Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 244 His name
Fan Sirong is a very insightful person, and now she is pregnant.

Liu Yi was more innocent and lively, and Zhu Changluo was also worried that she had not been able to conceive for a long time. Therefore, he complained that the newly appointed concubine was arranged to the Yiku Palace, which had a strong symbolic significance.

In fact, where are the other complicated reasons? It is simply that the Yikun Palace is "unlucky".

Previously, the most favored concubine Zheng of the retired emperor was executed here.

Previously, each of the twelve palaces in the east and west had a master who was at least a concubine, except for the Yikun Palace, which still only housed a few noble ladies below the rank of concubine.

Now it has an owner, and the emperor will soon arrive here, on the night of the first day of the first lunar month.

Seeing the emperor go in, Chen Ju waved his hand, and the young eunuch bent down and went to other palaces in silence.

Soon, the two red lanterns at the gates of other palaces will be taken down.

This is what happens every night: two red lights are hung on the door, hoping that you will pick them yourself.

If the emperor arrived at a certain courtyard, or summoned a noble to sleep with him, everyone would take down their lanterns and rest peacefully tonight without waiting any longer.

The Yikun Palace was of course notified in advance, and as soon as the emperor arrived, wine and food were served.

In the main hall, red candles flickered, creating a festive atmosphere.

Zhang Juzheng's granddaughter stood there in her best clothes, but her expression was very peaceful.

"I kneel to greet your majesty. May your majesty have a happy new year and all the best."

"Get up and sit down." Zhu Changluo watched her slowly sit down and put a spoonful of food in the bowl in front of her. "Did you go to pay New Year's greetings to the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowagers and the Queen this morning?"

"Yes." She bowed first, "Thank you, Your Majesty... I am not familiar with the palace rules, and I am afraid there will be mistakes, but what did I do wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong with that." Zhu Changluo smiled and pointed at her bowl. "Let's eat and talk at the same time. I also went there before nightfall, and the Empress Dowager praised you for your knowledge and manners."

She chewed her food carefully, with very small movements.

Maybe it was because he had been in exile with his father for many years and life was not easy.

"Yesterday, I had a good chat with your father, uncle, and uncle." Zhu Changluo put down his chopsticks after eating two bites, picked up the small wine glass and looked at her, "Your grandfather was a good imperial teacher, a good father, and a good minister. Of the six sons of the Zhang family, except for your eldest uncle who unfortunately died and I never got to meet him, the other five sons are all talented and loyal. Your father named you Shuangmei, hoping that you would not be afraid of frost and snow and have a proud character since you were a child."

"Your Majesty, I am so kind, your humble servant..."

"Because of what happened back then, you have had few days of good life since you were a child, and the Zhang family suffered a great disaster." Zhu Changluo looked into her eyes seriously, "I came a little late, so I have to make it up in the future. I don't know much about you, and you and I are unfamiliar. It is said that fate is determined by heaven, but unfortunately I am the fate of the Ming Dynasty. I chose you for myself, not just to be attentive to the court. In terms of talent and knowledge, you should be the best in the harem. I let you live in Yikun Palace, not to treat you coldly, but with high expectations."

Zhang Shuangmei was not used to such a direct emperor, and she didn't think much about it now.

In fact, even if she was just a tool to restore her grandfather's reputation and prevent her family from being criminals, she would be willing to do so.

But the emperor actually said directly that she was the most talented person in the harem. Zhang Shuangmei didn't understand what basis he had for making such a judgment.

After all, the young emperor in front of him was smiling and had warm eyes. He said, "You still have to drink the wedding wine. There's no need to be so restrained. The night is still long. I want to hear your story from childhood to adulthood."

When it comes to the cup-exchange, the mood changes. It's not just the nervous relationship between "king and subject", but they are about to become "husband and wife", and the two people are just pure man and woman.

Zhang Shuangmei's cheeks were slightly hot, and she pursed her lips as she listened to the emperor's instructions.

Zhang Yunxiu was the fifth son of Zhang Juzheng. When the Zhang family was liquidated after Zhang Juzheng's death, Zhang Yunxiu was only eighteen years old. He only held the official position of Shangbao Sicheng, which was granted by imperial favor, and it was a stipend.

He was subsequently dismissed from his official position, his elder brother committed suicide, and he also fled to the Jiangnan area.

But his father-in-law was actually not a simple person either. He was Li Youshu, the younger brother of Li Youzi, a fellow townsman and fellow Jinshi of Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng and Li Youzi were not only natural political allies, but also relatives in law. Li Youzi's daughter was promised to Zhang Juzheng's youngest son since she was a child, and his brother's daughter was also betrothed to Zhang Yunxiu at a very early age.

His elder brother rose to become the Minister of Works, and Li Youshu also became a county magistrate, a doctor in the Ministry of Justice, and a prefect with his academic achievement.

Intellectuals are always the top figures in society, let alone those from prominent official families?
So even though Zhu Changluo said that Zhang Shuangmei had never had a good life since she was a child, she really didn't look like a poor woman and her appearance was above average.

This also shows that Zhang Juzheng was indeed good at education: although his sons had been criticized for frequently passing the imperial examinations, they all had real talent and knowledge.

Zhu Changluo was familiar with Zhang Juzheng, and he knew that even though he was the fifth son of the emperor, he left a famous "Suicide Poem" when facing the murderous Zhang Xianzhong in the late Ming Dynasty:
At eighty, I can only lament that my hair has turned grey, but I don't know how old my bones are from fighting. Loyalty is the legacy of the past, and the love and care for the future are the inspiration for the future.

I dare to say that I can serve my country today, but I regret that I have not passed the imperial examination in the future. I wish to turn my heart into iron, and my spirit will not be broken even in the face of death!

Therefore, even though he fled Jingzhou and lived in a foreign land, Zhang Yunxiu always had the support of his wife's family. Over the years, he was able to work as a tutor in a wealthy family in Jiangnan with his talent and knowledge, enjoying a special status and income.

If it weren't for Zhang Yunxiu's special identity, his daughter wouldn't be unmarried at this age.

Now that she had drunk the wedding wine, her face became even redder due to the alcohol.

Zhu Changluo started the conversation: "I heard that among your father's students, there was one who was admitted to the Imperial College last year and won the Nanzhili provincial examination this year. I asked him yesterday, and he drank too much, and he said that your grandfather had given him the title of Shangbao Sicheng when he was fifteen years old, cutting off his path to the imperial examination, otherwise he would have passed the imperial examination and become a Jinshi. Since he couldn't do it himself, he hoped that his children would be his children, and he taught you with the most care. If you were a man, you would change "shuang" to "zhong" and "mei" to "zhu", and you would be a person of the Zhang family's "zhong" generation with great expectations..."

Zhang Shuangmei listened to him talking a lot, so she also told him how her father had enlightened her over the years. When she was a girl, he let her dress like a boy and act as a schoolboy in the clan school to help enlighten the young children.

Later, as they were talking, the emperor called in Chen Ju, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, and he brought a large box.

"He and your grandfather were also familiar with each other." Zhu Changluo pointed at Chen Ju, and then took out a few books from the open box. "After ascending to the throne, I heard Wanhua talk about your grandfather. I have read "Illustrated Explanation of the Imperial Mirror" and "Direct Interpretation of the Comprehensive Mirror". These books also have my annotations. Your grandfather can be considered as half of my master."

Zhang Shuangmei stared blankly at the red comments on the pages of the book he opened.

"I heard that your uncles are still collecting and compiling Taiyuegong's poems and writings. Some of them were presented to the emperor in the past, such as "Mo Xun Lei Bian", "Da Bao Zhen Zhu", and "Zhen Guan Zheng Yao Jie". I'm afraid the Zhang family doesn't have any manuscripts left. I have had them all found. There are also some secret reports, letters, and miscellaneous records, all of which are placed in your palace. When your mother and others come to the palace tomorrow, take them back and compile Taiyuegong's collection as soon as possible."

Zhu Changluo pointed to the remaining items in the box. Zhang Shuangmei's eyes became moist and she knelt down and kowtowed to Zhu Changluo several times.

"Your Majesty, I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of my father, uncles and uncles. My grandfather's spirit in heaven would be grateful to see Your Majesty's dedication..."

She choked up, Chen Ju looked at the emperor, and quietly left.

It could have been handed over directly to the Zhang brothers yesterday, but they had to let Concubine Rong take a look at it first before she could pass it on.

The emperor still wanted to win Zhang's heart.

In Chen Ju's opinion, this was also a well-thought-out plan.

No matter what, the Zhang family’s suffering was due to the “contribution” of the retired emperor.

Although the emperor has now shown great favor, it would be better for the person entering the palace not to harbor any resentment in her heart.

In Yiku Palace, Zhu Changluo and Zhang Shuangmei's "relationship" took a step closer. She was finally able to relax a little and talk about her experiences over the years.

What kind of "emotional intelligence" does Zhu Changluo have?
What he experienced in the first half of his life was what he had learned from facing so many concubines in the harem.

Breaking the ice must be targeted. Zhang Shuangmei, the daughter who carries Zhang Yunxiu's regrets in the imperial examination, has always heard from her father that her grandfather was an incomparably tall figure since she was a child.

Looking at his status and achievements, he can indeed be ranked among the best among the ministers of all dynasties.

Zhang Sixiu, Zhang Maoxiu and others have indeed been collecting Zhang Juzheng's writings in recent years, hoping to compile them into a collection.

The emperor could give the Zhang family too many materials that were difficult to find in the outside world.

Zhang Juzheng has passed away, and his writings are the best opportunity to enhance his reputation after his death.

With these preparations, the long night of the first day of the first lunar month can go smoothly and harmoniously.

The new girl on the couch wrapped her arms around him, her eyes a little hazy, her breath still calming.

Zhu Changluo just raised the corners of his mouth and looked at her quietly.

"Your Majesty..." Zhang Shuangmei's eyes became clearer, then tinged with shame and she looked away.

"Once is strange, twice is familiar."

"Your Majesty!" This time her tone was filled with some anger.

"I think it's easy to give birth, so I'll try to get pregnant sooner." Zhu Changluo pondered under the warm quilt, "I'll work harder and come more often."

The fact that the emperor couldn't let go of her was naturally the best way to tease his concubines.

After hearing what Zhu Changluo said, Zhang Shuangmei was naturally happy both physically and mentally tonight.

In the Cining Palace, Zhu Yijun couldn't sleep tonight.

It was early in the morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year and since we were going to pay New Year’s greetings, we certainly couldn’t ignore him, the emperor emeritus.

In fact, he is now quite respected, the atmosphere has long been eased, and even his residence has been rearranged to be closer to the Queen Mother.

He accepted the kowtow of Zhang Juzheng's granddaughter and listened to her wishing him a long and healthy life.

Throughout the rest of the day, he kept thinking of Zhang Juzheng from time to time.

Now that I am paralyzed and can't do anything, my brain is the most active part.

The more I think about old things, the clearer they become.

The night watch drum sounded again. He looked at the blurry window frame and everything was silent.

After a long time, he blinked and a tear slid down the corner of his eye.

What was there to think about? After all, it had been twenty years.

It was already the fourth year of Taichang, and twenty years had passed since Zhang Juzheng's death and liquidation.

But today, twenty years later, from day to late at night, Zhang Juzheng's name is constantly mentioned throughout the capital.

In the capital, Zhang Yunxiu, as the biological father of the concubine, was granted a mansion, and the five brothers of the Zhang family temporarily lived there.

Twenty years later, there was another Zhang Mansion in the capital.

(End of this chapter)