Chapter 0007: The Prince with a Mother is a Treasure

Oh, is she referring to the smile on her face? That is a professional habit. When meeting with investors, one must appear a bit more optimistic, not with a frown, as if the stock market is about to crash.

"Mother," Zhu Cilang continued, "my son's request is not for money, but rather to ask you to temporarily conceal from Father Emperor that I was entrusted by Emperor Taizu in a dream, as well as the matter of my arrangements with Wang Cheng'en for the breakout."

Zhou Hou lowered his voice: "The divine physician once said that your prolonged sleep yesterday was not due to illness, but perhaps a visitation from your ancestors in a dream... Is there any truth to this?"

Upon seeing her, Zhu Cilang could not help but think of his wife from a previous life. He wondered how she was doing. Would the wealth he left behind be sufficient for her expenses? She certainly had no sense of budgeting when it came to spending...

Ah... Zhou's face turned pale all of a sudden, and his voice trembled, "Is this, is this, is this true? My Ming..."

Zhou nodded and said: "You are still thoughtful, Cilang... Your father is as stubborn as a wooden head and won't change his mind. I will definitely cover for you in this matter. Additionally, if there is anything else you need my help with, feel free to speak up. If you cannot come, just have Huang Dabaospeak on your behalf."

Zhu Cilang said: "Because the Emperor Father should not know about these matters"

Indeed, Divine Doctor Zeng possesses some remarkable skills

Zhou Hou and Chongzhen were born in the same year, both are thirty-three years old this year, well-preserved, and are beauties selected from among thousands. Although they are not wearing makeup, their natural beauty can be described as stunning enough to make fish sink and birds fall.

"Mother," Zhu Cilang nodded and said, "Even if your private funds are lent to me, once we reach the southern region, I will repay you double.

In fact, there were not many精彩 palace intrigue dramas in the harem of Chongzhen.

Then I would like to thank my mother very much. Zhu Cilang expressed his gratitude verbally, but he would definitely repay the money. Not to mention that after arriving in Jiangnan, he would become the emperor; even if he were to govern alongside Chongzhen as the crown prince, there would still be ways to make a substantial amount of money.

Zhu Cilang then realized, and hurriedly performed a deep bow, saying: "Eldest son Cilang inquires after the well-being of Her Highness, the Empress Mother."

Zhu Cilang quickly reassured, "Mother, do not worry. I and Wang Cheng'en are already arranging the breakout... At that time, we will definitely ensure the safety of both you and Father."

Seeing her son change his expression as quickly as flipping a book, Empress Zhou was even more astonished. Is this what is known as the legendary ability to conceal one's emotions? His father, the emperor, does not possess such skill; at such a young age, he surprisingly has this level of composure, which is indeed somewhat superior to his father.

At this moment, Zhu Cilang is standing grandly at the entrance of Kun Ning Palace, with his brows tightly furrowed

Thus, Empress Zhou transitioned from a well-behaved girl to a compliant princess and then to a dutiful empress. Although there was a period of conflict with Consort Tian, it was not as the legends of later generations suggest, that she bought Chen Yuanyuan to confuse Chongzhen—sending a courtesan into the imperial palace. If the civil officials were to learn of such matters, wouldn't they drown that certain official in their own spittle?

Zhu Cilang put away his smile and replaced it with a standard bitter melon face—this expression is used when discussing refinancing with publicly listed companies

At this thought, Zhu Cilang developed a feeling for Zhou that transcended the bond of mother and son. The realization that such a beautiful woman would soon be doomed to death at the hands of the foolish Emperor Chongzhen stirred his sympathy.

The palace maid brought over the embroidered stool and placed it beside the queen.

Additionally, Empress Zhou had a very good relationship with Emperor Chongzhen, having given birth to three sons and two daughters for him, of which two sons and one daughter are still alive. According to the succession system of the Ming Dynasty, the crown prince must be her son, and as long as her son does not pass away before Emperor Chongzhen, the position of the heir will remain unshakable

What else is there to say? Where did you get the money to pay it back?

It seems that rescue is still necessary... ? ... As a man, how can one not save such a beautiful mother? Is this even human?

The civil officials of the Ming Dynasty were most fond of "debating the foundation of the nation"! When they caused a commotion, Emperor Chongzhen could hardly bear it

Zhou's expression slightly eased, but tears continued to flow uncontrollably. The fall of the capital city was, for her, a dead end!

In the history of the Ming Dynasty, there has never been a crown prince who was deposed by his father, the emperor

Is that true? Zhou looked at his son with a pitiful expression after a week

The Empress summoned the Crown Prince for an audience. The voice of the eunuch resounded loudly as he announced the message.

Zhu Cilang sat down steadily, smiling as he looked at his beautiful mother

"Brother Chun has arrived." Zhou Hou slightly nodded at his son, his slender and elongated fingers resting on the armrest of the chair. In his sorrowful eyes, a loving gaze emerged.

"Everyone, step back!" Zhou Hou said softly

This is the time to meet the parents... Although my body is genuine, it is indeed the original Zhu Cilang! However, the soul has been replaced with a different version, no longer the original product? I wonder if Empress Zhou will be able to see through it?

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, saying, "Father is a wise ruler; he can only defend the borders of the country and sacrifice for the state. How can he arrange for an escape? This should have been arranged privately by Wang Cheng'en. If it were to be exposed, Father would definitely oppose it."

Although feeling somewhat apprehensive, Zhu Cilang still straightened his bright red ceremonial robe and strode towards the main hall of Kun Ning Palace

Empress Zhou furrowed her brows slightly. Emperor Chongzhen was determined to be a sage ruler, so after ascending the throne, he vigorously reformed the ceremonial norms within the palace. The Crown Prince, being a well-behaved child, had always adhered to the rules and was practically a model prince. As he grew older, his temperament became quite similar to that of Chongzhen, very serious and rarely smiling in such a carefree manner.

As the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Chongzhen may not have truly sacrificed himself for the country and its people, but his empress, in times of crisis, had to commit suicide to uphold her loyalty...! ... Death, of course, was something the Zhou empress feared!

Seeing the palace maids and eunuchs retreat, Zhou looked at her son with affection and, noticing the improper smile on his face, shook her head and said: "What is going on today? Why are you so happy?"

Zhu Cilang looked at his pale-faced mother and thought to himself that this beautiful mother was even easier to deceive than Wang Cheng'en! The moment he spoke, she believed him. How could such a simple-minded woman engage in palace intrigue?

Except for the founding period, the later consorts of the Ming Dynasty were all selected from families of modest means. They had no opportunity to be trained in the intrigues of the palace within grand residences. Like Empress Zhou, who entered the palace at the tender age of fourteen or fifteen, became the consort of the Prince of Xin, then was promoted to empress, and subsequently gave birth to a prince. Moreover, Chongzhen was a man of such strictness that it bordered on dullness. How much turmoil and intrigue could there possibly be in his harem

Should not

"Cilang, what unreasonable request do you have to discuss with your mother?" After thinking for a moment, Zhou Hou said, "Is it about needing money? Your mother still has some private savings; you can take them all."

Zhou Hou cried and asked, "What can you do, you little child? Wang Cheng'en is not to be relied upon either; he is just a useless honest man!"

Indeed, Zhou Hou nodded repeatedly, but Wang Cheng'en was an honest and straightforward official

Moreover, Zhou Guozhang is a well-known miser; how could he possibly afford to buy Chen Yuanyuan? Chen Yuanyuan is so expensive!

Zhou's expression changed: "Is it really an ancestral dream? What did the ancestor say in the dream? Can our Ming dynasty survive this calamity?"

This statement is directed towards the surrounding palace attendants and eunuchs. It is time for a mother and child to share some private words

Zhu Cilang smiled and said: "Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty is blessed by our ancestors... However, the matter of dreams is too fantastical. My father, the Emperor, is a wise ruler and would not easily believe in such things. If he were to find out, he would certainly investigate thoroughly. But by the time everything is clarified, the rebels will have already entered the city!"

Why do you look so lively today? Has something good happened?

At this point, tears began to flow profusely, which is truly heart-wrenching to witness

Why conceal it? Zhou Hou does not understand

Zhou Hou raised his hand slightly, and Zhu Cilang took the opportunity to stand up straight

Zhu Cilang was also taken aback, feeling quite gloomy himself! ... Not happy at all, how could one possibly be happy when encountering such a situation

Happy

There is a way, there is a way, Zhu Cilang feigned mystery, "If there were no way, Emperor Taizu Gao would not have sent a dream to his son."

Zhu Cilang looked at his pure-hearted and beautiful mother, sighed and said: "Mother, Emperor Taizu has said that Juyong Pass has already fallen, and Tang Tong and Du Zhizhi have defected... Tomorrow, the rebel army will arrive outside the capital, and the day after tomorrow they will besiege the city and launch an attack"

"Chun Ge'er, what are you thinking about?" A slightly hoarse voice from Zhou interrupted Zhu Cilang's thoughts

Zhu Cilang let out a sigh, a prince with a mother is truly a treasure! With the cooperation of the Zhou dynasty, the probability of successfully breaking out and escaping has significantly increased!

"Indeed, indeed!" Zhu Cilang nodded earnestly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that your son is trustworthy, but I have a humble request."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang immediately regarded the four-eyed imperial physician with newfound respect, as he was able to discern even the issue of ancestral dreams. Truly, he is a miraculous doctor

He paused for a moment and slowly said: "Mother, I saw Emperor Taizu in my dream!"

The Empress Dowager just returned to the Kun Ning Palace from the Qian Qing Palace this morning, her eyes still a bit red, and it is unclear whether she has just been crying or did not sleep well last night. The moment she saw her son, her brows could not help but furrow. Why does the Crown Prince seem a bit off? Why does he not look troubled? Since the beginning of the year, the Crown Prince has always worn a gloomy expression due to his concerns for the country and the people, resembling his father closely.