Shi Muyuan wore a smile on her face. After Ji Heng paid his respects, he quietly sat to one side, his small face looking gloomy.
Seeing his silent and sullen appearance, Shi Muyuan leaned over curiously.
As a modern person, she wasn't as sensitive - minded as the ancients, but she could tell that Ji Heng was acting strangely today.
"Grand Dowager is here. Has someone bullied you?"
She took Ji Heng's small hand. Perhaps the touch of their palms gave Ji Heng a sense of peace. The palace rumors came back to his mind. He pursed his lips and looked at Shi Muyuan.
"Grand Dowager, they all say you won't pass on the throne to me. Is it true?"
"Why haven't you ever mentioned the matter of the succession even though I'm already nine years old?"
He asked straightforwardly. Shi Muyuan's fingertips, which were about to touch the end of his hair, paused slightly.
After all, he was just a child and couldn't hide his concerns.
From the original owner's memories, Shi Muyuan knew that Ji Heng would be made the crown prince.
The reason why the crown prince hadn't been officially appointed for so long was that the war situation was critical. Moreover, the original owner was indulgent in pleasure. She thought that her elder brother from her natal family could support her for a while, so she didn't want to deal with state affairs. As time went by, the matter was delayed.
But now that this long - forgotten matter was brought up, there must be someone behind the scenes who was unhappy with her.
Shi Muyuan didn't take it to heart. She motioned for the chief eunuch behind her to come forward. "Send someone to ask the national master if there will be any auspicious days recently?"
"Find a time to hold the coronation ceremony!"
A bright smile hung on her lips. As a modern person, Shi Muyuan had no ambition for power. She believed that professional matters should be left to professionals.
Ji Heng would ascend to a high position anyway. Whether it was a day earlier or later didn't really matter.
"Your grandson thanks Grand Dowager!"
Ji Heng immediately knelt on the ground. The news that the chief eunuch had gone to ask Cui Qizhou about the auspicious day quickly spread.
When Concubine Rui heard the news, she got up angrily. "What?"
With a bang, she swept all the just - served food off the table in front of her.
"Did she really agree?" Shi Muyuan was such a power - hungry person. How could she be willing to give up power so easily?
The eunuchs and maids around her knelt on the ground. "Isn't it the will of the concubine that the young imperial grandson be crowned?"
"Slut!"
Concubine Rui slapped out. The nail guards on her hand scratched several bloodstains on the little girl's face.
"Please forgive the concubine!"
Seeing Concubine Rui getting angry again, the people kneeling below lowered their heads even more.
They had thought that, according to Shi Muyuan's unpredictable temper, Ji Heng's words would surely anger her. Then the grandfather - grandson relationship would turn hostile, and she would have a chance to take advantage.
But unexpectedly, she had agreed!
Concubine Rui sat on the nanmu chair to calm down. Like her, Cui Qizhou, the prime minister and other important officials couldn't figure this out either.
"National master, the Empress Dowager has always relied on you. I wonder what her intention is?"
Cui Qizhou's ink - like eyes showed no sign of fluctuation, while the prime minister stroked his white beard, looking completely puzzled.
Although Ji Heng was indeed old enough to inherit the throne, wasn't it a bit too hasty?
They all thought that Shi Muyuan was just having fun and joking with them. But when the chief eunuch sent the date over, Shi Muyuan actually chose an auspicious day ten days later!
"National master, I hope you can persuade the Empress Dowager. This move may not convince the public!"
Ji Heng was young. It was okay for him, a direct - line imperial grandson, to inherit the throne. But this child hadn't passed the assessment of the court officials. It seemed inappropriate to crown him rashly.
The prime minister and others strongly urged Cui Qizhou to present a memorial to the throne. Some even directly proposed.
"I think Ji Heng is too young to be competent. Instead, Young Master Yunting, the son of Prince Yong, the thirteenth master, is a good candidate."
Everyone agreed. Soon they brought Yunting into the palace to pay respects to Shi Muyuan.
Seeing the old fox, the prime minister, looking at Ji Heng disdainfully, Shi Muyuan felt exhausted.
Here they come to cause trouble again?
"I wonder what the purpose is for you all to rush to my Shoukang Palace?"
As she asked, Shi Muyuan's gaze also fell on Yunting.
"Please, Empress Dowager, step aside. Yunting is the only suitable candidate to inherit the throne. I hope the Empress Dowager won't be shortsighted!"
After the prime minister said this proudly, he led the crowd to kneel down.
Shi Muyuan was stunned. So they didn't want her eldest imperial grandson to ascend the throne?
Her gaze shifted slightly. Shi Muyuan looked at Ji Heng's position. At such a young age, how could he withstand such a shock? His small face was tense and pale.
Yunting, being surrounded by the crowd, was extremely arrogant. Even Prince Yong straightened his back.
Looking at the large group of kneeling officials, Shi Muyuan swallowed hard.
Was she wrong in her choice?
Although she was from the modern era and didn't understand the interest disputes among the ancients, there was a reason for her to agree to let Ji Heng inherit the throne.
Although Ji Heng was young, he knew how to hide his talents. He was extraordinary in bearing, smart and wise, pure - minded, and neither arrogant nor impatient. Undoubtedly, he was a good candidate to be a wise emperor.
Given time, he would surely be a person of great potential!
But the one in front of her was probably just a good - for - nothing with only power.
"Please, Empress Dowager, revoke your order and make the thirteenth master the crown prince!"
Yunting's disdainful look fell into Shi Muyuan's eyes. Such a presumptuous and arrogant playboy actually dared to compete with Ji Heng for the throne?
Shi Muyuan was extremely reluctant in her heart. She even thought that these old officials had gone blind.
Standing up, Shi Muyuan walked to Yunting's side and raised her eyebrows slightly.
"How old are you this year? Are you married? Have you read military strategies and poems?"
There was a smile between Shi Muyuan's eyebrows, which also made Yunting relax a bit. "Replying to the Empress Dowager, your nephew studies under the great scholar. Naturally, I've read all these."
Shi Muyuan understood. She nodded. So this was a nepotist.
Then she looked at Ji Heng, who had been keeping silent all the time. Teasingly, she patted Yunting's shoulder. "Since that's the case, I'll test you."
"Twenty taels of fine salt will dissolve in water, and twenty taels of cotton will combine with water when wet."
"Then, which is heavier, the fine salt or the cotton?"
It was originally a joking question from the 21st century. Shi Muyuan tried to put it in a way that the ancients could understand. Unexpectedly, Yunting didn't even think and just blurted out, "Naturally, it's the salt!"
Seeing his firm answer, Shi Muyuan couldn't help laughing. "If a hammer and a pear hit you at the same time, which will hurt more?" This question wasn't difficult, right?
Yunting frowned. "It must be the hammer!" How could an iron object be compared with a small pear.
Hearing his answer, Shi Muyuan laughed even louder. "You're just a mediocre talent. When they hit you, it's you who will hurt!"
Everyone was stunned. The corner of Cui Qizhou's mouth twitched involuntarily.