Seeing that the emperor was silent, Zhang Yan thought it was just a casual question and didn't take it to heart.
But who would have expected that after a moment of silence, Zhu Youxiao suddenly spoke:
"Tonight's family dinner, your father should come too, I just happened to take care of it together."
Then he let go of her gentle and warm body and got up to change clothes.
Zhang Yan didn't react at all, wondering what the emperor's intention was.
There was no time to think about it, so she could only get up immediately and dress the emperor.
As night fell, the Cining Palace, which had always been relatively deserted, finally became lively due to the arrival of the emperor.
Zhu Youxiao's younger sisters, as well as his concubines and young daughters, had already arrived a step ahead of him.
Including Concubine Li Zhuang and Concubine Fu Yi, who were left behind by his father, it was rare for them to gather together in this Cining Palace.
"Your Majesty, Holy Ann!"
"The Queen is well."
"You are all elders, and this is at home, so there is no need to be so polite."
When Zhu Youxiao arrived with Queen Zhang Yan, the women, led by Concubine Liu, had been waiting outside the palace for a long time.
"How is the concubine's health lately?"
"My palace is as usual. The emperor is worried. The old woman is not as important as the national affairs, so the emperor does not need to worry too much."
Zhu Youxiao didn't dwell too much on this topic and said something perfunctory.
"That's good."
"Then let's all go in, I'm a little hungry."
In this harem, Zhu Youxiao rarely pretends to be an emperor.
The emperor wanted to remain majestic and serious, but he was actually very tired from pretending to be tough every day throughout the year.
Therefore, his younger sisters are also relatively close to him.
Zhu Youxiao stepped into Cining Palace, and Wang Chaofu quickly started working with a group of accompanying young eunuchs behind him.
Holding the pots and pans brought from Qianqing Palace, the arrangement and preparation began.
Zhu Youxiao still attaches great importance to his own food. In this palace, everything he imports is handled by his confidants Wang Chaofu and Wei Zhongxian.
Never eat other things, including in Kunning Palace and Cining Palace.
This is no longer a secret in the palace. It has been going on since the Jiajing Dynasty, and Zhu Youxiao just paid more attention to it.
I have to say that Jiajing was indeed smart. As soon as he took the throne, he knew that Wu Zong's death was unusual.
Therefore, the first thing he did when he took office was to drive away all the imperial doctors from the imperial hospital and replace them with a new group of people.
My food and protection were basically handed over to the eunuchs and royal guards.
That's why he and Emperor Wanli were able to reign for such a long time, living into their fifties or sixties.
Moreover, their deaths were basically due to natural old age, unlike Xuanzong who died at a young age.
It's not like Wu Zong, who died in such a mess.
Many people think that Jiajing was able to live for such a long time because of his strong physical fitness.
This is indeed part of the reason, but in Zhu Youxiao's view, the biggest reason is that he knows how to protect himself, so he can be as stable as Mount Tai.
The same was true for Emperor Wanli. His daily life, clothing and food were basically taken care of by Concubine Zheng, who also directly skipped the court.
It is a pity that a genius like Jiajing, who was so clever and unusually smart, did not focus on reviving the country, but thought about taking care of himself.
After Zhu Youxiao greeted Mrs. Liu, Zhang Guoji, the head of the country, finally arrived belatedly.
At this time, he was sweating profusely and ran all the way from the palace gate.
But before she reached the palace gate, she was stopped by Zhang Yan, who had been waiting there.
When Zhang Guoji saw his daughter, he quickly asked:
"How's it going? Have you told His Majesty? Is my matter settled?"
Looking at her father who was seeking wealth and honor, Zhang Yan was filled with helplessness and said patiently:
"Dad, please don't think about this matter. In the Ming Dynasty, no titles were awarded except for military merit. This is an ancestral system. Dad has no merit and virtue, so why should he be awarded a title?"
Zhang Guoji didn't like it when he said this. What does it mean that you can't be knighted except for military merit?
Which of the former emperor's father-in-law and uncle-in-law was not ennobled? And many of them were marquises.
Even those side branches can have official status as hereditary royal guards.
His daughter is a queen, and as a father, he is just asking for an uncle, which is not too much.
How come he is not as good as those relatives who can't fight with him?
"Dad, why can't you see the current situation clearly?"
"Your Majesty today is different from the previous emperors."
"Dad lives in the inner city, haven't you heard about what happened today?"
"Those princes and nobles that dad just mentioned are either dead or in jail. How can they have a good ending?"
Zhang Guoji did not go out today, and he lived a bit far from the nobles' residences.
Therefore, he did not know about the emperor's arrest of nobles.
Zhang Yan quickly explained to him and told him the whole story, hoping that her father would wake up.
But who would have thought that Zhang Guoji would say something after hearing this:
"Our family has nothing to do with those nobles. Besides, how can they compare with our family? With you in our family, they are just relying on the merits and legacy of their ancestors."
Seeing that her father still refused to give up, Zhang Yan really wanted to scold him, but before he could speak, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
"Long live the Lord orally, please invite the father-in-law to come to the palace to see you."
When I turned around, I saw that it was Wei Zhongxian, the eunuch of Bingbi. When did he come? Why didn’t I know?
At this time, Zhang Yan was full of doubts, but Zhang Guoji was different. As soon as he heard that the emperor was going to summon him, he immediately arranged his clothes.
He walked towards Wei Zhongxian with a flattering smile and said in a more humble tone:
"Please also ask father-in-law to lead the way."
Zhang Yan, who secretly scolded her father for his lack of brains, had no choice but to return to the palace together.
She was quite worried and could only silently pray for her father in her heart.
At this time, the dinner party has been properly arranged and all the dishes have been served.
After the round table was properly arranged, Zhu Youxiao and the women finally took their seats.
Zhang Guoji, who has been approved by Zhu Youzhen, naturally has a place.
However, his mood was different from that of everyone present. His heart was full of unknown doubts and tension.
The emperor had called him here for a while, but he didn't even say hello, let alone talk to him. What's going on?
I could only sit and watch the emperor and Concubine Liu chatting like nothing happened.
"The emperor went out this time. His appearance has changed, but he has become much darker and his skin has become much rougher."
"In marching and fighting, these are inevitable. I'm already doing well."
"Besides, Grandfather Taizu came from a young age. He founded the country as a commoner with bows and horses and force, and worked hard to create the foundation of our emperor's Ming Dynasty."
"Emperors Chengzu and Wuzong took the lead and personally led their troops to fight against the enemy."
"As a descendant of my second ancestor, how dare I lose my ancestor's reputation?"