PFC Chapter 27 I believe that the Empress Dowager will make a choice that is in her best interest!
Chapter 27 I believe that the Empress Dowager will make a choice that is in her best interest!
"His Majesty!"
Gu Youzhi, looking at Emperor Xiao Qingkuang with a mocking expression, immediately reminded him seriously,
"Although this matter has been temporarily resolved, the Empress Dowager and Prince Su will certainly not let it go! Your Majesty... you still need to be prepared!"
Upon hearing Gu Youzhi's words, Xiao Qingkuang slowly pulled her somewhat scattered thoughts back.
At this moment, the mockery and ridicule from before were gone from his face; in its place was a thoughtful and contemplative expression.
After a long while...
Xiao Qingkuang waved his hand gently and said, "It's alright!"
After a slight pause, Xiao Qingkuang continued, "I know what you're thinking... However, given my current situation, if Prince Su could become the crown prince, it would still be beneficial to me! Therefore, to some extent, I, the Empress Dowager, and Prince Su are actually on the same side!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Youzhi's expression did not relax; instead, it became even more worried.
Through their time together, he knew that the young emperor was quite clever, but precisely because of this, he was even more worried that the emperor was just clever in name only, and that in this complicated game of power... he would end up with nothing but bones!
"While Your Majesty's words are not wrong, but..."
Gu Youzhi's gaze was fixed intently on Xiao Qingkuang's face.
"Regardless of the reason, the final result was... the succession was not established!"
"With no crown prince yet established, the Empress Dowager and Prince Su will certainly not be content... especially Prince Su!"
"Prince Su's return to the capital this time is driven by immense ambition. If they become suspicious, thinking that His Majesty is obstructing him from behind, or that His Majesty is playing power games, then the situation will become extremely dangerous!"
…………
After a slight pause, Gu Youzhi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled before continuing with a very serious tone, "Therefore, Your Majesty will need to focus more on the Empress Dowager and Prince Su... especially Prince Su!"
Xiao Qingkuang didn't speak, but listened quietly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the warm jade pendant at her waist.
Seeing that the emperor did not interrupt, Gu Youzhi continued his analysis:
"His Majesty's exceptional reception of Prince Su, and his personal driving of the carriage for him... these are all excellent actions!"
"If I'm not mistaken during the banquet, His Majesty has almost won over Prince Su to your side!"
…………
Gu Youzhi recalled the expression on Prince Su Xiao Suyue's face at the banquet—at that time, although he tried his best to hide it, Gu Youzhi still keenly caught the trace of wavering and gratitude deep in his eyes!
"He has been stationed in the western frontier for many years, enduring wind and rain, and deep down he actually longs for the approval of Your Majesty, his elder brother."
Gu Youzhi said slowly,
"But... the desire for my brother's approval is one thing, and tangible benefits are another; the two should not be confused!"
"This time, His Majesty failed to make Prince Su the crown prince, which means that for Prince Su at the moment, the gains and losses of the court are not of much concern to him!"
"Therefore, Your Majesty still needs to use brotherly affection to win over Prince Su and make him realize that Your Majesty actually favors him as the crown prince, but the matter has been blocked by the ministers..."
"Your Majesty must convince Prince Su that he has a chance... and a very high chance, of becoming the crown prince of the Daliang Dynasty, and even inheriting the entire Daliang Dynasty in the future!"
"Only in this way can Prince Su possibly undermine his own foundation and painstakingly forge this so-called alliance of blood ties with Your Majesty!"
…………
"A bond of blood..." Xiao Qingkuang repeated the four words in a low voice, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"Exactly!" Gu Youzhi emphasized, "Only by making him feel His Majesty's trust and reliance on him, and by letting him truly see the hope of becoming the crown prince, will he do his utmost in crucial moments!"
At this point, Gu Youzhi slightly raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on the emperor:
"Has Your Majesty ever considered how vast that land stretches between the Western and Northern Frontiers truly is?"
"Once Your Majesty and Prince Su form a blood oath, that vast region will become the front line of our Great Liang Dynasty against the Northern Xiongnu, and a crucial barrier protecting the capital!"
"Only by forging a blood oath with Prince Su and securing his unwavering loyalty to His Majesty will he spare no effort to protect this empire at crucial moments!"
"Otherwise, if he changes his mind, or is bribed by others... even if he simply remains inactive when the Northern Xiongnu invade, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
…………
Xiao Qingkuang remained silent.
He had to admit that what Gu Youzhi said made a lot of sense.
"As for the Empress Dowager..."
At this moment, Gu Youzhi's voice rang out again, pulling Xiao Qingkuang's thoughts back to the context of his words.
"Although the Empress Dowager favors Prince Su, she is ultimately a mother—it's only natural to favor one's youngest son. But once the Empress Dowager understands the situation, she will surely help Your Majesty!"
"After all, you and Prince Su are both sons of the Empress Dowager. No matter who becomes emperor, she will always be the Empress Dowager, enjoying immense wealth and power!"
"But what if another member of the royal family became emperor?"
"Does Your Majesty believe that the Empress Dowager can still act as she does now...?"
…………
Gu Youzhi stopped talking in time and did not continue, but the meaning he wanted to express was already very clear!
Clearly, if the person sitting on that dragon throne now does not have the bloodline of the Empress Dowager, although the Empress Dowager will still be the Empress Dowager, other things besides the title of "Empress Dowager" will be somewhat uncertain.
Xiao Qingkuang understood what Gu Youzhi was trying to say!
The Empress Dowager may seem to wield immense power now, but the foundation of her power is ultimately built upon her status as the "Emperor's Mother." If imperial power were to fall into the hands of outsiders, the Empress Dowager's position would be in grave danger.
"Therefore, in the end, I believe the Empress Dowager will make the choice that is in her best interest!"
Gu Youzhi stated his final conclusion.
Meanwhile, a long silence fell over the main hall, with only a palace lantern in the corner occasionally crackling and popping.
After a long while, Xiao Qingkuang, who had been deep in thought, finally made a move.
He slowly got up, walked to the window, and pushed it open.
A chilly night wind swept over him, ruffling his robes.
Looking at the dark outline of the palace in the distance, Xiao Qingkuang made a decision in an instant!
"I understand what the Grand Commandant has said. I... know what to do!"
Having made his decision, Xiao Qingkuang immediately spoke.
Seeing that Xiao Qingkuang had truly listened to his words, Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi felt a little more at ease.