What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 338 - 334: Did the Crown Prince Not Mention Taking a Consort?
September 10th, early morning.
The memorials were sent to the imperial desk in Liangyi Palace.
After flipping through three memorials consecutively, the Emperor pondered for a moment and asked, "The position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat has been vacant for over a month. Recently, state affairs have been numerous, and Prime Minister Zheng alone struggles to support it. Who do you think is suitable to be the Prime Minister?"
After asking, the gaze did not fall on the most trusted Prime Minister Zheng Shidao, nor on the eldest son, Prince Jin.
But rather on Crown Prince Li Mu, whom he never wanted to see in Liangyi Palace—
...
"Who did the Crown Prince suggest?" Tang Xiaobai anxiously asked.
Tang Shigong smiled faintly, "The Crown Prince asked about Prince Jin and Prince Qing."
"Ah?" Tang Xiaobai was momentarily confused.
Tang Ziqian understood, sneering, "Our Crown Prince learns very quickly!"
Tang Xiaobai realized as well.
Leaders always speak last.
Especially emperors, who either decide the fate of the nation with one word or let their ministers debate and argue, making a decision themselves in the end.
It must be said, this young master has truly grasped the posture of a Crown Prince.
"He’s learning useless things. If he had a conscience, he should support Father in becoming Prime Minister!" Tang Jiaojiao scoffed gently.
Tang Xiaobai’s expression shifted slightly, looking towards Tang Shigong.
The Prime Minister, a pillar of the state, is a cornerstone of the nation.
As early as the moment Wang Maozhao died, the vacant prime minister position had already been calculated by countless individuals.
Now officially brought up, everyone in the court is restless.
Tang Xiaobai could not escape this either, "Father, how confident are you?"
Not all dynasties clearly separate civil officials and military generals.
Wang Maozhao and Zheng Shidao both had led troops, and Tang Shigong could also write excellent essays.
In terms of reputation and experience, Tang Shigong is qualified to contend for the prime minister position.
Seeing the question, Tang Shigong did not shy away and spoke frankly, "At present, in the court, in terms of experience and ability, only Xue Qiao and Pei Yaqing are worthy opponents—"
Xue Qiao, the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, is the father of Xue Shaojian, and Pei Yaqing, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, is the father of Pei Xuan.
"However, this needs to be discussed in detail at the next court meeting," Tang Shigong said, glancing at his children, asking, "Whom do you think is more likely?"
His gaze first landed on the youngest, Tang Xiaobai.
Tang Xiaobai thought briefly and said, "No matter how much the court debates, the most important opinions are those of Your Majesty and Prime Minister Zheng. Since Father and Minister Pei are somewhat aligned with the Eastern Palace, I guess Your Majesty would prefer Vice Minister Xue."
"If the Emperor and Prime Minister decided it all, there wouldn’t be a need to wait for a court meeting," Tang Jiaojiao disagreed, "If the Emperor wants to keep Father in the Capital, he needs to offer something. Before, after Father’s triumphant return, only a little gold and silver were awarded. Now it’s just right to compensate with a prime minister position."
Tang Shigong smiled and finally looked towards his eldest son.
Tang Ziqian’s expression was somewhat serious, "Though the Crown Prince has been official for just over a month, he is gaining momentum. He is now openly participating in discussions at Liangyi Palace, and once before, regarding the Turkic issue, the Eastern Palace’s attitude was very firm, which could have raised alarms. For this prime minister’s position appointment, I believe the focus should be on dampening the Eastern Palace’s morale. We might need to focus elsewhere beyond the prime minister candidate."
The focus is beyond the prime minister candidate, but specifically where?
Tang Ziqian himself did not have an answer.
As the three siblings were leaving, Tang Xiaobai lingered, sneakily approaching her father, whispered, "The Crown Prince said he would petition to take a wife at the next court meeting..."
Tang Shigong glanced at his youngest daughter’s twinkling eyes and laughed, "Didn’t the Crown Prince already want to petition at the last court meeting?"
"How did Father know?" Tang Xiaobai was shocked.
Last time, she didn’t tell her father, but due to the overlap with the prime minister’s issue this time, she decided to inform him.
Tang Shigong laughed heartily, "I just made a casual guess, didn’t expect our Crown Prince couldn’t keep calm!"
"He keeps quite composed in other matters." Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help defending Li Mu.
Tang Shigong smiled and shook his head, "I know, go on now!"
Tang Xiaobai hesitated to leave, "Will it affect Father’s appointment as Prime Minister?"
Tang Shigong laughed, "Didn’t you just doubt my chances?"
Tang Xiaobai blushed, "My view might not be accurate..."
"I actually think your view is quite astute," Tang Shigong smiled, "Regardless of where the focus is this time, the next Prime Minister favored by Your Majesty is likely Xue Qiao."
Tang Xiaobai’s heart moved, she quietly asked, "What if the Crown Prince also has someone in mind?"
Tang Shigong looked at her intently for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand, his palm gently resting on her head.
At the age of nine, Tang Xiaobai never saw herself as a child, yet in this moment, she suddenly felt very small.
"Ah Jiao, as a father, I do not wish to become Prime Minister." He said softly.
He did not explain why, but Tang Xiaobai instantly understood his intention.
The phrase ’fire cooking oil, flowers adding glory’ precisely describes the current Duke Yan Mansion.
When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, they might even reach greater heights.
Her father’s concession was paving the way for his children.
She opened her mouth, wanting to call "Father," but her throat was blocked, and she couldn’t utter a sound, tears welled up in her eyes, almost falling.
Tang Shigong chuckled, his palm slid naturally onto her shoulder, "The Crown Prince taking a wife won’t affect the prime minister’s appointment, but the appointment might very well affect the Crown Prince’s marriage. Your mother still wishes to keep you for a couple more years, let the Crown Prince worry about it.
Tang Xiaobai deeply pondered her father and brother’s words together.
The general idea is, the Emperor might make a move regarding the selection of Prime Minister to suppress the Eastern Palace, possibly affecting the Crown Prince’s marriage decision.
But what kind of move could the Emperor make in selecting a Prime Minister? How would suppressing the Eastern Palace impact the Crown Prince’s marriage?
She couldn’t figure it out.
Li Mu, however, dismissed it nonchalantly, "No matter whom he appoints as Prime Minister, it cannot influence the matters of the Eastern Palace."
...
Soon, it was September 15th, the court meeting day.
At the start of the meeting, Assistant Minister Zheng Shidao stepped forward, requesting the selection of a new Prime Minister.
The officials all had recommendations, including Tang Shigong, Pei Yaqing, and Xue Qiao.
Those recommended for Prime Minister are certainly not mediocre. Among them, each has different strengths in the court, making it difficult to choose.
After over an hour of arguments, the Emperor finally spoke, "What does Prime Minister Zheng think?"
Li Mu’s eyelids moved slightly.
The Emperor’s question was routine. Although Zheng Shidao has the right to recommend, being the Crown Prince means his words carry more weight.
However, when Zheng Shidao spoke, he surprised everyone by not offering a specific candidate.
"There are many capable individuals in the court, it’s difficult for both Your Majesty and me to decide. The Prime Minister assists the emperor, regulates the yin and yang, guides the four seasons, carries out Heaven’s mandate, so it might be better to sacrifice to the heavens, emulate King Wen, and seek divine guidance for a worthy candidate!"
...
"What an emulation of King Wen, seeking divine guidance for a worthy candidate!"
If not for differing positions, Tang Xiaobai would have even liked to give them six hundred and sixty-six likes.
So this was the plan all along!
In ancient times, it was common practice to seek divine guidance for undecided major matters, but rarely used for appointments.
Even when selecting a Crown Prince, this procedure would not usually apply to official appointments.
The department in charge of interpreting divine will has always been led by officials from the Qingzhou School headed by Zheng Shidao. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
A move like this effectively reaffirmed the leading position of Qingzhou School officials in court affairs.
"Yet it’s all about the final result; if Xue Qiao becomes Prime Minister, it’s not the worst outcome." Tang Shigong said, then instructed his eldest son and daughter to leave, leaving only Tang Xiaobai behind.
Tang Xiaobai seemed to have an epiphany, "Did the Crown Prince not bring up the issue of taking a wife?"
