My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

When they saw the emperor and the crown prince's carriage arrive safely, the tense expressions on the faces of Zhu Cijiong, Xu Guoguan, Hong Chengchou and other ministers, which had been weighing heavily on their shoulders for months, involuntarily relaxed, and their eyes revealed a heartfelt and relieved look.

During the nearly six months that he remained in charge of overseeing the country, the central government operated relatively smoothly, without any major unmanageable chaos or significant policy mistakes.

Prince Zhu Cijiong of Jin was mild-mannered, even somewhat timid, and not enthusiastic about politics, nor did he have his own opinions.

Most of the time, he was merely a symbolic "regency," with specific government affairs being discussed and drafted by the cabinet. He usually approved and stamped these proposals, but when he encountered matters that were unclear or disputed, he would proactively seek the opinions of his cabinet ministers, rarely acting arbitrarily.

This attitude of "governing by doing nothing" and "humbly accepting advice" certainly made veteran cabinet ministers like Xu Guoguan feel unprecedentedly "easy" and "at ease" when implementing specific policies.

Some even privately harbored the thought that if the "easy-going" and "untroubled" Prince Jin were to inherit the throne, it might not be a bad thing for them, the civil officials. At least they wouldn't have to be as apprehensive and cautious as when facing the Crown Prince, who was deep-thinking, decisive, and often made surprising moves.

However, this was ultimately just a fleeting, unrealistic wish in the hearts of the civil officials.

Everyone knows that the Crown Prince's current position is so secure, his achievements so remarkable, and his prestige so high that no other prince can shake his position.

The Ming Dynasty's empire and the future emperor's throne were already destined to be the crown prince's.

There's a saying that goes something like this: Throughout history, powerful ministers or groups of civil officials who aspire to seize power have often preferred to support a "benevolent and weak" monarch who is "easy to manipulate," so that they can control the court.

It is clear that the current Crown Prince Zhu Cilang is by no means the kind of "benevolent and weak" ruler who can be manipulated at will.

He was too shrewd, too assertive, too opinionated, and too adept at wielding power.

Anyone who tries to "manipulate" him is likely indulging in wishful thinking and may even bring about their own destruction.

At this moment, the imperial carriage came to a stop, and the curtains were lifted.

The figure of Emperor Chongzhen reappeared in the winter sun of Beijing.

When Emperor Chongzhen stood beside the imperial carriage, his bright yellow dragon robe still radiated an undeniable majesty under the bleak winter sun of the capital. Prince Jin, Zhu Cijiong, and the civil and military officials who had been waiting outside Zhengyang Gate for a long time immediately knelt down on the cold, hard ground like wheat fields blown down by the wind.

"Your Majesty, we, your subjects, respectfully welcome Your Majesty's return to the capital! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"

Led by Prince Zhu Cijiong of Jin, followed by Grand Secretary Xu Guoguan, the newly appointed Minister of War and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion Hong Chengchou, and a host of other high-ranking officials, along with hundreds of officials, nobles, and guards, they all shouted in unison.

The sounds coalesced into a torrent, breaking through the winter's chill and echoing beneath the majestic walls of Beijing, filled with the excitement and relief of the dynasty's central government welcoming its leader back. Many people touched their foreheads to the ground, oblivious to the cold snowflakes clinging to their official hats and court robes.

Although the journey from Tianjin to Beijing took several more days of arduous travel, perhaps because he had finally left the turbulent ship and stepped onto solid, stable land, or perhaps because he had returned to the familiar capital city that symbolized his supreme authority, Chongzhen looked much better than when he disembarked in Tianjin.

The fatigue from the long journey was still there, but his eyes had regained their clarity, and his face carried a sense of peace as if he were "returning home" and the dignified smile befitting an emperor.

Hearing that familiar, deafening shout, the last trace of wandering in Chongzhen's heart vanished completely.

He took two steps forward, raised his hands slightly, and his voice, gentle yet clear, carried out:

"My beloved ministers, rise. It is freezing cold, and I apologize for keeping you all waiting. My son, you may rise as well."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on his third son, Zhu Cijiong, who was at the front, dressed in the robes of a prince, with a respectful yet timid expression. He actually stepped forward and, in full view of everyone, reached out and helped Zhu Cijiong up from the ground.

This seemingly ordinary action contains profound meaning.

During the more than six months that Chongzhen was away from the capital, although he was far away in Jiangnan, he was well aware of all the affairs of the capital, especially the performance of the regent prince, through the Jinyiwei system controlled by Li Ruolian and the regular reports from the court.

He knew that although Zhu Cijiong had not made any remarkable achievements in the past six months, he had been diligent and dutiful, had not acted on his own initiative, and had not had any improper involvement with the cabinet or other forces. He had basically played a qualified "symbolic" role and smoothly handed over the government affairs to the cabinet headed by Xu Guoguan.

For a prince who was neither the crown prince nor possessed a strong personality, managing to avoid causing trouble and ensuring a smooth transition far exceeded Chongzhen's expectations, even bringing him a rare sense of relief and satisfaction. This personal gesture of support was both a father's affirmation of his son's "completion of the task" and an emperor's commendation of his dutiful "regency."

Zhu Cijiong was personally helped up by his father, the Emperor. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he quickly bowed again, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of fear:
"Your subject... Your subject thanks Your Majesty! Your subject is of limited talent and learning, but thanks to Your Majesty's divine protection and the diligent assistance of the gentlemen of the cabinet, all matters inside and outside the capital have been kept relatively peaceful, and I have not failed Your Majesty's trust. Your subject... I dare not take credit for it."

Seeing his humble demeanor, Chongzhen's smile deepened. He patted his arm and said gently:
"You know when to advance and when to retreat, understand your duty, and rely on veteran officials, which has kept the court stable and the capital peaceful. This is a great achievement. I am very pleased. You have done a good job."

At this moment, Zhu Cilang also came over. He had grown considerably taller than when he left the capital, and his posture was even more upright. Despite the long journey, his brows were full of spirit, and he exuded a calm and composed demeanor.

He walked up to Zhu Cijiong, casually patted his younger brother's slightly thin shoulder, and said with a friendly smile, half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"Third brother, you've worked hard these past six months. You've done a great job! If there's another opportunity in the future, the responsibility of regent might have to be handed over to you again."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijiong was startled, his expression changing slightly. He waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head vigorously, and said urgently:
“Your Majesty! Please don’t make such a joke about me! This position of Regent may seem high and powerful, but in reality… it’s like sitting on pins and needles! All matters are handled properly by the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the officials of the Six Ministries. I am just using the seal as usual and occasionally asking questions. It’s really not a ‘burden’.”

"For the past six months, I have been living in constant fear, lest I make a mistake and betray the trust of my father and elder brother. I no longer want to accept such a 'favorable position'! I still feel that being a leisurely prince, reading and practicing calligraphy, is the most comfortable thing for me!"

He spoke with genuine emotion, even with a hint of lingering fear.

He was by nature mild-mannered and disliked conflict. His six months of experience as regent made him realize more deeply that beneath the seemingly supreme title of "regent" lay endless rituals, scrutiny from countless eyes, and the danger of being drawn into a political vortex with the slightest carelessness.

He couldn't make decisions on major matters, and he didn't need to concern himself with minor ones. His position as "Regent" was more like a worshipped tablet, devoid of real power yet burdened with enormous responsibilities. Moreover, he was no naive child; he already understood that the Ming Dynasty's empire and the future throne were already firmly in his elder brother Zhu Cilang's grasp, a foregone conclusion.

If one stays in the position of "regency" for too long, and acts too "active" or too "incompetent," it may attract unnecessary suspicion and trouble.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to reveal one's true intentions early on, live a quiet and contented life, and be a wealthy and idle person; that would be the way to protect oneself and one's family.

Seeing his younger brother's eagerness to avoid the topic, Zhu Cilang understood and knew that he was mostly telling the truth. His smile remained unchanged, and he patted Zhu Cijiong's shoulder again, but didn't continue the conversation.

Because he knew in his heart that he wasn't entirely joking. Next spring, the long-planned war to destroy the Jurchens would inevitably begin. Such an unprecedented war, one that would determine the fate of the nation, would require his personal command and coordination at the front lines. And his father, Emperor Chongzhen, in order to demonstrate the court's resolve, boost morale, and completely extinguish any illusions the Jurchens might have of "peace talks," would most likely also personally lead the campaign, or at least relocate to a key city near the front lines to oversee operations.

At that time, a prince of considerable influence must remain in the capital to oversee the country, in order to stabilize public sentiment and handle daily affairs. Besides his third brother, Zhu Cijiong, who has demonstrated "competence" and clearly has no ambition for the throne, is there a more suitable candidate? However, this matter is of great importance, and the specific arrangements still need to be discussed in detail with the Emperor and the cabinet; it is indeed not appropriate to say more at this moment.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, let's go into the city."

Zhu Cilang smiled and changed the subject.

Seeing his two sons' harmonious and respectful relationship, Emperor Chongzhen felt even more pleased and nodded in approval.

"Yes, let's go into the palace first. It's cold here, so don't stand for too long."

Thus, led by the Prince of Jin, the cabinet, and officials, the massive ceremonial procession set off again, passing through the wide-open Zhengyang Gate and entering the inner city of Beijing, which had been closed for half a year.

Upon entering the city gate, the level of security was far greater than ever before.

Along the main streets, there were guards every five steps and sentries every ten steps, all elite Shenwu Guards and Jinyi Guards in full armor and wielding sharp blades.

Their faces were stern, their eyes sharp, as they vigilantly scanned the rooftops, windows, and any corners on either side of the street that might conceal danger.

A tense and solemn atmosphere permeated the air, a level of vigilance several notches higher than when the emperor went on tours in the past.

This cannot be blamed on the fact that the people below were making a mountain out of a molehill. It was because the turmoil that occurred several years ago when the emperor was assassinated in the capital and the city was thoroughly investigated and implicated countless people had left an indelible and terrifying memory for everyone.

The higher-ups may know more about the inside story, but the officers and soldiers at the bottom only know one thing: something like this must never happen again, especially at this sensitive time when the emperor has just returned from his southern tour!

Otherwise, they would all face the most severe punishment. Therefore, the entire security force in the capital was mobilized to the maximum extent, striving to achieve "impenetrable" security.

The imperial carriage slowly proceeded along the wide, cleared imperial road, with familiar street scenes, markets, and archways flashing past the carriage windows.

Although covered in snow, the prosperity and order of the capital city were still evident.

About half an hour later, the magnificent and resplendent palace complex was finally revealed to Chongzhen in its entirety once again—the Forbidden City, the power center of the Ming Dynasty, the "home" he had left for more than half a year.

As the familiar outlines of the bright yellow glazed tiles, vermilion palace walls, and corner tower eaves became clearer, an indescribable complex emotion welled up in Chongzhen's heart.

This was probably the longest and farthest he had ever been away from the capital in the sixteen years since he ascended the throne.

Even when Huang Taiji's army besieged the city during the "Jisi Incident," he never went far away. The last battle of Songjin lasted only four or five months.

This southern tour lasted for more than seven months, from leaving Beijing in April to returning in October! When I left, it was still early spring with the chill of spring and everything was coming back to life; when I returned, it was the dead of winter with snow everywhere.

The experiences of the past six months flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern: the worries on the canal, the comfort and planning in Nanjing, the drifting at sea, the wealth and crisis in Jiangnan... In the end, they all turned into a deep longing for this palace and for the person in it.

Thinking of his wife, Empress Zhou, and the familiar concubines, especially his young daughter who was still an infant when he left the capital and whose appearance he now knew not, Chongzhen's heart beat faster involuntarily. The fatigue from his journey of the past few days seemed to dissipate, and his steps became lighter and more hurried.

Although he accepted ten beauties presented by nobles from Jiangnan while in Nanjing, those women were ultimately just "playthings" to relieve loneliness and embellish life. How could they compare to the Empress, with whom he had shared joys and sorrows and supported each other for twenty years?
That deep affection and kinship between young couples is something that no amount of new beauty can replace.

The carriage drove straight into the imperial city, passing through palace gates, and finally stopped in the square in front of the Qianqing Palace. Here, the scene had already changed completely.

Led by Empress Zhou, the imperial concubines, including Consort Yuan and Consort Tian, ​​as well as numerous female officials, nannies, and palace maids of various ranks, were already dressed in full regalia according to their rank and stood solemnly in front of the palace gate to welcome them.

Today, Empress Zhou wore a bright red ceremonial robe and a crown with nine dragons and four phoenixes. Although she tried her best to maintain the dignified demeanor of the Empress, her slightly reddened eyes and tightly pursed lips still revealed her inner excitement.

Behind her, the nanny held a little girl wrapped in a thick brocade swaddling cloth, only her delicate, beautiful face showing. She was the little princess who had been born a few months before Chongzhen left the capital.

Upon seeing Emperor Chongzhen descend from the imperial carriage, Empress Zhou immediately led everyone to curtsy and bow.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the palace!"

However, she had only performed half of the ceremony when Emperor Chongzhen quickly stepped forward, grabbed her arms, and stopped her from bowing.

He held the Empress's slightly cool hand, looking at his wife's face, which had noticeably thinned but remained gentle. Overwhelmed with emotion, his voice choked with emotion:

"Your Majesty...please rise quickly. These past six months have truly been difficult for you. I...I'm back." (End of Chapter)