The Second Master of the Red Chamber

The Empress harbored too many doubts, so she went to see Emperor Ningkang after the banquet.

"Is His Majesty feeling any better?"

Sitting on the edge of the emperor's bed, the empress asked with concern.

Dai Quan helped Emperor Ningkang sit up a little and volunteered to speak for him: "Your Majesty has just eaten some meat porridge and is about to rest."

Looking at Emperor Ningkang's increasingly thin body and withered face, the Empress knew perfectly well that Emperor Ningkang must have been forcing himself to sit briefly at her birthday banquet.

Indeed, given his strong-willed nature, if he still had the energy, he probably wouldn't have handed over the administration of the court to someone else.

The heartache and sorrow on the Empress's face were interpreted as pity by Emperor Ningkang.

He disliked this feeling. He also guessed why the Empress had come to see him, so he dismissed Dai Quan and the others and asked, "What brings you to me?"

The imperial physician had said that Emperor Ningkang needed to rest more, so the empress didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Your Majesty has adopted the Prince of Pingliao to me as your heir, and I am extremely grateful to Your Majesty."

However, after careful consideration, I still feel that there is something slightly wrong with this matter.

The Crown Prince is young and does not have a strong foundation in the court.

"If we adopt the Prince of Pingliao into our lineage at this time, it might threaten the Crown Prince's position."

The Empress and Emperor Ningkang had been married for decades and had a deep foundation of trust, which is why she spoke somewhat frankly.

Emperor Ningkang was not surprised at all by the Empress's words. Leaning against the headboard, he calmly asked, "Do you mean that the Prince of Pingliao will rebel?"

“This… Prince Pingliao is loyal to His Majesty and respectful to the Crown Prince, so he would not do that.”

Emperor Ningkang snorted lightly. Over the years, he and the Empress had discussed Jia Lian countless times in private, so there was no need to elaborate on some things.

He knew the Empress's worries and her caution.

He then took out his hand from under the blanket, placed it on the Empress's hand, and said, "I understand everything you mean."

You don't need to worry. I made this decision after careful consideration.

"I have a question for you: who do you think is more suitable to inherit the throne—the Crown Prince, the Prince of Pingliao, or anyone else?"

The Empress was immediately startled and said without thinking, "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing? Even if Your Majesty likes the Prince of Pingliao very much, the Crown Prince is Your Majesty's legitimate heir."

Moreover, the Crown Prince has already assumed the position of heir apparent, and after His Majesty's passing, the Crown Prince will naturally inherit the throne.

Anyone who dares to harbor any other thoughts is a traitor and a rebel, and everyone has the right to kill them.

Jia Lian is now the Empress's son, so it's hard for the Empress not to suspect that Emperor Ningkang is trying to put her in a difficult position with his words.

Emperor Ningkang was too lazy to explain further, and only said: "Does the Empress know what the Crown Prince said when he learned that I had appointed him as the heir apparent on the day Prince Yun plotted his rebellion?"

The queen shook her head.

He said he didn't know how to be the crown prince, and that he couldn't be a good crown prince, so he asked me to establish Zhi'er.

He even said that if I didn't trust Zhi'er, I should just make Jia Lian the heir.

He said that Jia Lian was his grandfather's grandson anyway, exceptionally capable, and he was favored by the emperor, so why not?

The Empress quickly replied, "These are just the words of a child; Your Majesty need not take them to heart."

Emperor Ningkang looked at the Empress seriously and said slowly, "No, I think what he said makes a lot of sense."

Emperor Ningkang ignored the Empress's expression and continued, "The Crown Prince is unruly and ignorant."

The fifth prince was too young.

If I am in good health, I am confident that I can gradually train them to become wise rulers, or at least capable of maintaining the status quo.

But I…

As Emperor Ningkang spoke, a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes.

He spent most of his life fighting with his brothers, and even after becoming the crown prince and then the emperor, he still had to fight with his father.

He did put effort into cultivating his successor.

The former crown prince, and even Prince Yun, were both qualified successors.

This is also why, even though he was furious when Prince Yun plotted to harm the Crown Prince, he decided to give him another chance.

"But I know I don't have that much time left."

Although the prince was unruly, he possessed a kind heart.

For this reason, even if he cannot become a great ruler, at least he will not become a tyrannical ruler who brings disaster to the country and its people.

With the assistance of virtuous and capable advisors, one may very well achieve lasting fame.

The Empress sighed, “Your Majesty is wise.”

So, it seems the Prince of Pingliao is the virtuous and capable man His Majesty left for the Crown Prince?

Emperor Ningkang nodded, then shook his head: "Whether he is virtuous or not, I don't know. After all, Wang Mang's humility is still unknown."

The Empress was helpless; she simply couldn't grasp Emperor Ningkang's thoughts.

He clearly liked Jia Lian so much, and even wanted to take him in as his stepson, yet he compared him to Wang Mang.

However, she also knew that Emperor Ningkang had not finished speaking, so she was not in a hurry to express her opinion.

“The Prince of Pingliao is young, shrewd, and has made great contributions. If such a person cannot become virtuous and capable, he will surely become a source of trouble.”

Logically speaking, I shouldn't be gambling.

Even if it means bearing the infamy of harming loyal officials, I should still eliminate the threat to the Crown Prince.

But I... I can't bear to part with it.

I really can't bear to part with it.

The Prince of Pingliao has done right by me; how could I betray him?
Since I am reluctant to kill him, I can only show him kindness.

Let him, even if he cannot be a virtuous and capable ruler, at least be a worthy successor to Emperor Taizu of Song.

The Empress was startled once again.

Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, was grateful for the favor shown to him by Emperor Shizong of Zhou, Chai Rong. Although he later seized the throne from the Chai family through a military coup, he still treated the Chai family well.

The Empress was deeply shocked, realizing that she had underestimated Jia Lian's standing in Emperor Ningkang's heart.

Emperor Ningkang knew that Jia Lian had the potential to become Zhao Kuangyin, yet he did not stop him but instead helped him achieve his goal?
This……

Even a father and son might not be able to do this!
So he comforted him, saying, “Your Majesty must be overthinking things. Judging from the previous actions of the Prince of Pingliao, whether it was the rebellion at Tiewang Mountain or the rebellion of the Prince of Yun, his abilities and loyalty to Your Majesty are impeccable.”

Moreover, he had been on good terms with the Crown Prince for many years.

"I truly cannot believe that the Prince of Pingliao would commit any act of disloyalty."

Emperor Ningkang said, "Empress, there is no need to worry. I was just using an analogy."

Emperor Taizu of Song was surnamed Zhao, not Chai. Even if the Prince of Pingliao followed his example, it was merely an internal struggle within the imperial family and could hardly be considered a change of dynasty.

I know the Crown Prince, and I also know the Prince of Pingliao.

Since I have adopted the Prince of Pingliao into your family, I have already recognized him as my son.

In this way, even if the two of them fight in the future, it will be no different from the fight between Father and his uncles, or between me and my brothers.

Throughout history, the struggle for imperial power has been marked by the fratricide between fathers and sons, and brothers.

However, I believe there are always exceptions to everything.

I want to make a bet with myself.

I want to see if this rule can be broken by these two.

Whether I win or lose, I don't care.

Because I know that no matter who wins, neither of them will endanger the people or the ancestral land and its people.

Seeing the sudden flash of brilliance in Emperor Ningkang's eyes, the Empress was deeply shocked.

She really didn't expect that Emperor Ningkang would have such thoughts!
No wonder he changed his previous decision, included Jia Lian in the family genealogy, and even adopted Jia Lian under her name.

Emperor Ningkang was confident.

He was confident that as long as he lived, Jia Lian would remain loyal to him.

However, Emperor Ningkang was unsure whether Jia Lian would remain completely loyal to the succeeding emperor.

If it were any other emperor in this situation, he would definitely eliminate this potential threat while he is still alive.

However, Emperor Ningkang clearly had no intention of doing so.

He couldn't bear to kill Jia Lian...

Perhaps it's not entirely for that reason.

The crown prince was young and unruly, lacking the demeanor of an emperor.

The fifth prince was even younger.

The saying "a young ruler and a suspicious state" is inevitable.

If every threat must be eliminated, Emperor Ningkang doesn't know how many people would need to be eliminated.

In the end, I'm afraid we may not be able to get what we want.

After all, if he really eliminates all these loyal and capable ministers, then who will protect the country in the end?
Therefore, Emperor Ningkang did the opposite.

Instead of eliminating him, why not take a different approach and turn the biggest and most capable threat into one of the options? It just so happens that Emperor Ningkang has few sons, so let's make Jia Lian his son.

In this way, not only is the threat eliminated, but an additional layer of protection is also provided.

From then on, anyone who wanted to usurp the throne would not only have to face the unruly fourth prince and the young fifth prince, but also the young, strong, and accomplished Prince Pingliao.

This virtually eliminated the possibility of outsiders seizing power.

Of course, having an extra son naturally increases the risk of conflict between the parent and child.

However, Emperor Ningkang was clearly willing to take this risk.

Even if, in the future, the scenario that Emperor Ningkang least wanted to see occurred—that Jia Lian would kick the Crown Prince off the throne—it would happen.

First, there was the selfless kindness Emperor Ningkang showed him.

Jia Lian would absolutely not dare to go too far against the Crown Prince's faction.

There's no need to go overboard.

Because Emperor Ningkang had already granted Jia Lian a legitimate status.

In this way, even if he seizes the throne in the future, the fourth and fifth princes will not necessarily die.

Secondly, since Jia Lian has a legitimate status, as long as he is not mentally unstable, he will continue to respect Emperor Ningkang as his father after seizing the throne.

Such orthodoxy still belongs to the lineage of Emperor Ningkang.

The Empress was deeply moved upon thinking of this.

It turned out that all her worries were unfounded, because Emperor Ningkang had already taken all the possibilities into account.

At the same time, the Empress couldn't help but want to ask:
Since Your Majesty has paved the way for Prince Pingliao, why not simply pass the throne to him directly?

This would also prevent a potential fight.

She knew that given her status, she shouldn't ask that question.

"Your Majesty's kindness towards the King of Pingliao is admirable and moving."

If he knew, he would be extremely grateful.

I also believe that Your Majesty will not misjudge people.

"The Prince of Pingliao will surely become a loyal and virtuous minister, far surpassing Yue Fei, unparalleled throughout history."

Looking at the empress's adoring gaze, Emperor Ningkang finally showed a hint of enjoyment on his face.

Even emperors are human beings and need to express themselves appropriately.

In the past, he would plan these things silently in his heart.

Now that I've made up my mind and told someone else about it, I naturally feel less heavy-hearted.

However, fearing that the Empress would reveal his intentions to Jia Lian, he immediately warned her:
"What I am thinking is nothing more than taking precautions against problems before they arise."

In reality, none of this may actually happen.

You must remember not to mention this to the Prince of Pingliao, lest you incite unnecessary ambition in him.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember this and will not reveal Your Majesty's thoughts to anyone else, lest I ruin Your Majesty's grand plan."

Just as Emperor Ningkang and the Empress finished their conversation, Dai Quan entered and announced that the cabinet ministers were jointly requesting an audience.

Upon hearing this, the Empress said to Emperor Ningkang, "I'm afraid they heard that Your Majesty has elevated the Prince of Pingliao to the imperial lineage and adopted him into my family. They feel this is inappropriate and want to come and advise Your Majesty."

Emperor Ningkang agreed wholeheartedly and said to Dai Quan, "Tell them that I have already gone to bed. If there is anything, have them discuss it with the three ministers in charge of state affairs, or have the Crown Prince decide."

……

At the Xihua Gate, Jia Lian saw Baochai and Daiyu off to their carriage.

Seeing that they were opening their mouths frequently, clearly wanting to say something to him but finding it inconvenient to speak, Jia Lian smiled and said, "Go back with the old lady and the others first. We can talk about it when I get back."

Baochai nodded: "Then my husband, please go ahead with your business. Lin Daiyu and I will wait for you at home."

"Ah."

After seeing off Daiyu, Baochai, and Grandmother Jia, Jia Lian turned and walked towards Princess Zhaoyang.

Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "What, are you reluctant to part with your two sisters-in-law... Brother Wang?"

Seeing Princess Zhaoyang's playful posture of bending over and tilting her head, Jia Lian reached out and patted her head, laughing, "Stop fooling around."

Although Princess Zhaoyang teased Jia Lian using their sibling relationship, she was still embarrassed when Jia Lian touched her head in front of the guards, maids, and eunuchs, and she quickly dodged away.

He dared not joke anymore, and followed Jia Lian toward the Daming Palace while discussing serious matters.

"I have already spoken with the Imperial Clan Court and we need to keep everything simple."

We'll go to the Imperial Clan Court to register our family genealogy later, that should be fine.

As for the adoption ceremony, a decision must be made after consulting with the Empress Dowager.

Jia Lian nodded.

This involves the royal bloodline and the legitimacy of princes. Whether it's elevating a prince to the imperial lineage or adopting him under the empress's name, it's no small matter.

All the necessary procedures must be followed to prevent anyone from taking advantage of loopholes.

"Sigh, I feel so tired right now. No one in the entire government has more to do than me."

He was expected to participate in politics, command the imperial guards, and manage all matters concerning the imperial clan.

"Sigh, Brother Wang, what do you think? Should I resign from my post at the Imperial Clan Court?"

Hearing Princess Zhaoyang's complaints, Jia Lian also laughed.

The current Princess Zhaoyang is just like he used to be, holding multiple positions.

Moreover, its value is much higher than his previous ones.

He was a minister in charge of state affairs, the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards, and also served as the deputy head of the Imperial Clan Court.

Especially after the downfall of Prince Zhongshun, the "Executive Deputy Clan Head," Princess Zhaoyang basically decided all matters, big and small, of the Imperial Clan Court.

So when she says she's tired, it's definitely not an exaggeration.

"The capable are often given more work."

Your Majesty... Father Emperor trusts you, which is why he has entrusted you with so many tasks.

But you're right.

You really shouldn't overwork yourself, or you'll make mistakes.

There's no need for him to resign from his position as deputy clan leader.

Hasn't Prince Su completely stopped interfering in affairs these days?

Since he is already quite old, I think it would be better to select a prince from the imperial clan who is both virtuous and capable to serve as the deputy head of the imperial clan.

When the time is right, we will put him in the position of clan leader.

That will make things much easier for you, won't it?

Princess Zhaoyang understood almost immediately.

The Imperial Clan Court managed members of the imperial clan and nobles, and its authority and connections were very important.

If you can avoid throwing it away, then don't.

It just so happens that Prince Su was a man of the retired emperor. Since the retired emperor was given a period of retirement, Emperor Ningkang has not taken any action against him.

However, he also consciously stopped caring about the affairs of the Imperial Clan Court and even wrote several times to request to resign from his position as the head of the Imperial Clan Court.

Emperor Ningkang saw that he knew how to advance and retreat, and was also concerned about the impact, so he did not move him out of his position for the time being.

Now that King Chungshun has stepped down, it's the perfect time to find someone with both virtue and talent (one of our own) to put in power.

Princess Zhaoyang nodded, and began to think about a suitable candidate.

Before long, they arrived in front of the Daming Palace and saw several cabinet ministers arguing with Dai Quan.

"Please tell us, Eunuch Dai, when His Majesty will wake up. We do have important matters to discuss with His Majesty in person."

Kong Si pleaded anxiously with Dai Quan.

Dai Quan looked troubled: "My lords, please don't make things difficult for me. His Majesty has already said that the three prime ministers should consult on matters of state."

If the three prime ministers cannot reach a decision, the crown prince shall be consulted.

"But only His Majesty can make this decision..."

As Kong Si spoke, he saw Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang.

His face darkened, and he strode over.

"Duke Rong, please wait!"

Jia Lian stopped and asked, "What advice does Lord Kong have for me?"

"The Duke of Rong is facing imminent disaster, do you realize it?"

Jia Lian: "..."

Princess Zhaoyang: "..."

...(End of chapter)