Chapter 37 The Imperial Decree
Zhu Yuhuan understood what the Empress Dowager Zhang was thinking, so he said decisively, "Grandma, I will never take out my father's will. Otherwise, with the majesty of the will, it will definitely disrupt the Qingming government..."
She didn't say anything more after this, but the implication was obvious.
Zhu Zhanji's will was too powerful. No matter how much Zhu Qizhen trusted Zhu Yuhuan, once this will was released, the relationship between the two would be broken. If the ministers realized it by then, Zhu Qizhen would probably become the one who was used to kill someone else.
But if there was no such a suitable will, Zhu Yuhuan would have no reason to interfere in political affairs, and Zhu Qizhen, who already felt that he was a qualified king, would not take any of Zhu Yuhuan's suggestions seriously.
Empress Dowager Zhang also understood this and said, "I have asked the ladies-in-waiting to draft the decree. I will inform the emperor later and then officially issue it."
After raising Zhu Qizhen for so many years, Empress Dowager Zhang also knew that Zhu Qizhen had some trust in Zhu Yuhuan. Even if Zhu Qizhen felt somewhat reluctant, he would not have a bad relationship with Zhu Yuhuan.
Most importantly, the decree was issued by Empress Dowager Zhang, and Zhu Qizhen had no reason to hate Zhu Yuhuan. As for whether to settle accounts with Empress Dowager Zhang, what was there to be afraid of about a dying person?
The two stared at each other for a long time. Grand Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly laughed, reached out and touched Zhu Yuhuan's face, and said, "How come you've grown taller than grandma without me noticing? I didn't notice it before..." Her voice was filled with a hint of loss. "I'm old now. I don't have the keen insight I used to have..."
Zhu Yuhuan blinked, leaned forward slightly, and let Empress Dowager Zhang's hand caress her cheek. She smiled slightly and said, "I have grown up a long time ago. It was grandma who forgot to see me. It has been too long, so naturally she would not know."
Empress Dowager Zhang heard the hidden meaning in her words, shook her head gently, and said, "Grandma knows that it has not been easy for you these years, but..."
Empress Dowager Zhang was fully aware of her own selfish motives, but she also understood that she had to do this. Only by cultivating a qualified king could she truly live up to her responsibilities and the country. This was the way the royal family was.
Zhu Yuhuan simply held Grand Empress Dowager Zhang's hand and helped warm it. "I understand. Huanhuan did feel a little concerned in the past, but now I've let it go."
Hearing the frankness and truth in Zhu Yuhuan's words, Empress Dowager Zhang looked at her with a touch of nostalgia in her heart and said, "Youth is still the best..."
How can one not envy such a good time and a long road ahead?
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously: "Don't worry, grandma, I will definitely not let you down."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang's eyes were already filled with tears. She said softly, "Okay, okay... Grandma is very pleased that you can do this..."
By the time Empress Dowager Zhang lay back on the bed to rest, it was already dark. Zhu Yuhuan walked out of the main hall and asked Han Guilan to put away the small wooden box containing the will, and then walked out of Renshou Palace.
The purple-red sky cast long slanted shadows on the red walls covered with glazed tiles. Zhu Yuhuan looked at the palace road that seemed to have no end, and then he raised the corners of his mouth.
Now she at least had some of the initiative in her hands, and all she had to do next was wait patiently for the decree from Empress Dowager Zhang.
After pacifying Zhu Yuhuan, the only thing left was naturally Zhu Qizhen.
Empress Dowager Zhang knew very well that Zhu Yuhuan was the easiest to appease, but it was difficult to arrange anything for the young Zhu Qizhen.
Precisely because she was still young, she acted mostly on impulse, and Zhu Qizhen was born with a proud personality and was unwilling to be "manipulated by others." As she herself once said, "People who think they are smart don't like to have too many smart people around them."
If Zhu Zhanji were still alive, Empress Dowager Zhang would not have worried about his personality, but Zhu Zhanji had become the late emperor. Empress Dowager Zhang also understood that both she and Zhu Zhanji were responsible for Zhu Qizhen's current situation.
Among all the people, the only one who could have some influence on Zhu Qizhen was probably Zhu Yuhuan.
Besides, now that things have turned out like this, Empress Dowager Zhang can only do what she wants.
Upon learning that his grandmother wanted to see him, Zhu Qizhen naturally put aside other things and took some time out to visit her in Renshou Palace.
Empress Dowager Zhang sat at the top, dressed neatly. If it weren't for her unpleasant complexion, one would hardly have known that she was seriously ill.
"Grandson greets Grandma." Zhu Qizhen bowed and then said, "I have too many political matters to deal with, plus the imperial lecture, so I haven't been able to come visit you..."
Seeing him finally arrive, Empress Dowager Zhang said with a friendly expression, "The Emperor is diligent in his work, which benefits both the country and the people. Grandma is overjoyed."
Zhu Qizhen had long ago asked Wang Zhen to retrieve the pulse records of the Empress Dowager Zhang treated by the Imperial Medical Bureau, and naturally knew that her body was beyond recovery. He vaguely guessed in his heart that Empress Dowager Zhang wanted to see him because she wanted to make some arrangements for her funeral.
Zhu Qizhen knew that Empress Dowager Zhang valued the interests of the royal family the most and would not sacrifice public interests for personal gain, so he naturally stood with her on this point. However, he was raised by the Empress Dowager herself, so if his grandmother wanted to ask for something for him and his family, Zhu Qizhen would not refuse.
"How are Changde's marriage arrangements going?"
Zhu Qizhen didn't expect that the first thing Empress Dowager Zhang asked about was his sister's marriage. He was slightly taken aback, but still replied: "According to Mother's wishes, the wedding will be officially held at the end of the month."
Although the matter was urgent, Empress Dowager Sun would not let her daughter down and naturally asked for it to be done quickly and well. Therefore, Zhu Qizhen also issued an order to urge the Ministry of Rites to make it happen as soon as possible.
Empress Dowager Zhang said calmly, "That's fine. Don't let such an important matter be delayed because of me."
Seeing her like this, Zhu Qizhen guessed that Empress Dowager Zhang was unhappy about this and said, "Please don't hold it against my mother..."
Empress Dowager Zhang replied with a half-smile, "I've never said a word against your mother to your face, but as time goes by, I wonder if we, the grandmother and granddaughter, will have no chance to speak to each other any more. So, there are some things I must make clear to you."
Zhu Qizhen thought of Zhu Yuhuan's previous instructions and said, "The Imperial Hospital is doing its best to take care of your health, grandma. Please don't say such things."
Empress Dowager Zhang didn't respond to his words, but simply said, "Your mother won't harm you, but she's too selfish and can't bear to leave her family. You should take care of yourself. After I'm gone, no matter how well your eldest sister treats you, there are things she can't tell you, especially things related to your mother."
Hearing her say this, Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but ask: "What is the conflict between mother and elder sister? Elder sister treats other concubines equally and is kind and amiable, but to mother... Mother always has many barriers towards elder sister..."
Empress Dowager Zhang didn't hide anything. She said, "The Sun family nearly took your sister's life. Your father, for the sake of your mother's reputation, simply drove the Sun family out of the capital to save face. But ultimately, your father and the Sun family owe your sister this. Her letting them off the hook is a sign of generosity, but the Sun family's despicable and cunning deeds are undeniable. The Jinyiwei were the ones investigating this matter. If you don't believe me, you can ask Wang Jin."
When Zhu Qizhen heard what Empress Dowager Zhang said, his original doubts immediately disappeared.
I see... This isn't surprising at all...
"After I die, your mother will undoubtedly bring up the matter of the Sun family returning to the capital. What to do then will be entirely up to you, the Emperor, but you should also consider your sister." Empress Dowager Zhang, noticing Zhu Qizhen's thoughtful expression, continued, "You haven't yet married, and you're not a very resolute person. You don't understand the court officials well enough, so you should have someone by your side to help you. Are you willing to leave this matter to the Sun family?"
Zhu Qizhen subconsciously denied it, "Of course not. If the Sun family dares to bully my elder sister, they will dare to ride on my head and act wildly one day. Moreover, they even dare to attack the princess. They are as stupid as pigs, and there is no way they can be a match for the ministers."
Empress Dowager Zhang knew that although Zhu Qizhen was young, he was not truly foolish. She continued, "Besides, your sister will probably never marry again in her lifetime. She will always bear the surname Zhu. You should understand the difference between the important and the distant. She has wisdom and strategy, but she also has a kind heart. She would never intend to harm anyone."
Zhu Qizhen naturally trusted his elder sister more. He also knew in his heart that he was indeed too young. If he did not have someone to help him, he would be easily looked down upon and fooled. Secondly, he really needed someone to stand on his side.
Although Zhu Yuhuan was a princess, she had also started to study seriously. Now some officials from the six ministries or those sent outside had taught Zhu Yuhuan, and they had some contacts with each other. She was exactly the person suitable for Zhu Qizhen to promote. In this respect, she was far better than Zhu Qizhen, whose educational rights were monopolized by the regents and the cabinet.
Not to mention that Zhu Yuhuan himself was not bad in intelligence, and the two were siblings, so their interests were destined to be tied together forever. Zhu Yuhuan had no reason to harm Zhu Qizhen.
Empress Dowager Zhang had been in the palace for many years, having experienced countless ups and downs in her life, and she was very good at judging people. More importantly, these words touched Zhu Qizhen's heart. Between Princess Shunde and Prince Xiang, which one would be more beneficial to Zhu Qizhen, Zhu Qizhen knew which one to choose with his eyes closed.
Moreover, compared with Empress Dowager Sun, Zhu Yuhuan did not have any requirements for Zhu Qizhen, and never restricted Zhu Qizhen to do anything. Empress Dowager Cihui and the Hu family were so quiet that they seemed to have no desires or demands. Instead, this made Zhu Qizhen regard Zhu Yuhuan as a sister from the same mother.
Seeing that Zhu Qizhen had taken her words to heart, Empress Dowager Zhang continued, "Later, I will draft an imperial decree to have Princess Shunde assist me in governing the country. Zhen'er, don't forget what grandma told you today."
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Zhen'er understands."
Rules are dead, but people are alive. No matter what the "Huang Ming Zu Xun" says, once a problem needs to be dealt with, the most important thing is to comply with the emperor's requirements and interests.
Seeing that he had no intention of objecting, Empress Dowager Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her body softened, and her eyes stared blankly into the distance as she muttered to herself, "Good... That's good... After all, I haven't let down Emperor Taizong, Empress Renxiao, or your father..."
Zhu Qizhen was stunned when he heard this, but he still said, "Don't worry, grandma."
After receiving the promise from her two grandchildren, Empress Dowager Zhang's health deteriorated further, and she became thinner day by day. At the same time, she issued an imperial decree, ordering Empress Dowager Cihui and Princess Shunde to assist the emperor and urge Princess Changde's wedding to be completed as soon as possible.
Everyone knew that Empress Dowager Zhang was about to die, and issuing the imperial decree at this time was nothing more than preparation for her funeral. After all, Zhu Qizhen had not yet officially married and was still too young, so he still needed someone to assist him.
Empress Dowager Zhang even mentioned Princess Shunde, but she did not mention the current emperor's biological mother, Empress Dowager Sun, which inevitably makes people imagine.
In terms of legitimacy, the two Empress Dowagers should have assisted the Emperor together, and it should not have been Princess Shunde's turn to interfere. However, Empress Dowager Zhang did the opposite, and there was no shortage of private discussions inside and outside the court.
The common people were relatively easy to deal with. Princess Shunde was known for her kindness and generosity, and she had even personally petitioned the emperor to govern rebellious regions. For the common people, who mostly viewed royal affairs as idle gossip, this drama was actually more interesting. As for who would assist in the administration, it had nothing to do with ordinary people like them.
In their opinion, the fact that Empress Dowager Sun was busy marrying off her daughter but didn't mention Princess Yongqing, who was of similar age, showed that there had been discord within the royal family for a long time. Who knows how much fun there would be like this, and no one knew when there would be another such excitement.
But the censors were getting a little restless, especially since Princess Shunde actually bypassed Empress Dowager Sun. This was really against ethics and was unbelievable. No matter how virtuous Princess Shunde was, she should not bypass her stepmother. Moreover, how could the princess assist in government?
Many people wrote letters to implore Empress Dowager Zhang to revoke her order and change the candidates from Empress Dowager Cihui and her daughter to the two Empress Dowagers.
When the memorial came to Wang Zhen, Wang Zhen, who was instructed by Zhu Qizhen, naturally kept it in his palace and did not send it out. The censors who did not receive a response naturally attributed the reason to Wang Zhen's "treachery".
But anyone with a discerning eye could see clearly that without the emperor's tacit approval, how could Wang Zhen dare to keep so many petitions in his possession and not send them out?
Moreover, although Empress Dowager Cihui was kind and generous, she mostly called on the ladies to donate money to help the poor, and rarely used political means. Empress Dowager Zhang mentioned both mother and daughter in her decree, which clearly entrusted the matter to Princess Shunde.
As for the intention of doing so, it was nothing more than worrying that the ministers would take this opportunity to influence the emperor and violate the majesty of the imperial power. With Princess Shunde, who was a little older and had experienced more storms, protecting him, it indirectly prevented the ministers from getting too "close".
The relationship between the grandparents and grandchildren, and the siblings is as close as a rock. How could they, the ministers, have the right to interfere?
What's more, when it comes to being anxious, the person who should be most anxious is Empress Dowager Sun, who was completely blocked outside. If Empress Dowager Sun didn't stand up to speak for them, what else could they say?
As expected from this speculation, Empress Dowager Sun was indeed very anxious.
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