The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 79 Tang Xi Tu (Seeking First Subscription)

Therefore, Xu Jie had no choice but to submit memorials again and again. He knew that the emperor disliked it, but he had no other option.

Yan Song's foundation for success lay in protecting the emperor from harm and in his reputation among scholars and officials.

However, Minister Xu did take remedial measures. He wrote six Qingci (a type of memorial writing) in half a month to demonstrate his sincere respect for the emperor.

Zhu Zaizhen walked with his hands behind his back in the West Garden, pondering in his heart, but on the surface he continued to chat with Huang Jin.

"Father has raised so many highly accomplished Taoist priests, but there's no formation or anything to prevent them from clashing or averting disasters?"

"This servant has never heard of it."

"They don't even know this? In my opinion, they're dishonest and should be severely punished!"

"Oh dear, my little darling, could you please keep your voice down?"

Huang Jin lowered his voice: "These Taoist priests are very petty; you can't afford to offend them."

"He is truly a virtuous and enlightened person, a hermit immortal. How could he be so stingy? It seems he really doesn't have much ability."

Zhu Zaizhen clicked his tongue indifferently, flicking his sleeves lightly, his tone carrying a hint of youthful disdain.

"When I have time, I will send someone to search for a few truly skilled practitioners and send them to help my father with alchemy and cultivation."

Huang Jin turned his head and glanced at Prince Jing, his gaze containing a hint of something indescribable. His Highness's words sounded unintentional, but upon closer examination, they seemed unintentional. However, if you really looked into it, it was filial piety.

But no matter what, His Highness's choice was not wrong. Tao Zhongwen is already very old, although he still looks like a venerable immortal with a ruddy complexion.

But Huang Jin knew that when he met the emperor, he would take specially made pills to stimulate his energy and spirit, so that he could appear as an immortal.

Moreover, he secretly invited a famous doctor from Jiangnan, ostensibly to treat his grandson, but in reality, the doctor was there to treat him.

The servants knew about these things, and Lu Bing knew about them too, but no one dared to tell the emperor, no one dared to bear the emperor's wrath for shattering their dream.

This old Taoist priest might live for a few more years, or he might ascend to heaven tomorrow; either way is possible. Moreover, whether he lives or dies, his energy is already waning, and he has entrusted many things to his disciples, but His Majesty clearly doesn't trust them much.

If Prince Jing could send in a Taoist priest trusted by His Majesty, he would gain a significant advantage.

"It is good that Your Highness has such filial piety. His Majesty will be pleased to know this."

Zhu Zaizhen gave a casual reply, his gaze sweeping over the lush greenery ahead. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight filtering through the leaves and asked, "Aren't we there yet?"

"We'll be there soon. Orange Girl and the kittens are currently being kept in the cat room."

A moment later, the group walked around a small, exquisite bluestone hill and came to a neat courtyard located not far from the Wanshou Palace.

The courtyard was small, but it was exquisite in every way. The ground was paved with uniform blue bricks, and the walls were high and neat, without any holes, obviously to prevent the cat from running away.

The doors and windows are all bright vermilion, carved with simple cloud patterns, which complements the elegant style of the surrounding Taoist temples. Behind the courtyard is a small garden with a clear pond. There is a mahogany pavilion on the bank with a small blue stone table inside, and several crabapple trees in full bloom.

The faint sound of cats meowing could already be heard, and the eunuch in charge of the cat room, who had already been informed by the palace attendant, was leading seven or eight junior eunuchs dressed in blue cloth robes, standing respectfully outside the courtyard gate to wait.

Upon seeing Zhu Zaizhen and Huang Jin's group approaching, the head eunuch quickly led everyone forward, and they all knelt down to pay their respects.

Zhu Zaizhen waved his hand, signaling someone to lead the way. The place smelled a bit pungent, but it still looked clean. There were rattan nests in the corners, and several large cats were sprawled out sleeping in the shade.

When he saw them arrive, he just propped his head up and glanced at them twice before going back to sleep, quite content.

For giving birth to Frosty Eyebrow's kittens, Orange Girl was given a special place in a bright and quiet room. Stepping inside, one could see a round, chubby orange cat nursing six or seven kittens.

They seemed slightly wary, but didn't hiss, which shows that the cats trained in the palace are all obedient.

Zhu Zaizhen was delighted to see the orange cats, especially when he saw two little orange kittens that looked just like their mother. He was even happier than when he saw the two kittens that looked like Shuangmei, but he didn't show it too much.

So after a quick touch and petting each one, I decided to get two orange tabbies and one kitten with Frosty Eyebrows, with one of the orange tabbies to be given to Chang An later.

A kitten that's a little over a month old isn't too small anymore. Zhu Zaizhen had Zhang Xing place the betrothal gifts in front of Ju Yatou, while the eunuch in the cat room immediately drew up three cat-acquisition contracts.

The document depicts a cat, detailing its size, coat color, and other characteristics, along with a list of betrothal gifts. Both parties agree that the owner will keep the cat for life and treat it with care. The cat is obligated to catch mice, protect the home, not steal food, and not run away from home. This contract is witnessed by the Eastern King Father, the Western Queen Mother, and the Kitchen God.

Zhu Zaizhen picked up the cat-acquisition contract with great interest and examined it closely. He saw that the brushstrokes were neat and the portrait was realistic, exactly like the cat. He couldn't help but admire it and looked up to ask, "What's your name?"

If one's painting skills are so high, one must also have a solid foundation in calligraphy. If one excels in both painting and calligraphy, then one must be calm and reserved in nature, making one a useful person.

The eunuch was about twenty years old, with fair skin and delicate features. Upon hearing this, he bowed and replied, "My name is Zhou Zheng."

Zhu Zaizhen nodded slightly, glancing sideways at Huang Jin. Huang Jin immediately understood and instructed with a smile, "You are a lucky one. You will return with His Highness Prince Jing later and take good care of these cats, serving them diligently."

The plan was to assign someone to Prince Jing, just in case no one knew how to care for the kittens and they died within a few days.

"This servant obeys."

Seeing this, Zhang Xing couldn't help but grit his teeth inwardly. It was only with great difficulty that that idiot Tao Ze finally made it to the Imperial Stables, but unexpectedly, His Highness picked up another one along the way.

Soon, Zhou Zheng and two eunuchs took the three little ones and went back to settle them. Ju Yatou was a little anxious when she saw this, but after pacing around a couple of times, she finally lay down.

Zhu Zaizhen also squatted down and patted its head, promising to take good care of the cubs.

A moment later, Zhu Zaizhen got up, and Huang Jin was about to see him out of the palace, but Zhu Zaizhen changed the subject and went around to the east pavilion of Qingfu Hall. Then, he brazenly took out the painting "Springtime Play in the Tang Garden" written by Emperor Xuanzong.

The painting depicts five cats frolicking in the spring scenery of Tang Garden. One cat is carrying a bluebird, another is looking up and observing, two cats are playing in the grass, and one is resting. They are all in different poses and have different fur, and they are all extremely cute and adorable.

Bamboo and orchids grow in abundance against the backdrop, thorns and vines intertwine and stretch out, and flowers bloom in succession, creating a vibrant and lively scene, a truly heartwarming spring day.

"Your Highness, no, Your Highness, you absolutely mustn't!" Huang Jin was shocked. This was His Majesty's darling, whom he often displayed in the warm pavilion, comparing it with Shuangmei for amusement.

"I'll send it back in a few days." Zhu Zaizhen rolled up the painting and ran off. The eunuchs pretended to stop him, but in reality, they didn't dare to touch it at all.

Zhu Zaizhen wasn't in a hurry to run away. He just circled around the courtyard. Huang Jin guessed his intention and immediately sent someone to inform him, but he still had to chase after him. Soon, a junior eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial came running over, panting.

"Your Highness—His Majesty requests your presence!"

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