Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

If you want to perform a play, you have to perform it in full, so a minister from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward first.

"Your Majesty, the eldest daughter of the Linhuai Marquis family is fifteen years old, beautiful and intelligent, and can be a candidate for the Crown Princess."

As soon as this person finished speaking, the Minister of the Honglu Temple immediately stood up and refuted:

"I disagree with Lord Lin's recommendation. I've heard that this woman is unruly and often bullies the servants."

Then someone else stood up to agree with the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Logically speaking, when someone said that his child was not good, the Marquis of Linhuai should come out to fight, or at least refute it.

But during the entire recommendation process, Linhuai Hou himself did not say a word.

When the title of Marquis of Linhuai failed, another official recommended the third daughter of Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen.

This time no one said anything bad about his character, some even praised him, but Xu Yunzhen said that the three girls were already engaged, so he had to give up.

The play was almost over, and Taining Marquis Chen Yanzuo and cabinet minister Fan Jingwen looked at each other and stood up.

"Your Majesty, the youngest daughter of the Duke of England is sixteen years old and in the prime of her life. She is beautiful and virtuous, and she is the best candidate."

Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing immediately seconded the proposal:

"Your Majesty, I have long heard of the virtues of the Duke of England's youngest daughter. If she could marry into the royal family, it would be a beautiful legacy for future generations."

"I second the proposal!"

Duke of Yingguo Zhang Zhiji sighed inwardly. As an unshakable figure in the Chongzhen Dynasty, he had seen through everything long ago.

If before this, it was Emperor Chongzhen who was trying hard to recruit his third son, then now, after the third son resigned from his office, all the civil and military officials in the court were trying hard to tie his third son to the chariot of the court.

Zhang Zhiji could also understand it. After all, emperors of all dynasties had done this. Whether it was to consolidate their rule or for the sake of the country, in addition to high positions and generous salaries, forming blood relatives was the best way to win over people. It could be called a strong bond.

After all, when the prince ascends the throne in the future, the princess will become the queen, and her son will be the future new emperor. The Zhang family will stand with the emperor no matter what, and they will prosper and suffer together.

Zhang Zhiji had actually been a little anxious about his youngest daughter's marriage for a long time. After all, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, she was already an old girl.

If the third brother had not kept stopping him, he would have married off his youngest daughter long ago.

Although the prince is two years younger than the youngest daughter, the gap is not that big after all. Moreover, with his father, the Duke, and the third brother around, the youngest daughter will definitely not suffer any grievances even if she marries into the royal family.

I forgot that the third brother seems to be the prince's teacher. I think His Royal Highness the Prince will definitely not bully this girl.

Zhang Zhiji thought about it again and again and was about to agree to the marriage, but Zhang Shikang, who had been watching the show, was the first to shout:

"I object to this marriage!"

What a joke, how old is Zhu Cilang?

Fourteen years old, or that’s his age in lunar years. A kid this old would have just started middle school in later generations, right?

Marriage? Does he know what marriage means?

Ling Zishude was so ashamed that Liu Wen had no face left. Even he was no match for Xiaomei'er's skills.

With Zhu Cilang's small body, the youngest sister could kick him five meters away with one kick.

This is not a joke!

"Wuji, stop messing around. The crown prince is the foundation of the country. Selecting a concubine for the crown prince is a matter of national importance. We are concerned about the people of the world."

Emperor Chongzhen said calmly, and then glanced at Zhang Zhiji, who immediately scolded him:

“Wuji, please step back.

Since ancient times, marriages have been decided by parents and matchmakers. Your Highness the Crown Prince and Jingyi are of similar age and both are of marriageable age, so what's wrong with that?"

"Can……"

"Don't you even listen to your father?"

Zhang Shikang wanted to say a few more words, but Zhang Zhiji quickly showed off his fatherly authority, and Zhang Shikang had no choice.

He could only pray for Zhu Cilang.

I pray that this guy will not be subjected to domestic violence in the future.

"Hehe, brother, this is your choice. Whoever regrets it will be a grandson." Zhang Shikang looked at Emperor Chongzhen with ill intentions.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't know what was going on and just smiled and nodded at him, which made Zhang Shikang feel very confused.

"I also think this marriage is a good one. Since all the nobles agree, the Ministry of Rites should select an auspicious date."

The whole process was so smooth that even Zhang Shikang felt it was sloppy.

According to his understanding of court affairs, matters like selecting a Crown Princess would require at least ten days to half a month of discussion before entering the audition stage.

It will take at least half a year to finalize the candidate for the Crown Princess.

And in the end, at least four or five people will be selected, and then the queen will choose one of them as the Crown Princess, and the remaining two as concubines.

That’s great. Just a few words in the court have already decided the future queen?

Is this still the court he is familiar with?

Zhang Shikang always felt that the court had become different since he had caused such a big fuss just now.

Especially the cabinet ministers like Li Banghua and Hai Zhongqi, who always used to go against him, but today for some reason they suddenly turned 180 degrees against him.

To the extent that Zhang Shikang once suspected that these old men had been bribed by Brother Chongzhen.

After the prince's marriage was finalized, the atmosphere in the court was extremely lively. Many court officials congratulated Zhang Zhiji, and some also complimented Emperor Chongzhen.

People's joys and sorrows are not shared, Zhang Shikang just thinks they are noisy.

Half a minute later, Emperor Chongzhen announced the adjournment of court, and Zhang Shikang was finally released.

He could finally leave this terrible place and decided to stay away from these cunning old men in the future.

But before he even stepped out of the hall, he heard Brother Chongzhen say:

"Wuji, follow me to the Qianqing Palace."

Zhang Shikang rolled his eyes and felt exhausted both physically and mentally.

Is it over?

Taking advantage of the moment when the ministers left the court, Xu Wenyuan walked up to Zhang Shikang with a shameless face and said:

"Brother, don't be angry. The brothers can't do anything about it."

Zhang Shikang glanced at Xu Wenyuan and said unhappily:

"I'll take care of you when I get back!"

Xu Wenyuan stuck out his tongue and ran away dejectedly. The emperor's order was difficult to disobey, so Zhang Shikang walked towards the Qianqing Palace with a dejected look.

It was almost time for lunch, and Wang Chengen was instructing the palace maids to set the table in the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Chongzhen was in a good mood. When he saw Zhang Shikang coming over, he immediately pointed to the wine table and said:

"Hey, that stinky fruit that Siam sent as tribute. You like it, so I saved it for you."

There were six dishes and two soups on the table, both meat and vegetables, as well as a pot of wine and a large durian.

Zhang Shikang was not polite and walked straight to the table to open the durian.

He got up before dawn and stood in the morning court for more than two hours. He was already tired and hungry.

As soon as the durian was opened, the familiar smell hit my nose.

It must be said that Royal Special Durian is plump, and each durian petal is just the right degree of ripeness, soft, sweet and fragrant.

Emperor Chongzhen also sat on the other side of the table. He did not move his chopsticks either. He looked at Zhang Shikang calmly and said with a hint of apology:

"Today's court meeting was not my intention, so please don't take it to heart."

……