Chapter 41: The Hongmen Banquet
Everyone in the hall naturally noticed this abnormality, and their eyes, which had been trying hard to restrain, were now uncontrollably cast towards the two additional positions.
These two seats are very close to Princess Shunde and the two princes. Except for the four elders of the cabinet, almost no one dares to sit in these two seats.
And one of them was obviously prepared for Ruan An, who was responsible for the completion of the three main halls.
Ruan An was inevitably worried when he suddenly learned the news, but Zhu Qizhen was right above him, so he certainly could not disobey the order.
Despite this, his expression and posture were still very uneasy, and he was obviously planning to leave at any time.
Ruan An sat down and secretly glanced at Zhu Yuhuan who was also in the hall. He saw that she looked happy, as if she didn't notice Ruan An's gaze at all.
Being able to build the three main halls and explain their exquisiteness to all the officials was already satisfactory to Ruan An. Such a sudden and unnecessary reward really made him feel uneasy.
Zhu Yuhuan understood the reason and first exchanged glances with Zhu Qizhen before asking Huai En beside him to pour wine for Ruan An.
Seeing this, Ruan An finally felt relieved.
When the hero Nguyen An took his seat, people naturally realized who the other seat was prepared for.
Apart from Wang Zhen, who else can ask Your Majesty to set up an extra seat?
There was no reason for eunuchs to sit at the table in the Ming Dynasty. Ruan An was a humble and low-key person, and he was the person in charge of the renovation of the three main halls. It was fine for him to sit at the table, but what qualifications did Wang Zhen have to sit at the table?
However, the emperor was sitting there, and the ministers dared not speak out, so they could only turn their attention to several cabinet elders, especially Yang Shiqi and Yang Pu.
These two ministers are the emperor's teachers. How could they remain silent in the face of such a situation?
Yang Pu and Yang Shiqi knew very well that they should take the initiative to speak. Although they were closer to the emperor, they also knew that speaking at this time would bring bad luck.
Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanzhen also understood this truth, and they both turned their eyes away, pretending not to hear anything.
Zhu Qizhen, however, was completely oblivious to this atmosphere. Instead, he urged the person beside him, "Why hasn't Mr. Wang arrived yet? You're so slow."
Wang Li, who was standing next to him, sweat on his forehead, said hurriedly: "This... Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang wanted to enter through the side door, which is a long way around..."
Zhu Qizhen didn't take it seriously. He waved his hand and said, "Open the gate of Donghua Gate and let him into the palace for the banquet."
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. Those sitting there were all smart people and they immediately understood what was going on.
Now that the Empress Dowager is gone, there are only a handful of people left who can suppress Wang Zhen. They are Zhu Qizhen himself, as well as Yang Shiqi and Yang Pu from the cabinet. However, for various reasons, these three people have adopted an attitude of indulgence... I am afraid that their days will not be easy in the future.
Seeing their different expressions, Zhu Zhanzhen couldn't help but whisper to his fifth brother, "Isn't this... not a good idea?"
Zhu Zhanji raised his glass to his lips and said, "It has nothing to do with us. No matter how powerful Wang Zhen is, he won't touch us."
Wang Zhen was nothing more than a eunuch, how could he have the audacity to act so arrogantly? He was simply relying on the power of his superiors. However, no matter how domineering Wang Zhen was, he would not dare to make any move against the imperial family. That would undoubtedly offend the imperial family, and he would only become a pawn used and then abandoned by the emperor.
Zhu Zhanzhen sighed softly and shifted his gaze slightly to look at Zhu Yuhuan, only to see that she had actually stood up and said with a smile, "Eunuch Wang, it's not easy for him to travel this way. Why don't I go and pick him up myself? This way, I won't delay the palace banquet and waste the favor His Majesty has shown him."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this. They never expected that Princess Shunde, who had been sitting there silently, would suddenly say something so strange.
If the princess went to pick up a eunuch, even if this person was the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department who was highly trusted by the emperor, it would still be absurd and ridiculous if the news got out.
Zhu Zhanzhen took a deep breath, reached out and grabbed Prince Xiang's arm, and said, "Fifth brother..."
Zhu Zhanji comforted her, "She has her reasons. We don't need to worry."
Zhu Qizhen didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to say that, and subconsciously waved his hand and said, "He is not worthy of the eldest sister to pick him up in person, can't he just walk over here?" After he said that, he glanced at the expressions of the crowd and realized that he had been too indulgent towards Wang Zhen just now, so that the dignity of the imperial power was also questioned. Who knows what kind of gossip would be spread afterwards.
Zhu Qizhen then said to Wang Li beside him in a resolute voice: "Why don't you urge him to come quickly? Do you want me to wait? There's no need to open the Donghua Gate, it's such a hassle."
"yes."
Zhu Yuhuan sat down again, picked up the wine glass in his hand and drank it all in one gulp. He looked so calm and composed that no one could tell anything was wrong.
Just like a swordsman with extremely fast moves, the victory or defeat is decided in a flash of sword light. There is no need to say too much. Just a few words are more powerful than countless swords and sabers.
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, having lost all interest in the palace music playing in their ears.
Judging from Zhu Qizhen's attitude, they were very clear about who they should ask for protection if they provoked Wang Zhen in the future.
Wang Qiang, who was sitting not far away, was even more nervous. He knew that Princess Shunde had always been very friendly, and this could be seen from the way she treated the people.
However, the imperial censor's memorial shook the chances of Princess Shunde assisting in the administration. No one else could have acted as if nothing had happened, not to mention Zhu Yuhuan's powerful rhetoric just now, which had already fully demonstrated her important position.
At this point, the only thing we can do is go to Liu Yongcheng and try to mediate.
Zhu Yuhuan was clearly aware of the gazes cast at him from all around him. Wang Zhen wanted to prove his political capital and prestige, and so did Zhu Yuhuan.
Both of them essentially belong to the imperial power and are representatives of Zhu Qizhen.
Wang Zhen was a eunuch who could only rely on Zhu Qizhen, and he was very reliable to use, but his status was too low. Zhu Yuhuan had an additional blood relationship with Wang Zhen, and Zhu Yuhuan had a better relationship with officials, not to mention that she was a woman. As long as Zhu Qizhen was willing, he could make Zhu Yuhuan the same as other princesses at any time.
Therefore, Zhu Qizhen would neither lose Wang Zhen's gloves nor Zhu Yuhuan's crutch.
At the same time, the "tit-for-tat" between Zhu Yuhuan and Wang Zhen could also quickly classify officials so that Zhu Qizhen could quickly identify these officials, which would help Zhu Qizhen appoint and dismiss officials.
At least on the surface, such a situation would benefit Zhu Qizhen in every way, so he would naturally not stop it and would even be happy to see it happen.
Unfortunately, Wang Zhen still had no idea what happened at the palace banquet, and he just rushed to Donghua Gate with a smile on his face.
The power of the Imperial Household Department alone is far from enough. Only by making these officials submit to him can his importance be demonstrated.
"Wang Dayong, you've taken the wrong road! Come this way with me quickly. The emperor said that if you can't make it in time, you don't have to go any further."
Wang Zhen was doused with a basin of ice water by the young eunuch who came towards him. He was quite confused and couldn't help asking, "What do you mean? Didn't the emperor order the Donghua Gate to be opened and allow us to attend the banquet?"
The young eunuch quickly apologized with a smile, "The Emperor said that opening the Donghua Gate would be too troublesome, so the eunuch should enter through the side gate."
Wang Zhen immediately realized something was wrong and grabbed the eunuch and asked, "What's going on? Why did the emperor suddenly change his mind?"
He also hoped to use this opportunity to show off his strength, "establish his own sect", and attract more officials to join his wing.
The Imperial Household Department alone is far from enough. It would be great if we could touch upon the affairs of the previous dynasty.
"The eldest princess saw that you hadn't arrived for a long time, so she said she wanted to get up and fetch the princess..."
Wang Zhen, who had originally been gripping the young eunuch's hand out of displeasure, tightened his grip and, ignoring the young eunuch's hissing cries of pain, pressed on, "Who was it? Who said that?"
"It's the eldest princess..."
Although there are three princesses now, once the palace people associate the princess with matters related to government affairs, there is only one princess, Princess Shunde.
Wang Zhen never expected that the person who stopped him would be Zhu Yuhuan, and he stood there in a daze.
According to Princess Shunde's personality, she should never confront me in person. Why did she suddenly have the idea of doing this today?
Wang Zhen really couldn't figure out what this person was thinking. Whenever he tried to guess what Princess Shunde was thinking, he couldn't help but think of the smile that seemed to be becoming increasingly sinister in his impression.
Princess Shunde seemed to have seen through all his thoughts long ago. No matter what he did, he was just a monkey being played in the palm of Princess Shunde's hand.
"Eunuch Wang?" The young eunuch couldn't help but mutter in his heart when he saw Wang Zhen fell into a strange silence.
Why did this eunuch Wang fall silent upon hearing about Princess Shunde? It seemed the Princess still held great respect; even if Empress Dowager Cihui or Empress Dowager Sun were mentioned today, they might not have been able to exert such pressure.
Wang Zhen came back to his senses, curled his lips, and said, "Let's go quickly and don't keep the emperor and the princess waiting for too long."
“Yes, yes, yes…”
When Wang Zhen was led into the hall, he naturally noticed that everyone's eyes were on him. He immediately saluted Zhu Qizhen with great respect and fear, and said, "Your servant pays his respects to the Emperor." He first saluted Zhu Qizhen, and then he greeted the eldest princess and the princes, as if he was not the one who was cheering because he was about to enter the hall openly from Donghua Gate.
Zhu Qizhen hummed indifferently and said, "Take a seat."
"yes."
Wang Zhen no longer had the confidence he had felt before, and he sat obediently in the seat prepared by the palace servants. He first exchanged a few simple greetings with Ruan An, and then his eyes involuntarily looked at Princess Shunde. She had a nonchalant expression, as if she was not the one who mocked Wang Zhen in public.
Zhu Yuhuan felt Wang Zhen's cautious gaze and couldn't help but laugh. He asked the palace servants beside him to pour him some wine. Then he stood up and said to Zhu Qizhen, "Today is the day when the three main halls are completed. Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler with a discerning eye for talent. Eunuch Wang and Eunuch Ruan, one assists Your Majesty internally, and the other is responsible for repairing the palace externally, both have made invaluable contributions. I congratulate Your Majesty and offer you a toast from afar."
Wang Zhen was a little nervous at first, but when he heard Zhu Yuhuan's words, he felt flattered. He stood up with Ruan An beside him and said that he dared not.
Zhu Qizhen was quite satisfied with this scene. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked Wang Li to pour wine for him. He and Zhu Yuhuan drank it all in one gulp. Then he picked up another cup and said, "The eldest princess is also my right-hand man. Drink another cup with me."
Such public praise was to prove the status of Princess Shunde, and was undoubtedly the best public response to the memorials of the censors.
Zhu Yuhuan waited until the palace maid beside him had finished adding wine before he drank it calmly and showed the bottom of the cup to Zhu Qizhen.
This calm and cheerful image alone has overturned most officials' "imagination" of Princess Shunde.
Not to mention that Zhu Yuhuan just spoke up for justice and handled the matter properly, without losing face for the emperor or letting Wang Zhen gain power.
Zhu Zhanji witnessed this scene from the side and could not help but sigh to his tenth brother beside him: "Although Huanhuan is younger than you, she is much smarter than you. You, as a father, are not as smart as her."
Although Zhu Zhan'an did not understand the intention, seeing that they all had smiling faces, he realized that Zhu Yuhuan had softened his previous "move" invisibly, like spring rain nourishing all things, silently.
Seeing that he was still confused, Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but shake his head in frustration and lowered his voice: "You... Huanhuan is scolding people, and the people being scolded have to thank her in return."
Zhu Zhanzhen looked at the satisfied Zhu Qizhen and subconsciously asked, "Who are you scolding?"
He admitted that he really did not have the brains to fight with others, but after hearing what King Xiang said, Zhu Zhan'an's first reaction was Zhu Qizhen.
From Zhu Zhan'an's perspective, Zhu Qizhen seemed to enjoy it just as much as Wang Zhen and others.
Zhu Zhanji was quite confused by his words and said, "Of course it's Wang Zhen and the ministers."
Zhu Yuhuan's actions at the banquet fooled the emperor, officials and Wang Zhen. All three parties gained face and were probably secretly pleased with themselves, thinking that Zhu Yuhuan stood with them.
What does it mean to be good at dancing with long sleeves? This is what it means to be good at dancing with long sleeves.
Zhu Zhanzhen just nodded and responded vaguely: "Oh..."
Zhu Zhanji sighed and said, "You kid...you'd better take good care of yourself and the princess, and have a child to inherit the title as soon as possible. Don't get involved in these things."
Zhu Zhan'an agreed with this point, "Fifth brother is right." He looked at Zhu Yuhuan who was contented. Although her face was slightly flushed from drinking a few glasses of wine, her expression was still calm, as if she was at ease with everything around her.
As the palace music was played, the palace banquet gradually came to an end. After several rounds of wine, the officials who were extremely nervous at the beginning due to various emergencies had gradually relaxed, and many of them even showed a comfortable expression on their faces.
After all, it was a royal palace banquet. Although many of them had seen the emperor, the opportunities to actually sit at the same banquet with the emperor were very few, and the opportunities to participate in the palace banquet were very few for them.
The banquet ended, and the officials were led out. Wang Li, who was beside Zhu Qizhen, caught up with the ministers and cabinet elders in front and said, "The emperor invites you."
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