Yunting finally realized that she was teasing him. Immediately, he flushed with anger, his neck thickening. He looked as if he was about to explode. If it weren't for the group of ministers kneeling around, she wouldn't have doubted that Yunting would rush up and hit her.
Shi Muyuan scoffed, smoothed out her skirt, and stood up even straighter. The mockery in her eyes swept over the kneeling ministers without the slightest attempt at concealment.
"Is this the future monarch you've chosen?"
Shi Muyuan waved to Ji Heng beside her and gently arranged the hair on his forehead. "I really don't understand. My intelligent grandson, the direct grandson of the late emperor, should be inferior to others?"
Prince Lian's face darkened, and the air pressure around him was so low that it could suffocate people. What did this woman mean? She didn't even bother to be tactful and directly said his son was good - for - nothing?
The Shi family was truly audacious!
"I know that Your Majesty the Empress Dowager loves her grandson, but you can't show partiality. Yunting still calls you aunt."
Shi Muyuan raised an eyebrow. Oh, now he wanted to claim kinship?
"Prince Lian, what do you mean? When have I ever treated Yunting badly?" With this one sentence, she blocked Prince Lian again. He was so angry that he almost wanted to curse!
One of Prince Lian's followers was unwilling and stepped forward with a glimmer of hope. "The Crown Prince has been raised beside Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, so he is naturally gifted. However, the Crown Prince is still a minor. At such a young age, it may be difficult for him to command the respect of the people. I think the Crown Prince still needs to learn more about the way of ruling before he can govern the world."
"Oh? Lord Qi, are you saying that although Young Master Heng has been raised beside me since childhood, he still hasn't learned how to be a good emperor, while Yunting already has the ability to govern the world?"
Shi Muyuan narrowed her eyes. Once the throne was given away, could she get it back? Did they really think she had watched too few palace - intrigue dramas?
"I wonder who Yunting learned from. Why don't you bring that person here so that I can see if he can also teach the Crown Prince well!"
Shi Muyuan's voice suddenly grew louder. Lord Qi was so frightened by her words that he knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please understand. I definitely didn't mean that. I... I was just momentarily confused and said the wrong thing."
Prince Lian tightened his face and silently cursed the fool in his heart. This was just handing a knife to that woman, Shi Muyuan. Didn't this just tell everyone that his Yunting had deliberately learned the art of governing the country and had long - planned to be the emperor?
Idiot!
"Forget it. I suppose it's because you're old, Lord Qi, and have become muddled. Yunting doesn't seem to have received any good teaching. Otherwise, it's the teacher's fault. Tell me who taught him so that I can avoid that person."
Lord Qi's head, buried in shame, turned as red as a pig's liver. Shi Muyuan said she didn't believe him while also trying to get information from him.
Could he say that he was the one who taught that fool? Yunting was lazy and idle all day. If it weren't for Prince Lian's promise to promote him to the first - rank official, who would want to teach him?
Shi Muyuan straightened her body, which had been slightly bent to address Lord Qi. "I understand the patriotism of all the lords. Although Young Master Heng is young, he has a natural talent. A person's ability cannot be determined by age alone. Since you lords think Young Master Heng will be capable in the future, why not now? Or is it that some people have always been capable? Besides, there is also the National Master. Even if you don't trust me, you should trust the National Master, right?"
As she spoke, Shi Muyuan looked at Cui Qizhou. "Right, National Master?"
The man seemed to be caught off - guard by her mention of him and being publicly set up to take over this mess.
He paused for a while before slowly saying, "Naturally, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Yunting was indeed not a good candidate, not as good as Ji Heng. He came here today to deal with this matter, but he didn't expect her to have already resolved it.
It was really interesting. The person who used to be cruel and unpredictable could act like this.
Shi Muyuan was satisfied with the answer. Her eyes were filled with smiles, and her tone became much lighter. "I hope all the lords will do their best to assist. In the future, we will surely lead our country to prosperity. Let's put today's matter aside. The enthronement ceremony will be held in ten days. Don't make any mistakes!"
Humph, don't look down on her, the former small - town administrator. She had learned a lot during her years of struggling. Of course, the biggest credit went to the theoretical experience she had accumulated from reading novels over the years. Unexpectedly, it worked quite well.
Shi Muyuan was so happy that she wanted to laugh, but she managed to hold it back in public. She couldn't lose the dignity of the Empress Dowager. This was all about prestige!
While Shi Muyuan secretly clapped for herself on the high seat, the people below were trembling with fear at her words. Who would dare to say no? That would be the crime of treason, and the whole family would be exterminated.
Ji Heng beside her saw everything and quietly remembered it in his heart.
He originally thought that her promise to make him the emperor was just empty talk, but he didn't expect her to actually make it happen.
He originally thought that even if he became the emperor, he would just be a puppet.
He originally thought... that she should be a bad person.
Although Ji Heng looked mature, he was still a child after all. He pursed his small mouth and said nothing, but his eyes were always on Shi Muyuan, watching her defend him and argue with the court officials.
It was impossible not to be touched, but he still couldn't quite believe it.
It seemed that from a long time ago, everyone had been speaking ill of her, saying that she wanted to seize the throne and let the foreign relatives monopolize power.
Ji Heng's young heart was slightly touched. He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.
With Lord Qi as an example, no one dared to speak out anymore. Even Prince Lian stepped aside, and his minions naturally disappeared.
Some of the court officials felt a bit uncomfortable after what had just happened. In the court, it wasn't just about making a decision, but also about choosing the right side. For example, Yunting was just the decision of the higher - ups. It wasn't up to them to choose.
Everyone knew exactly what kind of person Yunting was. Although he wasn't a complete wastrel, he was really not suitable for the throne in some aspects.
If the future king of the country was like this... the consequences were unimaginable.
People's minds started to get active. Maybe it was time to change sides.
After finishing her speech, Shi Muyuan directly led Ji Heng away. The great eunuch Ze was very perceptive. He politely dismissed the officials and then followed Shi Muyuan.
Before leaving, Huo Qizhou looked at Shi Muyuan inquisitively.
The woman seemed to have changed. She had put away her previous imposing manner and looked quite happy, even a bit smug. Did she feel proud?
She looked a bit silly.
Could it be that the Shi family had invited some expert again? What was the Shi family planning this time? How could this brainless woman suddenly become so smart?
After returning to the National Master's residence, a figure appeared behind Huo Qizhou. The person was wearing night - clothes. Even in broad daylight, he gave an eerie feeling as if he didn't exist.
"Go and keep an eye on Shi Muyuan."
The black - clothed man didn't say a word. He clasped his fist and disappeared in a flash. He came and went quickly.