The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"Alright, it's getting late, everyone go and rest."

After Lu Yan spoke, those under the age of twenty bowed and left, making the hall feel more spacious and less stuffy.

Although there were fewer people, those who remained were the ones who could truly discuss matters: the eldest son Lu Sheng, the fourth son Lu Ge, the fifth son Lu Jiong, the eldest grandson Lu Bai, and the eldest and second sons of the second, third, and fourth sons.

"All the things and visiting cards I've received these days, except for food that can't be stored, have been carefully packed up and sent to the residence arranged by Eunuch Ma in the suburbs of Beijing."

The fourth brother, Lu Ge, responded. He and the fifth brother were now in charge of communication. As for the second and third brothers, one was in Qiantang and the other in Dantu. It was said that they were both planning to be promoted.

However, this was all thanks to His Highness. The five brothers were actually quite mediocre. The most successful one was the second brother, who was only a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination) and served as the Assistant Magistrate of Qiantang County.

At this moment, Changsun Lubo spoke up: "Editor Gao and Censor Zhao should be transferred back to the capital in the next year or the year after. Although these two are arrogant and difficult to get along with, they are truly talented and learned. Prince Yu will then have two more assistants."

Those who have visited recently claim to be willing to serve His Highness Prince Jing, but the vast majority are only interested in cheering him on; if something were to actually happen, very few would dare to step forward.

Lu Yan knew that this grandson was the most intelligent in his family. At just over twenty years old, he had already passed the provincial examination. With a few more years of study, he dared not dream of becoming a first-class scholar, but he still had a chance of becoming a second- or third-class scholar.

The fifth brother, Lu Jiong, chimed in: "There's nothing we can do about it. Besides, we're just His Highness's maternal clan. They're polite to us, but they won't reveal their true intentions to us."

"If...if Your Highness truly has such thoughts, it would be best to arrange for a reliable person to come to Nanjing as soon as possible, so that we have a plan to discuss our actions."

"Yes, I will write to Eunuch Ma."

Lu Yan considered for a moment and said, "I received a letter from Eunuch Ma yesterday, which basically said that there is a shortage of trustworthy people in the capital. Eldest brother, do you think anyone would be suitable?"

Lu Sheng looked at his younger brother and nephews: "Let the fifth brother take Bai'er and the other brothers with him. They are young and energetic, and Bai'er is going to take the imperial examination. It would be perfect for them to go to the capital to study. It wouldn't be out of place."

The fourth brother and I stayed home to avoid the whole family crowding into the capital and embarrassing the Empress and His Highness before anything was even done.

"Okay, let's settle on that. Fifth brother, you take Bai'er and the other brothers, pack up, and we'll set off at the end of the month."

Once you arrive in the capital, follow Eunuch Ma's arrangements. Remember to observe more, listen more, and speak less.

"You are not allowed to make any decisions on your own without His Highness's instructions. Bai'er's studies are important, but once he gets there, you should help him where needed. You and your uncles should discuss everything together."

"Yes."

…………

It's so hot! So hot! So hot!

The capital city was scorching hot in July. After seeing that Princess Chang'an had clearly improved, Zhu Zaizhen returned to his own palace.

Inside the hall sat a rosewood ice mirror, its coolness seeping out in wisps, yet still unable to dispel the sticky heat. He unbuttoned his collar and took the cool handkerchief Zhang Xing offered to wipe his face.

My maternal grandparents have also replied, saying that they have heard of Wan Mizhai's reputation and that my eldest uncle has already set off to personally invite him. His surname is Wan, his given name is Quan, and his courtesy name is Mizhai. He is a very famous physician, and his father and grandfather were well-known local doctors.

He himself had the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations), but he was born with a kind heart and preferred to treat the sick and save lives. Therefore, he abandoned his career in the imperial examinations and became a doctor, and was known as a Confucian physician.

Zhu Zaizhen was pleased. Bringing such a person into the palace was much more respectable than bringing in ordinary itinerant doctors, and the Imperial Hospital would have a hard time finding fault with him.

What surprised Zhu Zaizhen even more was another piece of information: Wan Quansheng had ten sons and one daughter! Eleven children!

Moreover, it is said that he is still vigorous despite his old age, and even took a new concubine last year. If you say that he doesn't have some kind of health preservation secret, I don't believe it!

Zhu Zaizhen walked to the ice mirror, reached out and opened the side panel, revealing a layered display inside. A large celadon plate was piled with sliced ​​watermelon, purple grapes and tender white water chestnuts.

A blue-and-white plum vase is inserted diagonally between two blocks of ice, containing chilled plum soup, and two or three plain white porcelain cups with lids, holding chilled lotus seed soup and osmanthus honey water.

Zhu Zaizhen took out the watermelon himself. It was full of sandy flesh and juicy. One bite was cool and crisp, and a cool sensation spread through his limbs. However, it was not as sweet as he had imagined.

He picked up the plum vase again and took a big gulp of plum ice soup from the mouth of the vase. It was sour and sweet, and his mouth was full of saliva.

At times like these, he felt grateful to God, thinking how good it was to live like this, and how wonderful it would be if everyone could live like this!

"Your Highness, please don't indulge in cold drinks." Ma Dezhao's lips curled slightly as he watched his prince's comfortable expression, but he still reminded him in his usual calm tone, "The imperial physician said that iced drinks can harm the spleen and stomach. Your Highness has just returned from outside and the summer heat has not yet dissipated, so it is not advisable to consume too much."

Zhu Zaizhen paused in his hand holding the bottle, turned to look at him, and saw that the slight smile on Ma Dezhao's face had long since disappeared. He stood there with his hands at his sides, looking as if these words were unpleasant but that a servant had to say them.

"Just half a bottle."

"Half a bowl is already too much."

Zhu Zaizhen looked at the plum vase in his hand, which was radiating a coolness, then at the resolute Ma Dezhao, and then at his own health, which had finally begun to recover. He could only lower his head and say, "Alright, I'll listen to my master."

He reluctantly took another sip before handing the bottle to Ma Dezhao: "Then Daban will drink the rest for me."

"Yes, sir." Ma Dezhao bowed and accepted the drink with both hands without refusing. He tilted his head back and drank it all in one swift motion.

Zhu Zaizhen smiled, took a few grapes, walked to the couch, crossed his legs and lay down. After popping a couple of grapes into his mouth, he reached out and embraced Madam Zhu.

It was a cylindrical tube woven from green bamboo strips. The cool bamboo skin felt comfortable against his arm, making him squint his eyes.

"Daban, sit there and eat more. By the way, I still have plenty of ice here. Have someone send it to the Imperial Concubine, the Noble Consort, and Princess Chang'an. Hmm, I guess my brother doesn't need much ice. Have someone send some frozen watermelon and sugar water."

Also, how about the pine-green dew drink and honeysuckle dew water prepared for Father Emperor? If they are good, send them to Huang Ban while it is still hot at noon.

"In the sweltering heat of midsummer, remembering my father's diligent practice of Taoist rituals and vegetarianism in the Western Garden, I have specially prepared chilled drinks, pure water chestnuts, lotus roots, and fresh fruits to express my filial piety and help my father find peace of mind, escape the heat, and nourish his vital energy."

As Zhu Zaizhen was talking, he became sleepy and fell asleep without realizing it.

"promise."

Ma Dezhao responded softly, closed the flap of the ice mirror, lowered the gauze curtain, added another spoonful of agarwood to the beast-shaped gold incense burner in the corner of the hall, and then retreated outside the hall door.

Upon exiting the inner palace, a wave of heat and the incessant chirping of cicadas greeted him. Ma Dezhao's expression remained unchanged; he simply quickly instructed the palace servants to deliver the items according to His Highness's orders.

Not far away, among the trees and flowers, Zhang Xing was leading a group of eunuchs, holding long, soft palm whisks, gently brushing the treetops to scare away the cicadas and tell them not to disturb His Highness's rest.

Then, they lit smoky moss and mint at the four corners of the palace, the faint fragrance spreading slowly and driving away flies and mosquitoes.

………………