Yang Shaochuan quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty, please do not be overly angry, your health is what matters."
"Hah." Ying Zhengjing sneered as he curled his lips, "My health matters? They are just eager for me to pass away soon, to make room for the second prince, so they can gain the merit of supporting a new emperor."
"Your Majesty, these words must not be said."
Yang Shaochuan immediately broke out in a cold sweat and knelt down.
Ying Zhengjing glanced at Yang Shaochuan with indifference, "I am the emperor, there are no words I cannot say."
"Yes."
Yang Shaochuan did not dare to refute Ying Zhengjing's words and responded fearfully.
A moment later, a eunuch hurried into the Xuanqing Palace, bowed to Ying Zhengjing, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Chun has arrived and is waiting outside the hall."
"Consort Chun? Why has she come at this time?" Perhaps because Shen Qianxue was Ying Ziheng's birth mother, upon hearing her name, a flash of displeasure quickly passed through Ying Zhengjing's eyes.
"Replying to Your Majesty, Consort Chun has prepared ginseng soup and wishes for Your Majesty to taste it."
"Ginseng soup?" Ying Zhengjing silently repeated these two words for a while, then said, "Let her in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Having received Ying Zhengjing's permission, the eunuch immediately went out to notify Shen Qianxue. Shortly after, Shen Qianxue personally entered the hall holding a bowl of steaming ginseng soup, and curtsied to Ying Zhengjing, "Your Subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Beloved Consort, you may rise." Ying Zhengjing put down the memorial in his hand and frowned slightly, "You should let the palace servants handle such matters. What if you got hurt?"
Shen Qianxue, her face slightly flushed, said, "Your Majesty, Your Subject is willing to wash her hands and make soup for you. Even if injured, she would accept it gladly. I only wonder if Your Majesty is willing to taste the ginseng soup I made."
"You are thoughtful." Hearing this, Ying Zhengjing's tone softened considerably, "Yang Shaochuan, bring the ginseng soup made by Consort Chun."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yang Shaochuan nodded and immediately walked towards Shen Qianxue.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to trouble Chief Eunuch Yang. Let Your Subject personally bring it to you."
After speaking.
Shen Qianxue carefully walked forward holding the ginseng soup, then set it down, picked up a spoon, scooped some, blew on it, and personally fed it to Ying Zhengjing.
Ying Zhengjing smiled meaningfully and drank it.
"Your Majesty, how is the taste?"
"Very good."
"Then you do not blame Your Subject?"
Shen Qianxue seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the situation to ask her real purpose for coming today.
"Blame you?" Ying Zhengjing raised his eyebrow in confusion, "What does Beloved Consort mean by this? Has Beloved Consort done something to displease me?"
"Yes." Shen Qianxue immediately knelt down, on the verge of tears, "Your Subject overstepped. Without waiting for an edict from His Majesty the Empress, I dealt with the matter of Consort Shu first. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Consort Shu...
Ying Zhengjing suddenly showed an expression of understanding and comforted her, "Beloved Consort, rise first. You handled the matter of Consort Shu very well, and even preserved the royal family's dignity. What fault is there? I believe the Empress thinks so too."
Shen Qianxue slowly stood up, "Yes."
Seeing Shen Qianxue's expression gradually calm, Ying Zhengjing unexpectedly asked, "By the way, Beloved Consort, what do you think? If We were to appoint Heng'er as Crown Prince, would it be suitable?"
Shen Qianxue's back stiffened, "It is entirely according to Your Majesty's wish. Your Subject does not dare to speak presumptuously."
"Beloved Consort, do not be restrained. We wish to hear your opinion. Even if you speak incorrectly, We guarantee We will not blame you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Qianxue bowed, "Your Subject believes Heng'er has only just reached adulthood and lacks significant achievements. For him to become Crown Prince might be somewhat undeserving."
"Beloved Consort, if Heng'er heard you say these things to Us, he would surely be hurt."
"Replying to Your Majesty, Your Subject is only speaking the truth." Shen Qianxue did not conceal the affection in her eyes, "Moreover, even Heng'er is far less important in Your Subject's heart than Your Majesty."
"Beloved Consort..."
"Your Majesty, important matters await. Your Subject will take her leave now. Please do not forget to drink the remaining ginseng soup, Your Majesty." Shen Qianxue, knowing when to stop, immediately requested leave and withdrew.
"Your Majesty?"
Yang Shaochuan called out to Ying Zhengjing softly.
"We indeed must appoint a Crown Prince." Ying Zhengjing slapped the table beside him suddenly and said meaningfully, "Yang Shaochuan, go tell the Grand Secretariat to draft an edict appointing the second prince as Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Although startled by Ying Zhengjing's sudden decision, Yang Shaochuan did not dare to ask more and withdrew, then hurried towards the Grand Secretariat.
"Consort Chun..."
Watching Yang Shaochuan's retreating figure, Ying Zhengjing curled his lips in a faint, ambiguous smile, softly murmuring the two words 'Consort Chun'.
The next day.
The moment Yang Shaochuan read the edict appointing Ying Ziheng as Crown Prince before the court officials, they were stunned, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The court officials had actually already resolved to oppose Ying Zhengjing to the end, until he relented and appointed a Crown Prince. Who would have thought that in just a few short days, Ying Zhengjing would suddenly appoint a Crown Prince.
Shen Qianxue's confidant received the news and immediately ran back to report to Shen Qianxue, "Consort Chun, His Majesty... His Majesty has appointed the second prince as Crown Prince."
"Is this true?"
Shen Qianxue was overjoyed and couldn't help but stand up.
The palace maid immediately nodded, "Absolutely true. This servant just encountered Chief Eunuch Yang, who had returned from announcing the decree at the second prince's palace. Consort Chun, our second prince is going to take up residence in the Eastern Palace."
"Good, truly excellent." Shen Qianxue said with great delight, "Spread my word. Today, as Heng'er has been enfeoffed as Crown Prince, I will heavily reward everyone in my palace."
"Thank you for your reward, Consort Chun."
All the palace servants present who heard Shen Qianxue's words immediately knelt down to express their gratitude.
Shen Qianxue looked around at the kneeling servants, and inwardly couldn't help but admire Shen Chaoyang.
Actually.
The reason Shen Qianxue could remain so composed was entirely due to Shen Chaoyang's advice. Delivering the ginseng soup personally was also an idea suggested by Shen Chaoyang. Otherwise, Shen Qianxue would have long ago hinted to Ying Zhengjing that he should appoint Ying Ziheng as Crown Prince.
"The Crown Prince has arrived."
No sooner said than done.
Before Shen Qianxue could go over, Ying Ziheng took the first step and came to Shen Qianxue's palace.
"Heng'er? Why have you come already?"
"Mother Consort, your son has been enfeoffed as Crown Prince."
They had schemed for this Crown Prince position for so many years, endured for so many years. Once Yang Shaochuan finished reading the imperial edict, Ying Ziheng naturally couldn't resist coming first to report this good news to Shen Qianxue.
"Heng'er, you have worked hard all these years."
Ying Ziheng's words made Shen Qianxue's eyes instantly redden. A thousand words condensed into this one phrase about his hardship.
Ying Ziheng, his eyes moist, bowed respectfully, "Your son has not worked hard. That your son can achieve today's status is entirely due to the help of Mother Consort and my uncle."
"Good, good, good. Heng'er, even if you become emperor in the future, you must never forget the help your uncle gave you today." Deeply moved, Shen Qianxue patted Ying Ziheng's shoulder and admonished, "From now on, you only need to secure your position as Crown Prince. No one will be able to shake your position."
"Mother Consort, your son will definitely not disappoint you."
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