Jixiang responded. Empress Lu felt that everything was within her and the Lu family's control, unaware that His Majesty already held sufficient evidence. If he remained inactive, the Lu family would face utter ruin.
If His Majesty were a foolish ruler, the Lu family's actions could be considered for the sake of the empire and its people.
However, His Majesty was a wise ruler. Since his ascension, he had diligently governed. While not achieving absolute peace, the people lived in relative prosperity, far better than before his reign. Of course, natural disasters and man-made calamities were unavoidable. Now, in his prime, the Lu family was stirring. If the Second Prince were truly a genius, it might be understandable. But the Second Prince was, at best, mediocre. Furthermore, he was easily swayed, and the empire would soon change hands to the Lu family!
What ruler would permit such a thing?
They were utterly overestimating themselves!
After reading the letter, Duke Chengen, Lu Yuan, summoned his trusted retainers to his study. Their plan had two prongs: first, to propose the establishment of an heir apparent in court; second, to target Emperor Chongwen's health. For the succession, they had the Second Prince. As the legitimate son, his appointment as Crown Prince was only natural. Lu Yuan believed that under his tutelage over the years, although the Second Prince was not outstanding, he had committed no major errors and was capable of holding the position of Crown Prince.
The following day, in the imperial court, Emperor Chongwen silently observed the clamoring ministers.
The Second Prince had supporters, as did the First and Third Princes.
The Lu family, as an old and established lineage, held an unshakeable position. Moreover, Lu Yuan had served as the imperial tutor, and he had no small number of students in court. Consequently, nearly half the court sided with Lu Yuan. The reason was simple: the Second Prince was the legitimate son.
The rule was to establish the legitimate heir, and if none, the eldest.
This was a tradition followed since ancient times.
"Each and every one of you, are you hoping for me to abdicate?" Emperor Chongwen suddenly spoke after listening to their arguments for a while.
His voice was calm, but to the assembled ministers, it was like a thunderclap.
The ministers all knelt down in a flurry. "Your Majesty, forgive us. Your subjects have no such intentions. However, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation. Without a Crown Prince, the national stability is shaken."
"Therefore, do all my esteemed ministers mean that I am a foolish ruler?" Emperor Chongwen maintained his calm tone.
"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.
"Since I am wise, why are all my esteemed ministers clinging to the matter of succession? I thought you were intending to enthrone a new ruler!" Emperor Chongwen said, his face darkening.
"Your subjects have absolutely no such intentions," the ministers quickly replied. At the same time, they dared not continue to argue about the succession. They feared being branded as rebels. If they truly angered His Majesty, even if not all could be killed, could one not be found as a warning to others? What if they were the unfortunate ones? It was simply not worth it for the matter of succession. The princes were all His Majesty's sons. Among the princes currently capable of governing, there were three. In time, the Crown Prince would naturally emerge from these three, and the position would not fall into the hands of others. Therefore, it was acceptable for them to observe for now, and when the time came to declare allegiance, they would have greater certainty. This was the thinking of the majority!
Of course, those like Lu Yuan did not think this way. The earlier their supported prince became Crown Prince and ascended the throne, the greater the benefits they would receive.
However, the matter of succession was not something that could be decided with a single mention. In any case, they had contingency plans, and for now, they would bide their time.