The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

"Your Highness, my young master, what brings you here again, Your Majesty..."

Zhu Zaizhen waved his hand: "I can't see Father Emperor. I want to raise a cat. Do you have any small kittens from Shuangmei?"

Huang Jin was stunned and almost didn't come to his senses for a moment: "No... Ah... Yes, yes, last month Consort Rong's maid Ju gave birth to a litter of babies, and two of them have eyebrows, eyes and fur that look just like Shuangmei."

"What kind of child does Your Highness desire? This servant will return to consult His Majesty, and if permission is granted, I will bring it to you."

Huang Jin didn't think His Majesty would refuse his son's request for a cat, so he first asked His Highness what he wanted.

In the sweltering heat of summer, with the sun blazing and the ground scorching, he feared that if the back-and-forth journey took too long, the precious prince might faint from the intense sun, which would be a terrible thing.

"Ju-chan?"

Zhu Zaizhen murmured softly, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. He couldn't help but think of the soft, clingy little orange cat he had raised in his previous life, and his heart ached.

So he said, "Then I'll trouble you, Huang Ban, to bring me that whole litter. I want to choose them myself."

Also, I might not only keep one, and I'll also send one over to Chang'an to keep her company.

Upon hearing this, Huang Jin immediately clicked his tongue, thinking to himself that His Highness was really daring to ask for an exorbitant amount, and it seemed that he wanted to take away both of those swan-browed girls.

His Majesty has already sent people to make new bamboo woven kitten houses, gilded bells with embroidered balls, jade pendants, tassel brocade bags, as well as cloth mice, grass woven insects and sparrows, etc., just waiting for the kittens to grow up and play with them.

I remember two years ago, Consort Zhuang begged His Majesty three times, but she was unable to raise even one cub. Now that Your Highness wants to take the whole litter away, it will be difficult.

But it was hard to say that His Majesty was reluctant to part with her, so he could only rack his brains and persuade her: "Your Highness, Princess Chang'an has just recovered from her illness, but her body is still very weak and she still needs to be carefully cared for."

That little kitten is playful and restless, and loves to meow. What if it disturbs the princess's rest or scratches her? That would be terrible!

Zhu Zaizhen raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone resolute: "I'll choose one that's gentle, quiet, and obedient. I'll have someone carefully train it for a few days and keep it with me for now. I'll send it over once Chang'an is fully recovered."

Huang Jin was at a loss for words and could only return to report. However, Prince Jing stopped him and asked, "Did Father Emperor drink the chilled dew drink I presented yesterday?"

Huang Jin nodded: "His Majesty drank it and said it tasted good, so he asked me to prepare some more."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded with a smile and said, "I've been researching new flavors these past few days. I'll present them to Father Emperor when they're ready."

"Your Highness is extremely filial."

What else could Huang Jin say? He could only walk back with a bitter face. However, he was actually happy. He felt sorry for His Majesty, who was all alone. Although it was a bit of a hassle, it was a good thing that Prince Jing always came.

Soon, Huang Jin returned to the study. The emperor was reading a memorial, which was signed by Zhang Juzheng.

On the emperor's desk was Xu Jie's memorial on establishing an heir apparent. It was still signed by Prince Yu, and it was co-signed by a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy, and even the signature of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"What is it now?"

Jiajing's tone was neither warm nor cold, and even Huang Jin would have a hard time guessing his true feelings at this moment.

Therefore, he could only cautiously reply, "Your Highness Prince Jing has come to ask His Majesty for a few kittens to raise."

The Jiajing Emperor looked at the memorial before him with obvious interest and said casually, "There are countless cats and raccoons in the palace's cat room, yet that brat still comes to me asking for one."

"What Father gives is always the best," Huang Jin said with a smile. "Your Highness is like His Majesty; they both like Shuangmei. They came here specifically to want Shuangmei's son."

"Meow~"

Lying on his side on the imperial desk, with his legs propped up on a stack of memorials from the nine high-ranking officials, Shuangmei raised his head and let out a lazy groan.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing's lips curled up slightly: "You do have some insight."

Huang Jin didn't know whether His Majesty was referring to judging cats or people when he said that.

Zhang Juzheng, a newly appointed compiler of the Hanlin Academy, managed to have the emperor read his memorial for a full half hour, which was quite a rare occurrence.

"Let's pick one from Orange Girl's litter for him."

"That would be best, of course, but..."

As expected, Jiajing knew that if he simply dismissed this brat, he wouldn't be himself.

"Speak, what else do you want? Let me hear how big Prince Jing's appetite is."

Huang Jin said cautiously, "But Your Highness wanted to take the whole litter to choose from as soon as you opened your mouth. You even said you wanted to send one to Princess Chang'an as well. I advised against it, saying that the princess was still recovering and that the cat might disturb her. Your Highness then said that you would keep the cat with you first and send it to her after you have trained it properly."

"Ha, he's certainly meticulous and thorough!" Jiajing sneered. "Just one. If you don't want it, there aren't any left!"

"Yes, Your Highness." Huang Jin seemed to have just remembered: "Your Highness also asked His Majesty if the ice dew was delicious. Your Highness said that he had been researching new flavors these past few days and would send them over every few days."

Emperor Jiajing put down the memorial, walked to his throne, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the bright, white sun outside, remaining silent for a moment.

Then his gaze fell on Xu Jie's memorial, which was the third time in the past two months.

Prince Yu, with his benevolence and filial piety, is hereby enthroned! Prince Yu, with his gentle and respectful demeanor, is hereby enthroned! Prince Yu, with his wisdom and exceptional qualities, is hereby enthroned!

"Let him choose."

"Not carrying them over to choose, but letting Your Highness come in and choose?" Huang Jin was secretly delighted, but didn't show it on his face. He simply bowed and asked, "Then... how many?"

"If he likes it, then take it." Jiajing picked up the memorial again, as if he was too lazy to deal with the matter anymore.

"However, let him go to the palace cat room to get the newly made cat houses and bells himself, and don't always try to take them from me."

Huang Jin suppressed a laugh and replied, "Yes, this servant will go right away."

Thus, Zhu Zaizhen unexpectedly stepped into the West Garden again. The midsummer heat was sweltering, but it did not disturb the tranquility of the West Garden at all. The sky was clear and bright, the grass was lush, the trees were towering, and the shade was dense. The scenery was even better than usual.

Behind him, Zhang Xing carried a large box that faintly smelled of salt. It was a gift for hiring a cat, containing salt wrapped in bamboo leaves, small fish strung on willow twigs, as well as yellow paper, tea leaves, brown sugar, hemp cloth, and copper coins.

"I thought we'd never be able to get back in again?" Zhu Zaizhen looked around, his tone half-sighing.

"Your Highness is joking. His Majesty is merely grieving the passing of the late Crown Prince and is somewhat cautious, fearing that any unwarranted offense would be detrimental to His Majesty and Your Highness. He did not truly intend to prevent you from coming."

Zhu Zaizhen smiled. There might be some reservations, but it was more about weighing the pros and cons.

During this period, he did not let Yan Shifan do anything, but only used a few people left behind by the Crown Prince to secretly push some people in the Six Ministries and the Hanlin Academy to lead a group to pressure Xu Jie.

Being a leader of the "pure stream" is not easy. You have to satisfy everyone's collective wishes, either by leading everyone to establish merit in supporting the new emperor, or by promoting everyone to official positions and making them rich right now.

It's impossible to simply endure and ask everyone to give up their own interests; doing so would inevitably lead to being abandoned by everyone.

Xu Jie was originally the Minister of Rites, and everyone could still restrain themselves for the time being. But now that he has been promoted to the Minister of Personnel, he still has to flatter and avoid the emperor. What's the difference between him and Yan Song?

Yan Song could even get people promoted and made rich!

…………