The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"How can this be!" Zhao Zhenji showed no sign of backing down: "Even if it is inappropriate to jointly submit a memorial, we should at least report our own affairs to His Majesty."

Zhao Wenhua said coldly, "No one stopped you. If you have something to report, feel free to present it."

After this turn of events, the once jubilant scene became unusually desolate. The memorials that everyone had been carrying were taken out and put back, and no one knew what to do.

In the end, only a small number of people submitted their written memorials. No one dared to mention the joint memorial again. They were all filled with trepidation and no longer had the spirit of unity and determination.

Inside and outside the palace, everyone who was paying attention to this matter gradually received the news. After listening to the whole story with a stiff expression, Prince Yu looked at his chief attendant with some fear and asked, "I have never offended the Grand Secretary, why is this happening?"

Zhao Cheng quickly reassured him, "The Grand Secretary has his own considerations, Your Highness, please do not worry. Besides, today outside the Meridian Gate, who is the surging public sentiment directed towards, and what is clearly stated in the glorious ancestral rules? It is all Your Highness!"

"But..." Zhu Zaiji still said what he least wanted to admit: "I am not favored. Father Emperor clearly favors Zaizhen more."

"How could Your Majesty lightly consider personal feelings when it comes to the matter of choosing an heir? The nation benefits from a virtuous ruler. Although things have not gone smoothly today, Your Majesty's wise mind is clear. Even with twists and turns, the succession cannot be swayed by personal feelings. As for Prince Jing, is there anyone who dares to openly support him?"

Even so, Zhu Zaiji still felt terrified. The joy and arrogance of the past few days were swept away, and he began to genuinely miss the time when the former crown prince was still alive, at least he didn't have to live in such a state of constant anxiety and fear.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zaizhen was still dreaming, but because of his worries, he kept having dreams about failing to seize the throne, things going wrong after he was enfeoffed, and leading his confidants to go to sea...

As the sun rose in the east, sweeping away the remaining stars and the dawn moon, Jiajing slowly sat up. He had meditated all night, observing all the happenings inside and outside the palace. Although his face looked somewhat haggard, his eyes were very bright.

Mai Fu, Gao Zhong, and Huang Jin, the three eunuchs, held their breath and quietly reported the reports that had been delivered from outside the palace.

Subsequently, the well-trained eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs entered silently like a flowing stream, and neatly arranged the memorials sent by the Office of Transmission in the early hours of the morning, still carrying the scent of dew, on one side of the Emperor's desk, sorting them by category.

Jiajing took the pill, which was given to him with morning dew, from the jade cup presented by the eunuch. After a moment, a warm feeling rose from his dantian and spread throughout his body. The weariness on his face receded like the tide and was replaced by an unusual, energetic red glow.

He went straight to the imperial desk, and before the eunuchs could finish sorting out the memorials, he reached out and grabbed the top one, quickly scanning it.

For the sake of the nation and its people, we earnestly request Your Majesty to make a swift decision on the fundamental matters of national affairs.

Your humble servant, Xu Jie, Minister of Rites, is filled with trepidation and kowtows as I submit this memorial: I have heard that the Book of Changes says, "When the position is right, the mandate is solidified," and the Book of Rites states, "When the foundation of the state is established early, the people's hearts will be at peace, the universe will be secure, and the state will be stable."

Your Majesty, inheriting the mandate of Heaven and following the ways of your ancestors, has reigned for twenty-eight years, your benevolence covering the entire world and your virtue pervading all things. However, since the untimely death of your heir, the throne has been vacant. The people of the land have been anxiously awaiting the dawn of a new dynasty, sharing in the sorrow of the passing of your lord. This is why I, your humble servant, have been heartbroken and weeping in the middle of the night, yet I dare not remain silent.

We humbly acknowledge that Prince Yu, Zaiji, is the eldest son of the legitimate wife and possesses virtuous character and a balanced disposition…

Jiajing's gaze flew quickly across the elegant parallel sentences, and when he saw the long passage praising Prince Yu's virtue and talent, the corner of his mouth turned down almost imperceptibly.

Others may not know, but he certainly understood his son's true capabilities, and casually put down this memorial, which could be considered a model document.

"A memorial submitted in accordance with the will of Heaven and the ancestral system, earnestly requesting the early appointment of a virtuous and capable ruler to ensure the stability of the clan and the state."

Your humble servant, Huang Yang, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, with utmost humility and reverence, having fasted, bathed, burned incense, and bowed deeply, respectfully reports: Last night, I observed the celestial phenomena and saw a thin wisp of white vapor in the northeast of the Purple Palace Enclosure, which has been encroaching upon the Heavenly Market Enclosure for three nights. According to the *Lingtai Miyao* (Secret Essentials of the Spiritual Terrace), "White vapor piercing the Dipper signifies an unsettling palace for the successor."

I have also heard from the palace incense-bearing maids that whenever His Majesty recites the "Nine Truths of Niwan" chapter of the "Huang Ting Jing," he silently closes the book and gazes up at the dust-bearing figure for a long time. I know that His Majesty is not worried about his own lifespan, but rather that he is concerned that the great legacy of our ancestors has not yet been entrusted to anyone. Prince Yu, Zaiji, is of dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like qualities, as serene and profound as an abyss…

"Ha." A clear, cold laugh escaped Jiajing's throat. He tightened his grip on the memorial slightly, the pages rustling softly: "He has investigated every little detail around me so thoroughly, as if he witnessed it himself."

Although he didn't quite understand the details, Mai Fu immediately replied, "Spying on palace affairs and having relations with close attendants are grave taboos. This servant requests an imperial decree for a thorough investigation!"

"Let Lu Bing handle it."

"promise."

Jiajing then read through several more books, the contents of which were largely the same, nothing more than quoting classics, observing stars and celestial phenomena, praising Prince Yu, and the core of all was to urge the establishment of an heir.

The initial excitement brought on by the effects of the pill gradually cooled, and a deep sense of weariness and annoyance rose up. He suddenly lost interest, and with a wave of his arm, he swept all the memorials on the table, filled with words of loyalty to the emperor and devotion to the country, onto the ground.

"Did Yan Song submit a memorial?"

"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Yan arrived at the Wuyi Hall at the beginning of the morning and only submitted a memorial to inquire after his health, without saying anything else."

"It's cold and the dew is heavy, it's hard for him to stay up all night at his age. Send him the newly presented sable fur coat, and convey my message that Yan Shifan should carefully escort his father back to his residence to rest. He doesn't need to be on duty today."

"promise."

After a moment, the hall quieted down, leaving only a few attendants. Jiajing asked softly, "Prince Yu isn't asleep, but where is Prince Jing?"

Huang Jin replied, "His Highness Prince Jing settled in early last night."

"What other news has Zhao Jingxian sent?"

"Several bottles were broken in Consort Kang's bedchamber, and the Imperial Concubine fell ill. Upon hearing the news, Consort Jing rushed in and insisted on taking care of her personally."

Jiajing pursed his lips. He disliked Prince Yu, mostly because of Consort Kang. With a woman like that as his mother, what kind of good son could he raise?

As for Consort Jing, she is sincere but not very bright, and what's most infuriating is that she never cares about my affairs.

Seeing that the emperor had no intention of asking any more questions, Mai Fu and Gao Zhong bowed and left, while Huang Jin went to the side hall and poured the hot water from the copper kettle into the gold basin on the shelf.

He then picked up a pure white Songjiang cotton towel, spread it out, and soaked it in hot water. He lifted it up and gently wrung it out until the water in the towel was just enough to not drip. He held it with both hands and quickly approached Jiajing: "Your Majesty."

Jiajing took it and spread it directly on his face. He breathed in the warm, moist air through his mouth and nose, and his mind gradually relaxed. He sighed softly.

"Your Majesty, you should rest." Only at this moment did Huang Jin dare to whisper a word of advice: "Nothing is more important than your health."

"Do you think I'm tired?"

"Your Majesty is not tired; it is this servant who is tired from watching you meditate."

"Hmph." Jiajing smiled slightly and said, "Then go and rest. Why bother trying to persuade me?"

"If you don't rest, I won't rest either."

"It's as if I've been mistreating you."

Huang Jin wrapped Jiajing's hands with another, even hotter face towel: "This is my blessing, and I am reluctant to share it with others."

…………