My father is Jiajing

Chapter 517: The Regent's Style

The news that His Majesty the Emperor was going to go into seclusion and Prince Yu would be in charge of state affairs spread throughout the capital like a whirlwind in an instant.

In the past, the Qingliu and other officials who had been somewhat reserved and had no idea what reasons they had for visiting Prince Yu’s Mansion were now trying to find ways to make themselves known to the palace.

But unfortunately, Zhu Zaigui would not meet everyone.

So when these speculators wanted to take advantage of this opportunity, Zhu Zaigui naturally kept his distance as always.

After all, Emperor Jiajing was just in seclusion, he didn't die!
If he saw how "enthusiastic" Zhu Zaigui was among the officials and got so excited that he stopped seclusion, then it wouldn't just be these upright officials who came here to try to come to the exam, but even Zhu Zaigui might be implicated.

Therefore, it is better to stay calm at this time.

Therefore, during these few days, Zhu Zaigui also left the palace on the pretext of something and went to the manor in the north of the city to visit his concubine Qi Muge.

I stayed in the north of the city for a few days and avoided this temporary storm.

Qi Muge lay in Zhu Zai's arms. She looked up at Zhu Zai's chin and finally couldn't help reaching out to grab the mustache that Zhu Zai's had just grown not long ago.

"Your Majesty, why did you want to grow a beard?"

Qi Muge touched the moustache on Zhu Zaiqi's chin and couldn't help asking.

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Maybe my habits have changed. How about it? Does my moustache look good?"

Qi Muge smiled and said, "It looks good, but it looks a bit old-fashioned."

Zhu Zaiqi laughed and said, "Old-fashioned? Isn't this a sign of maturity?"

Qi Muge said: "Your Highness is still so young, wouldn't it ruin your handsome appearance if you grow a beard?"

Zhu Zaigui said: "According to the Han customs, men are no longer considered children after they reach the age of twenty and should grow beards to show their mature demeanor. I am different from ordinary people. I had already performed the cap ceremony before I was fifteen."

"So from that time on, I was already an adult. Now more than ten years have passed, and I am already in my twenties. I should have a more stable temperament to convince the officials. Therefore, this beard is also an indispensable symbol."

"And in our Han culture, there are only two types of men without beards: one is a child who has not grown up, and the other is a eunuch in the palace. So, when you reach a certain age, you should grow some beards, then trim them, and pretend to be an adult."

"Do you think I look very different now than before?"

Qi Muge nodded in Zhu Zaigui's arms. In fact, she also liked the way Zhu Zaigui looked with a beard now. After all, whether in the current Han culture or in the Mongolian culture where she originally lived, beards have always been a symbol of male confidence.

Many brave men, in addition to having prominent status, also have beautifully groomed beards. Therefore, in this cultural atmosphere, both men and women believe that men should be beautiful with beards.

Of course, this kind of beard is not the kind of sloppy and messy beard, but it must be carefully groomed to make it stylish and lively, only then can it be considered a good-looking beard.

Otherwise, even if some people grow beards, they may not be considered beautiful.

Zhu Zaiguo embraced Qi Muge who wanted to touch his mustache again, "Okay, let's not talk about the mustache anymore. We should do some serious work. Otherwise, it will be so boring to just lie there like this."

Qi Muge looked at Zhu Zaigui in confusion, "What business do we have?"

Zhu Zaigui smiled and pinched Qi Muge's nose. "Have you forgotten what you said before? It's time for us to have a child. We should work hard now. Otherwise, if we just sit and wait, how can we expect a child to be born?"

Zhu Zai's words made Qi Muge's pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but said in a sweet voice: "Your Highness, it's daytime now."

Zhu Zaigui said indifferently: "What's wrong with daytime? Only in daytime can we see clearly. Besides, it's not like we haven't done this before in daytime."

After saying this, Zhu Zaigui started to take action.

Soon Qi Muge could no longer resist Zhu Zaigui's attack, and his whole body went from a tense state to limp.

Then continue
( words omitted here)

Zhu Zaigui got up from Qimuge with satisfaction, and then looked at Qimuge's flushed cheeks again.

Zhu Zaigui said again: "Move back to the palace. I will keep your small courtyard for you."

When Qi Muge heard Zhu Zai's words, her expression was also paused, "Can this concubine really do this?"

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Why not? If you want to live here, you can always bring your own people to stay for a while. You don't have to ask me for permission, and you don't have to explain anything to the princess and the others. This is the freedom that I have promised you."

Qi Muge was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She had lived alone in the North City Manor for these years and had gained a lot of freedom, but she had also lost a lot of care and love.

Zhu Zaigui could not come here to see her often, so she and Zhu Zaigui only met a few times throughout the year.

So sometimes she wondered if she could go back to live there, but she couldn't open her mouth to say these words. After all, when she left the palace that year, she didn't hesitate or hesitate much.

Now that Zhu Zaigui has taken the initiative to propose it, she must be very willing in her heart.

Qi Muge immediately stood up and hugged Zhu Zaigui, not afraid of exposing her beauty. She said excitedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your love."

Zhu Zaigui also hugged Qi Muge, stroked her pink back with one hand, and said, "After we go back, I will have enough time to help you give birth to a little prince or princess, so after we return to the palace, you must serve me well. If you serve me well, your wish will be fulfilled."

After hearing these words, Qi Muge's pretty face couldn't help but turn redder.

She whispered, "Whatever the prince wants me to do, I can do it."

When Zhu Zaigui heard this, he couldn't help but feel moved.

Qi Muge is different from other women in the palace, she has a bit of natural wildness and is bolder and more proactive. More importantly, her body is well trained, not only strong but also firm.

So sometimes Zhu Zaigui also reminisced about the time he spent with Qi Muge. The feeling was just like eating home-cooked meals and suddenly having a barbecue. It was really satisfying!
So after staying in the manor in the north of the city for a few days, Zhu Zaigui brought Qi Muge back to the palace.

Not long after Zhu Zaigui returned home, an imperial edict was delivered from Xiyuan.

The gist of this imperial edict was that Emperor Jiajing would be in seclusion for 49 days, and during these 49 days, Prince Yu would make decisions with the cabinet on all military and national affairs. At the same time, Zhu Zaigui was ordered to move to Wenhua Hall to take charge of state affairs. After receiving this imperial edict, Zhu Zaigui was a little confused and surprised.

It is said that Emperor Jiajing secluded himself for 49 days, allowing him to temporarily play the real role of regent, and he did not think it was a big deal.

Anyway, over the years, he has been studying government affairs in Prince Yu's Mansion under the title of "Regent". He reads memorials sent by the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Public Security.

But now Emperor Jiajing actually asked him to move to Wenhua Hall, which was beyond Zhu Zaigui's expectations.

You should know that Wenhua Hall is not an ordinary palace, it is a palace with special significance.

During the transition period from the Tianshun to the Chenghua years, Wenhua Hall was the palace where the crown prince served as regent before he ascended the throne.

Now Emperor Jiajing actually asked Zhu Zaigui to act as regent in the Wenhua Hall until the end of his 49-day retreat. This seems unreal no matter how you look at it.

Zhu Zaiqi couldn't help but look up at Huang Jin who was delivering the imperial edict, "Did the eunuch read it wrong? Why is it Wenhua Palace?"

Huang Jin helped Zhu Zaigui stand up with a smile, and said in a very friendly tone: "Your Highness is not mistaken, it is Wenhua Palace. The emperor's retreat this time is very important, and in order for Your Highness to be able to intimidate the ministers and fulfill his responsibilities as regent, he chose Wenhua Palace."

Zhu Zaigui said, "But, that is Wenhua Palace. How can I be worthy of being regent in Wenhua Palace? Why don't you go back and talk to His Majesty about changing to another place?"

Huang Jin said: "Your Majesty has already started fasting and bathing today, and will not accept any foreign ministers, including slaves. So Your Majesty should not have any burdens. Starting tomorrow, you will go to Wenhua Palace to supervise the country and accept the congratulations of the cabinet and officials."

When Zhu Zaigui heard this, he was still a little uneasy, but he finally accepted it.

Zhu Zaigui said, "Then I will accept the order. If you see His Majesty during His Majesty's retreat, you must bring my sincere words to him. I feel a little guilty about being the regent in Wenhua Palace."

Huang Jin continued, "Your Highness, just relax. If the Emperor summons me during his retreat, I will definitely convey your message."

After hearing this, Zhu Zaigui breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, it is not impossible to go to Wenhua Palace to supervise the country, but it also depends on the situation.

For example, now that Emperor Jiajing is terminally ill and can no longer take care of himself, Zhu Zaigui can naturally take the initiative to go to the Wenhua Hall to serve as regent and wait for the final transfer of power.

But the current Emperor Jiajing was obviously not a dying man. He just wanted to go into seclusion for a period of time, but he arranged Zhu Zaigui to stay in the Wenhua Palace, which really made Zhu Zaigui feel a little uneasy.

After all, in the 15th year of Jiajing, Emperor Jiajing made an explanation and adjustment to the political attributes of Wenhua Hall.

At that time, Emperor Jiajing adjusted the political attributes of Wenhua Hall, using the reason that "the crown prince is young and not suitable to be regent". Therefore, Wenhua Hall was changed to its political function that had been determined during the Yongle period, namely - the emperor's side hall.

After that, after a period of time, the Wenhua Hall was converted by Emperor Jiajing into a place for the emperor to hold "Jingyan" lectures. As a result, the green glazed roof of the hall was changed to a yellow glazed roof exclusive to the emperor.

Now Zhu Zaigui is asked to exercise the power of regent in a palace of such high standards. How can this not make people panic and speculate?

At the same time, the news that Zhu Zaigui was also arranged to serve as regent in Wenhua Palace also spread in the capital.

All the officials in the capital, whether they were cabinet ministers or clerks in the yamen, were also discussing the matter.

Among these discussions, there is only one core idea, which is that His Majesty the Emperor is going to become an immortal? Is he going to abdicate?
However, since ancient times, we have only heard of someone becoming an immortal, but never heard of someone actually becoming an immortal. Moreover, few emperors who abdicated had a good ending.

So this discussion was quickly denied, but after it was denied, everyone was confused and didn't know how to explain this unusual political signal.

But there is one thing they can be sure of, and that is that Prince Yu's position has been completely consolidated. Even if he does not have the title of crown prince, he now has the power of crown prince.

Therefore, some people could not help but speculate that this might be the emperor's way of expressing his attitude towards Prince Yu's position as the crown prince.

After all, it is common knowledge that His Majesty the Emperor believes in the prophecy that "two dragons cannot meet each other".

Since the emperor is unwilling to hold a ceremony to enthronize the crown prince and still wants to determine the future heir to the throne, then letting Prince Yu serve as regent in the Wenhua Palace, the palace that symbolizes the crown prince's power, is undoubtedly the best declaration!

So at this moment, some people couldn't help but feel excited, as if they saw the light of hope.

I thought that a new era was about to open a new chapter!

Early the next morning, Zhu Zaigui changed into a more serious prince's uniform, tied a gold and jade belt around his waist, and wore a black winged crown of princely standard on his head. Then, led by the palace's ceremonial guard, he walked from the palace to the front of the Wenhua Hall.

At this time, all the officials had already arrived, and they also wanted to go to the Wenhua Hall to pay homage to His Royal Highness Prince Yu, the regent, as soon as possible.

Zhu Zaigui sat in the sedan chair and looked at the two rows of officials standing in the square in front of the Wenhua Palace. He felt inexplicably emotional in his heart. He had never thought that he would have to face the congratulations of the officials of the Ming Dynasty so soon.

Because in his imagination, he would have to wait until Emperor Jiajing was about to die before he could accept the congratulations of all officials.

But now Emperor Jiajing is just in seclusion, but he has been pushed to the forefront. It is really hard to figure out what this extremely intelligent emperor is thinking.
Is this fishing again?
But what effect will it have if we keep fishing like this?

So when Zhu Zaigui looked at the officials who were eagerly waiting, he finally calmed down.

Now that you've come, let's make peace with it.

Since we're already at Wenhua Hall, we can't just go back like a coward, right?
If this is the case, how can we establish our prestige in the future?

Zhu Zaigui, who was sitting on the sedan chair, slightly raised his hand, and the Jinyiwei who were carrying the sedan chair, and the ceremonial guards in front and behind, instantly stood still as if they were cast under a spell.

Zhu Zaigui pressed his hands down again, and the Jinyiwei who were carrying the sedan chair immediately put it on the ground and lowered the front so that Zhu Zaigui could get down from the front of the sedan chair more easily and conveniently.

At this time, all the officials saw Zhu Zaigui about to get off the sedan chair, and they also started to move. Under the leadership of the cabinet and the six ministers, everyone bowed to welcome Zhu Zaigui's arrival.

It seemed that at this moment Zhu Zaigui was their god!

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Asking for a monthly ticket~~
(End of this chapter)