My father is Jiajing

"Good, good, good!"

Emperor Jiajing looked at the new palace and gave three sincere praises.

Then Emperor Jiajing brought Zhu Zaigui into the hall.

After entering the main hall, Emperor Jiajing continued to walk towards the throne in the center of the hall.

Zhu Zaigui stopped after following for about two steps away from the Danbi.

But just when Zhu Zaigui stopped, Emperor Jiajing turned around and looked at Zhu Zaigui. His eyes seemed more serious and satisfied than when he was at the palace gate just now.

Emperor Jiajing waved his hand and said, "Come here, come to me."

When Zhu Zaigui heard what Emperor Jiajing said, he couldn't help but be slightly surprised. You know, above this level, that was the emperor's "absolute territory"!
Except for the trusted eunuchs who could serve there, no one else was allowed to go there and squeeze together with the emperor without the emperor's special permission.

Now that Emperor Jiajing allowed Zhu Zaigui to pass, it was obvious that Emperor Jiajing intended to strengthen Zhu Zaigui's position again.

Zhu Zaigui bowed solemnly to Emperor Jiajing and said, "I dare not."

Emperor Jiajing looked at Zhu Zaigui's respectful attitude and heard Zhu Zaigui's words "I dare not", and he actually felt uncomfortable in his heart.

You should know that when Prince Zhuangjing was alive, he always called himself "son" in front of him, and didn't even use the polite title "minister".

Now he saw his own son right in front of him, but he had an indescribable respect and distance towards her, and was always submissive in his words and actions to her.

This made Emperor Jiajing feel somewhat uncomfortable and lost.

However, he did not blame Zhu Zaigui.

He also felt that the reason why Zhu Zaigui behaved like this was because the foreign officials had always been educated according to the principles and laws, and because he and Zhu Zaigui had not seen each other for twenty or thirty years.

There was a warmth in Emperor Jiajing's eyes that he had never shown before. "It's okay. You and I are father and son, so we should be one. Come to me. I want to take a closer look at you."

Zhu Zaigui felt very incredible when he heard what Emperor Jiajing said.

But the moment he looked up, he seemed to understand Emperor Jiajing's intention.

It turned out that this king and father who had always been revered by the people of the world actually had white hair, and his strong body seemed to show a hint of fatigue.

Zhu Zaigui bowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then, Zhu Zaigui walked along the Danbi steps to his side under the expectant gaze of Emperor Jiajing.

After arriving here, Zhu Zaigui bowed slightly to Emperor Jiajing, and then maintained the distance between the monarch and his subject, standing beside the throne of Emperor Jiajing with an extremely respectful attitude.

Emperor Jiajing Zhu Zaigui was standing beside him, and looking at Zhu Zaigui's young, handsome, resolute and spirited appearance, he seemed to vaguely see himself forty-five years ago when he came to the capital from Anlu at the age of fourteen.

Now, in the blink of an eye, forty-five years have passed. Time really leaves no mercy and is urging people to grow old every moment.

At this moment, all the officials came after Emperor Jiajing moved into the Wanshou Palace.

Chen Hong stood on the steps in front of the main hall, still carrying out the next procedure according to the ritual form that had been rehearsed before.

Chen Hong sang in greeting, "The Emperor has returned to the throne, all officials congratulate him!"

After Chen Hong said yes, Xu Jie and others also congratulated and bowed outside the hall according to the established etiquette.

After they completed this process of congratulations.

Chen Hong turned around and trotted respectfully into the hall, "Emperor, all the officials have come to pay their respects."

Emperor Jiajing withdrew his gaze from Zhu Zaigui, and his entire temperament and demeanor changed, as if he had returned to his supreme state of being high and mighty.

"Let them in."

The voice of Emperor Jiajing was very indifferent, without any emotion or joy or anger in it, as if he was a ruthless and heartless being without a trace of feeling.

Zhu Zaigui, who was standing next to him, was also surprised by the Emperor Jiajing's emotional change.

But soon Zhu Zaigui couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart, because he often did this in normal times.

It seems that this is the common emotion of those in power, they all try to control their emotions as much as possible and make themselves unpredictable.

It seems that only in this way can the ultimate majesty and mystery be maintained.

Therefore, Zhu Zaigui could understand the changes in Emperor Jiajing's demeanor and temperament, and did not think that this was due to Emperor Jiajing's fickleness.

Chen Hong quickly responded, "Yes."

Then he left the hall again and summoned Xu Jie and other officials into the Wanshou Palace Hall.

Xu Jie and other officials who had accompanied Emperor Jiajing in moving for most of the night were filled with emotion when they heard that Emperor Jiajing wanted to let them into the palace.

Because they all knew that after this step, the process of Emperor Jiajing's move was almost over, and they could all go back to their homes.

No need to continue blowing in the wind on this cold night.

Xu Jie and others entered the main hall of Wanshou Palace in order of their status and rank.

The moment they entered the hall, they were secretly shocked by the scene before them.

They all saw Zhu Zaigui standing very close to the throne of Emperor Jiajing.

You have to know that if this distance and position were put in the past when the crown prince was still alive and could participate in government affairs,
This position is exclusively for the Crown Prince. No one else is qualified to be in the same direction as the emperor.

Now that Zhu Zaigui was standing in this position, everyone couldn't help but imagine it silently in their hearts.

Is His Majesty the Emperor going to formally appoint a crown prince?

In this way, all the officials stood in the hall one after another with such speculation in mind.

At this time, Chen Hong saw the right opportunity. He respectfully stood under the steps one level below Zhu Zaigui, his attitude still maintaining the same respectfulness and solemnity as before.

Chen Hong drew out the tone again, "Kneel!"

Xu Jie and others continued to bow according to etiquette.

Chen Hong drew out the long note again, "Congratulations!"

Xu Jie and others shouted the same words of congratulations in unison again, and then kowtowed again to show their congratulations.

Such a complicated ritual was completed after three bows.

Emperor Jiajing looked at Xu Jie and others standing in front of him. They had all finished their greetings, so he no longer maintained his serious expression.

Emperor Jiajing relaxed slightly, looked at the officials in the palace, and said with a chuckle, "Thank you for your hard work, my dear ministers. I moved to the Wanshou Palace this time to pray for better blessings for the Ming Dynasty."

"Now my wish has been fulfilled, and you have all contributed greatly. I will summon you again tomorrow. Now you can all go home. Otherwise, it will be almost dawn."

Xu Jie and others listened to the Emperor Jiajing who did not ask anything, did not say any instructions, and just let them go back. This immediately made them feel a little uncomfortable.

But apparently no one dares to come forward and ask, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"
Therefore, Xu Jie and others could only bow to Emperor Jiajing again with a trace of indescribable regret and loss, and then leave the Wanshou Palace one by one.

After all the officials had left, Emperor Jiajing also stood up. He looked at Zhu Zaigui who was standing beside him and said, "Walk with me."

Although it was already late in the morning, Zhu Zaigui couldn't refuse.

After all, this was the request of Emperor Jiajing.

Zhu Zaigui bowed respectfully and said, "I obey your order."

Emperor Jiajing was walking in front, and Chen Hong wanted to come over to help hold the lantern, but Emperor Jiajing sent him aside and asked Zhu Zaigui to hold the lantern. The father and son then took a walk in the palace garden of Wanshou Palace.

Zhu Zaigui was holding a lantern in front, and Emperor Jiajing was following behind. He felt as if he had countless things to say.

But at this moment, he didn't know where to start.

To the extent that, even the walks between the father and son were done in silence.

This scene is very similar to the relationship between Zhu Zaigui and his father before he traveled through time.

The older generation is always slow to express themselves and always likes to treat the parent-child relationship in a serious manner.

However, this kind of patriarchal approach sometimes fails to solve the communication problems between father and son.

Therefore, in Zhu Zaigui's impression, he and his father before he traveled through time actually had very few private communications.

Now he has been in the Ming Dynasty for nearly twenty years, and during these twenty years, he has also had his own children.

So in order not to repeat the mistakes of the older generation, Zhu Zaigui is trying his best to explore ways to get along with his children.

But unfortunately, when he applied these experiences to himself, he suddenly realized that he was still a "child" and could not take the initiative to control the relationship between himself and his children like he did as a father in the palace.

Therefore, the silence between Zhu Zaigui and Emperor Jiajing is also a problem that Zhu Zaigui has no answer for.

"How are my grandchildren?"

After Zhu Zaigui and Emperor Jiajing had been gone for a while, Emperor Jiajing could not help but find a topic to ask first.

Zhu Zaigui was also shocked when he heard the question from Emperor Jiajing. He quickly replied: "Yijun and Yijun are all good, but Yijun is a little naughty. I will discipline him well."

Emperor Jiajing sighed, "What are you going to do about Yi's matter?"

Emperor Jiajing also asked a question that really gave Zhu Zaigui a headache.

Now, based on evidence from all sides, it is very likely that Zhu Yi inherited the problem from his mother.

But Zhu Yi is now over ten years old. According to etiquette, he should have been canonized as the Prince of Yu when he was ten years old.

However, due to the influence of the prophecy that "two dragons cannot meet each other", Zhu Yi was not officially canonized even when he reached the age.

Therefore, now, whether it is the servants in the palace or the teachers who teach Zhu Yi, they all call Zhu Yi "Young Master".

Obviously they had such a name, and the reason was very simple, that is, Zhu Yi was not only the eldest but also the legitimate son.

Even though his mother had passed away for nearly three years, and Chen had now been promoted to be the principal wife of the royal family, her patriarchal status could not be shaken.

However, if Zhu Yi really inherited this problem from his mother, it would affect the future inheritance of the entire imperial lineage.

This was obviously not the future that Zhu Zaigui and Emperor Jiajing wanted to see.

So to be honest, Zhu Zaigui also found it difficult to make a decision in his heart.

Zhu Zaigui said: "I don't know what to do now."

Emperor Jiajing listened to Zhu Zaigui's voice and couldn't help but smile bitterly, "It is indeed difficult. Just like how it is difficult for me to be unable to share family happiness with you because the two dragons cannot meet."

"Your two elder brothers and three other brothers died young, and I am extremely worried. So, in order to protect you, I can only follow the words of Immortal Tao and abide by the prophecy of 'two dragons cannot meet'."

Zhu Zaigui turned his head slightly and glanced at Emperor Jiajing, his eyes also filled with doubt.

But he did not take the initiative to ask. After all, there were some things that Emperor Jiajing could say but he could not.

So, all he could do now was listen to Emperor Jiajing.

Emperor Jiajing also looked at Zhu Zaigui's puzzled eyes, and he laughed again.

"I am about to ascend."

Although Emperor Jiajing was smiling when he said this, Zhu Zaigui could clearly feel that there was no joy on his face.

Obviously, when Emperor Jiajing said this, he had already accepted his current fate.

"I was born in the second year of Zhengde. In the sixteenth year of Zhengde, Emperor Wuzong died suddenly. I came from Anlu to the capital to inherit the throne."

"If we count from the year I ascended the throne, I have been on the throne for forty-five years. Moreover, in another year, I will also be sixty years old."

"This is considered a long life for an emperor, so I don't think that God has treated me harshly."

Zhu Zaigui replied: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, blessed by the gods of heaven and earth, and you should be blessed with great fortune and a long life!"

Emperor Jiajing laughed and shook his head slightly, "The three flowers gathering at the top of the head are an illusion, and the clouds under your feet are not real."

"Some time ago, I summoned Li Shizhen to inquire about my illness, and he said that I only had half a year left to live. So I thought that since there was only half a year left, the prophecy of the two dragons not meeting should not be a problem anymore."

"So, tonight, I broke my decades-long insistence and summoned you to my side."

"Because I also want to see you, and watch the moment when you stand tall and proud. Therefore, I will not care about the Ming Dynasty in the future."

"But before I let go, I will help you resolve those difficult people and issues. Just like Emperor Taizu wanted to remove the thorns for Prince Yiwen."

Zhu Zaigui listened to what Emperor Jiajing said. Even though he and Emperor Jiajing did not have much father-son affection, he could not help but have tears in his eyes at this moment.

He had once felt such heavy and selfless fatherly love from his own father.

But fate played a joke on him and made him travel back to the Ming Dynasty, where he could no longer bring honor to his father.

Now Zhu Zaigui felt the care and love that he once had as a father from Emperor Jiajing. How could he be indifferent?

Zhu Zaigui's mouth was trembling, and tears were welling up in his eyes. He tried hard to open his mouth, and finally his voice was hoarse as he called out to Emperor Jiajing, "Father, my child has grown up!"

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Ask for monthly ticket~~(End of this chapter)