Chapter 125: Ascending to Great Heights

Chapter 125: Ascending to Great Heights

After Jian Yunyao had someone escort her younger brother away, the first person she called for was Fu Bin, who had been resting outside the palace.

Fu Bin promptly kneeled before the Empress, greeting her with words of peace. However, he felt puzzled inside.

The Empress never troubled the maids and servants below her. Even when faced with monumental issues, she never reduced their rations. If she had any instructions, she would only call the servants on duty.

"I called you here to tell you something. The parents of your sister's adopted son have been found."

Fu Bin was stunned. How had the matter of Fu Jiaze finding his biological parents reached the Empress?

Just as he was about to say something, a thought suddenly struck him.

The prince once passed away in Feng City, and his sister had picked up the child there... Could it be that Fu Jiaze's parents were actually the current Emperor and Empress?

Due to the war, there were many parentless children in the border towns. Some went to the orphanage, while others sold themselves into servitude.

There were thousands of children there. Fu Bin's mind was blown, never having imagined such a possibility. Could his sister have picked up the child the Empress had shot?

The incident of the Empress shooting the fifth prince was a secret in the palace. It had taken Fu Bin some effort to inquire about this taboo past. Only a handful of people in the palace knew the cause of the fifth prince's death.

Fu Bin even guessed that the currently favored Consort Chenxi might not even know this secret.

He couldn't believe it. The child his sister had picked up had such a background!

Being someone referred to as the Ninth Highest Official, able to be the servant among servants, Jian Yunyao could tell from Fu Bin's expression that he had figured it out.

Jian Yunyao spoke slowly, "What Eunuch Fu is thinking is true. Your nephew's surname should be Zhao. Call him Zhao Jiaze; he is my fifth born prince."

When these words came out of Jian Yunyao's mouth, she felt proud. She had seen that child before and had admired his talent and calm demeanor even back then. Now, she felt even prouder.

Fu Bin lay prostrate on the ground, his usually sharp mind now blank. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

He should first ask if there could be a mistake, right?

"Since I'm telling you this, I'm certain of his identity. My younger brother personally investigated this matter. The wounds and pulse from back then match up. There is no mistake."

Before Fu Bin could ask if there was an error, Jian Yunyao gave a definitive answer.

There was no mistake about Zhao Jiaze's background. After knowing the evidence, looking at his face made her feel like an irresponsible mother for not recognizing him earlier.

Facing Fu Bin, who was prostrate on the ground, Jian Yunyao personally helped him up, "I asked you here to thank your sister for saving my royal son."

"This servant, on behalf of my sister, is terrified."

A pie in the sky had fallen onto the Fu family. Fu Bin only dared to say one word of fear on his sister's behalf.

"Eunuch Fu, please rise. I'll explain it to you slowly."

Fu Bin only dared to sit on the edge of the spring stool, bowing as he listened to the Empress's words.

He had heard the story once from his younger brother. Jian Yunyao had a strong memory and was able to recount about 80% of her younger brother's original words.

As she spoke about similar matters again, Jian Yunyao felt her emotions stir. So many years had passed since then, but fortunately, her daughter-in-law had brought this matter to light during her pregnancy. Solving one problem only to reveal another, the truth had finally come to light.

"I want you to know, Eunuch Fu, that I am the master of the harem. Since Jiaze was born from my womb, he carries the status of a legitimate son. His literary and martial abilities are sufficient. If he cannot sit on the Crown Prince's throne, no one else can either."

When Fu Bin left the imperial palace, his mind was still buzzing, filled with the Empress's words.

"Eunuch Fu, Eunuch Fu?"

Fu Bin snapped out of his trance and saw Chen Pan in front of him.

Chen Pan, being the most favored attendant by Consort Chenxi, held a horsetail whisk in his hand and stood straight, looking more spirited than Fu Bin.

"Eunuch Fu, you're not on duty today. Why are you in the palace?" Chen Pan said.

Fu Bin glanced at Chen Pan. In the past, Chen Pan's sharpness would have prompted Fu Bin to compete with him to set an example for the younger servants in the harem.

But not today. By tomorrow, everyone in the palace would know where the real power lay.

His sister had raised the current Crown Prince, making Fu Bin the maternal uncle of the Crown Prince!

Before being assigned as an official, his nephew had thoughtfully advised him to be careful in the palace. If things became difficult, he could abandon everything as long as he preserved his life, planning to help Fu Bin once he became an official.

And now, he was about to become the Crown Prince. Being fully supportive of him, would this child abandon him?

No! Absolutely not!

Thinking about what would happen tomorrow, Fu Bin's toes curled inside his black boots.

He said with a smile, "Eunuch Chen, the Empress called me into the palace. Now, I need to go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask Minister Pei to come to the palace. I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot chat with you for long."

When a person was pleased, it showed in the corners of their eyes and brows, and Chen Pan noticed Fu Bin's satisfaction.

He couldn't understand why Fu Bin was so pleased. When Chen Pan returned to Yutang Palace, Consort He Lanting listened to his report and said indifferently, "It's alright. Even though we can't find out what's happening on the Empress's side for now, I already have my people there. Next time, we'll find out."

He Lanting didn't care much about Jian Yunyao. Perhaps when Jian Yunyao was younger, she had some reputation in the women's quarters, but what good was that reputation? Her looks were plain, and her personality was so dull and unlikable.

The Emperor couldn't even be bothered to visit the Empress's palace on the first and fifteenth of every month. If it weren't for her capable younger brother, her position would have been unstable long ago.

He Lanting had entered the palace in a hurry and hadn't completed her layout within the palace. The recent selection of new concubines had also been a slight shock to her.

He Lanting hadn't extended her influence into Empress Jian Yunyao's palace yet, but she was confident she could take over the small palace soon.

"How is Consort Wei doing?"

Chen Pan said with a smile, "Lady Wei is doing well. The Imperial Physician has examined her and said that there is an eighty percent chance that she is carrying a little prince."

Lady Wei was a newly favored beauty. Originally a slave from the palace, she had managed to bypass layers of connections and climb into the Emperor's bed.

As for the other beauties in the harem, He Lanting did not think much of them. This Lady Wei bore a three-part resemblance to herself and was clever enough, with a certain drive. So, she decided to let Lady Wei bear her own child.

He Lanting had already spoken with the Emperor. When she gave birth to a baby boy, the child would be brought to her palace to be raised and would become the Crown Prince of the dynasty in the future.

If it weren't for Zeng Xiu killing Yan Ji and poisoning her, she wouldn't have had to go to such lengths...

Thinking of her late mother-in-law Zeng Xiu, who had perished in the fire, He Lanting clenched her teeth in hatred. Zeng Xiu had truly caused her great suffering.

No matter how much time passed, He Lanting found it hard to forget Yan Ji. She waved her hand and dismissed Chen Pan.

·

When Pei Jin entered the palace with the same confusion as Fu Bin had before, he left the palace in the same dazed state as Fu Bin.

His disciple was actually the fifth prince of the current Emperor? Upon learning of Fu Jiaze's existence, the Empress had decided to push him towards the position of Crown Prince even before meeting him in person.

"My brother has already returned to the capital," Jian Yunyao said bluntly. "If the civil officials do not agree, the military officials certainly will."

If it were ten years ago, the military officials had more say. With the borders now cleared, the influence of civil officials had gradually risen, resulting in a balance of power between civil and military officials.

Pei Jin did not dare to promise on behalf of his colleagues regarding the matter of establishing the Crown Prince. He only said, "This humble minister is already aware of this matter. I request the Empress's permission to leave the palace, as it will soon be time for lunch, and I need to meet with my colleagues to discuss this."

Jian Yunyao granted her permission.

Before leaving the Empress's palace, Pei Jin felt the need to say a few more words to reassure the Empress.

"The civil and military officials have long been anticipating the Crown Prince. This humble minister often thinks that if the fifth prince were still alive, the Great Qi dynasty would be even more stable. My civil official colleagues and I all hope to see the Empress's legitimate son take the position of Crown Prince."

Jian Yunyao smiled. "I understand. When Minister Pei accepted Jinyuan as his disciple, it was because of his talent and character. Go ahead, Minister Pei. I trust that good news will await."

Jian Yunyao rarely took on the tone of the Empress, but now she did so to help her child ascend to great heights.