Queen Zhang did not expect Zhang Zhou to be so direct.
In her opinion, no matter what he did for the Zhang brothers, Zhang Zhou was always her husband's confidant, and there was still a deep generation gap between him and her.
"The queen must be surprised why I said this, right?" Zhang Zhou smiled, "Actually, my idea is to teach the prince well and make him a qualified prince, so that he can govern the country and secure the country in the future, and I can fully assist him. .”
The implication is that Zhang Zhou did not want the emperor to find a woman outside to have a son.
He only wanted to assist Zhu Houzhao and had no interest in assisting other princes.
And it is very likely that Zhang Zhou will fall into the whirlpool of party struggle due to factional issues among the princes... For example, if Zhang Zhou, as Zhu Houzhao's husband, loses to Zhu Houzhao's younger brother in the power struggle in the future, Zhang Zhou will be regarded as Being dissident may even lead to death and eternal disaster.
To put it this way, it is actually to establish a bond of communication between the two parties.
Queen, you see, our stance on protecting your son is actually the same.
Empress Zhang heard this meaning and asked eagerly: "Where is this woman now?"
Zhang Zhou had some time to ask: "What does the Queen want to do when she finds this girl? Kill her? Or make her have an abortion?"
"..." Queen Zhang became increasingly uncomfortable facing such a direct Zhang Zhou.
"Don't worry, Queen. Today's conversation is just a private chat, and no one else is present. I will not tell Your Majesty casually. This will cause trouble for me." Zhang Zhou was also very "caring".
You are afraid that if you say the wrong thing, I will tell your husband.
Don't worry, I won't tell you.
I have also reasoned with you. If I went to tell you, it was just a family statement and the emperor would not believe it.
But actually...is this really the case?
Even Zhang Zhou felt that if he really told the emperor that Empress Zhang wanted to kill his "favorite concubine" and the children in her "favorite concubine", Zhu Youtang would most likely believe him without hesitation, even if he was otherwise On one side is his married couple.
When it comes to PUA, Zhang Zhou considers himself second, and no one dares to admit he is first.
Queen Zhang said: "In your mind, Bingkuan, am I such a cruel and murderous person?"
yes.
Zhang Zhouxin said, who are you if you are not?
No matter how ordinary a woman is, if she reaches your position, she will not lose the privilege of being the mother of a country. She must want to kill anyone who hinders your monopoly of power, including me. What's so surprising about this?
It’s just a matter of whether you have the ability to kill him or not.
"Forgive me, Queen. In my opinion, killing this woman is indeed the best way to solve the problem." Zhang Zhou said.
Queen Zhang remained silent.
"But I also know that this is not in line with His Majesty's expectations. As the monarch of the Ming Dynasty, His Majesty wants to continue his incense. If someone really dares to murder the people around him, even his close relatives will not forgive him. I am just doing things. My ministers, do not dare to have delusions." Zhang Zhou explained the truth.
Queen Zhang asked: "Is there a better way?"
On the road.
Zhang Zhou said: "I have met Marquis Shouning before and discussed with him the matter of His Majesty taking a concubine. I once mentioned to him that it is better to block the situation than to block it."
"Did you mention this to He Ling?" Queen Zhang naturally remembered that his younger brother came to talk nonsense to him.
It's just that time has passed and she can't remember exactly what she said at that time. Anyway, she just said what she didn't like to hear, so she just heard it in one ear and out the other. By the way, she regarded her brother as a negative example of someone who doesn't recognize her relatives.
"Yes." Zhang Zhou admitted generously, "I mean, since Your Majesty did not directly mention this matter to the Queen, it shows that Your Majesty is full of guilt towards the Queen, and Your Majesty feels that he owes the Queen for this matter."
Empress Zhang gritted her teeth and said, "We've already found people and we have children, so why do we owe anything?"
Zhang Zhou said: "But the Queen must make good use of this layer of guilt."
"What do you mean?" Empress Zhang has no master now, and no one else can provide her with better advice. Zhang Zhou is like an emotional master, helping her both inside and outside of his words.
Zhang Zhou seems to want to help both her and her son. He seems to be wary of the emperor looking for women outside of his home. He speaks directly... This is exactly the method of psychological therapy. He uses some words of recognition to make you let go of your guard. ...and then work step by step to achieve the goal.
Zhang Zhou deliberately looked around, as if to confirm whether the walls had ears, and then said: "Queen, it is because Your Majesty feels guilty for you that you can better make terms with Your Majesty. Either kill this woman in this matter. , otherwise I can only accept it when I turn around, even if I kill one... there is no guarantee that Your Majesty will not find a second one, and there will be a gap between you and the Queen."
"What conditions are you proposing?" Queen Zhang did not feel that she was being led emotionally at all.
Zhang Zhou said: "That means, before this woman gives birth to a child, she will not be allowed to enter the palace!"
"What?" Queen Zhang was confused.
Zhang Zhou continued to talk eloquently: "It is essentially different to get the status and enter the palace before giving birth to the child, and to get the status after she gave birth to the child. The issue of the child's status alone cannot be solved."
Empress Zhang followed Zhang Zhou's wishes and fell into deep thought.
"If it is a prince, what qualifications does a child born outside the palace have to become the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty? And a concubine who gives birth to a child outside the palace will naturally be criticized for her origin and status, etc., and she will never be able to hold her head high. , cannot threaten the queen’s status.”
Zhang Zhou's words were actually "helping" Queen Zhang from every angle.
You have to take advantage of the emperor's guilt towards you, accept this girl, and at the same time create trouble for her entering the palace.
There is actually only one trouble that needs to be created, and that is to let her enter the palace after giving birth... In order for you to accept it, the emperor will most likely agree to your request. If he doesn't agree, I will help you get his consent.
In this way, even if this woman gives birth to an heir, a prince born outside the palace, his status cannot be compared with your son.
Queen Zhang thought about it and said: "Bingkuan, your suggestion is good, but she has already given birth to a son. If the prince has some shortcomings, he is not her child..."
Zhang Zhou said: "If the queen has no other heirs, and what happens to the prince, who will be the prince? And this will not prevent the queen from giving birth to a son in the future. At that time, a legitimate prince will be ranked higher than the son born by that woman. But a prince born outside the palace still can't compete with the prince born by the queen for the throne, right?"
When Queen Zhang heard this, she immediately became less wary.
She also has a brain.
If the emperor finds a woman and brings her into the palace to give birth to a son, even if it is just a concubine, it will still be the second son. After Zhu Houzhao is done, it will be this son's turn to be the crown prince or the emperor.
But if the son of a concubine is born outside the palace, he will be at a huge disadvantage in terms of status. The son of her empress Zhang, no matter how low in the ranks, will also have an advantage in competing for the position of prince. .
Zhang Zhou smiled and added: "And I will also help the queen."
You're afraid that you won't be able to compete, right?
It doesn't matter.
As long as I, Mr. Zhang, am here, and you have a son in the future, I will also help him obtain the status of heir to the throne, second only to the current crown prince.
Just ask, do you want to make this alliance?
"What if she gives birth again after entering the palace?" Queen Zhang seemed to want to agree to Zhang Zhou's proposal, but then she thought of a big problem.
If that woman gives birth to a son outside the palace, she will be at a disadvantage in the fight for the heir. But if this woman enters the palace, the baby will still be born faster than her... The next issue is the order of the line, which is a big problem. .
Zhang Zhou's face was full of confidence, and he smiled and said: "A woman who has given birth outside the palace, even if she enters the palace and gives birth to another child, what status will she have? And when she enters the palace, how long will she be favored? If she can give birth to a child, is there nothing the Queen can do?"
"I want her right now..."
Queen Zhang was so angry that she almost said harsh words to Zhang Zhou.
Why bother?
Just kill a hundred people!
Or let her enter the palace, there are ten thousand ways to prevent her from giving birth to a son!
Zhang Zhou said in a serious tone this time: "Your Majesty has always hoped to have another dragon heir. If it fails this time, maybe your Majesty will look for it again. It is hard to say to what extent it will develop by then and whether it will still be under control. And the Queen also You have to think about His Majesty, right?"
It sounds right for you to cause your husband's affair and prevent him from having a son, but don't forget that your husband is different from ordinary people. He is the emperor and has the power to have concubines, and others will encourage him to have concubines.
You are going against your husband and murdering his children, which is what you hate most in your husband's heart...because your husband himself was the father of the late emperor with another woman, and your husband has been living in the delusion of being persecuted since he was a child. , he will be deeply disgusted with a woman who murders her child so cruelly.
You take the risk of becoming enemies with your husband, and if you harm one of them, your husband will look for you again, and you won’t be able to harm him.
"It's better to block her than to block her, queen." Zhang Zhou persuaded her again, "And as far as I know, your majesty doesn't have much affection for this woman, or your majesty just wants to have an heir from her."
"How can you see it?" Queen Zhang didn't believe it.
Zhang Zhou said: "If Your Majesty is so concerned about this Jurchen, he will bring people into the palace at all costs. Why is he so embarrassed in front of the Queen? Even a pregnant woman who is about to have a child who needs a birth certificate cannot enter the palace." Palace...does this mean how much Your Majesty cares about the Queen's thoughts? If the Queen shows a considerate side at this time, she will win His Majesty's heart even more."
…
…
As a PUA master, Zhang Zhou takes spiritual counseling classes with Queen Zhang.
After hearing what he said, Queen Zhang seemed to calm down, because no matter from every angle, Zhang Zhou was "thinking about her."
"Bingkuan, do you know where that woman is?" Queen Zhang asked seriously.
Zhang Zhou cupped his hands and said: "I know that, and I also have ideas, but because of your majesty's trust, I am actually powerless to do something. If you want to do something, please ask the queen to do it herself. I don't want to betray your majesty."
If I want to kill you, don't do anything to me.
Zhang Zhou was the only person in the entire Ming Dynasty who dared to negotiate terms with Queen Zhang, and perhaps even Zhu Youtang himself did not dare.
Just like Zhang Zhou can take advantage of Zhu Houzhao every time.
Empress Zhang is obviously in a passive position in this matter. She needs Zhang Zhou as an ally. Even if she wants to intimidate Zhang Zhou, she understands that Zhang Zhou's unpredictable abilities are not something she can scare.
Zhang Zhou made it clear that he had the idea of having sex with women outside the palace. Even the emperor's women wanted to kill the courtiers... Empress Zhang also had to weigh her own strength.
She expressed her inner fear towards Zhang Zhou: "...then Bingkuan, why don't you use a method unknown to the world to make him..."
Just barely said.
You killed her with a thunderbolt.
God is unaware of it.
"Oh, I think so too, but I don't have the ability." Zhang Zhou said, "I know God's will but cannot change it. Queen, don't you understand what I mean now, and you still want to...continue to play against His Majesty?"
"well!"
Queen Zhang sighed heavily.
At this moment, the little eunuch's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, your Majesty is coming to Kunning Palace."
"Why is Your Majesty here?"
Queen Zhang was in a state of confusion.
Obviously she had not thought about how to face her husband or how to handle the matter.
Zhang Zhou understood what was going on.
When Zhu Youtang saw him coming to Kunning Palace, he remained silent for a long time. He seemed to be afraid that Queen Zhang would "take risks" and be detrimental to Zhang Zhou, so he hurried over to take a look.
Zhang Zhou said: "The Queen must think of it. I have to go out to meet the Holy Master. As I know, there is nothing that cannot be discussed between husband and wife. There are some things that the Queen must tell Your Majesty in person. It would be better to mention it to His Majesty."
"Then...thank you for the hard work, Bingkuan."
Empress Zhang also felt that Zhang Zhou was really here to "prescribe medicine" for her, because she had indeed found a way to break the ice.
Then...she stood up and nodded politely to Zhang Zhou.
…
…
"Your Majesty." Zhang Zhou stood at the door of Kunning Palace and greeted Zhu Youtang respectfully.
Zhu Youtang looked at Zhang Zhou, as if he was still uneasy. He looked up and down, as if he was afraid that Zhang Zhou was no longer intact.
Then he asked: "Where is the queen..."
Zhang Zhou said: "I have already said it. As for the Queen's attitude, I can't say. I will retire first?"
"You...don't leave yet." Zhu Youtang said, "Come in with me."
Zhu Youtang probably also felt that he might have to confess to his wife, and he only seemed confident if Zhang Zhou was by his side.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, husband and wife should be open and honest. This is how I get along with my wife. This is all based on experience. I hope your Majesty can understand."
"That's okay then."
Zhu Youtang looked at the gate of Kunning Palace as if looking at the gate of hell.
Zhang Zhou gently supported Zhu Youtang from behind, as if to push him in.
My child, you have grown up and are no longer a baby in swaddling clothes. You have to face your terrible tigress wife on your own. This is all I can do to help you!
…
…
Zhu Youtang entered Kunning Palace.
All the servants came out, and there was not a single one to watch.
After all, in the eyes of the emperor, it was not a glorious thing... Zhang Zhou didn't know where Zhu Youtang felt so guilty. Anyway, it was a matter between husband and wife, so he could just join in the fun outside.
He was thinking about it as he looked around.
The quality of the maids in Kunning Palace is also very poor. No wonder Zhu Youtang had no interest in them before. This wife is also very good at playing.
"gentlemen?"
Zhang Zhou was sitting on the steps, yawning out of boredom, when Xiao Jing came over with Wei Bin.
The two of them thought Zhang Zhou was accompanying the emperor and his wife, but they were naturally surprised when they saw Zhang Zhou sitting alone at the door of Kunning Palace as a doorkeeper.
"Two father-in-laws, are you... here to see Your Majesty?" Zhang Zhou stood up and greeted each other with a smile.
Xiao Jing came over and saluted: "It's about the Liaodong battle report. The second battle report is also for victory."
"Wait a minute," Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty and the Queen still have something to discuss, so we can't go over and disturb them."
"Huh? Oh..."
Xiao Jing understood immediately.
Some things are not convenient for outsiders to know, and they can only be matters for the emperor to take concubines.
"Then let's go back to the Qianqing Palace and wait. If you see His Majesty here, let him know." Xiao Jing was very sensible and was about to take Wei Bin back to the Qianqing Palace.
"Please." Zhang Zhou didn't hold back.
When the emperor talks about family affairs, even if you are the emperor's personal eunuchs, if you don't know what is going on, please step aside.
…
…
Zhang Zhou waited for a long time.
It felt like the flowers had withered, and everyone had taken a nap before they heard the door behind them creaking open.
Zhang Zhou quickly stood up, and when he looked over, he found that Zhu Youtang opened the door himself and came out. After a closer inspection, he found that Zhu Youtang was still a little disheveled.
Zhang Zhouyi could tell at a glance that it was because there was no one waiting inside, and he even bothered to tidy up his clothes. He was really someone waiting for others to serve him. His hands and feet must have faded, right?
"His Majesty?"
Zhang Zhou walked over to greet him.
When Zhu Youtang saw Zhang Zhou, he suddenly grinned like an innocent child.
"Let's go, let's talk."
"yes."
The monarch and his ministers walked towards Qianqing Palace.
The rest of the attendants were not allowed to come near.
Zhu Youtang looked into the distance and said: "The queen took the initiative to propose to me that she wanted to have a concubine for me. She also said that if I have someone, I can bring her into the palace at any time. If the queen talks about it, I will tell everything. ”
Zhang Zhou said: "Then Your Majesty didn't say anything else?"
"Have said it, she said that she can be allowed into the palace, but it is best to wait until after she gives birth to a child. This is not only to avoid other people's gossip and think that the queen is jealous of this girl, but also to allow the palace to make some preparations. , let the minister propose the concubine first, so that I can have a step to get down."
I found this reason...
Zhang Zhouxin said that as expected, Queen Zhang had no political thinking, and even the excuses she gave were so perfunctory.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, you should know that this proposal was made by me."
"Of course I know. Haha." Zhu Youzhi smiled proudly, "You told me that the most important point in this matter is to find a way out for each other. It is up to you to talk about this matter. In fact, it will make things difficult for you. ”
Zhang Zhouxin said, "Yes, I am the bad guy when it comes to your husband and wife's affairs."
Just because you are a weak husband?
"But now that we have given each other a step, my wish has been fulfilled." Zhu Youtang was very happy.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, we cannot take things lightly now."
"Huh?" Zhu Youtang looked over in confusion.
"Your Majesty is thinking, if none of the ministers in the DPRK know that you want to take a concubine or that the concubine is pregnant, how can you promote this matter? You should also find someone you trust and reveal the matter. This is also to avoid new incidents. After the imperial concubine gives birth to a son, the question of the title of the prince or the little princess will arise."
Zhang Zhou reminded.
You, a father, have a short circuit in your head or something?
Do you have to wait until the woman outside you gives birth to the child before you remember to tell the minister?
If you don't tell me in advance, will people admit that this is your child?
(End of chapter)
