Although he had stayed up all night, Zhu Xiong Ying was certainly not lacking in awareness that he still needed to attend court when it was time to do so.
Young Zhu is quite perceptive, but Old Zhu thinks he's ill again. He'd rather let his grandson handle state affairs for the next few days; Old Zhu feels more at ease with that. Also, if the waters aren't murky enough, he won't be able to see certain signs clearly.
Many people are quite familiar with this tactic. For example, after the civil and military officials enter the Fengtian Hall, their emperor fails to appear. At this point, the crown prince steps forward and once again assumes regency.
The civil and military officials were all used to this and didn't find it surprising. Not to mention that this had been the pattern for so many years that many people couldn't tell whether the emperor was truly ill or faking it. It was like this when the former crown prince was alive, and it's the same now with the imperial grandson; the fate of the Zhu family is hard to predict.
Zhu Xiong Ying, who was very experienced in handling affairs, continued to preside over the government and made quick decisions on many matters.
At this time, some officials stepped forward, stating that although King Min of Qin had been poisoned, the Qin royal line should continue. Considering that Queen Minlie of Qin had no children and that she was of Mongol origin, the throne should be passed to Zhu Shangbing, the eldest son of the King of Qin.
Since this topic has come up, some officials have suggested that the 23rd prince is almost ten years old and should be granted the title of prince.
Zhu Xiong Ying felt this was a major matter, and the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court needed to finalize it and come up with a plan. The hereditary title of Prince of Qin was no small matter; it was a genuine princely title and had to be taken seriously.
Zhu Xiong Ying's actions weren't problematic, mainly because there was no precedent in the Ming Dynasty for inheriting the title of Prince. Therefore, everyone felt that the succession of the Prince of Qin's title was normal and there was no need to worry about the heir apparent being stripped of his title.
After finishing his duties in court, Zhu Xiong Ying went to the Eastern Palace for a nap, as he was indeed quite tired.
However, returning home wouldn't be easy. Although many doubted whether His Majesty was truly ill, they couldn't pretend ignorance, neither out of courtesy nor reason. They had to ask the questions that needed to be asked, and submit memorials as required. Some even thought that if he was truly ill, they should offer prayers for his recovery, and so on.
Zhu Xiong Ying was quite patient. He calmed the important officials down a bit and then walked slowly toward the Eastern Palace.
As for the imperial concubines in the inner palace, they had all received the news, as had some of the princes who had not yet established their own residences. They were all very worried and gathered outside the Qianqing Palace. Especially considering His Majesty's age, they were genuinely concerned that he might be ill.
It's estimated that soon those princes who haven't yet taken up their fiefs and are still in Yingtian Prefecture will also be submitting memorials and requesting audiences. After all, they are sons of men, and at this time they certainly need to pay their respects. Whether they are genuinely worried or suspicious, if they don't pay their respects, they will certainly be given a pretext to do something, and they dare not violate the great principle of filial piety.
However, it was very difficult to enter the Qianqing Palace. Shuangquan tried his best to persuade the princes and imperial concubines, but he couldn't afford to offend any of them. However, His Majesty the Emperor had decreed that he would not see them, and that they should just submit a memorial to inquire after his well-being.
They felt a pang of bitterness, but there was nothing they could do. That was just how they were born, and they weren't valued by the emperor.
Xu Miaoqing was a little worried. Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying, she immediately asked, "Husband, the Emperor is unwell. Should I have the palace servants eat vegetarian food and pray for his well-being?"
"We still have to put on a show," Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said, "Alright, the Crown Prince's palace will eat vegetarian food. Later, when you issue the decree, all the princes' residences in Yingtian Prefecture will eat vegetarian food. For the princes, children under five years old can be exempted, and their grandchildren will all eat vegetarian food, while the women will pray for blessings."
Hearing Zhu Xiong Ying's words, Xu Miao Qing became even more worried. The male grandchildren were all vegetarians, and the granddaughters had gone to pray for blessings—could it be that her grandfather's health was truly compromised?
If this decree is issued, it will likely cause a huge uproar. At that time, not only the imperial family members, but also the civil and military officials will be restless and will try every means to inquire about His Majesty's health.
"Take Yin'er to the Fengxian Hall to pray for the Emperor's grandfather." Zhu Xiong Ying patted Xu Miao Qing's hand and squeezed it slightly. "You'll have to work hard these days, so don't let anyone find fault with you."
Xu Miaoqing immediately understood that her grandfather's health was fine. These current events might be part of something her grandfather was plotting. Clearly, the true meaning of this whole drama was known only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
However, Xu Miaoqing didn't intend to ask any more questions; she just wanted to do her duty, which was also helping her husband.
Remembering something, Zhu Xiong Ying asked, "There's no need to worry about Yunxuan. Have Lady Lü take Yunxuan to pray for blessings. Speaking of which, it's about time Yunxuan was granted the title of prince. Have someone inform him later."
Zhu Xiong Ying could naturally have directly called Zhu Yunxuan, the fourth son of the Zhu family, but he felt it was unnecessary. Having Xu Miaoqing do him a favor was also necessary; Zhu Xiong Ying didn't intend to do all the good deeds himself, there was really no need for that.
While Zhu Xiong Ying was fast asleep, a group of people were galloping along the official road. This was Zhu Yunwen leading a group of people to attend a funeral. Although the Prince of Qin was speechlessly poisoned to death by the old woman, he was still Zhu Xiong Ying's second uncle, and the proper etiquette had to be observed. This was to give face to the old Zhu and also to the eldest Zhu.
Zhu Xiong Ying's past identity was unsuitable, so this task naturally fell to Zhu Yun Tong. Don't be fooled by Zhu Yun Tong's talent for eating, drinking, and having fun, and his status as a complete playboy; his special identity meant that he was needed to make his presence known on many occasions.
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