Chapter Seven, Empress Dowager Li has passed away

Consort Zheng rose and sat down beside Wanli. At that moment, Wanli sighed softly and said, "I have been reminiscing about the past. I have been unfilial, having been at odds with my mother for almost a lifetime. Now that she is no longer with us, I find myself wanting to cry!"

"You have come!" The Emperor Wanli, sitting before his mother's coffin, looked at Concubine Zheng, who was stripped of her silks and adorned with her elaborate headdress, and spoke in a hollow voice. "Not laughing in the palace, that old wretch has finally died?"

Zhu Yousong also greeted, saying: "I have met with the Crown Prince Uncle and the Elder Brother Yuansun"

Consort Zheng looked eagerly at Wanli, who, of course, understood her thoughts. He refused, saying: "The Empress has not committed any acts of immorality. If she were to be deposed, I fear that both the court and the public would not agree. Furthermore, I observe that the Empress's health is not very good; she may not last two more years. You should endure for the time being. I keep my word; I will certainly elevate you to the position of Empress when the opportunity arises"

Combining the two statements from Wanli, it is evident that he is warning Consort Zheng not to harm Empress Wang. In response, Consort Zheng, who does not wish to be perceived as a "venomous beauty" in Wanli's eyes, can only agree, saying: "I understand what I should do..."

Wanli grasped the hand of Concubine Zheng: "Look, you can't even say a comforting word; the resentment in your heart is something that cannot be suppressed! However, even if the resentment cannot be contained, you must put on a facade of sorrow these days, otherwise, it will not be good for you or for Chang Xun"

Consort Zheng, sensing the feelings of Emperor Wanli, comforted him, saying: "Your Majesty, with a heart as pure as a child, must still prioritize the welfare of all the people in the world"

After King Yu ascended the throne, Lady Li, favored by her son, was granted the title of Noble Consort, her status second only to that of Empress Chen

Indeed, the feelings of Emperor Wanli towards Empress Dowager Li were profound, yet the contradictions were equally significant. In his early years, due to Wanli's disinterest in studying and preference for drinking, Empress Dowager Li both had Zhang Juzheng impose strict discipline on him and frequently threatened to depose Wanli, which led to a strained mother-son relationship from that time onward. Subsequently, Wanli was consistently at odds with Empress Dowager Li over matters such as the enfeoffment of Consort Wang, the enfeoffment of the Crown Prince, and the joint studies of the three princes. However, since that person has passed away, all that remains are beautiful memories.

Empress Dowager Li entered the residence of Prince Yu at the age of fifteen. Shortly thereafter, she gave birth to the third son, Zhu Yijun, of Prince Yu, who later became Emperor Muzong, Zhu Zaitao. Subsequently, she was promoted from a palace maid to a concubine and gave birth to Prince Yu's fourth son, Zhu Yiliao, who was later granted the title of Prince of Lu Jian.

Young Master, I have just received a secret report that Consort Zheng is accompanying His Majesty in the Cining Palace to keep vigil for the Empress Dowager

Your Highness, you must not scold any further; if this were to reach the Emperor's ears, it would be quite serious

Zhu Yousong knelt and said to Emperor Wanli and Empress Zheng: "Grandfather, Grandmother, do not cry"

In the third month of the sixth year of the Wanli era, Zhu Yijun added the words "Xuanwen" to his mother's title, thus designating her as the Empress Dowager Cisheng Xuanwen

Consort Zheng, who was fond of Zhu Youxiong, immediately wanted to embrace him. Wanli seized Consort Zheng's hand and simultaneously said to Zhu Changxun: "Bring Fu Ba and pay your respects to your imperial grandmother!"

In the first year of the Wanli era (1573), after Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, he immediately conferred the title of Empress Dowager Cisheng upon Lady Li

Zhu Changluo secretly clenched his fist, but calmly said, "Third brother, please take Song'er to pay respects to our grandmother first..."

Although Consort Zheng knew that Wanli was trying to frighten her, she still began to sob: "I, your servant, I, your servant, know I was wrong!"

Zhu Changluo was still somewhat flustered: "Well, isn't it the same that in a year or two I will still lose the title of Crown Prince!"

This old wretch has finally died! How wonderful! It is just a pity that he died too late!

In the second month of the 42nd year of the Wanli reign, Empress Dowager Li, the mother of Wanli, passed away

Upon mentioning the son, Consort Zheng immediately replied: "I understand, Your Majesty!"

Wang An became a bit more composed: "Young master, the matter is not that urgent!"

After listening to the report, Zhu Changluo, in a state of panic, grasped Wang An's hand and asked, "Wang Banban, do you think Father Emperor and Concubine Zheng will discuss how to depose me in front of Grandmother's spirit?"

In the 10th year of the Wanli era, the title of Empress Dowager Li was augmented with the character "Su"; in the 29th year of Wanli, her title was further enhanced with the four characters "Zhen Shou Duan Xian"; in the 34th year of Wanli, Emperor Wanli again added the characters "Gong Xi" to her title, resulting in the full title of the Empress Dowager becoming "Ci Sheng Xuan Wen Ming Su Zhen Shou Duan Xian Gong Xi Huang Tai Hou" consisting of 12 characters

Zhu Changxun, accompanied by Zhu Yousong, proceeded towards the spirit tablet, but first paid his respects to Zhu Changluo and Zhu Youjiao, saying: "Your humble servant has come to pay respects to the Crown Prince and the Grandson!"

Indeed, Empress Dowager Li has always been the guardian of Zhu Changluo. Now that Empress Dowager Li is no longer present, Zhu Changluo feels a fatal threat.

Chang Luo and You Xiao have also arrived! Seeing his eldest son and grandson kneeling before him, Emperor Wanli nodded. "Go and pay your respects to your grandmother and great-grandmother!"

Listening to the advice of her trusted eunuch, Consort Zheng awoke from her ecstasy and immediately commanded: "Change into mourning attire, I shall go to comfort His Majesty..."

This statement is quite accurate; it is now widely known that Empress Dowager Li provided protection to Zhu Changluo. As the saying goes, filial piety means not deviating from the father's path for three years. Therefore, even if Wanli truly intended to depose Zhu Changluo, it would not be convenient for him to act within a year or two.

However, Empress Dowager Li, who had a significant influence over Emperor Wanli, was the guardian of Crown Prince Zhu Changluo. It can be said that without the protection of Empress Dowager Li, Zhu Changluo might not have survived, let alone obtained the title of Crown Prince, which consequently made Consort Zheng harbor a deep-seated hatred towards her

Wanli nodded and said: "Fortunately, this matter has not spread; otherwise, even if I wanted to protect you, it would not be possible! Alright, stop crying, get up, and come sit beside me."

Wanli further instructed: "Moreover, with the Empress Dowager gone, the Empress is not actually in charge of affairs. The Six Palaces are under your management, so be sure to understand the limits!"

Empress Dowager Cisheng Xuánwén Mìngsù Zhēnshòu Duānxiàn Gōngxī is the one with the longest title among the Empress Dowagers of the Ming Dynasty, and also the one with the longest title among the Empress Dowagers prior to Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty. This reflects the deep affection that Emperor Wanli had for his mother

Wang An reassured, "As long as the Emperor does not immediately depose my position, the Eastern Palace can contact the officials of the court to weave a protective talisman for me!"

The noble Consort Zheng was taken aback and hurriedly knelt before Emperor Wanli, saying: "Your Majesty, I am unworthy, please punish me!"

Emperor Wanli chuckled and said: "Isn't 'unruly' a bit of an understatement? This is outright defiance! Based on this, I could directly depose you!"

Wang An immediately explained to Zhu Changluo: "The Empress Dowager's remains have not yet cooled, and His Majesty would certainly not abolish the Young Master at this time; otherwise, it would not fulfill the duty of filial piety."

It is naturally unfeasible to oppose the Emperor with the officials, but it is possible to suppress the Emperor with the overwhelming public opinion. Wang An said confidently. "What I need to do now is to immediately take my grandson to the Cining Palace to keep vigil..."

Zhu Changluo, accompanied by the dazed Zhu Youjiao, approached Empress Dowager Li to pay his respects. As he finished his bow and was just rising, Zhu Changxun entered Cining Palace with Zhu Yousong: "Your humble son pays his respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress! I beseech Father Emperor and Mother Empress to restrain your grief for the sake of the nation and the countless subjects."

Can one succeed in opposing the emperor with the support of the officials