Chapter 48 On Mother and Child
Zhu Yuhuan had no intention of concealing the news, so the news of Zhu Qizhen's capture by the Oirat Mongols was naturally spread throughout the palace. Of course, under Zhu Yuhuan's instructions, the news spread not only to the palace, but also to the whole city...
If we were to ask who the happiest person was, it would naturally be Empress Dowager Sun.
As long as the person is still alive, there will always be a chance to come back. At most, we can send some gold, silver and treasures to the Wala, or even just some supplies. The most important thing is the emperor's return.
She wanted to see who would still side with the eldest princess. After all, the emperor was the legitimate heir to the throne, the son of the Ming dynasty's Zhu family. If they could bring him back, it would be a great opportunity for those ministers who had previously submitted petitions to the emperor to atone for their mistakes. Why would they hang themselves on the eldest princess's tree?
In comparison, Zhou Yingying was much more flustered.
She had previously openly torn her face with Empress Dowager Sun, and now that His Majesty was still alive, neither she nor her son would have a good ending...
Unless she can join forces with the eldest princess to prevent His Majesty from ever coming back!
Zhou Yingying naturally immediately asked the reliable palace maid to find Han Guilan to discuss countermeasures. Han Guilan had already heard about this matter from Hu Shanxiang, but she considered it more than Zhou Yingying.
Although such news cannot be easily concealed, His Highness specially sent someone into the palace to inform him without trying to hide it from anyone. I am afraid he has other intentions. If you think about it carefully, perhaps His Highness deliberately made it known to everyone.
The eunuch who came to deliver the message was from the Seal and Ribbon Supervisor and was Zheng Tong's apprentice. In addition to delivering the message, he also returned some seals to the palace and took the opportunity to reveal the news to Han Guilan.
"Godmother, Master asked me to tell you that the military report has been sent to the capital and everyone knows that His Highness is about to make a move. It's time to put the treasure I asked you to keep to me to use."
Han Guilan immediately understood his implication and was somewhat surprised. She asked, "Now? What's the situation outside? Isn't it too hasty..."
"His Highness said that the Wala people took His Majesty everywhere, and they will definitely go to other cities to call for help. It will not be good if this matter gets out. There are many soldiers' families in the capital. If they hear about such a thing..." As he spoke, the young eunuch shook his head, as if he had anticipated the bloody storm this incident would bring.
Han Guilan was stunned at first, but immediately understood why Zhu Yuhuan acted this way.
This matter was made known to the palace so that Empress Dowager Sun would relax her vigilance, and it was made known to the outside world so that the soldiers' families in the capital could make the matter a public comment.
Officials could shamelessly consider bringing the emperor back, but the families of the soldiers who had lost their loved ones because of the emperor would definitely not be able to accept this.
Their families died quietly, but the emperor survived. Not only that, he led the Oirat soldiers to attack the border that the Ming soldiers had guarded with their flesh and blood.
If this isn't treason, what is?
As for whether Emperor Zhu Qizhen took the initiative to ask for the gate to be opened, or was forced by the Oirat Mongols to passively ask the guards to open the gate, what is the difference between the two?
The fact is that Zhu Qizhen became an effective weapon of the Oirat against the Ming Dynasty. Since the emperor was willing to lead the Oirat because he was afraid of death, he could naturally sell out the defense arrangements of the Ming Dynasty's border because he was afraid of death.
After all, the emperor had once patrolled the border areas of Xuanfu and Datong, and he must have known the situation on the border very well. If the Wala forced him, what would the emperor not do to save his life?
At this moment, what Zhu Yuhuan had to do was to "follow the will of the people" and find a way to stop Wala's move.
If you want to get rid of the emperor's majesty, there is only one way, and that is to replace the emperor.
"Mr. Huai also said that the eldest prince needs the godmother to pay more attention to him. His Highness values the eldest prince very much."
Han Guilan thought for a moment, and a plan already came to her mind. She said to the young eunuch, "After leaving the palace, tell your master to report to His Highness. I will find a way to persuade Concubine Zhou De."
"Don't worry, godmother. I will definitely convey your message."
Han Guilan hummed, then reminded, "Don't forget to tell Mr. Huai to let His Highness take care of his health. You too, be smart and act tactfully, and don't let anyone catch you doing anything wrong."
"Okay."
After Han Guilan sent the people away, she sent a reliable palace maid to inform the other female officials, insisting that they keep a close eye on Empress Dowager Sun.
Although Empress Dowager Sun will probably relax her vigilance, we still have to plan carefully in order to be prepared for the worst.
In addition, we must keep an eye on Queen Qian and the other concubines to ensure that the ladies in the palace do not move around at will.
The most important people are naturally Concubine Zhou De and the eldest prince. If there is any change in the palace, the safety of these two must be prioritized.
"Sister Han, there's something wrong with the supplies in Empress Defei's palace. Please go over and make the decision. The old empress has approved it."
Han Guilan didn't expect that Zhou Yingying was quicker than herself and had already sent someone to find her. She was a little surprised, but she didn't show it on her face. She just followed the palace servants to Zhou Yingying's palace.
Zhou Yingying dismissed the others and immediately couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness... What exactly is Your Highness planning? If the Empress Dowager knew, she would definitely instigate the ministers to bring His Majesty back. By then..."
Han Guilan soothed her, "Don't worry, Your Highness, His Highness always has his reasons for doing things. Besides, this matter concerns border defense and cannot be easily covered up."
"But... what if those flanking ministers really want to take His Majesty back..." Zhou Yingying bit her lower lip and said, "The eldest prince and I are on His Majesty's side..."
Han Guilan reached out and placed her hand on Zhou Yingying's shoulder. She spoke seriously, "Your Majesty, things have come to this point. Your Highness and His Majesty are in a life-or-death struggle. Do you think Your Highness will back down on such a major issue? Don't worry, Your Majesty. We are all on the same boat now. There is absolutely no reason for one of us to survive alone."
Seeing her determined expression, Zhou Yingying felt relieved and said, "Then..."
"Your Highness, you were sent into the palace by His Highness. Don't you understand?" Han Guilan said, her tone slowing down. "The eldest prince is Your Majesty's son, Your Highness's son, and even more so Your Highness's son. He is the legitimate heir to the Ming Dynasty. Not only do you think so, Your Highness does too. Tell me, what mother in the world doesn't want the best for her child?"
Zhou Yingying frowned slightly and said, "Then... then what should I do... The eldest prince is still young, and those ministers will definitely say that... the young ruler makes the country suspicious."
Han Guilan smiled with satisfaction and said, "Your Majesty has always been clever and clever. She can even easily coax His Majesty. How could she not understand this..."
Zhou Yingying asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Although the eldest prince is young, he is still the eldest grandson of Master Xuanmiao. He just lacks a suitable adult to protect him as he grows up..." Han Guilan said with a look of worry, "But now the news of Your Majesty helping the Oirat to knock on the gate has spread. Many relatives of the common people in the capital have followed Your Majesty and never returned. Now this incident has happened. I am afraid that Your Majesty's reputation as an emperor will be in jeopardy... Your Majesty also knows that the country is in turmoil when the ruler is young. If these ministers doubt the eldest prince's qualifications and instead enthrone the Prince of Qing..."
Zhou Yingying naturally knew that Princess Yongqing had a very good relationship with Prince Qing. She had also heard that Emperor Xuanmiao had once considered adopting Prince Qing to be the wife of Empress Dowager Cihui. Previously, Prince Qing had even given the position of regent directly to the princess during a court meeting.
It is said that nepotism is the key to appointments. If the eldest princess abandons the eldest prince and appoints Prince Qing, wouldn't her efforts here be in vain?
Zhou Yingying wasn't well-read, but she knew there had been female emperors in the past. Since there had been one, there might have been two...
Thinking of this, Zhou Yingying had already made up her mind and said, "Although the eldest prince is young, he is well cared for by the eldest princess. Aunt is so caring, how can she not be considered a mother? When Shen'er grows up, he must be filial to His Majesty!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
