Read Novel Full Chapter 1834: Name
Chapter 1834: Chapter 1834: Name
Zheng Hong personally verified his son-in-law, who proved himself worthy as a second-class degree holder and was also on the Ministry of Rites’ training list. Having his name on the golden list, both families arranged the engagement, just awaiting the Queen’s anniversary to marry.
Lady Li sighed, "The days have quietly passed by, almost six months already."
Madam Zhao couldn’t help but touch her hair; her husband had gray hair too, "When you’re older, time flies by faster, and we are already grandparents."
Su Xuan interrupted, "Don’t include me in that."
She was still young, and her son and daughter weren’t married yet!
At the Palace, after Zhou Shuren and others finished discussing state affairs, they heard the eunuch outside the study say, "Grandson, take it slow."
Then the study’s door was pushed open, although it was only partially closed, the Imperial Grandson had no small strength.
The little one was brave and unafraid of people; it wasn’t his first time seeing so many people. Seeing everyone looking at him made him puff out his chest and walk in, his little head held high.
The Emperor waved, "Yao’er, come here."
This was the Imperial Grandson’s nickname; his full name was Zhang Ruihui.
As the Imperial Grandson passed by Zhou Shuren, Zhou Shuren’s heart was in suspense. With so many people around, would the little apprentice call him? Speaking of which, he and the little apprentice tried to avoid their court colleagues during their interactions. The Emperor too did not want to announce this matter early, so his colleagues only knew that the Imperial Grandson was close to him, but not why.
The Imperial Grandson had a Jade Pendant hanging at his waist and stopped beside Zhou Shuren.
Everyone in the study set their sights on the Imperial Grandson. The Imperial Grandson patted the Jade Pendant and grinned, "I like it."
Zhou Shuren thought today would be the day things got revealed, but to his surprise, the little apprentice didn’t call him master. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the Jade Pendant was one he had given, and seeing the little apprentice liked it, a smile appeared in his eyes.
The Imperial Grandson turned his head. He remembered his father saying not to call out "master" when there were many people. Hmm, he was an obedient child.
The Crown Prince felt immensely proud in his heart; his son was indeed smart.
Mr. Shangguan stroked his beard; his granddaughter was the Crown Princess Consort. Yet, he hadn’t seen the Imperial Grandson often. After carefully counting the occasions—his third-wash ceremony, full month, and first-year ritual, plus a few visits to the Palace—he hadn’t interacted much with the Imperial Grandson. It saddened him. To an outsider, it might seem like Zhou Shuren was the Imperial Grandson’s true kin!
The Emperor, holding his eldest grandson, touched the Jade Pendant and thought of his own String of Pearls, "Yao’er really likes you."
Zhou Shuren saw the Emperor pointing at the Jade Pendant and promptly untied it, "For the Grandson to like it is my honor. This piece was also given by the Retired Emperor."
The eunuch Zhang skillfully reached out and took it, but it didn’t come off immediately. He had to use a bit more force to take it away.
While Zhou Shuren appeared generous and swift on the surface, his heart was bleeding. The best items given by the Retired Emperor were gone!
After a while, the Emperor wanted to bring his grandson along, and Zhou Shuren and others withdrew.
Mr. Gong and the Minister of Rites stopped Zhou Shuren.
Mr. Gong said, "There aren’t many people I admire in the entire court, but Marquis Zhou ranks among them!"
And he gave a thumbs up!
The current Minister of Rites was a confidant of the Emperor, so he knew a bit more. For example, when the Emperor casually mentioned that the Imperial Grandson shouldn’t be wronged in the future and that the ceremony of establishing the Crown Prince could be more grand.
What does this signify? It indicates that after the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Imperial Grandson will be the new Crown Prince. It also shows that in the Emperor’s heart, only the Crown Prince is fit to succeed.
The Minister of Rites thought of the Second Prince and smirked internally. Look at the Third Prince at the Ministry of Works!
Zhou Shuren modestly said, "I was fortunate enough to catch the Imperial Grandson’s favor."
They had decided on the mentor-apprentice relationship even before the child was born!
The Minister of Rites smiled and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Hou."
The Royal family truly trusts Zhou Shuren. Sometimes he wonders why the Royal family, spanning several generations, places such trust in Zhou Shuren? It’s a mystery!
Time flew by, and as the Maritime Affairs case involved more and more people, Wu Shangheng had already hidden in the Palace, signaling that a resolution was imminent.
In the evening, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren talked, with Zhou Shuren saying, "The Emperor will resolve everything by the Queen’s anniversary."
Zhulan, "The Emperor had deep feelings for the Queen."
Zhou Shuren had the most authority to say, "I’ve seen the paintings the Emperor did of the Queen."
Zhulan remained silent for a moment and then said, "She died at her prime."
Constant reminiscing deepens past emotions, and with the legitimate children constantly around, it’s challenging for the Emperor not to reminisce. As time goes on, the Queen becomes even more idealized in his memory.
Zhou Shuren, "Yes, so just wait. Once the anniversary passes, anyone who suggests re-marrying will face backlash."
"The Emperor is still young."
Speaking of this, Zhulan lowered her voice again, "Will the Emperor retire early like the Retired Emperor?"
Otherwise, considering the Emperor’s health, there’s no issue to continue reigning for decades!
Zhou Shuren, "The Emperor is waiting."
Zhulan was puzzled, "Waiting for what?"
Zhou Shuren pointed at himself and then pointed towards the Crown Prince’s residence, "The Emperor is waiting for the Crown Prince to not need him, waiting to see how I teach the Imperial Grandson, waiting to see the Imperial Grandson’s growth."
He is also murmuring to himself if the Emperor will follow the Retired Emperor’s example. The allure of royal power is intoxicating, but over the years of observation, the Emperor has not suppressed the Crown Prince as he took on responsibilities independently. Nor did he become apprehensive due to the Crown Prince’s high reputation. In fact, the Emperor and the Crown Prince truly share a bond of fatherly love and filial piety!
This led him gradually to the previous conclusion.
Zhulan sighed, "The Retired Emperor educated well."
Zhou Shuren laughed out loud, "We should say the Retired Emperor set a good example."
He abdicated when he said he would, completely relinquishing power and never interfering in state affairs, along with his guidance in the later years, leading to today’s achievement.
With this thought, Zhou Shuren’s spirits drooped, as he recalled the Retired Emperor once again!
In the subsequent days, the court was tense. The Maritime Affairs case finally concluded, and the Zhuo family managed to pull through, leading to the demise of five noble families.
Many were implicated, but the Emperor didn’t act ruthlessly, giving them a chance.
Most people perceived it this way, but Zhou Shuren, knowing the insider details, realized that the Emperor didn’t leave them as a lenient measure, but as bait for further cleaning opportunities.
The Emperor emerged as the biggest victor, strengthening control over the regions controlled by the five families and bringing clarity to Maritime Affairs.
Subsequently, the significant event was the Queen’s anniversary. Once the anniversary passed, the Zhuo family held a funeral, as old man Zhuo had died.
At the Palace, upon hearing the news, the Emperor coldly snorted, "He sure knows how to choose the timing to die."
Zhou Shuren raised his head, "He knew you had already been gracious."
The old man Zhuo understood he couldn’t survive. Living would mean betraying the Retired Emperor. Now that the Zhuo family lost its title, their future reliance could only be on the Emperor. To prevent the Zhuo family from being completely devoured, he could only choose death!
The Crown Prince spoke, "Zhuo Guyu is not bad."
The Zhuo family stopped because of Zhuo Guyu’s significant effort. Now, Zhuo Guyu leads the family.
The Emperor responded with a light acknowledgment, "Let it be."
Zhou Shuren knew the Zhuo family had survived.
The Emperor suddenly said, "I recall you mentioned Chang Xhong is deciding on a date to get married?"
Zhou Shuren beamed, "Yes, I will discuss it with the Wei family during my leave."
The Emperor smiled, "Father had named Chang Xhong."