Chapter 507: Chapter 273: Inciting Discord
"I am pondering what to do with the seventh son."
"What about Prince Jing?"
"It’s not good to let the seventh son remain unemployed." The emperor tapped the rim of his teacup lightly with the lid, producing a crisp sound.
"Your Majesty, isn’t Prince Jing not in good health?"
The emperor sneered, "Do you really believe such nonsense?"
Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, at least give Prince Jing some dignity.
"The little schemes in the hearts of the Empress and the seventh son can’t fool anyone. Not me, and not even the ministers." "The Empress has been married to me for over a decade. Although she hasn’t achieved much, she’s endured hardships, so I should reward her well."
Sun Kui didn’t believe the emperor’s words at all. He instinctively felt the emperor was up to something dubious.
"I shall fulfill the Empress’s wishes then."
Sun Kui’s eyes widened in shock at once, and he asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, how will you fulfill the Empress’s desires?" After asking, Sun Kui silently pitied Empress Xie in his heart.
"I will arrange for the seventh son to have an important position." The emperor twirled the tea lid between his fingers, "I’ll think about what position is suitable for the seventh son."
Sun Kui remained silent, standing beside him.
After some thought, the emperor said, "Let’s appoint the seventh son as the Minister then."
Sun Kui: "!!!!!!" Your Majesty, you surely are generous.
"Sunzi." The emperor liked to call Sun Kui by the name "Sunzi", intentionally so. "Go and inform the seventh son to start as the Minister tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, tell him to do his best and not to disappoint me." The emperor instructed specifically, "And let him know that I have high expectations for him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Sun Kui accepted the order, then withdrew to call over Sun Doudou.
Upon hearing Sun Kui’s words, Sun Doudou’s mouth gaped in astonishment, "Master, this..."
Sun Kui glared warningly at Sun Doudou, "Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t."
Sun Doudou immediately understood and said obediently, "I’ll go to Prince Jing Mansion right away."
Sun Kui sighed inwardly: Your Majesty, this move of yours is really ruthless.
Soon, Empress Xie learned about the emperor arranging Prince Jing to be the Minister, and she was naturally very delighted.
Jiang Chuan also felt happy for Empress Xie and Prince Jing, "Your Highness, this is the position of Minister."
Although the title of Minister is only a fourth-rank position and cannot be compared to the Grand Commandant, Minister of Personnel, or Minister of Works, it is, in fact, very significant. Light in duties yet heavy in power, that’s what describes the Minister.
Empress Xie never dreamed that the emperor would appoint Prince Jing as Minister, "It must be because I just told the emperor not to hold the Millennium Banquet, and he realized how virtuous I am, so he appointed my son as Minister."
"It surely must be; Your Highness, you approached the emperor first, and soon after, His Majesty appointed the prince as Minister," Jiang Chuan said with a smile, "Your Highness, with our prince as Minister, he will gain significant support from high-ranking officials in the future."
"Indeed." Empress Xie’s face turned rosy with excitement, "This is truly wonderful."
"Your Highness, by appointing the prince as Minister, the emperor is showing his significance to our prince," Jiang Chuan suddenly thought of something, looking shocked, "Your Highness, do you think by emphasizing our prince, the emperor might be..." She dared not continue speaking, but pointed toward the direction of the Eastern Palace.
Empress Xie understood what Jiang Chuan meant and suddenly felt her heart racing.
"It must be the case, the emperor wants to nurture the seventh son."
"Your Highness, it must be so," Jiang Chuan said seriously, "In these past two years, the emperor seems increasingly dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. Not long ago, he even publicly reprimanded the Crown Prince during the morning court."
"Your Highness, I think the emperor is giving our prince a chance. If our prince performs well, there’s a chance the emperor might make our prince the Crown Prince," Jiang Chuan speculated more and more.
"You’re right; the emperor is training the seventh son and testing him at the same time." Empress Xie’s hands suddenly clenched into fists, "If the seventh son does well, the emperor will be very pleased, and he will increasingly rely on him. When the time comes, the emperor will dethrone the current Crown Prince and appoint the seventh son."
"Your Highness, as long as our prince performs better than the Crown Prince, there’s a strong possibility he might replace him."
"You must leave the palace immediately to find the seventh son..." Just then, Empress Xie waved her hand, "The seventh son should be coming to the palace soon to express his gratitude; go and wait for him at the entrance of the Imperial Study."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Prince Jing’s reaction was the same as Empress Xie’s; he also felt that the emperor was testing him to see if he had the capability to serve as Minister. If he performed exceptionally well, the emperor would promote and cultivate him, and then he’d certainly become the Crown Prince.
He had always mistakenly blamed his father, thinking his father disliked him and didn’t value him.
Now it seemed his father did like and value him greatly.
He must perform outstandingly and must not let his father down.
With a heart full of thrilling gratitude, Prince Jing headed to the palace to express his gratitude to the emperor.
The emperor encouraged Prince Jing, making him feel even more emotional.
Prince Jing seriously assured the emperor that he would perform well as the Minister and would not disappoint him.
The emperor said he believed Prince Jing would not let him down!
After leaving the Imperial Study, Prince Jing felt invigorated. Seeing Jiang Chuan waiting for him, he immediately followed him to Zhao Yang Palace.
At this time, Duke Zhen, upon hearing about Prince Jing’s appointment as Minister, was far from happy; instead, his face appeared grim.
The Princely Heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion also wore a solemn expression, "Father, is the emperor trying to sow discord in our Xie family?"
Duke Zhen sighed deeply, "I anticipated the emperor would do this long ago."
"Father, Aunt has always wanted us to support Prince Jing. Now that the emperor appointed him as Minister, Aunt will..." The Princely Heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion spoke with a worried expression, "Aunt will surely pressure us again to support Prince Jing."
"The emperor knows well that your aunt is set on making Prince Jing the Crown Prince. That’s why he used this tactic." For his own dear sister, Duke Zhen felt nothing but helplessness.
"Father, if we don’t support Prince Jing, Aunt would despise us," The Princely Heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion said with great headache, "Given Aunt’s disposition, who knows what she might do."
"I will have a good discussion with her." Duke Zhen knew in his heart that unless he supported Prince Jing, no matter what he said, Empress Xie wouldn’t listen. But he still hoped she would heed his advice and not drag down the Duke Mansion and the entire Xie family.
"Hopefully, Aunt will listen to your words." The Princely Heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "The emperor’s move is truly ruthless."
"If it were me, I’d do the same." Duke Zhen didn’t find anything wrong with the emperor’s actions, "Blame it on your aunt and her allies not being aligned with us."
"Father, Aunt only considers herself and Prince Jing, never the entirety of the Xie family." Though she is the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, her heart and wisdom fall short compared to even the children of concubines like Aunt Eldest Daughter.
"Your grandfather and grandmother have spoiled her." Duke Zhen recalled telling the Old Duke and others not to spoil the youngest sister too much, as it would ruin her. However, the Old Duke and others believed a daughter should be nurtured delicately. "Your youngest aunt’s biggest flaw is her arrogance; she is far less capable than your eldest aunt."
"Father, what do we do if Aunt doesn’t listen to you?"
Duke Zhen slightly narrowed his eyes, a gleam of resolve flashing within them.
"I must take responsibility for the whole Xie family and cannot let it be destroyed because of her."
Upon hearing this, the Princely Heir understood his father’s stance.
"Remember, no matter the situation or individual, nothing is more important than our Xie family." Duke Zhen’s expression was extremely serious, and his tone was stern, "We cannot let the Xie family downfall in our hands, understood?"
The Princely Heir of Duke Zhen Country Mansion felt a chill and his face also showed a grave expression, "Understood!"