Huangming

Chapter 10 Arrogant and self-assured, Bo Xiang squinted.

Southeast side inside the Meridian Gate.

A grand hall stands there.

This hall has a yellow tile roof and ten bays across the front. The five bays on the west side have a plaque that reads "Wenyuan Pavilion".

Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion are statues of Confucius and his four companions. To the west is the Imperial Edict Room, where the lamplight is dim and shadowy figures are visible.

It was late at night when the cabinet members finally finished discussing their various tasks.

Fang Congzhe, the Grand Secretary, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. Now in his seventies, with graying temples, his energy was waning. To be honest, this battle of wits with the cabinet ministers had taken a toll on his spirit.

"It's getting late, everyone should go back and rest. You'll be on duty again early tomorrow morning."

Liu Yizhu, Han Kuang, and Zhu Guozuo bowed to Fang Congzhe and then withdrew.

Wang Anlao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, looked worried as he walked towards the Cining Palace.

However, before they even left the Wenyuan Pavilion, Wang An was stopped by Han Kuang.

"Please wait, Eunuch Wang."

Wang An turned to look at Han Kuang, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Minister Han, is there something you wish to discuss?"

Han Kuang glanced around, then gestured to Wang An, saying, "Let's talk in private."

The two walked to a shadowy spot by the palace wall, where Han Kuang finally spoke, asking, "What I saw today shows that the Heir Apparent is no ordinary person. The Secretary has repeatedly disobeyed the Heir Apparent, and I'm afraid he already holds a grudge. Given the Heir Apparent's strong personality, I'm afraid..."

Wang An narrowed his eyes, recalling the events of the day, his brows furrowing even more deeply.

However, after much deliberation, Wang An said, "I watched the heir grow up, and I know what kind of person he is. It won't happen."

Wang An initially served under Feng Bao, a powerful eunuch during the Wanli reign, and learned the ways of survival in the palace.

In the 22nd year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, upon the recommendation of Chen Ju, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wang Ancheng became the study companion of the eldest son of the emperor, Zhu Changluo.

During the "Succession Crisis" in the Wanli Emperor's reign, Consort Zheng repeatedly framed the eldest son, Zhu Changluo.

Wang An skillfully protected and destroyed incriminating evidence, ensuring that Consort Zheng gained nothing and successfully maintaining Zhu Changluo's position as crown prince.

In the 43rd year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, Consort Zheng instructed Zhang Cha to assassinate Crown Prince Zhu Changluo.

Wang An was ordered to draft the Crown Prince's edict, which concluded that the case involved a "mad and treacherous villain." This not only preserved the face of the imperial family but also resolved the political crisis, earning the praise of Emperor Wanli and the gratitude of Zhu Changluo.

Therefore.

After Zhu Changluo ascended the throne, he remembered Wang An's many years of protection and promoted him to the position of Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, allowing him to directly participate in central decision-making.

He was an old retainer of the prince's residence and knew that the heir was playful and fun-loving. Although he could be serious at times, his enthusiasm would quickly dissipate.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many woodworking gadgets in the prince's residence.

"But what I have heard and seen today, and what the heir has done, has it not exceeded my expectations?" Han Kuang asked anxiously.

After Han Kuang said that, Wang An became somewhat unsure of what to do.

“A person cannot change so drastically in a single day. You do not understand the heir, but I have been watching over him every day before.”

These officials, including Han Kuang, had barely met Zhu Youxiao and only knew of his reputation for being weak and playful, so they didn't have a deep impression of him.

After Zhu Youxiao's assertive actions at the Wenhua Hall today, his impression of him naturally changed.

However, Wang An watched Zhu Youzhang grow up, and it could even be said that he raised him with great care and attention.

He was confident that no one in the court or outside the court understood the heir better than him!

It can be said that it has been imprinted in their minds.

Although the successor's performance today was quite unexpected, in his heart, Zhu Youxiao still retained the same impression.

"Your Excellency is mistaken!"

Wang An was close to the Donglin Party members and shared similar views on governance, making him an excellent candidate for wooing.

If the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs colluded with the outer court, the emperor's orders were sometimes not so effective.

These officials wished they could relive the days of Zhang Juzheng.

You, the emperor, should just indulge in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. As for governing the country, you can rely on us ministers.

The Ming Dynasty's version of a constitutional monarchy.

Only in this way could the Ming Dynasty achieve great order.

If Wang An were to be suppressed and replaced by someone hostile to the Donglin Party, Fang Congzhe would likely make a comeback.

This is definitely not what Han Kuang wanted to see.

"Prevention is better than cure," Han Kuang reminded him from the side. Wang An raised an eyebrow and asked, "How can we prevent problems before they occur?"

Han Kuang immediately shut up and refused to speak.

Some words should be said only when they are sufficient.

"Now that things have come to this, we hope that Eunuch Wang will be more vigilant and make several preparations."

After saying this, Han Kuang bowed and left.

Wang An returned to the side hall of Ciqing Palace with a heavy heart.

At that moment, a eunuch came forward and served Wang An a cup of tea.

This man was fair-skinned and beardless, his cheeks were covered with wrinkles from years of flattery and fawning, fine lines slanted from the corners of his eyes to his temples, and his gaze was as sinister as a hawk's.

He's obviously a villain.

It was Li Jinzhong.

"Jinzhong, why are you here instead of at Xixin Division?"

Li Jinzhong, with a smug grin, stepped forward and said, "I was just bringing some firewood to the palace when I thought I'd come and serve Your Majesty."

Wang An remained noncommittal, instead frowning slightly.

Where is the Wei Dynasty located?

Li Jinzhong rose to power by currying favor with the Wei Dynasty, and his relationship with the Wei Dynasty was extremely close.

"I heard that His Highness asked him to look after it at Qianqing Palace."

"Oh?"

Wang An took the teacup, took a big gulp, but didn't drink it. Instead, he rinsed his mouth and spat it into the basin.

"Has Your Highness gone to sleep?"

"Already asleep."

Wang An strolled behind the desk, with Li Jinzhong following closely behind.

"After Your Highness returned today, did you see anyone?"

Li Jinzhong shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Wang An turned to look at the two eunuchs on duty at the Directorate of Ceremonial.

"what about you?"

The group looked at each other, then shook their heads and said, "Grand Ancestor, His Highness saw no one."

"Ok!"

Receiving this result put Wang An at ease.

The saying goes, "A new broom sweeps clean."

The heir has been suppressed for too long, so it's normal for him to be young and impetuous.

Once his initial enthusiasm wore off and he realized the difficulties of governing a country, he naturally wanted to entrust these matters to his trusted confidant.

"Your Highness is a skilled carpenter. Go and prepare some high-quality wood. Also, select a few of the most beautiful maids to serve Your Highness."

The two eunuchs in the hall immediately accepted the order.

"Yes, my ancestor."

Wang An stretched and rubbed his slightly sore back, saying, "You all take good care of the heir. If there is any disturbance, wake me up immediately."

"Yes!"

As he spoke, Wang An leaned back in the wooden chair, preparing to close his eyes and rest.

But seeing Li Jinzhong still in the hall, he frowned slightly and said, "This is not a place for you. Go back."

Li Jinzhong looked somewhat reluctantly toward the main hall of Ciqing Palace, bowed to Wang An, and slowly left.

Wang An watched Li Jinzhong's retreating figure leave the side hall before closing his eyes to rest.

His Highness is now highly sought after.

But as long as I, Wang An, am here, you sycophants will not be able to seduce the emperor.

(End of this chapter)