Chapter 415 – Reasoning Out

Chapter 415 - Reasoning Out

In no time, the crown prince arrived, paid his respects, and sat down to converse.

He mentioned how busy he had been today, concluding with, "I'm truly afraid of not fulfilling my duties as a crown prince well enough."

Yun Li looked at him with a smile. "What do you think constitutes a well-performing crown prince?"

Little Nine pondered for a moment. "At the very least, someone whom everyone looks up to and believes in, someone capable and able to distinguish right from wrong."

Yun Li smiled but didn't say a word.

Hao Jinli replied, "Your mother has always been insightful. Let her share her vision of what a prince and an emperor should be like."

Yun Li scoffed lightly. "It's not that I dare not speak."

"Given your frequent excursions beyond the palace walls, have you ever heard how the people outside speak of your father, the Emperor?" Yun Li inquired.

"I've heard of it, they say the current emperor is a wise and enlightened ruler, so the whole world is at peace and the people are content," Xiao Jiu said with pride, truly having heard it before.

Hekinli watched his son's proud demeanor when he was being praised, and genuine pride swelled within him.

"Then what? How did your father announce it? What did he do? Have you heard about it?" Yun Li asked again.

"Aah? Well... nothing much," Xiao Jiu replied, puzzled. "Would the common folk know so much?"

"Let me ask you this then. Before the imperial edict, your Sixth Brother was just as outstanding as you. Even after the edict, it doesn't mean your Sixth Brother became any less excellent. So, do you think those who previously supported your Sixth Brother are secretly cursing at your father and you now?"

Xiao Jiu was taken aback and instinctively looked at Hekinli, only to see him smiling at Yun Li.

"They wouldn't dare, right?" Xiao Jiu said, lacking conviction in his own words.

"Well then, what do you think should be done with these people?" Yun Li queried again.

"Aah? There's... nothing we can really do, right? We'll still have to use them, won't we?" Xiao Jiu answered.

"Does it bother you when you see them?" Yun Li continued to probe.

Xiao Jiu smiled. "I won't hold it against them."

"Not forgiving is because you've won. It's easiest for the victor to be magnanimous to the loser. You haven't attended court yet, so you don't know what it's like. Your father is the emperor, the sky in the hearts of the people. The people see him as the one who rules the seas and lands. But they don't know how he truly governs. It's not that a single edict unites the nation."

"It's a layer upon layer of decrees. If even a single word is misplaced, the meaning can change. What I'm saying is that these decrees must leave this Zhengyang Palace."

Yun Li smiled softly. "But in an emperor's entire life, how many decrees truly come from their heart? Or are all the decrees they endorse able to leave this palace?"

"The court officials might suggest improvements purely because they believe their ideas are better. Perhaps they have their own selfish motives for offering differing opinions. The emperor can't possibly dismiss them all."

Xiao Jiu sat down. "I understand that, but... the emperor is still the emperor, after all."

"Yes, today the emperor can suppress the entire court with their position, but what about tomorrow? How terrifying would it be if there were only one voice in the court?"

"The emperor isn't all-powerful. Some emperors spend their entire lives within the palace, within the capital. It's the officials and the people who are closer to the ground. I believe a good emperor not only needs to listen to diverse opinions to gain wisdom but also needs patience."

"It's impossible for an entire court to consist solely of good officials. Water that is too clear has no fish; people who are too strict have no friends. However, you need to know the usefulness of each person. As for the so-called art of imperial rule, I don't fully understand it. But I think that the beginning of being a good crown prince is learning to tolerate the fact that your ideas may not always come to fruition, to accept being used by others. Then, you must discern who can be utilized and how. Don't let loyal hearts grow cold, and don't let deceitful ones become arrogant. Remember to show kindness to those at the bottom. Love your people, love your soldiers."

"Of course, if you encounter especially forthright advisors in the future, you might also have to endure their scolding, perhaps even having spit sprayed on your face. You'll have to manage every aspect of yourself." Yun Li chuckled.

Xiao Jiu was speechless. "Sounds... challenging."

"Perhaps... there's something I shouldn't say, but as an emperor or crown prince, in my opinion, one shouldn't aspire to establish unparalleled feats. For they often come at the expense of the people's suffering," Yun Li said.

"Mother's words are wise, and I'll remember them," Xiao Jiu stood up.

"Firstly, thank your father the emperor. You've just received the imperial edict naming you the crown prince. And here I am talking about being an emperor. Your father is still young. If he misunderstands, I would be guilty beyond redemption," Yun Li said with a smile.

He Jinli pointed at her, "You're the one with many tricks up your sleeve."

Xiao Jiu chuckled, "Mother is just having a heart-to-heart with her son, Father won't be angry."

Yun Li playfully poked him, "Smooth talker. You'll have to behave properly in the future."

Xiao Jiu's shoulders drooped, "That does sound tiring."

"Well, figure out how to be a crown prince on your own. Anyway, don't be arrogant. You can't govern a country alone. Learn to recognize and utilize people's talents. A ruler doesn't need to be exceptionally capable, but they must have a clear mind," Yun Li advised.

Suddenly, Xiao Jiu burst into laughter.

He Jinli and Yun Li both looked at him.

He laughed uncontrollably. "I... My son recalled a saying you mentioned when he was young. You were reading a book and mentioned an incompetent emperor. You said that if a pig were placed on the dragon throne and the officials were loyal, the country could still be governed well..."

Yun Li...

He Jinning...

"Hahaha, what have you been teaching the child every day?" He Jinning laughed heartily.

Indeed, the Crown Prince had many responsibilities.

However, with envoys from various countries still present, there was no rush.

Now, being able to receive the Crown Prince was an honor for all of them.

They hurriedly wrote letters back home, asking their monarchs to send additional congratulatory messages for the establishment of the Crown Prince of Jinn.

Mindo directly consulted his elder brother, inquiring whether they should send someone to witness the ceremony.

It was evident that the enthronement of the Ninth Prince today was much grander than that of the Fourth Prince years ago.

In this palace, there are always those who rejoice and those who mourn.

Undoubtedly, Yun Li and her son were currently basking in triumph.

However, starting from the Empress, there were far too many unhappy individuals.

Princess Yu stood before the Eleventh Prince, "Now that your Ninth Brother is the crown prince, do you have anything to say?"

"The son congratulates Ninth Brother," the Eleventh Prince replied.

Princess Yu chuckled, "All princes have ambitions, but Mother knows that even if we combine our efforts, we wouldn't amount to a fraction of others. That's why I haven't made grand plans for you. Do you resent Mother for that?"

"That's not right, Mother. As a man, if I wish to achieve greatness, I should strive on my own. How could I rely on Mother's schemes? Ninth Brother possesses both virtue and talent; he deserves to be the crown prince. The son has no complaints and is willing to assist him wholeheartedly," the Eleventh Prince said.

Princess Yu laughed, "I've raised a bookworm! Well, that's good too. Mother won't have to worry then."

The Eleventh Prince frowned, "How can the son be a bookworm? The son merely loves reading."

"Very well, very good. Loving to read is indeed an admirable trait," Princess Yu said with a smile. "It's time for our meal. No more talking."

The Eleventh Prince was highly dissatisfied. His mother was perfect in every way except for her disinterest in reading... Sigh.