Chapter 46 Who will be the emperor?
Outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, concubines, princes and princesses knelt on the ground.
The emperor was seriously ill, so he summoned concubines from all the palaces to serve him, and the princes and princesses prayed for him.
The three princes kneeling in the foreground were Prince Jing of Zhou Huang, Prince Rui of Zhou Heng, and Prince Xuan of Zhou Ji. Prince Jing, born to the Empress Dowager, had been assisting in government affairs for many years, naturally holding a different status from the other princes. Prince Xuan, the ninth in line, had only begun his involvement in government affairs after Prince Yu's death. After several years of operation, he had become a rising star in the court.
Prince Rui Zhou Heng, who had made outstanding military achievements in leading the campaign against the Tatars, was also a strong contender for the position of crown prince.
Emperor Yongchang was still asleep in the palace, but outside, the situation was turbulent.
Zhou Xian was also kneeling. He secretly raised his head and glanced at Zhou Heng.
Last year, Zhou Heng was severely wounded on the battlefield. His leg bones hadn't healed properly, and he still walks with a limp. Just two days after returning to the imperial court, he was summoned to kneel before the palace. He knelt for three days straight. Who could endure that?
Zhou Xian couldn't stand it either.
He was so sore from kneeling that his whole body ached, and his knees were probably bruised. He had no choice but to quietly slump his shoulders and take a break.
"Alas." Princess Jianing beside him sighed, "When will this day end?"
Zhou Xian whispered comfortingly, "Perhaps Father will wake up today."
Jianing smiled bitterly: "I hope so."
At this moment, there was a commotion ahead.
It was Prince Jing who had spoken. The eldest of the Second Princes stood up and said, "Kneeling like this is not an option. My brother and sister, as well as the ministers, cannot handle it. I think it would be better to call it a day and let everyone go back to rest."
Oh my god! What a kind man!
Zhou Xian looked up in surprise and joy.
He decided to change his opinion of Prince Jing slightly.
Of course, Prince Jing's actions were mostly for show. After all, the people kneeling before the palace included not only the princes and grandchildren of the emperor, but also the cabinet, the Imperial Household Department, and other important officials. By showing his kindness in front of these people, Prince Jing could also gain a good reputation.
It is said that he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.
This move really won a lot of goodwill, especially from the younger princes and princesses, all of whom were in tears and only asked Prince Jing to make the final decision and let them go back to rest.
But how could this be so easy?
The opponents immediately jumped out.
"Hmph." Prince Xuan uttered a breath through his nose. "Father is only ill and in a coma for a few days, and already, second brother, you can't wait to win over the people?"
Prince Jing was not angry when he heard this. He just said calmly, "What are you talking about, Ninth Brother? My brothers and sisters are young, and the elders are busy. Kneeling here will not help. Besides, my father is kind-hearted. I'm afraid he won't be able to bear to see this scene when he wakes up. I just don't want him to be sad."
"Alas, the good guys have been taken care of by the second brother. We, the younger brothers, can't even show filial piety to our father." King Xuan sneered and turned his head to look at Zhou Heng. "Don't you think so, Sixth Brother?"
Zhou Heng was enduring the pain in his legs. Upon hearing this, he glanced at King Xuan indifferently and said, "I think Second Brother is right."
King Xuan choked.
"Sixth brother's leg was seriously injured in the border area last year. I'm sure it's not very comfortable for him to kneel here." Prince Jing smiled. "You will go back with your brothers and sisters later. Ninth brother should show his filial piety, so let him kneel here."
"You!" King Xuan was angry and stood up suddenly.
"What are you arguing about?"
The eunuchs lifted the door curtain, and Empress Guo, supported by someone, emerged from the chambers. She had personally cared for Emperor Yongchang for a day and a night, sleepless nights, and now her face was visibly exhausted. Seeing the arguing princes, she sighed deeply. Empress Guo said, "Your Highness has awakened. Everyone, please return. We've all worked hard these past few days. Fortunately, Your Highness is blessed with great fortune, and now all he needs is rest and recuperation."
When everyone heard this, they shouted "Long live the emperor".
Empress Guo continued, "Huang'er, Heng'er, and Ji'er, please don't leave yet. His Majesty has something to say to you."
So the three of them looked at each other with unclear expressions, each with their own ulterior motives, lifted their clothes, and followed Queen Guo into the room.
Zhou Shan raised his head and glanced at his sixth brother's back from afar. He was as tall and straight as ever, except that his right foot was slightly lame. He didn't know if he could recover.
…
"King Xuan might not be in a very good mental state."
The bathroom was filled with steam. Zhou Xian soaked in the hot water, only half of her head visible, her black hair bobbing in the water. The hair she had cut off a few years ago had grown back three years later, smooth and shiny, though a bit more difficult to manage.
"How do you say that?"
Zhang Jinwei asked casually. He was scrubbing the bath beans, his hands were full of foam, and the scent of jasmine melted into the bathroom.
Zhou Xian then vividly described what had happened last night: Prince Jing's righteousness, Prince Xuan's unreasonable behavior, and Zhou Heng's subtle impatience...
"...It's clearly King Xuan's own fault. He invited so many alchemists into the palace and encouraged that person to take the elixir of unknown origin. If you ask me, King Xuan had better save his own head first since he's seriously ill this time. With his brain, fighting against Sixth Brother... it's a bit pitiful."
Zhang Jinwei finished rubbing the bath beans, half-knelt in front of the wooden tub, and stretched out his hands: "Give me your head."
Zhou Xian handed over his head.
The hand kneading his hair with just the right amount of force, Zhou Xian was satisfied, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had been soaking in the hot water for a long time, his cheeks flushed, his lips red without any lipstick, his skin as translucent as petals.
Zhang Jinwei leaned over and kissed him between the eyebrows.
Zhou Xian continued, "Speaking of Sixth Brother, he's been kneeling for several days straight. I checked last night and he's limping again... I'm going to take Grandpa to Sixth Brother's house tomorrow to see if it's relapsed."
"good."
Zhang Jinwei scooped a spoonful of warm water and washed away the foam on Zhou Shan's hair. To prevent water from entering her eyes, mouth and nose, Zhou Shan covered her face tightly with her hands and let the warm water flow down her hair.
Bathing is a big deal, especially for Zhou Xian, who loves cleanliness. He took his time, wishing to wash off every layer of skin. He also kept chattering and continued to talk about what happened yesterday.
To sum it up: Sixth brother is wise and brave, Prince Jing is a good-for-nothing in normal times but he acted like a human being last night, and as for Prince Xuan, he is even more stupid than the deceased Prince Yu.
As Zhang Jinwei listened, he sighed sadly in his heart.
"Turn around." Zhou Xian, who was standing next to him, had finally finished washing. He stretched out a finger, poked Zhang Jinwei's arm, and gave the order in a muffled voice.
Whether to turn around or not, whether to be a gentleman or not, all depends on Zhang Jinwei's thoughts.
He turned around, facing away from Zhou Xian, and asked, "What about me?"
Zhou Xian was wiping herself with a dry towel beside her. Upon hearing this, she tilted her head and said without hesitation, "You? You're fine!"
…
The clouds are light and the wind is gentle in the autumn afternoon.
Zhou Xian washed her long hair, but couldn't dry it with a towel, so she had to lie on the beauty couch in the corridor, with her long hair loose, letting the dry autumn breeze dry it.
A row of bird cages hung in the corridor, housing sunbirds, thrushes, larks, and other birds, all plump as balls, their eyes barely visible. The birds were Sun Yi's, brought all the way from Shaanxi to the capital. They were all vibrant and full of life, showing no signs of acclimatization.
The cat in the yard hadn't been seen for three years and had gained a lot of weight. In autumn and winter, when it was time to shed its fur, its fur had become a big ball, and it was staring at the fat bird in the cage.
Fortunately, the birdcage was hung high, so the cat couldn't get into it.
Zhou Xian was lying comfortably, having been kneeling for several days. Today she finally had some free time. Zhang Jinwei was also there, and the two of them leaned against each other, reading the popular novels of recent years.
After three years of war, it was good for them to be together, even if they didn't talk, just leaning on each other. Leaves were falling, birds were chirping, and the laughter of the maids could be heard faintly from outside the courtyard.
Steal a half day of leisure from this busy life.
After reading half the book, Zhou Xian stretched and asked, "You went to the Ministry of War yesterday to hand over your duties. How are your new colleagues?"
Zhang Jinwei smiled and said, "That's just the way it is. They are all kind and sensible people. The Minister of War, Jiang Chong, is a lone minister. We don't need to worry too much about party rules when getting along with him."
Zhou Xian nodded: "That's good."
The two of them stopped talking and just read books, looked at the cats and the birds that Sun Yi raised.
Speaking of Sun Yi—the old man had returned to the capital and had been busy managing his clinic these days. He hadn't been back in a few years and owed quite a bit of rent. Zhou Xian had someone pay him back and give it to Sun Jing, who had been with him. He had devoted his life to the study of medicine. Besides feeding birds, he occasionally visited the clinic to see patients. His mind was muddled, but he was not at all confused when facing patients.
Back at the mansion, Aunt Cui and Old Jiang had meticulously maintained it. The previously desolate garden was now ablaze with life, featuring flowing water, lush flowers and trees, and a touch of Jiangnan charm. The couple's cooking skills were also improving. As soon as Zhou Xian returned, she was stuffed with over a dozen different kinds of dim sum, keeping her mouth full all day long.
Zhou Xian seemed to have returned to the days when she first came to Zhuangyuan Mansion, which was a period of peace and happiness.
"Sir, you have a letter."
Saoyan lingered outside the courtyard gate for a long time, unwilling to disturb the peace inside. Unfortunately, the person who wrote the letter was of important status, so he gritted his teeth and spoke out.
Zhang Jinwei stood up from the couch and asked, "Whose letter is it?"
"It's...Mr. Mei's."
teacher?
Zhang Jinwei's expression lit up with joy. He quickly took the letter from Saoyan's hand, opened it eagerly, and read it carefully.
He has been busy with military affairs in recent years and has had very little communication with his teacher. The two are separated by half of the country, one in the northwest and the other in the southeast, making it inconvenient to communicate.
With the victory of the Daning army, Mei Ziqian was invited back to the court and reinstated. Before he arrived in the capital, he had already written several long letters and asked someone to give them to his trusted students.
Zhou Xian had no intention of disturbing Zhang Jinwei. He continued to read the storybook by himself. The storybook was about several brothers fighting over the family property and even fighting for it, which caused quite a joke.
This author is very bold. Who knows whether he is satirizing the political situation, but his writing is indeed vivid and lively, and it is so addictive to read.
If we talk about Zhou Xian's choice of emperor...
It can only be Sixth Brother.
In terms of virtue, morality and achievements, what does his sixth brother lack?
But...what about Zhang Jinwei?
Even though Zhang Jinwei and Zhou Heng had worked together in the northwest for the past three years, supporting each other greatly and maintaining a good relationship, it was clear that Prince Rui's favorite sister was Princess Jiayi, Zhou Xian. So, he was not only a comrade, but also the husband of his closest sister...
As a result, many people in the court believed that Zhang Jinwei was a member of the Rui Wang party.
But that's not right.
Zhou Xian sat up and looked at Zhang Jinwei's back, her eyes deep for a moment.
…
Mei Ziqian is loyal to Prince Jing.
After reading the long letter, Zhang Jinwei's heart sank slowly.
As night fell, purple clouds rose from the western sky, rolling endlessly in the indigo sky.
He turned around and saw Zhou Xian with her long hair loose, looking back at him motionlessly. When she saw him turn around, she smiled and a dimple appeared at the corner of her lips.
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