The next day, Zhu Biao and his wife went out of the palace to visit Cao Guogong's mansion. Originally, in order to naturally canonize Li Wenzhong, Lao Zhu issued a decree and conferred the title of King of Qiyang on his brother-in-law Cao Guogong Li Zhen.
But Li Zhen soon moved out of the palace and lived back in the Prince Consort's Prince-in-law Enqinhou's Mansion. Li Wenzhong's wife and son came to the house several times to beg her father-in-law to return to the palace, but they still could not shake the old man's will.
Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at the plaque of the Enqin Hou Mansion, feeling a little hesitant in his heart. His uncle was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate, but this might be too cruel for an old man who cherished his reputation.
Forget it, let's start with his father-in-law. His reputation is not lacking in this stigma. What's more, for this reason, a bad reputation is better than a good one.
His thoughts could not change for a moment, but Li Zhen had already walked out quickly, followed by his step-wife, son and grandson, solemnly greeting her.
After all, his aunt, Princess Cao, has been dead for many years. There are no rules for men in this world, even for consorts. Li Zhen already has a stepmother, and even Lao Zhu won't say anything.
"The old minister and his family respectfully welcome the crown prince and princess."
Zhu Biao supported Li Zhen and said: "Uncle, there is no need to be polite. I heard that you were slightly unwell. My father was worried and asked my nephew to come to visit. The imperial doctor is also here. Let's go in and take a pulse."
Li Zhen said with a smile: "I just caught a cold at night and had a slight cough. I took a few medicines and it has improved a lot. I didn't expect that it disturbed the Holy One and bothered His Highness to go there in person."
"It doesn't matter, I should have come over to visit you. I just couldn't get away some time ago."
Li Wenzhong's wife, Mrs. Chen, hurriedly said: "It's all my concubine's fault for failing to fulfill my filial piety and take good care of my father..."
Before Hua finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Zhen: "You are a good and filial boy. Wen Zhong has been away for many years. You need to worry about everything inside and outside the house. As a father, I am old and I don't want to cause you any trouble." from."
Upon seeing this, Chang Luohua said: "My uncle has not recovered yet. If you have anything to say, let's talk about it in the hall."
Everyone entered the mansion together and sat down in the main hall. After the imperial doctor asked for pulse, Chang Luohua greeted Li Zhen a few more words, then got up and went to the backyard to talk with Mrs. Chen, while Li Zhen's step-mother went to arrange refreshments.
Seeing that the women had all gone down, Zhu Biao asked in a low voice, "Is there something inappropriate about my cousin-in-law, or is there something unsatisfactory between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."
Li Zhen said with a smile: "I am an old minister at this age, and I still have the favor of the Holy Emperor. Who can bear this anger? My daughter-in-law is filial, my step-brother is also law-abiding, and the family is very harmonious."
"It's just that the mansion is getting bigger and bigger, and I always feel anxious and can't sleep there. It's not as practical as living here."
Zhu Biao felt relieved: "My cousin has made outstanding achievements in northern Xinjiang. It is normal for him to be granted the title of Jin. You can just take care of yourself and take care of yourself. There is nothing to panic about."
"Without the gift of heaven, Wen Zhong's meritorious service would have been nothing more than a marquis among the founding generals. Now he has been promoted to the same level as King Kaiping of Zhongshan." Li Zhen shook her head: "It's too much. My family's virtue is not worthy of the title."
Zhu Biao advised: "The family of the emperor is different. There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Northern Xinjiang. If not my cousin, who else can my father entrust to me? And with my cousin's ability, he will be crowned king sooner or later." It’s just a matter of fact.”
Li Zhen still stubbornly shook her head and said: "Your Highness, don't try to persuade me any more, let me stay here."
"Forget it, my uncle's first priority is to live happily, but you also have to think about your cousin. She comes from a womanly family, and the rumors outside are not good. They say that Mrs. Qiyang Wang is a shrew, and she drove out the old consort. Gone home."
"Besides, it's fine if she's just a cousin-in-law, but if the mother chooses the son, it may not be possible for your grandchildren to get married in the future."
Naturally, the children of the Li family are not wanted by anyone, but Zhu Biao's words still touched Li Zhen: "Then let's go back and live there occasionally."
After finishing the family talk, Li Zhen asked: "It's not easy for you and the Crown Princess to leave the palace, but do you have anything to tell me?"
"It's nothing urgent." Zhu Biao ate two pieces of lotus cake served by Liu Jin himself: "I will go to the Kaiping Palace later to meet my father-in-law."
"Your Highness, can't you trust me anymore?"
Zhu Biao joked: "Where did this come from? You can't say it casually. My father knew about this and thought that my nephew disrespected his elders, so he will be reprimanded."
Li Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "I heard that Marquis Qichun was deposed and left Beijing for Yunnan a few days ago. His Highness must have some orders when he takes the Crown Princess out of the palace at this time."
He asked tentatively: "It's still about those merchants. Yes, although my family has not accepted the surrender, the old people under Wen Zhong may not do things in his name. I said that the income of Yueyue in this house is not very good." right."
Li Zhen pursed her lips and did not say anything bad about her son and daughter-in-law. She did not know how expensive food, rice, oil and salt were when she was not a family member. Her son was not a greedy person, but he was not that clean and self-sufficient. This was also because he was afraid when he was a child and wanted to save more.
Zhu Biao heard the meaning and didn't go into details. If he had a moral obsession, he would have killed him more ruthlessly than Lao Zhu. Maybe it would take more than ten or twenty years for the world's officials to be peaceful, but it would be absolutely impossible to completely solve it.
What's more, the sky does not stop its winter because of man's aversion to cold, and the earth does not stop its vastness because of man's evil danger. If you are a ruler, you will be wise but not see things, be wise but not hear things, promote great virtues, forgive small faults, and have no need to prepare for others. The righteousness of one person.
"Your Highness has just said that the family of a royal relative is naturally different from ordinary civil and military ministers, but this difference cannot just be about enjoying benefits. Your Highness, please start from my house to put things in perspective!"
"My cousin is out of town, and his connections are very important. But at your age, your nephew cannot bear to taint your innocence. Forget it, let's leave it to the Chang family."
"The Chang family cannot avoid the presence of royal relatives before relatives of the country, and it is even more so for my family. Please give me your permission."
"As for innocence, I have no merit and have not been able to save my wife. How can I talk about other enjoyments? I have been working hard and frugally. I just think that I will transform the world with hard work and frugality. I am the leader of my family, and I am living in luxury. Why persuade your family?"
"If diligence and frugality can help the family tradition, I will be diligent and frugal. If losing reputation can help the court, then I can try my best."
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After leaving the Enqin Hou Mansion, the couple got on the carriage. Chang Luohua said: "My cousin secretly mentioned something. It seems that the Tiezhu family has also received the support of many merchants."
The Tiezhu family is also the family of Zhu Biao's cousin Zhu Wenzheng. It is also a royal palace now. It is not surprising that someone joins the family. After all, the mistress of the family now is Zhu Wenzheng's concubine. She is a small family with shallow eyes and wants to make more money. Very normal.
"Orphans and widowed mothers, this is not the same situation as Kang Duo." Zhu Biao shook his head and said: "Such a family cannot be regarded as a model even if they have real evidence. The world will only say that the Tian family is cold and weak, and will only avoid the important and bully the weak. ."
"But my father-in-law and cousin are different. Now they are in charge of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. They are the leaders of the imperial family. Only by touching them can the other princes be frightened and restrained. Such rules are certain and there are examples to follow. It will be easier to handle for at least the next few decades.”
Chang Luohua nodded and frowned: "Whether I should not come out or not, it makes other people think, it seems like just pretending."
Zhu Biao didn't take it seriously: "There is nothing that can really be concealed from anyone. The important thing is to show the attitude. Regarding the collusion between officials and businessmen, it was my aunt and father-in-law who committed the crime, and I also I will not show mercy, if others don't believe me, you can try it yourself and see if I am just pretending."
It didn't take long to arrive at the Kaiping Prince's Mansion. Chang Yuchun was resting at home today and led the family out to welcome him in. He was a little surprised by Zhu Biao's purpose.
But like Li Zhen, Chang Yuchun is also very willing to cooperate. Even better than Li Zhen, he hopes that the Ming Dynasty will be well, and he hates anything that may damage the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.
This legacy of the Ming Dynasty will be passed down to his grandson and his descendants. The blending here is his bloodline. Li Zhen is something that even outsiders are willing to do. How could he be wrong?
What's more, Li Zhen still has a good reputation. Chang Yuchun's reputation was completely destroyed when he conquered the world in the past. When he was guarding Northern Xinjiang, he was merciless both internally and externally. He was the one who destroyed his entire family and slaughtered his entire family. His reputation was so vicious that he could stop children from crying at night in the grasslands.
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