Under the gaze of everyone present, Jiang Yunxu knelt on the ground once more, countless thoughts racing through her mind.
The atmosphere was tense.
Suddenly, she lifted her head and asked word by word, “Your Majesty, can I ask for anything?”
Emperor Lingzhou’s gaze abruptly turned sharp, fixed intently on Jiang Yunxu, offering no reply.
Having already spoken, Jiang Yunxu took his silence as consent and pressed further, “Even if it involves matters of the previous court’s governance?”
At this moment, Consort Yun’s heart nearly leaped into her throat, a mix of excitement and anxiety gripping her as she looked toward Emperor Lingzhou.
She was urging Jiang Yunxu to speak up and secure something for Chu Youqi.
Beside her, Chu Youqi was equally tense. Among the princes, his abilities were considered outstanding, but having been unconscious for five years, his strength fell short compared to the others.
However, if he were to become the Crown Prince, things would be different.
Thus, this was a golden opportunity.
Emperor Lingzhou’s sharp gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yunxu, as if trying to see through her, yet he gave no answer.
Suppressing her fear, Jiang Yunxu glanced around—everyone was watching. She raised her voice and declared, “The Son of Heaven’s word is as weighty as nine tripods. In the presence of all, this humble subject boldly requests a future for the Little Imperial Grandson. I beseech Your Majesty to bestow upon the Little Imperial Grandson the position of Crown Prince!”
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Including Empress Mu, who never imagined Jiang Yunxu would be so audacious. Terrified, she knelt on the ground and pleaded, “Your Majesty, please discern the truth. This humble consort absolutely did not incite the Third Princess Consort to propose such a matter.”
Upon hearing this, Consort Yun wished she could strangle Jiang Yunxu. This wretched woman had wasted such a precious opportunity, not only failing to help the Little Imperial Grandson but also adding obstacles for Chu Youqi.
Damn her!
Emperor Lingzhou watched Jiang Yunxu with great interest until she mustered the courage to propose further, “Your Majesty, this humble subject risked her life to save the Little Imperial Grandson and naturally wishes to secure a future for him. Additionally, this humble subject has another request…”
“Jiang Yunxu, you are being reckless!” Empress Mu scolded. How could this person not know when to stop, failing to read the situation?
Yet Emperor Lingzhou asked, “Speak, let me hear it.”
Jiang Yunxu kowtowed to Emperor Lingzhou, her forehead touching the ground as she proclaimed loudly, “I beseech Your Majesty to decree that if the Little Imperial Grandson loses his life before the age of fifteen, all princes must be sent to their fiefdoms without exception. Furthermore, within five years, unless there is war, no other Crown Prince shall be appointed.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Lingzhou roared angrily, “How dare you!”
With the Son of Heaven enraged, everyone knelt.
Only Jiang Yunxu sensed that Emperor Lingzhou’s tone had softened. Nearly all the princes were seeking backing, but Emperor Lingzhou was still young and surely disliked this situation, forced to turn a blind eye out of helplessness.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject only wishes to safeguard the Little Imperial Grandson’s future. He is still young and lacks the care of his birth parents, making him an easy target for those with ill intentions. That is why this humble subject dared to make such a request. Moreover, Your Majesty has already promised this humble subject—surely you would not go back on your word?”
Jiang Yunxu pushed her luck to the extreme, lifting her neck to retort.
Everyone else was terrified, and Consort Yun wished she could rush forward to cover Jiang Yunxu’s mouth, silencing her nonsense!
Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Only Jiang Yunxu dared to look directly at the Son of Heaven.
“Your Majesty, this must not be allowed!”
Prime Minister Jiang, having heard the news, hurried over. He angrily rebuked Jiang Yunxu, “Establishing the Crown Prince is a matter of great importance for Lingzhouguo. How can it be decided by your mere words? Jiang Yunxu, you must know your place!”
Prime Minister Jiang was not particularly old, and due to good maintenance, he could be considered a handsome man among the crowd.
However, those sharp, murderous eyes of his—she found them utterly detestable!
Jiang Yunxu could now roughly confirm that her earlier proposal had hit exactly what Emperor Lingzhou had in mind.
Recently, many ministers had been urging Emperor Lingzhou to appoint a crown prince, so that position would not remain vacant for much longer. It might as well be given to the Little Imperial Grandson.
“Does Prime Minister Jiang mean to suggest that His Majesty should go back on his word?” Jiang Yunxu retorted directly.
“You!” Prime Minister Jiang frowned. It had been a very long time since anyone dared speak to him like this. He said irritably, “You should know your place. Moreover, this is a matter of state importance, involving many complexities. How can it be decided by your few words?”
If not for Emperor Lingzhou’s presence, Prime Minister Jiang would have been on the verge of killing someone.
Prime Minister Jiang shot a glance at one of the ministers present, who immediately spoke up: “Since ancient times, the crown prince has been chosen based on legitimacy, seniority, or virtue. How could a four- or five-year-old child be appointed? His Majesty has many princes of his own—how could it possibly be the Little Imperial Grandson’s turn?”
Jiang Yunxu laughed. “Is the Little Imperial Grandson not of royal blood? Or is this minister doubting the Little Imperial Grandson’s lineage?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Empress Mu’s icy gaze immediately fell upon the minister who had spoken.
“Nonsense! That is not what I meant at all,” the minister explained.
“If all are of royal blood, why can’t the Little Imperial Grandson be chosen? There have been precedents in previous dynasties where a grandson was made crown prince.”
“You!”
The minister, left speechless by Jiang Yunxu’s retort, had no choice but to look toward Emperor Lingzhou. “Your Majesty, the matter of appointing a crown prince must not be taken lightly.”
Emperor Lingzhou glanced sideways at Jiang Yunxu, as if waiting.
Jiang Yunxu immediately understood the implication and began to argue obstinately: “Your Majesty, this humble subject has no other requests—only this one. I am merely concerned that if the Son of Heaven breaks his word, how will he command respect and authority in the future?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings filled with sharp intakes of breath. Consort Yun and Chu Youqi were both terrified, not daring to utter a word.
“Someone, convey Our decree: designate the Little Imperial Grandson as crown prince, and announce it to the world on an auspicious day…”
Emperor Lingzhou continued, “As you said, if the Little Imperial Grandson unfortunately passes away before the age of fifteen, We will punish all princes by banishing them from the capital. Additionally, Jiang Yunxu will be torn limb from limb, and her three clans will be exterminated!”
Without hesitation, Jiang Yunxu kowtowed heavily and quickly said, “This humble subject will take full responsibility for ensuring the Little Imperial Grandson grows up safe and sound. If not, Your Majesty may exterminate my clans as you see fit.”
As soon as she finished, Consort Yun fainted from shock.
These words meant that Jiang Yunxu’s life was now tied to the Little Imperial Grandson’s—they would rise and fall together.
She was the Third Princess Consort. If anything happened to the Little Imperial Grandson, wouldn’t it implicate Chu Youqi as well?
“Additionally, today, the Third Princess Consort has offended Us and must be punished!” Emperor Lingzhou spoke first again, saying, “She is to kneel in punishment for three days. No one is allowed to plead on her behalf. Let this serve as a warning to others.”
Three days?
Jiang Yunxu rubbed her knees but, meeting the gazes of several people behind her who looked as if they wanted to devour her, she kowtowed in gratitude for the emperor’s mercy.
As the farce came to an end, Prime Minister Jiang cast a deep, sharp, and murderous glance at Jiang Yunxu before leaving.
After everyone had left, Empress Mu asked with a face ashen with anger, “Why did you make such a request? You nearly implicated this palace!”
“Your Majesty, please forgive my offense. This humble subject’s wife was merely daring to gamble.” Jiang Yunxu kowtowed, tilting her head to present the slap mark on her face. “I have no way out, but I still have many loved ones I wish to protect.”
Empress Mu pursed her lips without speaking. Even now, her palms were still sweaty—one misstep and she would have been implicated.
The thought alone made her shudder with fear.
“I only wish to survive with the help of the Little Imperial Grandson and uncover the mastermind behind my father’s murder and my mother’s madness.”
Empress Mu, hearing this, could not hold back her frustration. “You certainly speak bluntly.”
Jiang Yunxu gave an awkward smile. Her keen nose had already caught the faint scent of ambergris behind the screen. She knew her gamble had paid off.
Her enemy was Jiang Zaixiang, just like Emperor Lingzhou’s.
Moreover, as a woman, she posed no threat to Emperor Lingzhou, so he had no reason to guard against her.
To deal with Jiang Zaixiang, Emperor Lingzhou would surely be willing to stand on her side, occasionally offering small assistance without any harm.
“Your medical skills are remarkable. Do you have a way to save Xuan Wang?” Empress Mu stared directly at her.
Jiang Yunxu remained calm. She and Chu Xuanzhi had long since reached an agreement on this matter—it was incurable, and there was enmity.
“Your Majesty, to be frank, I have examined Xuan Wang’s legs before. Unfortunately…” Jiang Yunxu sighed. “Xuan Wang’s injuries are too severe. It is impossible for him to recover fully in this lifetime.”
Empress Mu frowned, showing disbelief.
“Xuan Wang’s legs are completely necrotic, akin to a piece of cooked meat—how could they ever return to their original state? The Little Imperial Grandson, however, is different. He suffers from a congenital heart condition, where something has grown in his heart that shouldn’t be there. Removing it with silver needles and expelling it from the body will resolve the issue. As for Xuan Wang, to save his life, his legs would have to be amputated. I do not possess the ability to make Xuan Wang regrow his legs.”
With this explanation, Empress Mu understood.