I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 449: Emperor Longqing’s Illness
In the Kunning Palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing, Empress Chen smiled as she watched Zhu Yijun drinking bird's nest and white fungus soup.

Zhu Yihao stood timidly beside Chen, looking at his royal brother opposite him.

Zhu Yijun held a Chenghua official kiln bowl with a gold-painted lotus leaf, sipped bird's nest and white fungus soup with a spoon, and looked at Zhu Yihao kindly.

Mr. Li suddenly caught a cold a few days ago. He was bedridden for more than two months, but he still couldn't survive and died.

The third prince Zhu Yihao suddenly became an orphan. After discussing with Zhu Yijun, Chen took him to raise him.

"Third brother, do you still want to learn how to ride a horse?" Zhu Yijun finished drinking the bird's nest and white fungus soup, put the bowl on the table, took the towel and wiped his mouth, then asked.

Zhu Yihao's eyes lit up and a look of joy appeared on his face. "Okay, brother, when will you take me to learn how to ride a horse?"

"Some time ago, the Imperial Horse Administration received a group of ponies from the Imperial Household Department. They are very docile. I will take you there once they are trained."

"Brother, you must keep your word."

"Of course I keep my word, just wait."

After the two brothers finished speaking, Chen said to Zhu Yihao, "Hao'er, you haven't finished copying the calligraphy today, so continue copying."

"It's my mother." Zhu Yihao answered honestly and was taken to a side hall by the palace lady. Zhu Yijun looked at his back with a complicated expression.

"Prince." Chen called out.

"Mother, what do you want?"

"You decided it yourself. You'll get married next year."

"This matter has indeed been decided. I have asked the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Finance to prepare for this matter. The Imperial Observatory has chosen an auspicious day, February 16th, the fourth year of the Longqing reign.

The son-in-law, also called the Shaofu Supervisor, renovated the Yuxi Palace and Qingfu Palace in the Western Garden into four palaces, and converted the previous orchard and pigeon house into a garden.

Construction began in the second half of the second year of the Longqing reign and was carried out in sections, aiming to be completed before the end of this year.

I also plan to rebuild the Inner Le'an Hall, Silijian Sutra Factory, West Wine House, West Flower House, Silk Washing Factory and Stolen and Fines Storehouse in the Western Garden into five palaces, which can be regarded as a large-scale construction project.

According to the blueprint drawn up by Lei Gong, the former Minister of Works, construction will not start until next year and will take three years to complete.

After listening to this, Chen did not comment, "I am not worried about where to live. The most important thing now is that Jun'er should not avoid talking about it."

"Mother, what's the urgent matter?"

"You have to choose one of the five, Xue Baoqin, Zeng Wan'er, Xu Youlian, Wang Lan'er, and Song Liuli, as the Crown Princess. The Ministry of Rites will go through the six rituals of accepting the marriage proposal, asking for the name, accepting the good news, accepting the betrothal gift, asking for the date, and welcoming the bride. It will take some time.

Jun'er, you have been hesitant, how can the Ministry of Rites carry out these six ceremonies?"

Zhu Yijun remained silent.

These five women each have their own background.

Xue Baoqin represents the new and old nobles; Zeng Wan'er is the traditional common people; Xu Youlian and Wang Lan'er represent the traditional Confucian scholars; Song Liuli represents the emerging industrial and commercial groups.

There are now two more people in Chonghua Palace, Dong Linglong and Ge Xiuyun, the daughters of Dong Huli and Ge Zhiwen respectively.

However, neither of them was qualified to be appointed as the Crown Princess, so Chen was naturally passed over.

"Mother, tell them to prepare first, and I will make the decision as soon as possible."

"Prince, this is a serious matter and cannot be delayed."

"I know, please rest assured, mother."

After chatting in Kunning Palace for another half an hour, Zhu Yijun stood up and said goodbye.

Sitting on the sedan chair, the group walked slowly along the alley. Zhu Yijun was thinking in his mind, who should we choose?

The portraits of all five candidates have been seen, which is equivalent to eighteen layers of beauty, and it doesn't count. The real person only saw Song Liuli. But it can be seen from this that they still put a lot of effort into selecting people.

Heaven is deaf and earth is dumb, this is the ancient marriage, the emperor and the prince are the same. I am even worse, I can ignore people, but I have to consider their background first.

Who should we choose?
Passing by a palace, I saw Wanfu and Meng Chong seeing someone out, and they were Wanquan and Li Shizhen.

"Stop!" Zhu Yijun shouted hurriedly.

Seeing Zhu Yijun get off the sedan chair, everyone knelt down and saluted.

"I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Stand up. Doctor Wan, Medicine King Li, the two of you have come here together. Who are you diagnosing and treating?"

"To His Majesty."

"Father!" Zhu Yijun raised his eyebrows, "This is not a place for you two to stay for long. Qi Yan, I will escort you two gentlemen out of the Forbidden City through Xihua Gate first."

"Yes! Gentlemen, please."

After Qi Yan took Wan Quan and Li Shizhen away, Zhu Yijun waved his hand, signaling all the palace maids and eunuchs to retreat, and then signaled Wan Fu and Meng Chong to follow. When they walked to a secluded place, Zhu Yijun asked.

"What happened to my father?"

Wanfu and Mengchong looked at each other, and Mengchong answered, "Your Majesty has been easily tired and sleepy this month. He has a poor spirit and a poor appetite. He has invited several imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Office to see him, but he has not been cured, so he invited Doctor Wan and Medicine King Li."

Zhu Yijun stared at Meng Chong.

Meng Chong lowered his head, bent his waist, and held his breath.

"I have come to pay my respects to the Emperor these days, and I have heard that he sounds very tired. I never thought that his health is so poor. Now the Emperor..."

"Taking a nap." Meng Chong replied immediately.

"Go in and inform him that I want to see my father." Zhu Yijun said without allowing any objection.

Meng Chong did not hesitate at all and immediately answered, "Yes."

After a while, he walked out of the palace and bowed, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you."

Zhu Yijun stood there with his hands in his sleeves, without moving. Fang Liang led twenty-four Jingjun soldiers into the palace gate first.

After waiting for two or three minutes, Fang Liang stood back at the palace gate, with his head down and his hands hanging. Zhu Yijun said lightly, "Let's go!" He strode in, with Wanfu and Meng Chong following closely behind him.

After passing through two courtyards and reaching the main house in the backyard, Meng Chong walked up to him and said, "Your Highness, I will go and inform them."

"Ok!"

Meng Chong took a few steps ahead and walked into the main room. Zhu Yijun slowed down and walked slowly in the corridor.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is here."

"Oh, the boss is here, please come in." The voice of Emperor Longqing sounded, as if he had just woken up from a drowsy sleep.

Zhu Yijun walked into the room and saw Emperor Longqing lying on the couch with his back leaning against a pillow. He was wearing a round-necked red silk shirt and had his hair hastily combed into a bun and wrapped with a cloth strip.

The round face became angular, the complexion turned blue, the eye sockets became sunken, and the lips turned pale.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father."

"Boss, get up, Wanfu, help the prince up quickly." Emperor Longqing said hurriedly.

Zhu Yijun lifted his clothes and sat down on the stool.

"My father is ill, but I didn't know about it. I am really unfilial."

Emperor Longqing looked at Zhu Yijun, his eyes filled with so many emotions, relief, shame, fear, loss. It was hard to describe. "The boss is busy with state affairs and dare not be distracted. I told them not to tell you." Emperor Longqing said, "You have done a good job, and I am relieved."

"Doctor Wan and Medicine King Li have examined father's pulse and diagnosed him. I will discuss with the two gentlemen later and decide which medicine to use. If there is any medicine not available in the inner treasury, I will ask them to find it even if they spend all their money."

"I see your filial piety, eldest brother, and it is engraved in my heart." Emperor Longqing suddenly coughed a few times. The eunuchs and palace maids beside him hurriedly brought a basin of water. Zhu Yijun stepped forward and gently stroked Emperor Longqing's back.

Emperor Longqing stopped coughing, but his complexion became worse and his breathing became more disordered.

He reached out and took Zhu Yijun's hand, "Boss, have you decided on a good date for your wedding?"

"Father, it's decided. February 16th next year."

"Yes, there is still time. Boss, let me tell you something personal."

"Okay!" Zhu Yijun raised his head and his eyes fell on Wanfu and Meng Chong. The two of them hurriedly led everyone out of the room, leaving only the father and son.

Zhu Yijun moved to the front of the bed, sat down on the edge, and continued to hold Emperor Longqing's hand.

"Boss," said Emperor Longqing, "I have thought about it and I think Xue Baoqin is the most suitable."

"What do you mean, father?"

"Xue Baoqin will be the Crown Princess. When you ascend the throne, you will enthrone her as the Queen and Song as the Imperial Noble Consort. One is soldiers, the other is money. I know these two are what you value most.

With these two things, you will definitely be able to accomplish something unparalleled that surpasses the Second Ancestor."

"Father."

"I have read the book. The crown prince of the Ming Dynasty only got married twice, when Crown Prince Yiwen was crown prince during the Hongwu reign and when Emperor Xiaozong was crown prince during the Chenghua reign.

The prince is getting married. After the tortoise shell divination confirms the wedding date, the emperor needs to go to the Fengxian Palace to offer sacrifices and confer the ceremony. I have calculated the date and am waiting for that day. "

At this point, Emperor Longqing could not help but sigh, "I never thought that the eldest son would get married and start a family. When your mother gave birth to you, you were so small, and I held you in my arms, at a loss.

If I use force, I’m afraid of hurting you; if I don’t use force, I’m afraid of dropping you.

That night, I ran to the Western Garden, yes, right in the Renshou Palace, and announced the good news to your royal grandfather through the curtain, saying that his eldest grandson had been born.

That night, your grandfather and I, father and son, laughed foolishly across the curtain for half the night."

Zhu Yijun listened quietly and couldn't help but hold Emperor Longqing's hand tighter.

"Boss, when you get married, remember to bring your new bride to the Renshou Palace to show your grandfather the Emperor."

"Well, I'll remember it."

Emperor Longqing panted and waved his hands weakly, "Boss, I'm sleepy and need to sleep for a while. You can go now."

Zhu Yijun let go of his hand, kowtowed in front of the bed, got up and left.

"Serve well." Zhu Yijun gave instructions to Wanfu and Meng Chong, walked out of the palace, got on the sedan chair, went out of the Xihua Gate, and entered the West Garden.

Qi Yan came forward to greet him.

"Your Highness, Mr. Wan and Mr. Li are waiting in Qinzheng Hall."

After entering the Qinzheng Hall, Zhu Yijun asked everyone else to leave, leaving only the three of them in the room.

"Mr. Wan, Mr. Li, how is Father's health?"

Zhu Yijun asked straight to the point.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's health is very poor and there are signs of serious damage to his health." Wan Quan told the truth.

Zhu Yijun's expression changed, "Is there no room for redemption?"

"Your Highness, the Emperor's health is like a drop of water wearing away a stone. The damage has hit the root and there is no way to save him."

Li Shizhen said hesitantly, "Your Highness, I have something to report to you."

"Please say."

"Your Majesty's symptoms are like taking poisonous drugs for a long time."

"Tiger and wolf medicine?"

"Yes, this medicine is popular among the wealthy families in Jiangnan. It has miraculous effects and is less harmful to people than other medicines, but it is most taboo to take it all year round or frequently. Unfortunately, the emperor violated both taboos.

That’s why it hurts the root.”

The names of the two people flashed through Zhu Yijun's mind, but he remained calm on the surface.

"How did Jiangnan's medicine get into the palace? I must investigate this matter thoroughly! Qi Yan!"

Zhu Yijun said loudly.

"The slave is here!"

"Send Feng Bao here."

"Yes."

Zhu Yijun said again: "Since Mr. Li knows the root of the disease, do you know if there is a way to save the situation?"

Li Shizhen shook his head: "Your Highness, please punish me. I am really powerless. The emperor has been taking medicine too frequently, and his last bit of vitality has long been drained."

Zhu Yijun closed his eyes in silence for a while, then asked softly, "How long will it take?"

Wan Quan and Li Shizhen looked at each other, lowered their heads and replied softly, "One year at most."

Zhu Yijun sighed and said, "Please continue to do your best, gentlemen."

"I will."

"Gentlemen, our father's condition must not be known to anyone else."

"I understand."

"Someone, send these two gentlemen away."

"Yes."

Soon, Feng Bao hurried in and saw Zhu Yijun sitting alone on a chair with a gloomy face. He couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.

"Your servant Feng Bao pays respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Feng Bao," Zhu Yijun said two names, "keep an eye on these two. Keep a close eye on them. They cannot leave the sight of the East Factory guards for even a second, 24 hours a day."

Hearing Zhu Yijun's stern words, Feng Bao quickly responded, "I obey your orders!"

"From today on, anyone who has come into contact with these two people must be registered. This matter is classified as the top secret of the East Factory. If any information is leaked out."

Zhu Yijun's gaze was like a sword, and Feng Bao was so frightened that his back was covered with cold sweat. He immediately fell to the ground and said, "I dare not let a single word leak out!"

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yijun continued, "The royal family members in the capital have been making a lot of noise recently. They and Song Gongliang have been keeping a close eye on me."

"As ordered!"

(End of this chapter)