Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 179 The Fool (Vote Request)

Outside Qingning Palace.

Zhu Youtang came with his long-time attendant Jiang Cong to pay respects to Empress Dowager Zhou. Before they reached the palace gate, they saw two half-grown girls holding hands and running out of Qingning Palace, skipping and bouncing.

"Greetings to the Emperor."

The one in the lead looked very playful, with very lively eyes.

There seemed to be light in the eyes when he looked at Zhu Youtang.

The one next to him seemed very reserved and introverted, and also quickly saluted Zhu Youtang.

Zhu Youtang greeted them warmly: "Are both of you here to pay your respects to the Imperial Grandmother? I'll be in now, you can go back first."

"Yes."

The girl in the lead took her sister and left.

The two girls are now both nine years old. The eldest is Princess Yongkang, the second daughter of Emperor Xianzong and the daughter of Concubine Guo Hui. The other is Princess Deqing, who is a few months younger, and is the third daughter of Emperor Xianzong and the daughter of Concubine Zhang Life.

Zhu Youtang usually lacked the love of family and had few opportunities to meet his two imperial sisters. When they first met, he was smiling and very cordial. After his two sisters left, he turned around and looked at them a few more times before turning back and walking into the palace.

……

……

Qingning Palace, main hall.

Queen Mother Zhou asked her grandson to sit there, saying that they were chatting about family matters, but in fact he was just listening to her nagging.

"…You are about to get married, and you are already an adult. I will ask your father to let you take charge of government affairs. He does not want to be involved in many matters. Instead of letting the people in the court share his worries, it is better to let his own son take charge. This way, the power will not fall into the hands of others.

"Prince, are you satisfied with the Crown Princess chosen for you by the Royal Grandmother?"

Zhu Youtang was still a little dazed, but upon hearing this, he quickly replied, "Satisfied."

"hehe."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "You are too honest, you can't hide anything. I hope you are really satisfied. The ceremony will be held in a few days, and you will be an adult. When the time comes, you two will love each other. Remember to bring your wife here often to chat with me."

"Yes."

To Zhu Youtang, this was nothing at all. He even felt that it was his due. He looked at Queen Dowager Zhou with eyes full of admiration.

Queen Mother Zhou was old and experienced, so she naturally knew who were insincere and who were sincere. She grabbed Zhu Youtang's hand and patted it gently, her satisfaction evident in words.

At this moment, a young eunuch came in and said, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, Your Majesty the Consort Chen and the three princes have come to pay their respects to you."

The so-called Concubine Chen, also known as Concubine Shao, was recorded in history mainly because she was the grandmother of Ming Shizong Zhu Houzhao. After Emperor Jiajing ascended the throne, she was honored as the Empress Dowager. As the concubine of Emperor Xianzong, her unfulfilled wish for her son was fulfilled by her grandson, which can be said to be a miracle of fate.

Of course, now with the appearance of Zhang Yanling, a time traveler, it would be difficult for Zhu Houcong to ascend to the throne again.

The reason why Concubine Shao was able to receive special care from Zhu Jianshen even though Concubine Wan was the only favored concubine in the Chenghua period was because she was relatively fertile. In addition to the eleven-year-old Fourth Prince Zhu Youlang, there were also the nine-year-old Fifth Prince Zhu Youqiong and the six-year-old Eighth Prince Zhu Youqiong.

Queen Mother Zhou was displeased when she heard this, "When that woman was still here, she only came to pay her respects occasionally, and she never brought all the children with her... Humph, now that that woman is gone, she has become so knowledgeable and tactful that she even brought her son to pay her respects? You are really giving me face."

Zhu Youtang, who was listening nearby, immediately felt that his grandmother might have some misunderstanding about Shao Chenfei. He wanted to persuade her but didn't know how to start, so he had to be silent.

"I understand."

Queen Mother Zhou sneered and said, "Go tell them that I am not feeling well and cannot see guests. Let them go back first. They don't have to come unless it is a festival."

"Yes."

The young eunuch seemed not to be able to tell that the old lady was speaking in a sarcastic way. After bowing respectfully, he immediately turned around and went out to tell Concubine Shao. Empress Dowager Zhou shook her head and sighed, saying, "The warmth and coldness of human feelings can be best reflected at this time... Grandson, you understand filial piety and etiquette. No matter it is winter or summer, or wind or rain, you always think of me. Unlike some people, they only think of visiting me when they need you, and regard filial piety as worldly wisdom."

Zhu Youtang knew that this was not a good thing to say. Since it involved his father's concubine and several younger brothers, he dared not agree to it easily.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled brightly and said, "What a coincidence, we are all here together today. Two maids came to pay their respects earlier, just before you. Did you see them?"

Zhu Youtang said: "My grandson has seen them. The two sisters are very cute. I even exchanged a few words with them at the door."

"Yes."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "You young ones all know filial piety, but the old one is a little bit out of line now. I haven't seen him for several days... By the way, have you seen your father in the past two days?"

"Never..."

Zhu Youtang answered cautiously.

"Haha. Maybe he's in a bad mood... It's said that people are born, grow old, get sick and die. When you reach a certain age, you should stop clinging to the world. Isn't there a saying among the people that happy funerals are held? Is it worth being so sad when an old woman passes away?"

Empress Dowager Zhou was in a very happy mood at this time, and she seemed to be applauding the death of Concubine Wan.

Zhu Youtang was also wondering after hearing this. Was my imperial concubine's mother really that old? If she died at that age, would it be considered a happy funeral? Wasn't it too early?
Seeing her grandson was a little embarrassed, Queen Mother Zhou deliberately changed the subject and said with a smile: "The girl you picked is really good at writing. The lyrics she wrote are all in the style of a master. I thought she was being used, but now it seems that she is really talented... Grandson, you like talented women, right?"

Zhu Youtang was stunned.

You were just talking about something else, but how come you suddenly turned around and started talking about my wife-to-be?
Zhu Youtang stared in astonishment and said, "Grandson... I don't know..."

"You don't know what kind of woman you like? That's weird."

Queen Mother Zhou was a little confused at first, but then she smiled and said, "But it makes sense. If someone is deliberately trying to keep you in suspense, you don't look like a child who likes to write poetry. Maybe it's just a coincidence?"

Zhu Youtang was still confused.

Queen Mother Zhou's face turned cold, and she asked, "Prince, do you know that the Zhang family has any relationship with Li Zisheng?"

Seeing that her grandson was not understanding, Queen Mother Zhou stopped hinting and just said it directly.

You, Li Zisheng, can use your connections to get close to my grandson, but you can't treat my grandson like a monkey. As an emperor, you must know how to control your ministers, and you must be aware of the interests involved.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "I know a little bit."

This answer surprised Queen Mother Zhou. She said, "You..."

The words were in my mouth, but I choked.

I was afraid that you were kept in the dark, so I wanted to give you some careful guidance, but you immediately showed that you knew everything?
Zhu Youtang said solemnly: "My grandson knows about the prophecy of the earthquake in Li Qing's family, and also about the past of asking people from the Imperial Observatory to send a message to the palace. As for the reason, my grandson doesn't know. But because of this, my grandson had the honor of meeting...her..."

Queen Mother Zhou covered her mouth and laughed, "Who told me that you are stupid? You are not stupid at all! I think those guys who claim to be smart are really stupid!"

Zhu Youtang was a little confused again.

How does this bring up the question of whether I am stupid or not?
"Okay, okay, as long as you know what's going on."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "These ministers exist to help the monarch. You don't rule the world yet, but you are the crown prince. You should use them to govern the country, but don't let them use you to abuse power or even cover up the world with one hand and deceive you. Do you understand?"

"I understand. I will follow the instructions of my grandmother."

Zhu Youtang bowed respectfully.

(My whole body aches, but I’m still trying to write three chapters today. Please support me with some monthly tickets!)

(End of this chapter)