Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 423: Not hanging the curtain, better than hanging the curtain
Inside Qingning Palace.

Queen Mother Zhou held a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, turning them continuously, as if she was praying for her dead son, but in fact she was listening to her grandson speak.

After a while, she closed her eyes and looked so lazy that Zhu Youtang had to stop temporarily to avoid making his grandmother too sad.

"You go on."

Empress Dowager Zhou's tone was very calm, and there was no trace of sadness in it.

Zhu Youtang said: "My grandson just wants Yanling to enter the palace and take a walk in the East Palace!"

Empress Dowager Zhou sighed, "You can't live in the Eastern Palace for a few more days, right? I have had the Palace of Heavenly Purity cleaned and painted inside and out. When everything is ready...you should move in."

"Yes."

Zhu Youtang’s main character is obedience.

"And...you mentioned your brother-in-law...wait, how many brothers-in-law do you have?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.

"two."

Zhu Youtang answered seriously.

Queen Mother Zhou frowned and asked, "Why didn't you let the older brother-in-law enter the palace, but let the younger one enter? Is it because he is young and can't defile the palace that you allow him to enter and leave the palace as he pleases?"

This is also what puzzled Queen Mother Zhou.

She didn't think the prince had such intentions, but what other explanation could there be?

Qin Ji, who was standing by, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The real situation of the Zhang family was so complicated. No one in the family could have imagined that only the younger son was smart.

Zhu Youtang introduced: "Yanling is always wise and sensible. My grandson can consult him on many things, but he has never thought about other things."

"No matter how capable a half-grown child is, how outstanding can he be?"

Queen Mother Zhou looked at Chen Gui and asked, "What do you think?"

"This one……"

Chen Gui replied cautiously, "I happened to have met the second son of the Zhang family, and I heard that this young man has a very clear mind and does things... in a very good way. He is indeed a young talent."

"What do you mean?"

Queen Mother Zhou frowned.

What I mean is, how dare you contradict me?
Chen Gui quickly explained: "I am just telling you the truth, and telling you what I have seen and heard truthfully."

"Hey, this is rare... How can a young boy be so respected?"

Queen Mother Zhou was very surprised, and then she continued, "They are siblings with deep affection. If they want to meet, can I stop them? But, Prince, there are some things... well, I don't know how to tell you."

"Grandmother, please speak."

Zhu Youtang still maintained a humble attitude.

The words were on the tip of Empress Dowager Zhou's tongue, but she didn't know how to start.

After pondering for a while, Empress Dowager Zhou did not say anything in the end, but asked tentatively: "You have been married for a while, why is there no movement in the Crown Princess's belly?"

After hearing this, Zhu Youtang was confused, but Chen Gui and Qin Ji next to him were both smart people and understood what was going on as soon as they heard it.

When the Queen Mother began to have opinions about her grandson having no heirs, it could only mean one thing: the Queen Mother might very well want the Crown Prince to take more concubines. After all, taking concubines after becoming emperor would be a bit of a hindrance to his reputation, so it would be better to have concubines around him when he was in the Eastern Palace.

In this way, people who are not aware of the situation will think that the prince had received instructions from his father a long time ago to take in a bunch of concubines, and others would not think that he took concubines and had children while he was in mourning for his father.

Zhu Youtang explained: "Once, Yu'er was unwell, and she and I were both surprised. But when we consulted the imperial physician, we found out that it was a misunderstanding, and we were so happy for nothing. She and I both hoped to get pregnant soon, and we worked hard for it."

Empress Dowager Zhou shook her head and said, "You can't go on like this. You two have been married for half a year and have made all the efforts you should make. You can't keep wasting time like this. If your father is still alive, he would hope that you would have a child soon, so that the Ming Dynasty can be passed down stably."

"But……"

Zhu Youtang was a filial son after all. His father had just died. Should he try to have a child at this time?

From a Confucian perspective, this is simply unfilial!

After all, according to folk rules, before and after the mourning period, especially if it is later calculated that the child was conceived during the mourning period, it is absolutely an unfilial behavior and will be criticized by the world.

If you are an educated person, you may even be criticized and called shameless.

Empress Dowager Zhou said: "The royal family is different from the common people. Your descendants are related to the stability of the Ming Dynasty. I care about this matter very much. Your father and your mother will also care about it... Listen to me, you must hurry up, otherwise..."

Otherwise, she didn't say.

But the general meaning is, if the Crown Princess cannot get pregnant, I will have to add people to your side and keep you busy, so that I will be satisfied.

"Then the Imperial Grandmother, about Yanling's matter..."

Zhu Youtang suddenly felt that the conversation seemed to have gone off topic.

I just came here to ask if my brother-in-law can come to the palace more often, but I never asked to have a child during the mourning period.

Queen Mother Zhou frowned and said, "Although you are still the crown prince now, you will be the emperor in a few days. You don't have to ask me for permission for everything you do in the future.

"Even your father can't help you make a decision... You are too honest, child. Now you are the master of the palace, and everyone has to listen to you."

"But……"

"No buts, whatever you say is fine."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "If anyone objects, you can put him in prison. I don't believe that as an emperor, your words are law, how can you not handle such a small matter? Don't let those with ulterior motives hide behind and laugh at you... After all, some people thought that you were incompetent as the crown prince and have been pushing for a change of crown prince. Now that you have legitimately taken over the throne, do something practical to show them."

"Yes, grandson remembers it."

Zhu Youtang still maintained his lukewarm attitude.

Queen Mother Zhou felt like she had hit cotton with a heavy punch and was speechless for a moment.

……

……

After Zhang Luan saw his daughter, he was planning to leave the palace. However, Chen Gui received the Queen Mother's order and ran to the East Palace to block her. He was actually stopped and then taken to Qingning Palace.

"Auntie."

Zhang Luan was very polite and never forgot this sworn brotherhood.

When Queen Mother Zhou saw Zhang Luan, she ignored her son's recent death and said with a smile, "I don't know why I feel so happy when I see you... Come and sit down quickly. Let my aunt take a good look at you."

Zhang Luan was puzzled when he heard this.

You want to take a good look at me?

And let me get close to you?

Although I am also an old hand, in terms of seniority, I am indeed your nephew. Do you still have any intentions towards me at your age?
Then Chen Gui placed a chair next to Empress Dowager Zhou. The distance gave Zhang Luan a headache.

Finally, Zhang Luan sat down reluctantly, but Queen Mother Zhou was not polite at all and grabbed his hand.

Zhang Luan was shocked but didn't dare to pull his hand away. He thought to himself that this must be the Queen Mother's way of expressing her affectionate attitude towards the younger generation. She treats me as her own and I should not think too much about it.

"Laizhan, why haven't you been making any noise these past two days?" Queen Mother Zhou asked, "Tell me, how have you been doing these days? Have you really gone back home and slept for several days and nights?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan thought, this must be a satire on me for not doing anything these days?

"Aunt, please forgive me. I have caught a cold these days and am recuperating at home. However, I have tried my best to inquire about everything and even discussed the issue of the reign title with Elder Wan."

Zhang Luan excused himself.

"Oh, that was hard work."

Queen Mother Zhou still didn't let go, and asked with a smile, "I heard that you have a wife and a concubine?"

"This……"

Zhang Luan thought, does what you said have anything to do with the important affairs of the court?

"Yes."

Zhang Luan admitted it frankly, and then he said frankly, "Besides that, there are two sons and two daughters in the family, three of whom are legitimate, and only the youngest daughter was born to a concubine."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded and said, "I heard that your family has fallen on hard times. With your family background and your status as a scholar, you should have been able to find a position in the local government. I think you would have lived a good life."

"No... Auntie, you misunderstood. In Xingji, there are many people who cannot become officials. I am just a scholar, so I am not qualified to seek an official position."

Zhang Luan hurriedly explained, "I am really ashamed. I was able to enter the court this time because of the appreciation of your majesty and your aunt, and it was also because of my daughter's help."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "You are a very honest person. Indeed, sometimes you still need to rely on interpersonal relationships to make progress. It doesn't mean that you will have the opportunity to rise to the top just because you have the ability. Opportunities are always important."

When Zhang Luan heard this, he wondered what you mean by that?
A hint that I should seize the opportunity?

I don't know how to grasp it specifically?

But aunt...you have already acknowledged me as your nephew, do you have any bad thoughts about your nephew?

At this time, Queen Mother Zhou finally let go of her hand and asked again, "How are your two sons doing with their studies?"

Zhang Luan said, "I taught them a little about my family's knowledge before, but the eldest son was not very good at his studies, and he was really... not up to par. Fortunately, although the youngest son was also slack before, he is now... doing pretty well."

"Oh."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded and said, "I heard from Chen Gui that your second son is clear-headed and knows how to act. What's going on?"

"I don't know what happened to my nephew, but it seems like he had a miracle. After being enlightened by a master, he suddenly became enlightened and did a lot of things for the family."

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "This child is a little erratic at times, but he is generally a filial child and has a good relationship with his sister."

Empress Dowager Zhou nodded, probably not taking Zhang Yanling's entry into the palace to heart.

"By the way, Lai Zhan, have you visited your brothers these days?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.

Zhang Luan was very surprised: "My brother? I..."

Zhang Luan really wanted to say, I don’t have any brothers, but I do have cousins, but then he realized, this should be referring to the Zhou family, right?
Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "My younger brother is old and not of the same generation as you, so it is not very convenient for him to speak and act. But those descendants can learn from you... You need to give them more guidance."

"Oh, yes, yes."

Zhang Luan said, "But I am only a scholar, so there is not much I can teach them. I can only try to interact with them as much as possible and learn from each other."

"it is good."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded again with satisfaction, then looked at Zhang Luan meaningfully and asked, "Laizhan, what do you think about the Crown Prince taking another concubine?"

"what?"

Zhang Luan was stunned.

Is this a question that should be asked to me?

Or is this what I should hear?

"The Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne. I intend to take in a few more concubines before he officially ascends the throne, especially those who have participated in the selection of Crown Princesses before. Two more can be selected to enter the palace... then..." When Queen Mother Zhou said this, she carefully observed Zhang Luan's reaction.

Unfortunately, Zhang Luan didn't react at all.

Because he himself was a philandering person, Zhang Luan never believed that the prince should be loyal.

As for what his son said before, he didn't take it to heart.

"I have no objection. You can handle it yourself, aunt."

Zhang Luan happily agreed immediately.

Queen Mother Zhou nodded, obviously very satisfied with Zhang Luan's attitude.

(End of this chapter)