Chapter 445
Imperial Study.
It should have been time to rest, but tonight, the imperial study was brightly lit. Inside the hall, several old ministers sat on chairs, looking worried. The King’s face was livid, and he looked at them with a deep gaze.
Although the young King was young, the majesty he had cultivated since childhood still made people dare not underestimate him.
“Your Majesty,” the Grant Tutor said, his old voice echoing in the hall, “Princess Consort Athena is about to give birth, which is related to the foundation of the country, and I have to speak up.”
The Grant Tutor followed and bowed. “Xander’s achievements overshadow the King, and the people say, the world only knows Xander, but does not know your majesty. If Princess Consort Xander were to give birth to a prince, Prince Xander, with his military power and an heir, I fear the kingdom would be…”
They didn’t dare to continue the conversation.
“Presumptuous!” The King slammed the table heavily and angrily said, “Xander is my uncle, he has worked hard for the country and the people. How dare you question him?”
However, the Grant Tutor stood up straight and knelt on the ground, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am not questioning the Prince Regent, but merely taking precautions. Thinking back to when the late King was on the throne, the Prince Regent had already shown his brilliance. Now, his power dominates the court, and his popularity among the people has already surpassed Your Majesty’s. If he were to have a prince, I fear there would be endless troubles.”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning in his words couldn’t be clearer: the kingdom was likely to change hands.
The King’s face was as dark as if water would drip from it. How could he not know what these old officials were thinking? Over the years, Xander has quelled rebellions, rectified official corruption, and his prestige has already penetrated the hearts of the people. Some censors have even secretly submitted memorials, saying that the Prince Regent should be granted the nine bestowments. But Xander was his seventh uncle and the one who supported him in ascending the throne. If he had wanted to seize the throne, he wouldn’t wait until now.
“Your Majesty,” the Grant Tutor said again, “Since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have not taken any imperial concubines, and the Six Palaces exist in name only. Now only the Queen is pregnant.” He paused, deliberately drawing out his tone, “What if she gives birth to a princess? The royal descendants are weak, and the foundation of the country is unstable!”
That was their real purpose.
The King stared at them with a deep gaze, his voice as cold as ice. “So, you entered the palace late at night to force me to widely accept concubines? Or do you want to force me to attack my uncle?”
The Grand Preceptor and the Grant Tutor looked at each other, then knelt down together. “We dare not, but for the sake of the country, please think twice, Your Majesty!”
“Think twice?” The King laughed, his laughter full of mockery. “How does my not accepting concubines have anything to do with the foundation of the country? Xander is my uncle. What are your intentions in asking me to attack him?”
“Your Majesty,” the Grand Preceptor raised his head, his white beard trembling. “People’s hearts are unpredictable. Your old minister implores Your Majesty to widely accept concubines and give birth to more princes, so as to dilute the power of Prince Regent. If Your Majesty insists on refusing…”
His tone changed, and his eyes suddenly sharpened. “Then please, Your Majesty, strip Prince Regent of his military power and order him to return to his fiefdom, never to enter Pidence City again.”
Since the King ascended the throne, he has recruited talents and reshuffled the court. He also followed Xander’s advice and changed the recommendation system to the imperial examination system, so that poor students also had a chance to distinguish themselves. In this way, the interests of the officials in the court were touched. Xander braved the pressure and paved the way for the King. Many people wanted Xander dead, and the King knew that. Rather than saying that Xander dominates everything, it was better to say that Xander had cut off these people’s wealth.
They knew very well that the King could not do without Xander’s support. But they still forced him to cut Xander’s military power; it was a terrible crime.
“Presumptuous, are you trying to rebel?” the King shouted angrily and slammed the table.
However, both the Grant Tutor and Grand Guardian remained kneeling on the ground. They were determined to force the King to make a decision.
“If Your Majesty does not agree, I will kneel here forever!”
“Please, Your Majesty, prioritize the country!”
The King’s face turned livid with anger. “Someone, escort the Grant Tutor and Grand Guardian out of the palace."
The guards came in to drag them away, and the Grant Tutor shouted loudly, “If Your Majesty insists on protecting Prince Xander, I will die here today!”
The Grand Guardian also cried out, “We are paid by the King and should share the burden of the King! How can Your Majesty be so muddled!”
The King clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. These two old men were determined to force him to make a decision: either strip Prince Xander of his power, leaving himself isolated and helpless, or become the foolish King in the mouths of all the officials, “indulging in personal feelings and neglecting the foundation of the country.”
The King said angrily, “Do you really think I don’t dare to kill you?”
Just as the situation was tense, a clear voice came from outside the door. “Your Majesty, I think the Grand Preceptor and Grant Tutor are right. The imperial family’s descendants are dwindling, and it is time to expand the imperial harem.”
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Natasha wearing a plain white cloak. Supported by the maids, she slowly walked in. Her lower abdomen was slightly protruding, and her face had a soft halo unique to pregnancy; only her eyes were clear and firm.
“Natasha?” the King was surprised and suspicious, “Why are you here so late?”
Natasha bowed gracefully, but before she could bow down, she was helped up by the King.
“I heard the noise in the hall, and I was worried, so I came to take a look.” She raised her head, her eyes swept over the two old ministers below the steps, and finally landed on the King’s face. “The imperial family’s descendants are dwindling; it is indeed a major issue of the country, and it is time to expand the imperial harem.”
Saying that, she gently patted the King’s hand. She slightly shook her head, signaling the King not to be impulsive.
As soon as these words came out, not only was the King stunned, but even the struggling Grant Tutor and Grand Preceptor stopped their movements, looking at her with bewildered expressions.
It was known to all that the King loved the Queen. The King had even left the Six Palaces empty for her sake. How could she take the initiative to advise the King to take in concubines?
“Do you know what you are saying?” the King’s voice carried a hint of coldness.
He didn’t believe Natasha wouldn’t understand what this decree would mean to her once it was issued. In the days to come, countless women would take away her favor. It might even threaten the position of the child in her womb.
However, Natasha smiled slightly, her smile open and magnanimous. “I naturally know, but I also know that you are the King, not just my husband. If, because of me, the royal bloodline is weak and the court officials are worried, I will be a sinner for all time.”
More importantly, the King’s foundation was unstable now. Xander’s power cannot be weakened. Only he could keep these ministers in check. Besides, Ramberg still needs to be recovered, and they cannot do without Xander.
Natasha turned to the Grant Tutor and Grand Preceptor, who were still in a daze, and gave a respectful salute. “The Grant Tutor and Grand Preceptor are concerned about the foundation of the country, and their loyalty is commendable, but Prince Xander is definitely not the kind of person who covets the throne. What you all are worried about is that when the princes grow up in the future, you fear there will be powerful officials who will abuse their power. But if His Majesty widely accepts concubines and gives birth to more imperial sons, wouldn’t your worries disappear?”