"The Imperial Seal is genuine. A few days ago, His Majesty did summon the Hanlin Attendant, and the handwriting on this Imperial Edict indeed matches that of the Hanlin Attendant," Chu Dingjiang said.
The Second Prince understood. "Only the content is not my father's original decree."
He didn’t know how Chu Dingjiang and the others had managed this, but the fact that his father still had no intention of naming him as successor left the Second Prince feeling somewhat disheartened. However, this disappointment didn’t last long. "When drafting an Imperial Edict, there must be at least two high-ranking ministers present as witnesses. Without them, the credibility of the edict would be greatly diminished."
Chu Dingjiang replied, "Your Highness need not worry. With Prime Minister Hua and the Grand Marshal as witnesses, this Imperial Edict will be as solid as iron. Your march into the palace with troops will then be perfectly justified."
"How did you accomplish this?" The Second Prince was astonished, as if Chu Dingjiang had smoothed out the path ahead, making all the obstacles he once thought insurmountable vanish into thin air! While overjoyed, he also felt a hint of wariness—after all, a subordinate whose abilities far surpassed his own would be difficult to control. If mishandled, he might end up a mere puppet ruler in name only!
"There is one matter for which I must beg Your Highness's forgiveness," Chu Dingjiang suddenly knelt on one knee.
An Jiu was slightly surprised. After a moment’s hesitation, she followed suit and knelt as well. This was the first time since arriving in this world that she had performed an act of submission to someone, though it was not of her own volition.
The Second Prince slowly sat down and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"
"The Grand Marshal has a daughter who has reached marriageable age," Chu Dingjiang said tactfully.
The Second Prince’s expression darkened. A youthful marriage was often the most intimate and cherished.
The Second Prince’s consort came from a declining noble family and was two years older than him. Though her family background offered no political advantage, she was an exceptional woman—kind-hearted, well-educated, and socially adept. Even before marriage, she had earned a reputation for talent, excelling in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a particular gift for composing poetry. While not a peerless beauty, she was undeniably elegant and dignified. Such a woman, refined and understanding, was hard to dislike. Having been married for less than two years, the Second Prince was still deeply attached to her. The thought of abandoning his lawful wife for the throne was utterly unacceptable! If he had to sacrifice his wife to gain power, what meaning would this struggle for the throne hold?
After a moment of silence, the Second Prince spoke. "What position does the Grand Marshal deem suitable for his daughter?"
From his tone, Chu Dingjiang guessed that the prince had misunderstood. He clarified, "No matter how bold the Grand Marshal is, how could he dare to coerce his lord with his contributions? What he seeks for his daughter is the position second only to one person."
The Imperial Noble Consort.
The Second Prince remained displeased. The Imperial Noble Consort was akin to a secondary wife. Among ordinary nobility, a secondary wife posed a significant threat to the status of the primary wife. But in the imperial family, household affairs were state affairs, governed by strict hierarchies and rigid distinctions. The Empress was the Empress, and even if the Imperial Noble Consort held equal status in some respects, she would still be subordinate to the Empress in all aspects.
"Your Highness, those who achieve great things must not be bogged down by trivialities. A mere title is a small price to pay for the substantial support it brings. With the situation pressing upon us, I urge Your Highness to reconsider," Chu Dingjiang advised.The Second Prince didn't deliberate for long. While taking another Imperial Noble Consort might upset his wife, he considered her usual understanding and reasonable nature. To him, it was merely adding another woman by his side. "I'll immediately send someone to inform the Grand Marshal. Tomorrow I'll have the betrothal gifts delivered."
The Second Prince had never met the Grand Marshal's daughter, but he'd heard she was a free-spirited and decisive woman. With such background and temperament, she would make a good assistant to his principal wife. Moreover, the Grand Marshal was taking enormous risks, essentially staking his entire family's fate on him alone—this request wasn't unreasonable.
"Your Highness is wise." Chu Dingjiang breathed a sigh of relief. He'd genuinely feared the Second Prince might impulsively refuse out of stubborn pride. To further reassure him, Chu added, "The Grand Marshal is a pragmatic man. He said that given his advanced age, he likely won't have the strength to continue serving the state after Your Highness ascends the throne. With most male heirs in his family being unpromising, he fears the clan's decline—hence this solution. His concerns are valid, so please don't take offense."
While the Privy Council held military deployment authority in the Great Song, the Grand Marshal truly commanded the armies. During these chaotic times, he could mobilize troops even bypassing the Privy Council. Moreover, the Second Prince's supporters weren't limited to military officers—Prime Minister Hua and his eldest son held key positions in the Privy Council.
The Grand Marshal understood the principle that new rulers appoint new officials. He planned to relinquish military authority immediately after the regime change to avoid becoming too prominent a target for the new emperor's purges.
This was clearly a gesture of submission to the future sovereign. The Second Prince felt slightly mollified, his expression relaxing. "Rise, Master Chu."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Dingjiang stood.
An Jiu naturally rose with him.
The Second Prince couldn't help glancing at her again, surprised. This woman had an intensely palpable gaze—her presence was overwhelming. Yet when silent and avoiding eye contact, she seemed to vanish like air. (To be continued...)
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