Mrs. Wang was still surprised by Song Hongshen's identity. For so many years, the Song family and her sister-in-law had not revealed a single word.
After Wang Jinyao said this, Mrs. Wang suddenly realized that this was indeed an opportunity.
If Song Hongshen really ascends to the throne, then given the relationship between the Wang family and the Song family, it is not impossible for his daughter to become the queen.
Everything depends on how you plan and whether it is worth it.
Soon, Mr. Zhou hurried into the hall.
Under the gaze of everyone, the paternity test between Emperor Xuande and Song Hongshen began.
Everyone watched with bated breath, not daring to breathe.
The most calm and composed person present was Song Zan, while the most nervous were Concubine Xian and the Crown Prince.
Mr. Zhou was very quick in verifying his paternity. After a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, the King of Zhongyong is indeed your father and son."
Emperor Xuande nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my brother."
After Mr. Zhou left, Emperor Xuande looked Song Hongshen up and down several times.
The two men stood facing each other at this time, and Emperor Xuande's eyes were complicated and somewhat excited.
Song Hongshen did not dodge or evade, his expression was calm, and he did not show any joy at suddenly becoming a prince.
Emperor Xuande reached out and patted Song Hongshen's strong shoulder, "The Marquis of Loyalty has raised you very well."
Song Hongshen said expressionlessly, "I dare not. I have a bad character and do not know the difference between high and low. Perhaps it is really as Your Majesty said, I have followed my roots."
He was also a little annoyed. When he was a bastard of the Song family, the emperor didn't have this attitude. Now that he was a legitimate son of the royal family, was he brought up well?
Song Zan stood aside, looking up and trying not to laugh, feeling particularly happy. Even if this son recognized his ancestral roots, he was still close to him in his heart.
Emperor Xuande was startled when he heard this, but he wasn't angry. He turned around and walked to the main seat, laughed loudly twice, and then said.
"Issue this order: Song Hongshen, the third young master of the Song family, is the legitimate son of me and the late queen. I will personally draft the title and inform our ancestors. The Ministry of Rites will cooperate on this matter."
"The Marquis of Loyalty has been meritorious in educating the prince, and is therefore named the King of Loyalty."
Everyone stood up and knelt on the ground to congratulate the emperor and reunite father and son.
Only Song Hongshen stood in the middle of the greenhouse and did not kneel down. When everyone shouted "Long live the emperor", the father and son looked at each other for a long time.
Emperor Xuande once again thought of Master Jingru's words and felt complicated.
Song Hongshen pondered his future path. Being the legitimate heir of the royal family was a noble position, but it also came with numerous dangers. After this incident, the Song family was completely put on the spot.
After everyone stood up, several princes also walked up to Song Hongshen and saluted, calling him "Royal Brother".
The prince said tentatively, "My royal brother will be leaving for Fujian tomorrow. I will host a farewell banquet in the East Palace tonight for my royal brother."
The prince said this, but he actually regretted it deeply in his heart.
If he had known Song Hongshen's identity, he should have allowed him to go to Fujian smoothly, the further the better.
Why bother working so hard to find yourself a strong enemy?
At this time, the prince was eager for Song Hongshen to go to Fujian to fight the Japanese pirates. Even if he proclaimed himself king in Fujian, it would be better than watching the capital from a covetous perspective.
So his words were a test, a test for Song Hongshen and also a test for the emperor.
As soon as the prince finished speaking, Emperor Xuande said, "I will choose someone else to lead the Fujian navy."
He had just adopted his son and they were not close yet, so how could he bear to send him to Fujian?
Although the prince was prepared, he still felt a pang of fear. He thought quickly about how to place his people there.
Unexpectedly, Song Hongshen spoke as soon as the emperor finished speaking.
"Your Majesty, I nominate Zhang Pan, the Xuanwu King, to succeed me in commanding the Fujian navy."
"King Xuanwu's wedding is in October. After the wedding, he will take the princess and the old lady south."
"I also heard that the old lady of the Zhang family has always wanted to go south to recuperate. He is the most suitable person to go there."
When Song Zan finished explaining his life story, he had already begun to think about what was to come. Nominating Zhang Pan to go south was also the result of his careful consideration.
Zhang Pan had previously said that Fujian was a good place. He even jokingly suggested that Song Hongshen reserve a position of deputy general for him, so that he could take his grandmother there to recuperate.
Moreover, among all the generals, Zhang Pan was the most capable and had the best relationship with him. If Zhang Pan went to Fujian, his months of hard work would not be in vain.
So as soon as Emperor Xuande opened his mouth, he immediately took over the conversation.
Emperor Xuande pondered for a moment and then asked Zhang Pan if he was willing to lead troops to Fujian.
Zhang Pan was willing to do so. He had a broken arm and nothing to do after returning to Beijing. He was afraid that he would be an idler in the future, living a life of idleness with a noble title and waiting to die.
So when the emperor asked him, he immediately agreed.
After the Fujian issue was settled, Emperor Xuande announced the end of the Chrysanthemum Banquet.
He ordered Song Zan and Song Hongshen to follow him to the imperial study, and the rest of them left the palace.
Everyone first respectfully saw the emperor off, and only after watching him leave with the two of them did they stand up and walk out.
After Concubine Xian left the Imperial Garden, Jiang Ziyan followed her from behind.
"Sister Xianfei, please stay."
"Is there something wrong, Sister Chen Fei?" Xian Fei stopped and asked.
Jiang Ziyan looked around and pointed to a secluded place not far away, "Can I have a moment to talk?"
Xian Fei immediately walked towards the place Jiang Ziyan mentioned, wondering, did she suspect her? So she came to question her?
After the two of them stood still, Concubine Xian said with a stern face, "Sister Concubine Chen, if you have anything to say, just say it directly."
Jiang Ziyan knelt directly in front of Concubine Xian, choking with sobs and saying, "Please, Concubine Xian, save my life. From now on, I will follow your lead."
Xian Fei was startled, then helped Jiang Ziyan up with her own hands, "What do you mean, sister? What happened?"
Jiang Ziyan cried and told what happened today, saying that someone wanted to harm her and begged Concubine Xian to protect her and help her give birth to the baby safely.
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