Travel through Shen Meizhuang to open the system and walk sideways in the harem

"Then let me think about it for a while. In fact, the emperor is in his prime and not old at all.

I remember reading the Old Book of Tang, when Emperor Taizong of Tang was choosing a crown prince, he also faced the same problem. There were only three options for choosing a successor.

The first is the eldest son system, which was mostly followed in the Ming Dynasty; the second is the eldest son system, which is more honorable; the third is the virtuous system. No matter which method is used, it is up to you, Your Majesty, to decide. It would be better for Your Majesty to adopt the secret system of appointing the crown prince."

Shen Meimei recalled the secret system of appointing the crown prince that she had learned in history class. It was created by Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty based on his own experience of seizing the throne.

She brought this up at this time only to please the emperor.

As expected, when the emperor heard about the secret succession system, he clapped his hands in approval and said with a smile:

"Mei'er, you are really smart! If we adopt the secret succession system, on the one hand, we can avoid the harem fighting for power and profit, and we can also avoid fratricide for the throne; on the other hand, it is the emperor's responsibility to establish a crown prince, and there is no need for outsiders to make irresponsible remarks."

The so-called secret succession means that the crown prince is no longer publicly appointed, but is appointed secretly. The truth about who will inherit the throne will not be revealed until the emperor passes away.

The specific method is: the emperor personally writes two copies of the edict to appoint the crown prince, one of which is sealed in a brocade box and placed behind the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque in the Qianqing Palace, and the other is kept by the emperor himself.

When the emperor passed away, the imperial ministers would take out the two wills, open them together, and after verifying that they were correct, they would announce in public who would succeed him. Emperor Yongzheng used this new system to select Emperor Qianlong.

This was also the method of appointing the crown prince adopted by successive emperors of the Qing Dynasty, which strengthened the imperial power and avoided many unnecessary disputes.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Shen Meimei bowed and complimented.

As he was talking, the sky gradually darkened. The emperor looked at the sky outside and said with a smile:

"Su Peisheng, notify everyone that tonight's dinner will be served at Suiyuxuan. I want to have a good meal with Concubine Hui!"

Shen Meimei was happy. She heard that the emperor's meals were very rich, with 108 dishes every day, as well as various desserts and snacks. Today she wanted to open her eyes.

Soon, the eunuchs from the imperial kitchen lined up in a long queue holding their food boxes.

Shen Meimei was curious, so she walked to the palace gate to see how many people were queuing.

Oh my god, it was so dark that I couldn't see the end. She thought to herself that by the time the food was served, it would probably be cold.

But she still overestimated her imagination. This was not a meal at all, but a grand banquet.

Eunuchs were seen carrying food boxes in one after another. The boxes were placed on the table, filling up the entire table.

The table was filled with all kinds of exquisite porcelain, on which were placed all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, which was dazzling.

"This, this is too exaggerated, right?" Shen Meimei couldn't help but exclaimed.

"Replying to Empress Hui, this is nothing. These are just the emperor's daily meals. If it were a festival or celebration, it would be a real extravagance!" said the palace maid at the side with a smile.

Shen Meimei widened her eyes and looked at everything in front of her. She couldn't help but sigh in her heart that the emperor's life was so luxurious.

"Can the emperor finish so many dishes?" Shen Meimei asked curiously.

"Your Highness, of course the Emperor cannot finish all of the food. These dishes are just to show the majesty and dignity of the royal family," the maid replied.

Shen Meimei sighed inwardly, so many delicacies, just to show the majesty and dignity of the royal family, what a waste!