Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 153 Things are coming
At noon, inside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianshen and his son Zhu Youtang sat across the table and had lunch together, just like an old father calling his son to his side to give him some earnest instructions before he gets married.

But it was obvious that Zhu Jianshen had no good feelings towards his son, especially when Zhu Youtang kept coughing due to a cold yesterday, he looked at him coldly, clearly expressing his doubts about "how a sickly boy like you can be in charge of state affairs in the future", and he was even more worried about the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"Prince, you are not young anymore. When I was your age, I had already begun to run the government and inherited the great country and foundation left by your grandfather. But you have not yet completed your studies. You still need to work hard!"

When Zhu Jianshen said this, his face turned very ugly.

I feel like I am disgusted with my son because he is not as good as me. Why did I give birth to such a loser like you?

Zhu Youtang was used to being cautious in his words and actions, and he obviously had no mood to eat this meal. Hearing this, he quickly stood up, knelt down and kowtowed vigorously: "Your son will do his best to complete the schoolwork and not let you down, father."

"Okay, let's get up and eat... cough cough..."

After Zhu Jianshen finished speaking, he also coughed twice.

Then he covered his mouth and pointed at Qin Chang who was standing beside him.

Then, Qin Chang walked over attentively and poured Zhu Jianshen a glass of something that looked like wine.

Zhu Youtang didn't dare to look up to see what it was. He just glanced at it out of the corner of his eye. The liquid looked turbid and amber in color, like freshly brewed tea, and a pungent smell could be smelled from a long distance.

Zhu Youtang thought that his father was probably drinking some medicine.

"His Majesty."

Just when the father and son had only taken a few bites of their meal and were about to have problems, a young eunuch came in hurriedly and said, "The Imperial Concubine is in a bad mood and refuses to eat. She insists that Your Majesty must come over."

"How could this happen? You are seriously ill and should rest more. How can you act recklessly?"

After Zhu Jianshen finished speaking, he stood up hurriedly.

Unexpectedly, when she sat down to eat with her son, she took off half of her shoes. Because the shoes did not fit her feet, she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Qin Chang next to her was quick to catch her and avoided the embarrassment of eating shit.

"Prince, please have your meal by yourself. I have something else to do."

Zhu Jianshen steadied himself and waved his hand, saying loudly, "Go to Anxi Palace."

……

……

When Zhu Jianshen left, Zhu Youtang hurriedly stood up to see him off, but he could only hunch his waist, not daring to move. He did not dare to stand up until the footsteps faded away.

It was not until Qin Chang came over to support him that Zhu Youtang realized that his father had walked away.

Qin Chang smiled and said, "Your Highness, please have your meal soon... His Majesty has instructed that someone will be sent to escort you back to the East Palace after you finish your meal."

"Thank you very much."

Zhu Youtang said respectfully.

Qin Chang was somewhat helpless and shook his head: "You are the noble master, and I am a servant. You don't have to be so polite to me... I believe you also know that the noble concubine is seriously ill, and His Majesty is very concerned about you. It is not intentional to leave you here."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded, looking very sensible, "I also wanted to visit the Imperial Concubine's mother, but I was afraid of making her unhappy, so I didn't dare to mention it to my father."

Qin Chang smiled and said, "You are filial, and everyone in the palace knows it. But in the current situation, if you can avoid going, then don't go."

This is also a kind reminder.

People don't like you, but you insist on going to visit them when they are sick. People who don't know you might think you are deliberately gloating over their misfortune.

"Well... Oban, I'm going to have my meal first, do you want to join us?" Zhu Youtang asked.

Qin Chang quickly waved his hand: "Don't break the rules... Just enjoy it, I will serve you." "Oh."

Zhu Youtang sat down and ate cautiously, but he only dared to touch the dishes on the two plates in front of him. He chewed his food slowly and did not dare to be rude at all.

Seeing this, Qin Chang couldn't help himself, so he reached out to pick up some food for Zhu Youtang and filled the teacup in front of him, which led Zhu Youtang to thank him repeatedly.

……

……

Inside Anxi Palace.

It was not known whether she had truly recovered or was having a last burst of energy, but Concubine Wan had regained her strength and showed off her femininity in front of the eunuchs and palace maids who were serving her. She threw chopsticks and smashed bowls, scattering food all over the floor. She also sat on the carpet and made a scene, with the aim of attracting her husband.

When Zhu Jianshen arrived, he saw Concubine Wan torturing herself like this. Although he felt heartbroken, he still had to keep a straight face to maintain the emperor's face. He pretended to be angry and said, "Wan Shi, you are still recuperating, what is going on?"

Concubine Wan looked up at Zhu Jianshen, pouted her lips, and said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, if you are not happy, then it is better to die than to live... Just let me die early!"

"Nonsense!"

Zhu Jianshen was about to reprimand him, but when he thought of Li Zisheng's prophecy, his heart softened and he waved his hand, saying, "All of you leave first."

Then, a group of trembling palace maids and eunuchs carefully picked up the things that were knocked over by Concubine Wan and tiptoed out of the inner hall.

When the old wife and young husband were the only ones left in the inner hall, Zhu Jianshen walked over in a flattering manner, picked up the thin Concubine Wan from the ground, and put her on the soft couch.

"You are in such a serious condition, and you still have the heart to lose your temper? Anger is harmful to your health. Do you really want to die? If you die, how can I live?" Zhu Jianshen looked distressed. "Drink the medicine quickly, don't let it get cold... Come on, let me feed you."

Concubine Wan's tears flowed down her cheeks and she said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's marriage is just for me to have a good time. Is there no other reason?"

Zhu Jianshen looked hesitant.

When he came to inform Concubine Wan of the news that the Crown Prince was going to get married, he did not mention anything about getting married for good luck.

I also didn't want to make Concubine Wan feel bad.

"Who told you this?"

Zhu Jianshen asked this question, but he already had the answer in his heart.

Ordinary eunuchs and palace maids did not dare to mention this matter casually. Everyone knew what kind of temper Concubine Wan had. Who would dare to cause trouble for themselves?
Besides, regarding the situation of the wedding for the purpose of bringing good fortune, apart from a few people in the court who knew about it, how could the eunuchs and palace maids, who were isolated from the news, know about it?

The only person who might have mentioned it was Concubine Shao, who had brought her son to visit Concubine Wan.

Concubine Wan said aggrievedly, "That's it? Your Majesty, if you let the prince get married for my sake, then I would rather die of illness or go straight to hell... I can't swallow this anger no matter what."

Zhu Jianshen frowned and asked, "The prince is just a child, and he is usually respectful to you. How angry are you that you have to argue with him at this critical moment?"

Concubine Wan retorted, "May I ask Your Majesty, is it a happy thing for me to have the Crown Prince get married?"

This question immediately stumped Zhu Jianshen.

"You once asked me to raise the prince, but he never treated me as his mother. There are even rumors that he secretly said that his biological mother's death was related to me..."

"Don't talk nonsense. How could there be a connection? Who is gossiping behind your back? I must punish you severely!" Zhu Jianshen hurriedly interrupted Concubine Wan and tried to comfort her.

"Your Majesty, this may be malicious slander, but I am afraid that the prince has already believed it. Since then, he has always been hostile to me..."

Concubine Wan said with tears in her eyes: "If it is just a personal grudge between me and him, then it is fine, but he is mediocre in talent and his health is very poor. He gets sick in autumn and winter. With such a weak body, he may be terminally ill in a few years. If he is made the crown prince, I am afraid that all your majesty's painstaking efforts in cultivating him will be wasted in the future."

I'm just saying, I think the prince will die earlier than you.

Therefore, you are wasting your time in raising this son. You might as well replace him as soon as possible. It will be better for you, for me, and for everyone!

(End of this chapter)