Sherry showed no emotion and ignored him.
Emperor Shunzhi chuckled to himself. This Empress, she wore her heart on her sleeve!
It's rare that she gave birth to such a clever and quick-witted son.
But the next generation...
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your son has something to say to Jingrong!"
Emperor Shunzhi continued speaking, ignoring the Empress Dowager's reaction.
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, then got up and left.
"Jingrong, put on your mask! He's just recovered from a serious illness, and I'm afraid he might have contracted smallpox!"
Sherry put a new mask on the little guy, said something to Shunzhi, and then turned and left.
Shunzhi stared blankly at her departing figure without saying a word.
But after they went outside, they saw the ministers rushing over.
The Empress Dowager and Shirley quietly drank their tea.
Seeing the reaction of the two most honored women in the Qing Dynasty, the ministers understood what was going on.
Meanwhile, Emperor Shunzhi inside started chatting with Jingrong.
"You're so young, yet you're interested in the West?"
"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the land, all people are subjects of the king." Jingrong couldn't help but feel a longing as she recalled the world map her mother had shown her.
Such a vast land requires efficient management, communication, military capabilities, and productivity—all are indispensable.
"Do you want to be the emperor?" At that moment, Shunzhi seemed to see a great and ambitious emperor rising up, and couldn't help but ask again.
"Of course!" Jing Rong suddenly remembered his past and present lives. With such an opportunity, how could he possibly hand over the throne to someone else?
"You seem to be very close to the Han people?" Shunzhi said, narrowing his eyes.
"No, whether Manchu or Han, they are all subjects of our son in the future. Reinventing the wheel is not a long-term solution!"
Jingrong spoke with certainty.
Shunzhi was both surprised and pleased.
Such a young child has such insightful views; that should put his mind at ease.
"Father, I'm sorry... I've had enough of being held back. I originally wanted to wait until you were older."
Shunzhi swallowed those words again.
After all, he didn't want to admit he was wrong.
Make him tell his son in front of him that he had abandoned him without hesitation?
He said he couldn't bring himself to say it.
“I’m not afraid, because they are the foundation for my progress.” Jingrong thought of his own weapons and cannons, as well as the extraordinary abilities displayed by the foreigners.
He knew that every race has its own culture.
What he needs to do is to absorb and learn from them.
"You are good in every way, but Jingrong, do you know why I do not like your mother?"
This was the first time Shunzhi spoke frankly.
Jingrong's instinctive thought was: My mother doesn't like you yet!
“Because Father Emperor has poor judgment!” Jingrong looked at him and said this.
Shunzhi stared at his eldest son in disbelief, and after a long moment of bewilderment, he burst into laughter.
"Is my judgment bad?"
"Your son understands, Father, you don't need to worry!" Jingrong's eyes turned cold as he thought of that troublemaker.
Just as Shunzhi was about to say something, he saw his son's reaction.
I'm reminded of Lady Dong'e and Lady Qin!
I was speechless for a moment!
Indeed, no matter how ruthless the Empress is, she is still strong because she is a mother!
After a long pause, Shunzhi spoke listlessly: "No matter what, remember this: the next emperor cannot be of Mongol blood! People are never satisfied, otherwise, the throne of our Aisin Gioro family will have to change hands!"
"Yes, Mother also mentioned it. She said that children born from consanguineous marriages are more likely to be sick or deformed! I plan to prohibit consanguineous marriages among my subjects in the future."
When Jingrong said this, Shunzhi found it hard to believe.
At that moment, he felt a pang of jealousy towards his son.
Intelligent, decisive, resolute, and stable in temperament.
Putting all that aside, he was extremely envious of the Empress's indifference to worldly affairs and her magnanimity.
So why is it that the Empress can understand things that his mother, the Empress Dowager, cannot?
Forcing him to do things he doesn't want to do!
Mother and child almost became estranged!
Shunzhi closed his eyes briefly: "Let them in!"
A short while later, the group filed in.
Emperor Shunzhi looked at them one by one and saw the Empress feeding Jingrong health-preserving pills.
Suddenly I felt calm!
After all, his feelings at that time were quite complicated.
He was so young and he was about to die. His resentment and fear made him instantly see everyone as an executioner who coveted his throne.
As for the Empress Dowager and the Empress?
He didn't dare to think about it further, nor did he have time to.
If the throne were to fall into the hands of a collateral branch, he would truly have no face to face his father, the Emperor.
Emperor Shunzhi suddenly got up, and a bodyguard brought him a bowl of medicine.
Shunzhi slowed his pace, walked to the desk to the side, picked up his pen, and wrote:
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Since ascending the throne, I have been diligent in governing, working tirelessly day and night. However, my life is not long, and my health has been declining recently. I fear I will not be able to continue governing the country for long, which deeply worries me. Considering the weight of the nation and the hopes of the people, I have decided to follow ancient custom and pre-select an heir apparent to inherit the throne and ensure the stability of the country.
My eldest son, Jingrong, is resolute, intelligent, and studious, possessing the virtues of a ruler, and is capable of shouldering great responsibilities. From this day forward, he shall inherit the throne.
I am well aware that the new emperor, having just ascended the throne, still needs experience and assistance. Therefore, I hereby appoint Sony, Suksaha, Ebilun, and Oboi as regents. I hope that after the new emperor's accession, you will devote yourselves wholeheartedly to assisting him, working together to manage state affairs, so as to ensure the eternal stability of our Great Qing Dynasty and the peaceful and prosperous lives of our people.
The regents must be impartial, loyal to the new monarch, and diligent in their duties, without the slightest negligence. In all matters of national importance, they must consult with the new monarch to ensure the smooth implementation of policies and the prosperity of the nation.
Although I am unwell, my heart is with the nation. I hope that the new emperor and all my ministers will work together with one heart and one mind to govern the country and create a prosperous era for our Great Qing Dynasty. I will be able to rest in peace with a smile in the afterlife.
This edict shall take effect immediately upon its promulgation and shall be proclaimed throughout the land so that all may know of it.
So be it!
July 20th, the sixteenth year of the Shunzhi reign
Shunzhi established
Ao Bai, who was standing to the side, received the imperial edict, and everyone knelt down to receive it.
After the four regents received and examined the imperial edict, they began to discuss the matter of the new emperor's ascension to the throne.
Just as Sherry was about to leave, Shunzhi stopped her.
The Empress Dowager left with Jingrong.
Sherry sat down, grumbling and cursing.
"Empress, you are incredibly audacious!" Shunzhi was quite calm at this moment.
"Oh? Isn't this the confidence you gave me?" Shirley was about to say something like, "Who told me to be the Empress?" but then she was afraid that this grandson would trick her at the last minute, so she swallowed her words.
"Ha! Do you resent me?" Shunzhi smirked.
What do you think?
"Does he have some serious illness? He ripped off others and then asked if they were happy about it?"
Sherry felt completely superfluous in the room and couldn't help but yawn.
"I actually have some affection for you!" Shunzhi said after a long silence.
“…” Sherry didn’t say anything, looking at him with a look of disgust.
Do you even believe that yourself?
Shunzhi was once again stuck.
"If it weren't for some affection between us, I would have punished you for using torture against the imperial concubines!"
"Then, Your Majesty, thank you for your consideration?" Xue Li asked tentatively.
"Let's do it again, and I'll turn her into a human pig and send it to you right away!"
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