Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 91 Helpless Choice
Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jianshen was indeed very worried. The matter of changing the crown prince had already been planned and was just waiting to be implemented. However, just when it was about to be completed, an earthquake in Mount Tai ruined everything. As he always believed in God's will, he did not dare to act rashly this time.

Wei Tai, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department, came back after being out for a long time and stood beside Zhu Jianshen's desk.

"What do you think? What does the cabinet think?" Zhu Jianshen asked.

Wei Tai said, "The Prime Minister Wan Ge Lao is ill today and is not on duty; Liu Ge Lao went out for a walk, saying that he was looking for someone to consult for advice. When he came back, he said that he had no idea about the matter and that he should ask someone who knew more about it."

Zhu Jianshen frowned: "Is that how they shirk responsibility?"

Wei Tai continued, "I also asked the Imperial Observatory for its opinion."

"What did they say?" Zhu Jianshen's expression suddenly became serious, as if he also knew that the Imperial Observatory actually had the most say in this matter.

Wei Tai said: "The people of the Imperial Observatory said that this is a warning from heaven. If the court does not take it seriously, there may be a greater disaster. The crisis should be resolved with a happy event... or the most appropriate is a wedding for the Crown Prince."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Tai immediately lowered his head.

Although on the issue of changing the crown prince, almost all eunuchs were in line with the emperor, that is, they supported changing the crown prince.

But these eunuchs also have different stances, some firm and some not.

People like Liang Fang and Wei Tai were the ones who were eager to dethrone the crown prince, so they didn't actually want the East Palace to hold a wedding, because it would mean that the crown prince's position would become secure.

He had no choice but to report this now, otherwise he would be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

Zhu Jianshen thought for a long time, but could not come up with a solution. He could only wave his hand and said, "Go ahead. I want to see Wan Shi."

"Yes."

Wei Tai knew that at this critical moment, the emperor wanted to hear not the opinions of his ministers, but the opinions of Concubine Wan.

After all, the root cause of the change of crown prince was Concubine Wan.

……

……

Inside Anxi Palace.

Concubine Wan was lying on the couch, looking weak. When Zhu Jianshen arrived, she could only get up with difficulty. Before she could salute, she saw her beloved man rushing to the couch in a few steps.

"My beloved concubine, you don't have to get up. I know what you mean. Go and rest."

Zhu Jianshen's concern was beyond words. He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, holding Concubine Wan's hand tightly.

Concubine Wan asked, "How can Your Majesty have the time to visit me?"

Zhu Jianshen sighed, "Today, there is something that I can't let go of. I have been thinking about it for a long time but can't figure it out. Now I want to talk to you about my innermost thoughts... There are so many people around me, how many of them are close to me?"

"I am willing to share your worries, Your Majesty."

Concubine Wan showed a considerate attitude and spoke softly.

A woman, seventeen years older than her husband, can still retain his favor even when she is old and ugly. What she relies on is not her beauty but her extraordinary insight.

Knowing her husband inside and out is her only way to gain everyone's love.

Zhu Jianshen's face was full of regret. "I originally planned to change the crown prince, and even asked many people for their opinions. Some agreed and some disagreed... Banban Huai'en was punished by me for opposing this matter. In addition, many court officials also opposed my doing so. I also punished them one by one, just to show the outside world my tough attitude."

Concubine Wan said: "Your Majesty's intention, I understand."

Zhu Jianshen nodded: "My action is not entirely for you, my beloved concubine... I feel that the prince is a little cowardly and does not have the demeanor of a wise ruler. If we hand over the Ming Dynasty to him, I am afraid we will face great risks. I have not listened to my mother's advice recently and have been stubbornly carrying out the plan of changing the crown prince."

After hearing this, Concubine Wan knew that her husband actually regretted his decision, otherwise he would never have said such a thing as "going his own way".

Concubine Wan said: "If Your Majesty feels that this is inappropriate and goes against the will of heaven and the will of the people, then there is no need to continue." How could she not know the news of the earthquake at Mount Tai at this time?
The news spread far and wide outside the palace. Although the palace was strictly guarded and isolated from the outside world, who was Concubine Wan? She had many eyes and ears, from the eunuchs in charge to the eunuchs in charge of purchasing, all of them had her people, so she could get any news at the first time.

"My beloved, do you think so too?"

Zhu Jianshen was surprised.

It was rare for Concubine Wan to be so reasonable, which made him feel a little ashamed.

Concubine Wan nodded slightly: "I cannot influence the affairs of the court, and I don't want your Majesty to worry."

Zhu Jianshen's face was full of self-blame: "I originally promised you that I am very happy with Youjue. He is smart and capable, and he is very smart. He may achieve great things in the future."

Speaking of this, Zhu Jianshen couldn't help but compare his two sons in his mind.

Zhu Youtang and Zhu Youlu are both his sons. Although they are different in age, Zhu Youlu was born and raised by his mother. Concubine Shao spared no effort in educating her son. Zhu Youlu himself was also very hardworking. His academic performance was much better than that of his brothers at the same time. In addition, he was smart and had great speaking skills. Concubine Wan also spoke well of him behind his back. This made Zhu Jianshen feel that Zhu Youlu was more like himself, and the eldest son...

Naturally, in his eyes, he became a "bastard" born to a woman of a foreign race, weak and sickly, closed and inferior, and without the demeanor of a ruler.

It is difficult for parents to treat multiple children equally, let alone the imperial family where the interests are even more deeply entangled?

Concubine Wan said: "Since Your Majesty thinks Youju is smart, then this matter can be discussed in the long run."

At this point, Concubine Wan still refused to give up, mainly because there was really no affection between her and Zhu Youtang. Ji's death was too coincidental. Regardless of whether she was the one who committed the murder or not, she was afraid that the child would take revenge in the future. Moreover, she had disliked the child since she was young.

After all, she had been unaware of the child's birth for several years. How could a bastard who grew up hiding from her eyes and was wary of her from the very beginning possibly gain her favor?

Besides, Zhu Jianshen didn't have only this one child. Her only choice was to have her ability to influence her husband's mind. So what if she replaced him with another one to be the crown prince?

Since they are not your biological children, why not choose a prince who is better to you as the crown prince?
Zhu Youyao was not only sweet-talker and respectful to her, but even Zhu Youyao's mother, Concubine Shao, was also very capable and treated Concubine Wan as Zhu Youyao's second mother.

Zhu Jianshen said, "I had my doubts at first, but after repeated reflection, I think the earthquake that just occurred in Mount Tai may be related to your illness, my beloved concubine."

"Cough cough..."

Concubine Wan couldn't help but cough violently.

Although she had pretended to be fine and acted calm before, she could not hold it in for too long. In addition, her throat was itchy due to her husband's words, and she finally couldn't help coughing loudly.

Zhu Jianshen quickly patted Concubine Wan's back, his face full of concern: "Nowadays, only happy events can communicate with heaven and convey my wishes to heaven. And now the only happy event is the prince's wedding. What do you think, my beloved concubine?"

After a long while, Concubine Wan finally stopped coughing, and when her breathing became smooth, she said, "It's fine to get married, but his position as crown prince..."

"Let's not talk about this for now!"

Zhu Jianshen shook his head and said, "Right now is a time of great earthquakes. Even if I want to change the crown prince, if I bring it up now, the ministers in the court will surely oppose it. And if I do so, it seems to be against heaven. It is better to wait for a year or two, until my beloved concubine recovers from her illness, and then see how the children perform in school, and compare them to see who is more suitable to be the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty and inherit the throne in the future."

When Concubine Wan heard this, she knew that it was impossible to depose Zhu Youtang from the position of crown prince.

It was already difficult to get her husband to keep the idea of ​​deposing the crown prince. If she forced him now, it would be embarrassing for him.

"Yes, it is God's will."

Concubine Wan Guifei said helplessly, "Then let's do everything according to your majesty's wishes. Your majesty came to ask for my opinion and told me the reason, I am grateful to you. This is a matter of great importance to the country, your majesty should not have done this."

Zhu Jianshen didn't expect Concubine Wan to be so easy to talk to. He put his arm around his wife's waist and asked with concern, "Are you feeling better today?"

"Much better." Concubine Wan didn't want to be treated as a sickly person by her husband, so she tried to make up for herself, "Just take care of it for a few more days, I believe you will be fully recovered."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Zhu Jianshen finally put down the heavy stone in his heart and made a decision at this time.

(End of this chapter)