in2ebook Chapter 137 Who Should Be Appointed as the Crown Prince
Chapter 137 Who Should Be Appointed as the Crown Prince
"As for the remaining two young sons, the Ninth Prince just turned fourteen this year and has not yet left the palace to set up his own household." The old emperor paused and said, "The youngest prince is only four years old."
"If you let the general choose, who do you think is suitable?"
The old emperor's question was equivalent to asking Zong Yanli who should be the crown prince.
He Chang's heart was beating terribly fast. The old emperor who asked this question also stared at Zong Yanli with a serious expression. Zong Yanli lowered his eyes as if he was pondering, as if he had no idea that whoever he said would be the new emperor.
Zong Yanli hesitated and said, "I have never taught many students. So far, I have only been entrusted to instruct one person in the army."
Zong Yanli felt a little ashamed, and bowed his head and said, "I was still young at that time, so I didn't dare to accept the title of teacher and student. I just gave instructions."
"Now that the emperor has entrusted such an important task, I think the young prince should be more suitable for teaching." Zong Yanli raised his eyes and said seriously: "The ninth prince is growing up, his temperament is settled, and he has learned everything. There is little room for me to teach him."
"The little prince is still young, and he has just started both martial arts training and studying."
"Although it takes a long time to educate a young child, it is worth it to devote all your efforts to educating him."
In every aspect, Zong Yanli regarded the prince he was to assist as his own student, and even mentioned that he started learning martial arts at the age of five.
As an enlightenment teacher, Zong Yanli would naturally be more willing to teach the little prince.
Zong Yanli's words had a different meaning to the old emperor. The old emperor naturally knew that Zong Yanli had no intention of becoming the crown prince at all, and when Emperor Wu asked this question, he was indeed extremely hesitant and could not think of an answer.
Now, after hearing Zong Yanli's words, he immediately felt as if he had suddenly realized something.
The emperor originally liked his youngest son more, but he was too old and worried that he would not be able to see his youngest son grow up.
Among the current Wu Kingdom, the emperor thought about it and decided that the only person he could trust was Zong Yanli.
He wanted to find out whether Zong Yanli was really trustworthy.
In the end, the old emperor did not say which prince he wanted Zong Yanli to teach. Instead, he asked about the current war situation and learned about the military affairs, which were almost the same as the military reports submitted to him.
The old emperor looked tired, and let Zong Yanli go home, saying: "Since you want the general to teach the prince, wait for the two princes to come in person tomorrow, and the general will make a final decision after seeing them."
"I obey your order." Zong Yanli naturally agreed without saying anything and bowed his head.
Zong Yanli bowed and walked out of the hall, holding the helmet and visor in his hands. As soon as he turned around, he saw Gao Jiayue who had just arrived at the palace gate. She was so eye-catching in her phoenix feather dress. She was walking slowly surrounded by a crowd of people. Her face was delicate and her eyes were shining with a bright light.
But he showed a look of surprise: "General Zong Yan?"
Zong Yanli paused for a moment, bowed and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine."
Gao Jiayue clenched her sleeves slightly, and said with a flawless smile on her face: "General, you are welcome. I heard earlier that the emperor summoned you back to the capital, but I didn't expect you to come back so soon."
Zong Yanli lowered his head and responded in a low voice with a calm and distant expression.
Gao Jiayue said nothing more. She turned to look at He Chang with a smile and said, "I am here to bring soup to His Majesty. Is His Majesty here?"
"Yes, yes." He Chang responded quickly. Gao Jiayue turned around and looked at Zong Yanli, with some unspeakable emotions in her eyes. She said to him softly, "I will leave first. I will talk to the general another day."
"Farewell, Her Majesty." Zong Yanli bowed his head and bowed.
The old emperor in the palace naturally heard the noise outside. He thought that when the imperial concubine met Zong Yanli, she would try to get close to him.
But I didn't expect the two of them to behave so calmly, as if they had nothing to do with each other.
This also successfully dispelled the last trace of worry in the old emperor's heart.
Then he looked up at Concubine Gao who was carrying the tonic soup into the palace. She was looking at him with eyes full of worry, and there was a hint of joy in the corners of her eyes, as if she was telling the emperor that she was very happy to see Zong Yanli.
"Your Majesty has been working hard today, so please take care of yourself." Gao Jiayue walked forward attentively and gently took the old emperor's hand.
"Why didn't you catch up with Zong Yanli?" The old emperor narrowed his eyes and stared at Gao Jiayue.
"General Zong Yan's status is different now. If I am so eager, others will think that I have ulterior motives." Gao Jiayue spoke frankly, lowering her eyes and said, "I don't want to cause such rumors. Besides, I came to see the emperor in the first place."
"I am just surprised to see General Zong Yan for the first time." Gao Jiayue seemed to think for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have been married to you for seven years."
The old emperor was also stunned when he heard Gao Jiayue's words, and once again lamented that time passed so quickly.
He held Gao Jiayue's hand, and after what seemed like a long while, he said, "You are so innocent and straightforward. The only thing I am worried about now is you."
Gao Jiayue leaned over and said, "Then Your Majesty will always be by my side."
"Hahaha..." The old emperor couldn't help laughing when he heard her little girl's words. He shook his head helplessly and said after thinking for a long time, "You and Zong Yanli are old acquaintances, so you should catch up on the past."
"Your Majesty?" Gao Jiayue looked up at him with some confusion.
The old emperor felt somewhat helpless when he met her pure and clear eyes. What he meant was that he wanted Gao Jiayue to win over Zong Yanli.
The old emperor took Gao Jiayue's hand and patted it, saying, "I want to let Zong Yanli be the emperor's son's teacher. What do you think?"
This time Gao Jiayue was really surprised. She suppressed her excitement, but said with a look of surprise and resentment: "The emperor said a few days ago that he would personally teach Alang, why is he looking for a teacher for Alang today?"
The old emperor was stunned when he heard this, but he couldn't help laughing. Did this little girl really think that she was just an enlightenment teacher?
Finally, the old emperor patted Gao Jiayue's hand soothingly and said, "Forget it, I will make the arrangements myself."
Gao Jiayue left in a daze. After leaving the palace, Gao Jiayue immediately grabbed Hong Jian's hand and said anxiously, "Go, secretly send someone to tell Concubine Shu that the emperor wants to make the ninth prince the crown prince."
"Empress?" Hong Jian was startled when she heard that and looked up at Gao Jiayue.
"Just go." Gao Jiayue narrowed her eyes and smiled. She naturally knew what the emperor was worried about. Now the only one who still had a chance in the palace was the ninth prince He Jiarong. She wanted to make Concubine Shu lose her composure and make the emperor give up on him.
Since the emperor said that he wanted to make Zong Yanli the prince's teacher, but did not give a direct order, he must be hesitant.
And now Gao Jiayue is going to make the emperor's last bit of hesitation disappear.
Gao Jiayue would never miss any opportunity that was beneficial to her. She started to plan at the first opportunity. At this time, Zong Yanli had already left the palace and headed towards Zong Yan's mansion.
This was the first time that Zong Yanli had returned home since the Zong Yan family moved to the capital, and he did not feel unfamiliar with the way at all.
When Zong Yanli, who was riding a war horse and wearing military armor, led a group of guards including Wen Nian and walked into the street, he attracted a lot of attention. Pedestrians retreated and watched Zong Yanli and his group walk to the gate of Zong Yan's mansion.
The guards in front of the mansion were dumbfounded when they saw an army suddenly appearing on the street.
It was the people around who reacted and shouted excitedly: "Major General! The Major General is back!"
"The young general is back?" Following the shout, the guard turned around and ran into the mansion to report.
"Ali?" Han came out of the house in a hurry. She was so anxious that even the hairpin on her head was crooked. Zong Yanli turned over and dismounted and strode to greet her: "Mother."
Tears suddenly welled up in Han's eyes and she threw herself into Zong Yanli's arms, her heart filled with fear and anxiety.
Perhaps it was because she was getting older. Now Han was alone in the capital, and all she thought about day and night was her husband and children on the battlefield. She had so much worry in her heart. Her only hope was to hear military reports from the border or receive letters from home.
But how can a thin piece of paper carry the longing for loved ones?
Han held Zong Yanli's hand tightly, and looked up at her daughter who was almost entirely covered in military armor. She felt that she was so strange and unreal.
Zong Yanli reached out and took off the helmet cover, revealing that familiar face.
Han finally smiled, and couldn't help but reach out and touch Zong Yanli's face, smiling with tears in her eyes, "You're back, it's good to be back."
"Go to the Wei family quickly and tell Ayin to bring Yaner home to welcome Ali." Han turned and said to the entourage around her.
"Yes." The servant responded and left quickly.
Han pulled Zong Yanli into the mansion and said with a happy face, "Why are you in such a hurry to come back? You didn't even tell me in advance so that I could send someone to pick you up. It's amazing that you can find your way home."
Zong Yanli lowered his head and smiled, "My sister has said this countless times in her letters, how could I not know?"
When Han heard this, she also laughed.