Capítulo 1000: Chapter 548: Establishing the Crown Prince!
She’s still far behind.
Moreover, she shouldn’t lose the bigger picture by completely exposing her strength.
“Royal sister.”
Sima Ke sat close to Princess Pingyang, slightly bowing his hands.
“Mm.”
Princess Pingyang nodded, neither too close nor distant.
In fact, she had felt some disgust towards this good-for-nothing brother when she initially discovered that incident, thinking he was a hopeless waste.
Yet after a period of silence, he suddenly began to transform significantly.
Not only did he respect the wise ones and maintain proper etiquette, widely spreading his name of virtue, but he also gained the favor of Chen Yuan, staying close to him, almost publicly declaring his support.
Honestly, she was somewhat curious.
What method did Sima Ke use to resolve his grievances with Chen Yuan, even securing his support—utterly perplexing!
She knew Chen Yuan’s character had always been somewhat ruthless, never reconciliating with enemies; anyone who held grudges with him would find themselves and their family eradicated by his schemes.
Leaving no future threats for himself.
This very trait kept him in a transcendental position in the Capital; even if someone despised him greatly, they wouldn’t dare openly feud with him.
After all, once enmity arises with Chen Yuan, experience dictates an unending, mortal outcome.
Thus, she was indeed perplexed.
What persuaded Chen Yuan?
Money?
Power?
Influence?
Or… a woman?
These, he seemingly lacked none.
“Have you heard about some recent commotions in the Capital, royal sister?” Sima Ke casually asked.
“No.”
Princess Pingyang lightly tapped her teeth, slowly uttering two words.
“How about I share them with you, royal sister?”
“There’s no need, you…”
Princess Pingyang was about to say something when her expression suddenly changed, swiftly turning her head toward one side of the grand hall.
The Emperor has appeared!
Jingtai strode in with a dragon’s grace and a tiger’s pace, closely accompanied by the Empress, with Noble Consort Yang and Sima Qian’s mother, Noble Consort Xu, flanking behind them.
These three were the presiding figures in the harem.
“Your son greets Father Emperor, greets Mother Empress.”
“Your son greets Father Emperor, greets Mother Empress.”
“Your son greets Father Emperor, greets Mother Empress.”
As they appeared, all the princes and princesses present rose to pay their respects.
The Empress, mother of the realm, was nominally their ‘mother.’
Jingtai’s face shed its usual sternness, adorned now with a light smile:
“Today is a family feast; formalities are unnecessary, be seated.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor…”
“Thank you, Father Emperor…”
After the greetings, the princes and princesses finally sat down again.
The Emperor and Empress sat at the head, while the two Imperial Concubines sat at the lower left and right positions; peculiarly, this time Noble Consort Yang did not vie with Noble Consort Xu for the left position but sat silently on the right.
This drew a slight glance from Jingtai, but he didn’t ponder much.
Simply assuming Noble Consort Yang’s mind had waned.
The dishes prepared for the royal family’s feast were exceptionally sumptuous, both Spiritual Wine and Spiritual Tea were of superior quality, each placed upon the tables before everyone.
“I said there’s no need for formalities, no need for those rules….”
Jingtai scanned those below, seeing that they still dared not act too recklessly, he slowly shook his head, looking at Sima Qian, asking:
“Qian’er, you….”
“In response to Father Emperor…”
“You’er….”
Jingtai opened his mouth to inquire about each of their recent circumstances, offering gentle words of encouragement; then he turned his gaze to Sima Ke, his brows furrowed but quickly eased, asking:
“Ke’er, I hear recently you’ve been diligently studying poetry, courteous to others, earning a reputation for virtue; is this true?”
Sima Ke promptly bowed and answered:
“In response to Father Emperor, this son recently suddenly came to realization, knowing not to abandon academics, resolved to correct some past misdeeds; as for reputation for virtue, I dare not claim,
second brother’s virtuous reputation is widely known in the Capital.”
“Mm, indeed you were rather lazy before, but it’s a good thing to find your way and resolve to correct, make sure not to slack again.”
“Understood, this son obeys.”
Then, Jingtai went on to inquire about all the princes and princesses present before finally stopping.
The atmosphere finally began to warm up.
Yet only Princess Pingyang felt that this family feast might not be so serene, there surely were more matters to be discussed later.
Sure enough, after approximately a quarter of an hour passed, Jingtai put down the wine cup in his hand, emitting a sound, causing the princes, who were always focused on his actions, to put down everything at hand and attentively listen to his teachings.
Despite his words saying formalities are unnecessary, to act freely, even the youngest princes and princesses wouldn’t take it truly, knowing the place of Father Emperor’s authority.
The atmosphere in the Qianqing Palace hall drew to a stillness.
Jingtai’s gaze swept over several princes below, pondering for a moment before saying:
“At this family feast, I have another matter to discuss.”
Everyone pricked up their ears to listen quietly.
“In recent years, ministers in the court repeatedly petitioned to establish a Crown Prince. Initially, I was in my prime, uninterested in it, but lately, feeling fatigue frequently, I harbored such a thought.”
“Boom!”
Jingtai’s remark crashed down into everyone’s minds like the collapse of a mountain.
All the princes, along with the Empress and Imperial Concubines, focused their gazes on Jingtai.
This was his first time mentioning the establishment of a Crown Prince; although there had been rumors before, they were somewhat unbelievable; now thinking about it, rumors where there’s smoke, the Emperor likely harbored this thought long ago.
Several eligible princes immediately straightened their backs, but Princess Pingyang’s eyes glimmered with a hint of gloom.
“Father Emperor is in his prime years, with endless longevity; this son feels anxious.”