Chapter 439: Chapter 439: The Secret Conspiracy of Prince Yi and the Empress Dowager (Thanks to Yan Yao Yin for the monthly ticket and update)

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager looked at Prince Yi, signaling him to speak his mind.

Prince Yi sighed. "Your Majesty, you should prepare for two possibilities. Since rumors are already circulating among the courtiers that the Eldest Princess is connected to the future Crown Prince, there are only two paths."

"Which two?" the Empress Dowager pressed.

Prince Yi nodded. "One path is to eliminate this Eldest Princess..."

"No!"

The Empress Dowager cut Prince Yi off before he could finish.

"That method absolutely will not work! Xiaosuisui is not as simple as others believe. Her lineage concerns the very destiny of our Great Han! If anything were to happen to her, I fear our Great Han would incur the wrath of the heavens!"

The Empress Dowager rejected Prince Yi’s suggestion. She murmured to herself for a moment before instructing him further.

"Imperial Brother, the late Emperor respected and valued you. He consulted with you on all matters and kept nothing from you. Therefore, I will not hide things from you either. Let me tell you now: no one can touch this child, not even our Great Han Royal Family. Not only that, but we must also redouble our efforts to protect her!"

Prince Yi was stunned. He mulled over the Empress Dowager’s words, turning them over and over in his mind, when he suddenly realized something. He exclaimed in surprise, "This humble prince has heard that our Great Han’s Lucky Star is a young child named Li Yanyan! That child has already become the National Master’s disciple. It is said that after the New Year, the National Master will arrange for her to study in the Royal Academy."

Hearing Prince Yi’s words, Empress Dowager Xiao nodded slightly. "What you’ve heard is correct, but the truth is not so simple. That Li Yanyan and the Eldest Princess were born on the same day, same month, same year. However, later on..."

The Empress Dowager then relayed all the details of the confidential discussion she had with the young Emperor that day. Finally, she instructed, "These matters concern the destiny of our Great Han. Today, they have left my lips and entered your ears, Your Highness. Henceforth, let no one else know of them."

Prince Yi immediately knelt and vowed, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This humble prince swears today that this matter will be taken to my grave. Otherwise, may I be barred from entering our Great Han’s Royal Mausoleum after my death!"

The Empress Dowager was startled by his words and quickly helped Prince Yi to his feet. "Imperial Brother, why must you go to such lengths? Why? Quickly, stand up. These matters are merely speculation for now; His Majesty has not yet ascertained the full details! How could you..."

"Your Majesty! You are truly too naive! Even if His Majesty has not yet figured everything out, that child possesses an exceptional innate constitution and such immense good fortune and destiny! If she were to end up in an ordinary family in the future, which family could possibly withstand such tremendous blessings?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s eyes lit up. "An excellent point!"

Prince Yi sighed regretfully, wringing his hands. "It is a pity His Majesty has no son!"

The Empress Dowager also felt a pang in her heart.

"Even if His Majesty were to marry and have children now, the age difference would be too great. That child will turn five after the New Year, and in another five or six years, it will be time to discuss her marriage."

Hearing Prince Yi’s words, Empress Dowager Xiao nodded in full agreement. "Indeed. His Majesty is truly too disappointing. If he had appointed an Empress and taken consorts earlier, by now there would undoubtedly be one or two imperial heirs of a similar age to Suisui. But now..."

Empress Dowager Xiao clutched her chest, groaning in pain.

Seeing this, Prince Yi quickly consoled her, "Your Majesty, please do not worry. Since this child has become His Majesty’s adopted daughter, she is destined to be one of our Royal Family. Although this humble prince has not been in the capital for many years and knows little of the capital’s younger generation, this humble prince has another plan!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately asked, "Your Highness, what other plan do you have? Tell me quickly."