Prince Zhao’s words were blunt, a public humiliation for the Emperor.
The Emperor’s expression immediately darkened.
He asked in a cold voice.
"I now have only two sons left, the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince.
If I do not choose the Seventh Prince, then I can only choose the Sixth Prince. By saying this, are you suggesting you favor the Sixth Prince more?
But don’t forget how the Sixth Prince’s birth mother, Yichongyuan, died."
Although Yichongyuan had died by suicide, her reason for doing so was inextricably linked to Prince Zhao.
If the Sixth Prince were to find out the truth in the future, he would certainly come to resent Prince Zhao.
This would definitely be a major hidden danger for Prince Zhao.
He would have to be mad to let the Sixth Prince become the Crown Prince.
Li Ji was not mad—
At least, he didn’t look mad.
He said unhurriedly.
"Your Majesty is in the prime of your life. Why the rush to appoint a Crown Prince so soon?
Why not wait a while longer? Perhaps the concubines in the harem can still bless you with a few more princes. Wouldn’t it be better to choose the best among them then?"
Li Ji said it so casually, as if he were being considerate of the Emperor, but the Emperor’s face grew even uglier.
He was already a cripple. Even performing his marital duties with the concubines was extremely difficult, let alone fathering children. For Li Ji to provoke him with such words—was he deliberately trying to anger him to death?!
The Emperor’s gaze swept over the Left and Right Ministers as he asked in a low voice.
"What do you two think?"
The two Prime Ministers looked at each other, cursing their luck internally.
The Emperor was trying to force them to take a side.
Logically, they should have been on the Emperor’s side. After all, the Emperor was the legitimate ruler, and supporting him should have been the correct choice under any circumstances.
But now, Prince Zhao’s power was immense, and no one in the court could stand against him.
If the two of them were to openly oppose Prince Zhao, given his vengeful nature, he would surely make them suffer.
After much hesitation, the Left and Right Ministers decided to play dumb and muddy the waters.
"This humble servant feels that both Your Majesty and Prince Zhao have made valid points. Perhaps we could discuss it further."
"Indeed. Appointing a Crown Prince is a matter of great importance. It requires more consideration and should not be rushed."
Hearing this, Li Ji let out a cold laugh. "Heh!"
His laugh sent a chill down the two Prime Ministers’ spines, and they immediately shut their mouths, not daring to utter another word.
The Emperor was so angry that his chest ached in spasms.
He gasped, "Bring the medicine."
Normally, administering the medicine was Zuo Ji’s responsibility, but with Zuo Ji still recovering from his injuries, another eunuch named Lu Qian had to temporarily take over the task.
Lu Qian was Zuo Ji’s adopted godson. He was just in his early twenties, with a baby face, and was quick, efficient, and very clever.
He presented the elixir and helped the Emperor take it.
Li Ji glanced at the screen to the side and said with a faint, unreadable smile.
"Since Your Majesty is unwell, this humble servant will not disturb you any longer. Please rest well. This humble servant takes his leave."
Seeing Prince Zhao leave, the Left and Right Ministers also hurriedly asked for permission to depart.
Only after they had all gone did Hua Qingqing emerge from behind the screen.
She glided gracefully to the bedside. Lu Qian tactfully stepped aside, yielding his position.
The Emperor’s eyes were filled with fury.
"He is getting more and more insolent!"
Even without him saying a name, Hua Qingqing knew who the Emperor was talking about.
Hua Qingqing gently patted the Emperor’s chest, soothing him as she spoke in a soft voice.
"Prince Zhao has a point. Your Majesty is not old. Why the hurry to appoint a Crown Prince now?"
The Emperor looked at her, displeased. "Even you are speaking up for that brat?"
Hua Qingqing gave a helpless smile. "This servant only wishes to prevent a dispute between you and Prince Zhao. You are not well, and the Imperial Physician has advised that you must relax and not get angry again."
The Emperor’s expression softened. "I know your intentions. Rest assured, I will not treat you unfairly."
Hua Qingqing hesitated. "But, regarding Prince Zhao..."
The Emperor said in a grave voice, "The imperial edict to appoint the Crown Prince has long been written. This matter does not permit his interference."
He had originally wanted to give the Seventh Prince a chance to compete for the position for Princess Consort Zhen’s sake, not because he felt the Crown Prince had to be the Seventh Prince.
But now, it seemed the Crown Prince truly had to be the Seventh Prince.
He would use this opportunity to show all the civil and military officials of the court that the empire of Great Zhou still belonged to him.
Even if he was bedridden, his word was still law, and no one could change it!
During the morning court session two days later, the Emperor had Lu Qian take the imperial edict for the appointment of the Crown Prince to Zhengyang Hall.
In front of all the civil and military officials, Lu Qian read the imperial edict aloud, word by word.
The civil and military officials all knelt on the floor.
Even Prince Zhao had to bow, crossing his hands and raising them above his head as he listened in silence.
Even though he held military power, even though he could turn the tides in court with a flip of his hand.
He was still a subject.
And as long as he was a subject, he could only listen to the decree with due respect.
—This was what the Emperor wanted him to understand.
In the hall, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, Lu Qian’s voice was exceptionally clear.
When the reading of the edict was finished, no one moved.
Lu Qian didn’t seem awkward at all, still wearing a pleasant smile.
"Your Majesty still requires my attendance, so this servant will take his leave. Please carry on, my lords."
He rolled up the edict, flicked his horsetail whisk, and led his men away.
Li Ji lowered his hands and slowly straightened up.
He watched Lu Qian’s departing back, his ink-black eyes dark and icy.
The civil and military officials rose to their feet, cautiously.
No one dared to speak at this moment. They were all silent as cicadas in winter, afraid to even breathe too loudly.
Everyone felt that Prince Zhao would not let the matter rest.
Even before Prince Zhao had military power, he was the type who never shied away from trouble.
Now that he held great power, he would surely be even more audacious in his troublemaking.
As it turned out, everyone’s guess was correct.
Not long after the Emperor ordered the news of the Seventh Prince’s appointment as Crown Prince to be proclaimed throughout the land, Li Ji made a decision that shocked the entire court—
He wanted to move the capital!
Because Prince Wu Zhang had set fire to the palace, many of its halls had been burned beyond recognition. To repair them completely would require an immense amount of manpower and resources, a task that would surely take two or three years.
Li Ji felt that rather than spending money to repair a dilapidated Imperial Palace, it would be better to build a new one elsewhere.
Once a new Imperial Palace was built, the capital city and all the various government offices would certainly have to move with it.
Thus, Li Ji proposed moving the capital.
He asked the civil and military officials for their thoughts during a court assembly.
The majority of the court officials were supporters of Prince Zhao’s faction, so they naturally gave his decision their unconditional support.
As for the small minority who felt it was inappropriate, they didn’t dare to openly oppose Prince Zhao at a time like this and could only feign agreement through silence.
When the Emperor learned of this, he was naturally furious.
In his view, even if the Imperial Palace had been burned beyond recognition, it was still his Imperial Palace.
Prince Zhao hadn’t even bothered to ask him before trying to force him to move from this place.
He was clearly showing a complete and utter disregard for him as the Emperor!