Chinese monarchic system
"Oh dear, Prince Bian is really generous, but if he gives gifts like this, I'm afraid the national treasury will be emptied."
Wang Meiren saw Liu Bian without blinking, and sent out more than a dozen pieces of jade jewelry, as well as a large handful of scattered silver coins. She couldn't help but laugh and say...
"The princess is overpraising me, I am not a person of extravagance. Today, because I returned to the palace in high spirits, I sent some small gifts to everyone. Although it looks like there are many things, they are actually not worth much money, and did not even use the national treasury."
"Not bad, the prince just sent some small gifts to his subordinates, how did it get involved with the national treasury? Does Princess Wang think that the national treasury is your private property?"
The Empress He also smiled and said, seemingly joking on the surface, but in fact the two were competing with each other. Seeing Wang Meiren getting angry and unable to speak, her face turned pale, she pulled Liu Bian into the Imperial Garden.
Wang Meiren snorted, pulling Crown Prince Liu Xie to follow behind Empress He into the Imperial Garden. She thought that as long as her son Liu Xie could become the crown prince today, she would see if that wretched woman surnamed He could still smile then.
"Her Majesty the Queen has arrived."
Eunuchs shouted loudly, and immediately all officials stood up, looking towards Empress He and her entourage, until they arrived at the high platform and sat down beside Emperor Ling.
"See Empress Dowager, Queen Mother."
"All of you, calm down." Empress He said in a deep voice, she had been the empress for many years and naturally had her own dignity.
"Your son pays his respects to Your Majesty, wishing you good health and all the best."
Liu Bian originally stood beside Empress He, and it wasn't until the officials rose to their feet that he came before Emperor Ling, kneeling down respectfully while also quickly sizing up this father of his who had been easily won over.
Emperor Ling of Han was actually not very old, only thirty-three years old, but his long-term indulgence in lust and wine had already emptied his body, so he looked somewhat weak and pale, with a pale face, puffy eyes, and although he wore the nine-dragon imperial robe, he could hardly conceal his tired appearance.
"Defend yourself."
As for Liu Bian, Emperor Ling had never been particularly fond of this son, so he glanced at him indifferently and waved his hand, but at the same time beckoned to Liu Xie and pulled him to his side, with affection overflowing from his words.
"Father Emperor, Mother said that today Father Emperor will give me a high official position, is it true?" Liu Xie asked.
"What kind of high-ranking official does Emperor Xian want to be?" Han Lingdi teased Liu Xie.
"The Empress Dowager said that the highest official is the Emperor, and I also want to be an Emperor in the future. Father Emperor, do you think it's okay?" Liu Xie's words immediately drew the angry gaze of Empress He.
However, Liu Bian standing beside him didn't change his expression at all. The Spirit Emperor glanced at him and found that he had a different air about him than before, which couldn't help but surprise him.
"Heh heh, after Father Emperor gets old, this emperor position will naturally be handed over to you brothers. However, Xiao Er, you're still young and don't know the hardships of being an emperor yet. When you grow up later, you'll understand that although being an emperor is the highest official in the world, it's also the most difficult one."
Emperor Ling of Han let out a sigh, then sent Liu Bian back to Wang Meiren's side. He stood up and raised his golden wine goblet towards the officials, saying: "Today, I invited all of you to this banquet in the hope that you can observe these two princes and see who is more suitable to inherit the throne. Now, I will have the two princes offer a toast to everyone."
The Emperor turned his head and said to Liu Bian: "Bian'er, you are the eldest son of the emperor, now come and offer a toast to the officials."
Liu Bian nodded, responded with a "yes", and took the wine vessel from Emperor Ling's hand. He stood in front of the group of officials, scanning his eyes over their faces, seeing many familiar faces, but also many ministers whose names he couldn't recall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I salute your hard work. Today, Liu Bian offers a toast in the name of the Emperor to express gratitude for all that you have done for the great Han Dynasty. Without your diligent efforts, our dynasty would not be at peace, there would be no continuous good news, and the people would not be living in happiness and prosperity. In the future, I hope that you will continue to work hard for the country, do your best in your respective positions, and make even greater contributions to the stability and prosperity of the Han Dynasty. Come, let us all drink this toast together! Wishing everyone good health and success in everything!"
Liu Bian stood in front of the group of officials, holding up his wine cup high and speaking to everyone. His voice was still somewhat childish, but it was filled with a sense that shocked people, making many officials feel that they were facing not the Crown Prince Liu Bian, but rather the Emperor Ling of years past.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Highness."
The officials all responded in unison, then raised their wine cups and drank the wine inside. Emperor Ling was extremely surprised to see this, as Liu Bian had not even dared to speak in front of him before, but today's performance was somewhat beyond his expectations.
Just a moment ago, Lingdi also felt the effect of Liu Bian's innate stability and majesty, where was the Liu Bian he remembered, who was light in his behavior and shallow in his actions?
"Could it be that Bian'er has changed so much after receiving Cai Yong's teachings? His demeanor is quite majestic, like a prince, and is somewhat different from before."
After Liu Bian finished the toast, he retreated to stand behind Empress He, his eyes not daring to glance sideways, his expression solemn and respectful. This caused Emperor Ling to take a few more glances at him, his thoughts wavering in his mind.
Originally, he was going to decide on the crown prince today, and this candidate was Prince Liu Xie. This was not only because he liked Liu Xie more, but also because Zhong Chanshi and others had suggested to him that Liu Xie was more suitable for the emperor than Liu Bian.
"Come on, Emperor Xian, you also come and offer a toast to the ministers." Emperor Ling beckoned to Liu Xie with his hand as he thought.
"Gentlemen, I also offer a toast to you all, just like my elder brother. May everything go as you wish." Liu Xie said a few words and then didn't know what else to say, slightly disappointing Emperor Ling.
As for the officials below, the performance of the two princes was also their focus of attention, because today they would discuss and decide on who to establish as the crown prince. Apart from those ministers who had already been won over by various factions, there were some who were hesitant and indecisive, waiting to see how things would develop.
Liu Bian's performance made some officials feel enlightened, and they did not expect that the rumored prince would be so outstanding, completely unlike what everyone said before, being frivolous and impulsive, but rather having a dignified and majestic demeanor.
In comparison, Crown Prince Liu Xie was also clever and intelligent, but not as steady and majestic as Crown Prince Bian. Moreover, Liu Xie was only seven or eight years old, and was ranked after Liu Bian, so there would be many people opposed to deposing the elder and installing the younger prince.
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