On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the imperial court begins and shops open for business.
Although he was resting for the past few days during the New Year, the news about Yu's injury still spread.
A group of courtiers headed by Cao Qian first presented a memorial to express Yu Chengren's filial piety and deserved a reward, and then secretly asked the emperor to meditate on his own mistakes.
The emperor was furious when he heard this, and said with a cold face: "I was injured, so you can just stop worrying about my dragon body and criticize me. It's just an incense case. What do you want? Force me to write a crime. Ji Zhao?"
"Your Majesty, calm down." All the ministers bowed their heads.
The emperor said: "I am a good person, but you have angered me with your left and right words, and now you are asking me to calm down. Are you trying to make fun of me?"
"I have no such intention." Cao Qian and others hurriedly knelt down.
The emperor was disgusted with their faces and said bluntly: "Whoever thinks that I should think about my mistakes will write a note and submit it to me, telling me where I have done it!"
"If you don't write a bunch of nonsense, I will kill everyone who talks nonsense, and it won't be too late to write a self-incriminating edict!"
Writing a book accusing the emperor of his faults doesn't mean that he is stretching his head to hand the knife. Who dares to do this?
Moreover, since the emperor came to the throne, he has been diligent in administration, caring for the people, and adhering to the country. Although he has not been perfect, he has not made any big mistakes, and he is far from writing a criminal edict.
The reason why Chen Zuo is in charge of the court today is just Cao Qian's instruction, and he just wants to write down the merits of Yu Cheng's writing.
Now the emperor was furious and everyone looked at each other in shock. Seeing that Cao Qian didn't speak, no one dared to speak again.
There was silence in the hall for a moment.
Longmu stared coldly at the people below, and the emperor said solemnly: "The prince's protection of me is the love of father and son, and the filial piety of his son. It is my family matter, and I have my own judgment in my heart."
"The ministers are receiving the royal salary and being supported by the people. They don't think about how to benefit the people and share my worries. They only focus on my family affairs and say, is this the way you should serve as a minister?"
"I'm scared." Everyone was speechless after being questioned by the emperor.
Taifu Zhou and others took the opportunity to go out and ask the emperor to calm down, and presented several important political affairs.
Comparing the two, it is clear at a glance who is loyal and who is traitorous.
After leaving the court, Taifu Zhou and Zhou Boxu did not leave, but followed the emperor to the imperial study.
Yu Zheng knew what they were doing and followed them.
The emperor was slightly surprised to learn that Zhou Boxu was going to ask for a marriage decree.
"After all these years, I still think you have given up on this idea."
Zhou Boxu immediately expressed his position: "I admire the princess with all my heart, and I have never changed it."
"That's all, you are supposed to be a couple. Since Mrs. Zhuang and Mrs. Zhou have agreed, I take it as complete." The emperor had no intention of embarrassment, and knew that this was something Concubine Yu would like to see, so he asked his attendants to bring the imperial edict and spread it out.
When he picked up the pen, the emperor hesitated.
"Although Mrs. Zhou has agreed, what happened back then is a thorn in the side. Yun'er may have a lot of inconvenience when she goes to the Zhou family."
The emperor already felt that he was indebted for letting Yu Lan marry the banker and keeping Zhuang Yun a widow for so many years, and now he could not let her suffer any more.
As for Zhuang Yun, he is the only son of the Zhuang family. Despite the merits of his father's generation, he should not suffer any injustice.
"What does the emperor mean..." Taifu Zhou asked.
They were not outsiders, and the emperor did not mince words. He continued: "There is an unused house near Prince Jing's residence. I want to give it as a princess residence."
Princess mansion?
If Yu Lan has a princess palace, wouldn't Zhou Boxu marry her as a wife?
Master Zhou hesitated for a moment.
Zhou Boxu also frowned.
It's not that he doesn't want to get married, but he's afraid that his mother won't agree, so he can't threaten her again with a dagger.
Knowing the two people's concerns, the emperor said: "Not counting the marriage, I will state in the decree that the two of them will be married and live in the princess's palace, and their descendants will still bear the Zhou family name."
What happened back then, the Zhou family had no choice and they were also victims. Moreover, the contributions made by Taifu Zhou and Zhou Boxu to Dazhao over the years are worthy of admiration, not much worse than the generals who went into battle to kill the enemy.
Therefore, the emperor will not humiliate the Zhou family. On the contrary, he will promote the Zhou family to check and balance the Cao family.
It is true that the Cao family must be eradicated, but generations of officials have a deep foundation in the court. We should not act too hastily, but can only take care of it slowly.
Although Grand Master Cao has resigned from office in old age, his disciples are spread all over Jozhao, and it is difficult to convince the public without serious charges.
Over the years, the emperor had already learned to be patient. He wanted to find a good opportunity to wipe out the Cao family in one fell swoop, making it impossible for them to stand up again.
Having been immersed in the court for many years and being the emperor's confidant, Zhou Taifu understood the emperor's thoughts after a moment's thought. He immediately held his hands and said, "I sincerely abide by the emperor's holy will."
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace." Zhou Boxu knelt down to thank him.
The emperor raised his hand: "Get up."
After obtaining the consent of the father and son, the emperor asked Yu Zheng again: "What do you think?"
Yu Zheng said: "My father has thought carefully, and I think it is very appropriate."
Yu Zheng had already meant this, but he just didn't have time to say it out in the future.
When the emperor heard this, he no longer hesitated and wrote quickly.
East Palace.
Cao Qian made an appointment with the queen in Cao Muxue Courtyard on the pretext of visiting Yu Cheng.
"Dad." Cao Muxue couldn't hide her happiness after not seeing her family for a long time.
On the day of the second grade of junior high school, she originally wanted to go back to Cao's house, but Yu was injured and couldn't go back.
"Why didn't the prince recuperate in your hospital?" Cao Qian asked.
Cao Muxue said angrily: "It's not because of that bitch Xie Wanruo."
Cao Qian frowned and reminded: "You are the Crown Princess, so be careful with your words."
"Yes, my daughter knows." Cao Muxue angrily explained the reason.
After hearing this, Cao Qian frowned: "The Xie family is also very troublesome."
If Xie Wanruo is the crown prince's concubine, Prime Minister Xie is also on Yu Cheng's side. However, Cao Muxue usurped Xie Wanruo's position as crown princess, and the two had always been at odds with each other. Prime Minister Xie also opposed Cao Qian in the court.
Therefore, although the princelings are numerous and powerful, they are divided into two factions. Sometimes they would unite the front for Yu Cheng, and sometimes they would make things worse for each other.
While the father and daughter were talking, the queen came.
"I have met the Queen." Cao Qian stood up to greet her.
The queen waved her hand and said: "No outsiders, sit down and talk."
"Have you seen Cheng'er?" the queen asked.
Cao Qian shook his head: "The prince is in the courtyard of Concubine Xie, and it is inconvenient for me to visit him."
The queen pursed her lips and said, "I forgot."
"Cheng'er is not seriously ill. He will recover after some rest, so don't worry."
Cao Qian sighed: "This morning at court, the Emperor Long Yan was furious."
"What's wrong?" the queen asked with raised eyebrows.
The harem was not allowed to interfere in politics, and the emperor never talked to her. If she wanted to know the situation in the court, she could only ask Yu Chengna or find out from Cao Qian.
Cao Qian asked Cao Muxue to close the door and lowered his voice to tell him what happened in the morning.
"The emperor's words today may seem reasonable, but they are actually a warning. Over the years, the emperor has become increasingly out of control, and I am afraid it will backfire on the Cao family." Cao Qian was worried.
A big tree attracts the wind, and a big minister shakes the master. This has been a taboo since ancient times.
"My father has long expected this day to come, but he is old and very ill. He may not be able to survive for long."
"Is father's illness serious again?" the queen asked urgently, clenching her hands.
Cao Qian nodded heavily: "The doctor said, now it's all about medicine. But sooner or later, there comes a day when no matter how much money you have, you can't keep it with famous medicines."
