Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 9: His Highness's Favor Is Not Over (Please Collect and Read)
In the past, there were rumors outside the palace that the emperor and Concubine Zheng swore an oath in front of the statue of Zhenwu in the Dagaoxuan Hall to make Zhu Changxun the crown prince in the future.

Actually... that's true, but not entirely.

That was before Zhu Changxun was born. Concubine Zheng was pregnant again after giving birth to the second daughter of the emperor. One time, when he was playing with her, she fell. Although he took good care of her afterwards, the child died on the day of birth.

But it was a boy, how could Concubine Zheng not be sad?
Zhu Yijun made a promise to her out of remorse.

With the promise and the beauty at the top of his heart, Zhu Yijun disliked his eldest son even less and became more and more fond of his third son Zhu Changxun, born to him by Zheng Mengjing.

Zhu Yijun always had some special fondness for Zheng Mengjing.

Ordinary concubines were always very reserved when they saw him.

There are many beauties in the harem, but he only favors this girl because she can confide in him and is not as timid as the others.

Just like what was said that day: "Your Majesty is no longer like an old lady!"

This sentence was exactly what Zheng Mengjing complained about him when he first entered the palace, saying that he was sometimes indecisive, like an old lady.

Who in the whole palace dared to speak to him like this?
Don't mention it, Chang Luo that kid...

Zhu Yijun shook his head, stretched out his hand to push her hands down, and then pulled her into his arms: "As for my mother... the ministers outside the court... you should also understand my difficulties."

Concubine Zheng still held the jade box tightly in her hand, but she sobbed in his arms: "I just don't want to embarrass Your Majesty..."

"Ah, I was so angry at that time that I wanted to kill him, but you held me back. Everyone knows it." Zhu Yijun comforted her, "How could others know that my beloved concubine is so considerate? Chang Luo was sure that I couldn't bear to hurt him, so he had to make a big fuss. He was not like that in the Cining Palace! I don't know where he learned this trick!"

Zhu Yijun was by no means a stupid emperor. He later figured out some key points.

But when it comes to his beloved concubine, his mind is filled with her consideration and understanding of his difficulties.

He disliked his eldest son even more, but he didn't know what to do.

It is not good to ignore what you said in front of the court officials, and it is not good to ignore what you said to your beloved concubine.

Such an important matter as the foundation of the country cannot allow him to cheat. After all, he still has to meet his ancestors a hundred years later.

"Forget it, forget it. I can only let the court officials and my mother know that I am the one who decided to do this. This kid has caused unrest in the harem. He should move to the Cining Palace as soon as possible. It will be considered that I am in charge of this matter, and I can wait and see."

Zhu Yijun comforted himself and still used the evasive tactic of procrastination.

He felt that this could be considered as an explanation to Empress Dowager Li and the court officials, while also retaining some variables.

After all, my mother also said that she would not ask about the specific matters.

Once this matter became a fuss, wouldn't his temper as the emperor be temperless? It's normal for him to let it sit for a while!
"Your Majesty... Speaking of which, my eldest brother's temper is really very different from before..." Zheng Mengjing suddenly pretended to sigh and said this.

As the saying goes, you can tell a person's future from the age of three. Zhu Changluo has been in the palace for so many years. Even though he has been trapped in Jingyang Palace and rarely comes out, there is still news about him.

At least when he first went out to attend lectures, the eunuchs in Wenhua Palace were too lazy to light a fire and he shivered with cold. Later, he had to be reprimanded by the lecturer Zhengyi before he could get warm. This matter was known to everyone and became a laughing stock.

It is really puzzling that he didn't even dare to fart in front of the eunuchs who neglected him, but now he dared to be so tough in front of the emperor and the imperial concubine.

"Now that you say that... are you serious..."

Zheng Mengjing seemed to want to say something but stopped himself, and Zhu Yijun looked at him.

"…Your Majesty, do you think some evil spirit has possessed him?"

Zhu Yijun was stunned for a moment, but then he began to think deeply: "Now that you put it that way... it really is a bit..."

When Zhu Changluo returned to Jingyang Palace, he didn't know whether his father had really begun to doubt this or wanted to do something with it.

But it doesn't matter.

Does the country's affairs depend on whether the emperor likes him?

The ancestral precepts are there, and the precedents of past dynasties have been followed. In the Ming Dynasty, changing the crown prince is not as convenient as in other dynasties, even if the title of the crown prince has not yet been decided.

"Your Highness's kindness is something I will never forget. I will repay Your Highness with all my heart..."

In the study room at the rear hall of Jingyang Palace, Wang An wept bitterly and kowtowed to express his gratitude, his true feelings coming from the bottom of his heart.

Wang An really didn't dare to hope that he could offend the emperor and still protect him in the end.

In the palace, aren’t slaves just grass?

"You did nothing wrong." Zhu Changluo asked him to stand up. "You are my study partner. If I don't protect you, who will? If I don't protect you, who will?"

Wang An's tearful eyes were filled with loyalty. How could he ever repay His Highness's kindness?
After this incident, how could he not be moved to tears of gratitude?

Zhu Changluo said sternly: "I know you always wanted to play it safe in the past, but since you are willing to die for my safety, I know you are loyal! Wang An, you came to me when I was twelve years old. After this incident, you should know that I have made up my mind now!"

Wang An kowtowed repeatedly: "I understand! Your Highness, please tell me what you want me to do!"

"Nothing for now." Zhu Changluo smiled, then asked, "If I ask you to go find Chen Ju again, would you dare?" Wang An was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth and nodded: "Your Highness has saved my life! If Your Highness has given an order, why should I not dare?"

"Then go wash your face and drink some ginger soup. You got caught in the rain today, don't get sick."

After Zhu Changluo finished speaking, Wang An's eyes became more loyal.

After Wang An left with many thanks, Zhu Changluo put away his smile and continued thinking.

In the second half of the day, Empress Dowager Li pointed out Zhu Changluo's wrongdoings several times.

She helped her young son to rule the country smoothly. Although she was a palace maid and not a queen, she now holds the position of queen mother. She is probably the one who values ​​her reputation the most and has always stressed that she does not interfere in state affairs.

This time he could use his years of grievances to get the attention of Empress Dowager Li, but he couldn't take it seriously and let Empress Dowager Li think he was an unfilial son.

There is no way. In the Ming Dynasty, loyalty and filial piety are above all else.

Judging from Zhu Yijun's subsequent attitude towards him, it is obvious that even though his impression of himself has changed greatly, Zhu Yijun is not a rational emperor.

Even though he showed methods and speech that were completely beyond his expectations, and theoretically should have been trained as a crown prince, Zhu Yijun disliked him even more.

After leaving the Cining Palace, she didn't want to pay any attention to him at all. She sat on the imperial sedan chair and let the eunuchs carry her away quickly.

What a stubborn and emotional dad.

When Zhu Changluo started fishing with such brazenness, he had the intention of improving the relationship between father and son.

What if Zhu Changluo was too cowardly in the past?

But his father wanted to kill Wang An as a warning to him, so Zhu Changluo had no choice but to change his pace and go directly to the Empress Dowager.

Now it seems that this matter still requires joint efforts from both inside and outside.

How can the outside officials know that the eldest prince is different now and is actively striving for it?

The next morning, Zhu Changluo still found Wang An and said, "Eunuch Chen injured his hand yesterday. This is all because of me. Please go and visit him on my behalf."

It is still a taboo for the eldest prince, who is most likely to be appointed as the crown prince, to take the initiative to make friends with the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department.

Wang An no longer hesitated: "I will go right away!"

Because of the turmoil of the previous two days, Wei Gang did not dare to make things difficult for Wang An, and he left the palace smoothly.

But not long after, he came back in disgrace.

"Eunuch Chen said that he was busy with the factory affairs and he was recovering from his injuries, so he sent me back... I am useless..."

Wang An looked ashamed, but Zhu Changluo was still practicing calligraphy, writing non-stop.

"It's enough for him to know you've been there."

Wang An's face was full of question marks.

"what?"

Zhu Changluo continued writing.

Zhu Changluo was indeed practicing his father's handwriting carefully.

Of course, one does not have to be a master of calligraphy to be an emperor, and Zhu Yijun's calligraphy cannot be considered a master.

But if he practiced his father's handwriting well, firstly, it would show his "filial piety and admiration", and secondly... who knows if it might come in handy in the future?

Wang An didn't understand the current Crown Prince, because his words and actions were very different from the past.

If he had not never left Jingyang Palace and stayed by the eldest prince's side every day, Wang An would have thought he was a different person.

His guess was absolutely correct, just as Concubine Zheng was secretly plotting and the Emperor was also puzzled: the eldest prince was possessed by an "evil spirit"!

Zhu Changluo now not only inherited those memories, understanding and knowledge of this era, but also his own familiarity with the history of the late Ming Dynasty and his experience in later official career.

You can actually learn a lot by working as a secretary, doing research and studying, writing materials, and accompanying your leaders in their work.

For example, if Wang An doesn’t understand now, Zhu Changluo doesn’t need to explain much.

Why do we need to reveal everything to those in the core circle of power?
When Chen Ju knew that the eldest prince had sent someone, he would understand.

The Empress Dowager was only mentioned once that day, but Chen Ju understood it and arranged for someone to invite Empress Dowager Li.

Once this incident happened in the palace, the turmoil was settled, but it was Empress Dowager Li who did it.

Now that the situation has changed, the remaining decision should be left to Chen Ju.

(End of this chapter)