After such a long time since Zhu Zaizhen was sent to the fiefdom by Jiajing to become a vassal, the brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen finally got together in this way.
Although they wanted to get rid of each other quickly, at the moment, the two brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen looked like brothers and sisters.
On the one hand, it was because they wanted to take this opportunity to perform well in front of Jiajing. After all, Jiajing had personally mentioned to them that he did not want to see their brothers fighting each other and killing each other.
On the other hand, it was because, at the moment, they both had a common enemy, and that was the child in the belly of Imperial Concubine Shen.
If the child in the imperial concubine's belly is born successfully and is a boy, it will greatly threaten their status.
After all, after Shen was canonized as queen by Jiajing, the child in her belly would become a legitimate son, and legitimate sons and concubines were completely different in terms of priority in inheriting the throne.
Because of this, Zhu Zaizhen and Zhu Zaijing looked restless at this time.
"It would be great if the imperial concubine had a miscarriage, or the child in her belly was a girl!"
Zhu Zaizhen prayed like this in his heart, and then he glanced at Zhu Zaijing not far away calmly.
He knew that his third brother, Zhu Zaijing, was thinking the same way at the moment.
This does not mean that they have any objections to the imperial concubine Shen.
It would be the same for anyone else, because it involves the fight for the throne.
Then, Zhu Zaizhen picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip, hoping to relieve the tension in his heart.
Zhu Zaijing on the side saw this situation, maybe to relieve the anxiety in his heart, or to prevent Zhu Zaizhen from seeing the clues. In short, he also adopted the same approach as Zhu Zaizhen.
After that, Zhu Zaizhen looked at Zhu Zaijing who was aside, and took the lead in provoking the topic: "Third... Third brother, you... what do you think about the imperial concubine..."
After hearing this, Zhu Zaijing suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, and then pulled a stiff smile from his face, and said slowly: "Fourth brother, third brother feels that the good people on the side of the imperial concubine have their own destiny. Xiang, there shouldn’t be any big problems!”
"Yes, yes, third brother is right!"
When Zhu Zaizhen heard this, he couldn't help but laugh twice to relieve his inner embarrassment.
At this moment, you only need to put yourself in the other person's shoes to understand what the other person is thinking. After secretly saying something shameless, the two brothers unanimously chose to continue this lame drama.
…
At this moment, they heard a rush of footsteps outside. After Zhu Zaizhen and Zhu Zaijing sensed the movement, they couldn't help but hold their breath and wait for the last moment to come.
Not long after, a hurried eunuch with a happy face walked in quickly. When Zhu Zaizhen and Zhu Zaijing saw this, they couldn't help but say "Gedeng" in their hearts, and a very bad premonition flashed through their hearts.
Then, the eunuch was seen facing the two of them, bowing and saluting: "His Royal Highness King Yu, His Highness King Jing, great news!"
When the eunuch said this, he paused for a moment and continued: "The imperial concubine gave birth to a big fat boy for your majesty. Mother and child are safe. Your majesty named the child Zhu Zaiyuan!"
When the eunuch finished speaking, Zhu Zaizhen and Zhu Zaijing on the side looked as if they had been struck by lightning. Their faces were pale, with expressions of disbelief on their faces.
If Zhu Zaizhen had not stabilized his figure in time, he would have stumbled to the ground. Then, Zhu Zaizhen looked relieved, lowered his head, and said to himself: "Okay, okay Ah, mother and son are safe, haha!"
After Zhu Zaijing, Zhu Zaizhen on the side also reacted and looked extremely happy.
He looked at the eunuch and asked, "This is really a great thing. Where is your father? Where is your father?"
When the eunuch heard Zhu Zaizhen's words, he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully: "His Royal Highness King Jing, Your Majesty is already on his way here!"
After that, when the eunuch saw that his mission for this trip had been successfully completed, he immediately saluted Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen respectfully.
"His Royal Highness King Yu, His Highness King Jing, the young ones have things to do next, so we won't stay any longer!"
"Father-in-law, please!"
After that, the eunuch left immediately without staying in the room. Next, he had to inform others of the news.
After the eunuch left, Zhu Zaizhen and Zhu Zaijing looked at each other, and they could see deep frustration and helplessness in each other's eyes.
The news brought by the eunuch just now undoubtedly broke the last trace of illusion in the hearts of Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen.
The imperial concubine Shen not only gave birth to a son for her father, but the mother and son were also safe!
"Father, will you name this child Zhu Zaiyuan?"
Zhu Zaizhen recited this name silently in his heart. At this moment, his heart was full of despair.
In Zhu Zaizhen's view, the fact that the imperial concubine Shen gave birth to a son for Jiajing means that his chances of inheriting the throne will become very slim.
Even if this child had an accident and died young, the throne would not be his turn. In front of him, there is still the third brother Zhu Zaijing in line!
Thinking of this, Zhu Zaizhen lowered his head, smiled miserably, and said silently to himself: "Father, could it be said that you called the child back to the capital in such a big way just to let the child witness all this happening?"
On the other side, Zhu Zaijing's expression was not very good-looking either, because since ancient times, all old emperors have preferred their younger sons!
Jiajing is now over fifty years old, but at this age when he is about to die, he has a son. Zhu Zaijing can even predict how much Jiajing will prefer this child in the future.
If nothing else, Jiajing will definitely do its best to train this child and find a highly respected and capable minister to teach this child how to govern the country!
"I can't bear to accept it. I managed to change the impression in my father's heart by receiving the Rakshasa delegation, but in the end..."
Zhu Zaijing thought so and couldn't help biting his lips, his face full of unwillingness.
Not long after that, a high-pitched voice was heard: "Your Majesty is here!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen quickly stood up from their seats, calmed down their mood, and looked quite happy, waiting for Jiajing's arrival.
Then, Jiajing was seen walking in with steady steps, and Lu Fang followed Jiajing step by step as usual.
When brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen saw Jiajing's arrival, they quickly leaned down and bowed to Jiajing and said, "I have seen my father!"
When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen respectively, nodded, and said casually: "Well, you two, get up!"
After receiving Jiajing's permission, brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen looked at each other, then stood up from the ground one after another and said in unison: "Thank you, father!"
After brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen stood up from the ground, Jiajing turned his gaze back, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "You two must have received the news, right?"
When Jiajing finished speaking, the faces of brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen suddenly showed extremely happy expressions.
Later, Zhu Zaijing stood up first and congratulated Jiajing: "My son, I am here to congratulate my father!"
Seeing this, Zhu Zaizhen on the side quickly leaned down and said respectfully: "Father, I have already ordered people to prepare gifts to celebrate the birth of my ninth brother. I only hope that my ninth brother will be healthy and healthy." , grow up peacefully!”
After all, Jiajing gave birth to a total of eight sons, six of whom died in infancy. Only two, Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen, grew up successfully.
When Jiajing heard the words, he responded in a subtle way, then glanced at Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen respectively, and said slowly: "Well, it's enough for you to have this heart!"
After that, Jiajing turned around to look at Lu Fang and asked, "By the way, Lu Fang, how are the preparations going in the imperial dining room?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately lowered her head and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the imperial dining room has been prepared!"
After Jiajing learned the news from Lu Fang, he nodded, then looked in the direction of Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen, and said: "You two will come with me later. !”
When Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen heard what Jiajing said, they immediately lowered their heads and said respectfully: "Yes, Father!"
After that, Jiajing waved his hand, and then ordered: "You two, come back to Qianqing Palace with me, so that they don't have to look for someone else!"
When brothers Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen heard this, they immediately lowered their heads and respectfully responded: "Yes, Father!"
…
Forbidden City, Cabinet.
As the sky was getting darker, there were a few more lanterns outside the cabinet for lighting. Not only that, but a group of heavily armed Imperial Guards also passed by from time to time.
In the room, Gao Gong looked impatient. He looked away from the door and complained: "What the hell is going on? It's been so long, why is there no news at all?"
Seeing this situation, Zhang Juzheng on the side shook his head and comforted him: "Brother Suqing, don't worry, we have been waiting for several days, and it won't be short of this time and a half!"
After Zhang Juzheng finished speaking, Hu Zongxian, who was not far away, also stood up and added: "His Royal Highness King Yu and His Highness Prince Jing have been entering the Forbidden City for some time. In my opinion, it should be soon!"
At this time, Yan Song was closing his eyes to rest, as if the old god was there, while Yan Shifan was minding his own business, sipping the tea in his cup.
Xu Jie on the side clenched his fists subconsciously and looked nervously in the direction outside the cabinet.
For Xu Jie, the best situation at the moment is that the imperial concubine Shen has a miscarriage, or the child in her belly is a girl.
After all, before this, Xu Jie had already placed all his bets on King Yu Zhu Zaijing.
As long as Zhu Zaijing can successfully inherit the throne, all the investments he made previously will be able to earn back dozens or hundreds of times!
Just as everyone was looking forward to it, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the cabinet. After everyone noticed the movement, they couldn't help but cheer up and secretly said: "Here we come!"
Not long after, I saw a subordinate official quickly entering the cabinet.
The subordinate official entered the cabinet. Before he could speak, Gao Gong suddenly stood up from his seat. At this moment, his face was full of eager expression.
Then, Gao Gong looked in the direction of the subordinate official and asked, "How is the situation over there with the imperial concubine?"
After Gao Gong finished speaking, the rest of the people looked at the subordinate in unison, waiting for his answer.
The subordinate official had never experienced such a battle. After noticing the many eyes falling on him, he couldn't help but panic and responded hesitantly: "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Ge, what's in the belly of the imperial concubine." The child was born successfully and is a boy!”
"Not only that, His Majesty also named this child Zhu Zaiyuan!"
When the subordinate official's words fell, the entire cabinet couldn't help but fall into silence. At this moment, everyone was silently digesting the news brought by the subordinate official.
Zhang Juzheng lowered his eyes, looked at the ground casually, and said to himself: "Your Majesty named this child Zhu Zaiyuan, and the character Yuan is similar to the character Heng. What a good name. It seems that Your Majesty has high hopes for this child!"
"Although His Majesty is already over fifty years old, his body is still strong and should be enough to support this child until he grows up. In other words, this child will have a great possibility of becoming the next crown prince of my Ming Dynasty!"
"Zhang Juzheng, you must seize this opportunity!"
Zhang Juzheng warned himself in his heart, and his eyes gradually became hot.
The moment Xu Jie learned the news, he felt as if he was mourning for his heir. After all, now, King Jing has resigned from the vassal and has completely lost the qualification to compete for the throne!
Next, King Yu only needs to wait for the time without making any mistakes. After Jiajing is driven away, he can naturally inherit the throne.
Just when things were almost certain, Zhu Zaiyuan suddenly appeared from halfway!
If this child grows up successfully, it is foreseeable that King Yu will have no chance of inheriting the throne.
After all, Zhu Zaiyuan's mother Shen will be canonized as queen by His Majesty. Once the imperial concubine Shen becomes the queen, Zhu Zaiyuan will also become a true legitimate son.
In terms of priority for inheriting the throne, the legitimate son is much higher than the concubine!
Once Zhu Zaiyuan succeeds in inheriting the throne, all Xu Jie's investment in Prince Yu will be in vain. Not only that, it is also very likely that it will cost him and his family's lives!
Thinking of this, a trace of panic flashed across Xu Jie's face, but soon, Xu Jie forced himself to calm down.
After taking a deep breath, Xu Jie calmed down and comforted himself: "No, we are far from the end of the road. Before this, His Majesty gave birth to eight sons, of whom only King Yu and King Jing grew up. aldult!"
"If this child also dies in infancy, then the throne will eventually fall to Prince Yu!"
At this moment, Yan Song opened his cloudy eyes, looked around, and suggested to everyone: "Without further delay, let's go to Qianqing Palace immediately and congratulate His Majesty in person!"
No one had the slightest objection to Yan Song's proposal, and they immediately responded in unison: "Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"
After that, everyone immediately embarked on the road to Qianqing Palace without any hesitation.
On the other side, inside the British government palace.
Shortly after Yan Song and others set off from the cabinet and rushed to the Qianqing Palace, British Duke Zhang Rong and other royal nobles also received the news that the imperial concubine Shen had successfully given birth.
"Without further ado, let's set off now!"
After Zhang Rong looked around, he faced the many clans and nobles present and said this.
After that, many clan members and nobles present did not stop at all. They immediately got on their sedan chairs and headed towards the direction of the Forbidden City.
…
Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.
Shortly after Jiajing returned to Qianqing Palace with Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen, he received a report from the guiding eunuch, saying that Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, was waiting outside the Qianqing Palace with a group of cabinet ministers.
After Jiajing learned the news from the guiding eunuch, an inexplicable smile appeared on his face, and he said to himself: "Humph, this Yan Song, even for his age, is quite fast!"
Then, Jiajing looked at the guiding eunuch, nodded, and said: "Okay, I understand, let them come in!"
Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen on the side naturally heard Jiajing's thoughts, but at this moment, they were sitting upright and did not dare to reveal anything.
After receiving Jiajing's instructions, the guiding eunuch quickly left. Not long after, Yan Song and his party were seen entering the Qianqing Palace one after another.
"I congratulate Your Majesty on your birth of a son!"
After Yan Song and others entered the Qianqing Palace, they all knelt on the ground and said in unison.
Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, raised his eyebrows when he heard this and said: "Well, everyone, get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's permission, everyone slowly stood up from the ground.
Afterwards, Yan Song and others looked at King Yu and King Jing who were standing aside, bowed to them and said, "I have met His Highness King Yu, and I have met His Highness King Jing!"
Seeing this, Zhu Zaijing and Zhu Zaizhen quickly stood up from their seats and returned the salute to everyone.
After that, Yan Song leaned down, looked in the direction of Jiajing, and flattered him: "Your Majesty is so happy to have a son, it is really a blessing for me in the Ming Dynasty!"
"The imperial concubine, mother and son are safe. All this depends on your majesty's heaven-like virtue. Today's Ming Dynasty, the people are prosperous and the country is prosperous. Countries come to court, and the national power of our Ming Dynasty is also increasing day by day. The people are all grateful for this!"
"Therefore, when the people learned that the Imperial Concubine was about to give birth to a son for Your Majesty, they rushed to temples and Taoist temples to pray for the Imperial Concubine. For this reason, the price of incense candles in the capital has increased a lot!"
Xu Jie on the side couldn't help but have a look of shock flash across his face when he saw Yan Song flattering Jiajing so shamelessly.
"This Yan Song, who is eighty-one years old, can still say such flattering and shameless words. In order to please His Majesty, you really do everything possible!"
But at the same time, Xu Jie also realized that although Yan Song's words could not be proved to be true, they could not be said to be false. After all, who had nothing to do and went out to verify this matter!
Jiajing was very pleased with Yan Song's flattery, and a slight smile appeared on his face. He gently rubbed the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, faced the crowd, and then spoke.
"Well, I am very happy that you can come to congratulate me. I have ordered the imperial dining room to prepare a banquet. We will not return home until we get drunk tonight!"
"Thank you for your grace!"
When Jiajing finished speaking, Yan Song and others showed excitement on their faces and quickly knelt down on the ground and responded respectfully.
After all, among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, there were very few people who could receive banquets from the emperor.
At this moment, the guiding eunuch was heard walking silently into the Qianqing Palace.
After the guiding eunuch entered the Qianqing Palace, he looked at Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair, and reported respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Duke Yingying, Duke Chengguo, Duke Dingguo and other noble clans are waiting outside Qianqing Palace, saying that they are specially here to congratulate Your Majesty!"
After the words of the guiding eunuch fell, an uproar soon arose. At this moment, the faces of Yan Song, Xu Jie and others were full of surprise.
What they did not expect was that Duke Yingying, Duke Chengguo, Duke Dingguo and other Ming Dynasty clan nobles would actually take this opportunity to congratulate His Majesty to gather in Qianqing Palace!
Seeing this situation, Yan Song and Xu Jie couldn't help but look at each other. At this moment, they both saw solemnity in each other's eyes.
Because Duke Yingying, Duke Chengguo, and Duke Dingguo, the most top clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, appeared together in the Palace of Qianqing.
Their purpose is definitely not to simply congratulate His Majesty as stated on the surface. It is more like they want to take this opportunity to tell the world that the clan and nobles who have been silent for a long time have returned to the court.
No matter how fierce the fight between Yan Song and Xu Jie is, in the final analysis, this is also a struggle within the civil servant group, but the current rise of the clan and nobles has made them feel an endless sense of crisis.
After all, the clan and nobles are strong, and the emperor has no need to doubt their loyalty. No one wants to see the Ming Dynasty continue to exist more than these clans and nobles. After all, the Ming Dynasty is here, and their privileges are there.
Even if it is just to protect their privileges, they will risk their lives to eliminate all enemies that may threaten them.
But the civil servants are different. They have a way out. Even if the Ming Dynasty dies now, they can seamlessly continue to work for the next master.
After that, Jiajing raised his eyebrows, looked in the direction of the guiding eunuch, and said: "Oh, the British Duke and the others are here. In that case, let them come in!"
After hearing Jiajing's words, the guiding eunuch immediately looked stern and responded in a deep voice: "As you command, Your Majesty!"
After that, the eunuch was guided to stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long and immediately turned around and left. (End of chapter)
