Wang said loudly, "This is Pei Xi. I assume everyone should know him by now. He is my son who was lost to the outside world."
The crowd looked at Pei Xi and offered their congratulations.
Pei Xi smiled, neither subservient nor arrogant.
Wang continued, "Although he did not receive the same higher education as Pei Ji and Pei Lie, nor was he groomed as a crown prince, he is exceptional in his own right. Therefore, I have decided to make him the Crown Prince."
He looked at Pei Xi, smiling with contentment and pride.
"Pei Xi, say a few words."
Pei Xi smiled slightly and said, "Father, I don't really have much to say. I believe that a hundred words are not as reliable as one action. Please judge me by my performance from now on."
Wang nodded slightly. "Good..."
Shen Qingqing suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, appointing a Crown Prince is a significant matter. Is it appropriate that not everyone present is here?"
Wang frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The Eldest Prince and the Third Prince are both here," Shen Qingqing said slowly, glancing at the crowd. "But why don't I see the Second Prince?"
"Pei Xing is busy and cannot return on short notice."
"Then have him rush back now. After all, the Crown Prince appointment ceremony is not a trivial matter. What if the Second Prince returns and disagrees? Wouldn't that be too late?"
Shen Qingqing's words garnered agreement from many, especially the brothers Pei Lie and Pei Ji, who grew up with Pei Xing and considered him a true brother.
Wang said sternly, "The ceremony has already begun. If we call Pei Xing back now, there won't be enough time. It would only delay the proceedings. Do you think this is a child's game that can be stopped at will?"
Shen Qingqing said without subservience, "Why can't it be stopped? How about we vote? If the majority agree to wait for the Second Prince's return, raise your hands. We can then tally the votes and follow the public will."
Upon hearing this, the crowd agreed.
Everyone knew that although Pei Xing was not the King's favorite son, his influence was no less than Pei Lie's, and he was the most mysterious prince among the three.
Pei Ji also nodded. "Father, I think this method is excellent."
"Indeed, I agree," Pei Lie said, stepping forward. He cast a cold glance at Pei Xi. "Since it is a ceremony for appointing a Crown Prince, all three brothers should attend."
He had actually discussed this with the King before, but the King had dismissed it. He probably knew that once Pei Xing returned, Pei Xi's advantages would diminish even further. After all, any one of these three brothers was more suitable to ascend the throne than Pei Xi. However, now that Shen Qingqing had brought this up in front of everyone, and if the support for waiting for Pei Xing exceeded the opposition, then Pei Xing would have to return.
The King remained silent for a long time.
He was certainly aware of the consequences and hesitated to let them vote.
Shen Qingqing didn't give him a chance to object. "Since Your Majesty remains silent, it is implied consent. Let everyone start voting voluntarily."
Initially, no one raised their hand. They looked at each other, a silence falling over the assembly as if waiting for the first person to act.
Pei Lie decisively became the first.
Wang looked at him sharply. "Pei Lie!"
Immediately after, Pei Ji raised his hand. "I also support my eldest brother's decision."
The King's expression turned grim, a storm brewing. These two sons were openly defying him, and in full view of everyone, it was an undeniable challenge to his royal authority.
"You are truly something!"
Pei Lie and Pei Ji ignored him, their hands held up more firmly than anyone else's. The King's anger caused the veins on his temples to bulge, but he could not say anything in front of the assembled crowd.
This was because many others soon raised their hands. With two princes setting the example, others were no longer afraid.
Seeing people below raising their hands, there was no need to count; a single glance confirmed that those in favor outnumbered those who were opposed.
The King gritted his teeth. "If we call him back now, he won't make it for the ceremony. Unless, of course, we halt the ceremony and everyone waits for him."
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly. "Then we shall wait. After all, this concerns the selection of the Crown Prince. It's not a problem for us to wait a little longer."
The crowd nodded in agreement. For them, they had once supported other princes. As for Pei Xi, who had appeared out of nowhere, no minister supported him. Besides those who supported other princes, many were simply hedging their bets.
The King gritted his teeth and stood up abruptly. "The ceremony has already begun, and there is no room for your childish games!"
Pei Xi quickly stepped forward to appease him. "Father, please calm down. Eldest Brother and Third Brother are only seeking fairness. Please do not let this matter upset your health."
Compared to his two disobedient sons, Pei Xi was far more compliant. The more the King looked at his other two sons, the more displeased he became.
"Don't worry, I said it. You are the Crown Prince, and no one can object."
The crowd was shocked. Did this mean he intended to disregard everyone else's opinion?
Pei Lie said sternly, "Father, have you gone senile?"
"Insolent!" the King reprimanded. "Since when is my decision up for your debate? This matter is settled!"
Pei Ji also found it hard to believe. "Father, are you truly determined to have your way? How will you explain this to Second Brother when he returns?"
"Explain what to him? Do I no longer have the right to appoint a Crown Prince?"
The King remained stubborn, refusing to listen to any persuasion.
Pei Lie, unable to contain himself, drew a brown braid from behind him. As soon as it appeared, everyone's expression changed.
The King's Whip.
This whip had been used by the previous King to discipline the next. After the previous King passed away from illness, the whip was given to the Queen. The Queen, born into a prestigious family, possessed a gentle and dignified demeanor and was carefully chosen by the previous King. He knew his son had a somewhat willful streak and feared that after his death, his son might make unreasonable decisions. The Queen had indeed often managed to curb the King's will when she was awake. However, recently, when the Queen had fallen unconscious, no one knew where the King's Whip was, and even if they did, no one dared to touch it.
But Pei Lie was different. He was the Queen's son. Furthermore, his ability to obtain the whip indicated one thing: the Queen had awakened!
The King's expression changed. "She's awake?"
Shen Qingqing observed carefully and noticed a strange look on the King's face – a mix of surprise, worry, guilt, and happiness. This was getting interesting. It seemed the King did have some affection for the Queen.
Pei Lie held the King's Whip with great authority. "Mother has awakened, but she is still recovering and cannot appear in person. She has entrusted the King's Whip to me to handle all matters."
"Having the Second Prince return, is that your mother's wish?" The King's expression shifted several times, his face complicated.
"Yes."
Pei Lie looked at him intently, wanting to see if his mother still held any place in his father's heart.
The King remained silent for a long time. He glanced at Pei Xi several times, his eyes filled with struggle. Finally, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Then we shall proceed according to the Queen's wishes."