The Emperor's return to Beijing today had been planned in advance. When the honor guard entered the imperial city and entered the square in front of Fengtian Hall from the main entrance of the palace, the banquet was already ready.
Having a banquet on important events is an old tradition that has not changed for thousands of years.
Zhu Qizhen helped Qian get off the golden dragon chariot and asked softly: "Are you feeling unwell?"
Qian shook his head slightly, indicating that nothing was wrong.
Zhu Jianshen also noticed that the Supreme Empress seemed to be ill, so he stepped forward and asked, "Father, do you want to call the imperial doctor to diagnose and treat your mother?"
"No need."
Zhu Jianshen did not force himself and said with a smile: "There is also a banquet in Kunning Palace. My mother and concubine have been tired all the way. Let's go to Kunning Palace to rest first."
With that said, Concubine Chao Chen and Concubine De winked.
The latter hurriedly supported Mr. Qian from left to right, respectfully and affectionately, "Mother, I, my son, my concubine, will help you go home."
These two concubines had already been instructed to behave affectionately and fawningly on purpose. They were close to Zhu Jian and far away from the Queen Mother Zhou. This was also the reason why they could give birth to the emperor's heir.
And Zhu Jianshen did this just to check and balance his mother!
Mainly because he felt that my mother was starting to be dishonest again.
It is true that he is the emperor with real power, but no matter how powerful the emperor is, he can't always be at odds with his mother. Now that the empress dowager is back, I think I can settle down.
Of course, it would be easier and more effective for the Emperor to take action, but Zhu Jianshen did not want to give the Emperor a chance and just wanted to enjoy his old age.
Zhou's anger was indeed dissipated. The moment she saw Qian's return, she understood that her position as the master of the harem was about to be vacated.
Originally, she could rely on her son to win over her, but after being interfered with by that bitch Wan Zhen'er, her son no longer agreed with her.
Regardless of whether Zhou can accept it or not, she must accept this fact.
The situation is over!
Zhou's heart was sad, but she still had to put on a happy look on her face.
"Your Majesty, my concubine and Sister Qian went to Kunning Palace first?"
Zhu Qizhen said softly, "Hmm", nodded and said, "Go ahead."
Concubine Chen, Concubine De, Concubine Shu... and Zhen'er, who had been hiding among the group, bowed: "I, my concubine, please retire."
…
After the concubines left, Zhu Jian smiled deeply and said, "Father, please take a seat."
"Well..." Zhu Qizhen breathed a sigh of relief, walked to the royal table and took a seat.
Zhu Jianshen sat down on his left side and said to the eunuch beside him: "Go and call the prince over quickly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhu Jianshen turned back and smiled at Zhu Qizhen: "Father, the prince is thirteen years old this year. He is kind, filial, intelligent and studious. I am very happy to hear that you are back, father."
"Your name is Youtang, right?"
"Yes." Zhu Jianshen was not surprised. With Li Qing and Li Hong as father and son, it is impossible for the father not to know the name of the crown prince. He explained: "My son named him '樘' because I hope that he will be able to do it in the future." Become the pillar of Ming Dynasty.”
"Good name." Zhu Qizhen praised.
"No, my father is so complimentary." Zhu Jianshen was reserved.
…
The father and son were not familiar with each other, and their conversation was very awkward.
However, there was a tacit understanding between father and son. They didn't seem to notice the ministers standing eagerly.
In fact, the food began to be served when the father and son sat down. It was almost ready now, and the officials were still standing around.
Everyone knew that they would have a feast at noon, but they had hardly eaten since the morning, and they had gone all the way out of the city to meet him. Now they were all hungry, some of them in poor physical condition, and even started to feel dizzy and almost unsteady on their feet.
However, the emperor refused to let them sit down, and no matter how tired they were, they could only stare.
At this time, Zhu Youtang hurried over with the young eunuch.
The child in the past has now grown into a teenager. He has grown a lot taller. He is still chubby, but also full of vitality.
Zhu Youtang has never seen the legendary Grandfather Supreme Emperor, but he can tell it from his clothes without having seen him.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed to pay homage: "Zhu Youtang pays homage to the emperor's grandpa, and pays homage to the emperor."
"No gifts, no gifts." Zhu Qizhen was very kind and happy to his eldest grandson, whom he had never met before.
He is indeed happy.
After enjoying the blessings in Jinling for decades, how can I not be happy when my grandson is so old when he comes back?
He stood up and took his eldest grandson's hand, asking him to sit on his right side. He looked at the descendant up and down and said with a smile: "He looks really strong."
"Uh-huh... Grandpa Huang, thank you." Zhu Youtang was a little embarrassed. He also knew that he was a little fat.
While they were talking, all the dishes were served, and Zhu Jianshen said: "Everyone, please stop standing. Please sit down."
We don't want to stand either, okay... All the ministers cursed, bowed and sat down.
Huh~ I can finally take it easy.
Next, it was time to wait for the emperor to pick up the food.
Fortunately, they didn't wait long this time. As soon as they sat down, they saw the emperor serving food to the Supreme Emperor.
"Father, please try it and see if it suits your taste."
Zhu Qizhen accepted his son's filial piety, tasted it, nodded and said, "Yes!"
With that said, he gave Zhu Youtang a chicken leg.
"Thank you, Grandpa Huang." Zhu Youtang thanked him before starting.
Zhu Jianshen smiled deeply and said to the ministers: "My dear friends, please don't be polite."
After saying that, with a touch of his palm, Jiaofangsi began to play music.
It can be eaten... The ministers picked up their chopsticks, but before they could pick up the food, the conspicuous bag appeared.
Wan An stood up and raised his glass, with red eyes, he said with emotion: "Today is a happy day for my Ming Dynasty. Colleagues, please stand up and respect the Emperor and the Supreme Emperor."
You're the only one who knows how to flatter me, so why don't you let us have some food to eat? The ministers quickly stood up and raised their glasses and bowed in salute: "To the Emperor, to the Emperor."
After saying that, drink it all in one gulp.
The father and son also drank a drink with smiles on their faces.
Putting down the cup, Zhu Qizhen asked: "Who is that person?"
"This man's name is Wan'an. He has been a Jinshi for 13 years and currently holds the post of Second Assistant to the Cabinet." Zhu Jianshen explained.
I was still a Jinshi when I was the emperor, and the flattery was really blunt... Zhu Qizhen nodded, but didn't say anything.
As an emperor and a minister, his son has done quite well over the years, and he doesn't want to meddle in other people's business. ΟиЪ.ōΓＧ
Zhu Qizhen understood that his son must have a motive for retaining such a flatterer, but this did not prevent him from being displeased with him.
Seeing his father's slightly displeased expression, Zhu Jianshen knew that Wan'an's flattery had the opposite effect. Thinking about it, Beishou has been away for decades, which is not a glorious thing. You still leave a conspicuous bag here, which is just flattering. Regardless of the occasion...
Zhu Jian gave Wan An a deep look and said, "The Supreme Emperor doesn't have so many rules, you all can do as you please."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The ministers sat down again and began to eat and drink...
Zhu Qizhen really felt disgraceful, he felt guilty! Although decades have passed and there are almost no old faces now, he is still ashamed. After all, he was so heroic when he left, but in the end...
Time has memory.
Only two-quarters of an hour after the banquet started, Zhu Qizhen left the venue midway, citing fatigue.
As soon as he left, it was inconvenient for Zhu Jianshen's son to eat any more. On the first day of the Emperor's return, his son could not neglect his father.
After saying "Your Majesty's permission," he followed his father.
If you both leave, then I will leave too... Zhu Youtang picked up the cotton handkerchief on the table and wiped the corners of his mouth, then followed suit.
~
Qianqing Palace.
Three generations of grandfather and grandson were sipping tea and chatting, but... chatting just for the sake of chatting is always boring.
Zhu Qizhen cared deeply about his beloved wife. After chatting stiffly for a while, he went straight to the point and said, "Have the accommodation arrangements been made for your mother and I?"
Zhu Jianshen nodded: "Since my mother is back, she will naturally live in Kunning Palace. Father... will live in Qianqing Palace, right?"
"Huh? No need!" Zhu Qizhen refused. He knew his son was being polite. Of course, he didn't want to live in Qianqing Palace, "Let's find another place."
Zhu Jianshen took advantage of the situation and said, "How about... Changle Palace?"
"Yes, yes." Zhu Qizhen nodded lightly, pondered for a moment, and said: "Your mother is not in good health, so she might as well live with me. As for Kunning Palace...let her live there."
Zhu Qizhen was very unfavorable and even disgusted with Mr. Zhou. Even in front of his son, he still did not hide his dislike for him.
So much so that I don’t even want to mention the name.
Zhu Jianshen was not angry at all. Firstly, he, a younger generation, was not qualified to comment on the grudges and grudges of the older generation. Secondly, he also had great opinions on his own mother.
"Then let's take what the father said." Zhu Jianshen nodded lightly and added: "If the father has any requests, just tell me, so as to give my son a chance to make amends with his filial piety."
"You are very filial." Zhu Qizhen said happily, "Looking at the nearly twenty years since you succeeded to the throne, your achievements are second only to Taizu and Taizong. My father... I am very pleased."
After a moment of silence, he added: "My father is a man of great ambition and talent, but I am lucky to have you."
A son makes up for his father's mistakes and accomplishes what his father wanted to accomplish but failed to accomplish. This is the greatest filial piety.
Zhu Qizhen said calmly: "As an emperor, I am not as good as you."
"Father, you have betrayed your son." Zhu Jianshen stood up hurriedly and bowed.
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "It's just the truth. If you do well, it's good. I'm very relieved that Ming Dynasty has you."
After that, he said to his eldest grandson: "You have to learn from your father, you know?"
Zhu Youtang quickly bowed his head and said respectfully: "My grandson, please remember this."
"Well, okay..." Zhu Qizhen exhaled and said, "I'll go over first. I'll see you busy with your official duties."
"My son, I will accompany you."
"No, state affairs are important." Zhu Qizhen smiled, and before leaving the house, he couldn't help but add: "Well... in the end, managing a country depends on capable ministers and officials."
Zhu Jianshen knew that he was talking about Wan'an, so he cupped his hands and said, "My father is right, I understand."
"That's good." Zhu Qizhen said no more and walked out.
"My son (grandson) respectfully sends my father the emperor (grandfather)."
Zhu Jianshen and Zhu Youtang bowed and bowed.
Looking up again, Zhu Youtang said flatteringly: "Father, the emperor wants me to learn from you."
Zhu Jianshen chuckled, then straightened his face: "What do you want to learn?"
"What my father teaches me, my sons learn." Zhu Youtang scratched his head and said with a smile.
"You're not picky." Zhu Jianshen finally couldn't hold it back and laughed again.
Seeing this, Zhu Youtang took the opportunity to ask: "Father, does this prince, my son, suit you?"
"Just so so." Zhu Jianshen stopped smiling again.
Zhu Youtang suddenly became nervous, "Well, father, will you change the prince?"
~
ps: After getting an injection, my butt hurt so much that I couldn’t sit still. I’m kneeling down to code this chapter. Winter is coming, so you guys should keep warm. Please take a day off!
