The young emperor did not have a good childhood. The Empress Dowager was just a palace maid with a lowly status.
She was granted the title of Noble Lady after conceiving the late emperor's child, but she was not favored.
As a result, Chu Minghuan's position in the palace also became very awkward.
Those princes and princesses intentionally or unintentionally ostracized him, and even the palace maids and eunuchs didn't take them seriously and bullied them at will.
Chu Minghuan once thought he wouldn't live to grow up.
But no one could have imagined that he, the unfavored prince, would later sit on this coveted position.
Zhang Bingzhi and Song Ting were the ones who helped him rise to power. Chu Minghuan knew what their selfish motives were, but he still trusted Song Ting, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He practically grew up under Song Ting's watchful eye, and Song Ting taught him many things step by step.
Therefore, he naturally understood the man's temper and was quite helpless with this beloved minister.
“Zhang Lu, as the prefect of Yingtian, embezzled public funds and oppressed the people. His crimes are unforgivable.”
“Killing him is not excessive, but I still have to punish you for acting first and reporting later.” Chu Minghuan handled the matter gently.
Song Ting slowly replied, "Your subject acknowledges his guilt."
"My dear minister, please rise." The emperor personally helped him up. "In two months, it will be the eighth day of the eighth lunar month. The Empress Dowager is preparing to go to the White Horse Temple to pray for blessings."
"This is a major matter. I don't trust anyone else to handle it. I still need you to take care of it."
Every year on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month, it is a tradition of the Dayan Dynasty to go to Baima Temple to pray for blessings. After the young emperor ascended the throne, Song Ting has been in charge of this matter.
Song readily agreed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."
"There is one more thing. Dong Maolin submitted a memorial today, saying that he is old and ill and wants to resign from his post. I wonder what you think, my dear minister?"
Dong Maolin was an official in the Hanlin Academy. At the beginning of the year, his daughter had just entered the young emperor's harem after being selected as a concubine.
The young girl was beautiful and had a sweet tongue, which pleased the Empress Dowager and had already mentioned it to the young emperor many times.
"Lord Dong's health seems to be not very good lately, but since he intends to have his beloved daughter participate in the selection of imperial concubines, he must still be unwilling to retire."
"I think he's just putting on a show for outsiders, using this opportunity to express his stance to Your Majesty and let everyone know that Dong Maolin is not greedy for power."
Chu Minghuan didn't care much about matters of the harem, and only reluctantly agreed to select concubines this year.
But although he did choose her, the number of times he actually slept with her was very few.
Compared to the other concubines, Dong Maolin's daughter clearly had a greater advantage among them all.
If he conceives a royal heir one day, Dong Maolin will be the undisputed father-in-law of the emperor.
"What you say makes sense, my dear minister. That's what I think too," the emperor nodded. "And what do you think, my dear minister?"
"In my opinion, since he wants to resign, we should just grant him his wish."
As their eyes met, Chu Minghuan understood Song Ting's meaning: "Then let's do it that way."
Given Dong Maolin's current position and his daughter's status, it's hard to say whether he won't wield too much power in the future, thus threatening the Chu family's rule.
Similar incidents were not uncommon in previous dynasties. Now that Dong Maolin has brought it up himself, that's all the better.
"Official business is finished, but I would like to discuss some private matters with you, my dear minister. Would you be willing to listen?"
"Your Majesty, please speak."
There was a large chessboard in the imperial study, near the window. The young emperor took Song Ting's hand and sat down facing him.
"It has been a long time since I played chess with you, my dear minister. Why don't we have a few words of chess today and chat while we play?"
Song Ting, dressed in a black python robe, exuded an imposing aura: "Very well."
The emperor had suggested playing chess, but he was also the one who cheated first. After an incense stick had burned, the emperor, whose words were law, swung his arm and scrambled the chessboard.
"I'm not playing anymore, I've lost again."
Song Ting said, “Your Majesty, one must not be impatient when playing chess. If you had been able to persevere in that game, you might not have lost.”
"You don't need to comfort me. I've played chess with you for so many years, and I've only won a few times. I can count them on one finger."
"Minister Song," the emperor said in distress, "can't you just give in to me?"
Putting aside matters of state, the young emperor and Song Ting were like teacher and friend, like brother and father, and their relationship was very close.
In private, he would often act coquettishly with Song Ting in this way. The latter, however, would always try to reason with him in a very rigid manner.
"The person who taught me chess once said that playing chess is like being a person. Your Majesty is a role model for all people, how can you allow me to let you win—"
"Alright, alright, I understand. Just don't allow it."
The young emperor covered his ears. "I really should call those old men over to listen. Maybe then they won't think you're coveting my throne."
Song Ting lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty, please be careful with your words."
Xiao Minghuan's head was about to ache from listening so much, so he quickly changed the subject:
"My dear minister, I've wanted to ask you for a long time: what happened to your neck? Who injured you?"
During the morning court session, Song Ting appeared before the officials with this dislocated neck, shocking them all.
After the court session, many people were secretly discussing this matter, and even Chu Minghuan couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Given Song Tingyan's high position, it would be extremely difficult to injure him like this; it would be impossible to do so silently.
However, it was clear that no one had received news of Commander Song's assassination attempt. This only fueled everyone's curiosity.
Song Ting subconsciously touched her neck. Her throat had been slashed by Huai Xu last night, and she had to wrap her entire throat up, which did look rather horrifying.
"It's nothing, I just accidentally injured myself while sparring with my subordinates."
"Oh?" Chu Minghuan was very interested in this. "My dear minister, your martial arts are unparalleled. Who could possibly make you suffer a loss?"
Song Ting smiled indifferently: "It's that subordinate of mine named Xiao Wu."
Chu Minghuan knew the two men's backgrounds, and if it was Song Xiaowu's doing, it would make perfect sense.
"You should be more careful next time. Swords have no eyes, so don't actually hurt yourself."
Song Ting nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I understand."
The emperor and his minister chatted casually for a few more minutes before the young emperor finally got to the point:
"My dear minister, the reason I asked you to stay is to ask on behalf of the Princess whether she has any plans for marriage at present?"
Princess Chu Mingshu was the late emperor's third child, born to the late Consort Hui.
She is seven years younger than Xiao Minghuan, but they have not married yet.
The reason she was in love with Song Ting, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was that her affections were unrequited.
"Ever since the Princess met you at the spring banquet that year, she has been deeply in love with you."
"Over the years, they have inquired about this matter openly and secretly countless times. Just a few days ago, they sent someone to ask again."
"My elder sister is already twenty-three this year. If she continues to delay, she will not be able to get along with herself. I wonder what you think, my dear minister?"
The emperor is only sixteen years old, yet he has been forced to act as the matchmaker, which is quite a funny scene.
Song Ting, however, reiterated his previous statement: "My ambition lies elsewhere."
"What do you mean by not having ambitions here? Minister Song, you're not getting any younger. You can't stay unmarried and childless your whole life, can you?"
"The Princess is gentle and virtuous, what exactly do you dislike about her?" Chu Minghuan was very troubled.
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