Chapter 228 Asking for Imperial Instructions

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the court was in session and the shops were open for business.

Although the emperor had been on holiday for the past few days, the news of Yu Cheng’s injury had spread.

A group of court officials, led by Cao Qian, first submitted a memorial to the emperor saying that Yu Cheng’s kindness and filial piety deserved a reward, and then they openly and secretly asked the emperor to reflect on the past.

The emperor was furious when he heard this, and said with a cold face: "I was injured, and you don’t care about my health, but you still criticize me. It’s just that I overturned an incense table, what do you want? Force me to write a confession of guilt!"

"Your Majesty, calm down." The officials bowed their heads and bowed their hands.

The emperor said, "I was fine, but you guys annoyed me with your words. Now you want me to calm down. Are you trying to make fun of me?"

"We don't mean that." Cao Qian and others knelt down in a hurry.

The emperor was disgusted by their faces and said bluntly, "If anyone thinks I should reflect on my mistakes, please write a memorial and tell me where I made mistakes!" "

If you don't write a memorial, it's nonsense. I will kill the person who made the nonsense. It won't be too late to write a confession of guilt!" Writing

a memorial to point out the emperor's mistakes is like putting your head on the knife. Who dares to do that? Moreover

, since the emperor ascended the throne, he has been diligent in government, caring for the people, and defending the country. Although he has not done everything perfectly, he has not made any big mistakes and is far from the point of writing a confession of guilt.

The reason why I made a report in the court today was just because Cao Qian instructed me to record Yu Cheng's writing achievements.

Now the emperor was furious, and everyone looked at each other. Seeing that Cao Qian did not speak, no one dared to speak.

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

The dragon eyes glared at the people below coldly, and the emperor said in a stern voice: "The prince protects me. It is the love between father and son, it is the filial piety of the son, and it is my family affair. I have my own judgment in my heart."

"You are taking the court salary and being supported by the people. You don't think about how to benefit the people and share my worries. You only focus on my family affairs. Is this your way of being a minister!" "

I am terrified." Everyone was speechless after being questioned by the emperor.

Zhou Taifu and others took the opportunity to come forward, asking the emperor to calm down, and reported several important political affairs.

Comparing the two, it was clear who was loyal and who was treacherous.

After the court was dismissed, Zhou Taifu and Zhou Boxu did not leave, but followed the emperor to the study.

Yu Zheng knew what they were doing, so he followed them.

The emperor was a little surprised to learn that Zhou Boxu wanted to ask for an imperial decree to grant him a marriage.

"For so many years, I thought you had given up on this idea."

Zhou Boxu immediately stated: "I have always admired the princess and have never changed."

"Forget it, you two should have been a couple. Since Madam Zhuang and Madam Zhou have agreed, I will do my best." The emperor had no intention of making things difficult, and he also knew that this was something that Concubine Yu Gui would like to see, so he asked the attendant to bring the imperial edict and spread it out.

When he picked up the pen, the emperor hesitated.

"Although Madam Zhou has agreed, the incident was a thorn after all. I'm afraid there will be many inconveniences for Yan'er to go to the Zhou family."

The emperor already felt indebted for letting Yu Lan marry into the Zhuang family and let Zhuang Yan live as a widow for so many years. Now he can't let her suffer any grievances.

And Zhuang Yan, he is the only son of the Zhuang family. With the merits of his father, he should not suffer any grievances.

"The emperor means..." Taifu Zhou asked.

Since they were not outsiders, the emperor did not beat around the bush and said directly: "There is an unused house near Prince Jing's Mansion. I want to give it to the princess."

Princess Mansion?

If Yu Lan has a princess's mansion, then Zhou Boxu's marriage to her would be a dowry, wouldn't it?

Taifu Zhou was a little hesitant for a moment.

Zhou Boxu also frowned.

It was not that he was unwilling to accept the marriage, but he was afraid that his mother would not agree. He could not threaten her with a dagger again.

Knowing the concerns of the two, the emperor said: "If it is not considered as a marriage, I will write it in the edict, granting the two of them to marry and live in the princess's mansion, and their descendants will still be named Zhou."

The Zhou family had no choice and was also a victim of what happened back then. Moreover, the contributions made by Zhou Taifu and Zhou Boxu to Dazhao in recent years are also worthy of respect, not much worse than the generals who went to the battlefield to kill the enemy.

Therefore, the emperor will not humiliate the Zhou family. On the contrary, he will promote the Zhou family to check and balance the Cao family. It is

true that the Cao family must be eradicated, but several generations of officials have a deep foundation in the court, so it cannot be rushed, and can only be done slowly.

Although Grand Tutor Cao has retired due to old age, his students are all over Dazhao. It is difficult to convince them without a serious crime.

Over the years, the emperor has learned to be patient. He wants to find a good opportunity to eliminate the Cao family in one fell swoop and make it impossible for them to turn over.

After years of immersion in the court and being the emperor's confidant, Grand Tutor Zhou understood the emperor's mind after a little thought, and immediately bowed his hands and said, "I will obey the emperor's will."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Zhou Boxu knelt down to thank him.

The emperor raised his hand and said, "Get up."

After obtaining the consent of the father and son, the emperor asked Yu Zheng again, "What do you think?"

Yu Zheng said, "Father, you have thought it through, and I think it is very appropriate."

Yu Zheng had this idea for a long time, but he didn't have time to say it out loud.

Hearing this, the emperor no longer hesitated and wrote quickly.

East Palace.

Cao Qian met with the empress in Cao Muxue's courtyard on the pretext of visiting Yu Cheng.

"Dad." Cao Muxue hadn't seen her family for a long time and couldn't hide her joy.

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, she was supposed to go back to Cao's house, but Yu was injured and didn't go back.

"Why didn't the prince recuperate in your courtyard?" Cao Qian asked in doubt.

Cao Muxue said angrily: "It's all because of that bitch Xie Wanruo."

Cao Qian frowned and reminded: "You are the crown princess, watch your words."

"Yes, my daughter knows." Cao Muxue angrily explained the reason.

Cao Qian frowned after hearing this: "The Xie family is also very tricky."

Xie Wanruo is the crown prince's concubine, and Prime Minister Xie is also on Yu Cheng's side. But Cao Muxue took Xie Wanruo's position as Crown Princess, and the two had always been at odds with each other. Prime Minister Xie also opposed Cao Qian in the court.

Therefore, although the Crown Prince's Party was large in number, it was divided into two factions. Sometimes they would unite for Yu Cheng, and sometimes they would take advantage of each other's misfortunes.

While the father and daughter were talking, the Queen came.

"I have seen the Queen." Cao Qian stood up to greet her.

The Queen waved her hand and said, "There are no outsiders. Sit down and talk."

"Have you seen Cheng'er?" the Queen asked.

Cao Qian shook his head: "The Crown Prince is in Concubine Xie's courtyard. It is inconvenient for me to visit him."

The Queen pursed her lips and said, "It was I who forgot."

"Cheng'er is not seriously ill. He will recover after a few days of rest. Don't worry."

Cao Qian sighed: "The Emperor was furious at the morning court today."

"What happened?" The Queen frowned and asked.

The harem was not allowed to interfere in government affairs, and the Emperor never talked to her much. If she wanted to know the situation in the court, she could only ask Yu Cheng or learn from Cao Qian.

Cao Qian asked Cao Muxue to close the door and told her what happened in the morning court in a low voice.

"The emperor's words today seem reasonable, but in fact they are warnings. The emperor has been getting out of control in recent years, and I'm afraid he will turn against the Cao family." Cao Qian was very worried.

A big tree attracts the wind, and a powerful minister frightens the master. This has been a taboo since ancient times.

"Father has long expected this day to come, but he is old and seriously ill, and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for much longer."

"Is father's illness getting worse again?" The queen asked anxiously, clenching her hands.

Cao Qian nodded heavily: "The doctor said that now he relies on medicine to survive. But sooner or later there will be a day when no matter how much money, fame or medicine you have, you can't keep him alive."