Zhu Ying turned back, glanced at the city walls of the capital, then raised his whip, led three thousand cavalry, and galloped away, straight down to the south of the Yangtze River.
During this inspection, Zhu Ying did not plan to ride in a carriage, but would conduct the inspection himself on horseback.
The speed of the carriage is too slow.
At the city gate, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the back of his eldest grandson as he left, showing his deep reluctance.
There were even tears overflowing from the corners of his eyes.
In his heart, Zhu Yuanzhang really didn't want his eldest grandson to leave him.
But he knew very well that as the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, he could not be restricted to the capital.
The former boss would also inspect the place every few years.
Only in this way can we eliminate some stubborn diseases at the grassroots level and clear away the chronic diseases. We cannot always pin everything on officials.
Some edicts were issued from the capital, but when they arrived at the local level, I don’t know what happened to them.
As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, these are all things that he must experience.
Even if the county magistrate does not regularly inspect the local area, his power will be emptied, let alone the emperor who controls such a large territory.
Only by walking around frequently can lower-level officials, common people, landlords, gentry, and even guards feel the majesty of the royal family, so they will feel fearful and certain things will not cross the line so easily.
"Your Majesty, take care of your dragon body."
Liu He was by his side. He took out his handkerchief and offered it respectfully with both hands.
After Zhu Yuanzhang took it, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
When he looked up, he could already see Da Sun's figure, with only the dust rising in the distance.
"Hey, now that the grandson is gone, I don't know how long it will take to come back. We miss Jiang Yu so much in our hearts."
"I'm here."
"Inform Jin Yiwei that all news about Da Sun must be reported every three days and delivered to us immediately no matter when."
"I obey the decree."
After looking at it for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang turned and left.
However, without his eldest grandson, the palace finally felt a bit deserted in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.
Just as he was about to get off the tower, Zhu Yuanzhang saw a familiar figure.
"Concubine Ning, why are you here? When did you come?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in surprise.
Concubine Ning walked over slowly and saluted before replying: "Your Majesty, I knew that my grandson was leaving today, so I got up early and followed your majesty."
Hearing these words, Zhu Yuanzhang felt warm in his heart.
To say that she is a close friend, she has to be Concubine Ning.
When he was in rough times, he would stay with his older sister by his side.
Taking Concubine Ning's hand, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly discovered that Concubine Ning's temples were already as frosty.
Looking at the wrinkles at the corners of Concubine Ning's eyes at close range, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed: "Concubine Ning, you are getting old too."
Hearing these words, Concubine Ning's eyes suddenly became moist.
Hold His Majesty's rough big hand tightly and feel the warmth inside.
It was only then that Zhu Yuanzhang realized that he seemed to have ignored Concubine Ning for many years.
The former Concubine Ning was also very beautiful.
Ever since the ridiculous incident of King Zhu Tan of Luhuang happened, Zhu Yuanzhang actually still had some intention of angering Concubine Ning in his heart.
I think this is because Concubine Ning did not discipline her well.
Although she was allowed to take charge of the harem, she rarely visited her specifically.
Looking back now, I feel a little guilty.
Duke Guo was extremely benevolent to him. His two sons fought for him in the world. One died of illness due to overwork, while the other, although still alive, was scarred and covered in hidden wounds.
"Thank you for all your hard work over the years."
Zhu Yuanzhang said movedly.
Feeling His Majesty's sincerity, Concubine Ning really wanted to cry out all the grievances she had suffered over the years.
After her only son died in such a ridiculous way, Concubine Ning almost suffered a mental breakdown.
Later, I encountered His Majesty's neglect and became even more depressed.
If her second brother, as the commander of the imperial guards, had not been able to accompany her in the palace, she didn't know what she would have become.
But now Concubine Ning has become much stronger, and at this age, many things are relatively dull.
As long as His Majesty still has her in his heart, that's enough.
"Your Highness, it's windy here, let's go back early." Concubine Ning said softly.
It seems like I have returned to the days when I was young and with His Majesty.
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and looked outside: "Yes, the wind is getting strong, and we are getting older. Even this wind is a bit unbearable."
"I really want to live a few more years so that I can see how prosperous our Ming Dynasty is."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly walked down the tower with the support of Concubine Ning.
In fact, as far as Zhu Yuanzhang's body is concerned, he is still very strong, and his energy and spirit are also sufficient.
But the departure of his eldest grandson today made his heart suddenly feel empty.
That's why he shows such an old attitude.
...
In front of Kunning Palace,
Ye Yueqing stood at the door for a long time.
"Your Majesty, you have been standing here for almost an hour, you should go back and rest early." Guo Zhong waited at his side respectfully and said thoughtfully.
When His Highness Taisun left for his trip in the morning, Ye Yueqing arrived at the door and stayed here ever since.
After all, her status is different now. According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty palace, she can't just leave the palace and make public appearances at will.
Many people envy the palace, but who knows that once you enter the palace, it will be difficult to come out at will.
This has been a rule for thousands of years, and even Ye Yueqing can only abide by it.
"It's okay, I just wanted to see more. I always feel a little bored in this Kunning Palace." Ye Yueqing said casually after coming back to her senses.
As soon as Guo Zhong heard this, he smiled and said, "My dear, why don't you go for a walk in the back garden and enjoy the flowers? It should be a lot more comfortable."
"In the back garden, there are other ladies from the palace who are often there too. Maybe we can chat and relax a bit."
After hearing Guo Zhong's suggestion, Ye Yueqing was silent for a moment and then nodded.
The back door of Kunning Palace leads directly to the back garden.
Just walking on the road, Ye Yueqing suddenly felt her stomach churn: "vomit..."
Guo Zhong immediately became anxious, and hurriedly leaned over and squatted down, letting Ye Yueqing help him: "Empress, what's wrong with you?"
Ye Yueqing held Guo Zhong's shoulders: "I don't know... ugh..."
Seeing this situation, Guo Zhong was so anxious that he shouted to the young eunuch behind him: "What are you doing in a daze? Go and call the imperial doctor quickly."
The young eunuch behind him immediately responded, picked up his legs and ran out.
Ye Yueqing retched for a while, but nothing came out. She just felt that her abdomen seemed to be spasming and rolling constantly. It was very uncomfortable, and more than half of the strength in her body was gone.
Guo Zhong quickly helped him and went to the palace to rest.
I felt a little anxious in my heart, wondering if the wind was too strong just now, and the empress had fallen into the wind evil.
Or maybe there was something wrong with the food and the queen was poisoned.
Thinking of His Majesty Taisun going out today, something like this happened to the empress. If His Majesty knew what was going on here, he would be so angry that he would have his head chopped off.
Thinking of this, Guo Zhong already felt a chill in his neck, as if he was about to be beheaded.
Mainly because this thing happened suddenly and too strangely.
I carefully recalled that the meals I ate today were all made according to strict standards and the young eunuchs had to taste them first.
Until now, no problems have been seen.
During this period, Ye Yueqing retched several times, but after lying down and resting for a while, her complexion began to turn rosy, as if everything was fine.
Seeing the empress like this, Guo Zhong felt a light flash in his heart, and suddenly thought of a possibility.
Immediately, a lot of the fear dissipated, and there was even some faint excitement.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling better?" Guo Zhong brought the water glass and asked softly after watching his Majesty finish the drink.
Ye Yueqing nodded: "Much better."
Listening to the empress's angry answer, Guo Zhong felt more and more that his guess was very possible.
But for now, we can only wait for the imperial doctor to come and take his pulse before we know the result.
At this moment, Guo Zhong felt that time was passing very slowly. He turned his head from time to time and saw that there was no sound in the courtyard. He cursed in his heart: These boys, who usually do things very quickly, how did they get this critical moment?
It's so useless.
It was as if the days were passing by like years, and finally I heard the sound of rapid footsteps.
Guo Zhong didn't care too much and quickly stood up and urged: "Hurry up, hurry up."
The imperial doctor's hair was all white and he moved very quickly. The young eunuch behind him was following closely, carrying a medicine box on his back.
However, behind the two of them, there were more than ten guards, closely following them.
Seeing the appearance of the imperial guards, Guo Zhong couldn't help but become nervous again.
This shows that it won't take long for His Majesty to know about this and come over immediately.
Seeing the imperial doctor walking to the bedside and starting to feel the pulse without saying anything, Guo Zhong's heart also jumped up.
At this moment, Guo Zhong has never been in such pain.
I just feel that every breath starts to become extremely slow.
What does it mean that the emperor is not anxious but the eunuch is anxious? Guo Zhong's performance is the most realistic portrayal.
Finally, the imperial doctor's hand reached back.
Guo Zhong asked hurriedly: "Mr. Liu, what's going on with your Majesty?"
Doctor Liu said with a calm face, "Eunuch Guo, there is no need to worry. It's a happy event, a big happy event. Your Majesty is pregnant."
Hearing this, Guo Zhong almost jumped up.
Pregnant?
Grand Concubine, are you pregnant now?
I quickly made some calculations in my mind, and sure enough, it had been more than a month since my grandson's wedding. According to the usual calculation, she was really pregnant.
When Ye Yueqing heard the news while putting on her clothes, her body that had been lying down straightened up and couldn't help but ask, "Am I really pregnant?"
Mrs. Liu stroked her beard and said with a smile, "Just don't worry, Madam. I have been practicing medicine for fifty years and I can no longer remember all the happy pulses I have touched. I can tell my Majesty's pulse just by touching it."
"In order to be sure, I repeated the diagnosis three times, and it is absolutely correct."
Hearing Old Doctor Liu's affirmative answer, Ye Yueqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then couldn't help but feel happy.
Guo Zhong took a few small steps over, stepping lightly as he was afraid of disturbing the fetus in the belly of the Grand Concubine.
"Oh, my dear, don't scare me, please be gentle and lie down."
"If the dragon's energy is awakened, even ten lives of this old slave will not be enough."
Seeing the empress sitting upright all of a sudden, Guo Zhong quickly spoke to persuade her.
When Dr. Liu saw this, he said, "Eunuch Guo, don't be so anxious. Your Majesty has just become pregnant with the dragon seed. A few actions will be beneficial to the birth of the dragon seed."
At this moment, Guo Zhong was as impatient as an ant on a hot pot, fearing that the Queen Mother would have the slightest surprise.
After hearing the words of Dr. Liu, I felt a little relieved, but I didn't dare to relax my eyes, for fear that if I wasn't paying attention, the Grand Concubine would do something big here.
At this time, a voice came from outside: "Greetings to Your Majesty."
Then, Zhu Yuanzhang strode over, looked at the scene here, and said, "We heard that something went wrong here, Concubine Taisun. What happened."
When everyone saw His Majesty, they all naturally knelt down.
After hearing this, Dr. Liu hurriedly replied: "Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty, your great grandson is happy."
Zhu Yuanzhang paused: "What, is it true, we have a great-grandson?"
Doctor Liu quickly confirmed again: "I dare not deceive you. Your Majesty, the Grand Concubine is indeed happy."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly: "Okay, okay, our eldest grandson really lived up to his expectations. In just over a month, he gave us his great-grandson."
"What a great grandson, our great grandson."
After saying that, he turned his eyes to Ye Yueqing and said, "Yueqing, during this period of time, you just have a good rest in the palace. We will ask Concubine Ning to come and accompany you."
"Other things are the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce. Don't worry about it now. Put it aside for now. The top priority is to give birth to our great-grandson safely and healthily."
Hearing this, Ye Yueqing was a little helpless when he heard that he could no longer interfere with the Chamber of Commerce's affairs, but in the face of His Majesty's concern, he was still ready to stand up and salute.
"No, don't move. Just lie down on the bed for us. I'll call Concubine Ning over right away."
"She has given birth to children and is very familiar with it. She will know how to do it when the time comes."
Zhu Yuanzhang quickly stopped Ye Yueqing's attempt to salute and said.
Then he said to Jiang Wei: "Go and inform Concubine Ning that Concubine Ning is pregnant, and ask her to come over quickly and help take care of her."
Jiang Wei cupped his fists and bowed: "I obey your order."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ye Yueqing's rosy complexion, and sighed: "If I had known that today would be like this, I wouldn't have let my eldest grandson leave so early. I would have stayed with you for a few more days."
"I never thought it would be such a coincidence. Just a few hours after setting off, Yue Qing, you are so happy."
"At that time, all we can do is send someone to inform Da Sun of the good news."
"Presumably the eldest grandson will be eager to come back after he finds out."
Hearing this, Ye Yueqing said: "Your Majesty, can you not inform His Highness?"
Zhu Yuanzhang paused and couldn't help asking: "How could you not inform your grandson about such a big good thing?"
Ye Yueqing lowered his head and explained: "His Royal Highness Taisun has just set out to inspect the place. What he is doing is to consolidate our Ming Dynasty."
"Although my daughter-in-law is pregnant, there are many people taking care of her in the palace, so she will be safe and sound."
"Ten months of pregnancy, such a long period of time, if His Highness comes back, it will naturally delay the state affairs."
"So I thought that I would not rush to inform His Highness. After a few months have passed, Your Highness will be almost done with his inspections. When he comes back, there is no need to wait long. My wife has also given birth."
"In this way, there will be no delay in state affairs."
After hearing Ye Yueqing's explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed in his heart.
She is indeed as good a woman as a big sister, and our eldest grandson is as blessed as us.
"Okay, I promise you, I won't tell my grandson first."
"When he comes back, give our eldest grandson a surprise."