The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

April 30th.

Although Zhu Houzhao already knew that his father-in-law might die that day, he did not go to the gate of the Xia residence to have fun, as he had done when he watched Zhang Mao make a scene.

The main reason was that Xia Ru was too reserved, the kind of person who was calm and introverted. In addition, there was not a good relationship between the father-in-law and son-in-law, so he did not want to offend his father-in-law easily. After all, in his heart, he felt somewhat sorry for the Empress.

Consequently, he also felt somewhat guilty towards the Xia family. Although he didn't treat them with much courtesy, he still gave them all the rewards they deserved.

That afternoon, after Zhu Houzhao woke up, he was still listening to music when Qian Ning came over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhu Houzhao put down the fan he was gently waving, smiled, and said, "Isn't this quite ordinary? Tang Yin's prophecy has come true time and again. Xia Ru's miraculous escape from danger is also due to his own good fortune. By the way, how did he turn the tide?"

Qian Ning said, "Your Majesty, he obtained the antidote from the young prince of the Ning Prince's residence."

"Antidote? Heh. It really is a drug that can save his life... Wait, make arrangements, I need to go on an incognito tour to the Xia residence." Zhu Houzhao suddenly thought of something and gave the order.

Qian Ning asked curiously, "Are you going to investigate secretly, or will you go directly into the mansion?"

Zhu Houzhao said, "I'm not going to do it secretly. I'm just going to offer my condolences, bring some tonics or something as gifts, and also have something to discuss with him. You know what we'll talk about, right?"

Qian Ning's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "Your subject understands, it's about having a brother adopted by your subject."

"You're too kind. I gave you the surname Zhu, but you don't actually have that surname. I even gave you an adopted brother. Why don't you say you're giving me an adopted father?" Zhu Houzhao joked with a smile.

Qian Ning smiled obsequiously and said, "Whatever Father Emperor says goes."

"Go and make the arrangements quickly." Zhu Houzhao didn't seem to be in the mood to listen to any music, and indeed, there wasn't anything pleasant to listen to, so he simply waved his hand and told Qian Ning to make the arrangements.

……

……

Xia Ru came back from the dead, and his family was still celebrating.

Xia Chen rushed in and said, "Father, someone from the palace has arrived."

"Quickly, help your father to see him." Xia Ru seemed very excited.

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Even if someone falls ill, the whole palace will be alarmed.

Although he has a daughter who is the empress in the palace, he has almost forgotten that he is still a member of the royal family and that there is a huge gap between him and the palace.

"No need. It was the Empress Dowager who sent someone to inquire. She also heard that someone had prophesied that you would fall ill today, so she sent someone to ask about the specific situation. I have already reported back on your behalf, saying that although something happened, you have taken medicine and are fine now. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager." Xia Chen was quite perceptive in such matters.

My elderly father is in agony inside, so we can't let him suffer too much.

Xia Ru nodded and said, "You did the right thing. We can't let the Empress Dowager worry about this old man. I understand that it must be the Empress's concern that has stopped her from worrying about me... Sigh!"

Xia Ru appeared very sad as he spoke.

Although sending his daughter to the palace brought him glory, he was well aware that she had suffered a lot over the years.

He seemed to regret letting his daughter choose the empress; sacrificing his daughter's happiness for the change in the family's status did not bring him peace of mind.

"Father!"

Just then, Xia Xun, the third son, also ran in.

Xia Ru frowned and said, "Don't panic in the face of trouble. How have I always taught you to remain calm in the face of adversity?"

Xia Xun exclaimed excitedly, "The Emperor has arrived!"

"what?"

Upon hearing this news, Xia Ru was so excited that he almost fainted again, and he began to sway.

His two sons quickly helped him up on either side, saying, "Father, please sit down. Please take care of yourself."

Xia Ru said, "What are you talking about? Hurry up and go see the Emperor! How could your father's little matter have alarmed the Emperor? Quickly come with me to welcome him."

At this point, for him, it was no big deal, let alone a minor illness. Even if he died before being nailed into a coffin, he would still be carried to see the deceased.

This was the first time the emperor had ever visited the Xia residence.

For him, family honor was paramount; what an honor this was! The loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness he had learned throughout his life had finally found their purpose!

……

……

The front hall of the Xia residence.

All the male members of the Xia family knelt there to welcome the emperor, their respectful attitude making Zhu Houzhao, who had come in ordinary clothes, feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Zhu Houzhao glanced into the main hall, then retreated to the doorway and looked at Qian Ning, saying, "Tell them there's no need for such formalities. Am I here to receive their homage?"

Qian Ning laughed and said, "Your Majesty, they have this intention, so why don't you accept it? They're happy to do it!"

"Ugh!"

Zhu Houzhao then walked in, waving his hand and saying, "Grandfather-in-law Xia, I just happened to be passing by to see you. You don't need to do this. Get up and speak! Arrange a quiet place for me; I have something to discuss with you privately!"

Xia Ru stood up, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Your Majesty's kindness is something I will never forget, even in three lifetimes."

"It wasn't me who saved you, so why are you repaying this debt? Qian Ning, go and help him up. I hate seeing people crying the most."

Zhu Houzhao also had another characteristic: he was soft-hearted.

He disliked seeing others cry in front of him. Back when the Eight Tigers were almost killed by Liu Jian and his men, it was Liu Jin who led the way to cry and plead, and only then did the situation turn around.

Later, when Yang Yiqing and Zhang Yong dealt with Liu Jin, they took every precaution to prevent the emperor from meeting with Liu Jin again, which was also to prevent Liu Jin from crying to the emperor again.

As a result, Liu Jin never saw the emperor again after his downfall. If he had, history might have turned out very differently.

……

……

The study in the Xia family mansion.

Looking at Xia Ru's collection of books, Zhu Houzhao sighed, "Father-in-law, I haven't been able to sit down and read for many years. You are quite remarkable. Do you usually read all these books?"

Xia Rudao said, "Spring, summer, autumn, and winter, cold and heat never cease."

"You have real perseverance. No wonder you are so knowledgeable and have such a high reputation."

Zhu Houzhao offered some compliments before examining Xia Ru and asking, "Is your illness any better this time?"

Xia Ru quickly replied, "Your Majesty, when it struck, I was completely unprepared. The illness came on suddenly, but after taking the medicine, I recovered after a period of time."

Zhu Houzhao exclaimed in surprise, "Is it really that miraculous? I asked the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital before, and they said that out of a hundred people suffering from chest pain, only one or two would survive. Now, first there's the Duke of Yingguo, and then you. Does this mean that this disease has been conquered?"

"Your Majesty, I do not know... I know I am fortunate to have received such favor, with Your Majesty sending someone to inform me, Master Tang's prophecy aiding me, and the young prince of the Ning Prince's mansion preparing medicine for me... What virtue or ability do I possess to receive such great favor?"

As Xia Ru spoke, he felt as if he were God's favorite.

What was supposed to be a certain death has now miraculously turned into a life-or-death situation, and he's even getting to see the living emperor? The emperor is showing concern and inquiring about his condition?

Zhu Houzhao nodded, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Was it that lad from the Ning Prince's mansion who prepared the medicine for you? That's good!"

Xia Ru quickly replied, "Yes, the young prince is humble and kind. I felt his sincerity when I spent time with him. I am deeply grateful."

"He's such a humble and good kid, that's rare, truly rare."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "I came here because I have something to tell you. I want to hear your opinion. What do you think if I were to adopt this child into my name?"

"what?"

Xia Ru was greatly alarmed and said, "How dare I presume to discuss such a matter of imperial importance?"

Zhu Houzhao said, "Anyone else would be unqualified, but who are you? The Empress and I have no children of our own. If we were to adopt a child, we would be family. It would be good to hear your opinion."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty dares not..." Xia Ru appeared very frightened.

Am I still your father-in-law?

Don't flatter me. I don't have the face to associate with the royal family. Everyone knows that I, Xia Ru, am just a good-for-nothing.

Zhu Houzhao said impatiently, "Why is it so difficult to talk to you? It's like going back to my teenage years, talking to those lecturers in the Eastern Palace! You just answer whatever I ask! What do you think of this child?"

Xia Ru swallowed hard and said, "Very good."

"That solves it, doesn't it?"

Zhu Houzhao asked, "If I summon you to the palace in a few days to discuss the adoption of a prince's son into my lineage and to find a tutor for him, would you agree or disagree?"

Xia Ru stood there, stunned.

Is the emperor asking questions so directly?

What's my position in the court? Why are you asking me instead of asking others? And you even want me to attend such an important meeting in the palace?

"minister……"

Xia Ru originally intended to use the cautious thinking of the Confucian school to remind the emperor to be careful in doing such a thing.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Because Zhu Yi left such a good impression on him, he could be said to be the epitome of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness in his own eyes. Based on his decades of experience in dealing with people, he could not find any fault with Zhu Yi.

To be able to lend a helping hand to a stranger and to be able to restrain oneself and follow the proper etiquette... isn't this the sage model that Confucianism pursues?

"Your subject agrees!" Xia Ru gritted his teeth, as if it were the first time in his life that he had violated his own principles, and said firmly.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and nodded, saying, "Very good. Even someone as picky as you thinks that child is good. It seems he really is a good child! You don't need to worry too much. I only said that I would adopt him and raise him for a few years to cultivate him, both in terms of etiquette and academics. He needs to have the ability to be qualified to go further."

The emperor didn't even directly say that he wanted to make Zhu Yi the crown prince.

Although Xia Ru seemed simple and honest, he was also a smart man, and he seemed to have grasped the key to the problem immediately.

He suddenly realized that His Majesty had seen that he would agree to this matter in order to repay a debt of gratitude, which was why he was asking for his opinion!

If it weren't for the fact that the young prince of the Ning Prince's Mansion treated my illness, His Majesty wouldn't have come!

Therefore, His Majesty very much wants to adopt this child... But why did His Majesty choose this child instead of someone else?

……

……

Zhu Houzhao did not linger any longer.

In fact, he himself felt that getting along with Xia Ru was very tiring.

When he came out of the Xia residence, Qian Ning immediately arranged a very ordinary carriage for him.

"There's no rush to go back. It's rare that I got up early today, before it gets dark. I'll take a walk around the city and see what's going on."

Zhu Houzhao said with a look of relief, "We've convinced Xia Ru. Now that we have his support in discussing the adoption, we'll need to find a few more. The Duke of Yingguo is also representing Wu Xun; please invite him over! That old rascal won't object to my adoption, will he?"

Qian Ning said, "It's hard to say. The Duke of England has always been profit-driven."

Zhu Houzhao said irritably, "To put it bluntly, he's shameless. Then go and enlighten him, let him know what choice he should make!"

Zhu Houzhao was very blunt.

Zhang Mao, don't you like to be unconventional and not even want to repay kindness?

I'll give you something extreme.

Knowing your personality and understanding that you bully the weak and fear the strong, I ask you this: if I tell you that you absolutely must support this matter, do you agree or disagree?

Qian Ning laughed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Threatening others is useless, but threatening him... it works every time."

Zhu Houzhao said with a wicked smile, "Still can't figure him out? Go and talk to the Duke of Cheng while you're at it. Tell him what I mean, but don't be too forceful. There's no need to threaten him. He wants to go back to Nanjing to take up his post. As long as it pleases me, I will give him a chance in the future."

"Yes." Qian Ning nodded with a smile.

The emperor's first priority upon taking office was to address the issue of supporting Wu Xun.

Besides the two pillars of the state, Zhang Mao and Zhu Fu, the people he sought out were also the emperor's father-in-law, Xia Ru, who would accompany him. This would create a situation where Wu Xun would inevitably support his adoption of a son.

Zhu Houzhao muttered to himself, "The military officials are manageable; they'll act according to my wishes. But the civil officials... that's not so easy to deal with!"

"Your Majesty, isn't Minister Yang supporting you?" Qian Ning reminded him.

"It seems that Mr. Yang and I are only superficially harmonious lately, and I don't know how to describe it," Zhu Houzhao said. "It may be because I haven't paid much attention to court affairs these past two years, which has displeased him. But in any case, I can only rely on him for now. Besides him, who else will support me?"

Qian Ning then reminded him, "Your Majesty, Lu Wan, the Minister of War, might be on your side."

"Will he?" Zhu Houzhao frowned.

Qian Ning smiled and said, "As long as I put in a good word, I can still get through to them."

Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said, "Don't think you can persuade anyone. There's a good chance the news will leak out beforehand, giving the civil officials from the Hanlin Academy time to prepare, and also giving the people in the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy time to be on guard."

"No, I believe Lu Wan will definitely support you," Qian Ning said confidently. "Besides him, there is also Wang Qiong, the Minister of Revenue. As long as Your Majesty mentions this matter, he should stand on your side."

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Are you so sure?"

Qian Ning thought to himself, "I have received quite a few gifts from Prince Ning, so I don't seem to be a loyal subject."

But others accepted them too.

Do you think I, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, am a pushover?

I don't know how much benefit Lu Wan and Wang Qiong received, but I know perfectly well whether they received any at all.

These two, still trying to act tough?

"Very well, since you think this is feasible, then send someone to ask Tang Yin's opinion. I want to know if he has any thoughts on this future scenario. If he can also persuade you, then this matter will be settled! With these people around... I think... we can get it done!"