Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 313, Section 312: Gazing into the Distance
Winter rains have caused the temperature to drop sharply again.

Fortunately, the Ganquan Palace was warm and cozy, and Qin Shi had not yet felt a significant temperature difference after coming out of the hot spring.

Chi Nu carefully dried her hair with an incense burner through a cloth, when Qin Shi urged her, "Now that you're a chief clerk, everyone has their own duties. Don't waste your time on such trivial matters..."

The woman smiled and said, "It has been a long time since I have seen the Queen. I would like to talk to her more."

Qin Shi couldn't help but laugh: "It seems that being a chief clerk has been quite an experience for you."

They've said such nice things.

However, she did not refuse, but instructed, "Those in high positions must not only be good at doing things, but also good at using people."

"In the third month of spring, I will go with the King to Mount Tai to perform the Fengshan ceremony. If you do not properly cultivate the people around you, there will be no one to entrust the affairs of the palace, and you will have to stay in Xianyang."

Red Maiden nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, we have made arrangements and will not miss this trip."

Qin Shi then touched his stomach once again.

"Your Majesty is thirty-seven years old this year, isn't he?"

Nine years older than her, he was heroic and aloof, with a heart full of ambition, and was in the prime of his life, as well as the most composed.

But now, we're at an age where we need to consider the long-term future of the Qin state.

"Yes." Observing her actions and expression, the Red Maiden pondered, "Is the Queen worried that she cannot give birth to a prince?"

She pursed her lips, thinking to herself: There are only two princes in the palace, one is mentally challenged, and the other is in poor health—if the queen also only gives birth to princesses, then…

Why can't a princess do it?
Even if the woman's childbirth is affected, with the Queen's care, the princess should be safe and sound.

The Queen had previously commented on Princess Wen's writings, and on the way to Pinyang, Chi Nu overheard her words.

When the princess is seventeen or eighteen years old, she can prepare to choose a suitable man to have children. After having two or three children, her health will be stable and her manpower will be sufficient.

Although it is still difficult and the risks are huge, who knows if we can not safely inherit power from the Queen?
If... if...

She was deeply worried: if the Queen really couldn't have children and had no family support, wouldn't she rely on palace maids like herself and Wu Zi? If they were incompetent, how could the Queen possibly wield power like the late Queen of Chu?

The woman gritted her teeth, having already made up her mind.

Qin Shi was unaware that her brief pause had instilled such a profound sense of crisis in Chi Nu; she was merely…

She released her grip and then shook her head: "It's just that the King has treated me with sincerity, and I want to repay him with sincerity as well, so that he will have less trouble."

However, she would never miss the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

She wanted to be the first queen to accompany the emperor on the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, and she wanted future generations of women to know about this glory.

This authority is now from the top down, but who says it can't be from the bottom up?

It's already the end of October...

A thought flashed through her mind, and she remembered the various detailed rules that would be promulgated after the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. At that moment, she slowly exhaled.

Ji Heng is doing well now, but did Emperor Wu of Han not value his first son enough? And how much did Emperor Taizong of Tang cherish Li Chengqian?
The heart of an emperor is not to be trifled with.

The heart of an aging emperor is not to be gambled with.

All she can do is increase her stakes as much as possible, so that at the most critical moment, she can turn the tide.

The matter of the crown prince will not be resolved overnight.

"Have Danpu stay by Mo's side and fulfill all his requests—glass, ironware, salt, sugar, etc., are all acceptable."

Mo, when Ji Heng climbs to the top of Mount Tai, if he wants to gaze into the distance, will you disappoint me?
　It's a bit short and a bit slow, so grab a bite while you read. This book was written a bit slowly...

　　My sister is coming over in the early morning; I'll see if she's a good enough motivator!

　　(End of this chapter)