Chapter 421: Zhu Chong begs to be dismissed from the throne
On this day, the emperor was walking in the small garden of Yangze Palace.
In order to seek peace and quiet, there was only a little maid serving tea.
After only two rounds, Prince Zhu Chong came to see him.
The emperor has not seen him since the ceremony.
It's not that the prince lacks etiquette, but that he has been ill these days, even to the point of being bedridden.
"Your Majesty, would you like to call the prince in?" Shang Qiyan asked.
"Ask him to come in!" The emperor walked to the wicker chair and sat down.
The prince wore plain clothes today, and his hair was tied with a blue ribbon without any decoration.
His complexion was very bad, and his figure was obviously much thinner. Only his eyes were still bright, and they were much more upright than before.
"I would like to express my regards to my father," the prince said, kneeling down. "I have neglected my etiquette these days, and please forgive me for this."
"I don't blame you. I know you have been sick these days." Although the emperor disliked Yao Ziyun, he did not dislike the prince. "Get up quickly! Come and sit down here."
However, the prince did not get up. Instead, he knelt down lower and said, "Father, I am here today. In addition to paying my respects to you, I have other things to do."
"If you have anything to do, just say it. We are always father and son." The emperor said, "Your mother made a mistake that she shouldn't have done. You didn't know about it first, and secondly, after you found out, you not only didn't hide it, but turned it out to me. This is
It shows that you are a child who is sensible but not general."
"My father did not blame my son, and I am grateful for my whole life." The prince choked and said, "But as of today, my son is no longer qualified to be the prince of the dynasty.
Therefore, I came here to ask my father to issue an edict to remove my son from the position of crown prince and grant him a side hall in the palace for my son to live in."
The emperor was silent for a long time after hearing his words. After a while, he asked: "Is this your own intention, or did someone instruct you to do this?"
"Everything is done out of sincerity and has nothing to do with others." The prince said, "Actually, I planned to ask my father for this matter after the ceremony, but due to my lingering illness, I postponed it until today.
I don't have the talent to be a prince at all. At most, I can only copy a few sages' teachings from the classics. In addition, even if Your Majesty will not be angry with you because of the Yao family and the Yao family, I will always fight with them.
blood relationship.
The people of the world have been suffering from the Yao family for a long time. If my father does not abolish me, how can the people of the world be at peace?
The most important thing is that I have never had the heart to be a king since I was a child, and I am a playful and undisciplined person at heart. In the years since I was the prince, I have not been truly happy even a day.
So by abolishing me, my father has fulfilled me. I will be grateful to you forever."
"Why didn't you come to the court to say these words in front of all the civil and military officials?" The emperor looked at him and asked.
"My son, I have also thought about it, but in that case, it might make my father more embarrassed.
Although I am not very well-informed about my son, I have heard that many senior ministers in the previous court are speaking for my son and begging your majesty not to abolish the throne.
If a son-in-law goes to the court, he will inevitably be suspected of retreating in order to advance.
I know that Your Majesty not only cares about the righteousness of the king and his ministers, but also pities the father and son. It can be said that all the troubles are on you alone. How can I bear the heart to cause more trouble to my father!
Deposing and establishing a crown prince is both a state and family matter, and it doesn’t matter what it is. As long as it doesn’t violate national laws and it’s consensual, there’s no need to discuss it with too many people!”
After hearing what the prince said, the emperor did not speak, but sighed deeply.
At this time, Shang Qiyan poked his head out at the Moon Gate again, but stopped talking.
"What's the matter again?" the emperor asked somewhat angrily.
"Your Majesty, the fifth prince has come to say hello." Shang Qiyan said, "It is inconvenient for your majesty at the moment, so I asked the fifth prince to wait a moment."
"No need, just ask him to come in!" The emperor's heart moved, "As for other people coming to say hello, just send them away."
Shang Qiyan quickly agreed, and soon the fifth prince walked in.
Seeing that the prince was already kneeling there, he knelt half a step back than the prince to show the difference between his dignity and inferiority.
"Lao Wu, you came just in time." The emperor said, "I have a question to ask you."
The fifth prince was immediately frightened and threw himself on the ground and said: "Father, if you have something to say, just ask. Don't say "ask for advice". It will really offend your son."
"You don't have to be afraid," the emperor said. "There are only three of us, father and son, here. Even if I say what I said today, I will never find fault with you."
Although the emperor said so, the fifth prince would never take it seriously. He knew the emperor's temperament, and he also understood that at this time, he must walk on thin ice every step of the way.
"Chong'er just came to me and requested that he be removed from his position as prince. What do you think of this matter?" the emperor asked.
The fifth prince did not answer immediately, but thought for a moment and said: "The deposing of the crown prince is a major matter for the country, and my sons and ministers dare not discuss it rashly. Everything is decided by the father or through consultation with the courtiers."
"Hmph! Stop saying these high-sounding words." The emperor sneered, "Do you think I don't know what everyone is talking about? That prophecy contained your and Chong'er's names. Now that he has voluntarily given up his position as the prince, you
Isn’t it time to be happy?”
"Father, my sons and ministers only seek to be loyal and filial, and never dare to have other agendas." The fifth prince said with a serious face, "The prince has his own considerations, and your majesty also has his own decisions. My sons and ministers do not want to make rash opinions.
The loyalty of a minister to the king also stems from the filial piety of a son to his father.
The prince and I are brothers. He is in a difficult situation, and my sons and ministers can understand it.
If the father establishes him, his sons and ministers will help him as much as ever. If the father does not establish him, he and I will still be brothers, and our affection and love will not diminish.
My son and I have no great talents, but simplicity and sincerity are acceptable. I pray that my father will help me."
"Father, this is indeed a bit difficult for fifth brother." The prince said, "Now his situation is several times more difficult than that of his son. No matter what he says, even if father does not pursue it, someone will definitely make a big fuss. People say
It’s so scary, how can you not be on guard?”
"Oh, you are really brothers and sisters," the emperor's smile seemed to have profound meaning, "everyone, get up!"
"Father, have you agreed to my request?" the prince asked anxiously.
"This is such a big matter that I can't decide it alone." The emperor said, "You're just the fifth child, I should reward you with something."
"My son is too frightened to ask for rewards," the fifth prince said hurriedly.
In the second half of the day, the emperor rewarded the prince and the fifth prince with something respectively.
What was given to the prince was a set of nine red gold rings, and what was given to the fifth prince was a tightly tied cloth bag.
As soon as this incident came out, there was a lot of discussion inside and outside the palace, about everything.
But they all believed that the emperor had a deep meaning in giving these two things last time, and it was by no means a random reward.