The emperor wore a bitter expression; he really didn't want to be the chosen one by Heaven!
After learning that Grandpa Gu was his grandmother's biological son and his uncle, he was eager to abdicate.
Others didn't want to, but he was lectured by the Empress Dowager and finally gave up the idea.
When the Empress Dowager mentioned this, he was reminded of his childhood.
The carefree young prince was having a great time on his fiefdom when one day, the palace officials brought his family to the capital.
Then he was handed over to the Empress Dowager to be raised.
Although the Empress Dowager allowed his father to marry many concubines, and he had several younger brothers the following year, he was the only one who remained by the Empress Dowager's side.
As the younger brothers grew up, apart from Prince Kang, who was an incompetent fool who only knew how to flatter, the others were all quite good. However, the Empress Dowager had her eye on him.
He had his moments of frustration and rebellion, but the Empress Dowager pulled him back to his senses. He didn't know why he listened to the Empress Dowager so much.
It wasn't fear, but rather a sense of respect and admiration; he couldn't help but want to obey.
During the sweltering summer days, he became irritable, but seeing the Empress Dowager beside him studying with him, he dared not be irritable.
While studying late into the night, he felt sleepy, but seeing the Empress Dowager sitting next to him instantly woke him up.
The Empress Dowager always accompanied him when he practiced swordsmanship in the morning.
The Empress Dowager never scolded him and rarely smiled at him, but he could feel that she genuinely cared for him, loved him, and wanted to treat him well.
This kindness contained her own selfish motives, her desire to raise a qualified ruler for the Great Zhou Dynasty, and also a grandmother's love for her grandson.
He had no blood relation with the Empress Dowager. He asked himself honestly, he really couldn't do that to a child who wasn't related to him by blood.
From the time he was a few years old until he ascended the throne in his teens, the Empress Dowager accompanied him for a long ten years.
I never hit or scolded him, just a little harsh.
He knew it was all for his own good.
When he first ascended the throne, he was harassed by senior officials, and it was the Empress Dowager who stood up to protect him.
He still remembers what the Empress Dowager said to her ministers and to him that time.
The Empress Dowager punished the minister and told the assembled officials: "First, the Emperor is the Son of Heaven, the rightful eldest son and grandson of the late Emperor. Second, the Emperor is my grandson. Anyone who opposes him is opposing me. Do you all think I'm incapable of wielding a sword because I've lived in the inner palace for so long?"
Then the Empress Dowager said to him, "Emperor, remember, you are the ruler of the country, and you can make all the decisions. They are your subjects, subjects who have devoted themselves to the Great Zhou Dynasty. They are only assisting you and cannot control you. A qualified monarch must have his own opinions. Also, you are my grandson, my eldest grandson. If you are timid, you will disgrace me. Don't be afraid. With me here, no one will dare to look down on you. I will always protect you!"
If it weren't for the large crowd, the emperor would have almost cried.
Throughout his life, only the Empress Dowager ever told him, "Don't be afraid, I will always protect you."
From then on, he became much bolder and got used to asking the Empress Dowager about many things.
At first, the Empress Dowager would say a few words, but after he turned twenty, she really let go and let him do it on his own.
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