Chapter 005: Slapping the Chief Eunuch

Zhu Yijun clasped his hands and said: "Mother, allow me to report!"

Therefore, Empress Dowager Li also began to question Feng Bao and even took direct action against him

Empress Dowager Chen turned to Empress Dowager Li and said, "Just right. I have an exquisite jade brush washer from days gone by, made of the finest jade. As a woman, it holds little use for me, so I shall give it to Jun'er."

Empress Dowager Chen also smiled at this moment and said, "Jun'er, you are benevolent and filial! This misunderstanding today should not have occurred."

The younger brother did not know where he had obtained the cricket and wanted to play with the prince. However, the prince thought that as a ruler, he should spend more time reviewing memorials to quickly learn the ways of governance, and thus was unwilling to accompany his younger brother in play. Fearing that he would be disturbed by his younger brother, he only allowed the close attendants to play with him outside the palace. The younger brother was still young and was destined to be enfeoffed, so it was better to let him enjoy himself a bit more

Empress Dowager Li smiled in agreement and said, "What my sister said is true!"

Because she could not possibly allow a servant to harbor the thought of framing the emperor

Empress Dowager Chen smiled gently and then walked away with Empress Dowager Li

Empress Dowager Li looked at the imperial edict written by Zhu Yijun, which indeed contained genuine content regarding state affairs, rather than lewd verses, flowery poetry, or the trivialities of the marketplace. She truly believed Zhu Yijun's response and simply asked, "Then why have I heard people say that you are playing with crickets?"

And the *picture* book states, "Frugality is indeed a virtue; it is rare for our Jun'er to exhibit such a demeanor of a sage ruler at such a young age, which should be known to the gentlemen outside."

Feng Bao, after being insufficiently punished by Empress Dowager Li, even resorted to striking himself in hopes of gaining her mercy

Feng Bao immediately knelt down and said: "Your Highness, please spare my life! It was all due to the false reports from those below. Moreover, I am a foolish person who truly believed them, which has led to the wrongful accusation against His Majesty. I nearly tarnished His Majesty's reputation; it is my fault!"

Zhu Yijun had to admit that Feng Bao was quick-witted and adept at turning unfavorable situations to his advantage, managing to absolve himself of blame for this misunderstanding by shifting the responsibility onto his subordinates.

The official Li Ke recommended Hai Rui to the Minister of Personnel, while impeaching Tan Lun. Note: Although Tan Lun should not be dismissed, why is Hai Rui not being appointed?

Empress Dowager Li did not continue to pursue Feng Bao relentlessly; she had not yet completely lost hope in him and still needed him to keep an eye on Zhu Yijun. She merely said:

Empress Dowager Li frowned slightly upon hearing Zhu Yijun mention that he had received a cricket

Zhu Yijun said as he brought over a bamboo container dipped in ink along the edge: "Please examine it, Mother Empress!"

Your Highness, please do not be angry! It was this servant who forgot her duty. I should have personally attended to His Majesty, rather than relying on hearsay

The Crown Prince is reading the memorial drafted by Mr. Zhang Yuanfu

A solid slap landed on Feng Bao's face

She did not want to disturb Zhu Yijun while he was reviewing the memorials, so she smiled at Empress Dowager Chen and said, "Sister, why not go to my place instead"

Zhu Yijun replied

Empress Dowager Chen certainly approved of Zhu Yijun, and she herself was very pleased.

Bang

However, upon hearing that Zhu Yijun intended to crush the cricket, Empress Dowager Li furrowed her brows slightly

Subsequently, Zhu Yijun replied with neither humility nor arrogance: "Indeed, there are close attendants who presented crickets to the Crown Prince, intending to bring him joy. The Crown Prince appreciated their good intentions and accepted them. However, recalling that the Xuanmiao Temple was once disdained by contemporaries for favoring such things, he dared not indulge in them and intended to crush them to eliminate the desire for play."

Restore the positions of Xu Fan, Minister of the Grand Council, and Xu Kun, Deputy Minister of the Treasury. Note: Both individuals are sons of Elder Xu. What were the reasons for their previous dismissal?

After the two Empress Dowagers left, Feng Baoze paid his respects to Zhu Yijun and then departed from the place

Feng Bao! What on earth is going on?! Can the emperor really frame someone so casually?!

I humbly accept the elder's gift and do not dare to decline. Thank you, Mother!

Feng, without offering any defense, simply acknowledged and replied accordingly.

Others may be fine, but upon hearing these words, Feng Bao naturally felt a sudden jolt in his heart

However, upon hearing that Zhu Yijun had thus recalled the matter of the Xuande Emperor and restrained herself, her brows once again relaxed.

Zhu Yijun then performed a bow

Feng Baozheng was about to continue bowing and admitting his mistake when Zhu Yijun hurriedly explained: "Mother, please do not be angry. This is not due to the negligence of the eunuchs. It was the Crown Prince who discovered through reviewing the memorials that since the time of our grandfather, there have been signs of living beyond our means in the imperial treasury. As the sage said, 'Frugality nurtures virtue.' Therefore, the Crown Prince thought it unnecessary to draw from the inner treasury for a single expenditure and considered using a bamboo container as a temporary substitute. In this way, it can also be seen as the Crown Prince personally advocating for frugality within the palace."

Thus, she naturally began to scold Feng Bao angrily and even resorted to physical action

The Crown Prince wishes to observe how the gentleman governs the country, especially in situations where specific political matters are difficult to decide. He is curious about how Mr. Zhang handles such issues. If there is anything unclear or enlightening, the Crown Prince will take notes, so that he can inquire with the gentleman during tomorrow's reading session at the Wenhua Hall

Zhu Yijun only raised his head after Feng Bao left, his gaze fixed on the latter's retreating figure like that of a hawk.

After Empress Dowager Li sternly asked this question, Feng Bao trembled and quickly agreed to start the discussion.

Feng Baoze felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, standing frozen in place. He did not expect that Zhu Yijun not only refrained from playing with crickets but also deliberately mentioned his act of releasing captured creatures, knowing that Empress Dowager Li was devoted to Buddhism. At that moment, he showcased his own frugality for the sake of the ruler using a bamboo jar.

Empress Dowager Chen then held Zhu Yijun's shoulder and said, "But Jun'er, you are after all the Son of Heaven, and should possess the dignity of the Son of Heaven. Therefore, at times, frugality may not be appropriately reflected in these aspects."

Immediately deal with the person who presented a cricket to the Emperor! From now on, no such audacious individuals shall be allowed near the Emperor, daring to corrupt the Son of Heaven of our great Ming dynasty. What is their true intention?

Bang

Bang

Empress Dowager Li, upon hearing Empress Dowager Chen's words, finally noticed that Zhu Yijun had just mentioned using a bamboo container as an ink wash. She then inquired of Feng Bao: "Feng Bao, what is going on? How is it that the eunuchs by the Emperor's side cannot even prepare a proper ink wash? Do they only know how to find crickets for the Emperor? How did you select these people?"

This involves issues of hierarchy and also raises the question of whether Feng Bao, as a servant, truly has the emperor's best interests at heart

Empress Dowager Chen and Empress Dowager Li could not help but exchange a smile at each other

Empress Dowager Li then turned to look at Empress Dowager Chen

However, it is evident that Zhu Yijun is not playing crickets now; how could she possibly be unaware of the reasons behind this and the written documentation?

At this moment, Empress Dowager Chen spoke a sentence

... ...

For a moment, even Feng Bao could not help but glance at Zhu Yijun, thinking: "Is our young prince truly a wise and benevolent ruler? Has he completely lost even the slightest trace of a child's playful nature?"

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Li nodded, her tone softening as she asked, "Then why is your younger brother here playing with crickets?"

Empress Dowager Li was not a foolish person; if it were truly as Feng Bao said, that she saw Zhu Yijun playing with crickets, she would certainly not show him the slightest leniency.

Empress Dowager Li nodded repeatedly

Empress Dowager Li furrowed her brows once again

Give Feng Bao a lesson

Zhu Yijun responded with a bow

Empress Dowager Li indeed believed somewhat in Feng Bao's words, thinking that Feng Bao likely misheard the information from his subordinates. She merely reprimanded him, saying: "Why didn't you verify it yourself before reporting! It is evident that you have been lazy! You have forgotten your own responsibilities!"

Empress Dowager Li was about to speak when Zhu Yijun interjected: "However, considering that the Empress has always been devoted to Buddhism and is reluctant to take life, I temporarily let it go out the window, allowing it to escape into the grass. I only kept the jar to use as an ink wash."

Empress Dowager Chen smiled slightly, and suddenly glanced at Zhu Yijun, asking: "Jun'er, why do you use a bamboo jar as an ink wash? Is there no other ink wash in your palace?"

Bang