Empress Ma nodded and said, "Tell the kitchen to prepare two side dishes and some tea."
Queen Ma naturally knew whether there was lunch at Jinshen Hall. She had obviously eaten and still said she wanted to come to have a meal. She must have known that her son was coming and couldn't save her face, so she pretended like this.
Zhu Biao got up and started moving slowly. He had to eat lunch three times, and he was really exhausted. Upon seeing this, Queen Ma ordered someone to bring a plate of hawthorn cake first.
Within three cups of tea, there were shouts of salute and long live greetings outside the palace. The two women came out to greet her one after another. Their expressions were both calm and their manners were well-behaved. No one could fault her.
"My concubine (son and minister) pays homage to the Holy One. Long live my emperor."
Zhu Yuanzhang originally had a smile on his face, but now he could only darken his face: "Forgive me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lao Zhu didn't know what to say after that, so he went straight in without shame, walking very boldly, while the queen and the prince seemed to be taking their time.
After the emperor sat down, the palace attendants served dishes and pastries one by one. Queen Ma naturally sat on one side and said softly: "Biao'er, you can sit down too."
"My son, I thank my mother."
Zhu Biao sat down obediently, then stood up to serve his father, and then took a few pieces of pastry to his mother. He moved smoothly, not like a pampered prince who was used to being served by others.
The people in the palace did not dare to step forward, nor did they dare to retreat. Who could not know this about the palace.
The couple began to eat in small bites without saying a word, not even glancing at the emperor from the corner of their eyes. Zhu Yuanzhang felt uncomfortable all over and regretted coming here.
The more she ate, the more uncomfortable she became, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She stood up angrily and left. Queen Ma did not move. Zhu Biao stood up and bowed to her. When the back was gone, he sat down and picked up another piece of hawthorn cake.
Before they were halfway through eating, a familiar figure bumped back, circling the mother and son around the dinner table, panting like an old donkey.
The attendants all knelt down quietly and buried their heads deeply on the ground, wishing that their faces and ears were pressed against their faces. In trembling fear, they finally waited for the scolding.
"You all get out!"
Quickly, neatly and quietly, in the blink of an eye there were no outsiders in the hall, only this family was left.
Zhu Yuanzhang stopped, glared at his son fiercely, and then said to his first wife: "Sister, Mr. Sun passed away from illness, didn't you also advise us to take care of things well and do our best to mourn and honor Mr. Sun in order to increase Mr. Sun's virtue? Why don't you do it now? Are you willing?"
Empress Ma said sternly: "I am not unwilling, my concubine. The Sun family and I, the Zhu family, have made great contributions and worked hard, and we have always served my concubine with respect and pity."
"It's just that now Biao'er refuses to be filial to my concubine because of my concubine. How can I bear this filial piety towards my son and my concubine?"
In the final analysis, it was still the fault of this brat. Lao Zhu said dissatisfiedly: "The deceased has passed away, but it is just a matter of mourning!"
Zhu Biao stood up and responded: "My son has a biological mother, so he must not serve his wife as a filial piety!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his face turned red and he slapped the table hard. What happened now was no longer about Sun's business, but what he, his father, said. A good son who grew up in pride and pampering did not even have wings when his wings became stiff. After hearing this, he even stood up to him in front of the civil and military officials of the court.
If other people had faced the oncoming pressure, they would have been frightened by the king's authority and fell to the ground, crying and begging for mercy. Be it a prime minister who could leave a name in history, or a general who could destroy thousands of armies and defeat the city. Marshal or marshal, this is the case.
Zhu Biao also knelt down, but did not lower his head. He still looked at his father calmly, without any deviation in his eyes, and without any intention of admitting his mistake.
Damn, you are indeed my seed!
He could feel that his son's determination at this moment did not come from the party members of the East Palace, nor did he rely on the old relationship between father and son. He simply wanted to use his own attitude to express this matter. He would never agree to it, nor would he. He will not give in due to any considerations.
At this time, Lao Zhu didn't know whether to stay angry or laugh. He could only look at his son with a sullen look, until his eyes became sore, he snorted and turned away.
I have to admit that I have long been accustomed to being the only one in my life. At this time, I inevitably feel a little strange in my heart. Is it too early to give this brat some power?
Empress Ma said at this time: "Biao'er personally drafted Sun's posthumous title and memorial text. I think it's very good. Chongba, I'll come and take a look too."
Her voice broke through the haze in Zhu Chongba's heart and eased the dull atmosphere in the hall. The air seemed to start to flow just now.
Zhu Yuanzhang stretched out his hand to take it and looked at it: "I have heard from ancient times that palace concubines whose virtues are sufficient to assist the internal organs and govern their families will definitely be given a posthumous title after their death."
But your noble concubine, Sun Shi, with her prudent talents, pure and virtuous conduct, diligence in work, and kindness to care for her subordinates, when the country was founded, she prepared a way to be vigilant and complementary, and her virtue and practicality were crowned by her concubines and emperors, and her merits were helpful. In Zhongwei, Fangqi will enjoy peace and prosperity, and Zeng Mo will be ranked among the longevity exams. It is appropriate to give him a posthumous title to show his respect. He can be given the posthumous title Chengmu. "
In order to offer sacrifices in the four seasons, the ritual department prepares ritual objects for sacrifices on the anniversary of the death of each year.
Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened a lot. At least his son had the intention of relenting rather than resisting to the end.
"If the prince doesn't want to, then let it be. Let the King of Wu..."
Zhu Biao lowered his head and interrupted: "Although the King of Wu is young, he also knows the importance of filial piety. He said that the imperial concubine is neither a direct descendant nor a living being. He does not dare to curse the birth because of death. He would rather avoid the throne."
Zhu Yuanzhang was unhappy again and reprimanded: "The Sun family has no children, but she took good care of your brothers during her lifetime. Why don't you show any respect for your elders?"
"After the death of your noble concubine, I and my brothers should fast for three days and fast for one month to show their condolences. However, we should never condescend to serve the concubines. This could lead to the father changing the laws and detracting from the spirit and upsetting the principles."
Seeing the father and son who were about to confront each other again, Empress Ma had no choice but to change her mind and said, "I heard that Sun's brother Sun Kuai has done well in Henan. Can I grant him a favor as appropriate?"
Zhu Biao didn't say anything. Old Zhu frowned and said: "Sun Kai's talent is ordinary. He would mislead others and himself by getting promoted to a higher position, and he should not be granted a title..."
Zhu Yuanzhang took the title very seriously. Even the founding fathers of the country had to have military merits before they could be knighted. There were very few civilian knights, let alone now.
Moreover, it was the imperial concubine Sun who was affectionate. It was difficult for Sun Kai to even count his relatives, so naturally he would not support her for nothing, and the queen's relatives were only rewarded with money and food.
"You can give me an extra salary and acres of land, and let the Sun family be responsible for the sacrifices in the future."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, but what he was thinking in his mind was that there were not enough things that the imperial court could reward his ministers to represent the emperor's favor. Perhaps it was time to reform the uniforms announced by the Ministry of Rites.
At this time, the female official from Kunning Palace came in: "Your Highness, the Holy Empress, the King of Jin, the King of Chu, the King of Wu, and several young princes are all outside the palace to see you."
"What kind of chaos are you here to cause? Let them go and copy the Classic of Filial Piety ten times!"
"promise."
The female official went out to convey the imperial edict to the princes. King Wu Zhu's eyes instantly turned red, and the younger ones all started crying as they felt they had been reprimanded and forced to copy books.
Zhu Xi and Zhu Fan both frowned in dissatisfaction. Their father was so hard-hearted this time that he didn't even care about his eldest brother's dignity, so naturally he wouldn't care about them.
It is not easy to observe mourning for a year. There are taboos in all aspects, not to mention eating, drinking and enjoying. Wearing sackcloth to worship can be tolerated. Who would want to do it without relatives or friends.
What's more, this matter is mainly disgusting. A mere concubine, who can be said to be just a concubine, is not worthy of enjoying such respect from the East Palace and the kings.
Hearing his younger brother's cries, Zhu Ping became more and more upset and angry. He turned around and cursed: "It's useless to just cry. Huh, come with me!"
Zhu Fan grabbed his second brother and whispered: "You can't leave. The eldest brother is still inside, and Liu Jin is standing there. It can be seen that the commotion inside is reaching a critical moment."
If Zhu Ming was not affected by his temper, he would actually be a very smart person. The matter concerned himself, so he suppressed his temper and ordered his brothers: "Kneel down. We won't leave until our father sees us."
After saying this, he knelt down neatly and neatly. His movements were extremely graceful and free, and his skills could advance the Tao and his art could comprehend the meaning of the gods. The few children were stunned and couldn't bear to cry.
…………
(End of chapter)
