Unlike before, the conspiracy involving Prince Jingkang did not stir up much of a commotion in the capital.

With Empress Liang in the forefront, most people had already come to realize the involvement of Prince Jingkang, and compared to this matter, the upcoming national banquet was the focus of everyone’s attention.

The emperor’s health had deteriorated beyond recovery, and this banquet was surely to address the issue of the crown prince.

On the day of the national banquet, all the ministers arrived early at the palace.

The banquet was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a clear indication of the emperor’s high regard for this matter.

Furthermore, in order to ensure the decree regarding the crown prince’s succession was communicated effectively, it had been set as a banquet rather than announced during the morning court session.

Everyone said this was the emperor’s thoughtful consideration.

In addition, the senior ministers were well aware that this move was to announce the imperial decree to everyone, preventing any unforeseen circumstances.

As for who that variable might be, it was not hard to guess.

Upon entering the hall, the ministers saw Xiao Jin, wearing ceremonial robes with a golden dragon embroidered on his chest.

Unlike usual, he did not sit with Prince Weiyang but instead took his seat lower in the hall, which was the closest to the dragon throne.

It was well known that of the emperor’s four sons, Xiao Jin was the only one with the qualifications to ascend to the throne.

Today was the day Xiao Jin would be officially named crown prince.

At his side sat Wen Xun and the Duke of Zhen Guo, while behind him were Wen Yuruo and Wei Lanzhi.

Everyone from the Empress’s faction was dressed in formal attire for the occasion.

Wen Yuruo quietly sat behind Xiao Jin, her eyes faintly showing a complicated expression.

She never expected that, after all this time, Wen Yuesheng would still overshadow her.

The position of the rear consort…

She clenched her hands for a moment, but as soon as Xiao Jin looked her way, she loosened her grip.

Wen Yuruo smiled faintly at him.

Before today, Xiao Jin had promised that even if Wen Yue Sheng entered the manor, he would never neglect her.

And she trusted him.

Meanwhile, Wen Xun, with his head lowered, was conversing with other officials, wearing a smile.

The position of crown prince had been vacant for many years, and numerous ministers had formed factions, hoping to gain favor for their respective candidates.

However, those ministers were now either dead or disgraced.

Wen Xun had been relatively low-key in his dealings these past few years, only showing any prominence regarding his two daughters’ marriages.

Now, he had become the one who emerged victorious in the end.

Perhaps because the overall situation had been decided, he felt particularly relaxed today.

Only when others mentioned Wen Yuesheng did he pause for a moment.

In this situation, Wen Yuesheng could not possibly stay away.

It seemed to him that, with his eldest daughter commanding military power and his second daughter marrying the crown prince, he should be exceptionally pleased.

However, when he had gone to the Duke of Zhen Guo’s residence the previous day for consultation, the Duke had informed him that the emperor had already decided on Wen Yuesheng as the future crown princess.

His discord with Wen Yuesheng and her father was no secret in the capital.

The Duke of Zhen Guo’s household knew even more about the situation. They understood that, at this point, Wen Yue Sheng and the entire Wen family had essentially severed all ties.

Now that the emperor had decided to make Wen Yuesheng the crown princess, Wen Xun could only wonder how he felt about it.

Duke of Zhen Guo tried to comfort him, saying, “The emperor’s health is failing, and the princess’s military achievements are outstanding. To ensure her peace of mind in assisting His Highness, making her crown princess is inevitable.”

“But sir, there’s no need to worry. His Highness cares for Miss Wen. In the future, he will never treat her unfairly.”

Wen Xun understood that this was merely a temporary solution.

The Duke of Zhen Guo’s household may not favor Wen Yuesheng, but in this situation, they had to comply with the emperor’s will, which showed the seriousness of the matter.

As for Wen Yuruo, she may not be able to compare with Wen Yuesheng, but in the inner palace, a man’s favor was everything.

The palace was no different.

Previously, when Wen Yuesheng had been too sharp and dominant, Xiao Jin had indeed neglected Wen Yuruo for a period.

But after Wen Yuesheng went to the frontier and Wen Yuruo entered the palace, her soft presence had won over his heart.

Even though Wen Yuruo wasn’t the first wife and had been overshadowed by Wei Lanzhi, Xiao Jin still showed her more affection.

Their relationship was harmonious, and Wen Xun was not worried about this.

He had some understanding of Wen Yuesheng, knowing that while Xiao Jin was not indifferent to her, her personality was too cold and rigid.

She lacked gentleness and had once even injured Xiao Jin in front of others.

Given her character, even if she became empress, her relationship with the emperor would likely never be deep.

On the other hand, with Xiao Jin’s affection, if Wen Yuruo entered the palace and bore him his first child, she might have a promising future.

Wen Yuesheng was indeed Wen Xun’s daughter, but she had long ceased to consider him her father, and he no longer had any paternal feelings for her.

The remnants of their father-daughter bond had disappeared after she had driven the Wen family out of the princess’s residence.

Wen Xun had tried to reconcile, but she had rejected him.

Her cold and harsh attitude made it clear that she no longer needed him as a father.

Since she didn’t need him, Wen Xun saw no reason to force his presence upon her.

Wen Yue Sheng needed to understand one thing: even if she became empress, if her maternal family was powerless, she would still be vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jin was quietly speaking with a few ministers.

The commander of the personal guard whispered, “If there’s any movement in the hall, the guards can arrive at once.”

Xiao Jin answered softly.

The commander of the personal guards paused for a moment and then asked, “The princess is highly skilled in martial arts, and we are not easily her match. If she were to act, what should we do?”

Xiao Jin’s eyes darkened as he turned the jade ring on his right hand.

He remained silent for a long time. Just as the commander was about to think he wouldn’t answer, Xiao Jin’s voice sounded coldly, “Let the archers await my command.”

He did indeed have feelings for Wen Yuesheng.

If she obeyed the emperor’s command and became his crown princess, he would treat her as well as he treated Wen Yuruo.

But there was one condition: he would not allow her to bear children.

After everything that had happened, Xiao Jin no longer saw Wen Yue Sheng as an ordinary woman. If she bore him a son, it would stir turmoil throughout the court.

But aside from that, he would give her everything else.

The crown position, the highest honor.

But if she had other intentions, he would strip her of all her power.

Whether she would keep her position or lose everything, even her life, would depend entirely on Wen Yuesheng’s choice.

“Princess Si Ning has arrived!” The announcement came just as Xiao Jin finished speaking.

At the sound, countless people turned their heads to look.

It was a bright sunny day, and the golden sunlight filled the ground outside.

Wen Yuesheng wore a light cyan dress, plain with no decorations, except for a white jade belt at her waist.

Her cold eyes, as usual, carried no emotion.

Xiao Jin watched her approach, his gaze deepening.

The woman before him was a far cry from the Wen Yuesheng he had once known.

She was colder, more ruthless.

As soon as Wen Yuesheng entered the inner hall, it became eerily quiet.

The ministers, upon raising their eyes, saw not only her, but also the formidable figures of Yan Ling, Zhang Yulin, Lu Qinghuai, and Zhou Man’niang behind her.

Among them was a senior minister, two fierce generals, and a talented female physician.

Together, they exuded more pressure than Xiao Jin and his group.

Many ministers observed, their eyes shifting between Wen Yuesheng and Xiao Jin, their thoughts complex.

If judged by appearance alone, Wen Yuesheng seemed more like the future crown prince.

But her status made it so that no matter what achievements she accomplished, she could never surpass Xiao Jin, who was born of the empress.

Everything unfolded as many had expected.

After Prince Jingkang’s rebellion, the emperor’s health worsened. This morning, he had almost been unable to rise from his bed.

When he entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he was assisted by the empress and Gao Quan.

Due to the emperor’s frail health, he could not remain seated for long.

Shortly after he was seated, he instructed Gao Quan to deliver the imperial decree.

Gao Quan quietly agreed, and soon, a bright yellow decree was brought in.

The moment the decree appeared, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into an eerie silence.

Countless eyes focused on Wen Yuesheng.

Everyone present knew that once this decree was issued, Wen Yuesheng would have no further connection to the throne.

If she had any other thoughts or actions, she would be seen as a traitor in front of all the ministers.

From now on, every day she lives will be under the weight of this reputation.

In such a tense atmosphere, Gao Quan lowered his head, his gaze fixed down, and as he reached for the imperial edict, his hand trembled slightly.

The people in the hall held their breath, their eyes fixed on the scene.

Just as Gao Quan’s hand touched the imperial edict, Wen Yue Sheng, who had been silently drinking tea, set down her cup and spoke with a cold tone.

Almost as soon as she spoke, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically.

But what she said was completely different from what everyone had expected.

Even Xiao Jin was caught off guard.

In the bright hall, her eyes were cold, and when she spoke, there was no emotion in her voice. She simply said, “Before that, there is one more matter I must report to the emperor.”

The hall fell into complete silence.