In the inner hall of Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang woke up in panic.
He only slept for more than an hour last night, and he still had the fear of divine punishment in his heart. This sleep also showed the fragile side of his heart.
"His Majesty."
Dai Yi, who was standing next to him, quickly came over.
Zhu Youtang stretched out his hand, and a eunuch immediately handed him a handkerchief. He wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I have nightmares again, it's all from my childhood..."
After hearing this, Dai Yi felt the same way and his expression became sad.
Zhu Youtang has been living in fear since he was born. His childhood experience has made Zhu Youtang worried all the time. It is precisely because he grew up in a repressive atmosphere from childhood to adulthood that Zhu Youtang is now in poor health. The most common dreams I have as an adult are of my childhood, because they are etched at the bottom of my memory.
"Your Majesty, Zhang Jieyuan has been waiting outside for a long time." Dai Yi reminded.
Zhu Youtang nodded.
A eunuch next to him asked: "Your Majesty, breakfast is ready."
"no appetite."
Zhu Youtang stood up, and someone immediately helped Zhu Youtang get dressed. He even asked someone to change the white single layer of sweat-soaked clothes underneath.
Dai Yi suddenly thought of something, took out the four-character mantra written by Zhang Zhou from his arms, and presented it to him.
"What is this?" Zhu Youtang looked at it and couldn't understand it at all.
Dai Yi said: "Zhang Jieyuan is going to present it to His Majesty, and he also said that if this is given to Li Guang, Li Guang will know what to do."
"Li Guang..."
Only now did Zhu Youtang seem to remember this person.
Dai Yi said hurriedly: "Li Guang has been at Qin'an Hall since last night and has never been seen outside."
"Humph." Zhu Youtang was also very angry after hearing this, "Does he also know how to repent?"
Dai Yi was frightened.
It seemed that the emperor had no intention of killing Li Guang.
He hurriedly said: "After previously informing the ministers about the disaster in Qingning Palace, the ministers have gone back to prepare a joint memorial. Perhaps they want to use the pox epidemic and the fire in Qingning Palace to talk about the two disasters. …”
This is to tell the emperor that someone must take the blame for the plague in the capital and the fire in Qingning Palace.
If Li Guang hadn't carried it, you would have carried it yourself.
Zhu Youtang also seemed to understand that the fire in Qingning Palace would have a considerable impact. Let alone whether the civil servants believed in divine punishment or not, even he, the emperor, believed in this stuff.
God's punishment has come. If the emperor doesn't do something, he may not give you a fire next time.
"Your Majesty, do you still want to send this note?" Dai Yi asked for instructions.
Zhu Youtang said: "I also want to know what this is for. Send it over. If Li Guang really knows what he should do, it will be his life."
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Zhang Zhou has been waiting outside the palace.
After a long time, after Zhu Youtang had washed up, he was received in Qianqing Palace.
The same treatment as last time, Zhang Zhou was given a seat when he came up, and Dai Yi stood aside, as well as Chen Kuan, the superintendent of rituals. As for Xiao Jing, the admiral of Dongchang, he had already gone to deliver a four-character note on behalf of the emperor.
"...Bingkuan, you saved my dear ones again, I don't even know how to reward you!"
After a simple greeting and the emperor and his ministers sitting face to face, Zhu Youtang went straight to the point and wanted to give Zhang Zhou a reward.
Zhang Zhou would not say anything ominous this time, and seemed much more harmonious.
Zhang Zhou said: "Although I thought there was a fire in the palace, I couldn't find a way to resolve it. I feel guilty and dare not ask for a reward."
To Dai Yi and Chen Kuan, Zhang Zhou's words were very beautiful.
But they are also thinking, if this fire is not a sky fire, but an ordinary fire and it is guarded against, no one will think you are a god. The emperor has said it before, some people like to falsely report disasters and then take credit for their achievements in disaster prevention. ?
Is this a fire?
It’s simply a touchstone.
And it is clear at a glance who is the real gold between you and Li Guang.
Zhu Youtang said: "You are a juren, and your talents and writings are also good. If you take part in the examination next year, you may become a Jinshi and become an official in the future. I can't reward you with an official position now. I just hope that this matter will not have any impact on you. You Prepare for the exam with peace of mind.”
"Thank you for your teaching, Your Majesty." Zhang Zhou expressed his gratitude.
He was thinking at the same time.
Fortunately, the emperor was reasonable and didn't let me become the second Li Guang in the future, and he didn't let me enter the palace to make elixirs for you. Even if it was polite.
"However." Zhu Youtang changed the topic and said, "There should still be rewards. I am prepared to protect one of your heirs and guard thousands of households in Jinyi."
"ah?"
As soon as these words came out, not to mention Zhang Zhou, even Dai Yi and Chen Kuan next to him were shocked.
Yin Jinyi guards thousands of households. Only civil servants who have made meritorious service to the Ming Dynasty or are veterans of the three dynasties are eligible to enjoy this kind of treatment.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed to accept this."
"You don't have to refuse." Zhu Youtang's attitude was very firm, "You didn't save the people around me once. When you saved my daughter, I planned to give you such a reward, but I just revealed the reward now. But Bingkuan, if anything happens to you in the future, don’t engage in those pretentious things, just say what you have to say."
Zhang Zhouxin said, "F*ck."
Am I pretending to be a ghost?
What is the matter of metaphysics other than pretending to be a ghost? Of course, this is not metaphysics, but history. It may also involve miscellaneous subjects such as time and space travel, but it cannot be called science.
If I hadn't pretended to be a ghost and told you that this was God's will, and you had read my memorial and listened to my words, would you have believed it?
Zhu Youtang asked: "How did you prepare for the exam after arriving in the capital?"
Zhang Zhou said: "I have just arrived, and I haven't thought about preparing for the exam. I have been busy settling down my family for the past two days."
"Yes." Zhu Youtang nodded and said to Dai Yida, "If there are any unused official offices in the capital, give him a few, closer to the palace gate, so that he can concentrate on nothing else."
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, I am not asking for rewards.
But he didn't say anything.
The result is good... You don’t have to buy a house yourself, the emperor directly gives you one. What could be better than this?
Very thoughtful.
Beautiful.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Dai Yi accepted the order. He wanted to congratulate Zhang Zhou, but he didn't dare to laugh. After all, a fire had just broken out in Qingning Palace at this time, and everyone had to restrain their expressions.
Zhu Youtang asked again: "Bingkuan, what do those four words you gave me earlier, white rice and yellow rice, mean? I'm not very clear."
Zhang Zhou said: "If I tell you in advance or make His Majesty angry, it will not be good for His Majesty's dragon body. Therefore, I think it is better to wait for these two days... after the incident occurs, and reveal it bit by bit."
Of course Zhang Zhou couldn't say it now. White rice and yellow rice were the terms used by Li Guang when he kept accounts after taking bribes. White rice represented silver, while yellow rice represented gold.
If Li Guang sees these four words given to him by the emperor and knows that even his corruption and perversion of the law are known to the emperor, and the emperor gives you these four words, isn't this asking you to commit suicide?
But if we make it clear to the emperor now, then if the emperor wants to save Li Guang, he will definitely send someone to stop him.
And some things... there is currently no evidence.
"You're selling it off again."
Zhu Youtang glanced at Zhang Zhou, but it seemed like an elder brother was giving advice to his younger brother, without any anger or blame at all.
Dai Yi said: "Zhang Jieyuan, if your Majesty asks you, just reply."
Zhu Youtang stretched out his hand to interrupt Dai Yi: "Forget it, he doesn't want to say it. I won't ask for now. Didn't he say it? I will know in the next two days."
Just as he was talking, Zhang Yong came in at the door.
"What's the matter?" Zhu Youtang asked.
Zhang Yongdao: "The Empress Dowager knew that Zhang Jieyuan had entered the palace, so she specially sent her servants here, saying that she would ask your Majesty to bring someone over to see him."
Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan, you see, even the Queen Mother is paying close attention to you. If it weren't for you this time, she would be in danger. Just show off."
"Your Majesty, shouldn't I..."
Zhang Zhou wanted to say, is it inconvenient for me as a foreign minister to meet the female relatives in the inner palace?
"You will come to this palace often in the future, no problem!" Zhu Youtang had already stood up and said in passing.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, everyone said that I will come to the palace often in the future... Is this a hint?
You won’t let me cut...
No, Li Guang was favored first and then with the talisman. If you, the emperor, let me, a married man, enter the palace as a eunuch, you would really be a coward.
This emperor who is famous for his benevolence and righteousness should not be able to do such a thing, right?
…
…
Zhang Zhou followed Zhu Youtang and walked towards Renshou Palace.
Dai Yi and Chen Kuan could only follow behind Zhang Zhou. As for Zhang Yong and the other palace maids, eunuchs, and royal guards, they had to stay back.
All the way to Renshou Palace, you can see palace maids coming and going in a hurry everywhere.
Outside the Renshou Palace, there was a large group of people. Zhang Zhou expected that Queen Zhang was also accompanying Queen Mother Zhou inside, because Zhang Yong who came to deliver the message was Queen Zhang's person.
"Tell the Imperial Grandmother that I am here with Bingkuan."
When the emperor arrived in front of Renshou Palace, he did not step in front. Even the emperor had to wait respectfully outside for the summons of the Empress Dowager.
Zhang Zhou also felt the utmost filial piety carried by Zhu Youtang.
Just when Zhang Yong went in to report, he poked his head out from the door of the main hall of Renshou Palace.
She has braids, a pair of big and bright eyes, and very white skin. Under her beautiful nose and jade ears, her red lips are slightly opened, revealing two rows of white teeth, and she is looking out innocently.
"Your Highness, come in quickly." Then there was a little palace maid next to her, pulling the little girl back.
When the girl looked at Zhang Zhou, her expression was slightly frozen, and she tilted her head to look at Zhang Zhou as if she was still a little curious.
When Zhang Zhou saw this scene, he seemed to be shocked.
It's not that he has any thoughts about this little girl... It's because he knows that the whirlpool of history has been stirred up, and the little princess Zhu Xiurong who was supposed to have passed away is now appearing in front of him with a lively and cute look.
The Ming Dynasty is no longer the Ming Dynasty he is familiar with, and everything in the future may be subject to change.
