As the sun rose, Yu Shiyue ended his morning court, had breakfast in a hurry, and then went to the Qingning Palace on the east side of the Wenhua Palace.
When a prince leaves the palace and prepares a palace, it is not as simple as moving to a residence. In the harem, the prince lives with his mother and concubines, which is no different from the palaces of other concubines. However, once he leaves the palace and prepares a palace, preparations must be made for the pre-government.
Compared with the harem, the Qingning Palace, also known as the East Palace, next to the Wenhua Palace, has both daily living and political functions, and is much larger in scale than the palace for concubines in the harem.
Qingning Palace has three gates. Entering the front door means you have entered the East Palace. There are long corridors on the left and right for palace people to walk. After passing two more doors inward, you can see the main hall of Qingning Palace. There are connected rooms on both sides of the main hall.
There are seven rooms, the seven on the left are the bedrooms, with gauze piled on each door, and stories of loyalty, filial piety and integrity are painted on them to teach the prince. There is a red throne in the seven on the right, and there is also the Hongren Hall, which is used by the prince to summon ministers alone.
Zhan Shifu is not within the East Palace, but outside the palace city, on the east side of the Hanlin Academy. Officials from the East Palace come in every day to give lectures, and send the necessary items to Qingning Palace in advance, and store them in the seven rooms on the right.
It was taken out during the lecture. Since the prince has not yet presided over the government, the daily prayers and extensions are held in the main hall of Qingning Palace. When the prince grows up and starts to handle the government affairs, the place of prayers and extensions will be moved to Wenhua Hall.
Entering the main hall of Qingning Palace, there is a throne for the crown prince in the middle, followed by a painted screen decorated with gold and jade. There are two large mirror screens on the left and right of the seat. The mirrors are square and long, more than five feet high.
Yu Shiyue came because of time constraints. Therefore, when he came, the ministers of the East Palace had already arrived. Unlike Emperor Jingyan, it was the responsibility of the Headmaster of the East Palace to assist the crown prince. Therefore, no matter who gave the lecture on Jingyan,
All officials of the East Palace who have no other special errands must serve on the side.
Soon, the little prince came into the palace with his usual stern face and was served by the eunuchs. The ministers immediately lined up and bowed to His Royal Highness, who was sitting at the head.
"I will see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"No gifts, just a seat."
For some reason, Zhu Jianshen seemed to be in low spirits today, a little listless. As usual, after he raised his hand to sit down, he looked like he was absent-minded.
This made Yu Shiyue frown and said.
"Your Highness, the way of learning lies in concentration. Your Highness is still young, so you should pay more attention to the habit of studying and avoid distractions."
The little prince has always been obedient, but after hearing these words, he immediately regained his composure, his little face tightened, and he said.
"I know I'm wrong, thank you for your guidance."
Having said that, he sat upright, straightened his back, and looked like he was listening attentively.
Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue nodded and cupped his hands.
"Your Highness, today we will continue to talk about "Historical Records". The day before yesterday, I explained the Chronicles of Xiaojing to Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness still remembers it?"
Nowadays, the crown prince's coursework is roughly divided into three parts. The first is basic calligraphy and reading, which are the simplest. Therefore, they will not be put into the classics and extensions normally. Instead, they will be supervised and inspected by the subordinate officials of the East Palace on a daily basis.
The second is the Confucian classics, currently focusing on the Classic of Filial Piety, Great Learning, and Doctrine of the Mean. This part is the most important learning content. Speed is not required, but the prince is required to understand its meaning deeply, so he reads almost every word slowly.
Explained slowly.
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The third one is the political book that prepares for the pre-government. Years ago, we already explained Emperor Taizu’s Imperial Ancestral Instructions and Emperor Xuanzong’s Imperial Instructions. After the turn of the year, we began to explain the historical records.
As the second assistant to the cabinet, Yu Shiyue is busy with government affairs every day. Therefore, although he can also teach Confucian classics, he does not have much time to prepare. On the contrary, because he is exposed to government affairs every day, he needs to explain this with examples based on government affairs.
Moreover, at least at this stage, political documents that do not require the prince to have a deep understanding are obviously more suitable for him to read and explain.
Asking questions before class is a fixed procedure, so the little prince naturally made preparations early. When he heard Yu Shiyue's question, he shook his little head and said.
"Remember, when Emperor Jing came to the throne, even though the Wen Dynasty had been restored for many years, the country was still weak. After Emperor Jing succeeded to the throne, he was light on corvee and paid little tax, and was benevolent and caring for the people. Although he had no great achievements, he could be regarded as the ruler of Wen and Jing.
The name of a wise king."
These words are basically Yu Shiyue's original words before, but they are not easy for a child of this age.
"Your Highness is smart, let's talk about today's content, The Chronicles of Xiaowu..."
After a simple compliment, Yu Shiyue began to teach.
Since we were going to talk about historical records, we couldn't get around Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Moreover, Emperor Wu had many things to talk about. Therefore, Yu Shiyue deliberately slowed down the progress.
Seeing that the young prince's interest was still not very high, Yu Shiyue sighed inwardly and simply told some anecdotes related to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
As expected, when the story was told, the little prince's energy became much more focused.
"Your Highness, this is the story of the beauty hidden in the golden house. Chen Ajiao wants to be honored by the queen, but she forgets that even if a person without virtue and talent can be honored for a while, it will not be guaranteed for the rest of her life."
"Emperor Wu was talented and broad-minded, but Chen Ajiao relied on her support and companionship and repeatedly offended him. Later, she even used women's charms and practiced witchcraft secretly, which led to the disaster of Nagato being deposed."
"If Chen Ajiao can abide by her duties, fulfill her responsibilities as a queen, stabilize the harem, and assist Emperor Wu, with her status, she will be stable for the rest of her life, and how can she be deposed?"
When Yu Shiyue talked about this, he originally wanted to teach Zhu Jianshen that he should follow the right path in everything and not do evil things.
However, the little prince's focus was obviously not on this. After listening to Yu Shiyue's explanation, he blinked and asked.
"Sir, you just said that Emperor Wu was not the prince originally. He became the prince with the help of Chen Ajiao. Then who was the prince before him?"
As soon as this question came up, Yu Shiyue was keenly aware that something was wrong.
However, he couldn't help but answer. After hesitating for a moment, he had no choice but to speak.
"Back to Your Highness, it's Liu Rong, the eldest son of Emperor Jing."
Although Yu Shiyue tried his best to be concise, the little prince still grasped the key points at once, his chubby little face became a little gloomy, and he asked.
"So, Emperor Wu is not the eldest son of Emperor Jing, then is he the legitimate son of Emperor Jing?"
this……
Yu Shiyue frowned. He was almost sure that someone must have said something in front of His Royal Highness.
Also, during this period, due to the birth of the emperor's legitimate son, all kinds of rumors were abuzz in the capital, how could the East Palace not hear about it.
Zhu Jianshen asked this question simply, but for Yu Shiyue, no matter how he answered it, it would be wrong.
If the answer is yes, it will be easy to think of recent events. If the answer is no, the matter is even bigger. If someone who is not his direct descendant is established as a prince, it will trigger unnecessary associations.
Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Yu Shiyue said.
"Your Highness wants to know why Liu Rong was deposed?"
Zhu Jianshen nodded.
So Yu Shiyue said.
"This matter is related to Liu Rong himself and his mother Li Ji. When Emperor Jing was seriously ill and was ill, he told Li Ji and Prince Liu Rong to treat the concubines and princes in the harem well after Emperor Jing had passed a hundred years later."
"However, Li Ji was jealous. Seeing Emperor Jing's rapid growth, she thought the throne was within her reach. Not only did she resist the decree, but she also boasted that once Emperor Jing died, she would throw all the concubines in the harem into the alley and imprison the princes. Liu Rong was by his side.
Nuonuo dare not say anything."
"Afterwards, Emperor Jing recovered from his illness and felt that Liu Rong had no brotherhood and his mother Li Ji had no benevolence, so he deposed him as the crown prince. Liu Rong was deposed because of his lack of virtue!"
In these words, Yu Shiyue deliberately imitated the reason why Liu Rong was deposed, which was regarded as blaming Li Ji's fault on Liu Rong.
It's just that the little prince is still young after all, and he still likes to play tricks. When he said this, he nodded in understanding and said.
"I understand, as the gentlemen said, as long as you practice good governance, benevolence, justice, virtue and filial piety, Liu Rong will not be deposed..."
"Your Highness is wise!"
Seeing that he finally came back, Yu Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief.
But I never thought that as soon as I let go of my heart, I heard the voices of the eunuchs outside.
"Your Majesty has arrived..."
Yu Shiyue was shocked, but he didn't have time to think too much. He and the ministers in the palace retreated to both sides to make way.
At the same time, the little prince also jumped down from his seat, and then, under the guidance of the chamberlain, walked toward the palace on his short legs.
"Your Majesty, long live my emperor..."
The emperor's figure appeared at the palace gate, waved his hand and said.
"No gifts."
Then, the emperor sat down in the palace, looked at the prince and a group of East Palace officials standing beside him, and said.
"I came to see how the prince's studies were going after the morning court. You don't have to be formal."
After saying that, he turned to Zhu Jianshen and asked.
"Prince, what did Mr. Sir tell you today?"
This was a normal question, but Yu Shiyue secretly said something bad in his heart, and said it before the prince could.
"Back to Your Majesty, today I will explain to His Highness the Prince the Chronicles of Xiaowu in the Historical Records."
Seeing this situation, Zhu Jianshen also nodded.
However, the emperor's brows furrowed. Apparently, he was slightly dissatisfied with Yu Shiyue's offside answer. However, he did not say anything more and turned to the prince again and continued to ask.
"Emperor Xiaowu is a man of great talent and great strategy. It is said that he is quite capable. Tell me, Prince, what did you get? What incident in Emperor Xiaowu's life impressed the Prince the most?"
As soon as he asked this question, Yu Shiyue knew it was over.
He had just finished narrating the Chronicles of Emperor Jing a few days ago. This Chronicle of Emperor Wu has just begun. He focused it all on Jinwu Cangjiao. Even if the prince wanted to say something else, I'm afraid he wouldn't have anything to say.
"Your Majesty, I just..."
I wanted to open my mouth to explain again, but as soon as I opened my mouth, I felt the emperor's dissatisfied gaze. At the same time, the emperor's dull voice sounded, saying.
"Yu Qing, I'm asking about the prince, not Yu Qing!"
So, half of the words were stuck in his throat, but he had no choice but to cup his hands and say.
"Your Majesty, forgive me."
The emperor ignored him and immediately looked at the prince beside him. Seeing this situation, Yu Shiyue sighed in his heart and could only silently pray that the prince would be smarter and not tell the truth.
Zhu Jianshen also noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the palace. After all, he was a child who grew up in a deep palace. He glanced at Yu Shiyue, then thought about it, and spoke carefully.
"Back to the emperor, Mr. Yu just told his nephew about the old story of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty hiding his beauties in the golden house, and taught him how to practice good governance, filial piety and love..."
Yu Shiyue breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly.
"Your Majesty, I am aware of my guilt."
As expected, these words successfully attracted the emperor's attention and he asked.
"Yu Qing, what are you talking about? What's your crime?"
Yu Shiyue knelt down and said.
"Your Majesty clearly knows that as a minister of the Crown Prince's Palace, I should have taught His Highness the Crown Prince about the pros and cons of past administrations. However, I made a mistake and told these idle anecdotes in Jingyan, which delayed His Highness the Crown Prince's schoolwork. Naturally,
Please forgive me for my fault."
This explanation was barely reasonable, but after hearing this, Zhu Qiyu burst into laughter and said.
"It is important to manage the gains and losses of government, but these anecdotes about the emperor cannot be regarded as delaying your studies. Yu Qing, please get up. I don't blame you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Yu Shiyue stood up, but he was sweating silently in his heart, and then he hurriedly said.
"Your Majesty, would you like to continue reading?"
For Yu Shiyue now, nothing is more important than quickly covering up what just happened.
However, people are often afraid of what will happen. The emperor waved his hand and said.
"Not in a hurry……"
After saying that, the emperor turned to the prince and asked.
"I also know the story of the beauty hidden in the golden house, but what I want to know is, from this story, how did the prince think of practicing good governance, filial piety and love?"
It’s over…
Yu Shiyue said something bad in his heart, and then he knew he couldn't hide it.
Sure enough, when the emperor asked this question, the prince blinked his eyes, and his little mind was a little confused, so he could only tell the truth about what just happened.
"...Mr. Liu Rong said that Liu Rong was deposed because he did not cultivate virtue and did not love his brothers. Therefore, as the prince, my nephew must cultivate virtue and be friendly."
Zhu Jianshen's words went smoothly at first, but the more he talked about it, the more he felt that the atmosphere in the palace had become a bit depressing.
By the end of his words, his voice had become inaudible. Looking up again, I didn't know when the emperor's face had darkened.
At the same time, all the ministers in the palace, including Yu Shiyue, had fallen to their knees, and in a blink of an eye, only the little prince was left standing.
Although he didn't know what happened, Zhu Jianshen felt that it was not good for him to stand, so he knelt down silently.
After a while, Zhu Qiyu's voice finally sounded, and it was indeed very calm. He looked at Yu Shiyue and others below and said.
"What are you doing kneeling down? Don't scare Brother Shen. Get up."
However, Yu Shiyue did not dare to get up, but kowtowed.
"Your Majesty, what happened today is not the fault of the Crown Prince. It is actually the fault of the ministers and others who were not taught well. Please forgive me for your fault."
Although the other officials in the East Palace did not speak, they all kowtowed and prostrated. Only Zhu Jianshen was still confused and did not know what was going on.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu frowned and his voice became a little unhappy and said.
"I'm just talking about some old events from the previous dynasty. This is the content of the historical records, and you didn't make it up. Moreover, the prince said that he should practice good governance, which is not wrong. Why should I punish him?"