Emperor Hongzhi forced out a smile and helped Empress Zhang up with a forced smile.
Then he bowed his hands to the Queen Mother Zhou and said, "My grandson has met my grandmother."
The Queen Mother Zhou knew her grandson very well. He had a good temper and always thought of others. He was very different from his late emperor, Emperor Chenghua!
"As the crown prince of the country, the prince's education is the foundation of the country, so he cannot be careless! However, your majesty does not need to be too anxious, just let everything take its course!"
Emperor Hongzhi sighed, thinking that he also wanted to let nature take its course, but could it be done?
What if he died accidentally one day? Wouldn't that boy Zhu Houzhao be unable to understand even the memorial? At that time, how would he be different from a puppet?
Seeing that Emperor Hongzhi frowned and said nothing, Queen Mother Zhou winked at Queen Zhang and signaled Queen Zhang to take Zhu Xiurong out of the way first.
Empress Zhang nodded, understanding that what the Empress Dowager said might have something to do with the court.
Then he took Zhu Xiurong's hand and went to the side hall.
Seeing the two people leaving, Queen Mother Zhou looked at Emperor Hongzhi with a kind face and said softly: "Zhan'er, the Ai family knows that you are worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty, but this kind of thing cannot be explained clearly."
"In the past, when your father was still alive, the entire court was dead silent, and the palace was even more smoky. At that time, the Ai family was thinking, is our Ming Dynasty going to end like this?"
"What's the result? You showed up! You have nothing like your father in character. As an emperor, you treat the government and ministers better than your father!"
"Now Hou Zhao's temperament is completely opposite to yours, so don't compare yourself to Hou Zhao. Maybe Hou Zhao can take a different path in the future!"
"Have you ever thought about why Xiurong was carried into Pingjiang Bo's house without any problems? Why did Chen Ziyu change from a playboy and prodigal whom everyone despised to becoming such a knowledgeable and well-informed person today?"
"When things go abnormal, there must be monsters. These kinds of abnormalities may prove that what Master Dao Yuan said is true. The Ming Dynasty is about to enter a prosperous age, and strange people must appear in the prosperous age!"
"Other than you, the only other king in this prosperous age is Hou Zhao, but Chen Ziyu may be that strange person!"
Emperor Hongzhi's eyes were deep and squinted as he thought about what Empress Dowager Zhou said.
If you think about it carefully, it is indeed a bit abnormal!
"What does grandma mean? To train Chen Ziyu so that he can assist Hou Zhao in the future?"
Empress Dowager Zhou gently shook her head, took Emperor Hongzhi's hand, patted it, and continued:
"Zhan'er, the Ai family absolutely supports your education, but the method can be modified. Didn't Chen Ziyu also say that interest is the best teacher!"
"When Xiurong returns to Pingjiang Bo's Mansion, let him work as an errand in Zhan Shi's Mansion!"
"Besides, the Ai family doesn't understand the affairs of the court! As for how to do it, this is not something that the Ai family needs to consider."
"But the Ai family knows that Chen Ziyu is now Hou Zhao's brother-in-law, and his father is the earl of our Ming Dynasty, so if such a person is well cultivated, Hou Zhao's pressure will be much less in the future!"
Obviously, what Empress Dowager Zhou said was very cryptic!
Other emperors could choose a suitable successor, but Emperor Hongzhi had no choice. The future emperor must be Zhu Houzhao.
If the emperor is really a helpless Adou and his ability is really incompetent, then he must have an absolute confidant with outstanding ability to resist the ministers on his behalf!
Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty’s scholars are proud of not fearing power and risking their lives to give advice!
Sometimes it is obviously a normal thing, but for the sake of the so-called literati character, those ministers cling to these trivial matters and happily impeach the emperor!
Judging from Zhu Houzhao's character, if he does not change in the future.
It is estimated that one impeachment will kill one, and two impeachments will kill one pair!
It feels so good to be like this, and the bad breath is gone!
But the affairs in the court still have to rely on these ministers to convey, handle and execute them!
If these ministers are really provoked to give up their opinions, it will be the common people who will suffer in the end, and it will be the descendants of his old Zhu family who will be scolded!
After Emperor Hongzhi thought this through, his expression finally softened a little, and he pursed his lips and said, "What grandma said is absolutely true. My grandson knows what to do!"
Seeing that Emperor Hongzhi was a little relieved, Queen Mother Zhou's smile became wider.
"The Aijia asked you to reward his father, and also made an exception to allow him to take concubines. Do you think the Aijia are old fools?"
"Extraordinary people need to be treated with extraordinary means. Rules and regulations are used to restrict mediocre people!"
"The Ai family has lived for so many years, what kind of people have they not seen? The Ai family may have some slight problems with this son, but his mind is definitely not bad. What he said to Xiurong is absolutely true! In fact, This marriage is a good match for Xiurong! It’s much better than the Shouning Marquis Mansion!”
Empress Dowager Zhou had long disliked Hou Ninghou for doing evil and causing trouble outside the palace just because he was a relative of the emperor.
Emperor Hongzhi was a little embarrassed and his face turned red!
After all, he was more or less indulgent towards his two brothers-in-law!
At this time, Emperor Hongzhi stood up and bowed respectfully to the Queen Mother Zhou.
“My grandson will definitely remember his grandmother’s teachings!”
Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand, gently patted Emperor Hongzhi on the forehead, and said with a smile:
"A dying man from the Ai family can't teach you anything! You are the emperor, so just do whatever you have to do! Even if you make a mistake, it doesn't matter. Knowing your mistakes can help you improve a lot!"
"Okay, after telling you so much, Aijia is a little tired. Aijia needs to take a nap for a while. Zhan'er, you can do it yourself!"
"Yes, Grandma!"
Emperor Hongzhi bowed and walked out of the palace!
When Empress Zhang from the side hall saw Emperor Hongzhi coming out, she hurriedly greeted him with a smile, and cautiously asked, "Is Your Majesty in a better mood?"
Zhu Xiurong, who was standing behind Empress Zhang, saluted Emperor Hongzhi and said softly: "Father!"
The expression on Emperor Hongzhi's face looked soothing and apologetic, "Empress, I have made you worry."
"What did your majesty say? Husband and wife are one. If your majesty is not in a good mood, my concubine will also feel uncomfortable!"
Emperor Hongzhi nodded, then looked at Zhu Xiurong and said dotingly:
"Xiurong, I plan to let Ziyu come to the palace as an errand from tomorrow. Then you can follow him back to Pingjiang County. Since ancient times, men have been the masters of the outside world and women have been the masters of the house. Your husband is the only one in the family. You are needed to handle the internal affairs of the Chen family. Take care and learn more from your mother in this regard!"
"Yes, father! Please remember this!"
Zhu Xiurong's face turned red, his head lowered and his voice sounded like a mosquito!
Emperor Hongzhi nodded with satisfaction, turned around and left Cining Palace after explaining something.
Xiao Jing, who was standing outside Cining Palace, saw his master coming out and quickly followed him.
All the way to the Nuange Pavilion.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Zhu Houzhao still kneeling upright on the ground, with his head lowered and he didn't know what he was thinking.
Seeing this situation, Emperor Hongzhi also softened a little.
No matter how naughty the prince is, he does not dare to disobey his own will. He is also quite respectful to Queen Zhang and the Queen Mother. His filial piety is quite remarkable!
"Prince, let's leave things like this for today. You can go back to Zhan Shifu first. You must not let go of your studies in the future. Do you understand?"
"I understand! I promise to listen to my father from now on! Learn from all the masters!"
"I will invite another gentleman to teach you. I hope you will do well!"
"Yes, Father!"
Then Emperor Hongzhi winked at Xiao Jing. Xiao Jing immediately understood and walked to Zhu Houzhao to help him up.
Zhu Houzhaoqiang felt that he had no feeling in his knees. He endured the numbness and pain and stood up with Xiao Jing's help.
Liu Jin, who was outside the Nuan Pavilion, had been waiting for a long time. When she saw Zhu Houzhao bending his knees and being helped out, tears fell from his eyes.
He rushed forward, supported Zhu Houzhao and cried:
"Prince, you are suffering. I will help you back!"
Zhu Houzhao turned pale and felt slightly relieved after seeing Liu Jin. With Liu Jin's support, he limped towards Zhan Shifu.
