Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey

Chapter 833 - Extra: Prince Ping (Part 1)

Appointing a crown prince is no trivial matter; the procedures are complex and time-consuming.

The grand ceremony for appointing the crown prince is the task of the Ministry of Rites, and the busiest person is Minister Dong. After three months of preparation by the Ministry of Rites, the ceremony was held in Jinluan Palace on the sixth day of the fourth month.

The eight-year-old Crown Prince, dressed in a bright yellow crown prince’s attire, appeared solemn and dignified, standing beside Her Majesty the Empress, looking like a smaller version of Jiang Shaohua.

Changning Marquis, Cui Du, stood among the officials, personally witnessing his daughter become the Da Liang Crown Prince. His heart was filled with pride, almost overflowing.

After the ceremony, there was a grand imperial banquet.

The Empress Dowager, with Prince Ping, attended the banquet together.

Since the Empress Dowager took charge of palace affairs, she has been quite low-key and never interfered with court politics. Her daily routine, aside from managing palace affairs, was accompanying Prince Ping.

Prince Ping, now seventeen, has a handsome face, chubby and cheerful, with a constantly smiling face. His eyes were as clear as water, revealing everything within.

The Crown Prince sat near Prince Ping, frequently serving him dishes: "Second Uncle, these are your favorite meatballs."

"Eat some vegetables too, don’t just eat meat. If you get any fatter, it won’t look good."

Bao’er would visit Ning An Palace every few days to pay respect and often played with Prince Ping. The uncle and nephew had a great relationship.

Prince Ping was very obedient to Bao’er; whatever Bao’er served, he would eat it all. Once he ate his fill, Prince Ping couldn’t sit still and soon dashed out of the hall to play.

In terms of build, Prince Ping was already an adult—tall, strong, and very healthy.

In terms of intellect, Prince Ping resembled a four or five-year-old, capable of understanding clear instructions. Anything more complex left him bewildered.

The ministers were accustomed to Prince Ping’s antics; as long as he didn’t undress in public or the like, they let him enjoy himself.

"Prince Ping is also seventeen now. It’s about time for a marriage." As they ate and drank, ministers whispered among themselves: "I wonder which family’s daughter will have the fortune to be Princess Ping."

"It’s heard that Her Majesty started arranging a marriage for Prince Ping last year. There should be a suitable candidate by now."

"I’ve heard it’s a girl from the Li Family."

"It’s better to keep benefits within the family. Although Prince Ping’s mind isn’t sharp, his status is very noble. Her Majesty generously provides for him; as long as he behaves, he will live in wealth all his life. Naturally, the Empress Dowager would prioritize her family when choosing Princess Ping."

"In fact, it’s a good thing for Prince Ping too. With a Li Family girl as Princess Ping, the Empress Dowager will naturally have more care and affection towards Prince Ping."

General Fan adopted the stance of a loyal minister, indifferent to Prince Ping, clearly drawing a line. Imperial Concubine Fan had been confined for years, her mind somewhat unstable, and she had long ceased appearing in public.

Prince Ping resided in Ning An Palace, with the Empress Dowager as his greatest support. By choosing her family’s grandniece as Princess Ping, it showed the Empress Dowager’s genuine affection developed over years of care, sincerely planning for Prince Ping’s future.

After the banquet, Her Majesty the Empress and Changning Marquis, along with the Crown Prince, accompanied the Empress Dowager and Prince Ping back to Ning An Palace.

Prince Ping had a joyful day, bounding joyfully, casually plucking a fresh flower from a pot under the corridor eaves and enthusiastically placing it on his niece Bao’er.

Bao’er indulged him, leaning in to let Prince Ping place the flower on her.

Watching this scene, the Empress Dowager smiled: "Bao’er is a kind-hearted child."

Bao’er’s kindness assured the Empress Dowager that after becoming the Crown Prince, she would treat Prince Ping well. This was what satisfied the Empress Dowager the most.

Jiang Shaohua understood and smiled at the Empress Dowager: "Mother is wholeheartedly considering Prince Ping’s well-being."

The Empress Dowager also smiled: "I’ve raised him for seven years, watching him daily. Now I feel that simple-minded people have simple-minded fortunes. Living happily like this might not be a bad thing."

After a pause, she continued in a soft voice: "In a few days, it’s my birthday. I plan to invite the Li family women into the palace. His Majesty, if free, could visit Ning An Palace then."

To see what?

Of course, to see if the Empress Dowager’s chosen person is satisfactory.

To become Princess Ping, other qualifications weren’t as important as the Emperor’s attitude. Only with her acceptance could Miss Li enter the doors of the Imperial Family.

As for whether the Empress Dowager harbored unspeakable ambitions, wanting Miss Li to bear the Jiang family’s bloodline, potentially nurturing an imperial heir to seize the throne... such possibilities certainly existed. In fact, just by Prince Ping marrying and sire offspring, it posed a potential instability in the succession of the throne.

The Empress Dowager was testing Jiang Shaohua’s stance.

If unwilling to assume this risk, there were numerous methods available. For instance, Prince Ping suddenly succumbing to illness, an accidental death after marriage, or more subtly, Princess Ping never bearing a child, thus eliminating future threats.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at the Empress Dowager, smiling faintly: "Very well, on Mother’s birthday, I will certainly join the festivities at Ning An Palace."

The Empress Dowager quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Shaohua was a wise emperor, with vision and manner, disdainful of underhanded deeds. Over the nine years on the throne, he indeed always treated Prince Ping well. He was quite respectful towards her as the Empress Dowager as well.

However, assuming the Emperor’s methods were soft would be gravely mistaken.

Consider Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, kept under house arrest for six straight years. Jiang Shaohua had no intention of softening and releasing the Grand Empress Dowager.

...

Six days later, at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

In Ning An Palace, a banquet was held, and the Li family women were summoned into the palace. The true intention was clear to all, but for appearances, alongside the already decided Princess Ping, several other young ladies entered the palace to congratulate the Empress Dowager.

There were girls from the Cui Family, daughters from the Wang Family, and young ladies from the Dong Family. The new nobility in the Capital City—the Chen and Feng families—had scarce offspring. Without any direct daughters, yet unable to refuse the Empress Dowager’s kindness, each selected a suitable age girl from their relatives to attend the banquet.

The girls from the Chen and Feng families seemed lovely and cheerful; the Chen Family girl was beautiful with a gentle demeanor, while the Feng Family girl was naive and cheerful, her laugh innocent and endearing.

Both of them knew they were only there as complements. Once in Ning An Palace, they stayed in the corner, chatting quietly; neither tried to get close to the Empress Dowager nor overshadow the Li Family girl.

This Li Family girl, the cousin of Li Fangfei, Mr. Li’s relative, was born with good looks like all Li Family women. Li Fangfei was beautiful and captivating, and this future Princess Ping, Li Fanghua, had features like apricot eyes and peach skin, appearing very charming. Additionally, Li Fanghua was highly talented, playing the zither exquisitely.

During today’s birthday banquet, the well-dressed Li Fanghua sat in the center, her slender fingers gently plucking the zither strings, producing a clear and pleasant sound, appearing graceful and charming.

From time to time, people would express words of admiration.

Unfortunately, Prince Ping couldn’t appreciate it in the slightest. He sat for a while, fidgeting uncomfortably.

The Empress Dowager turned to him with a smile and asked: "Is this zither piece pleasant to hear?"

Prince Ping nodded carelessly, then got up and ran outside.