Chapter 30
"If you keep looking around, I'll dig out your longan eyes." Zhang Xihua said fiercely.
"Erlang~"
When Zhu Mingji called out, Zhang Xihua got goosebumps all over his body.
"Both of you are sick. The husband forced the brother he grew up with to be his mistress, and the wife risked having her entire family executed for having an affair." Zhang Xihua was furious and slapped Zhu Mingji hard a few times. "The point is, you two are targeting me for trouble. If the two Empress Dowagers knew about this, would I still be alive? Would my entire Zhang family still be alive?"
Zhu Mingji ordered Deqing to bring an amber box, with a proud look on his face as if he was waiting to be praised.
When Zhang Xihua opened the amber box, he was almost blinded by the golden light inside.
They are all golden medals of immunity from death.
Zhang Xihua took the amber box and got off the bed, asking Deqing to take her to change clothes.
"I've given you so many death-proof golden medals, and you don't even say thank you?" Zhu Mingji was dissatisfied with her cold reaction to him.
Zhang Xihua turned around and gave him a polite fake smile, "Your Majesty, this is what I deserve."
Zhu Mingji looked at her lovingly. He liked the energetic feeling of her.
*
After February of the fifth year of Huiyuan, Zhang Xihua, who had just finished his mourning period, was directly granted the official position of the fourth-rank Imperial College Jijiu, and served as the lecturer of the daily imperial lectures.
On the second, twelfth and twenty-second days of every month, Zhang Xihua would explain the Four Books and Five Classics to Zhu Mingji in person in the Wenhua Hall. This was known as the Imperial Lecture.
In addition to the imperial lectures, there were also daily lectures. As the daily lecturer, Zhang Xihua had to wait in the Wenhua Hall every day for Zhu Mingji to call her to explain the classics and history.
The ministers were originally dissatisfied with Zhang Xihua's special appointment, but after hearing about her words and deeds when she was a lecturer, their original dissatisfaction turned into admiration and appreciation. Officials from both the court and the public were amazed at Zhang Xihua's quick wit and profound knowledge.
Moreover, on several occasions when the emperor was furious, Zhang Xihua was able to save innocent officials affected by the emperor's wrath from being beaten in court with just a few words, and she won the hearts of many people because of this.
On June 22, Huang Yu, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, came to Wenhua Palace to announce the good news that Empress Cheng had safely given birth to the emperor's eldest son at noon today.
The cabinet scholars, six ministers and other attendants in the hall took turns to offer their congratulations to Zhu Mingji who was sitting on the throne.
Zhu Mingji smiled and followed the cabinet's advice. To celebrate the birth of the emperor's eldest son, he reduced taxes in the two capitals and thirteen provinces by 10% and issued a general amnesty.
Only Zhang Xihua knew the murderous intent hidden behind Zhu Mingji's smiling face.
Zhang Xihua clearly remembered that according to the History of Ming Dynasty, the eldest prince was killed in this year, Empress Cheng was deposed in this year, and Empress Dowager Zhang burned herself to death in the Cining Palace in this year.
After the lecture, Zhang Xihua casually took a few bites of the wine and food that were given to him.
It happened that Concubine Zhang Gui sent a eunuch to summon Zhang Xihua to Renshou Palace. After Zhang Xihua straightened his clothes, he followed the eunuch into the palace.
When passing Fengxian Hall, they ran into the imperial concubines and their procession. Zhang Xihua and the eunuch took shelter under the wall.
"Cousin, are you also going to visit Concubine Zhang?" asked the beautiful woman in palace dress who was carried up.
The palace maid led Zhang Xihua to the side of the eunuch, and Zhang Xihua greeted Concubine Zhang Rou, who was sitting on the eunuch, according to the etiquette.
Concubine Zhang Rou was a relative who was introduced to the palace by Concubine Zhang Gui last year. She was initially given the title of Concubine Rou and was promoted to Concubine Rou in the early spring of this year. She often accompanied the emperor and served him with writing materials.
"I am attending the imperial lecture today and was just summoned by Concubine Zhang. I was about to go to Renshou Palace." Zhang Xihua said.
"Then my cousin and I are on the same route. I have something to ask you, and it's about Your Majesty." Concubine Zhang Rou spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty has been particularly fond of sweets lately. The concubines in the palace have all presented sweets to Your Majesty to please Him, but no one has guessed His Majesty's preferences. I'm asking my cousin for advice. You and Your Majesty grew up together, so you naturally know what Your Majesty likes."
"Your Majesty's favorite dessert is Sushan, but I heard Your Majesty coughing a few times today. Your Majesty should offer you Sushan later." Zhang Xihua reminded Concubine Zhang Rou.
Along the way, Concubine Zhang Rou asked Zhang Xihua many questions about Zhu Mingji.
After arriving at Renshou Palace, Concubine Zhang Rou did not want to delay Concubine Zhang Gui and Zhang Xihua's brother and sister from chatting about family matters, so she said a few words to Concubine Zhang Gui and then said goodbye.
Concubine Zhang Gui applied a thick layer of powder on her face to hide her haggard appearance. She had lost blood and energy due to repeated childbirths. Since the beginning of this spring, she had been suffering from continuous bleeding from her lower body. She knew that she did not have much time left, so when she met her younger brother today, she told him about her affairs after her death.
"I gave birth to five daughters and one son for the late emperor, but I only raised Anqing. Anqing is now fostered in the Cheng'an County Prince's Mansion. I am relieved that Yi Ning is taking care of her. Erlang, you will also be coming of age after November this year. I think it's time to arrange your marriage in advance."
The palace maid handed over the list, and Concubine Zhang Gui opened the list and showed it to Zhang Xihua one by one. Zhang Xihua always had an excuse to refuse.
Concubine Zhang held her forehead with her hand and sighed, then dismissed all the palace servants.
"Erlang, tell me the truth. Is it that His Majesty doesn't allow you to get married?"
"What does it have to do with Your Majesty whether I get married or not? It's strange for me to ask this question, sister." Zhang Xihua responded guiltily. If she really got married, His Majesty could make her a widower immediately with just one imperial decree. It would be better not to harm a girl from a good family.
"We both know why Concubine Zhang Rou has gained the Emperor's favor. Concubine Zhang Rou, look in the mirror. You'll see your face there. I've been through this myself, and I can see that the bond between you and His Majesty transcends brotherhood." Concubine Zhang Dowager was filled with sorrow. "Sister, you are an open-minded person. Even if you and His Majesty are in love, it doesn't prevent you from having children of your own. His Majesty already has his eldest son. He should be sympathetic and not allow you to have no descendants."
"Then I will take this list back and think about it carefully." Zhang Xihua picked up the list, bowed to Concubine Zhang Gui, and walked out of the hall.
As they stepped out of the gate of Renshou Palace, they saw Deqing waiting there. Zhang Xihua handed the list to Deqing and said, "Take it back and show it to His Majesty. Tell him that the Concubine Dowager hopes that I will marry and have children. His Majesty must grant me a good marriage so that I can make an appearance with the ancestors of the Zhang family."
Deqing couldn't bear the fright and knelt down to Zhang Xihua with a shudder.
"Master Zhang, please don't embarrass me. If His Majesty hears Master Zhang's words asking me to return, he will definitely cut off my tongue."
"Your Majesty should be in a good mood today as the eldest prince has been born." Zhang Xihua helped Deqing up.
"Empress Dowager Zhang had previously ordered Huang Zhangyin to select several wet nurses for the eldest prince, but they were unable to control him. As soon as the eldest prince was held in their arms, he cried and refused to drink milk. Your Majesty is very unhappy about this." Deqing said casually.
"Has Your Majesty punished Huang Zhangyin?" Zhang Xihua asked.
"How could that be possible? Huang Zhangyin is Empress Dowager Zhang's confidant. If Your Majesty were to slap her in the face, you'd be spit upon by the censors of the previous dynasty." Deqing got to the point. "Your Majesty sent this servant to ask Master Zhang here if the lunatic who stayed overnight at Kunning Palace has been apprehended."
"I'm locked up in the Prince of Cheng'an's mansion, waiting for His Majesty to strike the gong, and for everyone to take the stage and continue this wonderful performance."
A gust of wind blew by, blowing the hem of Zhang Xihua's red robe up and down.
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