Chapter 930: Congratulations
At the morning court the next day, Zhou Shuren finally knew what the emperor wanted to say yesterday. The titles of the princes were decided. There was no Prince of Jin, the second prince was Prince of Qi, the third prince was Prince of Chu, the fourth prince was Prince of Liang, and Zhang Yang got nothing.
After the decree came down, the court fell silent. Without Prince Jin, the Crown Prince's position was more secure. However, the Fourth Prince did not even get the four noble titles of Prince Qin. The Fourth Prince's face changed color immediately.
Zhou Shuren was also a little surprised, because it was a little different from what he thought, even the King of Qin was not there. He looked at the Fourth Prince and then at Feng Huai who was in high spirits these days. Their faces were so ugly.
After the emperor finished speaking, he felt that there was nothing important to do today, so he walked away. The crown prince did not join him today, but stayed behind instead.
Zhou Shuren was happy that the court was dismissed so early, but he saw that no one moved. He looked up and saw the crown prince walking towards the princes.
Zhou Shuren thought about it and didn't move, just tilted his ears and listened.
The prince felt completely relieved and congratulated with a smile on his face, "Congratulations, second brother, third brother, and fourth brother."
The second prince thought of his grandfather's words. Today's title was not difficult to accept, but he was still very disappointed and resentful. He was also a son. Why did his father only see the crown prince? Wasn't he good enough?
The Second Prince wanted to ignore the Crown Prince, but in the court, with the ministers watching, he said stiffly, "Congratulations."
The third prince Zhang Jingshi was also unwilling, but he knew that he had the lowest chance of being crowned the King of Jin. Even though he had gone through a lot of trouble, he didn't feel too disappointed. After all, he had one of the noble titles. He looked at the fourth prince with interest. With the comparison, he felt much better. "Congratulations."
The Fourth Prince had the ugliest look on his face. He was the one who had the most support and was the most willing to work hard. But in the end, he had made great contributions but couldn't even catch the King of Qin. Looking at the Third Prince who was gloating over his misfortune, he and the Third Prince had become enemies because of the Qi Family. He wanted to walk away without any generosity, but unfortunately he couldn't. He gritted his teeth and said, "It should be the younger brother who should congratulate the Crown Prince."
The prince was delighted, "I would like to thank my brothers for their support in the future."
Several princes stared at each other, who said they would support you? It was obviously a sarcasm.
Who is the crown prince? The one with the thickest skin is the crown prince. Facing the anger in the eyes of several princes, the crown prince raised his hand and patted the shoulders of his three younger brothers, "I appreciate your kindness. Don't worry, my gift will be delivered later."
Having said that, the prince walked away swiftly, his steps were particularly brisk.
Zhou Shuren curled the corners of his mouth. The prince was the winner in terms of talking. The prince was in a really good mood these days. Look at those angry princes, so pitiful.
All the ministers left the palace quickly. On the way out of the palace, the Minister of Personnel smiled particularly happily, "Congratulations, Lord Feng."
Everyone's eyes turned to Feng Huai. Everyone saw how arrogant Feng Huai had been during these days.
Feng Huai's face looked particularly ugly. He was not convinced. The Fourth Prince had obviously made great contributions, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. The Emperor would not be polite to him. He could only swing his sleeves and walk away quickly.
The other officials, especially the neutral ones, looked particularly relaxed. The more stable the crown prince's position was, the more at ease they felt.
Some officials who have been trying to test the waters will also stop this time.
Zhou Shuren looked at the adults with ugly faces with sympathy in his eyes. They were jumping around too happily and the emperor was keeping a record of it.
At the Zhou family, Zhulan listened to Mrs. Song reporting on the situations of several young men in the clan. Since coming to the capital, Zhou Shuren had not made any arrangements for them and let them wander around the capital on their own. This was a test for the clan members.
There are too many temptations in the capital, and only those with a strong mind can go further.
A few days ago, there were many rumors about Zhou Shuren, and several young men were studying with Changzhi in the mansion. Now that the rumors are over, several young men go out every day.
Mrs. Song sent people to follow them, and several young men were contacted. It was no secret that members of the Zhou family had come to the capital. This also meant that the Zhou family wanted to take root in the capital with the help of Zhou Shuren.
The place these young men go to most every day is the library, and they rarely go to teahouses.
Zhulan didn't prepare any silver for them, so they spent all the money they brought with them. "They don't have much silver left!"
Even if you don't travel everywhere, the capital is still very expensive. Meeting like-minded scholars and having tea together is also an expense.
Mrs. Song nodded, "Yes, recently there have been many people who invited them, and I felt embarrassed to take advantage of them, so I paid a few times and I don't have much money left."
Zhulan was still a little disappointed. His brain was not very smart. Reading was good, but the most important thing was to have an active brain. What was the point of just reading books? There were so many books in the Zhou family. She sent books back every year.
Zhu pressed his eyebrows and said, "Let's take another look."
Zhulan then asked, "Is Dong feeling better? Forget it, I'll go and see her myself."
Mrs. Dong hoped that this baby would be a son. She was worried too much and did not get enough rest. Her belly grew bigger and bigger and she felt uncomfortable.
In the third room, as soon as Zhulan entered the room, she saw Dong making clothes. The colors of the clothes were all for boys. Well, Dong listened to what she said for a few days. As the month went by, her consolation was of no use at all.
Mrs. Dong put down the clothes in her hands and asked, "Mom, why are you here?"
"I came to see you. Seeing that you look well, I feel relieved."
Zhulan wanted to scare Dong, thinking too much about the dangers of giving birth, but she couldn't say the words out loud, fearing that Dong would think too much and something really might happen.
Zhulan talked with Mrs. Dong for a while and left with Mrs. Song. The sun was shining brightly these days, the temperature was rising quickly, and the snow was beginning to melt. Zhulan looked at the scenery in the garden and said, "Several families have sons, so Mrs. Dong is under a lot of pressure."
Mrs. Song moved her mouth, and Zhulan saw it, "What do you want to say?"
Mrs. Song didn't dare to say it, because her experience told her that the Third Wife might be pregnant with a girl, so she shook her head.
Zhulan really hoped that this baby would be a son, so that Mrs. Dong wouldn't have to worry about it all the time. She was not an ancient person. In her eyes, both a concubine and a son were the same. But Mrs. Dong, who was born and raised in a local area, was different.
In the Mansion of Marquis Yao, Yao Wenqi frowned, Zhang Yang was not even given the title of king. Then he thought about it and relaxed his brows. Zhang Yang had no achievements at all. Even the fourth prince failed to get the title of King of Qin. Zhang Yang's outcome was reasonable.
Then he thought, it would be good to be crowned a king so as to divert the attention of the capital.
As for Zhang Yangnei, he also attended court today. He felt that he was a joke and gained nothing. His brothers also ignored him when they talked!
At the Ninghou Mansion, Duke Ning was in a good mood. He took his two sons to watch a play and drank two glasses of wine.
Where there is joy, there is also injustice.
The emperor returned to the palace, sent the prince away, and sat there without moving. Seeing this, Eunuch Liu was anxious and afraid. "Your Majesty?"
The emperor closed his eyes and thought of the dream again. The dream was too real. Even though he hadn't done it for a long time, it was still engraved in his mind. "Even if I decide the title, they will not be willing."
Even if they were threatened and hinted at with titles, the sons would not let go. The emperor wanted the imperial power and the country. He let out a long sigh, with ruthlessness in his eyes.