I think one of the empress' mistakes was making people "loyal" to her through fear, abuse and threats. If she had been wiser she should have raised Astana to be loyal to her making him think that that is how he should be and being the power in the shadows that controls the empire through a puppet emperor by making him think that she IS wiser than her and all that. Also, if you're making sure that its your son who is inheriting the throne, make sure there's no other candidate. That or make sure the other child ALSO becomes a loyal puppet. People are no different from animals, abuse them too much and they Will turn on you, feed them cookies and nice words and they will obey and protect you.
I think one of the empress' mistakes was making people "loyal" to her through fear, abuse and threats. If she had been wiser she should have raised Astana to be loyal to her making him think that that is how he should be and being the power in the shadows that controls the empire through a puppet emperor by making him think that she IS wiser than her and all that. Also, if you're making sure that its your son who is inheriting the throne, make sure there's no other candidate. That or make sure the other child ALSO becomes a loyal puppet.
People are no different from animals, abuse them too much and they Will turn on you, feed them cookies and nice words and they will obey and protect you.