Chapter 62 (1/2)

Chapter Sixty-Two

The emperor decreed to keep the crown prince position vacant.

At Consort Mu’s chamber, Pei Zhang threw a cup of tea at a palace maid’s face.

‘You dare to let me drink hot tea?’ Pei Zhang asked.

The palace maid knelt on her knees in front of Pei Zhang.

Consort Mu stopped Pei Zhang from kicking the palace maid.

‘Xiao Zhang!’ Consort Mu said and signalled the palace maid to leave.

‘Xiao Zhang, you’re becoming more impatient by the day,’ Consort Mu said. ‘If you had kicked her, she would either die or be crippled. Do you want a rumor to spread about your cruelty? Now is a critical period. How can you lose control of your anger? I know you’re feeling the situation is unfair but you need to be patient and endure.’

‘Endure?’ Pei Zhang asked. ‘In the eyes of the citizens ninth brother has a perfect reputation. If I endure any longer then it’ll be me who’ll be kowtowing in front of ninth brother!’

‘If you don’t control yourself then it’s certain you’ll be kowtowing in front of your ninth brother!’ Consort Mu said.

‘Mother, what are we going to do?’ Pei Zhang asked.

‘Think about it,’ Consort Mu said. ‘Between your ninth brother and tenth brother, who did you think is more suitable?’

‘Tenth brother?’ Pei Zhang asked.

‘In the past your tenth brother had your imperial father, his imperial mother’s family support and the citizens’ admiration,’ Consort Mu said. ‘Where is tenth brother now?’

‘He lost everything and died,’ Pei Zhang said.

‘That’s right,’ Consort Mu said. ‘He had everything and lost. So we don’t need to fear someone like your ninth brother.’

‘Mother, you’re right,’ Pei Zhang said.

‘Xiao Zhang, I know what you’re worrying about,’ Consort Mu said. ‘You feel threatened that your ninth brother has a good reputation, his wife is pregnant and he’s gaining support from court officials.’

‘That’s true,’ Pei Zhang said.

‘Xiao Zhang, you don’t need to worry about those minor obstacles,’ Consort Mu said.

Pei Zhang listened carefully to his mother’s reasons.

‘Xiao Zhang, you can slowly improve your reputation,’ Consort Mu said. ‘Those court officials aren’t foolish. They know in the end you’ll be the crown prince so they weren’t dare to commit all their resources to support your ninth brother. What’s important is military power!’

‘But Huang Guo’s been too dormant for years… what if Huang Guo and ninth brother join their resources?’ Pei Zhang asked.

‘Xiao Zhang, do you still not understand your imperial father?’ Consort Mu asked.

‘Imperial father?’ Pei Zhang asked.