Chapter 902: I Humbly Request His Majesty's Benevolent Approval

At the same moment, in the Imperial Study of Zichen Hall.

Xiao Jieyun, after hearing Prince Ning's reply, remained silent for a long while.

Eunuch Cheng stood quietly at the side, and an old concern rose again.

"His Majesty," Xiao Yuanhang said in a steady voice, "the Seventh Prince did not wish to make a fuss; he even left the guards outside the city, ordering them to enter on their own."

"We did not anticipate it, yet this commotion arose."

"I think someone has been watching the city gate, recognized my second son, and thus exposed the Seventh Prince's whereabouts."

Xiao Jieyun lifted his tea cup, took a sip, his expression unchanged: "Since I approved the Seventh Prince's memorial, there have been people in Jingcheng deliberately spreading his achievements in recapturing Taiyuan."

"Within just a few days, those ballads you heard have already spread everywhere."

"The common folk all lavishly praise the Seventh Prince, calling him," he set down his cup, "the Benevolent Ruler."

Xiao Yuanhang felt a jolt in his heart, looked up at the Emperor: "His Majesty, this matter must involve someone behind the scenes orchestrating it, hoping to cause you to harbor resentment toward the Seventh Prince."

"I am naturally aware," Xiao Jieyun waved his hand, "Since the Seventh Prince left Jingcheng, I have ordered the Xuanwu Guard to investigate those officials who impeached him."

"Their residences, correspondence, interactions… all have been monitored, yet no trace of any change has been found."

He paused: "The mastermind behind this is hidden far deeper than I imagined."

Xiao Yuanhang slowly spoke: "His Majesty, do not be impatient."

"This person can both reach into the court and stir the hearts of the people in Jingcheng; his intentions must be considerable."

"As long as he continues to stir up trouble, sooner or later his tracks will be exposed."

Xiao Jieyun nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: "The Seventh Prince's recapture of Taiyuan truly brings me honor; I am very satisfied."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled faintly: "Indeed, I have fought battles all my life, and this is the first time the soldiers and the people suffered no casualties while we drove the enemy away."

Xiao Jieyun nodded: "The people call the Seventh Prince the Benevolent Ruler; I also think he is fully deserving of the title."

Xiao Yuanhang's mind steadied slightly.

"Yuanhang," the Emperor said, looking at him, "I have thought it over; since we cannot uncover it now, perhaps we should cut the fire at its source."

Xiao Yuanhang, not understanding, asked: "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"

The Emperor smiled faintly: "Whoever is behind this is only after the Crown Prince's position."

"Since the heir position is vacant and the people's hearts are unsettled, I will soon issue an edict to appoint the Seventh Prince as Crown Prince."

"With the Eastern Palace secured and the court peaceful, those petty schemers' hidden thoughts will subside."

Xiao Yuanhang hesitated a moment, then asked: "His Majesty, shall we not wait any longer?"

Eunuch Cheng's heart jumped.

Wait? Wait for what? Wait for the legitimate son to come of age?

Everyone could see that His Majesty placed great expectations on this legitimate son, yet no one ever dared to ask.

It was Prince Ning who dared to speak so plainly.

Xiao Jieyun pondered briefly: "My resolve is set; Cheng'er is too young. With the Eastern Palace empty for a day, the court will be unsettled for a day."

"Yuanhang," he looked toward the hall's exterior; dusk had settled and the palace lamps lit up, "that petty scoundrel thinks that by having the myriad people praise the Seventh Prince, I will become jealous and suspicious."

"Utterly foolish!" he laughed, shaking his head: "My realm has the Benevolent Ruler as successor, and the Immortal Envoy's protection; this is a fortunate matter."

He smiled, looking at Xiao Yuanhang: "If there were no successor, then I would be anxious."

Xiao Yuanhang rose, straightened his attire, and knelt properly: "His Majesty is wise."

Eunuch Cheng lowered his eyelids, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upward.

From outside the hall came an extremely faint footstep, followed immediately by what seemed like someone whispering two words at the doorway.

Eunuch Cheng's ear twitched.

He silently stepped back half a pace, turned, and walked toward the hall door.

He moved out of the great hall quietly; a junior eunuch on duty immediately approached and whispered something into his ear.

Eunuch Cheng waved his hand, and the junior eunuch retreated to his original spot.

Eunuch Cheng hurried back, bowed and said, "His Majesty, someone from Fengyi Palace has arrived."

"They say the Empress herself is cooking a few small dishes, inviting His Majesty to go and have dinner."

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Jieyun's face: "The Empress is in a good mood today! She actually cooks herself? She hasn't done that in a long time."

"The Empress must be concerned about His Majesty's continuous exertions," Eunuch Cheng replied with a smile, "she wishes to replenish your health."

Xiao Yuanhang, hearing this, also laughed: "His Majesty, I take my leave now."

"Before I arrived, Tuan Tuan said that tonight is the reunion dinner, urging me to return early; if I were to come back late, she would nag me for several days."

Xiao Jieyun laughed aloud: "I've already been taught by Tuan Tuan's little mouth."

"Enough, you hurry back, don't keep her waiting anxiously."

"You have traveled hard; after returning to the residence, rest well for a few days, no need to rush to court. Stay at home and keep her company properly."

Xiao Yuanhang saluted and said, "Thank you, His Majesty." After speaking, he turned and left.

Xiao Jieyun slowly rose and stepped out from behind the Dragon Desk.

Eunuch Cheng immediately understood, and shouted toward the hall's exterior, "Imperial Carriage! Fengyi Palace—!"

Murong Jin ushered the Imperial Carriage into the palace.

Xiao Jieyun entered the inner chamber of the sleeping hall, where Xiao Che, swaying in the cradle, was sound asleep.

He, with interest, patted his son's small face: "You are becoming more and more like me."

Murong Jin smiled shyly: "His Majesty, please dine first."

"Very well."

The two arrived in the main hall and took seats at the table.

On the table were several plates of exquisite dishes and a wine jar.

Xiao Jieyun glanced, his brow slightly raised: "Did the Empress make all these?"

"My skills are clumsy, please don't despise them, Your Majesty." Murong Jin lowered her lashes, pointing at a dish of bright green vegetables, and said, "This is blanched tender wolfberry shoots tossed cold; Your Majesty, try it."

Xiao Jieyun picked up the silver chopsticks, took a bite: "Crisp and refreshing, not bad."

Murong Jin then pointed to a steamed fish: "This dish strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach; Your Majesty, you've been weary from recent paperwork, so have some of the best."

After speaking, she personally brought over a bowl of soup: "This lily and lotus seed soup clears the mind and calms the spirit; Your Majesty, have a bowl and you'll sleep more soundly at night."

Xiao Jieyun tasted each in turn and praised: "The Empress has put thought into this."

He lifted his gaze to Murong Jin.

Dressed in a simple lotus‑hued robe, with only a silver pin in her hair, no other adornments, she was so plain she didn't look like an empress.

The Emperor's heart stirred slightly.

Murong Jin smiled faintly, picked up the wine pot, personally poured two cups, and held one out to the Emperor.

The amber liquor swayed gently in the cup, reflecting the candlelight, giving off a warm, moist sheen.

Xiao Jieyun took it.

"I toast Your Majesty." Murong Jin lifted the cup before her, her demeanor respectful and gentle.

"Now the realm is at peace, seas calm and rivers clear; I wish Your Majesty blessings, longevity, health and peace, that the Great Lie State be prosperous and its people safe, and the realm endure forever."

"Good!" Xiao Jieyun raised his cup, lightly tapped it against hers, and drained it.

After a few cups, the candlelight in the hall flickered, and the Emperor felt a slight wine‑induced haze.

Murong Jin rose slowly, stepped back two lifts, lifted her skirt, and knelt properly.

"Empress?" Xiao Jieyun frowned slightly and reached out to help her up.

Murong Jin did not rise.

She lifted her head, tears glimmering in her eyes, yet her voice unusually calm: "Your Majesty, there is a matter I have pondered long; today I dare to speak plainly, and I beg your permission."