Chapter 11 Ultimately, it couldn't compare to the favor and glory of the Xiao family…
Zhou She was lost in his own cleverness when he heard Emperor Hong'an say softly, "You do have some insight. Indeed, Tianmu knows a great deal, but this person who speaks keeps quoting history books, which shows that he also learned from history books. Just like the Xinning Book, there will be some errors and omissions."
When he mentioned Xin Ningshu, everyone couldn't help but recall the various smears and rumors that Tianmu had just made, and they all felt ashamed.
Perhaps it wasn't a mistake, but rather... intentional.
Emperor Hong'an stroked his beard, looked Zhou She up and down, and suddenly asked, "How old are you this year?"
"Your subject has just turned nineteen."
Emperor Hong'an seemed to recognize him only now: "Zhaoping hasn't brought you into the palace for a long time... You've grown up so much."
Zhaoping is Zhou She's biological mother.
Zhou She didn't know what to say.
Aside from the first few years after his birth, when Emperor Hong'an personally saw him and even held him, as he grew older, and because his mother rarely took him to public events, he became quite estranged from Emperor Hong'an.
But no matter how unfamiliar he was with her, he was still his maternal grandfather.
"In another year, it will be time to give you a courtesy name." In this atmosphere, Emperor Hong'an was surprisingly in high spirits. "Have Minister Zhou and Zhaoping come up with a courtesy name for you yet?"
That is indeed the case.
Zhou She was about to say the word he had chosen a few days ago, "Xing Yuan," but in a flash, the fragment he had just seen suddenly flashed through his mind.
Emperor Hong'an in the TV series "Emperor Jinghua" addressed Emperor Zhongzong as "Xingyuan".
In an instant, Zhou She's back was soaked with cold sweat, and he dared not utter the words he had originally decided to say.
There's no need to arouse His Majesty's suspicion. Zhou She may be a bit of a playboy, but he's not stupid.
Fortunately, he kept his head down the whole time. Although he was startled, there was almost no trace of shock on his face. What slipped out of his mouth were two other words.
"Father has already proposed the name Ruochuan."
Emperor Hong'an was indeed unaware of the situation, and simply nodded, saying, "I was thinking of giving you a name, but it seems unnecessary now. Zhou She, although I am in the palace, I always hear about you. Of the many troublemakers in the capital, you're involved in eight or nine out of ten."
At this point, the words already carried a subtle admonition. Zhou She readily accepted the advice, kneeling down to admit his mistake: "Your subject will always be vigilant and dare not repeat the offense."
Emperor Hong'an hummed in agreement, then looked at Xiao Jianhe, whose face was pale, and casually reassured him, "Why are you so nervous? Since it is a matter of the future, just sit down and listen."
Xiao Jian and Na Na sat down, but their grandfather's gaze made them tense, as if they would be beaten bloody by their grandfather, who was said to be "full of martial virtue," in the next second.
There has always been controversy regarding Xiao Jianhe's personality. Because Emperor Zhongzong had a distinct personality, those who did well under him were generally not peacemakers or pushovers.
As is well known, Emperor Zhongzong had three favorite ministers: the first was his childhood friend Zhuang Shi Zhuang Yuanchu; the second was his sharp-tongued rival Huai Leju Huai Ziyou; and the third was Xiao Jian and Xiao Zhiping, who readily accepted good advice.
The first two were known for their rivalry with King Jungjong. For example, Zhuang Yuanchu had a history of fighting with King Jungjong, and Huai Leju was also a master of verbal abuse, almost causing King Jungjong to lose his temper and resort to physical violence. Only Xiao Jianhe had a gentle personality and was the only peacemaker under King Jungjong—somewhat like his grandfather.
The two emperors had quite similar tastes in people; they were truly from the same family. [Thumbs up]
The three people who were named have all gained widespread attention.
Emperor Hong'an scrutinized the three young men before him one by one.
The one who looked pale and sickly was Zhuang Yuan Chu, kneeling on the ground. He was quite famous in the capital, often causing trouble. If it weren't for his father's influence, he would have been beaten long ago.
As for Huai Leju and Xiao Jianhe... one was his confidant, and the other was a minister he intended to leave to his successor.
At this moment, all three had their heads bowed. Three equally young faces were laid out before him, each more respectful and composed than the last. Emperor Hong'an could hardly believe that these were the people described in the celestial realm.
Moreover, that phrase, "They truly are a family..."
Emperor Hong'an looked at the Crown Prince Huai in the crowd.
Although Tianmu said he never left his home, he became increasingly suspicious of him.
After hearing Tianmu finish reading the name, Zhou's father sighed softly, "It seems that my Zhou family... can never compare to the Xiao family's favor."
Xiao Yichun was a veteran of three reigns, and his descendants had rendered meritorious service in supporting the new emperor. The Xiao family's decades of glory and wealth were now within reach.
However, he immediately felt a sense of relief, thinking that Xiao Yichun's most pressing concern was to get through this immediate crisis.
Some people have always suspected that King Jungjong had masochistic tendencies. I want to say that although it is unofficial history, you shouldn't be so extreme.
Emperor Jungjong was indeed incredibly patient with those he admired, but he was still relatively mentally sound.
It's rare to find someone who appreciates and praises him, and who can even help him with his work. What a perfect minister he could be! How could he not like him?
Some people in the Qing Dynasty are really something; when they wrote about Zhuang Yuanchu, they labeled him as a sycophant. But the phrase "praise the ruler when good, blame oneself when wrong" is clearly more fitting for Xiao Jianhe!
The more focused and attentive Xiao Jianhe was while watching the play, the more guilty he felt now.
His whole body was stiff, and even with all his strength, he could only twitch his fingers slightly.
He praises the ruler when he is right, and blames himself for all the wrongdoing. This is typical of a sycophant, and it's what my grandfather detested most...
Xiao Jianhe raised his eyes and looked at his grandfather.
Xiao Yichun was also watching his grandson. In his eyes, his grandson was always steady, exceptionally talented in literature, and had advanced political views. Most importantly... he was the most ideal Confucian scholar.
He couldn't understand how his grandson could be the way Tianmu described.
Emperor Hong'an was initially somewhat displeased, but seeing Xiao Yichun's gloomy face, he smiled instead: "Minister Xiao, young people have many ideas, so it's no wonder they're like this."
It's all reversed! It's completely reversed!
Why is it that the emperor has to come and comfort him?!
Xiao Yichun could not laugh, and said in a deep voice, "I will certainly educate him properly."
Of course, Xiao Jianhe himself is definitely quite capable.
Just from the fact that he initially had a mediocre relationship with Emperor Jungjong, yet later became a highly favored minister, one can guess that this person has extremely high emotional intelligence.
The most significant point is that he perfectly guessed Emperor Renzong's thoughts. Regarding the Fourth Prince's accidental leg injury, Xiao Yichun, out of a sense of the bigger picture and a appreciation for talent, stepped in to help Emperor Zhongzong. But beyond that, Xiao Jianhe also guessed that Emperor Renzong didn't want to kill him.
While his grandfather was still debating whether or not to get involved in royal affairs, he took the initiative to approach him, appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, and persuaded him to willingly get involved. Afterwards, he even went to see King Jungjong and told him, "I helped you, so remember this well, and don't try to claim credit for others."
What a wonderful idea to do good deeds and leave one's name!
Xiao Yichun's cold and hard face couldn't hold back any longer. He got up to punish his unworthy descendants, but Emperor Hong'an stopped him with a gesture: "Why are you angry, my dear minister? Please continue listening."
Although he spoke magnanimously, Zhou She seriously suspected that he just wanted to watch the show.
Zhou She turned half his face to the side, and while the emperor and his minister were pouring out their hearts to each other, he glanced back at Xiao Jianhe.
If it were him, he would definitely show off his good deeds, otherwise no one would remember them.
Over there, after calming down the furious Prime Minister Xiao, the Emperor beckoned to Xiao Jianhe, calling him to come forward.
"I see you are intelligent and have long wanted to appoint you to a position in the court. You are young and impetuous, even more so than I expected..." Emperor Hong'an coughed twice more, "I would like to ask you, of my four sons, which one do you think has the appearance of a wise ruler?"
Xiao Jianhe had just stood still when he heard this and broke out in a cold sweat.
This sentence sounds so familiar.
Zhuang Shi, kneeling on the side like a quail, couldn't help but feel smug: "No matter how arrogant you are, Xiao Jianhe, you're just on the same level as me!"
Xiao Jianhe barely managed to calm himself down, his gaze sweeping over the princes beside him, and he was immediately speechless.
He heard the whole story, and although he doubted whether his future self had gone insane, sometimes, it's something that has to be done.
"The Second Prince is brave and capable, the Third Prince is exceptionally resourceful..." Xiao Jianhe said without even blinking, "The Fourth Prince is skilled in literature and strategy, the Fifth Prince is approachable. Each has their own strengths, and they are all outstanding individuals."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yichun's face twitched, but then Emperor Hong'an burst into laughter, pointing at Xiao Jianhe and saying, "Indeed, Tianmu's description of your words is spot on."
She really knows how to talk.
Seeing that he was not angry, Xiao Jianhe felt a little relieved.
Emperor Hong'an looked up at the sky. The sky was still covered with white characters on a black background, very simple.
Xiao Jianhe lowered his head and said, "Your subject was presumptuous."
Emperor Hong'an turned to look at him, but did not get angry: "I asked you to choose one, but you chose four for me. You're a slippery fellow. Go back and sit down!"
This means letting him off the hook for now.
Xiao Jianhe didn't handle this matter very well, but the good thing was that he made Emperor Zhongzong remember his name.
Later, when Emperor Zhongzong and Xiao Yichun quarreled over the matter of the crown prince, there was no one to manage the affairs of the court, so he thought of Xiao Jianhe again. For the sake of the crown prince position, Xiao Jianhe mediated between the two, but was beaten by his grandfather until his head was bleeding. The next day, he went to court with a head full of bumps and proudly showed off to everyone he met: "This is the record of my grandfather's love. I am very satisfied."
Of course, Emperor Cheng eventually ascended the throne smoothly, breaking the unspoken rule that the crown prince of the Ning Dynasty could not ascend the throne, but before that, this rule still existed.
So, Fifth Prince, sometimes I really don't want to talk to you. Our Ning Dynasty's Crown Prince couldn't ascend the throne before Emperor Cheng, and after Emperor Cheng, very few have properly ascended it either. So what are you even fighting for?
? ? ?
Everyone under the canopy was filled with questions upon hearing this.
Who exactly spread the rumor that the crown prince cannot ascend the throne?
Xiao Yichun said tremblingly, "Could it be..."
Emperor Hong'an chuckled, appearing even more composed than Xiao Yichun: "Why hesitate, my dear minister? The sky is narrow, and I imagine few emperors in the future will ascend the throne from the position of crown prince."
Even Zhou's father guessed the meaning of those words. He stroked his chin and thought to himself: Although the position of Crown Prince is very dangerous, does it mean that it cannot even be snatched?
If that's really the case... no, no, no, this must be a bad precedent set by Emperor Jungjong!
The fifth prince was still completely confused, and in his bewilderment, he only understood one sentence: he shouldn't have tried to seize the position of crown prince.
He cursed inwardly and chuckled coldly: This woman has ill intentions. She has mocked him several times. Who knows if this statement is just a lie to deceive him?
He insisted on fighting, and he wanted the whole world to accept his challenge!
In short, due to a combination of factors, Emperor Zhongzong narrowly escaped punishment. His anger led him to injure a prince, and his ultimate punishment was simply being banished from the capital.
But the northern frontier was clearly beyond their reach, and this punishment was like a drizzle to him. The real battle would begin when Emperor Zhongzong returned to the capital.
Alright, that's all for now regarding Emperor Zhongzong's path to the throne. Leave any questions in the comments section! If it's a topic you're particularly interested in, I'll dedicate more time to it!
As the voice faded from the sky, the sound of rushing water filled the air. Following the sound, everyone looked up and saw a word on the sky that was indistinct, with a square black and white grid at the top, its edges shimmering slightly.
Emperor Hong'an reached out his hand, and his fingertips seemed to touch a corner of the sky, causing ripples to spread, followed by a huge pop-up window.
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