Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

The morning sun rises in the east, and the entire capital is bathed in sunshine.

Shao Kang, a member of the Jinyiwei family, rode a tall horse in his capacity as Prince Xing's uncle. When he saw the gate of Jiang Mansion so close, the corner of his mouth could not help but raise slightly.

Although the emperor wanted to interfere, he allowed his nephew to strengthen his position. Now with the help of the powerful people in the capital like the Marquis of Xiangcheng, the throne must belong to his nephew.

"What does Prince Xing want to do by marrying Jinfeng?"

"Corporal Xingwang Lixian has always been known as a wise king. It would be a good thing if he succeeds to the throne in the future!"

"Bah! Not to mention that the wise king can't keep us full, who can be more sage than your majesty now?"

…

The people who were watching saw that the appointment of King Xing was a done deal, and combined with the rumors that the daughter of the Jiang family was the reincarnation of Jinfeng, they expressed their opinions one after another.

It's just that Emperor Hongzhi has won the hearts of the people. Although the literati group is frantically smearing Emperor Hongzhi, everyone knows who brought them the good days they are living now.

Now they knew that the daughter of the Jiang family was Jinfeng, but King Xing still insisted on going his own way and came to recruit her. This made them feel disgusted with the well-known King Xing.

In fact, they knew that King Xing might not really be that good. The main reason was that the literati had a closer relationship with King Xing, so they spared no effort to praise King Xing.

Shao Kang got off the tall maroon horse, carried the most expensive betrothal gift in his own hands, and walked toward the gate of Jiang's family with his chin raised very proudly.

It's just that this threshold is so easy to cross. A burst of rapid horse hooves suddenly came from behind.

"Shao Baihu, stop!"

When the young man at the head saw Shao Kang, he immediately spoke with an unquestionable command tone.

Shao Kang knew this person without turning around. Although he stopped and turned around, he had no intention of compromising with the emperor's minions: "I have seen the governor. Today, I have hired the Jiang family on the order of King Xing. I can't do it." Full ceremony!"

The person who came was Wang Xiang, the commander of the Jinyi Guards and Shao Kang’s immediate superior.

Prime Minister Wang reined in his horse in front of Jiang's house, looked at the subordinate in front of him condescendingly and said, "Shao Kang, there is a case involving you. Please go back to Beizhen Fusi with this governor immediately for investigation!"

"I just told you about my humble position. I am here to hire someone from the Jiang family under the entrustment of King Xing. We will discuss other matters later!" Shao Kang responded with a cold face because he didn't know that the other party was trying to prevent him from being hired.

Before the Prime Minister Wang could speak, Qianhu next to him said with a hint of anger: "You are also from Beizhen Fusi! Beizhen Fusi is on errands, when will you need to read the almanac?"

"Master Governor, I am here today as the uncle of Prince Xing to make an appointment. I am also running errands for Prince Xing. I am sorry to accept your order!" Shao Kang did not intend to compromise, so he went inside with the betrothal gift to give the letter of appointment.

The king's face was ashen, but he said calmly: "Do you only have King Xing in your eyes and no emperor? Even if King Xing was involved in treason, I would arrest him on the spot, let alone you, a little Jinyi Hundred households! Come here, send this person to Fusi Prison in Beizhen!"

These words were spoken loudly and forcefully, and they revealed a strong murderous intent.

In fact, his current statement can be said to have personally cut off King Xing's path. It would be okay if King Xing cannot ascend the throne in the future, but once King Xing succeeds in ascending the throne, the career of the king's prime minister will definitely come to an abrupt end.

"The sky is big and the earth is big, the emperor is the biggest!"

"How can King Xing's order be compared with the emperor's order!"

"Now it seems that some people really don't like our emperor!"

"Your Majesty always thinks of us, but in some people's words he becomes a tyrant. Isn't it ridiculous?"

…

There are not many people watching here. Now more and more people are supporting Hongzhi. They also expressed their opinions when they saw the dispute in front of Jiang's house.

The people did not have so many evil thoughts. They only knew that the current emperor was Hongzhi, and the uncle of King Xing had no capital to resist Jin Yiwei.

As for who is more important, Zhu Youtang, the virtuous king, and Zhu Youtang, the Hongzhi emperor, they don't need to think about it at all. A hundred virtuous kings, Xingwang, can't stand up to one tyrant Hongzhi.

"Jin Yiwei is on an errand! If you dare to stop him, you will be punished for treason!" Qianhu, the Jin Yiwei who was accompanying him, saw someone about to make a move, and immediately drew his embroidered spring knife and warned.

Although there were many people in Prince Xing's Mansion, no one dared to stop them when they saw the wolf-like Jin Yiwei, especially since the Jin Yiwei were indeed the emperor's personal guards.

Shao Kang obeyed obediently, but he glared at Wang Xiang and said bitterly: "Wang Xiang, remember your choice today, you and the Wang family will both pay the price in the future!"

The subtext of this threat is undoubtedly: if King Xing succeeds to the throne in the future, his uncle will prompt King Xing to deal with the king, and even attack the entire royal family.

"Take away!" Wang Xiang's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he waved his hand.

It was impossible to say that he was not feeling guilty at all at this moment, but Shao Kang's threat made him understand that he had to stand more firmly on the side of the talented and ambitious Emperor Hongzhi.

Even if Shao Kang wanted to take revenge on him and the Wang family, it would have to be that King Xing could really succeed to the throne, but under the current situation, it was a small probability that King Xing would take the throne.

Now King Xing is proposing marriage to the Jiang family, and since the daughter of the Jiang family is the reincarnation of a golden phoenix, he cannot succeed.

Seeing Shao Kang being escorted away by Wang Xiang, the people in Prince Xing's Mansion suddenly panicked: "It's not enough to just have a betrothal gift but no relatives. What should we do now?"

In the process of issuing the betrothal letter, the betrothal gift cannot be relied upon alone, but the groom's relatives and friends must also be present, bringing the betrothal gift to the woman's home to propose marriage to the woman's family.

It's just that now that Shao Kang has been captured, this link lacks the man's relatives, but it cannot continue.

"Immediately report the matter to His Highness Prince Xing and let His Highness make a decision!" When the accompanying father-in-law saw that something unexpected happened, he also ordered the palace guard captain.

"Is this marriage a dirty deal?"

"Looking at this situation, it may not be certain!"

"The king of Xing fights for the golden phoenix, which makes sense but also becomes unreasonable!"

…

The people watching watched the development of the situation. Although the situation had tilted towards the emperor's side, many people did not dare to be too optimistic.

Originally, the Queen Mother's behavior was not very kind, but combined with the rumors that the daughter of the Jiang family was the reincarnation of Jinfeng, everyone felt that Prince Xing had been disloyal.

The Jiang family, who were waiting in the hall for Prince Xing's Mansion to come and offer employment, naturally knew what was going on outside. No one expected that the commander of the Jin Yiwei, Wang Xiang, would come to arrest him in person.

Although Shao Kang was arrested on suspicion of committing a crime and was sent to Fusi Prison in Beizhen, everyone knew that this was actually an excuse to prevent King Xing from hiring him.

It is unknown whether the Queen Mother or the Emperor ordered the Wang Xiang to do this.

Jiang Jie saw Uncle Xing Wang who had arrived at the door of his house being taken away by people from Fusi in Beizhen. At this time, he was helpless and asked for help: "Brother, what should we do now?"

"We don't need to worry, just wait a moment!" Jiang Bin was drinking tea leisurely, looking very calm and authentic.

Although the emperor's side has now won half the game, he knows that the matter is far from over. Now King Xing may not admit defeat, and his side must be thinking of ways to make amends.

In fact, the fact that Prince Xing's Mansion dared to send someone here to make an appointment today has already shown the determination of Prince Xing's Mansion. How could they back down because of such petty tricks as the Emperor or the Queen Mother?

What they have to do now is to wait quietly. As long as King Xing sends the letter of appointment according to the legal procedures, then they can agree.

Although the coming days will definitely be uncomfortable, as long as it lasts until King Xing inherits the throne, then the Jiang family will truly be the family of the uncle of the country.

Seeing how calm his brother was, Jiang Jiao slowly calmed down and said, "Okay!"

Forbidden City, Renshou Palace.

The Queen Mother already treats Zhu Youtang as half a son, especially since her natal family has been favored by Zhu Youtang, so she also cares for Zhu Youtang in her heart.

Today I also got up early to wash myself, and at the same time, I sent an order to summon the Jiang family and her daughter to the palace.

Although the ceremony of the emperor marrying the queen is similar to that of the folk, requiring "acceptance of gifts", "big march" and "registration", etc., in fact, it is a process, and only the expression of willingness is required to finalize the marriage.

Different from the complex procedures of Prince Xing's Mansion, the ceremony for the emperor to accept concubines is much simpler. Not only is the process simplified, but also the intention is required to be expressed.

It didn't matter whether the Jiang family accepted the appointment letter or not. Once the Queen Mother revealed the emperor's intention to accept Jiang Concubine as his concubine, the matter was basically settled.

It would be fine if the engagement could be completed today, but if the Jiang family and their daughter brought the news back today, then the Jiang family would naturally not be able to accept the betrothal gift from Prince Xing's Mansion tomorrow.

Even if the emperor suddenly changes his mind and does not accept Jiang Wei as his concubine, the Jiang family must wait for the final confirmation of the news, otherwise it will still be regarded as disloyal.

The Queen Mother had breakfast but still no one could be seen. She couldn't help but asked in confusion: "Why haven't the Jiang family mother and daughter arrived yet?"

The female officer waiting on the side was also very confused. It was supposed that the person should arrive at the palace, but indeed no one was seen, so she sent a eunuch to inquire.

The eunuch came back again and brought back a very strange news: "I just inquired at the palace gate, and the Jiang family and daughter have been led into the palace!"

this……

Not to mention the female officer, even the Queen Mother showed a strange expression.

The Queen Mother and her daughter were ordered to enter the palace by the Empress Dowager. As a result, they entered the palace, but did not come to Renshou Palace.

Qianqing Palace, everything is in order here.

Queen Chang Yourong looked even brighter and more charming after being nourished last night. She personally escorted Zhu Youtang to the dragon chariot like an ordinary wife.

It was at this time that the Queen Mother sent someone to inquire.

how so?

Queen Chang looked at Zhu Youtang and felt equally confused.

Zhu Youtang knew that Jiang and her daughter must have been intercepted by someone, and he seemed to know it well: "Go back and tell the Queen Mother that they should be in Qingning Palace!"

In the Forbidden City, there were only three people who could intercept the Queen Mother's name.

Since it was not him and the Queen who did it, the answer is obvious, it must be the Empress Dowager Zhou who has the highest status in the Forbidden City.

Although the Empress Dowager Zhou cannot be involved in politics, her status and identity are here, and even the Empress Dowager Wang and Empress Chang must respect her. Now, if you want to intercept the Jiang family and her daughter, it can be said that it is a matter of words.

"Have people really arrived at Qingning Palace?"

The Queen Mother was stunned when she received the exact news.

Ever since Zhu Youtang killed Zhou Shou, the Marquis of Qingyun, the relationship between the Empress Dowager Zhou and the emperor had dropped to a freezing point. The Empress Dowager Zhou no longer interfered in the affairs of the palace, but she focused on eating fast and chanting Buddha's name.

I thought that this old ancestor was indifferent to worldly affairs, but at this juncture, he stopped the emperor from accepting Jiang Concubine as his concubine, and actually sided with another grandson, King Xing.

"Yes, the Empress Dowager Zhou is playing mahjong with the Jiang family and her daughter!" The eunuch who went to Qingning Palace to find out the truth nodded very seriously.

"Queen Mother, what should we do?" Queen Chang also came over from Qianqing Palace immediately and asked worriedly.

The Queen Mother knew that she had to convey her intention to adopt a concubine to the Jiang family and her daughter today, so she made a decision and said: "Let's go to Qingning Palace to pay our respects to the Queen Mother!"

Although she knew that Empress Dowager Zhou would not give in so easily since she chose to end the situation in person. I am afraid they would be rejected this time.

It's just that this matter is related to the emperor's heirs and the face of the Queen Mother. I have to work hard to at least find out the tone of the Queen Mother Zhou.

"The Empress Dowager has said that she will concentrate on playing mahjong today and no visitors will be allowed!" The female officer seemed to have guessed that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were coming, but she blocked the way in front of the door.

Wangfu Street, Xingwangfu.

Xingwang Zhu Youqi was under great pressure at the moment and was walking back and forth in the palace.

Although he had made up his mind to marry Jiang Wei despite the pressure from the emperor, when things really came to a head, he was already restless.

It's not that I regret my decision, but I hope that things will go smoothly and that I can finalize the matter before the Queen Mother speaks.

He had already fallen in love with Jiang Wei, but now that he knew that Jiang Wei was the reincarnation of Jin Feng, he still wanted to welcome Jin Feng even at the risk of being deported to the fiefdom.

In the past, he might not have had any desire for the throne, but in recent years, more and more people have taken the initiative to get close to him. Coupled with the Eastern God's secret, he knew that this throne could be competed for.

At this moment, the guard captain ran back in a hurry.

Zhu Youqian's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked nervously: "Lu Song, what happened?"

Lu Song had practiced with Wang Yue for several years in the early years, and he seemed very experienced in doing things, but he really ran too fast just now. In Zhu Youqian's nervous eyes, he told the story about Shao Kang being thrown into Fusi Tailao in Beizhen by Wang Xiang.

Zhu Youqi learned that the appointment was blocked, but he was heartbroken and said: "Damn it! Is it impossible for me to accept the offer? Can my teacher go instead?"

this……

Lu Song saw Zhu Youqi's reaction in his eyes, but he didn't mention Shao Kang at all. He really didn't care about his uncle's life or death!

"Your Highness King Xing, there is no need to be nervous about this, we still have backup plans!" The eunuch next to him reminded him in a low voice when he saw Zhu Youqi was so panicked.

Lu Song's hearing was very sharp, but he couldn't help but show a confused expression. After all, Zhu Youqian's family had few men, but he no longer had an uncle. (End of chapter)