Right at this time, Lan Kuo slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and continued, "Why not let my officials have a discussion and decide which son of mine is the most suitable to be the Crown Prince?"

Hearing that, officials were shocked. They thought the Emperor was setting a trap for them. Because as long as they named a prince, the Emperor would know who was the one they supported.

So no matter who they nominated, they would fall into a trap.

When Lan Kuo finished, all officials kept silent. After all, no one would like to jump into that trap.

Seeing no one speak, Lan Kuo looked at the Prime Minister and asked, "Prime Minister, you're the most trustworthy for me. So who do you think is suitable to be the Crown Prince, namely the future emperor?"

"Your Majesty, three princes all have their advantages. No matter who becomes the Crown Prince, I will try my best to support him," the Prime Minister walked forward and responded with his hands cupped.

Lan Kuo nodded and continued, "Anyone has a different opinion? Assistant Minister Yan, how about you?"

"Your Majesty, I'm in favor of the Prime Minister's opinion. I will do my best to help him, no matter who becomes the Crown Prince!" Assistant Minister Yan also walked forward and echoed with the Prime Minister with his hands cupped.

But Lan Kuo looked at Assistant Minister Yan and asked, "Really?"

"Yes!" Assistant Minister Yan felt that a shiver ran down his spine but continued with a nod.

Lan Kuo smiled and said, "Now that no one wants to express his opinion, I will do it. What do you think of that I pick Cangmo to be the Crown Prince?"

When Lan Kuo finished, officials who supported other princes were nervous. Then they raised their heads and looked at each other, "Well..."

"Your Majesty, is this a bit hasty?" said officials who took other princes' side.

But Assistant Minister Yan couldn't help but be happy and also looked joyful. He tried to hold himself not to show his feelings too obviously.

Officials who supported Lan Cangmo, all like Assistant Minister Yan, were so happy. It seemed that they were right to join Lan Cangmo's camp.

Then, officials who were in other princes' camps all worried.

Lan Kuo seemed mad and then shouted, "When I asked you to express your opinion, you all said nothing. But now, when I have chosen one, you all stood out to object. Are you not satisfied with my decision?"

"We dare not!" said all scared officials who lowered their heads quickly and cupped their hands.

Soon, Lan Kuo stood up from the Emperor’s chair and said loudly, "Now that you dare not, just leave me alone!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," said all officials when they knelt down and cupped their hands.

Then Lan Kuo flicked his sleeves and left the palace.

At this time, Assistant Minister Yan slightly raised his eyebrow and then gave a sigh of relief. He didn't expect that Prince Cangmo could become the Crown Prince so easily. It seemed that this had something to do with his trip.

Lan Kuo had thought it over whether to choose his second son. In the morning, he called people who he sent to spy on three princes and asked them about his sons.

People who spied on Prince Cangyu reported that he didn't do anything big these days. But his mother came to see him once. Although what they talked was appropriate, they seemed intentional to say some words.

Obviously, they said those on purpose. As for the last son, he was attached to Imperial Concubine Luo Lan who Lan Kuo knew well about. He knew what tricks she had played underground.

The reason why he had chosen Lan Cangmo was that he had come to save him and his mother died of dystocia.

Imperial concubines plotted against each other all the time, which made Lan Cangmo suffer a lot at a young age. But this also helped build his personality. Lan Kuo watched everything he did on their way back.

In the palace where the Empress lived in the meantime, a maid rushed in and said, "Your Highness, Your..."

"Behave yourself. Slow down. Don't panic in the morning," The Empress looked at her maid, Lvyin, and said.

Hearing that, Lvyin put her hands behind her waist immediately and curtsied slightly. She said, "Your Highness,"

"What's wrong?" The Empress asked while looking at her hands.

Then, Lvyin responded, "Your Highness, His Majesty has decided which prince should be the Crown Prince."

"He's decided?" The Empress looked at Lvyin and frowned.

Lvyin nodded and answered, "Yes. I got the news from people who worked in the palace."

"Which prince?" The Empress sat up and asked with the corner of her mouth lifted.

Lvyin answered, "It's Prince Cangmo."

"Prince Cangmo. He's good. Full of resources," the Empress paused for a while and commented as if she didn't care.

Since she married the Emperor, she had given birth to no child. Although she was the Empress, she still felt that someone else could take this title away at any time...

Without the support from her family, Emperor Xiling would have taken her title away a long time ago.

At first, she was worried that Imperial Concubine Luo Lan would be more arrogant if the Emperor chose her son to be the Crown Prince, given that Imperial Concubine Luo Lan was so favored.

As Lan Cangmo became the Crown Prince now, she could send people to sound him out, get along well with him. Therefore she could justifiably adopt him as her son.

Lan Cangmo was smart. He could figure out what she meant.

After all, although he was still the Crown Prince, his two brothers wouldn't go easy on him. So no one knew who would ascend the throne until the last minute.

However, with her as his backer, Lan Cangmo could act like a tiger that had grown two wings. They could help each other. He had no reason to turn her down.

Thinking of this, the Empress motioned Lvyin to come closer.

Understanding it immediately, Lvyin walked to the Empress quickly so that the latter could whisper to her.

When the Empress finished, Lvyin nodded.

Then, the Empress ordered, "Do it right now."

"Yes, Your Highness," Lvyin responded and left after slightly curtsying.

When she left, the Empress stood up. As the Empress who managed the palace, she had to do some window dressing stuff. The Emperor might have finished his levee now.

"Get me some jujube soup from the kitchen," the Empress ordered the maid next to her.

The maid nodded and walked out of the room.

Soon, another maid standing behind the Empress helped her put on a cotton robe. Then, the Empress set off to the Emperor's palace.

At this time, Concubine Yi had been waiting before the Emperor's door. Hearing a sound, she quickly tidied wrinkles on her dress and steadied the hairpin with her hand.

She had specially dressed herself up today.

Seeing Lan Kuo walking in, she curtsied to him quickly and said, "Your Majesty,"

"It's you. Why did you come here so early?" Lan Kuo walked to Concubine Yi, Lan Cangyu's mother, and asked.

Concubine Yi answered smilingly, "Your Majesty, I heard that you were back last night. I was worried about you, so I cooked some ginseng soup for you this morning. It's still warm, so would you like to finish it now?"

"You're so considerate. Alright, put it in my palace," Lan Kuo nodded and said. Then he walked into the room.

Hearing that, Concubine Yi couldn't help but wear a smile. She walked to Mei and whispered, "Give it to me. Wait here for me."

"Yes, Your Highness," Mei answered and handed the soup over to Concubine Yi.

Then, Mei said, "It's hot. Be careful."

Concubine Yi nodded and walked in with the soup in her hand.

At this time, Lan Kuo was sitting on the chair outside the room. Concubine Yi gently walked to him and said, "Your Majesty, please finish it before it gets cold."

"Alright," Lan Kuo responded. He put down the book in his hand, took over the soup, and finished it all.

Seeing that, Concubine Yi took over the empty bowl quickly and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you must have a long and tiring journey."

"I know you care much about me," said Lan Kuo who looked at Concubine Yi. He held her hand and gently patted her on her hand.

Hearing those words, Concubine Yi felt a warm current flowing inside her.

She couldn't even remember when the last time was for the Emperor to be this nice to her.

In the meantime, the Empress who walked near saw this!

The Empress couldn't help but put on a cold look which, however, disappeared in a flash later.

Concubine Yi must be fawning on the Emperor for her son. Perhaps, she didn't know that the Emperor had chosen Lan Cangmo to be the Crown Prince.

At this time, Lan Kuo saw the Empress who stood before the door. So he took his hand back and said, "You're also here?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Empress walked in while answering.

Concubine Yi who turned her back to the door became nervous when hearing that voice. Soon, she turned around and curtsied to the Empress.

The Empress walked to Concubine Yi and took a glance at her, as if nothing had happened. Then, she turned to the Emperor and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I heard that your levee was over, so I asked people to prepare some soup for you. But unexpectedly, Concubine Yi did faster than I did."

"Early in the morning, I heard that His Majesty was back last night. It snowed last night and I'm worried that His Majesty might have caught a cold. So I cooked some ginseng soup for him," Concubine Yi lowered her head quickly and answered when hearing what the Empress said.

But the Empress just smiled and said, "It's so considerate of you. It seems that His Majesty has finished your soup. I will just take mine away."

The Empress then ordered the maid behind.

That maid nodded and carried the hot soup out of the room.

Soon, the Empress put on a smile and said to Lan Kuo while looking at him, "Your Majesty, you have just come back last night and had a levee this morning. I should have left you some time to rest, but I'm really worried about you. So I come here to pay a visit."

"It's very nice of you. Have a seat," Lan Kuo nodded and said to the Empress.

The Empress responded and walked to the chair nearby to sit down.

Right at this time, Concubine Luo Lan also stepped in. The Empress frowned. They all came to find the Emperor quickly.