"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
In the Qingning Palace, the ministers looked at each other and clearly felt that the emperor's words were not sincere. However, the words had already reached this point, and it was obviously inappropriate to kneel any more.
So, everyone had to stand up carefully. At the same time, they secretly looked at the emperor's expression.
However, at this time, Zhu Qiyu obviously didn't care about them. His eyes fell on Zhu Jianshen, waved his hand and said.
"Prince, come closer."
Zhu Jianshen was very obedient. Although he was frightened by the scene just now, he still walked a few steps forward and came to Zhu Qiyu.
Looking at the well-behaved little prince, an elusive expression flashed across Zhu Qiyu's face and he asked.
"Prince, you are the heir apparent. If one day I am no longer worthy of the throne, you will be my successor."
"In that case, I ask you, if one day, the Emperor, the Holy Mother, and the Queen Mother are no longer here, and you come to inherit the throne, how will you treat my sons, and how will you treat the concubines in my harem?"
As soon as this question came out, Zhu Jianshen hadn't noticed it yet, but the faces of the officials from the East Palace below couldn't help but change.
However, it was difficult for them to interrupt in this situation, so they could only pray that His Highness the Crown Prince could handle it well.
Fortunately, it should be said that Dong Gong's teachings to the prince have been quite successful during this period of time, or perhaps someone has long been prepared to encounter such a situation, so the answer was told to Zhu Jianshen early.
After blinking and thinking for a while, Zhu Jianshen said with a childish voice.
"The emperor's uncle previously taught his nephews that whether they are the sons of the emperor's father or the emperor's uncles, they are all brothers of the nephew's family and should be loved as one. After the nephew succeeds to the throne, they will naturally be divided into various places and vassalize our Ming Dynasty. .”
"In the palace, Empress Wang is the most respected queen, and she should be honored as the Queen Mother. Empress Hang and other concubines are each regarded as dowager, and they will be honored in the palace."
This answer was quite comprehensive and made the ministers feel a little relieved. Of course, it was not perfect.
In fact, when Zhu Jianshen said the words "after succeeding to the throne", all the ministers present trembled in their hearts.
You must know that although the emperor is asking the question, how can such words be spoken lightly? Even if it is to be said, the emperor has to ask again and again. I apologize that I am not guilty, so I can only speak cautiously.
But Zhu Jianshen just accepted this hypothesis. If he were a little older, there would be rumors that the prince hopes that his father will die soon.
Therefore, being young also has its advantages. At least, even if His Highness the Crown Prince does not handle things properly now, he can use his age to deal with it.
Therefore, after hearing these words, Yu Shiyue below said quickly.
"Your Majesty's holy body is in good health. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince made a mistake when he was young. This minister and others have done something wrong in their teaching. Please forgive me."
This clearly means that he wants to end this dangerous topic as soon as possible, but unfortunately, Zhu Qiyu obviously does not have this intention.
Zhu Qiyu waved his hand gently and said.
"Yu Qing, why are you so nervous? I was just talking to the prince casually. You are always asking for forgiveness. Is it possible that you are afraid that the prince will tell the truth in front of me?"
This is a bit harsh to say.
Yu Shiyue knelt down and said.
"Your Majesty has clearly learned that His Royal Highness is benevolent, filial, virtuous, pure and sincere, I..."
"Since that's the case, just serve on the side and there's no need to say anything more."
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by the emperor, and a heavy force of power rushed towards him. Obviously, the emperor was very dissatisfied with his repeated attempts to stop him.
Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue sighed and had no choice but to step aside.
Zhu Qiyu didn't put too much energy into him. After repelling him, his eyes returned to Zhu Jianshen.
If it were said that the person standing in front of him at this time was not Zhu Jianshen, a little kid, but other ministers who were experienced in the court, you would find that there was an inexplicable flash of guilt in Zhu Qiyu's eyes.
Of course he knew that these questions, including the questions he was going to ask next, were too difficult for a child of such a few years old, but...
After exhaling softly, Zhu Qiyu's eyes calmed down and he continued to ask.
"Then let me ask you again, since you respect the Queen as the Queen Mother, what about Queen Duanjing in Nangong and your mother-in-law Zhou?"
What's the problem?
Yu Shiyue was beside him, slightly confused.
If the emperor just asked the prince how he should treat the princes and concubines after he ascended the throne because he was worried about his death, then why did he ask about Queen Duanjing and Concubine Zhou?
Of course, at this time, no matter whether he could figure it out or not, he could no longer intervene. His eyes fell on the prince, and Zhu Jian thought deeply about it and said matter-of-factly.
"Queen Duanjing is my nephew's legitimate mother, so she should naturally be honored as the Queen Mother together with my nephew's mother and concubine."
"Three palaces at the same time?"
Zhu Qiyu's expression was a bit incomprehensible, and the ministers on the side looked a little scared. Soon, the voice sounded again, saying.
"Then who should be respected? If the Queen Mother of the Third Palace has a dispute, how should the Crown Prince rule?"
As soon as these words came out, the hall suddenly became audible.
Not for anything else, but because this question is too heart-breaking. Even for an adult prince, let alone Zhu Jianshen, it would be extremely difficult to answer.
First of all, there is the question of who should be respected. This is not difficult. Because of the rules of etiquette and law, it is natural that the crown prince's legitimate mother, Queen Qian, should be respected. The remaining two palaces are difficult to distinguish, but in the current scene, it must be The answer is that Queen Wang should be the second best, and Concubine Zhou should be the second best.
But this is actually the fatal part. If the former question of who should be respected is relatively obscure, then the subsequent question of how to decide if there is a dispute between the three houses is a really fatal question.
Because after thorough investigation, these three actually represent different meanings. Empress Qian is the crown prince’s legitimate mother, which represents the etiquette and law, Concubine Zhou is the prince’s biological mother, and represents the way of filial piety. Although Queen Wang does not occupy both sides, However, she is the current Queen of the Holy Palace. If the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne, regardless of whose legal authority comes from it, at least logically, the Crown Prince will be kind to the Crown Prince by inheriting the throne of the Holy Lord.
Etiquette, filial piety, kindness and righteousness, how to choose? This is the core of the emperor's problem!
It can be said that for the current prince, no matter how he answers this question, no matter which one he chooses, it is wrong. If it is spread to the court, it will attract countless criticisms.
As a result, everyone couldn't help but cast worried eyes on the little prince. As expected, the little prince looked a little confused and obviously didn't know how to answer.
After thinking for a long time, the little prince hesitated and said.
"Uncle Emperor, my nephew thinks that even though the three palaces are respected equally, the Queen of Qian should still be respected?"
"Why?"
The emperor's voice was calm, but he pressed forward step by step.
Zhu Jianshen said with some sweat on his little head.
"Previously, gentlemen, I have taught my nephews that there is order at the top and bottom, and there is a distinction between superiority and inferiority. Empress Qian is my father's queen, so she should be respected by Empress Qian."
This was not wrong, but it was not necessarily the answer the emperor wanted. The moment he finished speaking, all the officials present looked at the emperor.
However, to their disappointment, the emperor's face still showed no trace of joy or anger, but he continued to ask.
"Okay, since you said you want to respect Queen Duanjing, let me ask you again, if you get something rare, you should honor Queen Duanjing as a rule, but your mother and concubine insist on taking it, what should you do?"
this……
Zhu Jianshen's forehead was sweating more and more, and he was obviously a little anxious.
Although he is not very old, since he received education, the most important thing he has been taught is the word filial piety.
The emperor's question obviously touched upon his blind spot of knowledge, so he really didn't know how to answer it for a moment.
He turned his attention to his eldest companion Liang Yong, and saw that the eldest companion quickly gestured to him, so Zhu
See the way of Ai Ai in the deep period.
"Returning to the Emperor's uncle, my nephew feels that it should be given to Queen Duanjing."
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere at the scene relaxed slightly, but the worries on the faces of the ministers became more and more serious.
Because according to the emperor's posture just now, I'm afraid it's time to ask why he did this?
Some words are easy to answer, but what is more important is the explanation. Even if the little prince can get the answer right for a while, it is undoubtedly impossible for him to tell the truth.
However, what surprised them was that after hearing these words, the emperor's expression, which had always been calm, suddenly darkened, and his eyes when looking at the prince became a little more dangerous.
However, despite this, the emperor did not let the prince explain the reason. Instead, he was silent for a moment and asked further.
"Then if your mother-in-law has ordered someone to take it away, what are you going to do, send people to your mother-in-law's palace to snatch it back?"
Compared with the previous question, this question is obviously more acute and extreme.
This is to force the prince to make a choice between etiquette and filial piety...
The ministers present had many thoughts in their minds. Some were worried about how His Highness the Crown Prince should respond, while others were worried about what the emperor meant when he suddenly arrived and said such words.
At the same time, Zhu Jianshen, who was standing in the palace, really didn't know what to choose this time.
Although he had just chosen Queen Qian at Liang Yong's suggestion, he was not sure how determined he was.
At this moment, the more the emperor asked, the more he understood. Zhu Jianshen had grown up in the palace after all. Not to mention that he was not stupid, even if he was really stupid, after so many years in the palace, he would not fail to understand that the method the emperor said was against the law. Filial.
However, unlike the confused thoughts of the ministers in the palace, Zhu Jianshen was a child after all. Although he was confused and couldn't figure it out, he was just a little downcast because he didn't know the complicated meaning behind it.
After thinking for a long time, he lowered his head and said.
"Uncle Imperial, my nephew doesn't know..."
With this posture, he was obviously ready to be scolded.
However, for the ministers in the palace, it is also a good answer. Since no choice is wrong, then not choosing is not a bad idea.
Just when they thought that the emperor would take this opportunity to reprimand them, they never thought that the emperor would not comment on this, but asked instead.
"I just heard from the prince that the reason why Yu Qing hid her beauty from the golden house and talked about Liu Rong being deposed was because of the prince's question?"
Zhu Jianshen still looked a little scared, but he nodded obediently.
So, Zhu Qiyu continued to ask.
"So, the prince is afraid that one day he will be deposed like Liu Rong?"
As soon as the words fell, everyone present stopped breathing for half a beat.
They never expected that the emperor would ask this question so directly. You must know that as soon as this sentence comes out, no matter what the result is, there will definitely be an uproar in the court.
So, what does the emperor want to do when he comes here?
Zhu Jianshen said nothing. This was the first time that he did not answer Jun's father's question. The little child showed a maturity that was not consistent with his age.
The answer was self-evident, and there was silence in the hall. However, everyone's hearts were already in turmoil at this moment.
After a while, the little prince said with a hint of crying in his tone and his words were stumbling.
"Imperial uncle, my nephew listens to the words of the gentlemen, listens to the words of the emperor's grandmother, listens to the words of the emperor, listens to you, be good... be good at practicing virtuous government, and be friendly to your relatives. Please don't abolish your nephew, okay..."
Even though he is a prince, he is only a young boy after all. Faced with such pressure, it is not easy for Zhu Jianshen to persist until now.
Originally, he had been frightened because of the various private comments from people around him. But today, he was suddenly under such pressure. How could he not collapse?
However, when the little prince cried like this, it gave other ministers of the East Palace an opportunity to
Yes, they all knelt down on the ground and spoke one after another.
"His Majesty……"
Although he didn't say much, the atmosphere in the palace became extremely weird.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu sighed, stood up, walked around the table in front of him, and stood in front of Zhu Jianshen. Then, he bent his knees so that he could look directly into Zhu Jianshen's eyes and said.
"Prince, look at me."
The serious tone made the little prince gradually calm down, and he raised his head and looked at each other.
Then Zhu Qiyu said.
"Do you know why I am asking you these questions?"
Zhu Jianshen shook his head. There was a hint of fear in his obedience, which made people feel a little distressed.
However, Zhu Qiyu was not moved and continued to ask.
"Do you still remember what the emperor's uncle taught you the last time you left the palace?"
It was a long time ago, the little prince thought for a long time before he said carefully.
"Remember, the emperor said that many of the etiquette rules in this world are the accumulated experience of our predecessors, so even if you don't like it, you must follow it."
A smile finally appeared on Zhu Qiyu's face and he said.
"Well said. It seems that you always keep my teachings in mind, but just remembering them is not enough. You must practice them and learn them."
"I just asked you a lot of questions, and you answered them all very well, but you failed to answer the last two questions. These two questions are very difficult, and many people can't figure them out, but Prince, you have to remember that these are There are many complicated things in the world, but no matter how complicated they are, as long as you grasp your true intention, you can easily solve them."
"Although these two questions just now are difficult, the answer lies in what you just said..."
