The issue regarding Prince Huai and the appointment of the prince was suppressed by the feudal authority under the pretext of disturbing public sentiment and harboring ill intentions, resulting in the arrest of several idle men.
But much like children's rebellion, the more forbidden something is, the more one wants to do it. Openly, no one dared to discuss it, but privately, the debates grew increasingly intense.
The feudal authority and dynasty were also aware of this and somewhat helpless. In fact, officials had never stopped discussing this matter privately.
Actually, it was about time to discuss the appointment of the prince.
The emperor had five princes. Excluding the youngest two who were negligible, the three princes were all of age to be educated as the prince.
Privately, each of the three princes had their own supporters.
But now suddenly, Prince Huai emerged.
"This matter has become quite difficult to discuss."
A low-ranking official shook his head softly.
As the words left his mouth, he was startled once again.
Why did he say it was difficult to discuss?
Shouldn't he resolutely believe this was an impossible matter not worth considering?
Had he already considered Prince Huai as one of the candidates for the prince in his heart?
What was going on? Why was he thinking like this?
Was it because Prince Huai, long unmentioned, reemerged in front of people, reminding him of the former Crown Prince and the indubitable status of Prince Huai as an heir?
Or was it because he saw the young royal, stepping forward bravely in a crisis in the capital, bearing the passionate responsibility of the imperial family offspring?
That long-missing child did not wither and decay like a weak grass hidden from the daylight. Instead, he unexpectedly grew so strong.
This is Prince Huai, the offspring of the former Crown Prince, the one whom the first emperor loved most, who was once considered to be made the imperial crown prince's son in advance, emulating Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
If he were truly appointed as the prince, it wouldn't actually violate the norms.
The only out-of-bounds irregularity of this matter was initiated by Miss Jun, who should not have raised this issue.
If it were proposed by current officials, would it be naturally accepted?
The official shivered again as the thought flashed through his mind.
No, no, how could it be naturally accepted? Which emperor would willingly pass the throne to someone else rather than his own son? What did he become the emperor for, making wedding clothes for others? It's utterly ridiculous.
Which official would dare provoke the emperor like this?
But then again, throughout history, many officials have seen opposing the Emperor's will as an opportunity to demonstrate their integrity.
This sort of thing is not unheard of, and it has received considerable rewards.
This time, are there officials contemplating such a move?
How did this happen?
Where did all these strange thoughts come from?
Besides him, would other officials feel the same way?
Prince Huai, who had been suppressed for years, suddenly appeared so brilliantly, his brilliance could no longer be hidden.
Then what did Prince Huai, who had become the focal point of the incident, think?
Did he know or not know about the uproar?
The gates of Prince Huai's mansion remained closed, yet it wasn't as impervious as before, no longer untouchable.
Prince Xian's carriage was conspicuously parked at the entrance.
"Though he guarded the city gate for so many days, he is still just a child. I wonder if his health is affected," Prince Xian said with a concerned expression at the door.
The Jinyiwei still guarded the gate, but they seemed non-existent, offering no hindrance nor welcome.
Prince Xian's men simply pushed the doors open themselves, and Prince Xian strutted in.
Prince Huai's mansion remained as usual, with eunuchs and palace maids more on edge than ever.
While the capital was on high alert, Prince Huai's mansion had its gates wide open, with street news rushing in.
"Prince Huai wants to become the prince..."
A eunuch said with a pale face and a trembling voice.
"This is going to be the end."
They were eunuchs, living within the imperial palace, interacting with the relatives of the royal families. No one knew better than them how brutal the struggle around imperial power was.
The emperor's legitimate princes, backed by their mothers, relatives, and powerful ministers, already had a hard enough time fighting openly and in the shadows for the position of the prince.
An awkwardly positioned prince without parents, who had disappeared for years, surfacing now to compete for the prince's position — this was a clear path to self-destruction, wasn't it?
"Do you all remember Prince Yi?" another eunuch said with a trembling voice. "Back then, just because Emperor Taizong said, 'Once you become emperor, the reward will follow,' he had to die to avoid suspicion."
The surrounding eunuchs looked even grimmer.
"So what now, should Prince Huai die to show he has no interest in the prince's position?"
For the sake of propriety, this would be the most legitimate and noble course of action.
"So is Miss Jun forcing Prince Huai to his death?"
.....
.......
"Did Miss Jun propose that I become the prince?"
In the room, Prince Huai asked.
Prince Xian, just arriving, heard this and stopped in his tracks.
Yes, Miss Jun's action was like a sharply descending blade, leaving everyone unprepared.
Prince Xian sighed inwardly.
This matter not only puts the emperor on the spot, but how could it not be the same for Prince Huai?
"Yes, it was Miss Jun's own idea, none of us knew. Your Highness, are you somewhat angry?" Mr. Gu said.
Prince Huai shook his head.
"Since it was proposed by Miss Jun," he said, "I am not angry."
Could he truly trust this Miss Jun so much?
Was it because she had cured his illness? Children often have a bird's nest complex.
Prince Xian frowned slightly, peering through the open doors and windows into the room, seeing Prince Huai sitting at his desk as if writing, and Mr. Gu facing away from the door with a book in hand.
"Aren't you afraid?" Mr. Gu asked.
Prince Huai put down his pen, his expression also tinged with seriousness, though a child's seriousness inevitably seemed a bit comical.
"Afraid of what?" he asked.
"Afraid of people saying you want to become the prince, afraid of you becoming the prince," Mr. Gu said.
These two sentences sounded like the same thing, but they actually weren't.
Prince Huai looked at him, contemplating with serious intent.
"Why should I be afraid?" he said, "I am not afraid."
Mr. Gu looked at him without speaking.
Prince Huai jumped off the chair, walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, displaying a grown-up demeanor.
"Once I become a good prince, I won't be afraid of what others say." He continued, his expression composed.
Mr. Gu laughed heartily.
Standing outside the door, Prince Xian was somewhat at a loss for words.
Isn't that the wrong way to think about this matter?
"Your Highness, do you want to become the prince?"
Mr. Gu collected his laughter and asked.
This question was posed like a knife slicing straight down, straightforward and sharp.
Prince Xian, outside the door, couldn't help but tense up.
There's no master nor guard in this Prince Mansion, apart from that large gate, everything felt distinctly unguarded.
He had walked all the way here without a servant announcing him in advance.
A mere tutor asked a question many dared not ask. Was he truly unafraid of being overheard and the news spreading?
He wanted to speak out to stop it, but Prince Huai had already begun.
"I do," he said clearly and brightly.
Prince Xian looked at the child standing in the room, who displayed a composed demeanor and an upright posture.
Thus, he faced the slicing knife, straightforward and clean.
He had spoken.
He said it.
He wanted to be the prince.
Why shouldn't he desire it? Why shouldn't he answer? He needed not fear nor evade. He was also a Chu Family descendant, his father was once Crown Prince, and he inherently deserved to be the grandson.
If you dare ask, he dares to answer.
Prince Xian looked at the two people in the room, turned, and left.
He had already answered. If someone disagrees, then speak up too.
If he dares to say he wants it, let's see if you dare say no.
It's just that simple.