The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Ma Dezhao glanced at him, his expression calm and not angry. The two were from the same school and were both adopted sons of the former Director of the Imperial Household Department. It was not a rare thing. Back then, the old director had more than twenty adopted sons.

Back then, he stood out among more than twenty brothers and was the most favored by the old master. Just when he was about to surpass everyone, he took the initiative to resign at the last moment and went to Jingren Palace to serve Consort Jing.

Logically speaking, his self-destruction should have been something others were happy to see, but this eunuch Sun held a grudge for many years because of it, and every time they met, he would make sarcastic remarks. He didn't understand why.

"It is I, Ma, who have failed to live up to the expectations of the old headmaster. Fortunately, Eunuch Sun is now in charge of the Department of Ceremonial, which can be considered a continuation of the old headmaster's cultivation." Ma Dezhao replied calmly and respectfully.

"snort!"

The others weren't there to see what was going on between the two of them. Seeing that Ma Dezhao refused to sit, the Imperial Seal scribe pointed to the two chests of silver and asked, "Eunuch Ma, what is the meaning of bringing silver here tonight?"

Ma Dezhao did not mention his own prince's intentions, lest the emperor's tacit approval turn into a crackdown, implicating the prince.

"Although I am not a member of the association, I may have to go to the ancestral hall to beg for food when I get old. I might even have to trouble you all to find me a place to be buried. Now that I have heard about the ancestral hall being built, I cannot ignore it."

Ma Dezhao pointed to the silver and said, "These three hundred taels are my personal gift, and the other one hundred taels are the gift of the servants in Xiefang Palace. They asked me to send them over together, hoping that Lord Tie can bless us and let us be reborn into a better life next time."

After a moment of silence in the hall, it wasn't hard to guess whose silver it was, but they were unwilling to say it outright because they didn't know how to handle it.

According to their thinking, Prince Yu was not bad at all; he was simple-minded, could be easily appeased, and didn't understand anything.

Originally, Prince Jing was the same, but recently he seems to have become more complex. This incident further demonstrates his decisiveness and boldness.

"Alright." Mai Fu finally spoke, his gaze sweeping over the silver ingot, his tone becoming more intimate: "When the ancestral hall is completed in the future, we will certainly have to ask Eunuch Ma to offer the first incense."

"Your Highness is too kind to this servant. It is only right."

After Ma Dezhao finished speaking, he straightened his back, quickly glanced at everyone, and said calmly, "Being by His Highness's side doesn't cost much, so the money has been saved up. We people can't have children or leave behind any family fortune, so we might as well do something useful."

As for being the first to offer incense, I dare not even dream of it. In the future, I will rely on your guidance and support; to have a roof over my head to shelter me from the wind and rain would be a blessing.

These words were spoken so tactfully and humbly that even the previously aloof handprints softened.

Mai Fu smiled and said, "It's commendable to have such a kind heart. Someone, bring some tea."

A eunuch in a green robe came up with a tray in his hands and knelt steadily beside Ma Dezhao, so that Ma could easily pick up the teacup with a simple reach.

Ma Dezhao picked up his teacup, and the others, led by Mai Fu, also picked up their teacups. Everyone just touched their lips to the teacup and then put it down, instantly easing the tension.

Two supervisors in blue robes quietly stepped forward, closed the two elmwood boxes, moved them aside, and recorded them in the account book.

This shows that they acknowledge the significance of this sentiment and regard Ma Dezhao as one of their own.

Ma Dezhao exchanged a few more pleasantries before leading Zhang Xing to take his leave, with Gao Zhong personally seeing them off a few steps.

Hong Fu, the head of the Imperial Kitchen, got up, walked over, picked up the heavy silver ingot, weighed it in his hand, and chuckled, "At least they still treat us old folks like human beings."

This was not referring to Ma Dezhao. Four hundred taels was not a lot, but it was not something the servants of Xiefang Palace could afford.

It's not hard to guess whose money it is, but the sentiment behind it is even more precious, since the other party is the master, and they are merely palace dogs.

Even dogs hope that after a hard day's work guarding the house or chasing chickens and rabbits, they can be rewarded with a bone, a bowl of water, and a shelter.

Now, King Jing undoubtedly brought over bones with meat still attached and water, placed them in front of their nest, patted their heads, and said, "Eat and drink."

Most people already had some ideas in mind. Finding someone to guard their house wasn't a lot of work or effort, so they definitely wanted to find someone who could at least provide for them financially.

At this moment, the Director of the Imperial Household Department sneered, "Colluding with the inner court is a serious crime. If His Majesty finds out about such actions, we will be in deep trouble."

These words made everyone frown. Hong Fu, the head of the Imperial Kitchen, slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "This is nonsense! From beginning to end, he didn't mention a single other person. He only said that he and the servants of Xiefang Palace pooled their money to build the Gang Gong Ancestral Hall. He was doing good deeds. How can you say that he made friends with them?"

"That's enough!"

Mai Fu lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. The sound was not loud, but it instantly silenced the hall. His gaze swept over each of the chief eunuchs present, and his tone was authoritative without being angry.

"We are gathered here today to repair the Gang Gong Ancestral Hall, to secure a place for ourselves after our deaths. As for other matters, we should not think about them or ask them."

The money has been received today, and the accounts have been cleared. When the temple is completed and offerings are made, the Xiefang Hall will certainly receive its share. That will be enough.

"Yes."

The group bowed their heads in agreement, but each had their own agenda. They had endured hardship and mistreatment since entering the palace, serving chamber pots and collecting horse manure. They had finally reached this position of enjoyment, and everyone wanted to continue doing so.

But a new emperor brings a new court. If King Jing succeeds, not to mention Ma Dezhao, even that little thing that was just following behind him might replace them and sit in the chair with the seal of power.

What will happen to them then?

I can't do the work anymore. I'm too old. Even if I lick someone's butt, they'll complain that my tongue is too rough.

…………

"The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs is bustling with activity, why didn't you go?"

Emperor Jiajing held the Taishang Ganying Pian (Treatise on the Response of the Supreme Being) and paced around the palace. After reading it enough, he became bored and started teasing Huang Jin.

"I wanted to go, but they wouldn't let me. They even returned the several hundred taels of silver I sent as a token of my loyalty," Huang Jin said, her face full of grievance.

"hehe."

Wearing a Taoist crown with the Five Sacred Mountains on his head and a plain blue wide-sleeved Taoist robe, with the hem of his robe hanging lightly and his steps leisurely, he truly looked like a high-ranking Taoist master with a refined and elegant air.

With just one word, that unquestionable tone slipped out, completely ruining the aura of tranquility and inaction.

"If I don't give my approval, they naturally won't dare to bring you along."

"Then His Majesty asked me why I didn't go!"

"I will ask whatever I want, and you just need to answer honestly."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Huang Jin answered quickly, but her aggrieved expression still lingered on her face, making her look somewhat comical.

Jiajing tapped his palm with the book, then, without looking at him, strolled to the window and gazed at the lush pines and cypresses outside the study, offering a brief explanation.

"McFo is getting old, and his actions are becoming weaker. He can no longer control the situation. If the four departments, eight bureaus, and twelve offices do not have a set of rules, people's hearts will be scattered, and trouble will inevitably arise sooner or later."

The inner court needs to be properly organized and reorganized.

…………