PFC Chapter 279 Trouble in Jinling
Chapter 279 Trouble in Jinling
After all, Jiang Qimo is still known as "He Wu's" son to outsiders, so it's not appropriate to change his name so easily. He can wait until the storm has passed and the name He Wu has been forgotten before making any further statements.
"Ok."
Jiang Qimo didn't seem disappointed, and even chuckled again, while Jiang Huanxi, standing behind him, looked somewhat worried.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Yuyue knew he probably had something to say, so she made up an excuse to send Jiang Qimo away and went to the side with Jiang Huanxi.
"Sister, I've heard all the news outside."
A hint of unease flickered in Jiang Huanxi's eyes. "You've made such a big fuss. If he comes back, won't all our efforts be in vain? Besides, he knows you haven't lost your memory. If he escalates this to the crime of deceiving the emperor, then...?"
"He can't make it back in time."
Jiang Yuyue raised an eyebrow, speaking with exceptional certainty, "Moreover, the bigger the commotion, the better. If it doesn't escalate, there's still room for maneuver. I don't want to leave even the slightest room for maneuver. As for your concern about the crime of deceiving the emperor..."
Jiang Yuyue paused for a moment, then smiled. "I, Jiang Yuyue, am merely the daughter of a merchant, while Song Jinglan is the Emperor himself. The world is unaware of our past. To outsiders, we are completely unrelated. What virtue or ability do I, Jiang Yuyue, possess to have the opportunity to deceive the Emperor? And how could there be any talk of deceiving the Emperor?"
These words barely convinced Jiang Huanxi, who pinched the bridge of his nose, temporarily putting aside his worries.
Jiang Yuyue understood what he was worried about. It was impossible for Song Jinglan not to be furious after she had done such a thing.
However, she also thought it over carefully. At least they could maintain good relations even if the business deal fell through. She had given birth to a son for him, so even if he was heartless, he would not be too harsh on the Jiang family for the sake of the child.
Seeing that the Jiang family had already begun preparing for the wedding, Yueying was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
He didn't know if his message had reached the capital yet. With Miss Jiang's wedding in three days, he dared not act without his master's instructions.
……
Meanwhile, in the capital city, thousands of miles away, Song Jinglan, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat in the main hall, receiving the kowtows of his ministers.
As soon as Song Jinglan arrived in the capital, he immediately presented evidence of Prince Ding, Song Chengyan's, crimes of colluding with the enemy, betraying the country, and assassinating the emperor. With both witnesses and physical evidence, Prince Ding's faction had no way to refute the charges.
Besides imprisoning Prince Ding, Song Jinglan also took this opportunity to eliminate many of his remaining followers. For a time, the emperor was in unparalleled power, and none of the officials dared to harbor any dissent.
Now that internal and external troubles have been eliminated, these officials have had to bring up another rather important matter.
"His Majesty."
The Minister of Rites stepped forward boldly, bowed slightly, and said, “Your Majesty has been on the throne for more than four years. The border wars have not yet been quelled, so it is understandable that Your Majesty has no interest in the affairs of the inner palace.”
"But now that the world is at peace, the position of Empress has been vacant for a long time. Shouldn't Your Majesty consider establishing an Empress? I have recently heard people discussing the lack of an Empress, and the people are all fearful that the foundation of the country is unstable. I urge Your Majesty to establish an Empress as soon as possible to put the people's minds at ease!"
With the Minister of Rites setting this precedent, many other officials followed suit.
"Your Majesty, I dare to offer this advice: as the saying goes, the royal bloodline is the foundation of the nation. Although Your Majesty is in the prime of life, the matter of having offspring is truly a matter of life and death for the country. I urge Your Majesty to take in more concubines to ensure the continuation of the royal family!"
"Indeed! Your Majesty, please choose a virtuous woman to establish as Empress as soon as possible, so as to secure the country!"
"..."
Seeing his ministers kneeling before him, all urging him to establish an empress and take concubines, Song Jinglan's expression remained unreadable. The ministers below assumed that the emperor was about to reject their advice as usual, so the Minister of Rites boldly raised his head again.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. In recent days, some people among the common people have been spreading rumors that slander Your Majesty, including many... rumors that Your Majesty's empty harem is due to a hidden illness. Although these rumors are untrue, they have made the ministers uneasy and have also affected Your Majesty's reputation!"
The Minister of Rites, forcing himself to speak, continued, "Therefore, we urge Your Majesty to establish an Empress and take in concubines, so that such rumors will be dispelled on their own!"
The other officials were all taken aback when they saw that the Minister of Rites had so boldly brought this matter up in public.
After all, everyone knows that their emperor is a decisive and ruthless person. In the past, no matter which minister advised him to establish an empress, all his memorials would be rejected without mercy. Now, the Minister of Rites actually...
That's way too risky!
Song Jinglan tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his slender fingers, his face remaining calm and composed, seemingly unperturbed by the words of the Minister of Rites.
The suffocating silence lasted for a long time, and just as the Minister of Rites was almost drenched in cold sweat, Song Jinglan finally spoke slowly.
"I have listened to all the heartfelt words of my beloved ministers."
Song Jinglan spoke in a measured tone, “However, you need not worry about the matter of establishing an empress. I already have someone in mind. The fifteenth of next month is an auspicious day, and I will establish the empress on that day, which will surely put your loyal hearts at ease.”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the assembled officials all changed, and their eyes were filled with disbelief.
They had thought that Emperor Zhaojing would reject their advice as usual, but to their surprise, he readily agreed this time.
The Minister of Rites was also somewhat incredulous. He looked up and examined Song Jinglan's expression. He knew that Song Jinglan, who always kept his word, would never lie to them. So why did he agree to establish an empress so hastily?
"If I may be so bold as to ask another question."
The Minister of Rites mustered his courage once again and asked, "May I ask which family Your Majesty has chosen as your Empress?"
Upon hearing this, Song Jinglan only glanced at him and did not intend to answer his question directly.
"You will all know when the fifteenth of next month."
Today's court assembly ended amidst the officials' deep doubts. Although they were relieved that Song Jinglan had finally decided to establish an empress, they also began to speculate about who the empress he had chosen was.
Song Jinglan had just returned to the Imperial Study after court when Feng Ling rushed over with a note.
"Your Majesty, a major incident has occurred in Jinling."
Feng Ling hurriedly bowed and presented the note, her tone tinged with anxiety, "The news from Yueying says that Miss Jiang has regained her original identity and has already become engaged to Xiang Suiyuan, the son of the Jiang family's steward. The wedding date is set for three days from now, and the Jiang family... is already making preparations for their wedding!"