Chapter 76 Not Afraid
Zhou Yingying worked hard, not only to maintain her status beyond that of a noble concubine and to strive to be number one, but also to make her family rich and prosperous, so that everyone would know that the Zhou family prospered because of her efforts, and her parents could be granted titles like the emperor's grandfather.
Since the founding of the country, no concubine's family had ever received a title because of the concubine's favor. At most, they were given a few official positions, which were all honorary. Even the father of Empress Chengxiao was only granted a title posthumously. As for Zhou Yingying, when Zhu Qizhen was in power, her father Zhou Neng only received the honorary position of a thousand households in the Imperial Guard. As for a title, that was even more impossible. Now that Zhu Qizhen is gone, Zhou Yingying's status as a concubine is already awkward, and it is even more impossible for her to ask Zhu Yuhuan for a title as the mother of the emperor's eldest son.
After all the calculations, only the Hu family was granted the title of Anbo because of Hu Shanxiang's former status as queen.
After Zhu Yuhuan ascended the throne, he conferred the title of Marquis of Cheng'an on Hu Rong, who was nearly eighty years old. Of course, this honor was only enjoyed by Hu Rong. When his eldest son Hu An inherited the title, his title would be demoted to Earl of Cheng'an.
Even so, it is enough to make people envious.
Zhou Yingying knew that she probably would not be able to become a queen in this lifetime, but since she was already enjoying treatment close to that of a queen, she also hoped that her family could receive treatment similar to that of a queen's family.
However, she herself lived in the harem and had no chance to achieve anything, so she hoped that her father and brothers could cling to the emperor's thighs, which would not only bring them wealth and glory, but also the emperor's protection, and at least ensure that the Zhou family would be rich for a lifetime.
"If you have anything to say, please don't say it outside." Zhu Yuhuan waved his hand, motioning her to go to the side hall to talk with him.
Zhu Yuhuan had a very good alcohol tolerance and was extremely restrained at the banquet, not drinking too much. Naturally, he was in a clear mind at this moment.
"If the Imperial Concubine has anything to ask for, she still needs to use the word 'ask'."
Because the emperor was going to take a short rest, the side hall was immediately arranged and hot tea was prepared to refresh the palate.
Seeing that there were no other palace servants in the room, Zhou Yingying knelt down leisurely and said, "I would like to ask Your Majesty to allow my eldest brother Zhou Shou to join the fleet on the voyage south to the Western Ocean to enhance the prestige of the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Yuhuan put down the tea bowl he was using to rinse his mouth and signaled the palace maid to help Zhou Yingying to her feet. However, Zhou Yingying continued, "If Your Majesty does not agree, I would rather kneel down and not get up."
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head helplessly, and finally said, "Zhou Shou is still young. He has only studied at the Imperial College for a year. It is indeed too early to let him travel with the fleet now. Moreover, although this trip is guarded by soldiers and equipped with firearms, it is not absolutely safe. If something unexpected happens..."
Zhou Yingying immediately said, "I'm not afraid!"
Zhu Yuhuan was at a loss for words. "Are you not afraid? Or is your brother not afraid?"
Zhou Yingying said resolutely, "My brother and I are not afraid." As if worried Zhu Yuhuan wouldn't believe her, she continued, "Ever since I learned to read, I've known that everyone should fulfill their duties. As a concubine, it's my duty to manage the six harems. And since my father and brother have received Your Majesty's favor, they should risk their lives for Your Majesty."
Zhu Yuhuan felt a mix of emotions when he saw her determined, even fearless, look. "Is that what your father and brothers also think?"
Zhou Yingying raised her head slightly, meeting her scrutinizing gaze, and ultimately shook her head honestly. She simply said, "The ministers have no relationship with Your Majesty, yet they are still loyal and have made great contributions to the emperor. How much more so are those who rely on Your Majesty to enjoy a moment of glory."
Zhu Yuhuan stared at her for a long moment before slowly saying, "I can give Zhou Shou a chance." Seeing the joy that subconsciously crossed Zhou Yingying's face, she continued, "Next autumn, the fleet will officially depart. Before then, I permit Zhou Shou, Tong Hongyu, and the others to study with Gong Zhen, and then sail with the fleet. But if Zhou Shou proves incompetent, this will be his last chance. Whether now or in the future, the Zhou family can only remain obedient and serve as obedient relatives of the emperor."
Zhou Yingying knew this was the emperor's leniency, and immediately kowtowed, saying, "I understand. The Zhou family will never betray your majesty's trust."
Zhu Yuhuan stood up and walked out, obviously going back to his bedroom to rest. Zhou Yingying then stood up and breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Zhou Shou could study hard and behave well, if there were any further voyages to the West in the future, he could go with them. Over time, would there be any need to worry about him not making any contribution to the family and the country? At that time, she could also use this as an excuse to ask for a title for the family, and then her mother would be officially a lady.
She can also comfort her deceased mother that she is a promising person, her achievements are no less than her younger brothers, and she lives up to her name.
Zhu Yuhuan, sitting in the emperor's sedan chair, looked at the full moon hanging high in the sky and couldn't help but chuckle.
Huai En, who had been following beside him, said softly, "Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood."
Zhu Yuhuan leaned forward slightly to look at Huai En and asked, "Did you figure it out?"
"After talking with the imperial concubine, His Majesty is in a very good mood."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "I just realized today that I underestimated the Imperial Concubine."
Huai En recalled Concubine Zhou's words and said, "Concubine Zhou is indeed different."
Zhu Yuhuan sat up straight, gazing at the disc in the night sky. He said, "She said at the beginning that her name came from 'Across the water, a river of tenderness, yet unable to speak.' Now it seems that the word 'Ying' is indeed significant. Her ambition alone is enough to prove it."
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan smiling, Huai En still asked, "Is the imperial concubine a woman in the harem?"
“What a pity.”
Huai En heard a hint of melancholy in her tone and asked in confusion, "What a pity?"
Zhu Yuhuan said softly, "If only I had stopped her earlier." She lowered her eyes to look at Huai En and said, "I just feel a little sad. The person I wanted most just happened to become a concubine in the palace. It really is a bit of fate."
Zhu Yuhuan admired Zhou Yingying very much for her pursuit of advancement in this era by any means necessary, even though her methods were sometimes childish and simple, even unreasonable and throwing tantrums, as long as she could achieve her goals.
In other words, this heart sparkles like a diamond, but more importantly, diamonds are not popular in this country and this era, so Zhu Yuhuan is willing to tolerate her.
Huai En was stunned, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Zhu Yuhuan admired Zhou Yingying's character very much, but it was a pity that Zhou Yingying was a concubine. If she could appear as a minister or official and be utilized, she would probably be more trusted by Zhu Yuhuan than Xu Yun.
But Zhou Yingying became a concubine, which invisibly limited the scope of power she could exercise and also restricted the upper limit of Zhou Yingying's thinking.
Before Huai En could speak, Zhu Yuhuan said half-jokingly, "It seems that I am really a little drunk and have started talking nonsense."
After a long silence, Huai En said, "But if it weren't for Your Majesty, how could there be a concubine today? Your Majesty has the people and the country in his heart, and he has a clear conscience, so why should he feel sorry? Besides, as long as Your Majesty is here, there is no need to worry about the lack of capable ministers in the world."
As the Mid-Autumn night wind blew, Zhu Yuhuan said quietly, "Yes. The past cannot be changed, but the future can be pursued..."
Huai En heard that her tone was much more relaxed, and the stone in his heart gradually settled down.
After a while, Zhu Yuhuan's voice could be heard from the sedan chair again: "Huai'en, I've noticed that you're quite knowledgeable in psychology. Would you consider writing a book to expound on your theories? How about we name it "The Study of the Mind"?
Huai En was stunned by her sudden words. He didn't know how to respond, which was rare. He could only let out a dry "ah".
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help laughing when he saw that he rarely didn't know how to react.
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