eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 725
There were relatively few things at the end of the year, so Zhu Houzhao spent more time in the harem.

Taking care of his son and teasing his daughter, the Tian family cannot be without any warmth.

Zaihe and Zaiyan will be ten years old after the Chinese New Year. In this age when people get married at the age of eleven or twelve, these two children are actually somewhat sensible.

The emperor took them to the martial arts field in the palace to shoot bows and arrows. Just as Zhu Houzhao thought, Zai Gao was indeed stronger. Even those longer spears could be lifted and turned twice.

Zhu Houzhao also wore tight-fitting clothes and led them to juggle.

"Oh, my little ancestor, you have to slow down, don't hurt your hand." The emperor was not nervous, but the eunuchs were nervous. Seeing that Zai Yu couldn't draw the bow and had to pull hard, they were a little worried.

Zai Yan's face turned red from holding it in, and he seemed to have little energy.

Zhu Houzhao is not like Zhu Di, who likes sons who look like him and hates sons who are not like him. From later generations, to him, all his biological sons are the same. They are not suitable to be emperor and can do other things.

Not all of them are wise, mighty, or gods descended from the earth. How many dragon chairs are there enough for them to sit on?

So he still knelt down and rubbed Zai Yan's face, and said comfortingly: "You are still young, it doesn't matter if you can't pull it apart now. Eat more, gain more strength, and grow a little longer, and you will be able to pull it apart in a few years."

Zai Nuo looked a little aggrieved, "Dad, my child has let you down."

"Dad is not disappointed. It doesn't matter if you can't do it. If you do it slowly, you can always do it." Zhu Houzhao wiped the sweat from his little head, "Just practice a few punches and kicks without using weapons. Dad doesn't expect you to be so brave, but your body Be strong!”

"Thank you, dad! The kid knows!"

Having said that, looking back at Zaihe, the difference is quite big.

They are the same age, born two days before and after. Zaihe is not only half a head taller than him, but also has a stronger body. After learning from the guards for a few times, they have begun to sparring. He is a young boy. Heroic.

"careful!"

This is what You Zhi on the edge is shouting.

Zaihe was not particularly skilled in wielding a spear. He twisted around and hit himself in the back with the spear, frightening the two guards around him to the point where they turned pale.

Zaihe was half kneeling on the ground, and when he raised his head, his face was still full of high spirits.

"The boy has talent." Zhu Houzhao praised him. Of course, he would not raise his child to be a weakling who cannot bear any pain, but instead encouraged him.

Zaihe had developed this kind of self-confidence for a long time. Although he made a fool of himself, he was even more excited when he heard his father praise him.

Later, Zaihe and Zaiyan sat on either side of the emperor, and the servants next to them served him some beef ribs.Zhu Houzhao said: "If you don't use chopsticks, you won't have to wait for others. You can take it and eat it by yourself."

"it is good!"

Zai Tuo took a big bite like a whirlwind, and his cheeks bulged to the point of his head.

"I didn't realize it just half a year ago, but today I suddenly discovered that you two have grown up slowly. After the new year and spring, why don't you go out to the palace with your grandpa to see a lot of things?"

"Leaving the palace?" Zaihe and Zaiyan asked at the same time.

"Well, let's leave the palace. I am the emperor, and you are the princes. You are destined to have a mission. But I don't want you to be the kind of prince who was born in the palace and grew up with the hands of women. What is it like outside the palace? It’s something to take a look at.”

"Dad, my son is willing to go!" Zaihe expressed excitedly.

"Don't be too hasty, there are still conditions."

"Ah? There are still conditions?"

……

……

Zai's mother was named Concubine Ning because of Huaixiao;
Zaiyan's mother was Huaiyan, who was named Concubine Zhao.

Because they are biological sisters, they are often inseparable.

I heard from the servants that the emperor had been playing with the children today, which made them very happy. Later, the emperor came with two living treasures, but Zaihe was too excited. As soon as he arrived, he said that he would leave the palace and let Concubine Ning and Concubine Zhao Very worried.

"Your Majesty," the two beauties came to him.

"It's okay. I'll let Uncle Ping Hai lead them. Nothing will go wrong. Besides, a gentleman's words are hard to follow. The three of us have made an agreement and it's hard to change."

"Yes, dad is right. When a man speaks, he or she doesn't speak. When he speaks, he must do what he says!"

Concubine Ning glared at him, "Just be quiet. You seem to have endless energy all day long. Have you ever been taught to be dignified and polite?"

"Those who are celebrating the New Year, don't discipline your children. Zaihe is very obedient." Zhu Houzhao did not forget to touch the other child's head, "Zaiyi is also very obedient."

Concubine Ning clasped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm not following the Holy Will, it's actually complicated outside the palace. As princes, they have a very special status. I'm worried..."

"Children have to grow up, and the tiger cub under the tiger will one day go out to hunt alone. It is impossible to protect him for the rest of his life. If the outside is dangerous, just protect them. What future prospects will there be for him?"

Concubine Ning and Concubine Zhao were both surprised that the emperor said such words.Their children are actually concubines.

But I had doubts in my heart, and I didn’t dare to say some things.

Zhu Houzhao didn't need to explain. He pulled Zai Yan in front of him and asked, "Tell dad, are you afraid?"

Zai Yan glanced at his mother blankly.

"Say whatever is on your mind." Concubine Zhao encouraged.

"If the father can accompany the child, the child will not be afraid by the father's side."

Concubine Zhao was a little disappointed.

But Zhu Houzhao laughed loudly, "This is a filial child who knows how to be with his father."

In fact, he would be like this when he was a child. When visiting relatives or going to strange places, he didn't like playing with a bunch of children, so he wanted to hide from his parents.

"Wait, wait, I have to reward Zaiyan with something. You, tell yourself, what do you want?"

Zai Yan thought for a while and said, "My child wants to spend one more day with daddy tomorrow."

Concubine Zhao immediately spoke up, "The emperor has state affairs, how can he keep playing with you? I'm so ignorant, take it back quickly."

"Hey, it doesn't matter. He can just stay aside to deal with state affairs. Zai Yi has a good temper and won't cause trouble."

Concubine Zhao didn't know whether to be happy or worried, "Your Majesty, you can't pamper your child like this."

"That's not necessarily true. People are different." Although Zhu Houzhao is from a later generation, he still feels a little special about his biological son. He pinched his little face and said: "Most people are arrogant because of favor. But Zai Yan is the most obedient. Why is he obedient? Because he knows that he cannot trouble others."

Zai Yan blushed a little at being praised and was still not used to it.

"Tomorrow you come to Qianqing Palace. I will set up a seat for you. Let's talk about it first. I'm a manly man. You can spit and nail. You have to go by yourself. If you feel bored by then, you have to endure it. If you want to run away, Dad is going to teach someone a lesson."

"No, my dear, thank you dad for making it possible!"

……

……

This incident made Zhu Houzhao reflect a little. Could it be that he spent too little time with his children, which made Zai Yan want to stay with him for a while longer in this way?

Summoning the ministers on the second day was indeed very boring.

Because the old monks and secretaries of the cabinet cabinet went down to report some matters related to this year's New Year's Eve. This kind of meeting was long and smelly, and Zhu Houzhao couldn't say a few words, he just existed as an emperor.

But the ministers were surprised.

The emperor asked the emperor's second son to accompany him. What does it mean?
When leaving the palace, some speculation is inevitable.

Liang Chu, the official secretary, told Yang Tinghe, "I heard that the emperor's eldest son is heroic and intelligent. He should be more favored by the emperor. Why did he bring up the second son for the first time?"

"Let's see in a few years. This matter is not urgent."

The emperor had no particular preference for anyone, and had no intention of establishing a prince.

This actually made the civil servants a little uncomfortable.

In court politics, civil servants always like to ask the emperor to establish a prince. Of course, in a broad sense, the country needs a prince.However, behind the scenes was a precise calculation of political interests, instigating the old emperor to establish a crown prince. Once successful, the minister would be considered a supporter of the crown prince.

The East Palace is settled, which saves them from having to worry about making choices. The prince must be orthodox. Otherwise, it will be very risky if he makes the wrong choice, and human instinct is to turn uncertainty into certainty.

It's a pity that there is no legitimate son now, and their reasons are always lacking. If they are raised rashly, they will be easily dismissed and they will offend the queen.

In the Palace of Qianqing, after the ministers finally left, Zhu Houzhao turned to ask Zai Yan, "How are you doing? Is it very painful as dad said?"

"But daddy is the emperor, but he didn't drive them away." Zai Yan said this in a confused manner. He somewhat understood, but he was too young and couldn't fully figure it out.

Zhu Houzhao was slightly surprised. In fact, he, the second son of the emperor, had some special understanding.

"Come here." He waved.

Zai Yan slowly pressed against the emperor's chest.

Zhu Houzhao said softly, "What are you driving them away for? People who chatter all day long and cry and howl before they do anything are useless people. You have to remember, how big you can be in your heart, how big you can be." matter."

Zai Yan raised his head. For a ten-year-old child, his father at this time was like his god, mysterious and powerful.

(End of this chapter)