The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 111 Conferring the Title of Crown Prince

If the new emperor is chosen by the four of them, it will be more legitimate.

These four Grand Secretaries had actually been considering the issue of succession for some time.

There are currently four princes who are eligible to inherit the throne.

They are the third prince, the fourth prince, the sixth prince, and the eighth prince.

Among them, the fourth prince was exceptionally talented in literature, the sixth prince was adept at social maneuvering and had a knack for dealing with people, and the eighth prince was brave and valiant.

Each of the three had their own strengths, but compared to the others, the third prince was rather mediocre.

Of course, the Third Prince also has his strengths.

His strength lies not in his abilities, but in his character.

The third prince has a weak personality and is easier to control.

From this perspective, the Third Prince can be considered an ideal candidate for a sage ruler among the civil officials.

Of course, the third prince's greatest merit is that he has a good son.

The four Grand Secretaries all knew that the reason Emperor Yonglong chose the Third Prince was because of Xia Chengzong, this good grandson!

At this point, Grand Secretary Gao Lian spoke first: "This old minister believes that the third prince is kind and benevolent, and is fit to inherit the throne."

Second Grand Secretary Tang Jiusi said, "This old minister seconds the opinion. The Third Prince is mature and prudent, and is suitable to inherit the throne."

Song Ziwen said, "This old minister seconds the motion."

Qin Xiuyuan said, "The third prince is not only kind and benevolent, but he has also raised a fine son."

"With such a virtuous grandson, my Great Qian Dynasty can be guaranteed to prosper for five generations! Therefore, I also believe that the third prince is the best candidate."

Gao Lian, Tang Jiusi, and Song Ziyi all felt contempt for Qin Xiuyuan.

This Qin Xiuyuan is truly shameless; they are ashamed to be associated with him!

Emperor Yonglong nodded and said, "Since all four of you think highly of the third son, then let's make him the heir."

"You shall draft an imperial edict to appoint the third prince as crown prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Of the four, Qin Xiuyuan was the youngest, and he immediately picked up a brush to write the imperial edict.

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have inherited this great mandate and rule over the eight directions. However, the position of heir apparent is of paramount importance, as it is the foundation of the nation; the succession must be carefully considered and executed.

Your Majesty's third son, Xia Chongde, embodies the strength of Heaven and the gentleness of Earth, and displays wisdom and sagacity through benevolence and filial piety.

I now solemnly announce to Heaven, the ancestral temple, and the altars of the land and grain that he be established as the Crown Prince, to occupy the Eastern Palace, so as to secure the dynasty for ten thousand years!

The proclamation was issued both domestically and internationally, so that everyone may know of it!

This is it.

After writing the imperial edict, Qin Xiuyuan read it again.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong said, "That's how it is. Take it and use the seal!"

"Tomorrow, before all the officials, the imperial edict will be read aloud: During my illness, the Crown Prince will oversee the state affairs on my behalf."

"If I fall ill and never recover, then the third prince will inherit the throne, and you will be the regents, assisting him well."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Yonglong helped everyone out, but Xia Chengzong stayed behind.

He knew that his grandfather would not die, and that he would at least have a few more years to live.

This is a good opportunity to build goodwill.

Emperor Yonglong laughed and said, "I have raised so many children, but I never expected that in the end, it would be my grandson who would be the most filial."

"Grandpa has had enough sleep these past few days, so why don't you keep him company and talk to him?"

"Oh, right, Grandpa said he had something good for you. Since you're not confused right now, I'll give it to you first."

Xia Chengzong hurriedly said, "Grandpa Emperor is blessed with long life and good fortune, and will soon recover."

"How could your grandson accept anything from His Majesty? Please, His Majesty, rescind your order. Your grandson would never dare to accept it."

Emperor Yonglong tried to persuade Xia Chengzong twice, but Xia Chengzong refused on the grounds of filial piety, so Emperor Yonglong did not insist.

He said, "It would be too much to refuse your filial piety, so if Grandfather really falls ill and can't get out of here, then we'll just give Dai Quan to you."

Hearing Emperor Yonglong say this, Xia Chengzong was finally relieved.

If we take these things now, wouldn't it be awkward if Emperor Yonglong recovered in a few days?

Should we return it later?

Will this lead to something sordid?

It's better not to do it now, since it'll be yours sooner or later anyway.

The grandfather and grandson talked for a while, and when Xia Chengzong saw that Emperor Yonglong was not in good spirits, he stopped talking and told him to rest.

Xia Chengzong slept on the outer bed, but at night, he heard that Emperor Yonglong had not fallen asleep for a long time.

Xia Chengzong was puzzled, guessing that perhaps he had slept too much these past few days and missed his sleepiness.

At that very moment, emotional points were credited to the account.

Loyal Prince's negative emotion value +10 +10 +10

Prince Zhongxin's negative emotion value +10 +10 +10

Prince Chungkang's negative emotion value +10 +10 +10

A thoughtful expression immediately appeared on Xia Chengzong's face.

Grandfather hasn't gone to sleep yet; perhaps he's waiting for his three uncles?

Before long, Xia Chengzong fell asleep.

He woke up early the next day, and the night was peaceful and uneventful, with nothing happening.

His three royal uncles had the desire but not the courage; none of them dared to take that step.

The next day, all the officials were summoned to court.

They were all puzzled, for the emperor had been seriously ill for the past few days and had not attended court for many days.

They were all waiting for the change of imperial power, waiting for the new emperor to ascend the throne.

Why are they being summoned to court today?

Has the Emperor recovered from his illness, or has something unexpected happened?

After all the officials had gathered for court, the emperor did not appear.

Just as everyone was wondering, Dai Quan appeared and read out the imperial edict in front of everyone, appointing the third prince, Xia Chongde, as the crown prince and entrusting him with the administration of the court.

Normally, the appointment of a crown prince would require choosing an auspicious day and going through a lengthy process.

Now, because the emperor is seriously ill, everything is naturally kept simple.

Prince Zhongzheng accepted the imperial edict and knelt to receive the nine-tasseled jade crown.

The official in charge of reading the book knelt down to read the book's contents, and the official in charge of reading the treasures knelt down to read the treasure's contents.

Grand Secretary Gao Lian knelt to receive the imperial edict and seal, which were then passed on to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince left the palace and performed four bows on the steps of the Danbi. The imperial guards then led the Imperial Seal Pavilion to the Eastern Palace to place the imperial seal.

The Crown Prince went to the Empress's palace to express his gratitude, and then the princes and civil and military officials paid their respects to the Crown Prince in turn.

After the above procedures were completed, the Minister of Rites requested the use of the imperial seal, and the imperial edict was read aloud at the Meridian Gate and promulgated throughout the empire.

On that day, the Crown Prince moved into the Eastern Palace and temporarily took over the administration of state affairs on behalf of the Emperor.

After being granted titles such as Imperial Concubine, the Imperial Concubine would become the Crown Princess.

In the rush, the three little ones were not taken into the East Palace, but remained in the Prince Zhongzheng's residence.

This day was like a dream for the Crown Prince.

Although he had fantasized about it before, when it actually happened, he still felt a sense of unreality.

So, I've become the crown prince and am qualified to ascend the throne?

He sighed inwardly, realizing that all of this was thanks to Zong-ge'er.

If it weren't for Zong Ge'er, how could the position of Crown Prince have fallen into his hands?

In the afternoon, many memorials were sent to him for his review.

Looking at the thick stack of memorials, the Crown Prince felt both a sense of exhilaration at having great power in his hands and a feeling of bewilderment and fear.

Although he had read many documents, he had never personally handled national affairs.

He was slightly afraid that if he didn't handle the situation well, he would be looked down upon by the officials and ridiculed by the scholars.

He wanted to be a good emperor, but he didn't know how.

He lacks sufficient confidence.