Chapter 77: Proposing the Heir Apparent in Court

Whether Song Ci’s words were trustworthy was open to interpretation, but for a woman who had long yearned for a daughter, hearing such a novel idea was enough to make her believe it.

“You’re right, sister-in-law. It’s not a prescription, just ordinary food ingredients. It won’t hurt anyone, so I’m determined to try it,” Madam Jiang said, looking at the two women. “Unlike you both, I don’t have a daughter. My husband and I dream of having one.”

Lady Song teased, “Then you should give it a try. There truly aren’t enough girls in our family.”

Their family was not impoverished; they could well afford to raise daughters. As always, if raised well, daughters would bring prosperity to the clan.

Madam Lu envied the two women, imagining that the household’s meals would change in the coming days. Unfortunately, her husband wasn’t at home, so she could not even try for a child.

She touched her belly, recalling Song Ci’s words: opportunity favors the prepared. With winter’s end approaching, her husband would soon return to the capital for his official report, and they could be reunited.

This thought renewed her confidence, and she resolved to take good care of herself.

Thus, that very day, Song Zhiyuan noticed that the meals in his wife’s courtyard had changed; there was more seafood and a vegetarian fare.

When Second Master Song returned shortly after, he found his meals lacking meat and noticed his wife inventing new dishes. He joked that she must have learned something scandalous from a new spring manual, but that is a story for another time.

While Song Ci and the others discussed childbirth, currents were stirring in the imperial court.

Some officials submitted memorials, noting that the Eastern Palace had been vacant for too long. To ensure the stability of the realm and the people’s trust in Great Qing, they suggested appointing a crown prince. After all, the Emperor of Chu had been on the throne for eighteen years and would soon reach the age of destiny.

As soon as someone proposed establishing a crown prince, others flattered the emperor, insisting that His Majesty was in his prime and the matter was premature.

The debate between supporters and opponents began: whether to appoint a crown prince, how, and whom.

The Emperor of Chu lounged on the dragon throne, rubbing the jade ring on his thumb, watching both sides argue until their faces flushed, a faint smile at his lips.

This subject had been raised before, but always without real action. Now, someone truly seemed anxious.

It made sense; the princes were grown, each with their own ambitions, and even if they didn’t, their maternal clans surely did.

The emperor glanced at Song Zhiyuan, who was calmly cradling his tablet, eyes closed as if resting.

That composure irked him.

The emperor picked up a sheet of paper, crumpled it, and threw it straight at Song Zhiyuan.

Instantly, the hall fell silent.

The assembled officials: “……”

Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven—was that really appropriate?

Song Zhiyuan opened his eyes and declared, “Long live Your Majesty.”

The Emperor of Chu said, “What does the Right Chancellor think of appointing a crown prince?”

Song Zhiyuan replied, “This is Your Majesty’s family matter. It is for Your Majesty alone to decide, not for ministers to interfere.”

The emperor was unsurprised by this answer.

“Chancellor Song, you are mistaken. There are no family matters in the royal house, only affairs of state. This is a matter of great importance to the nation,” retorted Fan Zhang, gripping his tablet and stepping forward.

Song Zhiyuan glanced at him. “Ah, Chancellor Fan, since you say so, I must dispute it. How is it not a family matter? The royal family is still a family; the emperor is still a man, a father like any of us. When it comes time to decide which son shall inherit, it is for him to choose. How could we substitute ourselves? It’s just as I could never decide who should head the Fan family in your place!”

Fan Zhang stared at the solemn and innocent Song Zhiyuan, his face darkening, muttering that the sly fox was a flatterer and a coward.