However, there are still some things to be careful about. The empress can show affection, but her subjects cannot take advantage of this to climb the social ladder.
After everyone was seated, Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, "Yesterday, when the Prince of Wu entered the palace, the fleet returning from the South Seas brought some good things. If Your Majesty's prediction is correct, the Ming Dynasty will have plenty of grain and oil. Perhaps, the Ming Dynasty will no longer have to worry about grain and oil."
Lady Sang was stunned. She had only heard that those trees had a lot of sap that was edible, but she didn't know the specifics of what that sap was. In fact, sending Zhu Yunwen to the palace to report the good news was partly motivated by the hope of a 'lucky omen,' and she didn't think it would have much practical use.
Or to put it more bluntly, even if the tree sap from Southeast Asia were useful, it would only mean that the Wu Prince's estate had an oil mill. Oil mills were still considered somewhat valuable in the Ming Dynasty, and the Wu Prince and his wife were rather greedy.
But when she heard Xu Miaoqing say that, Madam Sang was happy, and of course she wouldn't doubt anything.
Just as her husband Zhu Yunying never doubted Zhu Yunying, Lady Sang never doubted her brother-in-law.
Seeing the beaming Sang Shi, Xu Miaoqing continued, "This fleet might achieve great merit, and His Majesty will be happy. After all, this is the property of our own relatives, and His Majesty's intention is to plan it carefully."
Lady Chang immediately stood up and said, "Such an important matter should be decided by His Majesty."
Madam Xu Li also quickly stood up, her attitude very firm, "We are all women, how could we have any knowledge? Matters of state should be decided by Your Majesty."
Xu Miaoqing's smile widened as she said, "His Majesty is always concerned about his family. He is generous in rewarding outsiders for their merits, let alone his own family! His Majesty's intention this time is to grant the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion and the Kaiping Prince's Mansion an additional hereditary title."
This caused Chang Zhoushi and Xu Lishi to lose their composure. Although they were both duchesses, and the three Chang brothers and the three Xu brothers all held titles, it was only the eldest sons, Chang Mao and Xu Huizu, who held hereditary titles.
Xu Miaoqing looked at Zhu Yue and said, "Go back and tell the Imperial Son-in-Law to submit a memorial requesting a trip to Fujian. His Majesty intends for your second uncle and second brother to go as well. Your second uncle and second brother have military merits, so they can be granted titles upon their return."
Chang Zhoushi and Xu Lishi had no objections, and Chang Sheng's wife and Xu Yingxu's wife also felt that they had received a windfall.
Xu Miaoqing looked at Madam Sang and said, "This is a great thing, but His Majesty can't be too biased when it comes to plotting for hereditary titles for their own family members. The Prince of Wu's Mansion will have to suffer some losses this time; it can't be the Prince of Wu's Mansion that's leading the way."
Sang quickly stood up and said ingratiatingly, "Your Majesty is too kind. We know our own family affairs. Our family did not contribute to the fleet's affairs; it was all bestowed by His Majesty. Over the years, it has been my two elder sisters who have helped, and my uncles and aunts who have taken care of us."
Xu Miaoqing looked at Sang Shi and thought that Sang Shi and Zhu Yunwen were truly a match made in heaven. Even though Sang Shi was often reckless and even somewhat uncouth, she was clear-headed about important matters and possessed a unique kind of shrewdness.
Since Madam Sang was on the right track, Xu Miaoqing didn't hide anything. "Your elder brother also has the same idea. The second prince is still a prince after all. Giving him rewards will just be more jewelry and land. That little thing Wengeng is about to be named heir apparent. We can not compete for it. Many things will be useful for Qier in the future."
Sang smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Your Highness has told me countless times that since the Empress Dowager passed away early, it was my elder brother and two elder sisters who took care of him, which is why he was able to live a good life. After he established his own residence, it was my maternal grandmother, uncle, and aunt who always took care of him. They have been looking after us all these years, and we remember it all."
Xu Miaoqing smiled and nodded, saying, "The second brother is indeed thoughtful, and we haven't spoiled him for nothing. Don't overthink it, you two are the youngest after all, so it's only right that we take care of you."
Zhu Yue chimed in, “What my sister-in-law says is true. The second son has also suffered a lot. Our mother passed away early, and we know that our father blamed the second son in the early years. My sister and I are women after all. My brother has our grandfather and grandmother to take care of him, but our second son has no one to care for him.”
Chang Zhou quickly said, "Let's not talk about these things today. The Prince of Wu is able to help His Majesty share his burdens and accomplish such a great thing. He should be happy."
In fact, most of the people present knew something about the matter. Even some people from the Prince of Zhongshan's mansion knew some things about Zhu Yunwen's early years, that he was the younger brother of Emperor Yingshi, and that he was actually favored by Emperor Yingshi, but in reality, he had little presence in the palace and in his early years, he was even less prominent than Zhu Yunwen.
Xu Miaoqing also said with a smile, "Auntie is right. Today is a good day. The second son has indeed accomplished some great things."
At this point, everyone wisely refrained from correcting certain things. Although Zhu Yunwen hadn't actually contributed much to the fleet's affairs, and had essentially been a figurehead reaping the benefits, anyone who tried to correct him at this time would be a fool.
So what if Zhu Yunying helped his younger siblings set up the fleet? And so what if the Xu, Chang, Feng, and Mu families are now directly managing it? It doesn't matter. Prince Wu, Zhu Yunwen, is the nominal consul; all of this is due to his achievements.
No one can steal these credits, and no one will try to steal them.
Remembering something, Xu Miaoqing said, "Grandfather is also happy to do so. This morning, he even had the Crown Prince send you a ruyi scepter, which is for you. As for Geng'er, don't think too much about him today. It seems that his uncle and brother are going to let him stay overnight in the palace."
Sang immediately knelt down to express her gratitude; she had won this time. Her stance was correct, so her elder brother and sister-in-law immediately received rewards. Leaving aside the rewards given to her, the main reward was for Zhu Wengeng, which was what Sang cared about most.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
