I am the prince of the Ming Dynasty, I don't give up

Chapter 577 Successor

"No, why let the children run so far here? No need to call them over. I know the children very well," Zhu Houzhao said immediately. As he spoke, he could no longer suppress the smile on his face. Zhu Houxuan's proposal today was a big surprise to him, and he began to look forward to the future.
Zhu Houxuan nodded. Zhu Houzhao used to go to Nangong often whenever he was in the capital. He liked to spend time with his children, especially telling the boys about his experiences on the battlefield, which always aroused waves of amazement and admiration from the boys.

"I wonder who the emperor has his eyes on?" Zhu Houxuan asked.

"Little Twelve is good!" Zhu Houzhao said immediately.

"Little Twelve?" Zhu Houxuan said in surprise.

"Yes! It's Little Twelve!" Zhu Houzhao said affirmatively.

Xiao Twelve is Zhu Houxuan's twelfth son. Strictly speaking, he is the twelfth son to participate in the rotation. Zhu Houxuan actually had two other sons who died before the age of three and did not participate in the rotation at all.

Little Twelve was not yet three years old at this time, and had not been given a name yet, only a nickname. Little Twelve was born to Princess Wu Liu Yourong in the twenty-third year of Zhengde, and was Zhu Houxuan's second legitimate son.

"What's wrong? Are you reluctant to let go?" Zhu Houzhao asked jokingly when he saw Zhu Houxun's look.

"It's not that I'm reluctant, I'm just curious why my royal brother chose Little Twelve," Zhu Houxuan asked even though he had some guesses in his mind.

"In fact, all your sons are very good, they are all good kids. Zaihao and Zaizhen are already adults, and I watched them grow up. But the older the children get, the more adult habits they will pick up, and the less cute they will appear. And Little Twelve is only a three-year-old child now. He is at the age of innocence and the most lovable, so I prefer Little Twelve." Zhu Houzhao said with a smile.

What Zhu Houzhao said makes a lot of sense. Children are most fun when they are two or three years old, but after that they become less fun.
"But." Zhu Houxuan said hesitantly.

"There's no but. I understand what you mean. You are worried that Little Twelve is too young." Zhu Houzhao said.

Zhu Houxuan remained silent.

"There is nothing we can't talk about. I know my body well. I don't have many years left. Otherwise, I wouldn't be talking to you about the throne today. I know what you are worried about. You are worried that the twelfth child will be too young when he ascends the throne. But this is exactly what I want to see." Zhu Houzhao said lightly.

"Royal brother." Zhu Houxuan suddenly raised his head and said.

Zhu Houzhao stretched out his hand to stop Zhu Houxuan from continuing, "We have worked together for so many years, and I see many things very clearly. The Zhengde Era of Prosperity was created by us, but I know that the most important person here is you. Your role is irreplaceable. Without you, there would be none of this, so I want to hand over the throne and the Ming Dynasty to you. Because only you have the ability to protect everything we have created!" "I have seen all your reform policies. Although I don't understand some of them, I understand that you are building an eternal foundation for the Ming Dynasty. I believe that you can not only maintain the current achievements of the Ming Dynasty, but also make the Ming Dynasty even more glorious." Zhu Houzhao said earnestly.

"So Little Twelve is the most suitable candidate. When the time comes, you will be the regent. A young emperor will not have any influence on you. You can do whatever you want without any constraints."

"Let me even say something more impolite. When the Twelveth Prince ascends the throne, if he is capable of supporting you, you will help him. If he is unworthy and cannot support you, you will replace him." Zhu Houzhao said lightly.

"Royal brother, what are you talking about?" Zhu Houxuan's eyes were red. He was moved by Zhu Houzhao's words.

"These are my true words from the bottom of my heart," Zhu Houzhao said very directly.

Zhu Houxun was completely speechless now. Zhu Houzhao had said so much, what else could he say?
"I'll have someone send Little Twelve over right away," Zhu Houxuan said.

"Don't! After all, Little Twelve is the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty. There must be a grand ceremony, and I will announce to the world that I will issue an edict to the Ministry of Clan Affairs and the Ministry of Rites," said Zhu Houzhao.

"Good!" said Zhu Houxuan.

At this point, the two men had agreed on all matters concerning the succession to the throne.
The first day of March in the twenty-sixth year of the Zhengde reign was the day chosen by the Ministry of Clan Affairs and the Ministry of Rites for Zhu Houzhao to adopt an adopted son.

Early in the morning, Nangong began to prepare nervously. Princess Wu Liu Yourong did not sleep all night and cried until her eyes were red and swollen.
Zhu Houxuan looked at Liu Yourong helplessly. Although he had told her about this many days in advance, she still couldn't accept it completely and was hugging Xiao Twelve tightly.
Liu Yourong gave birth to two sons and one daughter in these years. Among them, the second son, Xiao Twelve, was born at the age of 35 at great risk of her life. She loved her second son very much.
So after receiving the news of the adoption, she was very resistant to it. Although Zhu Houxuan explained the reason to her, she still could not fully accept it emotionally.
The people from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court arrived soon, but unexpectedly, an unexpected person came.
Zhu Houxuan looked at the procession of the visitors and hesitated about what etiquette to use. In the end, he clasped his hands and bowed slightly and said, "Your humble servant pays respect to the Empress's wife!"

"Uncle King Wu, there is no need to greet me. I am sorry for the humiliation." A somewhat panicked female voice sounded from the carriage.

Soon a middle-aged lady stepped out of the carriage. Although she looked middle-aged, she looked very pretty and peaceful.
The visitor turned out to be Zhu Houzhao's legal wife, Empress Xia, who had a very low sense of presence. Zhu Houzhao had been in the capital for more than ten years, and this was the first time he had seen Empress Xia, and he had never expected it to be in such an occasion.
"Greetings to Uncle King Wu." After getting off the car, Queen Xia actually bowed to Zhu Houxuan.
Zhu Houxuan was not prepared at all, and quickly returned the greeting, saying: "We are all family, no need to be polite."

Empress Xia had not left the palace since her wedding to Zhu Houzhao in the first year of the Zhengde reign. This was her first time leaving the palace in 26 years, and it was in such an occasion with so many people around her, so she looked very uncomfortable.
"Why did you come here in person, sister-in-law? You can just wait in the palace. Why bother coming here?" Zhu Houxuan took the initiative to ask.

"Your Majesty informed me of this matter half a month ago. I was so happy that I couldn't sleep these days. I really wanted to see Little Twelve as soon as possible, so I asked Your Majesty to let me come. I didn't expect that Your Majesty would agree," Queen Xia said softly.

(End of this chapter)