Concubine Xiao nodded, “Yi’er, you must understand our current situation – the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince. Even though he is an idiot, His Majesty does not mind. Moreover, many officials are his supporters – pulling him from his position seems simple, but it has its inherent challenges. For us, there is no harm in trying to pull the two Ji brothers to our side.”
What a solid plan! Concubine Xiao could already imagine the day Jing Hua stepped down, the day her own son would be draped in the Crown Prince’s garbs, and even the day he sat on the throne. She could not help but smile.
Jing Yi weighed his options silently, his long slender fingers gripping his teacup so hard they went pale. He finally spoke, “Then… there needs to be another Crown Princess.”
“You’re right. This other person must not hold legitimate power either.”
“Does Imperial Mother already have someone in mind?”
Concubine Xiao smirked, “Kong Yu.”
Kong Yu? The Crown Prince’s cousin?
To be fair, consanguineous marriages were not uncommon in ancient times.
Jing Yi unknowingly burrowed his brows, “Changing the Crown Princess to Kong Yu? Neither Father nor the Crown Prince would agree. Moreover, Kong Yu has already been bestowed the title of Huiwen Princess, how could she marry a prince?”
Concubine Xiao was certain. “You don’t have to worry about this – Mother has a plan.”
“What is it?”
“Kong Yu could not be married into Qujiang this time and so her title of princess is no more than an accessory. The Kong family is Empress Xuanshu’s maiden household – it would not be unreasonable for a Crown Princess to come from the Kong family. Mother would think of a way to force the Crown Prince to agree to this marriage and for His Majesty to bestow the imperial decree.” Concubine Xiao was confident, but also sinister.
“Then I will abide by your wishes.” Jing Yi was cold, but agreed regardless.
“Now all we have to consider is how to prevent the Ji family girl from entering the palace.” Concubine Xiao twirled the jade ring on her finger, already scheming. She added as an afterthought, “Ah, your Imperial Father’s birthday gift – have you prepared it?”
Jing Yi shrugged nonchalantly. “Not yet.”
“This concubine heard that Jing Hua has already started searching for rare treasures. Your father was very pleased with the flat stonefish jade that he presented last year. You have to pay more attention this year.”
Speaking of that flat stonefish jade, Jing Yi fumed with anger, almost throwing his teacup to the ground.
The one who had obtained that stonefish jade last year was him, but who would have guessed that when he presented it the following day, the Crown Prince had switched the gifts around and the stonefish jade ended up in the Crown Prince’s offering. All that remained in his own box was a forgettable piece of blue jade.
Luckily the Crown Prince had some semblance of a conscience and did not leave him empty-handed, otherwise, that would have truly meant great disrespect!