prosperous age

"Eunuch Meng, His Majesty's recovery is the top priority. I have heard before that His Majesty's body was better after a few doses of medicine, but he couldn't wait to summon the palace servants to sleep with him, which is why the troubles are now like this.

That's it, I'll be responsible if something goes wrong, and your majesty will blame you on me. "

Gao Gong used the tactics used to deal with foreign dynasties again to force the eunuchs in the harem to obey his orders.

The expressions of dissatisfaction on the faces of Meng Chong, Zhang Hong and others flashed away, but when they thought of the emperor's body, they all nodded slightly.

The expressions of several people fell into Feng Bao's eyes, but he was not happy about it.

In fact, after entering the room, Feng Bao was observing Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, trying to confirm their relationship.

Although it was pleasant to drink and chat with Zhang Juzheng before, Zhang Juzheng also expressed his intention to form an alliance with him to deal with Gao Gong.

Although Zhang Juzheng had secret help from Meng Chong in the palace, looking at Emperor Longqing's current condition, he also greatly improved Feng Bao's status in his heart.

"I think the palace should also set a rule, that is, these small picture books should be kept away from the emperor except before and after the emperor's wedding. This is also for the sake of the dragon's health."

Gao Gong saw several eunuchs nodding and continued.

"It's against the rules for us to settle this matter."

Meng Chong heard Gao Gong's words this time and immediately refused.

"It's simple. After you return to the palace, you can talk to Queen Chen. As long as she doesn't object, it will be settled."

When Gao Gong said this, he had actually considered this matter in his heart, knowing that even as the chief minister, he was not qualified to interfere with the affairs of the harem.

But considering Emperor Longqing's physical condition, he had to say this.

The harem was under the control of the empress, but Emperor Longqing's original wife had died as early as the Jiajing period. The current empress was Chen, the concubine chosen by Emperor Jiajing for Emperor Longqing. She was promoted to empress after Emperor Longqing ascended the throne.

Therefore, in Gao Gong's view, although he, a foreign minister, proposed this matter, as long as it was approved by Empress Chen, it would be effective.

However, when Meng Chong, Feng Bao and others heard Gao Gong mention Empress Chen, the expressions on their faces were very exciting.

There is no way, although Chen is a queen, she is not favored.

It's not that Emperor Longqing doesn't like her. If she can be chosen as a concubine, it's not about her family background or her appearance. Naturally, she is first-class.

Appearance is easy to understand. As for family background, of course it does not refer to a first-class famous family, but to an innocent family background.

The selection of concubines in the Ming Dynasty had many characteristics, that is, the concubines were selected from the common people instead of from the nobles.

Those who can take the final step must go through the local review, the Ministry of Rites review, and finally the inner court review. Only those who pass the three reviews are qualified to stand in front of the emperor for marriage.

Anyone in the family who is found guilty of committing adultery will definitely be removed from the selection process.

The main reason why Empress Chen was not favored was because she was too virtuous. She repeatedly pointed out the absurd things that Emperor Longqing did in the harem, which made the emperor extremely unhappy.

For pleasure, Emperor Longqing even tried to get her to move out of the palace. There were even rumors in the government and the public that the emperor wanted to depose the queen.

However, whether it was Xu Jie, Li Chunfang, or the ministers he consulted, they all opposed the matter in unison. Emperor Longqing gave up when he saw how strong the resistance was.

In fact, Empress Chen's approach was highly approved by Gao Gong. In his opinion, such a mother-in-law is what everyone expects.

Gao Gong dared to intervene in this matter because he thought that with Queen Chen's character, she would not object if she thought about it.

Gao Gong could see the expressions of several people, but he did not panic at all and continued: "No matter what, Queen Chen will always be the queen of the Long Qing Dynasty and the master of the harem." '

Meng Chong only glanced at Gao Gong at this time. Of course, Gao Gong calculated that he could not miss it.

But there was one thing he and Gao Gong had in common, and that was Emperor Longqing's body.

Whether it is Gao Gong or Meng Chong, their current status is actually all dependent on the emperor's favor. If they are replaced, their status will definitely be reduced.

Therefore, protecting Emperor Longqing was actually protecting their own interests.

After coming out of the cabinet, several people went to a palace to the west of the palace, which was the residence of Queen Chen.

Originally, the empress should have lived in Kunning Palace, which was located in the middle of the east and west palaces in the harem, so it became the middle palace. However, Emperor Longqing moved Empress Chen out on an excuse.

Feng Bao was walking in the crowd and suddenly said: "After what happened that time, has the emperor forgiven the queen?"

"Who knows, but the emperor was very angry that time, so he kicked the empress out of Kunning Palace."

"The anger must still be gone, otherwise I wouldn't have visited there in all these years."

Several eunuchs were discussing in low voices.

Speaking of which, most of the people in this group did not like Empress Chen. Meng Chong and Chen Hong, for example, both relied on flattery to get to power, and Empress Chen disliked them the most.

Of course, Feng Bao was an exception. From the beginning, he did not participate in these matters. He only took care of the prince's daily life and pledged all his wealth.

Zhang Hong also relied on his seniority and slowly got through it, and he did not take advantage of opportunities.

As for "that thing" they were talking about, it was actually in the first year of Longqing that King Yu finally ascended the throne of the emperor and Concubine Chen was appointed queen.

After a long period of suffering and repression, Ming Muzong now occupies a supreme position where he can do whatever he wants, so he indulges himself in sensuality without restraint.

Empress Chen politely dissuaded her: "This is a hard-earned position for your Majesty. As you are entrusted by your ancestors, you should be cautious. Besides, Your Majesty should also take care of yourself."

Mu Zong not only refused to listen to the advice, but also said angrily: "According to the law of our ancestors, although the concubine is the mother of the world, she cannot participate in political affairs. Don't talk too much about my affairs!"

This was the beginning of the conflict between the two. In fact, during the reign of Yu Zhuan, Queen Chen didn't care much about what the emperor did. Even when King Yu took his maids away, she didn't say anything.

This palace maid was Li Cai'er, who actually gave birth to two princes for Emperor Longqing when he was in a difficult situation.

But after becoming the emperor, he naturally had to pay attention to some things. As a queen, he naturally had to remind the emperor to take care of his health.

After several more troubles, Emperor Longqing arranged for her to move to another palace, which was on the verge of being abandoned. Empress Chen was so ashamed and angry when her loyal words were found guilty that she fell ill and became bedridden.

When they arrived at the other palace, Meng Chong told Gao Gong what he meant. Queen Chen would naturally not object. Even if he fell out of favor, she would still be the queen in the Ming Dynasty Palace after all.

However, during the whole process, only Chen Hong frowned because when Meng Chong reported it, he hinted that Gao Gong was involved in the affairs of the inner court.

This matter was not the result of their discussion, but an order given by Gao Gong in a commanding tone.

When Meng Chong and the others said this, they naturally put eye drops on Gao Gong in the palace. Although the queen did not care about anything, her status was so high that Gao Gong had to bow when she saw her.

"Now that I know about it, I'll just do it according to Chief Minister Gao's wishes."

Empress Chen didn't say anything else, she just said a few words and let them leave.

Chen Hong didn't know if Meng Chong's previous words had been taken into heart by Empress Chen.

He was held in the crowd by Feng Bao and Zhang Hong. Only Meng Chong spoke. Although his meaning was clearly expressed, his tone was really wrong.

Even if he heard it, he couldn't jump out and explain it on this occasion. He was also irritated. He just wanted to go back and inform Gao Gong so that he would have similar ideas in the future. It would be better not to bring it up again from the cabinet, but from the cabinet. He brought it out when discussing matters in the inner court.

In the next few days, the Chief Eunuch arranged for the eunuchs in the palace to take turns in the Qianqing Palace to look after Emperor Longqing.

However, after fainting at the court meeting, Emperor Longqing's body showed no signs of recovery. The imperial doctors at the Imperial Hospital were helpless after several consultations. As Emperor Longqing's health failed to improve, the atmosphere in the harem became increasingly depressing.

Gao Gong had not taken care of his health for several days, and Gao Gong became increasingly uneasy. These days, he had to go to Qianqing Palace every day to see if the emperor's health had improved.

"Where is Gao Zixiang now? Is there any news?"

Today is May 25th. After processing some official documents, Zhang Juzheng came over with two troublesome memoranda. After the two discussed for a while and settled on the draft, Gao Gong asked.

"Calculating the time, it only takes two days for Gao Gong's ship to reach the capital."

Zhang Juzheng calculated in his mind that the time for Gaoyi to board the official ship should be almost at Tongzhou Pier, so he replied.

"I have been feeling uneasy these past few days. Going to the palace to meet His Majesty these past two days has become increasingly futile."

Gao Gong sighed and said.

He now regrets that he didn't say anything to dissuade Emperor Longqing about the harem. He just thought that it was the harem after all, and it was really hard for him, a foreign minister, to talk about it.

If I had known it would be so serious, I would have tried to dissuade her at all costs, and I would have helped Empress Chen clean up the "" harem and get rid of those coquettish bitches who wanted to flatter the emperor.

"You passed today and didn't you see His Majesty?"

Zhang Juzheng asked cautiously.

"No, His Majesty was still asleep when I went there. He said he woke up for a while in the early morning, took medicine and fell asleep again."

Gao Gong replied.

In fact, Zhang Juzheng knew everything about the situation in Qianqing Palace through the notes from Meng Chong and Feng Bao. He had more information channels than Gao Gong.

Gao Gong relied on Chen Hong in the inner palace, who had lost the support of other eunuchs.

Although Chen Hong also has many godsons in the palace, their strength should not be underestimated.

"Should we call Pan Sheng and Zhu Heng to come over and make some preparations?"

Zhang Juzheng could only suggest carefully.

Emperor Longqing's current physical condition is so unspeakable that even the Imperial Hospital is at a loss. No one dares to say whether it will reach that stage.

But in the past few days, Emperor Longqing had been in a state of confusion for a long time. He only regained consciousness two or three times a day, and it seemed that he was no longer able to survive.

Just when Gao Gong frowned and thought about Zhang Juzheng's suggestion, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door. Then a panting young chamberlain ran into the check-in room, bowed to Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, you are awake. The two pavilion elders immediately went to the palace to see me."

When he heard that the emperor had woken up, Gao Gong was overjoyed. He immediately put Zhang Juzheng's words behind him and hurried to Qianqing Palace with Zhang Juzheng, following the servants.

This time there was no communication, and he followed the young chamberlain directly into the side hall.

The side hall was still filled with the smell of medicine, but the two of them didn't care much and hurried to the bedside of Emperor Longqing.

"Long live my emperor."

After saluting in front of the sick bed, Gao Gong looked up and saw Emperor Longqing pointing a finger at him. He hurried forward and grabbed the emperor's hand with both hands.

The Emperor Longqing who came into view at this time had a sickly look on his face, and his expression was very ugly.

However, Gao Gong felt happy when he saw this, it was not like the legendary flashback.

It is said that when a person regains consciousness for the last time, which is the so-called return of light, the physiological characteristics will briefly return to normal state, and the emperor's face obviously does not look like it.

"Your Majesty, you need to rest well and you will get better."

Gao Gong only whispered.

Emperor Longqing's current appearance made Gao Gong's eyes sore, and his eyes instantly turned red and moist.

He had a very special relationship with Emperor Longqing, who was both a teacher and a friend. He even regarded the emperor as a nephew. Now that he saw the young emperor like this, it was difficult to express his discomfort.

"Master Gao, I'm afraid my body is in danger. I've been in a state of confusion these days. I often dream about my mother and my father."

Zhang Juzheng stood up and stood aside, listening to the conversation between Emperor Longqing and Gao Gong, staring at the emperor's face.

"Uncle."

After talking to Gao Gong for a while, Emperor Longqing suddenly shouted to Zhang Juzheng next to him.

"The minister is here."

Zhang Juzheng also hurriedly stepped forward and made a gesture of listening.

"You help me draw up the decree, cough cough."

"Yes."

Although he didn't know what the emperor wanted to do, Zhang Juzheng still hurriedly bowed to respond.

When Meng Chong next to him heard that the emperor was about to draft an edict, he had already ordered the chamberlain next to him to bring over a small table and pen, ink, paper and inkstone and place them in front of the sickbed.

Zhang Juzheng sat directly on the ground, picked up his pen and prepared to write an edict.

"Seize love, order Wei Guangde to return to the capital immediately after receiving the order and go to the cabinet to handle errands. He cannot refuse politely and set off immediately."

It was not the edict of passing the throne as he had expected. Presumably, the identity of the prince had already been determined, and there was no need for a posthumous edict to prove Zhu Yijun's legal status.

Recalling Wei Guangde, Zhang Juzheng was still very confused at this time. This matter was not a good thing for him, it was not a good thing, but it was just like that.

Zhang Juzheng quickly drafted a decree, and then handed it to Meng Chong next to him, who read it over in front of Emperor Longqing.

"Let people go and announce the decree immediately without making any mistakes."

After listening to Meng Chong's decree, Emperor Longqing immediately gave the order.

Meng Chong left the hall with the decree drafted by Zhang Juzheng. He was going to urge the decree to be issued as soon as possible.

It doesn't matter to Meng Chong that Wei Guangde returns to Beijing. He has a good relationship with Wei Guangde, at least better than with Gao Gong.

"Uncle, you and Shandai are the teachers I appointed for the prince. You must do your best to teach him and don't let him be like me."

When the emperor recalled his ministers, neither Gao Gong nor Zhang Juzheng could say anything about it.

Although seizing love involves a lot, with the emperor's current state, it seems reasonable to recall some of his old ministers.

The two walked out of Qianqing Palace in silence and walked back to the cabinet without saying anything.

"Uncle, what you mentioned earlier, we will ask them to come to the cabinet for discussion tomorrow."

Gao Gong said when he and Zhang Juzheng separated.