Brother may be gone, so please stop talking about him!"
In the past, Concubine Jing would have definitely taught her son a lesson, but she was not in the mood today.
"Okay, it's not your turn to teach me a lesson yet. Remember what I told you today and go back quickly!"
Zhao Yanyuan nodded and walked out of the palace.
"By the way, these days... don't hang out with Old Eleven!"
Hearing the words of his mother-in-law behind him, Zhao Yanyuan wanted to ask why, but then he figured it out.
Once they want to fight for the crown prince position, these brothers will not be able to do it.
"My son understands!"
…………
Here Zhao Yanyuan left his mother's palace, while Wang Guiren on the other side took his son and slowly walked to Xianfu Palace.
After passing the news, Wang Guiren took his son into Xianfu Palace.
Under the leadership of Lingsu, Wang Gui and Zhao Yansong walked into the main hall.
Visitors rarely come to Xianfu Palace. Today, the noble king came and brought his son with him. Concubine Duan easily guessed her purpose.
"I pay my respects to my sister!" Wang Guiren saluted and pulled his son to pay homage.
"Greetings, empress!"
Concubine Duan picked up the teacup, took a sip and said, "Sister, what are you doing? I am not a queen, so I can bear such a great gift from you!"
Wang Guiren raised his head and said: "What my sister said, who in this harem doesn't know that some people appear to be queens, but my sister is the real queen!"
Wang Guiren's words were so explicit that even Concubine Duan was a little surprised. She secretly thought that this man was really bold and could say such nonsense.
But then she thought, if she didn't even have the courage, then there was no need to fight for the crown prince position.
"Get up... don't say this nonsense. If the Queen finds out, you will suffer a lot!"
After being called by Concubine Duan, Wang Guiren stepped forward and said: "Sister, the prince is dead..."
"I just knew about this!"
Seeing Concubine Duan's calm tone, Wang Guiren simply became heartbroken and said bluntly: "The prince died and the position of heir apparent was vacant. I came here this time... to ask my sister to help Xian'er!"
"Eleventh, do you want to be the crown prince?" After saying this, Concubine Duan glanced at Zhao Yansong.
This boy is no more than twelve years old, and he looks a little thin at the moment. If I use one sentence to describe him, it can be said that he "doesn't look like a human being."
"Now among the princes in the capital, only the tenth and eleventh are over ten years old. As long as they manage things well... there is no chance for the eleventh!" Wang Guiren said in a low tone.
Concubine Duan shook her head and said: "The ownership of the prince is something I, a woman, can control. Sister, you have found the wrong person!"
Mr. Wang wanted to laugh when he heard this. Concubine Duan has been controlling the prince's fate for the past twenty years. Is there anyone in the world who is better at this than you?
"My sister can speak well with the emperor, how can an ordinary woman like me be like this? As long as my sister is willing to help..."
Having said this, Wang Guiren took two steps forward and whispered in Concubine Duan's ear: "When Siong'er inherits the great rule, I would like to honor my sister as the empress dowager!"
In fact, there was no one else in the palace at this moment, but Wang Guiren still acted extremely cautious.
Being respected as the Queen Mother was quite attractive, and Concubine Duan could not help but feel a little moved.
"Sister, this is a big deal... Even I don't dare to interfere at will. You should go back first!"
Even though the conditions had reached this point, Concubine Duan still did not directly agree, which inevitably made Wang Guiren a little disappointed.
But as long as Concubine Duan did not refuse, it meant there was still hope, so Wang Guiren was not discouraged.
"Sister, the rest of our lives will be in my sister's hands!"
Concubine Duan sighed and said, "Go back first, this is no small matter!"
This paradoxical statement made Wang Guiren feel a lot more relaxed. It seemed that this road could work.
If Concubine Duan really helps, his son's position as crown prince will be almost guaranteed.
"As my sister taught me, this matter needs to be carefully planned!"
After chatting with Concubine Duan for a while, Wang Gui then left with Zhao Yansong.
From the beginning to the end, Concubine Duan never made her position clear, although she was moved by the noble man's words.
But this kind of thing cannot be decided easily, and even if it is decided, it should not be done hastily.
Therefore, Concubine Duan still had to wait and see for a while, and then act according to the situation.
