Zhu Jianshen was really depressed. Even though he was the emperor, he still couldn't marry the woman he liked. He didn't even have the right to choose a wife.
Parents have the final say in matters of marriage, and even the emperor is no exception.
The final decision on the choice of queen does not lie with Zhu Jianshen, but with his mother, the Zhou family, the newly promoted Empress Dowager Zhou.
Speaking of the Queen Mother Zhou, it was not easy after many hardships and luck.
Now that she has become the Queen Mother, she naturally has to show off her authority.
The Ming Dynasty governed the country with filial piety. Although the queen was noble, she did not have much power. To be honest, she had to be the queen mother.
Therefore, this selection of the queen was made very grand at her initiative.
But the more she behaved like this, the more uncomfortable Zhu Jianshen became, and he developed a great rejection of it, but he couldn't express what was in his heart.
What did this make him say?
Should he tell his mother: Mom, I like Wan Zhen'er, who is the same age as you?
Besides, Wan Zhen'er got married under Bastard Li's operation. How could the emperor marry a second-married woman to be his queen?
It's simply...the most ridiculous thing in the world.
If he really does this, he will definitely become the first person in the Ming Dynasty and even in the entire history.
the last one!
Zhu Jian sighed deeply and thought to himself: It's not her anyway, love someone else!
By the way, Bastard Li promised...Zhu Jianshen suddenly remembered this and immediately said, "Let's go to Yongqing Hou's house."
"...Yes, I will make arrangements right away." Xiao Hengzi, the monk Zhang Er, was confused, but he did not dare to ask more questions. Just do whatever the emperor asked you to do. This will never go wrong.
~
Lianjiatun'er.
Li Qing's family of three were eating hot pot and chatting away. On a cold day, this was what he liked.
"Godfather, my child respects you."
"Yes." Li Qing raised his glass and clinked it with him, and said, "Next time you make hot pot, put more chili peppers."
"Hey," Li Hong said with a smile, "The main reason is that sister Wanqing doesn't like spicy food. I will go out to the street another day to see if I can customize a mandarin duck pot."
Li Qing teased: "Come on, he's quite good at hurting people."
Zhu Wanqing's face turned red and she said sheepishly: "I can actually eat spicy food. Big brother is thinking about Uncle Li and is afraid that you will get angry."
Li Qing glanced at the little girl and curled his lips, but didn't say anything.
The little girl is very thoughtful, but she is not the kind of person who is overbearing and rude. Li Hong does not just give without getting anything in return. The little girl also gives, likes and sincerely protects her.
When the two of them get married in the future, Li Hong won't be able to suffer any loss with this little girl around.
Li Qing said: "The Chinese New Year is only half a month away. Buy more New Year's goods in advance. It won't hurt even if the weather is cold. The prices of vegetables will increase by then."
"I know, godfather." Li Hong nodded.
Uncle Li, you really know how to live a good life... Zhu Wanqing resisted the urge to complain and said: "Uncle Li, our family is not short of this little money."
"Bullshit, where do you think Jinling's huge family fortune came from?" Li Qing rolled his eyes, "I saved every penny."
Zhu Wanqing couldn't believe it, and muttered: "With your seventh-grade salary, you won't be able to save such a big business in the Year of the Donkey."
"What do you mean?" Li Qing frowned.
Zhu Wanqing was excited and quickly waved her little hand: "Nothing, Uncle Li, you have food, no, Uncle Li, you have tea."
"Be careful, be careful about the way you speak." Li Qing took a sip of food.
"yes."
However, she couldn't help but be curious and asked in a low voice: "Uncle Li, can I ask how you accumulated such a large business?"
"Hey, my godfather doesn't have any family business?" Li Hong said speechlessly, "My godfather has a lot of money, he earns just enough to spend, and he's used to saving."
"What about Jinling...?"
"That was what Grandpa Zhu left for his godfather." Li Hong explained, "He even hugged you, but you were just born at that time and didn't remember anything yet..."
Li Hongbalabala explained...
"Is that so?" Zhu Wanqing was confused. This was the first time she had heard of it.
"That's it." Li Qing nodded, "Hurry up and eat your food."
"Uh...yes." Zhu Wanqing nodded, but a bigger question arose in her heart: Why did her father never mention this Grandpa Zhu? He made it clear that the money was Uncle Li's family property?
She frowned and glanced at Li Qing secretly. Unexpectedly, Li Qing was looking at her with interest, and she couldn't help but feel a shiver in her heart.
"Ahaha...Uncle Li, please eat the food."
Li Qing said meaningfully: "Uncle Li has told you a long time ago that being too smart is not a good thing. At your age, you should do what you should do at your age."
"Yes, Uncle Li." Zhu Wanqing was afraid, lowered her head and continued eating.
Li Hong felt a little sorry for his future wife, but it was his godfather who spoke, and he could not settle the injustice.
I have to take the time to tell sister Wanqing, don’t always offend the godfather... Li Hong thought so, and greeted with a smile: "Eat the vegetables, eat the vegetables, the mutton is cooked." ωＷω.ＧoＮЬ.οrＧ
'Bang bang bang...' At the same time as the knock on the door rang, a high-pitched voice came in, "Yongqinghou, is Yongqinghou at home?"
Li Hong put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up and said, "Godfather, you eat first, I'll open the door."
"Yes." Li Qing continued to eat and drink. Although he did not go to court, he always paid attention to the affairs in the court, and nothing major happened recently.
But soon, the godson’s surprised voice sounded:
"The common people see that long live our emperor."
Why is the little emperor here... Li Qing frowned and stood up, "You eat first, I'll go take a look."
"Uncle Li," Zhu Wanqing said nervously, "He knows me, could he..."
"If you don't talk loudly, you'll be fine." Li Qing said softly, "Besides, the rumor of blood recognition has been dispelled, so it won't be a problem."
Li Qing turned around and walked out of the living room. Before he left the door, he started to make a show of words, "Your Majesty, Li Qing, long live my emperor! Long live the emperor...!"
"No gift."
Zhu Jianshen blurted out out of habit, but then he discovered that Li Qing hadn't saluted yet.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After Li Qing thanked him, he stepped forward and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, if you have something to do, you can just send someone to say hello. Why bother to go there in person?"
"Ang, I've been depressed in the palace for a long time. Let's come out and relax." Zhu Jianshen pretended to be casual, paving the way for his next words.
It’s hard to tell, why don’t you come all the way just to ask Sister Wan how she is doing?
He waved his hand, "Please step aside, I will have a chat with Marquis Yongqing."
"yes."
The group of people retreated, and Li Hong also returned to the living room.
Zhu Jianshen couldn't help but ask the question, cleared his throat and said, "Is this where you live?"
Li Qing nodded: "It's a bit shabby and makes the emperor laugh."
He is an upright official... Zhu Jianshen commented in his heart, feeling slightly better about Li Qing.
"Ai Qing has made great contributions to the country, but living here seems to be unkind and unjust." Zhu Jian said with a deep smile, "I will reward Ai Qing with a house later."
Li Qing shook his head and said with a smile: "I am already old and don't need those things. The late emperor has already rewarded me with the Jinling Marquis Mansion. How dare I let the court spend more money?"
Zhu Jianshen: "..."
The other party didn't want a reward, so he was too embarrassed to mention it.
"Given by the king, no..."
"Your Majesty, are you here because of Wan Zhen'er?" Li Qing asked directly.
Zhu Jian was stagnant for a moment, then coughed slightly and said, "When you say that, it reminds me of this."
Li Qing: "..."
"I have inquired about it and she is doing very well now."
"Have you seen it with your own eyes?" Zhu Jianshen asked unwillingly.
Li Qing simply said: "Two sons and one daughter, a happy family."
Zhu Jianshen trembled and almost fell.
"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Li Qing quickly supported him.
Zhu Jianshen's energy and blood surged up, his face turned red, and he said sadly and angrily: "Li Qing, you..."
"Your Majesty, there are still people outside." Li Qing reminded.
"...Where is she?" Zhu Jianshen said through gritted teeth.
"There is no comment," Li Qing said, "Your Majesty, you have already made your choice before, right?"
Zhu Jian's eyes were deep and he wanted to spit fire, but he didn't dare to shout loudly, he also wanted to lose face.
"I just want to know her whereabouts, not what I want to do."
"How can the emperor go back on his word even if he keeps his promise?" Li Qing refused.
Zhu Jian said with deep hatred: "Then how can you prove that what you said is the truth?"
"If you think so, then there's nothing I can do about it." Li Qing shrugged.
Zhu Jian was so angry that his liver ached.
After a long while, he took a deep breath and said, "In this case, you ask her to write me a letter..."
"Your Majesty, can you be more sensible?" Li Qing said helplessly, "Everyone is already married, and they are happily raising their husbands and raising their children, so why are you bothering?
Is it necessary to break up her family?
There is a kind of love called letting go..."
Barabara...
Zhu Jian felt the pain in his heart and couldn't help but burst into tears. The young man's feelings had been buried in his heart for all these years. Instead of diminishing, they became more mellow like old wine.
"I just want to see her, even just once." Zhu Jianshen said hoarsely.
Li Qing asked: "If you were to choose again, would you choose her?"
"I..." Zhu Jian was speechless for a moment. If he chose again, he would still choose this way.
Li Qing knew that he was in a bad mood and said, "It's so cold, Your Majesty, you might as well come in and have a drink to warm yourself up."
Zhu Jianshen was silent for a long time, then nodded with red eyes: "Okay."
~
Zhu Wanqing was eating happily, with a vegetable leaf stuck in her mouth. When she saw the emperor's elder brother coming in, she quickly sucked it up, puffed out her cheeks, and said incoherently:
"Daughters of the people, long live our emperor, long live long live...!"
Li Hong also saluted again.
"Without courtesy, please step aside." Zhu Jianshen said forcefully.
"...Yes." Zhu Wanqing felt very distressed. The fish fillets had just come out of the pot and she hadn't even taken a bite yet.
"Sister Wanqing..." Li Hong winked at her and forcibly pulled her out.
Li Qing said politely: "Your Majesty, please."
Zhu Jianshen sat down with a sullen face and sniffed his nose. It was quite fragrant.
He hadn't had lunch, and his stomach was growling.
Li Qing picked up the serving chopsticks and handed them to him, "Your Majesty, have a taste."
"Ang." Zhu Jianshen took it and tasted it. It tasted really good, spicy and fragrant, and very enjoyable.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhu Jianshen was 70% full and said, "Didn't you say you have a drink? Where's the wine?"
"I'll give it to you." Li Qing said with a smile.
…
After all, Zhu Jianshen still loved Jiangshan more. Although he felt uncomfortable, he did not drink to drown his sorrows. After drinking seven or eight glasses, he stopped there, which made Li Qing quite happy.
At this age, it is rare to be able to not be swayed by emotions.
"I still have official duties to attend to in the afternoon." Zhu Jianshen stood up and said, "Let's go."
Li Qing also stood up and said, "Best farewell to your Majesty."
Zhu Jianshen paused, turned around and said, "From tomorrow onwards, if you don't go to court for a day, you will be fined one month's salary."
You are truly your father's son... Li Qing said: "Your Majesty, I am a distinguished noble, not a court official."
"The honorable nobles also have to go to court."
"But I am an honorable nobleman without a specific position." Li Qing said, "I am not like Marquis Wu Qing, who also serves as the admiral and commander-in-chief of the army. What do you want me to do in court?"
"Uh..." Zhu Jianshen hesitated, then hummed: "Let's go to court first."
You make me feel uncomfortable, so don't even think about feeling better... Zhu Jian glared at Li Qing with deep hatred and walked away.
~
On the way back, the more he thought about it, the worse he felt, and he felt very depressed.
'Li Qing is such a bastard, don't let me catch you... huh? handle? '
Zhu Jianshen suddenly grasped the key point, and his sad mood improved instantly.
'Li Qing hasn't traveled far in the past few months, so...'
