Within the confines of the capital, almost nothing that happened in the court or palace could be concealed. The only difference was the sooner or later the news was received.
Therefore, as soon as the elders went to the Yamen the next day, they all learned that the Supreme Emperor had issued a decree to the Emperor, asking him to go to Nangong to determine the morning and evening of the province.
Suddenly, the government and the public were in a state of panic, both inside and outside the palace.
As soon as it got dark, the tender voices of children rang out in Cining Palace.
"The sky and the earth are dark and yellow, and the universe is primitive."
"The sun and the moon are full, and the stars and constellations are arranged."
“Cold comes and summer comes, autumn harvests and winter stores.”
"Leap...Leap Yu...Leap Yu..."
The weather is getting warmer, but the fire in the warm room is still burning. Beside the small table, a little fat baby is sitting upright.
He was wearing a small black winged crown on his head, a red gold woven dragon-shouldered robe with narrow sleeves, a jade belt around his waist, and deerskin boots on his feet. He looked very noble.
Of course, this is none other than the current crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen.
Although the prince has not officially left the court to study, since the matter of the emperor's return to the south has been settled, the queen mother has focused on her grandson.
First, he took Zhu Jianshen to the Cining Palace to be raised, and then he arranged for the people he carefully selected and believed to be reliable to serve him, and then began to teach the prince how to read.
It should be said that Zhu Jianshen did not disappoint. Although he was young, he was naturally intelligent. Up to now, he could recite the Three Character Classic fluently, and he could recite it by heart. However, this Thousand Character Classic is more difficult. It's higher than the previous two books. .
Therefore, even though it has been several days, His Highness is still stumbling when carrying it.
Next to this distinguished fat doll, stood a middle-aged eunuch in his thirties, with a fair face and a slightly chubby figure. However, it did not detract from his image. Instead, he looked like a scholar.
This eunuch's name was Qin Chang, who was selected by the Empress Dowager Sun to teach Zhu Jianshen how to read.
"Leap Yu becomes a year old, Lu Lu adjusts the Yang!"
"Your Highness, we have explained these sentences several times yesterday, but you still made mistakes three times today. According to the instructions of the Holy Mother, you need to copy these sentences thirty times."
Qin Chang bowed, his figure was humble, but his voice was firm.
Although he was the one who initiated the education for the prince and was regarded as a half-teacher, with Wang Zhen's Yin Jian in front of him, the Queen Mother strictly prohibited Tan Chang from pretending to be a teacher in front of the prince.
Even during daily lectures, he could not stand directly opposite the prince. He could only stand by the side like an ordinary eunuch and explain the meaning of the book.
"I know, Tan Banban, don't worry. Before breakfast today, I will finish writing and show it to the imperial grandmother."
After listening to Qin Chang's words, Zhu Jianshen's chubby little face wrinkled into a bun.
However, after taking a look at the old eunuch standing beside him with his sleeves wrapped up and saying nothing, he still nodded obediently, then opened the book, spread out the rice paper under the waiter of the palace servant, and picked up a pen to start writing.
The so-called royal heirs, the most important thing is demeanor and etiquette. Although Zhu Jianshen is young, his enlightenment is not just as simple as literacy. It is obvious that the Crown Prince is still very good in this aspect.
Tan Chang cupped his hands, a trace of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, but he didn't say much and just retreated silently.
At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside, and the gray-haired old eunuch who had just been peeked at by the prince had a look in his eyes.
Immediately, another young eunuch standing behind the prince understood, cupped his hands, and quietly took two steps back, preparing to go out and deal with it.
However, before he could step out the door, the door of Nuange was pushed open.
Immediately afterwards, a group of eunuch palace people rushed in. The leader was wearing a python suit and walked in slowly with a warm smile on his face.
"Presumptuous, Huai En, do you know that this is the Cining Palace, the residence of Her Majesty the Virgin and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and you dare to break in without your permission? Are you going to risk your life?"
Seeing this situation, the inconspicuous old eunuch who was standing in the palace straightened his back and took two steps forward. He just protected His Royal Highness behind him, looked at the incoming person warily, and shouted softly.
This old eunuch has an unusual identity. His name is Niu Yu. In terms of qualifications, he and Jin Ying were both eunuchs at the same time.
In fact, like Wang Zhen, he was once the eunuch of the Supreme Emperor, but he was not as flamboyant as Wang Zhen. He stayed in the palace honestly and never participated in government affairs.
The Supreme Emperor also kept him in the palace during his own expedition. It was not until later that he was re-enabled by Empress Dowager Sun as the eunuch in charge around Zhu Jianshen.
After so many years of experience in the palace, Niu Yu has already developed the ability to remain calm under any circumstances. Although in front of him was Da Huai En, who was very popular next to the emperor, he did not show the slightest fear.
After all, among eunuchs, in addition to status, they also pay attention to qualifications. Niu Yu's qualifications are almost unmatched by anyone in the palace today.
What's more, this place is Cining Palace!
It was impossible for the Queen Mother not to be alarmed by such a big movement. No matter how powerful Huai'en was, he was just a eunuch. Once the Holy Mother arrived, everything would naturally be settled. Therefore, Niu Yu faced Huai'en and the people he brought with him. Not only was he not afraid at all, but he looked questioning.
In contrast, Wynn was much calmer, and he cupped his hands with a smile and said.
"Mr. Niu has misunderstood. Our family came here today not to trespass, but to convey the order under His Majesty's orders."
After saying this, Huaien didn't care what Niu Yu's reaction was. He stretched out his hand and a eunuch holding a brocade box came forward behind him. He opened the brocade box, revealing a jade embroidered with clouds, brocade and dragon-shaped hidden patterns inside. Shaft of silk.
Wynn cupped his hands, raised them above his head, turned slightly sideways towards the direction of the brocade box, and then said in a solemn voice.
"By imperial edict, His Royal Highness, please accept the edict!"
As soon as the dragon pattern scroll appeared, Niu Yu was startled at first, and immediately fell to his knees, followed closely by all the palace eunuchs and eunuchs in Nuan Pavilion.
After all, the palace pays more attention to rules than anywhere else. With Niu Yu's eyesight, he can naturally see that the dragon pattern scroll in front of him is an out-and-out imperial edict.
Moreover, it is not the kind of imperial edict that is only stamped with the emperor's seal. This kind of regulatory edict must be the most formal edict that has gone through the complete process of the cabinet, the Sixth Section, the Supervisor of Rites, and the Shangbaosi.
The imperial edict is in person, as if the emperor is coming in person, representing the majestic imperial power!
Not to mention Niu Yu, a mere eunuch in charge, even the seven ministers of the imperial court had to kneel down and worship immediately when they saw this dragon pattern scroll.
Suddenly, in the entire hall, there was only one little baby who was still in a daze.
Although Zhu Jianshen had received royal education for a period of time, after all, it was easier said than done. This was the first time he had experienced such a scene, and he was a little at a loss.
Wynn looked as expected, lowered his head slightly, and repeated again in a respectful and gentle voice.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your Majesty has a decree. Please kneel down to receive it."
Zhu Jianshen hesitated for a moment, seemed a little scared, took a small step back, and walked closer to Wan Zhen'er who was kneeling on the ground.
At this time, Niu Yu on the side whispered.
"Your Highness, according to the rules, you must kneel down to receive the order..."
So, Zhu Jianshen timidly took two steps forward, turned around from behind Niu Yu, and took a curious look at the dragon pattern scroll in the brocade box.
Then, he tried hard to recall the etiquette that Tan Chang and Wan Zhen'er had taught him before. He stretched out his chubby little hands, lifted up his robe and bowed down. He knelt on the ground carefully and said softly.
"My nephew, Zhu Jianshen, knelt down to welcome the imperial edict and respectfully greet the Holy One!"
"Holy Holy Gong!"
Wynn then put down his raised hands, bent down, respectfully took out the jade scroll from the brocade box, then straightened up and unfolded it.
"In accordance with the destiny of heaven, the emperor said: If the state owns the capital, the country will be stable and the country will have hope. As the prince, the prince is responsible for the country and the ancestors. He should be a model for the world. I have heard that the greatest good thing since ancient times is filial piety, respecting relatives and fathers, being loyal to the emperor and loving the country. , this is the foundation of sincerity and ethics."
"Today, the Supreme Emperor is residing in the South Palace, taking care of the rest of his life. He cares about the friendship and brotherhood, and wishes to see me often. This is originally a symbol of the harmony of the heavenly family. However, as the Son of Heaven, I have to take care of the world. The government affairs of the common people are complicated and difficult. As the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is my successor, and as the Supreme Prince's heir, he should be responsible for the day and night in order to fulfill his filial piety."
"From now on, I order the prince to go to Nangong every day to pay my respects on my behalf. I am here to express my gratitude!"
The imperial edict was not long, and what it said was very simple. After Huaien finished reading it, he carefully rolled up the jade scroll, then handed it to Zhu Jianshen and said.
"Your Highness, the ceremonial chariot has been prepared outside Cining Palace. Your Majesty has spoken and asked Your Highness to set off immediately after receiving the order."
Seeing the jade shaft handed to him, the little doll blinked his eyes, obediently stretched out his chubby hands, and followed what Qin Chang had taught him, raising it high above his head and about to take it.
However, just when Huaien was about to put down the imperial edict, a voice suddenly came from the palace door.
"etc!"
Everyone looked up and saw that at some point, Empress Dowager Sun, dressed in gorgeous clothes, was already standing outside the door.
"See Our Lady."
There was another salute, and this time, the palace servants who came with Wynn also fell to the ground.
Only Wynn was left. Because he still held the imperial edict in his hand, he only bowed slightly and said.
"Bless the Virgin."
Empress Dowager Sun walked slowly to the palace with the support of the palace attendants, then stretched out her hand to pull Zhu Jianshen up. They walked to the couch. Empress Dowager Sun sat down upright, then asked Zhu Jianshen to stand beside her, and then said.
"Wynn, what are you doing here?"
Although he knew that the other party was asking the question knowingly, Wynn still answered respectfully.
"Back to the Holy Mother, Your Majesty ordered his ministers to come and convey the decree, ordering His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to go to the Nangong every day to watch the morning and evening in order to fulfill his filial piety and human ethics."
Hearing this, Queen Mother Sun's face suddenly turned ugly. She glanced at her grandson, who was still standing beside her in confusion, and said.
"The road to Nangong is far away, and the prince is still young. It is not suitable to rush around every day. What's more, when the emperor returned to the capital, he had given instructions that the prince did not have to pay greetings every day. Therefore, it is better to let this matter go."
Zhu Jianshen is now the lifeblood of the Empress Dowager Sun, and she is carefully guarded every day. At the beginning, the Empress Dowager Sun insisted on keeping Zhu Jianshen in Cining Palace because she was worried that something would happen if he lived outside.
Now, Huaien had so blatantly barged into Cining Palace, brought so many people with him, and said he wanted to take the prince to Nangong to pay his respects. This was obviously evil, how could she agree?
However, Huaien was not so easy to dismiss. After hearing this, he first respectfully placed the jade scroll in his hand in the brocade box aside, and then turned around and said.
"I heard the minister correctly, what the Holy Mother means is... to make His Highness the Crown Prince disobey the imperial edict?"
Her tone was gentle and respectful, but her words were as sharp as a knife, which immediately made Queen Mother Sun's face completely darken.
"presumptuous!"
"You are just a mere slave, how dare you talk about the Ai family? Who gave you the courage?"
Although this is indeed the truth, for a eunuch of Wynn's status to say it to his face like this is tantamount to humiliating him.
However, Wynn's reaction was surprisingly calm. He cupped his hands and said.
"Our Lady, please calm down. The ministers are just following orders and fulfilling their duties faithfully. The Holy Mother is right, the ministers are just slaves and they dare not talk about the heavenly family, but..."
Being able to be valued by the emperor, admired by many courtiers, and quickly established a foothold in the Bureau of Ceremonies, how could Wynn be really just a good old man?
As he spoke, he slowly straightened up and said.
"It is said that beating a dog depends on the master. The ministers are just royal slaves, but after all, they are here to declare the emperor's decree. It is okay for the Holy Mother to reprimand the ministers, but the ministers must complete the tasks assigned by the emperor no matter what!"
These words were so categorical that Empress Dowager Sun suddenly felt a strong sense of uneasiness in her heart, and she couldn't help but shouted sharply.
"what you up to?"
Wynn straightened his back and looked at the Empress Dowager Sun in front of him with clear eyes, and said.
"His Majesty has ordered His Highness the Crown Prince to go to the Nangong Palace to pay his respects. Naturally, the ministers must obey the order and take the Crown Prince to the Nangong Palace!"
"You are presumptuous!"
Queen Mother Sun burst into flames, suddenly got up from the couch, pointed at Huaien and said.
"This is the Cining Palace of the Ai family. Could it be that you want to steal people from this palace?"
"Someone, get this crazy thing from the Ai family!"
As soon as the words fell, several strong eunuchs holding short sticks rushed in from outside the palace, looking at Huai En and his party with eager eyes.
After all, Cining Palace is the territory of the Empress Dowager Sun. It has been operated for many years. If words don't count in this territory, she, the Empress Dowager, doesn't have to do it.
Just when these people wanted to swarm them, Wynn remained unfazed. Looking at these powerful eunuchs with malicious intentions, he sneered, reached out to pick up the imperial edict in the brocade box next to him, raised it above his head, and looked around. road.
“His Majesty’s holy decree is this, who dares to be so presumptuous!”
I have to say that this trick is very useful. The eunuchs present are all knowledgeable. When they see the imperial edict of the dragon-patterned jade scroll, they will know the weight of it.
For a moment, even with Queen Mother Sun watching, they had no choice but to put down the short sticks in their hands, and then silently knelt on the ground.
After doing this, Hua Enfang turned around, his face still respectful, and said.
"Our Lady has misunderstood. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so noble and noble, how dare the ministers offend him? It is His Highness's business to accept or not accept this decree, and the ministers dare not comment."
"However, now that the ceremonial chariot has been prepared, Nangong has already been preparing to welcome the chariot. The imperial edict in the hands of the ministers has been kept in the cabinet, the Sixth Section, and the Shangbao Division. I am afraid that everyone inside and outside the palace is now Waiting for His Highness to go to Nangong to fulfill his filial piety."
"Should the ministers go back to reply to the decree on their own, or should His Highness receive the decree and go to Nangong with the ministers to pay their respects? Holy Mother, please think twice!"
