My father, during the Jiajing era, ensured that every household was clean and tidy.

early morning.

The sky was bright.

Zhu Zaizhen didn't sleep well last night. He kept feeling like someone was talking about him, and he couldn't fall asleep. Yes, it was the second night after Prince Jing's wedding that he couldn't sleep again.

The moment he closed his eyes, the strange thought would pop into his head: "Yang Jisheng is still pitifully locked up in prison, while I'm here with my wife, maids, and a warm bed." It wasn't that Zhu Zaizhen was particularly close to Yang Jisheng and felt the need to show concern or pity; it was just a kind of...

An immature mindset is at play.

That's really immature.

With so many people in the world, at the same time, some are born, some die, some cry, and some laugh. If we had to care about everyone and empathize with everyone, we would surely develop a mental breakdown within a few days.

There's no need to make things so difficult for yourself.

Sigh, all this rambling boils down to one sentence: Zhu Laosi was just being too kind-hearted.

There's nothing wrong with admitting it.

Anyway, Zhu Zaizhen is young and has a good mindset. He doesn't take anything to heart, so troubles come and go quickly.

It only affected his newlywed princess. They had been married for two days and had been treating each other with utmost respect for two nights in a row. Zhu Zaizhen felt that this morning, the way she looked at him was particularly confused and resentful...

Sigh, that's all.

Prince Jing's life on the second day after his marriage began in this awkward yet somewhat ridiculous atmosphere.

According to the court etiquette, on the first day after a prince's marriage, he must enter the palace to pay homage. On the second day, he must perform the "washing and feeding ceremony," which is when the bride serves her parents-in-law by washing their hands and eating.

in short.

I have to go to the palace today.

After bathing and changing clothes, dressed in full ceremonial robes, they boarded the carriage, left the Prince's residence, and entered the Imperial Palace. Princess Jing went to see Zhu Zaizhen's birth mother, Consort Jing, née Lu, while Zhu Zaizhen went around to the Western Garden to see his emperor father, who was practicing Taoism.

Ever since Jiajing moved to the West Garden to live in seclusion, he has disregarded all court etiquette. If he can have someone else do it for him, he will; if he can't, he will refuse. For example, yesterday, when he went to court, Zhu Zaizhen should have brought his wife with him to pay respects to Jiajing and his birth mother, Consort Jing.

But the emperor casually said:

No need.

I only met with Zhu Zaizhen briefly before calling it a day.

The same applies to today's ritual of offering gifts; Princess Jing need not come. Zhu Zaizhen is just going through the motions and has no hope of seeing Jiajing.

As expected, when he arrived outside the Wanshou Palace, Huang Jin, the kind-looking Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Eunuch Huang greeted him apologetically. "Your Highness, unfortunately, His Majesty's microcosmic orbit is at a crucial moment, and he really can't spare the time. You see..."

"It's alright, Father's cultivation is more important."

"Your Highness is understanding."

After going through the refusal process, Huang Jin's apologetic expression faded, replaced by a cheerful one. He started chatting with Zhu Zaizhen, exchanging a few pleasantries. Suddenly, Huang Jin said, "I heard that Your Highness went to the Ministry of Justice prison yesterday? Oh dear, such a filthy place, Your Highness could have just sent someone there. Why bother to soil your own eyes?"

"That's absolutely wrong!"

"Eunuch Huang is right, I'll be more careful next time," Zhu Zaizhen replied with a smile.

"Your Highness, please don't blame me for speaking out of turn." Huang Jin said with a sigh, "The political situation is complex. Your Highness is still young. When things happen, let the experienced and prudent ones handle them. I often heard the Emperor say that governing a country is not about doing everything yourself, but about using and managing people. Only in this way can one be wiser than the emperor and father..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaizhen's heart stirred slightly.

The eunuch Huang in front of him was not a talkative person, and had never said anything out of turn. What he was saying now was more like relaying a message than being talkative.

It is self-evident whose message is being relayed.

Zhu Zaizhen bowed slightly, lowered his gaze, and replied with three words: "I understand."

Huang Jin lowered his head and said softly, "No, Your Highness doesn't understand. After you return to the manor, tell these words to your teachers. They understand, and they can explain it to Your Highness."

"Yes……"

After leaving Wanshou Palace and exiting the West Garden, Zhu Zaizhen became certain of one thing: he hated going into the palace!

Why can't you just say what you want to say? Why do you have to go through three rounds of questioning, involving six people, and making us guess eight times?!

Zhu Zaizhen himself wasn't naive; he schemed against others when necessary, but he always did so openly and honestly, unlike his Taoist father. Could this be the legendary Taoist principle, the true meaning of Tai Chi?

Zhu Zaizhen was finally convinced.

In a sense, Zhu Zaizhen experienced firsthand the pressure that court officials faced in front of their emperor father in just two days, and he was utterly exhausted.

Perhaps sensing Zhu Zaizhen's gloom, on the way back to the manor, the little princess pursed her lips, opening her mouth several times as if to say something, but each time she couldn't muster the courage. She could only silently hug the small box in her arms, shaking it and twisting it slightly...

When it was the third time.

Finally noticing, Zhu Zaizhen looked at the small green-glazed box that had appeared in the princess's arms. "Hey, where did this pretty box come from?"

The young princess sitting beside her sat upright with her belly protruding, and said slowly and deliberately, "These were bestowed by my mother. They contain a lot of valuables. My mother said that in the future, with such a large palace and hundreds of people, there will be expenses everywhere. If we take these gold and silver back, we can reward the clever people in the palace. The servants are all servants, but they are all cunning. My mother also said that in the future, you and I will be one, and we should work together to overcome difficulties."

After speaking, the little princess turned her head to the side, bit her lip, and avoided eye contact, pretending to be aloof.

Zhu Zaizhen blinked.

It must be admitted that Zhu Zaizhen was somewhat obtuse when it came to matters of love and sex; he was a novice. Fortunately, the person opposite him was also a novice and not difficult to deal with. After noticing something amiss, Prince Jing reached out and took the little princess's hand, saying, "We should be in the same boat."

Swish!

The young woman, now a newlywed, blushed instantly from her neck to her ears. Her aloof demeanor crumbled, and she lowered her head shyly, saying, "My mother also instructed the Prince that from now on, you will be leaving the palace to establish your own household and build a career. You are no longer a child confined to the inner palace. When encountering problems, please consult your two mentors. Also, remember to show respect to Grand Secretary Yan on daily occasions, festivals, and birthdays..."

These words drew Zhu Zaizhen's attention again. Grand Secretary Yan and his two mentors, whoever they were, were important to Zhu Zaizhen, who had just left the palace and was still a young seedling.

We really need to win them over in every way.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Zaizhen asked for his mother's instructions and kept them in mind.

Speechless all the way.

Nothing else went wrong during his stay at the residence today. As soon as he returned, Zhu Zaizhen found his two teachers and relayed the message the emperor had sent from the palace.

After listening.

Wu Yingfeng's expression changed slightly.

Another handsome and debonair scholar, Wu Ang, who exuded sarcasm from the moment he entered, emphasizing his striking good looks, sneered, "May I ask, Your Highness, would you like a simpler translation, or would you prefer some more euphemistic expressions?"

"Simple and straightforward!"

Wu Ang: "Governing a country does not depend on doing everything yourself, but on employing and governing people. Only in this way can one be as wise as a ruler or father... This means that you should not personally get involved in anything, and in this way you will not make any mistakes! Letting us hear this means that we should take charge!"

That's quite direct.

Although Wu Yingfeng was not as handsome as Wu Ang, he was not as sharp-tongued as him. He said with remorse, "I failed to persuade Your Highness yesterday, which was my fault. If such a thing happens again, Your Highness, please give the order, and I will do my best without hesitation."

Wu Ang sneered again, "I am not afraid of offending people or getting my hands dirty. Although I disapprove of the way things are done in the palace, it is actually quite suitable when it comes to the princes vying for the throne. Next time someone needs to be dealt with, I'll do it!"

Wu Yingfeng was secretly alarmed. "The palace has its own difficulties. How can a subject criticize it? We must not give others cause for gossip."

Wu Ang's smile vanished, replaced by a cold glint in his eyes. "I spoke of the palace, not the Emperor. How can you, as a subject, criticize me? Don't slander me. My wisdom is no greater than that of my sovereign and father!"

Wu Yingfeng was speechless.

The two had very different personalities and couldn't agree on anything, so they simply shut up and went to look at their own prince.

Zhu Zaizhen, sitting behind his desk, pondered for a moment and said seriously, "I can tell that both of you are capable people."

Wu Yingfeng said he dared not.

Wu Ang: "I appreciate Your Highness's words, but let's get down to business first. Yang Jisheng has been waiting for quite some time."

Zhu Zaizhen asked doubtfully, "He's already out of prison? When did he arrive? Never mind, hurry, invite him in, I have a great use for this man!"