Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 517: Empress Ma is seriously ill, which means that the Ming Dynasty harem has lost its pillar of support
As soon as this news came out, it seemed as if time had frozen at this moment. Everyone outside the Fengtian Hall felt as if they were struck by lightning, and their hearts sank suddenly.

Zhu Di narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at the brothers around him.

The corners of his mouth curled up into an imperceptible sneer, and he thought to himself: "Humph, you people think you can easily compete with me!
Let's see how I stand out and write my own legend in this ever-changing palace."

Zhu Zhen's eyes lit up and an expression of uncontrollable excitement appeared on his face.

He said carelessly: "Haha, now I have a chance to let my father see my ability!
I will make everyone look at me with new eyes!"

He looked so confident, as if he had already won.

Zhu Gang, however, had a solemn expression and his eyes were as deep as the abyss.

He looked at Xu Miaoyun beside him and said softly, "Miaoyun, this situation is complicated, I must respond carefully.

We can neither let those with ulterior motives disrupt the overall situation nor let our Prince Jin’s Mansion fall into trouble.”

Xu Miaoyun gently shook Zhu Gang's hand back, conveying encouragement and support with her eyes.

She seemed to be saying, "Don't be afraid, we will face it together."

Chang Qingyun looked at the different expressions of the people and sighed inwardly.

She thought that everyone in the palace was scheming for their own interests, and she wondered how this turmoil would end.

Then Chang Qingyun gently adjusted her sleeves and said, "Since His Majesty has ordered, let's go to the palace immediately and don't miss the time."

Everyone nodded, each with different thoughts in mind, and walked towards the Fengtian Hall.

On the way, Zhu Zhen was still immersed in the fantasy of showing off his skills.

He kept muttering, "I will definitely come up with a brilliant idea to make my father look at me differently."

When Zhu Di saw the interaction between Zhu Gang and Xu Miaoyun, he snorted in his heart.

He thought to himself: "Humph, what great things can be achieved by still being sentimental at this critical moment?"

However, Zhu Di remained calm on the surface, with only a hint of barely perceptible jealousy flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Gang whispered to Xu Miaoyun as they walked, "After Empress Ma became seriously ill, the harem fell into chaos, and many concubines fought fiercely for dominance in the harem.

Various forces fought openly and secretly, formed cliques and factions, and formed a complex network of interest groups.

Determining the person in charge of the harem this time is of vital importance to the Eastern Palace.

We must skillfully balance the forces of all parties and come up with a practical solution without causing dissatisfaction with our father."

Xu Miaoyun nodded slightly and responded: "Don't worry, my husband, I will be there to assist you. We will definitely come up with a good solution."

Chang Qingyun also had a lot of thoughts in her mind. She knew very well that after Empress Ma became seriously ill, the chaos in the harem had affected the status of the Eastern Palace.

If a person who is beneficial to the Eastern Palace can be supported to take charge of the harem this time, the situation will be stabilized to a certain extent, winning more support for Zhu Biao in the court.

She secretly warned herself: In Fengtian Palace, she must assist the prince to grasp the right measure and not let other princes gain the upper hand.

As they walked, everyone fell into deep thought. Zhu Gang couldn't help but think of the orderliness of the harem when Queen Ma was alive.

At that time, Queen Ma set an example by living a frugal and simple lifestyle.

Every piece of clothing and every meal was simple and plain, setting an example for everyone in the harem.

She is very thoughtful and can always handle many affairs in the harem fairly.

Whenever conflicts and disputes arose among the concubines, Empress Ma would often mediate patiently like a spring breeze and rain.

The strategy of "persuading people with reason and moving people with emotion" was used to keep the harem in order and peaceful. However, the news that Empress Ma was seriously ill was like a bolt from the blue, instantly making the harem lose its backbone.

Just like a building without its pillars, the entire harem management fell into a quagmire of chaos.

Due to the lack of effective coordination and restraint among many concubines, the contradictions that had been suppressed in the past began to emerge one after another like bamboo shoots breaking through the ground.

For a time, small frictions continued, quarrels and complaints arose one after another, and the former peace and tranquility was no longer there.

The most important thing is that when Empress Ma was in good health, the harem was filled with warmth.

She took great care of the concubines and princes and princesses, just like the warm sunshine shining on every corner of the harem, making it full of the warmth of home.

Every smile and every caring word of Queen Ma was like a fire in winter, warming everyone's hearts.

However, since she became seriously ill, this warmth has gradually dissipated like sand in an hourglass.

The harem became cold and lonely, and the concubines became increasingly distant from each other in order to protect themselves.

The seeds of suspicion took root in everyone's heart, and when their eyes met, there was a bit more vigilance and alienation.

On the way to Kunning Palace, Zhu Gang heard the eunuch chief Wu Cheng whispering: "Since the Queen became seriously ill, your Majesty's temper has become more and more violent, like a volcano that may erupt at any time.

He often got angry for no reason, and his attitude towards the concubines in the harem became harsh and cold.

It's like a layer of frost, making people feel afraid.

His Majesty's change of mood made everyone in the harem feel insecure, and the originally relatively relaxed atmosphere was swept away as if by a gust of wind.

Instead, there is suffocating depression and fear.

It's like a thick dark cloud, weighing heavily on everyone's heart!"

Zhu Gang knew clearly that the two biggest impacts would gradually become apparent after Empress Ma's death.

On the one hand, the young princes and grandchildren were like small boats without a lighthouse to guide them. They lost the care and guidance of an important elder in the ocean of growth.

Due to the lack of key guidance during the growth process, some people have deviations in behavior and morality, like wild horses that have run away from their reins.

On the other hand, on the issue of succession to the throne, Empress Ma, with her wisdom and prestige, was able to balance the interests of all parties and stabilize the situation to a certain extent, guarding the peace of the court like a stabilizing force.

However, after the death of Empress Ma, due to the lack of her coordination, the struggle over the succession to the throne gradually intensified in the harem and the court.

In order to support the prince of their choice, various forces used all means, using open and covert attacks.

This will exacerbate the instability in the Ming Dynasty court, and the entire court will be in the center of the storm, on the verge of collapse.

The figures of the crowd gradually lengthened in the mottled light and shadow, as if foreshadowing a fierce storm that was about to set off in the hall.

With their own complicated thoughts in mind, they slowly stepped into the Fengtian Hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Everyone present was silent, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's arrival.

Everyone knew that the following discussion would concern their respective destinies and the future direction of the entire Ming Dynasty court.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was worried about Empress Ma's loss of appetite, and he stared closely at Xu Xingzu, the Minister of Guanglu Temple.

“Xing Zu, no matter what you come up with, we have to make the girl ask for food.

After all, the Guanglu Temple is responsible for managing matters related to sacrifices, banquets, wine, and food, and it must play a role at critical moments!"

(End of this chapter)