Someone Wanted Her to Lose

Three years later, for the first time, someone raised the matter of appointing an heir at a Heaven Dou Imperial Palace court session.

The speaker was a highly senior court official. After reporting on the autumn taxes from several northern cities, he did not immediately withdraw. Instead, he stood bowed in the hall and pointed out that Tiangou's heir apparent position had remained vacant for years. Over the past few years, First Prince Xue Qinghe had participated in matters concerning the Royal Academy and the imperial family's industries without making any major mistakes. By both sentiment and reason, his status should have been settled sooner rather than later.

Once those words fell, the great hall grew noticeably quieter.

Xue Qinghe stood among the princes without lifting her head to look at anyone.

Over the past three years, she had begun with an inconspicuous resource review at the Royal Academy, gradually involving herself in imperial industries, academy affairs, and material scheduling around the capital. Xue Ye still made the truly important decisions, but the things sent to the First Prince's Residence had long ceased to be limited to a few academy rosters.

Twelve was still young to speak of an heir apparent, but not so young that it seemed absurd.

Seated at the head of the hall, Xue Ye slowly swept his gaze over the assembled officials before leaving only one sentence.

"We will discuss this again tomorrow."

After court adjourned, no one openly discussed appointing an heir, yet information traveled faster than usual both inside and outside the palace.

That night, a side gate in the rear courtyard of the First Prince's Residence quietly opened.

Lu Yuan was not wearing Spirit Hall robes, having changed into ordinary black fitted clothes instead. Three years had added considerably to his height and