Chapter 42: Getting to the bottom of things, the killing intention arises

Just one morning.

Suddenly, the Forbidden City seemed even busier.

The eunuchs were in a hurry.

A female official hurried on her way with her head lowered.

Guards patrolling with their heads held high.

It seemed as if they all created a tense atmosphere.

Empress Dowager Chen originally lived in another palace, but after Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, she followed the request of the Ministry of Rites and discussed with Empress Dowager Li to vacate the Ciqiong Palace for him.

Ciqing Palace was originally the Eastern Palace. Zhu Yijun had lived there for six years, so he was naturally familiar with the place.

But when Zhu Yijun arrived at Ciqing Palace, he felt very different.

The familiar building looks solemn today.

Naturally, someone would report it for him.

Zhu Yijun waited quietly outside the palace.

After a while, eunuch Zhang Jing came back running.

With a bit of fear on his face, he said, "Your Majesty, Chen Dayong said that the queen did not rest well last night, and the imperial physician gave her medicine before she went to sleep."

Zhu Yijun stood outside the hall, not moving for a while.

These words were exactly the same as the reply he received when he first went to the other palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Chen.

I didn’t notice it at that time, but now it seems hard to describe.

I was turned away then, and I am no exception now.

You can't just break into your stepmother's bedroom after becoming the emperor.

In the end, he could only perform all the formalities to Empress Dowager Chen from outside the palace, then turn around and leave.

He still can't understand why Empress Dowager Chen helped Gao Gong.

For power?

Zhu Yijun shook his head and quickly rejected Gao Gong's "Five Urgent Matters Memorial", which advocated strengthening the cabinet, consolidating imperial power, and isolating the inner palace from interfering in government affairs.

If both of them were after power, it would be impossible for them to reach a consensus.

To take a step back, even if Gao Gong made some concessions, Empress Dowager Chen had no son, so what unreasonable expectations could she have?
When you come of age and settle the accounts, won’t it all be in vain?

For fame and status?

Zhu Yijun once again rejected this conjecture.

No matter what, she is the empress dowager. At worst, she is on an equal footing with Empress Dowager Li. It is better to be quiet than to move. Why should she take the risk to help Gao Gong?
It's not impossible, it's just that the possibility is too low.

He thought about it and decided that other things like relatives or favors were impossible.

He could hardly think of any plausible possibilities.

You can't just be fooled by Gao Gong, right?
That's really underestimating the people of the world.

He traveled through time and space to the present day, and because he underestimated the ancients, he suffered losses at the hands of Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong.

It is now impossible for him to underestimate the enemy.

No matter what Empress Dowager Chen's purpose was, he had to be lenient with the enemy.

Zhu Yijun slowly thought about the countermeasures.

Historically, Gao Gong was dismissed just two days after his memorial proposing five urgent matters for the new policy was passed.

This shows that after Zhang Juzheng rushed back, he quickly came up with a countermeasure and subdued Empress Dowager Chen, and asked the emperor and the two palaces to issue an order to dismiss Gao Gong.

Since there are not too many twists and turns, it will definitely be easier to make a breakthrough on Empress Dowager Chen's side than on Gao Gong's side.

He didn't know what means the Iron Triangle used.

But Zhu Yijun knew that he could not delay any longer.

If Empress Dowager Chen and Gao Gong really took control of the government, the situation would become difficult.

but.

Zhang Juzheng's collusion with the inner court had to go through Feng Bao.

Gao Gong naturally could not bypass the eunuchs as a means of transportation.

That's why people like Chen Hong are so active.

So... if he wants to break the impasse now, he may have to rely on the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot.

Zhu Yijun sighed.

After all, with a sharp knife in one's heart, the desire to kill arises.

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Hong's godson, Zhang Jing, and ordered: "Tell me about Empress Dowager Chen."

Zhang Jing responded, "What does Your Majesty want to hear?"

Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Tell me everything."

Faced with this ambiguous request, Zhang Jing had to start with his life story: "In April of the 37th year of Jiajing, the late emperor's then-Princess Yuan died."

"In August of the same year, Emperor Shizong issued an edict to select a successor to the late emperor."

Zhu Yijun was stunned and interrupted, "Only four months? Don't we need to mourn for a year?"

Mourning still needs to be observed when the original wife dies, but the period is just shorter.

Zhang Jing nodded and explained, "At that time, Emperor Shizong personally issued an edict to take away the love, but the late emperor could not refuse."

"On the ninth day of the ninth month, Queen Mother Chen was chosen as the successor consort."

It is not surprising that Emperor Sejong issued an edict.

Too many of his sons had died, so he probably hoped that Prince Yu would have more children.

But if that's the case, no wonder there's no emotion.

Zhu Yijun nodded and motioned for him to continue.

Zhang Jing said, "In the first year of Longqing, after the late emperor ascended the throne, he promoted Empress Dowager Chen to be the empress, and granted titles to her relatives."

Zhu Yijun interrupted, "What is the relationship between Empress Dowager Chen and her relatives?"

This is also very important.

It is impossible for Empress Dowager Chen not to understand the current actions, and her relatives will inevitably have their property confiscated.

But he still insisted on having his own way. Logically speaking, people with weaknesses should not be so careless about the overall situation.

It really puzzled him.

Zhang Jing recalled for a moment and said, "In the beginning, the relationship was very good, and the ladies visited each other frequently."

"but……"

He paused and said, "When Empress Dowager Chen was banished to another palace by the late emperor, the imperial censors gave many advice to the late emperor."

"The Chen family also submitted a petition to persuade the emperor, but after being intimidated by the late emperor, they quickly submitted a petition to agree and to excuse the late emperor..."

"Since then, there has been no interaction between the two sides. Even the Chen family members who were guarding the other palace were driven away."

After hearing this, Zhu Yijun thought to himself that this was a very tricky situation.

Being banished to the cold palace, one can imagine how she felt as her relatives helped the late emperor for wealth and fame.

This empress dowager who came from the cold palace and has a character who disregards her relatives, isn't this a typical heroine in a palace fighting novel?
He asked, "In which year was Empress Dowager Chen banished to another palace?"

Zhang Jing thought for a moment and said, "In the third year of Longqing, the late emperor moved Empress Dowager Chen out of Kunning Palace and forced her to live in another palace on the grounds that she had no children and was often ill."

Zhu Yijun frowned and interrupted Zhang Jing again.

He asked in confusion: "Childless and sickly?"

Being childless means being childless, and being ill means being ill.

If she had been unable to bear children, it was understandable that she had been despised by the previous emperor. After all, times had changed.

The problem is, she is often sick... If she is always sick, there is no way she can pass the stage of being selected as a successor.

So that's why I got sick more often after that?

It is probably not without reason that these multiple illnesses and childlessness are put together.

Zhang Jing hesitated for a while and buried his head in the ground: "I have heard from godfather that it seems that Empress Dowager Chen was pregnant in the past, but she did not give birth and she fell ill."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "Which year?"

Zhang Jing recalled and replied, "The 41st year of Jiajing."

Zhu Yijun motioned for him to continue.

Zhang Jing continued, "At first, the Imperial Censor Wei Shiliang, Imperial Censor He Yigui, Zhan Yangbi and others repeatedly advised against it."

"Tell the late emperor to move Queen Mother Chen back to the palace."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun seemed to remember something.

He asked, "Was the person in charge of the Imperial Household Department at that time Chen Hong, the servant of Empress Dowager Chen?"

I'm afraid that this seal holder has made a lot of efforts in making these exhortations.

Zhang Jing nodded respectfully: "Your Majesty really has a good memory."

Xiao Xiao flattered him and continued, "Chen Hong also advised the late emperor before, but he was almost dismissed by the late emperor, so he dared not make any more suggestions."

Zhu Yijun suddenly dismissed his men.

He looked at Zhang Jing with a serious expression and asked in a deep voice, "Did my mother instigate this matter?"

Zhang Jing was startled.

She glanced at the emperor cautiously and said stiffly, "Your Majesty, I am still young..."

A brief introduction is fine, but if it involves the struggle between the two palaces, he dare not butt in.

But Zhu Yijun did not let the eunuch go.

He said word by word: "You are innocent!"

Zhang Jing shrank his neck, thought for a moment, and then said, "There is such a rumor in the palace."

"During that time, Feng Bao and Chen Hong were fighting fiercely..."

"But I really don't know whether there is one or not."

Zhu Yijun nodded expressionlessly.

Palace fighting and vengeance? It better not be such a weird reason...

If this is true, then Empress Dowager Chen would be too out of place among Zhang Juzheng and his group of old foxes who always have big ideas about state affairs.

But he really didn't understand women very well, so he could only write it down for the time being.

……

The entire palace was like a sieve, and what happened this morning spread quickly.

The court officials and eunuchs soon learned what had happened.

Empress Dowager Li was naturally slow to realize what had happened. When Zhu Yijun arrived at the Cining Palace, he only saw porcelain fragments scattered all over the floor and overturned tables and chairs.

And the furious Empress Dowager Li.

Zhu Yijun did not go up to pay his respects immediately, but instead pulled Feng Bao, who was accompanying him, aside.

He whispered, "Otomo, what's wrong with my mother?"

Feng Bao was also in a very bad mood. Now the three of them could be said to be squeezed into a rope by Gao Gong.

He remained sober and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Queen was a little unhappy after hearing the title from the Ministry of Rites."

Reading it makes me unhappy, writing it makes me furious.

Zhu Yijun frowned: "Has the memorial from the Ministry of Rites reached the Imperial Household Department?"

Feng Bao nodded: "After the Ministry of Rites discussed it this morning, the Prime Minister voted to pass it. Since it does not involve other ministries, there is no need for a court discussion."

"As for now... he has been sent to Ciqing Palace by the Ministry of Public Administration."

After Feng Bao finished speaking, he shut up.

The two stood in front of the door silently, speechless for a moment.

Both of them knew that once this memorial reached Ciqing Palace, there would be no possibility of stopping it.

Empress Dowager Chen will definitely approve this memorial.

Could Zhu Yijun veto it?
There must be a reason for the veto. Was it because he thought the title of Empress Dowager Li was too low? Or was it because he thought the title of Empress Dowager Chen was too high?

In the former case, he would just pass this memorial, and then Gao Gong would continue to give honorific titles to the two empresses dowagers.

As the tide rises, so does the boat. Empress Dowager Li has two characters, while Empress Dowager Chen has four. Empress Dowager Li has four characters, while Empress Dowager Chen has six. She will always be suppressed.

And if it was the latter, would he dare to complain about the high status of his stepmother? This is unfilial!
No one dared to touch this reputation that was big enough to depose an emperor.

What if they explicitly asked for the two palaces to have the same honorific title? Again, as long as Empress Dowager Chen said that not honoring the legitimate mother was unfilial, the problem would be too big.

When your status is lower than others, any attitude will be too powerless.

Zhu Yijun asked, "The petition of the Prime Minister to retire was also rejected by the Empress Dowager Chen, right?"

It is certain that the two will cooperate with each other, it just depends on how well they can do it.

Feng Bao shook his head: "She was kept by Empress Chen."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

Reacted immediately.

Since it was not rejected, it seems that the two of them did not have a very close cooperative relationship, otherwise Empress Dowager Chen would have rejected it directly and would not have used it to control Gao Gong.

Zhu Yijun said nothing more and went in to see Empress Dowager Li.

Suddenly, Feng Bao called him: "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yijun turned around.

Feng Bao bowed and said, "Your health is the most important thing. Your Majesty, please advise the Empress."

Zhu Yijun looked at Feng Bao deeply.

This old guy is scared now and wants to ask for my support?
Zhu Yijun nodded: "I will persuade mother well."

"Feng Daban might as well go to the Silijian to take care of things."

Feng Bao bowed and said goodbye.

Zhu Yijun also turned around and pushed the door open.

"Mother, I am here to pay my respects to you."

Queen Mother Li said nothing.

Zhu Yijun silently straightened the chair on the ground and kicked away the porcelain pieces.

Empress Dowager Li finally looked back and couldn't help but said with concern: "The porcelain fragment scratched your hand, just let the palace maid come and fix it."

Zhu Yijun did not stop.

As he gathered them together, he said, "I didn't make my mother happy and angry. It's my fault as a son."

"How can asking the servants to clean up make up for the child's sin?"

This behavior somewhat calmed down Empress Dowager Li.

She snorted from her nose: "It has nothing to do with my son, it's the Ciqing Palace..."

It is a habit formed among the people that when they are really angry, they instinctively utter foul language.

Seeing that it was her son in front of her, she quickly changed her words and said, "It was my sister who went too far!"

Zhu Yijun did not respond.

Empress Dowager Li continued, "We, mother and daughter, took into consideration that she had lived in another palace for a long time, and specially vacated the Ciqing Palace for her."

"Now, not only does he not appreciate it, but he also colludes with Gao Gong to prevent him from retiring just to get a title!"

Zhu Yijun continued to listen quietly.

Empress Dowager Li seemed to be feeling very aggrieved: "That's all! I can just tolerate her!"

"But who is Gao Gong?"

"They want to abolish the Imperial Household Department and restrict the emperor's power!"

"As your legal mother, doesn't she consider you at all?"

“It’s simply… it’s simply…”

When Zhu Yijun heard this, he suddenly raised his head.

He interrupted Queen Mother Li.

In a very gentle tone, he asked calmly, "Mother, Empress Dowager Chen was driven to another palace by the Emperor. Did you contribute to the situation?"

Empress Dowager Li raised her head.

He looked at his son in surprise.

She opened her mouth and raised her finger to point at the emperor: "You...are you doubting that I was the one who provoked her first?"

Zhu Yijun stood there without moving.

He said noncommittally, "If it is for the sake of the title as mother said, I can also do it for her. There is no need to collude with Gao Gong."

"I just can't figure it out, please help me, mother."

Empress Dowager Li put down her hand tremblingly, her eyes slightly moist.

Finally, he lost his composure and said, "Okay, okay, now that there is a problem, you are all looking for the cause on me!"

"I raised you with great difficulty!"

"Emperor Sejong lost seven of his eight sons, and the previous emperor lost daughters one after another. Crown Prince Hyeon-hae died at the age of five!"

"I was afraid that you might be harmed by some bad person or suffer some evil deed."

"My son has grown up now, and now he knows how to blame his mother!"

"Just because she colluded with Gao Gong and made you uneasy, you want to blame me!?"

She sat on the bed and cried, as if blaming all the grievances of the day on her own son.

Seeing that his son didn't move, he felt even sadder.

Jiang Keqian and Zhang Jing, who were on duty outside the door, stayed far away and did not dare to listen to a word.

"All right!"

Without any warning, a low groan sounded in the room.

Empress Dowager Li looked at him in astonishment.

I never expected my son would treat me like this.

She began to tremble all over, and it was obvious that she could no longer control her emotions.

Zhu Yijun didn't give her another chance to speak.

He slowly approached under the astonished gaze of Empress Dowager Li.

Because of her age, even when Empress Dowager Li sat at the head of the bed, she was almost as tall as Zhu Yijun.

He held out his hands.

Holding both cheeks of Empress Dowager Li, he used his thumbs to gently wipe away the tears.

His forehead was close and touching Empress Dowager Li’s forehead.

His voice was almost trembling as he spoke: "Mother."

"The kids remember it all."

"How could I forget how my mother protected me?"

"A good night's sleep, mother will visit four or five times."

"When there was crying, the mother scolded Feng Bao, Zhang Hong and others, stripped her son naked and checked him thoroughly."

"Mother even tastes the food for her child before it reaches her mouth."

"How can I forget these things?"

"A mother's kindness lies in nurturing and raising a child, and a child's filial piety lies in serving his mother."

"As soon as I ascended the throne, I wanted to show my support to my father-in-law."

"Study hard every day, hoping not to disappoint my mother."

"I sincerely look forward to protecting my mother from the wind and rain as soon as possible."

"Now...Now..."

"Gao Gong forced me, my stepmother forced me, the court officials looked down on me, I was alone and helpless, who else could I rely on except my mother!?"

"Mother is feared by the outer court, bullied by the inner court officials, and humiliated by the queen. She is all alone and helpless. Who else can she rely on except her child?!"

"You and I are orphans and widows, and we depend on each other for survival. How can we allow for any suspicion?"

Empress Dowager Li stood there in a daze when she saw the emperor's sudden anger.

Zhu Yijun spoke word by word under her gaze: "Mother raised me for ten years. I remember it all."

"Now that my son has ascended the throne, please rest assured that I will take care of you from now on, mother."

"Speak to me sincerely, and let me do the work!"

"Believe me!"

After saying this, Zhu Yijun stepped back and bowed.

A hint of determination flashed across the eyes that were not being looked at.

It's fine in the outer court, but now the Jinyiwei and Dongchang in the palace are no longer constrained.

Do you really think he wouldn't dare to do anything dirty?

(End of this chapter)