Princess and the General

w prime minister, right? A country cannot go a day without a prime minister.
Since Prime Minister Yin has already resigned, this selection needs to be done a little faster.”

Emperor Ning said: “How could We not know the reasoning behind that? Yin Yan left a choice for Us that We also feel was very fitting.
But YiZhao and ChengZhi both recommended officials, while neither is backing down.
Furthermore, they’re only recommending officials that are on good terms with them!”

Imperial Consort Xian dropped to her knees, “It was this concubine whose teaching was lacking.
Though YiZhao is the older brother, the second prince is the prince born of the empress.
He’s too lacking in understanding of the rules.
How can he dare to compete with the second prince?”

Normally, when she said this sort of thing, Emperor Ning would always comfort her.
The eldest prince was the older brother, and his position was not lower than that of the second prince.

He would also tell her not to feel so inferior in order to keep the eldest prince from feeling bad.

Today, however, Emperor Ning did not say anything.

Imperial Consort Xian remained kneeling on the ground, feeling more and more uneasy.
She just felt Emperor Ning’s gaze linger on the top of her head.

After a long time, that gaze finally pulled back.

He extended his hand, “Get up.
YiZhao is already an adult.
He has his own ideas and cannot be controlled by you.
You have managed the inner palace for many years, yet you never brought up anything to Us that would overstep your authority.
We fully understand.”

The corners of Imperial Consort Xian’s lips were a little stiff, as she held Emperor Ning’s hand and slowly stood up.

He did not understand.

A woman would not openly state what she wanted, but that did not mean that she did not want it.

She simply understood that if Emperor Ning did not take initiative in giving her something, it meant that he did not wish to give it away.

If not for that, the position of empress would not have remained vacant for so many years after the late empress’ death.

Imperial Consort Xian respectfully said: “This concubine thinks that YiZhao does not have any thoughts of overstepping his boundaries.
Ever since he was young, he has been obedient and reasonable.
As Your Majesty’s eldest son, he has helped share Your Majesty’s burdens and has done the best to fulfill his duties.”

“We are worried that he has gone too far in fulfilling his duties.”

Imperial Consort Xian suddenly lifted her head.
Emperor Ning’s words were like a strike of lightning that struck the top of her head.

After a long pause, she spoke with a trembling voice, “Your Majesty means…”

“Beloved consort, do you know the meaning behind Our naming him YiZhao?”

Imperial Consort Xian said: “This concubine knows.
Yi means to support, and Zhao means bright.
Your Majesty hopes that YiZhao can support Your Majesty and be a bright and supportive person.”

“That’s right.”

Emperor Ning patted her hand, “Not only do We hope that YiZhao can support Us right now, but We hope that he can properly support the next ruler.
Do you understand?”

The woman’s hand quietly pulled back and violently shook inside her broad sleeves.

From the moment that the eldest prince was born, she understood this.

The empress had not yet given birth to a son, yet she, an imperial consort, had given birth to the eldest prince.
At that time, the empress and her family had many complaints.

For the sake of placating the inner palace, he came up with this name for the eldest prince.
It was the same as telling everyone that the eldest prince could not succeed him.

Assistant to the ruler.

What Imperial Consort Xian never considered, however, was that Emperor Ning would remain unchanged years after the empress died.

She had worked diligently for many years and been a virtuous person, taking care of managing the inner palace for him, yet she was unable to receive even the slightest bit of his favor…