Chapter 110: Confusing seniority
Discuss with the prince about the next response!

"Cheng'en, go to Jiaoshu Palace and announce the imperial decree granting the marriage!"

After feeling that things were almost arranged and seeing no better way to go about it, King Ming spoke to those outside the palace.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The chief eunuch Wang Chengen suddenly appeared in the hall like a ghost and bowed to receive the order.

Neither King Ming nor the Crown Prince were surprised by Wang Chengen's sudden appearance!

Everyone knows that there are many masters in the Ming Dynasty Palace.

There are many experts around King Ming!

The Wang Chengen in front of him is a famous master of the Imperial Palace.

As the chief eunuch, the attendant of Prince Ming, and the junior master, Wang Chengen has almost reached the pinnacle of being a eunuch!

The reason why I say almost!

This is because in the history of the Ming Dynasty there were eunuchs who achieved great success, such as Zheng He, Wei Zhongxian...!
Just when Wang Chengen received the imperial edict and set off from the Qinzheng Hall.

Zhao Yushan, however, was standing at the window of Jiao Shu's palace, staring in the direction of Xuzhou Prefecture in a daze.

Even when Xiaoyu came back after sending Cui Zongyan and Zhu Xiumin out of the palace, Zhao Yushan's eyes did not fluctuate!

Standing next to Zhao Yushan, besides Xiaoyu who had just returned, there was also Xiaoqingzi, a middle-aged eunuch who had returned earlier after sending Zhao Jinyu out of the palace, and Zhao Yushan's youngest daughter Zhu Xiulan who had not yet reached the age of marriage.

Of course, standing not far away was Cui Ronghe, who was "under house arrest" in Jiao Shu Palace by Zhao Yushan and dressed in eunuch clothes.

"Sister Lan, do you think your new sister-in-law's father can really send your sister to Xuzhou City safely?"

After a long time, a trace of fluctuation finally flashed in Zhao Yushan's eyes, and she asked her little daughter Zhu Xiulan behind her without turning back.

"Mother has done her best! All that's left is to do our best and leave the rest to fate!"

Zhu Xiulan comforted Zhao Yushan.

But from Zhu Xiulan's words, it is not difficult to hear that Zhu Xiulan is not optimistic about Zhu Xiumin's journey.

"Sister Lan, you won't blame me for not sending you out with me, right?"

There was a hint of the nervousness and uneasiness that a mother has when facing her children in Zhao Yushan's words.

"Mother, I understand everything!
The second sister is tall, and her height is not much different from that of Cui... Lord Cui. She may be able to deceive the palace guards by relying on the secret art of Yi Jin Mo Fu!

I am only thirteen now, and there is a huge difference in height and figure between me and Lord Cui!

Besides, I am only thirteen years old. Even if my father is angry or has other ideas, he will never use me for marriage!"

Zhu Xiulan expressed her understanding for Zhao Yushan's behavior.

Zhu Xiulan didn’t know that what Zhao Yushan was worried about was not that she didn’t understand!
Zhao Yushan believes that after her teaching over the years, her youngest daughter Zhu Xiulan can see why she does this and understand the reasons why she does this.

What Zhao Yushan was worried about was that although Zhu Xiulan understood, she would inevitably feel resentful and dissatisfied with her towards Zhu Xiumin.

But the current situation is this. Although Zhao Yushan is worried that Zhu Xiulan is resentful, she has no better solution.

Just as Zhu Xiulan said just now, the younger daughter Zhu Xiulan who has not yet reached the age of marriage still has time, but the eldest daughter Zhu Xiumin may be thrown out by King Ming for marriage at any time!

The Zhao family is no longer the Zhao family of the past!

Zhao Yuguang is not in the capital. The Zhao family, now lacking a backbone, not only has no ability to argue with King Ming, but even taking Zhu Xiumin and Zhu Xiulan out of the palace to protect them is impossible without Zhao Yuguang in charge.

For this reason, Zhao Yushan had to find another way and use Cui Zongyan!

Being trapped in the Ming Palace for a long time, Zhao Yushan’s social circle has been greatly restricted!

Moreover, the King of Ming knows exactly who she has good relationships with and who might help her!
In order to deceive King Ming and get Zhu Xiumin out of the palace and send her to Xuzhou City safely, Zhao Yushan could only rely on Cui Zongyan, an "outsider" whom she had never seen before, could not remember for the time being, but had a certain trustworthiness.

"As for your second sister, we can only rely on God's will now!

As for you, I hope your elder brother can come to Beijing within three years!
Otherwise, when you turn 16 and become a marriageable girl…"

Zhao Yushan didn't finish her words, but Zhao Yushan and Zhu Xiulan understood what she wanted to express.

Even Xiao Qingzi and Xiao Yu, his absolute confidants standing by, understood it.

"Mother, my father may not do what you think!

Are you worrying too much and worrying too much?"

However, Zhu Xiulan did not take Zhao Yushan's worries seriously, and even felt that her mother Zhao Yushan was worrying too much!
Over the years, King Ming has been extremely fond of his youngest daughter.

Zhu Xiulan didn't believe that her father was the selfish, cruel, ruthless and heartless King Ming as her mother Zhao Yushan described him.

It's just that her mother Zhao Yushan is just as good to her, even better than her father Ming Wang...

As a daughter, it is not convenient for Zhu Xiulan to directly refute her mother!

Moreover, in Zhu Xiulan's view, it was not a big deal, nor a bad thing, for her second sister Zhu Xiumin to go to Xuzhou City to visit her eldest brother!
Why object and anger your mother?

"Xiu Lan, you are still too young!"

Zhu Xiulan's reaction did not surprise Zhao Yushan.

But it also made Zhao Yushan feel helpless!

King Ming is indeed very good to Zhu Xiulan, his youngest legitimate daughter!

Zhu Xiulan also has extremely high trust in her father, Ming Wang.

A good relationship between father and daughter is something that makes the mother happy, whether among ordinary people or even among wealthy families.

But Zhao Yushan was not happy at all.

Because Ming Wang's actions inadvertently hindered Zhao Yushan's correct teaching!
Zhu Xiulan fell into Ming Wang's illusory family trap.

Zhao Yushan now only hopes that Zhu Xiulan doesn’t wake up too late!
Otherwise, it will be too late!

Um~
Here we come~
Just when Zhao Yushan was praying that her youngest daughter Zhu Xiulan would not wake up too late, Zhao Yushan suddenly felt a familiar breath coming from the direction of Jiao Shudian.

"Sister Lan, get ready to receive the order with your mother!

This may help you see the true face of your father!"

Zhao Yushan still did not turn around to look at Zhu Xiulan behind her. Instead, after saying this, she looked directly towards the palace gate.

Here we come~
Just after Zhao Yushan finished saying this, the eunuch chief steward Qing of Jiao Shu Palace and Zhao Yushan's personal maid Xiaoyu also successively felt the aura of Wang Chengen, the chief eunuch beside King Ming.

They looked at each other and prepared to deal with it together with Zhao Yushan.

As Queen Zhao's most trusted confidants, Chief Steward Qing and Xiaoyu both practiced martial arts and had great attainments!

Of course Zhao Yushan has deeper attainments!

As the most precious woman in the entire Ming Dynasty, as long as Zhao Yushan wants and can endure the hardships of practicing!
It is easy to achieve achievements in martial arts or spiritual cultivation that are difficult for ordinary people to achieve.

After all, the resources are so abundant!

And most people are always more generous to themselves than to others!
The resources are definitely overflowing towards Queen Zhao!

"He'er, you should also be prepared! You may also be implicated! But I will try my best not to let things involve you!"

Finally, Zhao Yushan did not forget Cui Ronghe, who was standing aside, wearing an ill-fitting eunuch costume.

Having been a queen for more than thirty years, she has met all kinds of people.

Zhao Yushan had already understood one thing.

As a leader, you must be brave enough to take responsibility and show your kindness to others at all times, even if it is just on the surface...

Otherwise, fewer and fewer people will follow you!
Until finally becoming a loser!
Therefore, when Zhao Yushan discussed with Cui Zongyan, she directly took the responsibility on herself. Moreover, many times, the scabies of the superiors, when they fall to the lower, will become the disaster of the death of the lower!

Once things like this happen more and more often, how can anyone be willing to do things for you?
"Thank you for your concern, Queen. I understand!"

Cui Ronghe clasped his fists and responded calmly.

Although he had already prepared himself to be implicated and held accountable by King Ming, Cui Ronghe still felt warmed at the sight of Queen Zhao saying such words again.

No wonder the scholars in the court all said that Queen Zhao was wise and kind-hearted!
After a while, Wang Chengen appeared in Jiaoshu Palace with a few young eunuchs.

If Wang Chengen was alone, he would come very quickly!
But according to the rules of the dynasty, an imperial decree cannot be announced by one person alone!

Therefore, it took Wang Chengen quite a while from the time he received the order from King Ming to the time he announced it in Jiaoshu Palace.

"My Queen, Qian An!"

When they arrived at Jiaoshu Palace, Wang Chengen first bowed to Zhao Yushan with the eunuchs behind him.

"General Wang is here in a hurry! This must be the king's decree!
There is no need for Mr. Wang to be polite, just make the announcement directly!"

Zhao Yushan stood in the Jiao Shu Palace indifferently and spoke in a stiff tone.

There was no intention in his words to ask eunuchs such as Wang Chengen who were greeting him to stand up.

Wang Chengen was stunned by Zhao Yushan's attitude, which was contrary to her past gentle, generous, dignified and benevolent style.

After waiting for a few moments, he still did not hear the Queen Zhao's voice asking him to get up.

In the end, Wang Chengen had no choice but to stand up on his own with the eunuchs behind him.

"What's wrong with Queen Zhao? She seems like a different person all of a sudden! She wasn't like this yesterday when Queen Zhao went to the Qinzheng Palace to deliver medicine to the king and showed concern for his health..." Wang Chengen was confused.

Although Wang Chengen was a strong warrior and loyal to King Ming, to be honest, his political wisdom was not high.

Having lived with Ming Wang for more than thirty years, Zhao Yushan knew Ming Wang's character well.

After receiving the news from the spy that Zhu Chengwu said in public in Xuzhou City that "one does not have to become a prince to become the Ming King", Queen Zhao knew that her son Zhu Chengwu had completely offended her father, the Ming King.

I'm afraid King Ming will personally take action against Zhu Chengwu!

Although "one does not have to become a prince first to become a wise king", this is indeed what Queen Zhao thinks!
But Queen Zhao initially thought that this was just a tacit understanding between her and Zhu Chengwu, and would not be made public...

Queen Zhao didn't know that Zhu Chengwu was just being straightforward and complacent...

Or does he have other plans... such as making his attitude clear to strengthen his position and attract talents to join!

But this does not prevent Zhao Yushan from patching up some of Zhu Chengwu's actions and words.

In Zhao Yushan's heart, the status of Prince Ming, her husband who she had been with for more than 30 years, was not high, even though she had given birth to a son and two daughters for him.

In Zhao Yushan's heart, the Zhao family will always be ranked first.

This is the influence of the education Zhao Yushan received since childhood!

Even her son Zhu Chengwu is not as important as Zhao in Zhao Yushan's heart.

But Zhu Chengwu, the son, is now the greatest hope for the Zhao family to land safely and even grow stronger again.

Between Prince Ming and her son Zhu Chengwu, Zhao Yushan naturally chose to help her son Zhu Chengwu!

Since Zhu Chengwu had completely offended King Ming, Queen Zhao completely broke off relations with King Ming.

As the Ming King's concubine, Zhu Chengwu's biological mother, and the queen of the dynasty, Zhao Yushan now clearly expresses her anti-Ming King stance. Then Zhu Chengwu's unrighteous and unruly remarks will become an act of taking sides in the dispute between his parents.

Etiquette makes people respect their fathers!

However, etiquette also teaches us to respect our mothers!

Although King Ming also occupies the character "Jun", Queen Zhao also has the character "Hou".

Although this puts you at a disadvantage, there is still room for defense!

As long as Zhu Chengwu cannot be completely nailed to death for violating etiquette and laws, Queen Zhao's goal will be achieved.

"Queen Zhao, Princess Min'an accepts the order!"

Wang Chengen looked at Queen Zhao who was behaving out of character, and finally raised the imperial edict in his hand helplessly, asking Queen Zhao to accept it.

"Min'an is not here, Chief Steward Wang, just announce the decree!"

Queen Zhao's voice became harder and harder.

Although she had guessed it long ago, when Queen Zhao really heard the words "Min'an" come out of Wang Cheng'en's mouth, she couldn't help but feel more and more disappointed with King Ming, with whom she had been living for more than 30 years.

"Queen, Princess Min'an is not here? This is impossible!

The palace servants saw with their own eyes Princess Min'an and the little princess enter the Jiaoshu Palace, and they never left after that!
Your Majesty, please let Princess Min'an come out to receive the decree!

This is a great thing!"

Wang Chengen was stunned by Queen Zhao's words, and then he began to look around, but he did not see the figure of County Lady Min'an.

In Jiaoshu Palace, there are only Queen Zhao, the little princess, and Queen Zhao's trusted palace maids...

However, Queen Zhao now has one more trusted palace maid!
"General Manager Wang knows all about my two daughters and my concubine Jiao Shu!"

There was coldness and dissatisfaction in Zhao Yushan's tone.

“But Min-an is really not here!

Manager Wang has made a wasted trip today!"

Zhao Yushan's words revealed her intention to see the guest off.

"Queen, since Min'an is not here, you should receive the decree and pass it on to Princess Min'an!"

Wang Chengen had to take a step back.

"Read!"

Queen Zhao never came in person to receive the order.

Wang Chengen looked at Queen Zhao in front of him, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Congratulations, Queen! Congratulations, Queen! The King has granted marriage to Princess Min'an and the legitimate son of Minister Fang! From now on, the Queen and Lord Fang are one family! In addition, Lord Fang's legitimate sister is the Crown Princess, so the relationship between the Queen and the Crown Prince will surely be even more harmonious..."

Wang Chengen did not read the imperial edict, but directly spoke out the contents of the edict and handed it to Queen Zhao.

As the confidant of King Ming, Wang Chengen understood King Ming's dissatisfaction with the Zhao family, and also participated in King Ming's various calculations and tactics against the Zhao family.

But at the same time, Wang Chengen also deeply understood that King Ming had feelings for Queen Zhao!

Otherwise, how could Queen Zhao sit comfortably on the throne of queen for so many years without moving an inch!

Let’s not talk about it before!

In the later period, King Ming completely controlled the government!
Deposing the queen would cut off the most important pillar of the Zhao family besides Zhao Yuguang!
It would be even better if we could arouse Zhao's rebellious spirit!

Get the job done in one go!
Although it may cause a stir in the court, this is really a good way to solve the problem once and for all!
But the King couldn’t bear to do so!

Even a few months ago, King Ming was still thinking that after Marquis Fu'an became a master, he would restrain the Crown Prince and protect Queen Zhao, so that Queen Zhao could spend her old age in peace!
The so-called compromise reason to avoid Zhao's rebellion and turmoil in the dynasty. In Wang Chengen's view, it was just the feelings that Ming Wang himself had been denying about Queen Zhao!

It was precisely because he understood all this that Wang Chengen retreated again and again when announcing the decree this time!

However, even though Wang Chengen retreated again and again, Zhao Yushan still had no intention of taking the imperial edict from Wang Chengen.

"Chief Steward Wang, I cannot accept this imperial edict!"

Facing Wang Chengen's surprised and puzzled eyes, Zhao Yushan continued, "Fang Xuedao's legitimate sister is the Crown Princess, but now my legitimate daughter is betrothed to Fang Xuedao's son. Isn't this confusing the generations? Please ask the chief steward to tell the king that I do not agree to this marriage!"

(End of this chapter)