Zhu Di returned to the harem with a lot of worries. Although he had several young and beautiful concubines, he still liked to come to the queen's palace when he was worried. Only here could he relax and rest.
Zhu Di came to Kunning Palace. Before entering the palace, he heard a burst of laughter. He was childish, innocent and very lively. He couldn't help but frown, knowing that his eldest grandson was here. Zhu Gaochi and his wife often brought their son to the harem.
Saying hello, he would sit for a while every time, talking and chatting with his mother, but the eldest son probably received more reprimands since childhood. Zhu Gaochi was more afraid of his father, and became dull when he saw Zhu Di.
The old son and the eldest grandson are what the old man loves the most. Zhu Zhanji is not only beautiful, but also smart and sensible. He is especially popular with Zhu Di. When the eldest grandson comes, Zhu Di feels much better. He has not yet entered.
, the lines on the face have softened.
"My daughter-in-law has met my father!"
As soon as the Crown Princess Zhang saw Zhu Di coming in, she rushed forward to salute. Zhu Zhanji also jumped over and took his hand and said sweetly: "Hello, Grandpa Emperor, please give me a hug!"
"Okay, okay, grandpa hugs me!"
Zhu Di smiled happily, picked up his eldest grandson, and said to Mrs. Zhang: "Get up, I have told you so many times that my family and the harem should not be so formal!"
It sounded like criticism, but his expression was pleasant. Although Zhu Di didn't like his eldest son very much, he was particularly fond of his eldest daughter-in-law and grandson. Zhang was the commander, the daughter of Zhang Qicheng, the Marquis of Pengcheng, intelligent and virtuous.
She was friendly to others, behaved dignifiedly, and was especially filial to the elderly. Her filial piety was sincere and not pretentious, which made her very popular with Zhu Di and Empress Xu.
It was this Zhang family who, in the original history, went through Hongwu, Jianwen, Yongle, Hongxi, Xuande, and the Six Orthodox Dynasties, from a common woman to a concubine, a crown princess, and then to the empress, empress dowager, and emperor of the world.
The Queen Mother was kind and strict to her children, and strictly controlled her natal family. She was a good wife and mother at home, and a virtuous queen at court. During her lifetime, the eunuch Wang Zhen was afraid of her serious authority and never dared to interfere in politics.
Evaluated as "Yao and Shun among women".
With such a daughter-in-law, Zhu Di and Empress Xu naturally have nothing to choose from.
Zhu Di raised his head and saw Ming'er again. He couldn't help but smile and said: "Ming'er is here too, but you haven't been here for a while. Although you are pregnant, it is good to move around. Your sister has always missed you.
"
As he said that, Zhu Di moved his eyes to his queen's face. At this look, he couldn't help but be startled. He and Empress Xu had been husband and wife for many years, and they had always been in love. What was different about his beloved wife?
Naturally, it was obvious at a glance that although Empress Xu also had a smile on her face, with just one glance, he could see that his beloved wife was smiling forcefully, and her eyes were slightly red, and there seemed to be faint traces of tears.
Zhu Di suddenly became suspicious, but it was difficult to ask the truth in front of Ming'er and his daughter-in-law.
Zhu Zhanji was held in his arms, playing with his beard and twisting it like a twist, asking him to tell him stories about the war. Zhu Di couldn't bear it, so he had to sit down with him in his arms and tell a story about his campaign outside the Great Wall.
Zhu Zhanji clapped his hands and applauded the story of capturing the Hu chief Bolin Timur alive during a great battle in Cheche'er.
But after all, the child had no temper and couldn't stand it after hearing a story, so he pestered his aunt Ming'er to go fishing with him.
Zhu Di couldn't help stroking his beard and laughing: "You naughty boy, Baoqing has grown up and you don't come to harm my goldfish. Now it's your turn. As soon as you come, grandpa's fish will suffer. Haha, go ahead, go ahead
, look at him, the child is naughty, don’t fall into the pool.”,
Ming'er smiled and agreed, then took Zhu Zhanji's little hand and left.
Mrs. Zhang hurriedly stood up and said: "Father, Aunt Ming is pregnant. My daughter-in-law is worried, so you should go and take care of her."
Zhu Di said "Ah", slapped his forehead and said: "Yes, yes, I forgot about this. Now Ming'er is also a person who needs others to take care of her. Okay, you can go and take care of her!"
Mrs. Zhang agreed and left.
Zhu Di held his knees and glanced at Empress Xu. Empress Xu turned her head just in time, as if to bring tea, and avoided his gaze by chance.
Zhu Di waved his hand, and the maids and chamberlains waiting in the palace immediately bowed gently and all left.
Zhu Di coughed and asked with concern: "Are you worried?"
As soon as Empress Xu's hand touched the tea cup, she heard that you trembled and quickly shook her head and said: "I have nothing on my mind. Your Majesty, please don't make random suspicions."
Zhu Di shook his head and said: "Queen, how many years have you and I been husband and wife? Don't I know if you have something on your mind?"
He walked over, gently put Xu Hou's hand between his own, and said softly: "You have been in poor health in recent years. Once a headache occurs, you will be in excruciating pain. Don't think too deeply! You are my mother.
Queen of the world, what else in the world can trouble you? If you have any difficult matters on your mind, just tell me and listen to me!"
Empress Xu avoided his gaze, gently pulled back her hand and said: "It's really nothing, I just saw that my grandson is already so old, and I remembered when the three brothers Gao Chi, Gao Xu and Gao Sui were at this age.
Playing together all day long in the palace, acting like monkeys, and making you angry, the three brothers protect each other, and they are respectful to each other. They are so loving and affectionate, and suddenly I feel something."
Zhu Di's eyes flashed, and he vaguely understood. He couldn't help but solemnly said: "Do you have any thoughts on the fact that the queen is against the prince?"
Empress Xu hurriedly left her seat and said respectfully: "You are not allowed to interfere in politics in the harem. This is the emperor's legacy. How dare I go against it? State affairs... I really don't want to get involved, and I don't dare to interfere. It's just that my three sons are all.
He is my own flesh and blood. I dare not get involved in state affairs, but when I think about family affairs, I can’t help but feel worried..."
Zhu Di didn't understand, and frowned: "What on earth is the queen going to say? Why can't I understand it?"
Empress Xu hesitated to speak, and Zhu Di said displeasedly: "Queen! You are my bed partner, Zhu Di, and we have been a married couple for the rest of our lives. Is there anything else you can't say?"
When Empress Xu heard this, two lines of hot tears suddenly flowed down. As soon as she took off her skirt, she knelt down in front of Zhu Di and said with tears streaming down her face: "I made a promise to the emperor and never asked for anything. Today.
There are only you and me here. I have something to ask of you, and I beg the emperor to please you and me, for the sake of our love as husband and wife, and you must agree to it!"
Zhu Di was greatly surprised. Seeing his beloved wife crying sadly, he felt very distressed. He hurriedly stepped forward to help her and said repeatedly: "Quickly, queen, get up quickly. There is nothing that you and I can't discuss. Why are you still giving such a big gift? Get up quickly, hurry up."
stand up!"
Queen Xu shook her head, her expression even more sad.
"I just want to ask the Emperor for one thing!"
Zhu Di couldn't help her, so he kept saying: "You tell me, why do you need to make this gesture?"
Empress Xu said: "The establishment of a crown prince is a major matter for the country. As a woman, I dare not interfere. The three sons are all my biological children, and there is no preference for anyone. As a mother, I only hope that all my children will be happy."
If you live a peaceful and healthy life, you will be content. No matter which child the emperor chooses to be the crown prince, he must have the emperor’s consideration. I have nothing to say, I only think about my family, I hope... I hope... "
Zhu Di was so anxious that he almost jumped up and said repeatedly: "Queen, just say it, I don't blame you, I will never blame you."
Queen Xu said quietly: "I have been suffering from headaches in the past few years, which have become more and more serious. I have hired many famous doctors and taken many prescriptions, but they have no effect. I am worried that I will not be able to serve the emperor for too long, let alone take care of him all the time.
I want to take care of our child, so I want to beg the emperor. If the emperor makes our eldest son the prince, that will be fine. Gao Chi is kind and loving, and he always cares for his younger brother, so it will not lead to any human tragedy. But Gao Xu, Gao Chi
Those two kids..."
Empress Xu sighed softly and said with tears: "Gao Chi is your eldest son. Since the Duke of Zhou established the ceremony, all dynasties have established legitimate eldest sons. Now the emperor is worried about Gao Chi's body. It doesn't matter if he chooses Gao Xu.
, I'm afraid that in Gao Xu's heart, they are both sick after all. Since they gradually understood the truth, their brotherhood has gradually weakened. After several years of experience in fighting with the army, their murderous intent has accumulated, and their brotherhood has become even more...
I am worried that once Gao Xu ascends the throne, he will never be able to tolerate his brother who threatens his throne, nor will he be able to tolerate the child Zhan Ji. By then..., Seeing Zhan Ji's carefree look today, I feel something about it, both physically and mentally.
Therefore, I am sad. I only hope that if the emperor chooses Gao Chi, he will find a way to resettle Gao Chi's family, or seal the vassal country to keep them away from the Central Plains, or..., alas! I am in a state of mental and physical confusion.
, I can’t think of a wise opinion as a woman, but I hope the emperor will keep this worry in mind!”
Empress Xu really showed her true feelings, not because she deliberately launched a tear attack on her husband after listening to what Ming'er and Zhang said, but because Ming'er's words really touched her. She knew her son Mo Ruomu well, and she knew the tempers of her three sons.
I have a good nature, so I deeply believe what my sister said. If this time comes, such a human tragedy is not very likely to happen, but will definitely happen, so I shed tears.
After hearing the queen's worries, Zhu Di blurted out, "They were born from the same mother and are of the same flesh and blood. If Gao Xu is elected as the prince, he will be justified and will never use the method of killing his brother to get rid of future troubles." But as he spoke, suddenly
Swallowed it back again.
With his own will, can Gao Xu be his emperor with peace of mind? Zhu Yunxi wants soldiers but no soldiers, money but no money, power but no authority. He has never even touched the side of the prince. Now he is not imprisoned by him.
In Fengyang High Prison, people were placed under strict supervision and no contact with anyone was allowed. Gao Xu's biological eldest brother was there, and he had competed with him for the throne. With the support of so many courtiers, could Gao Xu really feel at ease?
And with Gao Xu's temperament, once he becomes emperor, will he care about brotherhood?
Zhu Di unexpectedly recalled a scene that happened in the army: Fang Xiaoru carried out counter-intentional schemes, pretending to instigate rebellion against the prince, but actually wanted to use his hands to get rid of Gao Chi. He asked Gao Chi about what Gao Chi did when he was a hostage in Nanjing. Performance, what Gao Xu said, a chill couldn't help but hit his heart...
Ming'er and Mrs. Zhang accompanied Zhu Zhanji to play by the pool. The fishing rod used by the children was simple, but the fish in the pond were easily hooked, and they could catch one quickly, which made Zhu Zhanji lose the fishing rod. , as if afraid that the fish would escape, he pounced on it and held the fish in his arms. He was jumping up and down with joy. His cute appearance made Ming'er and Zhang unable to help but hide their mouths.
While they were having fun, Ming'er suddenly felt something. Looking back, she saw Zhu Di standing quietly under the palace corridor, looking at them from a distance. His figure was still heroic, but Ming'er saw it and always felt... I feel a sense of desolation, even though I am far away, I still feel it coming...