"What the Queen Mother said is true. I have this plan as well," Fang Zhiheng nodded. He stroked the tea bowl with his fingers, paused, and said in a deep voice, "If Mingzheng is crowned as a king, then Ming'e should not be left behind. After all, Ming'e is still my elder brother."
"Of course." The Queen Mother nodded and looked at Zhong Zhiheng, "Then what positions does the Emperor think should be given to Ming'e and Mingzheng respectively?"
"To be honest with you, mother. I originally wanted to give Ming'e and Mingzheng the same position. Although Mingzheng was born to the imperial concubine, his status is more noble. But Ming'e is older after all. And Ming'e has always been cautious in doing things. I can't bear to let Ming'e be inferior to his younger brother," Fang Zhiheng sighed softly. "But now, there is good news from Mingzheng's mansion. If I still give them the same position, I'm afraid people will think too much."
"Your Majesty is right. Anyone with a discerning eye must know that this time the two princes should have different positions. If the emperor gave them the same position, it would be inappropriate." The Queen Mother said slowly, and then pondered, "Then confer Mingzheng the title of first-rank prince, and confer Minge the title of second-rank county prince."
"But Ming'e is really wronged. He is such an honest and steady child." Fang Zhiheng sighed.
The Queen Mother took a sip of tea and suddenly looked at Fang Zhiheng: "It has been seven or eight years since Ming'e got married, right? But he still has no one to support him. Your Majesty, don't you find it strange?"
"Yes, I have always had this suspicion in my mind, but I have sent the imperial physician to check Ming'e and the Second Prince's wife's pulse several times, and they all seemed to be fine. I am puzzled," Fang Zhiheng sighed, "I don't have many princes, and I don't expect my grandchildren to be even more fertile. Now, apart from the maid in Mingzheng's house, I am counting on Mingzheng's wife to be pregnant with a grandson."
"Your Majesty, don't worry too much. After all, Ming'e and Mingzheng are still young," the Queen Mother said softly, while reaching out to pat Fang Zhiheng's hand and saying, "Besides, don't we still have Mingrong?"
"How old is Mingrong? My mother always teases me," Zhong Zhiheng said with a smile, taking a sip of tea, his expression becoming serious again, "I do want to give Mingzheng a princely title, but if that's the case, I won't feel at ease."
The Zhao family has produced a noble concubine and a right prime minister, and Zhong Mingzheng is the son-in-law of the Minister of Rites An Zishang. With the protection of the Zhao and An families, his position as a crown prince is almost certain. If he is conferred the title of prince now, the whole court will be calling for the establishment of a crown prince as soon as the new year is over. Zhong Zhiheng is only in his early fifties this year and is in good health. Besides, he has just deposed a crown prince, so he has no plan to establish a crown prince now. Naturally, he is not happy to see a situation where all officials ask him to establish a crown prince.
The Queen Mother naturally understood Zhong Zhiheng's thoughts. She took a sip of tea, then said slowly while turning her Buddhist beads, "During the Double Ninth Festival, Xiao An from the An Mansion came to the palace to pay her respects to me. I think that girl is quite good and is loyal and righteous."
Zhong Zhiheng raised his eyebrows: "The little An from An Zishang's family?"
"Yes, it was His Majesty who granted the marriage to Little An," the Queen Mother sneered, "and I heard that An Zishang personally went to the palace to ask for permission."
"Isn't it? I was shocked at the time. An Zishang cried and begged me to grant him a marriage so that his daughter's love could be fulfilled." Zhong Zhiheng curled his lips sarcastically, took a sip of tea, and said leisurely, "Since Xiao An is loyal and righteous, then send Xiao An to Ningguta."
The Queen Mother said nothing, but just lowered her head and sipped her tea.
…
November 10, the 32nd year of Jiasheng
Ningguta
Achou got the bacon that he made last month. Today, he took advantage of the sunshine at noon to go down the mountain and deliver some to Grandma Chen's house.
When they arrived at Jixian Bookstore, it was Chen Qingxuan instead of Grandma Chen who opened the door for Achou.
"Mr. Chen, isn't Grandma Chen at home?" Ah Chou followed Chen Qingxuan in and didn't see Grandma Chen around.
"She went back to the village. There was a wedding in her relative's house, and she went back to help," Chen Qingxuan took the bacon from her and said to Ah Chou with a smile, "How can I accept such a big gift from you? I just happen to have a jar of good tea here, you can take it back and drink it."
"No, no, thank you, Mr. Chen," Ah Chou waved his hands repeatedly, a little embarrassed, "I just bought some new tea a few days ago, and I bought quite a lot."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
