Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 113 My happiest moments were when I was at the Prince Xin's residence.

With a creak, Wei Zhongxian, accompanied by eunuchs from the Imperial Guard, pushed open the door and burst in. Upon seeing Empress Zhou's actions, he was nearly scared to death.

"Oh my god, what are you all standing there for? Quickly help the Empress to sit down!!!" Wei Zhongxian was going crazy. "Xiao Fuzi, go and invite His Majesty over!"

"No, I'm fine, Eunuch Wei, please don't disturb His Majesty," Empress Zhou hurriedly said.

The young eunuch, who was about to run out, froze on the spot upon hearing this and looked at Wei Zhongxian. Wei Zhongxian looked at the Empress's slightly pleading eyes and ultimately couldn't bear it. He knew that the worst thing to do now was to upset the Empress, but he would definitely tell His Majesty about this in secret.

The Zhou family was terrified by the scene and Wei Zhongxian was so angry he wanted to tear them apart. He sternly reprimanded them, "You all need to remember this! The Empress is the mother of the nation, and you are her subjects. You must strictly observe the etiquette between ruler and subject when you see the Empress. Even a slight breach in address is a serious offense, let alone daring to shout at the Empress!"

After saying this, Wei Zhongxian looked at Empress Zhou with difficulty and said, "Your Majesty, you are unwell. In my opinion, let's end this banquet here. Please return to your palace to rest, and I will find the imperial physician to treat you."

Empress Zhou was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Eunuch Wei, please go out first. I need to say a few more words to my family."

"Your Majesty's decree is obeyed," Wei Zhongxian bowed and said, then glared at Zhou Kui before retreating. These three fools, did they really think no one knew what they said?!

Wei Zhongxian closed the door, took the copy of the Imperial Daily Records from the old eunuch, and handed it to a young eunuch to deliver to the emperor. This time, the old eunuch didn't hesitate to give up his precious manuscript; instead, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. After all, who could have imagined that the Empress's family members were such despicable people? He even hoped the emperor would burn the manuscript! The thought of the records containing such things made his pen feel tainted!

Inside the door, the atmosphere within the family became heavy. Empress Zhou couldn't understand; she hadn't always been like this at home! How could their family have become so estranged in just two short years? Didn't she want to ask for a title for her father? But she was currently struggling to even protect herself; how could she possibly bring herself to ask?

Furthermore, the other concubines came from wealthy and noble families: the Sun sisters, for example, had fathers who had won battles and rendered meritorious service. But what did her own family possess? Could her father and brother fight in battle? Could they govern the country? In the Ming Dynasty, no one could be granted a title without military merit. Although relatives of the empress could be exceptions, she dared not!

Zhou Yufeng had only just obtained the position of Empress from the Emperor, but she had not yet received the power of an Empress. She was cautiously maintaining her relationship with the Emperor, so how could she dare to take any further advantage? She preferred to believe that the Emperor had forgotten and would make up for it later. Did she have to admit that the Emperor was unwilling to give her power or bestow titles upon her family? She was terrified that once she took the position of Empress, she would never be able to step down!

Empress Zhou looked at her family, feeling utterly disappointed. What was supposed to be a pleasant family visit had turned out this way. She said softly, "Father, I will speak to His Majesty about your request for a title. However, I am not feeling well and cannot eat. Please go back after you have finished your meal."

"There are also rewards and tax exemptions!" Zhou Kui reminded him.

Empress Zhou felt irritated upon hearing this, but she patiently said, "Your Majesty has had a difficult time lately. The war has cost a lot of money. Grand Secretary Bi is keeping a close eye on the land tax, and it is also a difficult matter. I have saved some of my own money, Father, please take it and use it first."

"Only one hundred taels?!" Zhou Kui took the large bag of silver, weighed it in his hand, and said with some dissatisfaction.

Upon seeing this, Empress Zhou felt a sense of foreboding and hurriedly asked, "Father, have you accepted a bribe?!"

"No...nothing like that." Zhou Kui's eyes darted away, avoiding his daughter's gaze.

Empress Zhou took a deep breath and said, "Father, please return the money. When I was still in the Prince Xin's mansion, His Majesty and the late Emperor had already bestowed upon you a residence and fertile land. When I got married, I also received betrothal gifts. Now, we have no worries about food, clothing, or daily necessities. Why should we take money from others? Besides, you have no power to do favors for others. How will you explain it if you accept this money?"

"But I still have you," Zhou Kui muttered to himself.

"Father!" Empress Zhou exclaimed angrily.

"Alright, alright, Father... no, I will obey Your Majesty the Empress!" Zhou Kui said reluctantly.

Empress Zhou rose from the dining table, glanced at her family members with disappointment, and turned to leave.

"My dear daughter, you haven't taken the clay doll and the secret medicine that I sent you yet!" Zhou's mother exclaimed.

Empress Zhou paused, then pushed open the door and walked out. Wei Zhongxian hurriedly came to greet her.

"I am going to see His Majesty," Empress Zhou said in a hoarse voice.

"Your Majesty, I will prepare a palanquin for you immediately," Wei Zhongxian said hastily. "No need, it's only a short distance, I can walk there," Empress Zhou said, and walked out directly.

Wei Zhongxian hurriedly followed. Didn't he know it was only a few steps? But the Empress had just gone through a miscarriage, which worried him to death!

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youjian looked at the transcript of the conversation brought by the young eunuch, his face extremely gloomy. Although he hadn't met Zhou Kui, he knew Zhou Kui had come to seek an official position and title. Just moments ago, Zhu Youjian had been racking his brains trying to figure out what insignificant position to offer them, but now they had even argued with his own daughter—truly, they were acting inhumanely!

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!" Wang Chengen reported.

Zhu Youjian was startled. He pressed down the manuscript of the daily records with a paperweight and hurriedly got up to greet her. Zhu Youjian walked from the Maocheng Hall to the warm pavilion and met Empress Zhou.

Empress Zhou originally only wanted to muster up the courage to mention to the emperor that she was asking for a title for her father. Whether it succeeded or not was up to the emperor to decide, and she would not pester him. However, as soon as she saw the emperor, she could not hold back her tears.

"Your Majesty!" Zhou Yufeng cried out weakly. Zhu Youjian's heart trembled upon hearing this. He opened his arms and caught Zhou Yufeng as she staggered towards him.

"Your Majesty, I... Waaaaaah!!!" Zhou Yufeng broke down in tears, wiping her snot and tears on Zhu Youjian's dragon robe. Fortunately, it was just everyday clothing, not the imperial robes, and it wasn't embroidered with gold thread, so it could be washed.

"You don't need to say anything, I already know. Cry if you want to." Zhu Youjian patted her back and said, "We are husband and wife who have been together since childhood. Even ordinary people know that a wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned. How could I abandon you?"
"Don't worry, just focus on taking care of yourself. As for your father and brothers, I will ensure they have enough to eat and wear, but I cannot give them any official positions, and as for the title..."

Zhu Youjian's eyebrows furrowed in worry. Zhou Yufeng looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Your Majesty, I don't want to put you in a difficult position. If Your Majesty finds it inappropriate, then let it be. I know that crying will only upset Your Majesty, but I just can't help it, sob sob sob..."

"Sigh!" Zhu Youjian sighed, gently stroking Empress Zhou's hair. Zhou Yufeng was not wrong, but she had a strange father. He was also stubborn, and it was simply impossible for him to grant Zhou Kui a title.

Zhu Youjian earnestly tried to deceive him, saying, "If you want to manage the six palaces, I can let you try, but I don't think it's a good job. My happiest times were when I was in the Prince Xin's mansion, with my elder brother supporting me. Now that I'm the emperor, I worry every day. It's not that I'm mistreating you, it's just that I love you so much!"

Zhou fell asleep after crying herself to sleep. Zhu Youjian carried her to the bed in the Winter Warm Pavilion and covered her with a quilt.

Back in the Maoqin Hall, Zhu Youjian tossed the two manuscripts to Wei Zhongxian and said coldly, "Investigate who bribed Zhou Kui! Arrest them and torture them severely! Also, find out how someone with no official position or power knew the secret of the palace perimeter! As for that clay figure that's gone missing, have someone test the secret medicine before you throw it away!"

"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Zhang Ruitu once visited the Zhou family," Wei Zhongxian said.

"He's a Grand Secretary, going to visit the Empress Dowager's relatives?!" Zhu Youjian said incredulously.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian lowered his head somewhat embarrassed. In truth, it was he who had put this guy on the throne. He said in a low voice, "Zhang Ruitu is a court poet. His Majesty is not fond of poetry. It is not surprising that he would do this when he had no other choice."

Zhu Youjian covered his face. Since taking the throne, he had focused on the Six Ministries and neglected the Cabinet, and had forgotten about this guy. He said helplessly, "At the morning court tomorrow, find a few people to impeach him."

“Yes!” Wei Zhongxian readily agreed. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Does Your Majesty wish to do so?!” As he spoke, he ran his hand across his neck.

"Who?!" Zhu Youjian was completely bewildered.

"Guo, Guo Zhang."

"roll!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will leave immediately!" Wei Zhongxian knelt down.

"I mean, you have to leave!" Zhu Youjian was furious. "Wait, Zhou Kui can't be killed, and neither can the people who bribed him. Beat them up and throw them back, do you understand?!"

(End of this chapter)