The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

75. The Crisis

Translator: Iris Guo

Imperial Concubine Zhao was from a well-known and noble family. Her father was Co-Chancellor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. When he passed away two years ago, most of the officials believed that her elder brother, Zhao Changrong, who served as Ministry of Personnel then, would certainly be promoted to Co-Chancellor. However, the Emperor thought highly of Duan Chenghong, a man from a poor family with no personal relationships with high-ranking officials, thus appointing him as Co-Chancellor in no time. Therefore, the Zhao family hated Duan Chenghong’s guts, but they dared not complain. Anyway, it was perfectly justified that the Emperor promoted the Crown Prince’ future father-in-law to back him up.

Besides, the Xu Family behind the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince was not the one to be trifled with. Since the Great Zhou Dynasty was established a hundred years ago, the Emperors had been surnamed Zhong, and the Empresses had been surnamed Xu. The Xu Family had made brilliant achievements in wars when the first founder of the Great Zhou Dynasty struggled to seize political power by force. Therefore, the first founder set up a rule in the hereditary system of the royal family that the Empresses of the Great Zhou Dynasty must be from the Xu Family, where the Empress Dowager was from.

Moreover, there had been three Imperial Preceptors and two Chancellors from the Xu Family, which made the family a matchlessly honorable clan. The current members of the Xu Family weren’t as illustrious as the previous generations, but there still were several military officers among them. They seemed to keep a low profile, but compared to officials in the capital who had no access to the military-political power, they boasted great power, so the Zhao Family dared not provoke them rashly.

Further, although the Zhao Family held the grudge against the Xu Family after missing the position of Co-Chancellor, they had no choice but to give up fighting. However, given that the Crown Prince was deposed and Duan Chenghong was demoted, Zhao Changrong naturally became a popular candidate for the Co-Chancellor position, and the Zhao Family had been crowded with visitors for a while. At the beginning of May, Zhao Changrong was promoted to Co-Chancellor as people expected, but the Emperor also immediately promoted Cui You’an, Imperial Consort Shu’s father, to take over Zhao Changrong’s former place.

“Now they are not humble anymore. A Sub-First Rank Complier in the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs.” said Imperial Concubine Zhao indifferently while throwing various heavy headwear on the teapoy. “His Majesty promoted the bitch’s father and favored her son. If he goes on like this, I’m afraid that she will take over my Yanxi Palace soon!”

“Mother, we can’t go on like this! You saw how close father and Zhong Ming’e were at the Baohua Temple just now.” Zhong Mingzheng was so anxious that he clenched his fist and was burning with anger. “I don’t give a damn about Cui You’an. However, if father blindly favors Zhong Ming’e, perhaps he will make him the Crown Prince someday!”

The late Empress’ death anniversary was approaching, so the Emperor went to the Baohua Temple himself to inspect the set-up of her memorial ceremony. Imperial Concubine Zhao, Imperial Consort Shu and their sons also went there.

Prince II Zhong Ming’e choked up and recited a Filial Piety Poem in front of the late Empress’ memorial tablet. Therefore, the Emperor was full of praise and said that it was time to ennoble him and Prince III Zhong Mingzheng. For a moment, it was hard to explain how people present felt in just a few words.

“Of course your father promoted Cui You’an to support his bitch daughter and grandson.” said Imperial Concubine Zhao in a low voice while sipping her tea. “I suppose that he did that perhaps because he blamed us for what happened to the deposed Crown Prince.”

Zhong Mingzheng was stunned and whispered: “Mother, you mean what happened in NingGuTa? But didn’t we already withdraw our people? And not only we sent people there to harm him.”

“So what? If His Majesty gets suspicious, he will always find you good for nothing. Did you just meet him yesterday?” Imperial Concubine Zhao sighed. “See, the bitch’s son knows well how to please your father. And you? You just stood there like a bump on a log. Do you think your father would like a dumb heir?”

Zhong Mingzheng sniffed: “I… I just despise Zhong Ming’e, who always wags his tail and flatters father.”