Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

Waidong Road, Qingning Palace.

The Empress Dowager Zhou was very enthusiastic about her good grandson who came to pay her respects. She pulled Zhu Youtang to the familiar dining table and specially prepared lotus seed soup for Zhu Youtang.

After some greetings, she took the initiative to talk about Huaien and said: "Your Majesty, your father wanted to depose you as King Lixing, but fortunately Huaien..."

"Royal grandmother, did the late emperor really want to depose me back then?" Zhu Youtang didn't know why the Empress Dowager Zhou recommended Huai'en, but he immediately stopped eating and asked seriously.

Empress Dowager Zhou was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly and said, "Yes, did your father really want to abolish the throne after listening to the words of that demon concubine?"

"Royal Grandmother, this matter is related to the inheritance of our royal throne, but I don't know who you heard about Princess Wan's instigating my father to depose me?" Zhu Youtang had an idea in his mind, and immediately asked seriously with a spoon.

The Empress Dowager Zhou did not expect Zhu Youtang to break the casserole and ask the truth, but she still said with certainty: "I don't know who said it first! It's just that the demon concubine has always regarded you as a thorn in her side. Fortunately, you were born in the cold palace and escaped. Jie, this matter must be true!"

"Royal grandmother, even though Wan Huangfei misleads me about my father, I remember that my father has always carefully cultivated me to handle government affairs, but I have never heard that my father has any intention of deposing me. Where did the matter of deposing me come from?" Zhu Youtang had already realized that there was something fishy here, so he deliberately pretended to be dumb and continued to dig deeper.

Emperor Chenghua favored Concubine Wan Gui so much that he naturally aroused some jealousy. I am afraid that the imperial grandmother in front of him also regarded Concubine Wan Gui as a thorn in his side.

It's just that Concubine Wan Gui persuaded Emperor Cheng Hua to depose her, not to mention that Concubine Wan Gui definitely knew that she couldn't have such a big influence. In fact, it was not in Concubine Wan Gui's interests.

Even if she was abolished, Concubine Wan Gui was not a queen. Empress Dowager Zhou was still alive at that time, and Prince Xing's biological mother was also still alive. Even if Prince Xing succeeds her as she wishes, she will not be able to dominate the harem.

What is in the best interests of her is that she must not interfere in the national dispute. Not to mention that if he succeeds to the throne, she will be doomed. Even if King Xing succeeds to the throne, he will naturally not be able to call her his mother, and he will also deal with her to prove his innocence.

Because of this, the so-called Concubine Wan Gui bewitched Emperor Cheng Hua to depose the crown prince, was probably a conspiracy staged by the civil servant group, and thus became the winner of this incident.

After all, the Empress Dowager Zhou had not seen it with her own eyes, and the incident had passed with just a gust of wind, so she rubbed her forehead and said frankly: "Your Majesty, it has been several years since this happened, and the Imperial Grandmother does not remember it clearly! "After a pause, he said seriously: "Fortunately, Huaien forcefully admonished your father, so your father did not listen to the demon concubine's slander and decreed the abolition, and your position as crown prince was saved!"

"Royal grandmother, I have always behaved according to the rules and made no mistakes since I was canonized as the crown prince. You are also aware of this matter. Even if my father wants to depose me, it must be justified, not to mention that King Xing is young and has no virtue. If you say that, why should I replace him? I can deal with the matter of abolishing the reserve calmly, but if it falls into the ears of King Xing, there is no guarantee that King Xing will have different intentions from now on!" Zhu Youtang pretended to be confused, pretending to understand. He immediately waved the spoon and sounded alarmist.

Since this group of literati wanted to play, I should also play with them and see how it would end when they saw it. Who would be the first to flip the table?

Aju...

King Xing, who was already eleven years old, wanted to feed Concubine Shao. He was sitting obediently on the bench, opening his mouth to eat, when suddenly his body trembled and he sneezed loudly.

The eleven-year-old prince, because of a small butterfly effect somewhere, shuddered from the wind blowing in from outside the door, and endured the slander that his age could not bear.

Empress Dowager Zhou realized that she really had to guard against this, but she quickly reacted and said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid you are worrying too much. Prince Xing is your biological brother, so why would he covet your throne?"

"Royal grandmother, don't we have this kind of thing in the Zhu family? Even brothers and nephews are like this, not to mention that King Xing and I are half-brothers! If King Xing really thinks that my father wants to depose me and establish him, he thinks that this throne should have been Those who belong to him will inevitably have to fight against each other again. From what I can see, this matter should either not be mentioned from now on, or the true intentions of the father must be found out so that King Xing can get rid of his dissatisfaction!" Zhu Youtang naturally grabbed Xing. Wang refused to let go of the threat and expressed his opinion.

Since Huai'en wants to take over the role of protecting the dragon, he must restore the truth of what happened back then so that he can give an "explanation" to Xing Wang Zhu Youqi and avoid conflicts between his brothers.

Empress Dowager Zhou found that the chatty grandson in front of her still seemed to be filial, but indeed no longer as confused as before, so she had to change her words and said: "Your Majesty, let us not care about whether your father had any intention of abolishing the heir. It is true that Huai'en was demoted to Fengyang to guard the mausoleum because you contradicted your father. Now my grandmother has recalled him. Huai'en has a reputation of loyalty and uprightness, and he can be re-employed as the Chief of Ceremonies!"

"The position of the Chief of Ceremonies is a big deal. It's hard to argue with Huai'en's loyalty and treachery, not to mention that I have doubts about the idea of ​​abolishing the crown prince back then!" Zhu Youtang did not expect that Empress Dowager Zhou would still insist on recommending Huai'en. , so he intentionally refused to be authentic.

Empress Dowager Zhou discovered that her grandson had really changed, and immediately made a concession and said: "Your Majesty, grandma knows that you have grown up now and want to make your own decisions! It's just that Huai'en has been the chief minister of ceremony for more than ten years, and then There has never been any mistake, now as long as he returns to the position of Supervisor of Ceremonies, my grandmother will no longer interfere in the affairs of the inner court!"

"Royal Grandma, what should Li Rong, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, do about it?" Zhu Youtang didn't want to fall out with the Empress Dowager Zhou, not to mention that he also had his own plans, so he said calmly.

The Empress Dowager Zhou was overjoyed and immediately revealed her plan: "Liang Fang, the Royal Horse Inspector, has a bad reputation. I heard that in order to please the late emperor, he spent a lot of effort to send flowers and plants from his hometown in Guangdong. Li Rong can replace the Royal Horse Inspector. One position!”

I just said I won’t interfere anymore, is that a slap in the face?

"Royal Grandmother, I forgive my grandson for not agreeing to this!" Zhu Youtang naturally would not agree to hand over his life safely. He even made up a reason and said: "My father confessed before the loyalty, and the period of filial piety has not yet begun. How can I break my promise?" , how can I have the shame to go to Jiyan Hall to worship?"

At this point, his eyes welled up with tears. As a person who aspires to become an excellent emperor, he naturally needs to have some acting skills.

Seeing the familiar filial Zhu Youtang, the Empress Dowager Zhou believed it to be true, and immediately compromised and said: "In that case, Li Rong will be demoted to the position of Eunuch Bingbi, the Superintendent of Ceremonies!"

"Since the Imperial Grandmother has spoken, let's arrange it this way!" Zhu Youtang actually didn't want to make a big move against the inner court yet, so he put down his spoon and nodded.

The incident spread quickly, and Huaien returned to the position of Chief Priest of Ceremony. Li Rong, Chief of Clerk of Ceremony, was demoted to Eunuch Bingbi, Chief of Clerk, while Liang Fang, Chief of Imperial Horse Eunuch, remained concurrently as Chief of Qianqing Palace. The Prince's Mansion remained unchanged. The steward Tan Ji only got one eunuch with the seal of Shangshan Supervisor.

In this adjustment, the one who suffered the biggest loss was Li Rong, the former Chief of Ceremonies. He was originally expected to be the Chief of Royal Horses and also the Chief of Qianqing Palace, but now he was demoted to the position of Eunuch Bingbi.

However, no matter what, the adjustment of important staff in the inner court was completed first. The new dynasty did not make drastic changes, and everything seemed to be smooth and silent.