She had initially disagreed with Emperor Xuanwen's decision to establish Consort Liu as empress, but since Emperor Xuanwen insisted and did not believe it would harm their mother-son relationship, she had then agreed to Consort Liu becoming empress.
Consort Liu was arrogant and overbearing, and the imperial harem was in chaos under her management. If she had not supported the Imperial Concubine to counterbalance Consort Liu, the harem would have long been hers alone.
Emperor Xuanwen had few heirs; there were only five adult princes. The First Prince and the Fourth Prince were not talented enough to shoulder great responsibilities.
The Second Prince, Chu Chenyi, had originally been intelligent, accomplished in both literary and martial arts, and the best candidate for Crown Prince. Unfortunately, he had injured his leg and had been living in seclusion for many years.
Although the Fifth Prince was intelligent, he was too young and had been doted upon and overprotected by the Imperial Concubine.
The Third Prince, Chu Yanxi, appeared to be benevolent and was known as the Virtuous Prince, but in reality, he was as narrow-minded and suspicious as his mother, not fit to be a ruler.
Upon careful consideration, there was no one suitable for this important task.
"Emperor, you have only five princes, all of whom are adults. Who do you think is most suitable for the position of Crown Prince?"
Feng Jin's eyes narrowed. Should she recuse herself from such matters? Hearing too much could be fatal.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the medicinal soup is still simmering on the stove. This humble girl will go down and keep an eye on it."
Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best.
"Feng Jin, you may stay and listen," the Empress Dowager commanded directly.
"Since Mother Empress has spoken, you shall stay."
Emperor Xuanwen dared not disobey the Empress Dowager and directly asked Feng Jin to remain.
"This humble girl obeys your decree."
Feng Jin felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, her heart in her mouth.
After hearing this, would she be able to leave the imperial palace alive?
"Taishang Laojun, protect me! If I survive this calamity, I will offer more incense to you, my lord."
"Mother Empress, looking at my five sons, only the Third Prince, Chu Yanxi, is capable of undertaking this great responsibility. Moreover, he is the empress's legitimate son and acts with prudence, earning the title of Virtuous Prince in court. I intend to establish him as Crown Prince after his wedding. What are your thoughts, Mother Empress?"
Emperor Xuanwen still harbored some affection for the Empress from their youthful days, hence his greater love and regard for Chu Yanxi.
"Virtuous Prince? Emperor, tell me, where does his virtue lie? He forms factions in court, using wealth and beauty to win over officials. More than half of the court officials advocate for Chu Yanxi to be made Crown Prince."
Although the Empress Dowager had not involved herself in state affairs for many years, she still had her informants in court.
"The Third Prince has been raised by the Empress to be arrogant and ill-tempered. He appears benevolent on the surface but is narrow-minded and lustful in private. If such a person ascends to the throne, the Southern Chu will not be far from ruin."
"This... Mother Empress..."
Emperor Xuanwen's face became somewhat unsightly. He had poured a great deal of effort into this son, Chu Yanxi, and it was disheartening for him to have him so disparaged by the Empress Dowager.
"Emperor, do not blame your mother for obstructing you. Your father passed away early and entrusted Southern Chu and you to me. I am truly afraid! One wrong step and the empire will be overturned. I fear I will fail you, and that I will be ashamed to face your father after my death..."
"Mother Empress, it is I who am unfilial and have failed to live up to your earnest efforts."
His father had passed away when he was young. It was his mother who had single-handedly upheld the empire of Southern Chu and raised him.
Had it not been for his mother's support, his throne would have been usurped long ago.
When Prince Zhou rebelled, his troops had marched directly to the imperial city. It was his mother who led the army to quell the rebellion.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet amidst the rebellion of the feudal lords, assassins were sent to assassinate him in the palace. It was his mother who shielded him in her arms, and she was wounded by an assassin.
Without his mother, he would not be where he was today.
Emperor Xuanwen felt a surge of sadness. His mother cherished him like a treasure, yet he had doubted and resented her, truly unfilial.
"My son, everything I have done is for you, and for the empire of Southern Chu."
The Empress Dowager spoke with earnest persuasion, hoping that Emperor Xuanwen would take her words to heart.
"I understand your earnest efforts, Mother Empress. Let us postpone the matter of appointing a successor for now. The Third Prince is also of marriageable age; perhaps we should let him marry first."
"Does the Emperor have a suitable candidate?"
Emperor Xuanwen pondered for a moment. Chu Yanxi had mentioned multiple times that he wanted to marry Feng Ruoyan as his principal consort, but with the current situation, the position of principal consort was unlikely.
The Empress, however, wanted Chu Yanxi to marry a daughter of the Liu family as his principal consort.
Now, he truly had no good candidates.
"Does Mother Empress have a suitable candidate?"
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "Since the Empress wishes for the Third Prince to marry a daughter of the Liu family, then let it be so. Her own niece will be her daughter-in-law, and it will be difficult for her to object. The palace will also be more peaceful."
The Empress was determined to have a daughter of the Liu family become the Empress of Southern Chu. Letting her have her way might also reveal the extent of the trouble the Liu family could cause.
"Then, as Mother Empress has said, the Third Prince's principal consort will be from the Liu family. However, I worry that Yanxi may not agree..."
"That is easily resolved. Does he not favor Feng Ruoyan? With her status, she is more than qualified to be a secondary consort. It would also save the Chancellor's face."
Secondary consort? Had the Sun family mother and daughter not racked their brains for the sake of having Feng Ruoyan marry Chu Yanxi as his principal consort and become the Empress of Southern Chu? After all this, she would only be a secondary consort.
Feng Jin could not help but sigh at the impermanence of life. What is destined will come to pass; what is not, cannot be forced. All their meticulous planning had led to this outcome.
"Then, as Mother Empress has decreed, I will issue an imperial edict immediately, letting the principal consort enter the household first."
"No!" the Empress Dowager interrupted. "Let Feng Ruoyan enter first to learn the rules of serving the mistress of the household."
She could see that Feng Ruoyan was restless, and by having her enter first, it was to teach her some discipline.
"Your son obeys your decree."
"You, as the father, should not be so biased. Do not be so anxious about the Third Prince's marriage. Do not forget that the Second Prince does not even have a secondary consort in his residence."
As the Empress Dowager spoke, Emperor Xuanwen's expression instantly turned grim. "Mother Empress, you know the Second Prince's health; I..."
"Since you know, you should have arranged for him to marry earlier, so that there would be more people to attend to him."
"Does Mother Empress have someone in mind?"
"The legitimate daughter of the Marquis Pingyang's household. I believe she is a good match. She is gentle, dignified, and prudent, and would be most suited for Chenyi. If the Emperor has no objections, then issue the decree. The twenty-eighth of this month is an auspicious day. Let the wedding be set for today!"
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had already made up her mind, Emperor Xuanwen merely had to issue an imperial edict.
"Your son obeys your decree. I will immediately instruct the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to make arrangements."
After Emperor Xuanwen withdrew, the Empress Dowager began to cough incessantly, her complexion also appearing unwell.
"Empress Dowager, please hold this medicine in your mouth."
Feng Jin quickly stepped forward, offering the medicine to the Empress Dowager and assisting her in taking it.
After taking the medicine, she helped the Empress Dowager lean back against a cushion. "Empress Dowager, your health is frail and you require bed rest. You must not get angry anymore."
Heart disease is most aggravated by exertion and extreme emotional fluctuations.
"I know my own health best."