OBS Chapter 967 It's been so long since I've seen the ruler smile like that~
Chapter 967 It's been so long since I've seen the ruler smile like that~
Apart from the officials in the Ministry of Rites and its subordinate Jiaofangsi, who felt like the sky had fallen, all the officials in the Ming Dynasty court felt like the sun had finally come out.
The one in power is laughing!
Chen Zhong was filled with emotion: "It's been so long since I've seen the leader smile like that!"
Of course, besides feeling that the weather had cleared up, the officials were also somewhat uncomfortable.
Princess Funing is pregnant, and she's so happy about ascending to the throne?
Is Princess Fu Ning the main reason for this?
Or is it more due to his epilepsy?
If it's because of Princess Fu Ning, that's one thing, but if it's because of Yang the Madman...
If they weren't worried about being targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the officials would have been tempted to put Yang Shaofeng in a sack and strangle him.
Especially Kong Xixue, who had been eyeing the title of Duke Yansheng for several years.
In fact, Kong Xixue now hates even the Zhu Emperor – the original plan was for the Southern School to compile the Hongwu Encyclopedia, and the Northern School to compile the Hongwu Zhengyun and the Hongwu Dictionary, and then decide whether the title of Duke Yansheng would be inherited by the Southern School or the Northern School.
Now things are really messed up. The Hongwu Zhengyun and the Hongwu Dictionary have long been completed, but the Hongwu Dadian is still nowhere in sight. And the question of which clan will inherit the title of Duke Yansheng has also become nowhere in sight!
Because they failed to inherit the title, the Northern Sect has become a laughing stock among scholars, while the Southern Sect has been even more merciless in its mockery, saying things like: If it weren't for the Northern Sect's pretentiousness, they probably would have inherited the title long ago.
Listen, listen, is this human language?
I, Kong Xixue, went to pay my respects to the superiors under pressure. What more do you want from the Northern Sect?
Besides, if it weren't for Yang the Madman's inhuman actions and his creation of the "Hongwu Grand Code," the succession of the Duke of Yansheng would have been settled long ago, and there would have been no unexpected twists and turns.
……
Emperor Zhu was unaware of Kong Xixue's resentment, and even if he had, he wouldn't have taken it to heart.
Compared to trivial matters like the succession of the title of Duke Yansheng, Emperor Zhu preferred to linger in Kunning Palace, holding Empress Ma's hand and talking.
"Double happiness! Double happiness!"
"No, it should be said that a lot of good things have come to our door at the same time."
The old Emperor Zhu's face beamed with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.
"Biao'er is about to marry a certain girl."
"We'll soon be able to hold our grandson or granddaughter."
"When our grandson or granddaughter grows up a bit, we'll be able to hold our grandson or granddaughter in our arms."
"Just thinking about it makes me happy."
"..."
Seeing Emperor Zhu's excited and incessant chatter, Empress Ma couldn't help but smile and say, "Yes, we're finally going to hold our grandchildren soon. All these years of preparing clothes will have been worth it."
Emperor Zhu chuckled and said, "We've also had longevity locks prepared, and we'll have them sent over as soon as the child is born."
After a slight pause, Emperor Zhu said with a smile, "If it's a boy, that's fine. But if it's a granddaughter, we'll make her a county princess, and when she comes of age, we'll make her a prefectural princess."
"Oh, and also, that bastard looks shrewd, but he actually only half-understands a lot of things."
"He probably doesn't understand the 'suspended bow and sash' ritual, but he should know about the 'announcing good news' ritual. However, he probably doesn't know about the 'three-shooting ceremony' ritual."
"The baby's birth, the baby's third-day bath, the umbilical cord removal, the fontanelle cleaning—that bastard probably doesn't even know those things."
"Oh, and there's also the patchwork garment. We'll have someone deliver it to Li Shanchang and Xu Da's house later."
"We need to get it made as soon as possible."
"..."
Seeing Emperor Zhu's happy expression, Empress Ma couldn't help but rub her forehead.
crazy.
The mighty Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was overjoyed because the baby, who wouldn't be born for several months and whose identity was still unknown, was either a grandson or a granddaughter.
Empress Ma gave a soft hum and said, "You don't need to worry about announcing the good news. I've already sent someone to Ningyang County, both to announce the good news and to give the people of Ningyang County time to prepare more red eggs."
"We need eggs from Ningyang County, even though the capital city has no shortage of eggs."
"As for the 'Hundred Families Garment,' I have already sent people to the Han State Duke's Mansion, the Wei State Duke's Mansion, and the E State Duke's Mansion to ask for fabric. At the same time, I also had the sisters from these families invited to the palace. It should be sewn in the next few days."
"As for the rest, you can let Li handle it..."
Before the word "department" could even be uttered, Empress Ma frowned once again.
The Ministry of Rites is now practically an empty shell.
We have to wait until all the staff is replenished before we can use the Ministry of Rites again.
"The Ministry of Rites should be dealt with properly."
Empress Ma said angrily, "Now is the time when we need them, but they have colluded with certain gentry behind the back of the court, acting like accomplices. If they are not dealt with severely, I'm afraid it will not be enough to restore order to the court."
Emperor Zhu immediately nodded emphatically and replied, "Don't worry, sister, we won't let them off easily."
Emperor Zhu was initially slightly worried that his sister might find him too murderous.
Now look what's happened, even the girls are angered by them.
This time, no one can save them!
As Emperor Zhu pondered how to properly deal with the Ministry of Rites and the officials involved, Empress Ma continued, "Also, remember to send a message to Yu Tongyuan, telling him to steer the ship more steadily."
"Jin'er is newly pregnant, which is a very inconvenient time for her. If we steer the boat more steadily, it will make her suffer less."
"Oh, right, and there's also Bo Ren's side."
“Biao’er wants to marry that girl, so our betrothal gifts can’t be too small.”
"The matchmaker should be someone of high moral character and prestige."
"I'll discuss the wedding and dowry with the Lan family girl after she enters the palace."
"Let's also arrange the marriages of the second, third, and fourth sons at the same time."
"..."
Empress Ma slowly explained her plans.
The more Emperor Zhu listened, the happier he became.
Biao'er is about to marry a certain girl, which is a joyous occasion.
Jin'er's pregnancy is another joyous occasion.
The marriages of those three scoundrels, the second, third, and fourth sons, are about to be finalized, which can be considered a happy occasion.
It would be a good thing if those officials who colluded with the gentry were dealt with properly.
Tsk tsk.
The seventh year of the Hongwu reign was truly a blessed year, with four auspicious events occurring simultaneously!
Yes, the eighth year of Hongwu's reign must have been a good year.
Our grandchildren will be born in the eighth year of the Hongwu reign.
Biao'er and that bastard are about the same level of skill, capable of achieving the legendary feat of sealing the wolf's lair.
Those corrupt officials and gentry should have been dealt with by now.
Maybe we'll even get to hold our grandchildren?
It looks like another four happy events!
The more Emperor Zhu thought about it, the happier he became. He immediately turned to Chen Zhong and ordered, "Have someone make us some Four Happiness Meatballs. Use the best pork hind leg meat, and remember to add water chestnuts and magnolias."
Chen Zhong accepted the order and left. Emperor Zhu rubbed his hands together with a smile and looked at Empress Ma, saying, "Sister, how about we make another bowl of noodles today? We're craving your noodles."
Empress Ma smiled, stood up, and said, "Alright, you wait here, I'll go knead the dough right away."
Watching Empress Ma's departing figure, Emperor Zhu fell into deep thought again.
So, why does Biao'er want the Jiaofangsi under the Ministry of Rites?
Although we've already sent him to Liaodong, this little rascal hasn't revealed his purpose for wanting the Jiaofangsi!