As the residence of the prince, the East Palace is naturally very lively.
The palace had a large ornate bed, with long curtains that reached the floor.
There is only a little green smoke in the cave cauldron, and the spices are carefully blended to not only make the smell smell good, but also repel mosquitoes. There are no mosquitoes in the palace, and everything is very comfortable.
In winter, the geothermal heat will fill the entire palace, making people feel warm and extra comfortable.
As the location of the East Palace, all the materials, decorations, fabrics, etc. here are second only to the Emperor and Empress.
On the surface, the official positions of the East Palace are basically divided among the cabinet members and are in an empty state. However, the operation of the East Palace is controlled by the inner court, with the emperor and the empress jointly involved.
In this situation, the most important thing for the prince is to study.
In the thirteenth year of Shaowu's reign, the prince was fourteen years old, and the entire East Palace and even the back court became lively.
"Master, it's dawn!"
The eunuch called softly and cautiously.
"Hmm -" The young prince snorted, stretched his waist, and stood up slowly.
Confusion was written on the childish face, but it soon turned into determination.
With the help of the eunuch, he put on layers of clothes, but they were still thin, and finally put on a layer of red fox fur clothes.
"What's the class today?"
asked lazily.
"There is Mongolian language class in the morning, and riding and shooting in the afternoon."
The eunuch served carefully and said softly: "It snowed a little today. I wanted to ask the master, but I saw the master arriving on the way..."
"Master Ha is a Mongolian, so this little bit of snow is nothing."
Zhu Cunqu chuckled.
As a prince, his lessons were very intensive from the beginning, but what was strange was that other princes, such as King Qin, King Wei, etc., had the same lessons as him.
So much so that he lost confidence. Did his father belong to someone else?
He didn't even dare to think about skipping classes.
Even after breakfast, the sky was still dark and the morning star was still shining. Zhu Cunqu raised his head and laughed: "It's not even Mao hour yet, is it?"
"Sir, would you like to sit on the chariot?" The eunuch said with a close face, "I'm afraid the boys outside have just cleared the snow and the ground is very slippery."
"Just the carriage!" Zhu Cunqu shook his head.
"Okay, I'll make arrangements right now."
Soon, as the carriage turned around, the Mongolian master had been waiting for a long time.
However, he had a straight face and a lukewarm attitude.
Hadahai's ancestors were Mongolians, but a hundred years later, they were already Ming Dynasties, but the Mongolian language was not forgotten.
Although he didn't understand why he had to teach Mongolian lessons to the prince, since it was the emperor's arrangement and it was a good job, he had no choice but to obey.
"Brother Prince——" This is King Wei, King Yue, King Liao and other royal brothers.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince——" The slightly distant ones were the King of Qin and the King of Qi.
Facing all the royal brothers, Zhu Cunqu also bowed and saluted, very politely.
After the ceremony of canonization, all relations naturally became unfamiliar.
After the morning's Mongolian class, Hadahai had to report the class status to the emperor.
Although the emperor was very busy, he still took a quarter of an hour to meet and inquire about the prince's courses.
Of course, the focus is on the prince.
Hada Wen replied: "The prince is very smart and takes classes seriously, as always."
"I'd like to repeat this. Although you are only a Mongolian master, you are also a teacher. You have to fight what you deserve. Don't be restrained."
The emperor said seriously: "Respecting teachers and respecting morality is a human being's basic ethics. Don't be constrained by your status."
Hadahai responded with all his heart.
He knew that the emperor was telling the truth.
After he left, Zhu Yixi started to have a headache again.
The fourteenth king of Qin, the prince, and the thirteenth king of Qi are all getting married. The marriage must be decided, and it is very confusing who to choose.
The prince's marriage is the simplest, but the King of Qin and the King of Qi will become vassals in the future, so they must have the necessary help.
But in this way, it is easy to give wrong signals, which is difficult.
Kunning Palace was burned down after Li Zicheng evacuated Beijing. Later, after repairs by the Manchu and Qing Dynasties, and then during the Shaowu period, Kunning Palace has restored its former glory.
It sits in the north and faces south, with nine rooms in width and three rooms in depth. The roof is made of yellow glazed tiles and double eaves verandah roof. It is opposite to the emperor's Qianqing Palace, and the distance is very close.
At this time, the first lunar month had just passed, and the excitement in the palace had not yet dissipated. The concubines gathered in Kunning Palace to join in the fun.
Queen Sun Xueniang, Damselfly, Huang Jie'er, and Mu Han'er gathered at a table to play mahjong.
The rest of the concubines were either taking care of the children or watching from both sides, making it very lively.
"Okay Mu Han'er, I won't hit you even if I have five tubes!"
"I knew you wanted it, so I fought last."
When Sun Damiang saw the hand of cards left by Mu Han'er, she was immediately furious, her little face bulged, and she was extremely angry.
Mu Haner, on the other hand, did not let her down and stood up directly to fight back.
The other women looked at the excitement.
The children stopped playing and stared at the two concubines arguing, not to mention taking them seriously.
Queen Sun Xueniang didn't urge her, she just looked on with a smile.
Compared with the somewhat deserted palace, this scene is full of fireworks and everyone is happy to see it.
The two people who were quarreling were also very angry. When they saw everyone shouting "come on", they didn't hesitate and started arguing loudly.
At this time, the eldest princess, Princess Huaining, walked in quietly, bowed to her, and sat aside to watch the play.
Later, the second princess, Princess Yongqing, also ran over, sat next to the queen, and watched the show happily: "If my aunt doesn't quarrel, she really won't get used to it!"
Sun Xueniang patted her little hand and whispered: "Don't say it, she has a bad temper. If this is known, we will stop arguing."
"It's okay, I know she can't help it."
Princess Yongqing said playfully, staring with beautiful eyes without blinking.
Princes don't get many titles, but when it comes to princesses, the emperor is not stingy. Basically, as long as they can run away, they will give them titles and reward them with food.
There is no way, the princess has to get married, so she can't save her private money in advance?
Different from the Qing Dynasty, the princesses of the Ming Dynasty were not distinguished as heshuo or gulun. The princesses were all worth two thousand stones.
The emperor's aunt is called the eldest princess, the emperor's sister is called the eldest princess, and the emperor's daughter is called the princess. They are all awarded gold titles and a salary of two thousand.
Shi, his son-in-law is called Prince Consort Duwei.
In this case, the titles of the princesses all have good connotations, which are equivalent to sons and uncles.
In addition to food, the emperor also rewarded each princess with two thousand acres of farmland in exchange for rouge and gouache money.
Even earlier, the princess mansions were built one after another. They were built completely according to the princesses' ideas and won their unanimous joy.
As the Princess Palace took shape one after another, Princess Street and Wangfu Street were formed, which became the talk of the capital.
Some people even joked that if you want to be the Prince Consort, you just have to walk around Princess Street and it will be worth it if you are chosen.
"By the way, Queen Mother, I heard that you are helping the prince choose a concubine?"
"What, you want to recommend me too?"
the queen asked with interest.
A trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
It's not okay to influence the prince's marriage through the princess.
"Hehe, it's my parents who decide this matter, I can't say anything."
Princess Yongqing smiled lightly, but she was very sensible.
"Why, your Princess Yongqing Mansion is well built (about 100 acres), it's time to find a consort!"
The queen didn't like her, so she just said softly, which made the latter pout: "My daughter is not in a hurry!"
"You're fifteen, aren't you in a hurry?"
The queen's words became louder and immediately suppressed everyone, and everyone immediately turned to them.
At this time, Sun Damiang also reacted and nodded directly: "That's right, Yongqing, it's time for you to find a consort."
"I have a great nephew, but he's not engaged yet!" At this time, Mu Han'er also became active and turned to ask.
Her nephew, none other than Mu Zhongxian, the eldest son of the Duke of Guizhou, has not yet been engaged and is obviously eyeing the princess.
For the Duke of Guizhou, without any meritorious service, he would not be able to stand up and be confident among the nobles.
The Dingguo Duke's Mansion also stared at the two princesses.
Princess Huaining is the eldest princess, while Princess Yongqing is the direct princess, the future eldest princess, or even the eldest princess.
After fighting for it, Princess Yongqing became even more popular.
"It's better to wait for her father to make the decision!"
Sun Xueniang said with a helpless smile: "I can't make the final decision on the marriage between Huaining and Yongqing. The emperor is arbitrary!"
This time, everyone laughed.
The eunuchs and maids had the hardest time, and they had to control their laughter so that it was neither too loud nor too soft. After all, it would be a big deal if they covered someone.
The emperor was stricter with his sons and more lenient with his daughters. He always gave the most rewards one by one. If he had loved her for many years, he must be reluctant to part with her.
In fact, many people knew deep down that what the Queen wanted most was to marry her daughter to the ten Dukes, which was conveniently located in Beijing.
Immediately, the mahjong game continued.
After half an hour, the queen smiled and said: "Let Concubine Duan come, I'm a little tired."
Sun Xuan'er was polite, then slowly sat down, and the mahjong game continued.
Holding her daughter in her arms, Sun Xueniang and Princess Yongqing came to the Buddhist hall talking and laughing.
This is the place where she worships Buddha, which is quiet and peaceful.
"What, do you have something to say?" Sun Xueniang snorted softly.
"Mom, how did you know?" Yongqing hugged his arm and waved away the servants, showing off his pride.
"You came out of my belly, so I don't know what your thoughts are?" The queen patted her head lovingly.
"I heard that my father is planning to adopt an heir to Prince Fu?"
Yongqing whispered.
"Um?"
When Sun Xueniang heard this, she frowned, her sharp gaze directed at his face, as if she wanted to devour him.
Yongqing felt himself shiver.
Is this a female animal protecting her cubs?
She felt helpless.
No matter how favored she was in front of her father, the most important thing to her mother was her eldest son, the prince.
"How could your Majesty do this? Why do you do this?"
Sun Xueniang murmured and kept pacing, her face changing again and again.
It makes sense for a King of Qin, the royal family of the vassal, to continue his legacy, but King Fu is different!
This is the successor of the lineage of King Yan, who has ruled the world for three hundred years. This orthodox appeal is stronger than it is today.
"Who wants to inherit?"
Suddenly, Sun Xueniang raised her head and asked sharply.
"Lao Qi is almost eight years old. He hasn't been crowned king yet, so he has the best chance of adoption."
Yongqing whispered.
The eldest son of the emperor, Zhu Cunmei, was the king of Qin, the second son, Zhu Cunhua, was the king of Qi, the fourth son of the emperor, Zhu Cunhuan, was the king of Liao, and the fifth son of the emperor, Zhu Cunwei, was the king of Yue.
Zhu Cuntang, the sixth son of the emperor, was the king of Wei.
Prince Zhu Cunqu ranked third.
Therefore, it is the young Lao Qi who has the greatest chance at present.
This is Mu Haner's son.
"You can't take advantage of Lao Qi." Sun Xueniang said seriously: "We have to let Chong'er inherit the Fu clan."
Chong'er is the nickname of the queen's third son, ranked ninth. He is only six years old this year, lively and cute.
If the queen placed all her hopes on the prince, she devoted most of her maternal love to him.
As the saying goes, the people love Yao'er, but the queen cannot escape.
Hearing this, Princess Yongqing was extremely surprised. She hurriedly said: "Absolutely not."
"Mother, where do you put the prince?"
These words made Sun Xueniang suddenly calm down, but she still couldn't let go: "Instead of giving it to others, it is better to give it to your biological brother..."
Princess Yongqing understood that her mother was really caring and causing chaos.
The younger brother went to see Prince Fu, which put more pressure on the prince.
Without it, facing the King of Qin, the prince still has the advantage of his legitimate son. If his biological brother is gone, he will only have the advantage of age.
In front of concubines, age is nothing!
"That's not what I said."
Sun Xueniang sighed, turned her head, and said to her daughter: "It is really difficult for your brother to be the crown prince."
"Your father is really making people uncomfortable and unable to figure it out."
Princess Yongqing did not speak.
After the mother and daughter chatted for a while, Sun Xueniang regained her composure and came to the mahjong table. She looked at the game with a smile, not showing the slightest hint of her gaffe.
However, privately, Sun Xueniang still couldn't bear it and asked people to invite Sun Shirui and Sun Shining into the palace.
Sun Shirui should be the eldest son. The emperor was concerned about Sun Chuanting's favor in promoting him, so he extended his favor to him and granted him the title of Daizhou Bo.
He was not knighted because he was a relative.
Although there were a lot of messy things in the later period of Jiajing, a lot of things were actually done in the early stage, such as trialling a whip method, eliminating more than 10,000 personnel in Jinyiwei, Internal Supervision Bureau and other agencies, purging officials, measuring land, and abolishing Huangzhuang.
In particular, the situation where Xiaozong and Wuzong were wreaking havoc on their relatives was curbed.
That is, the nobility of relatives, such as the Zhang family in the Wu Zong Dynasty, was abolished.
From then on, all the relatives disappeared.
Because of Sun Chuanting, there was not much discussion about Sun Shirui's count.
Sun Xueniang whispered about Prince Fu's succession, and then said worriedly: "Does the emperor still want to change the prince?"
"Not necessarily." Young Sun Shining was the calmest:
"Although the emperor has many tricks, in my opinion, he is just a whetstone for the prince."
"The prince is still too young and needs to be tempered."
"Wouldn't this kind of hard work cause a rift between the brothers? What will happen in the future?" the queen asked directly.
"In the future, there will definitely be a way to eliminate it." Sun Shining said helplessly.
"Brother, what do you think?"
The two looked at Sun Shirui.
Sun Shirui is nearly forty, mature and steady: "We must remain unchanged to cope with all changes, but we must never let Chong'er pass away to succeed King Fu."
He stared at his sister's face: "Although I know this is the best of both worlds, if you do this, the prince will definitely be disappointed."
(End of chapter)
