The prince won again without any effort.
This was almost everyone's view of the crown prince. He did nothing, did not mobilize the scholars of the Eastern Palace's Left and Right Spring Offices to write letters to defend him, and he did not even write a letter in his own defense, but Emperor Yongle was determined to protect him.
He was fat, lame, and had difficulty walking, which damaged the image of the Ming Dynasty. The court almost unanimously wanted to depose the prince, but Emperor Yongle insisted that he was a good prince. What else could others do
Of course, the emperor has the final say on the affairs of the Zhu family.
For this reason, the emperor even punished his two beloved princesses by making them copy the "Inner Training" in Rouyi Palace. Who could have a bigger face than the princesses
As a result, the much-anticipated movement to depose the crown prince was like a rubber ball. Once Emperor Yongle poked it with a needle, it deflated and only a piece of sagging skin remained.
Princess Yongping and Princess Ancheng copied books so much that their hands were almost broken, and the books were piled high on the desk.
In the current imperial family, Princess Yong'an is the eldest, the first child of Emperor Yongle and Empress Renxiao, and the first to get married. Her husband is Yuan Rong, Marquis of Guangping. Fortunately, she was born early and married from Prince Yan's mansion, thus avoiding being held hostage in the capital. Therefore, among Emperor Yongle's first five children, only Princess Yong'an stayed with him all the time, and was cared for by her parents. She remained neutral and impartial to the secret struggle between her two younger brothers.
But the second princess, Yongping, and the third princess, Ancheng, were different. These two princesses stayed in the capital as hostages with the crown prince and the king of Han.
The two little girls were at a rebellious age, and the eldest brother Zhu Gaochi always taught them to be virtuous and forbearing. The second brother Zhu Gaoxu would not refuse any request from the two sisters, secretly took them out to play, brought them things, and sometimes when they were wronged, it was the second brother who vented their anger for them.
The eldest brother always pleaded for the second brother and handled crisis public relations. After coming back, he blamed them for being ignorant and bringing disaster to the Prince of Yan's Mansion.
Princess Yongping and Princess Ancheng were naturally closer to their second brother Zhu Gaoxu. They felt that their eldest brother was too timid and cowardly, only caring about himself and not daring to stand up for them.
Later, Princess Yongping was married to Li Rang by Emperor Gaozu, and the couple returned to Beiping together. When the Jingnan Campaign began, Emperor Jianwen asked Li Rang's father to
Li Rang refused to surrender, and the angry Emperor Jianwen exterminated the entire Li family.
The army of despair will surely win. Li Rang vowed to avenge his family and went south with Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu to participate in the Jingnan Campaign, forming a deep fighting friendship. In addition, Princess Yongping admired her second brother the most, so the couple became Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu's die-hard fans and followed him to the end.
The same was true for Princess Ancheng. In the first year of Yongle, she was married to Song Hu, the son of Xining Marquis. Song Hu came from a family of generals. His ancestors were also from Fengyang. His family had guarded the northwest for generations, and it could be said that they were a family of loyal heroes. Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu had a very high prestige in the army. Song Hu and the Prince of Han, who was good at military affairs, sympathized with each other and had no feelings for the prince who lived in the deep palace.
The couple thus became a great help to the King of Han. As long as the King of Han gave them a look, they would charge into battle for him, not to mention copying books.
After copying ten volumes of "Inner Training", the two princesses still favored the King of Han.
Concubine Zhang Shufei came to collect the homework as ordered. As a stepmother, she was in her twenties and younger than the two princesses. However, Concubine Zhang Shufei was born into a military family and had a curvy figure and long legs. Her temperament was not suppressed by the princesses.
No one would like their father's concubine, especially when their mother's coffin is parked in the hall next door.
Princess Ancheng said, "Concubine Zhang Shu, I have finished copying the book. Bye."
"The two princesses must be tired. Have a cup of tea and some snacks first." Concubine Zhang raised her hand to stop the princesses, then sat down and checked their homework on the spot.
Checking homework is the most hurtful thing. If it's not written about the mother and son being loving and filial, but once homework is done, there will be chaos. What's more, this is not the biological mother, but the stepmother.
Fortunately, Concubine Zhang Shu had a prominent family background and the support of her brother, the Duke of England. If it had been Concubine Quan, the two princesses would probably have turned their backs on her and left.
Princess Yongping and Princess Ancheng sat down, and Concubine Zhang Shu looked through the books one by one. She had already memorized Queen Renxiao's "Inner Training" by heart, and there was no need to compare with a model - all concubines in the harem were required to recite and write out the entire text, and she checked them personally.
Concubine Zhang Shu knew what she was doing, so she quickly read through the twenty volumes of Nei Xun. She picked out four of them, circled the errors with a red pen, one for Princess Yongping and three for Princess Ancheng, and said:
"The Emperor said that the princesses must not make any mistakes when copying the Inner Training Book, otherwise the entire book must be rewritten. Princesses, please continue."
Princess Ancheng was immediately unwilling, "Is Concubine Zhang Shu taking chicken feathers as a token of authority? Father will not torture us like this."
Concubine Zhang Shu was a person who had practiced math problems in the palace fighting information world such as "The Daily Records of Concubine Duan Jing", so she had her own countermeasures to deal with the undisciplined princess. She kept smiling and said calmly: "I dare not falsely convey the imperial edict. If the two princesses are tired, take a rest before copying."
Princess Yongping was a little older, and not as impulsive as Princess Ancheng. She looked at the sky outside and said, "It's getting late. The palace will be locked. We will come back tomorrow to search."
"Prepare the lights." Concubine Zhang Shu was well prepared. A group of palace servants came in with bright ox-horn lanterns. As soon as it got dark, they lit them and it was absolutely as bright as day.
Concubine Zhang Shu said, "I will accompany the princess to copy books tonight. In addition, I have already asked Concubine Hu to clean up the palace where Princess Ancheng used to live. After the two princesses finish copying books, they can stay in the palace for one night and return to the princess's residence tomorrow when the palace gates are opened."
With the standard example of Concubine Duanjing, Concubine Zhang Shu learned how to be a good concubine mother, which is to provide meticulous care, not get angry or lose her temper, consider all possible situations carefully, and prepare countermeasures in advance.
Because the biological mother can be negligent and have emotions, but after all, for her own child, the blood relationship is the lubricant, and she will choose to forgive in the end.
But it’s not the same for a stepmother. A biological mother is considered a qualified mother if she can score 60 points, but a stepmother needs to score 90 points to be the passing score - the same standard as taking the first part of a driver’s license test.
Concubine Zhang Shu had to treat the two princesses according to the standards of Subject 1 and also check their homework, which was really difficult for this concubine who was only 20 years old.
Princess Ancheng was not convinced. How could she be subdued by a concubine right next to my mother's coffin
Princess Ancheng said, "I will copy the remaining three books. However, since Concubine Zhang Shu has tidied up my palace, my second sister and I will go back and rest first, and come back tomorrow to copy them."
I refused to stay up late to do homework.
"This..." Concubine Zhang was in a dilemma. She had not expected this situation. Although Emperor Yongle did not explicitly say that the two princesses could not go to bed until they finished copying, it was a fact that the emperor was unhappy with the princesses' letter asking the prince to take a rest.
It's called copying books, but it's actually a punishment. If you eat and sleep comfortably, just like a day trip in the palace, what kind of punishment is this
In the end, it was her, the stepmother, who failed to supervise properly and was negligent in her duties.
But if they tried to stop them by force, the coffin of Empress Renxiao was right next to them. If the two princesses ran to cry for their mother, Concubine Zhang Shu's power in the harem would be in jeopardy.
Concubine Zhang was in a dilemma.
If the name is not right, the words will not flow. Princess Ancheng did not take Concubine Zhang seriously. At the family dinner on the Mid-Autumn Festival that day, in order to show her virtue, Concubine Zhang prepared different dishes for everyone, which made the Shangshi Bureau very troubled and forced them to use their best skills. In fact, they all saw it, but no one pointed it out.
A concubine mother, but she holds the power in the harem. It is right for her to do well, there is no need to point out the performance, if she does not do well...
Princess Ancheng was about to go out holding Princess Yongping's hand. Concubine Zhang Shu was in a dilemma as to whether to stop her or not. Just when things were awkward, footsteps were heard outside the door. The sound came before the person appeared.
"Princess Yongping, Princess Ancheng, I am here to deliver dinner on the orders of the Crown Princess."
It was Hu Shanwei, followed by a row of palace servants carrying food boxes, who quickly set up a vegetarian feast.
The Crown Princess is the eldest sister-in-law, the elder, and the monarch. Since the Crown Princess sent Hu Shanggong to deliver dinner to Rouyi Palace, there is no reason for her to leave.
This is care, but also a warning.
Now, the emperor favors the eldest prince, and can tolerate even his lameness. The eldest prince's position as the crown prince is as stable as a rock, and he even says that there is no need to resist.
The two princesses had to turn back and have dinner.
Concubine Zhang Shu ordered her servants to serve her well, and went outside with Hu Shanwei. "Mrs. Hu really helped me out of my urgent need. She came at the right time. The Crown Princess knew that the two princesses were worried, so she sent dinner over."
It is a shame to say that Concubine Zhang's brother, Duke Yingguo, also wrote a letter to depose the Crown Prince, but the Crown Princess did not take her previous humility into consideration and helped Concubine Zhang.
Hu Shanwei knew what Concubine Zhang was thinking and explained, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. What happens outside has nothing to do with the harem. Concubine Shu just needs to do her duty. The same is true for the Crown Princess. She is the eldest sister-in-law. The two younger sisters-in-law have returned to their parents' home. At this time, the only ones who can control the princess are the eldest brother and sister-in-law of the East Palace. They can control her in terms of status and seniority."
"I just went to the East Palace and told the Crown Princess about the two princesses copying books. I also told her that Concubine Shu had prepared for the princesses to stay overnight in the palace. The Crown Princess is a smart person. She immediately gave them dinner and cooperated with Concubine Shu."
Hu Shanwei was a palace maid for three dynasties and had witnessed too many power struggles and open and covert fights.
The relationship between the East Palace and Concubine Zhang Shu is cold, just for the sake of face. Moreover, Concubine Zhang Shu's family, the Duke of Yingguo Mansion, is on the side of the King of Han, so it is normal that the East Palace and Concubine Zhang Shu are not close.
But interest relations are not fixed, everything is changing, sometimes they are opponents, sometimes they are teammates.
For example, now, the Eastern Palace is very willing to help Concubine Zhang Shu check the two princesses' homework, so that the two princesses can learn a lesson and stop following the crowd to depose the crown prince.
Hu Shanwei just gave a slight glance and the Crown Princess understood what he meant and cooperated with Concubine Zhang Shu.
No matter what happens in the future, at this moment, everyone has the same interests. There are no eternal opponents, only eternal interests.
Hu Shanwei was a palace lady, and it was her duty to assist Concubine Zhang Shu in managing the harem. She felt ashamed when Concubine Zhang Shu was rejected by the two princesses.
Similarly, if Concubine Zhang Shufei wants to gain authority, the six bureaus and one department will have authority.
The six bureaus and one department have no choice as to who will be the boss. They have to accept the reality of who the emperor wants to assist in managing the six palaces. Besides, Concubine Zhang Shufei is the most suitable one in the harem at present.
If Hu Shanwei didn't help Concubine Zhang Shu, who would he help? He had to go to the Eastern Palace to ask for help.
Concubine Zhang Shu was a smart person. After some thought, she understood what Hu Shanwei meant.
Concubine Zhang Shu sighed, "I will remember this favor from the Eastern Palace. But as a married woman, I am powerless to interfere with the position of the Duke of Ying's Mansion."
What I mean is, I appreciate the East Palace’s kindness, but I cannot give back immediately—not that I don’t want to, but I can’t.
Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu also formed a revolutionary friendship with the King of Han during the Jingnan Campaign. They had fought together before. How could he change his stance because of his sister
After all, Concubine Shu is still young. Hu Shanwei smiled, "Your Highness is the emperor's concubine and the concubine mother of the Eastern Palace. The emperor is the monarch, and the Eastern Palace is also the monarch. Therefore, your mother's family's position is contrary to that of the Eastern Palace. This is not a bad thing for your Highness."
After hearing this, Concubine Zhang Shu immediately understood. Why did the Eastern Palace remain stable even after the Crown Prince's leg became lame? Facing the aggressive offensive of the King of Han, could the Crown Prince win even if he just lay down
Because the prince is weak, although he is a monarch, he must rely on the emperor to exist.
Without the emperor's support, the prince's position cannot be maintained.
The Duke of Ying's Mansion is on good terms with the King of Han and cold towards the Crown Prince, and that's right. If the eldest brother, the Duke of Ying, supported the Crown Prince, Emperor Yongle would never have promoted Concubine Zhang to assist in managing the six palaces!
After figuring everything out, Concubine Zhang was secretly shocked: How many years does one have to stay in the palace to be able to see through the emperor's mind as clearly as Concubine Hu
Hu Shanwei: When one day your opponent is the emperor, you no longer have to look up to the throne, but must kill the emperor to get revenge, and then you will understand what the emperor is like. The emperor is like a mold, with his own logic.
Of course, even Mu Chun couldn't speak out this big secret hidden in his heart. Hu Shanwei was going to carry this secret with him until he died.
After Hu Shanwei gave a few pointers, Concubine Zhang Shu understood what she should do: she didn't need to give anything in return for the occasional help and cooperation from the Eastern Palace, nor did she need to be close to the Eastern Palace. She just needed to continue to be distant and polite. It's all good for everyone.
The two princesses ate the dinner given by their sister-in-law and continued to do their homework. In order to fulfill her duties as a stepmother, Concubine Zhang Shu also lit a lamp in the room and copied scriptures, accompanied the two princesses in their homework, and prayed for Empress Renxiao who was lying in the coffin next door.
From ancient times to the present, it has not been easy for parents to help their children with their homework. Concubine Zhang Shufei just accompanied them while they were copying. Many parents in later generations suffered from heart disease and cerebral infarction due to anger.
Princess Yongping only had one book to re-copy, so she finished it first. After Concubine Zhang Shu checked it, she said, "Princess, you can go and rest now."
Princess Yongping and Princess Ancheng had been hostages in the capital for ten years, sharing the joys and sorrows and having a close relationship. She said, "No, I'll stay here with my sister."
Princess Ancheng had to re-copy three books. When she copied the last book, it was almost three o'clock in the morning. Chen Ermei from the Imperial Food Bureau personally brought her a midnight snack. "The Emperor heard that the two princesses were still copying books in the Rouyi Palace, so he asked me to bring you a midnight snack."
Emperor Yongle, like the two previous emperors, was busy until three o'clock in the morning almost every night. In the end, he was still worried about his two troublesome daughters. He would punish them when necessary, but he would also pamper them when necessary.
Princess An Cheng still had some resentment towards her father in her heart. "Put it here until I finish copying before eating it, otherwise I will dirty the paper and have to copy it again as punishment."
Princess Yongping also said, "It's not delicious for me to eat alone. I'll have a midnight snack together after my second sister finishes copying."
"Yes." Chen Ermei ordered someone to take the two princesses' midnight snack to the outer room and keep it warm in water. Another palace servant came forward with a food box and placed it on Concubine Zhang Shufei's table. It was just a bowl of mustard wontons.
It was so simple that the two princesses suspected that Concubine Zhang was putting on a show and pretending to be miserable.
Chen Ermei said, "Madam Shufei, this is what the emperor specially ordered me to bring when he was having a midnight snack. He said that the madam always loved this taste, but was afraid of getting fat, so she never dared to have a midnight snack. Tonight, the madam urged the two princesses to copy books and stayed up late with them. It was too hard, so she specially ordered me to bring it to encourage them to eat."
Concubine Zhang was a little overwhelmed by the sudden favor, but she finally did the right thing, all thanks to "The Daily Notes of Concubine Duan Jing" and Hu Shanwei.
This bowl of mustard wontons symbolizes that Concubine Zhang has reached the passing score of 90 points in Subject 1.
The author has something to say: Life is a series of exams... and homework. This is true for Zhang Shufei and everyone else. Hu Shanwei is a top student who excels in every subject and always gets A on his exams.
However, as hard as Zhou is, he not only has to write his own homework and hand in his own life answer sheet, but also has to write other people's.
Almost all of E Ji's kindergarten homework was written by Zhou.
After the update, I have to go finish the handmade parent-child homework for him that is due tomorrow - make a zongzi out of paper~~~~(>_