Your Majesty, please beg for mercy. The prince's rebellion was successful.

"Grandpa..."

In the bedroom, everyone retreated, leaving only Zhou Zheng and Zhenbei Hou.

Looking at the pale-looking Marquis Zhenbei lying on the bed, Zhou Zheng felt a little moved.

A generation of Zhenbei Marquis did not fall when faced with countless life-and-death battles; faced with dangers in the north, they did not fall at the critical moment for the survival of the Xiao family, but they fell because of the words of the Minister of Rites just now.

Zhou Zheng lowered his head and remained silent, his heart extremely complicated.

Because, if it weren't for Zhou Zheng's stubbornness just now, how could Zhenbei Hou be so anxious?

"sit down."

"It seems that our grandparents and grandchildren have not talked alone."

Looking at Zhou Zheng, whose childish look had long since disappeared from his face, the Marquis of Zhenbei coughed and motioned for Zhou Zheng to sit down.

It has been twenty years since Zhou Zheng was born.

The Marquis of Zhenbei almost always devoted himself to the imperial court and guarding the north, and never left, let alone being alone with Zhou Zheng like he is now.

"Back then, before your mother-in-law passed away, she wrote to me."

"The thing I'm most worried about is you who haven't grown up yet."

"Your mother has been stubborn all her life. She only asked for two things from me."

Zhou Zheng, who looked down at Zhenbei Marquis, couldn't help but think of Xiao Qing back then.

His voice was a little low, and his cloudy eyes fell on Zhou Zheng. He looked very much like Xiao Qing who had made mistakes before.

After hearing his grandfather mention his mother, Zhou Zheng slowly raised his head.

"The first thing is that she wants to protect Emperor Tianjing at all costs and help Emperor Tianjing ascend to the throne and become a generation of emperors."

The Xiao family was originally just one of the big aristocratic families on Friday, but such a big change happened because of Xiao Qing.

Even Xiao Mu doesn't know now whether this is good or bad for the Xiao family.

"The second thing is to ask me to protect you at all costs."

At this time, Xiao Mu looked at Zhou Zheng with a kind expression.

Without Xiao Qing, Zhou Zheng's only support in the court was Xiao Mu.

Over the years, although Xiao Muming maintained and restrained his relationship with Zhou Zheng, he even behaved quite coldly.

But in fact, he has been protecting Zhou Zheng secretly.

Otherwise, with Emperor Tianjing's temperament, he would not be able to tolerate Zhou Zheng.

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

Zhou Zheng stood up and bowed deeply towards Xiao Guan.

In the past two years, he has learned a lot of things, and his previous incomprehension has long since disappeared.

"No problem."

He raised his hand with some difficulty and shook it.

"Emperor Tianjing rules the world with benevolence and righteousness, but in reality he is an iron-fisted monarch."

"In Dazhou, no one can truly disobey him."

With a sigh, Xiao Mu's eyes darkened.

Emperor Tianjing has been pursuing celebrities for many years, so he has long concealed his sharp edge.

But Xiao Mu will never forget that Emperor Tianjing is actually a giant dragon and a tiger!

"So, there are some things we don't have a choice about."

After taking a long breath, Xiao Muruo said this pointedly.

He is the head of the Xiao family and a first-generation Zhenbei Marquis. He has seen countless intrigues and intrigues. How could he not see the mystery behind this northern battle?

Emperor Tianjing's intention to weaken the Zhenbei Army was no longer an idea.

Xiao Mu knew better than anyone that Zhenbei Hou would fall apart sooner or later.

The general trend cannot be stopped by human efforts.

"Grandpa, do you know everything?"

Zhou Zheng's pupils dilated slightly, and there was a hint of surprise in his words.

But his mind soon calmed down. If grandpa couldn't even notice this, he wouldn't be worthy of the title of Zhenbei Hou.

"Let's talk about you."

Xiao Mu had a lonely look on his face. He had been loyal to the court and the Holy One all his life, but he didn't expect that he would end up in this situation. Even if he had known about it for a long time and had even been mentally prepared for it, it was still a little hard to accept.

"With the great victory in the north, Daxia's vitality has been severely damaged, and we don't dare to do it again for a while."

"The imperial court is bound to take over the northern territory."

"But, that's not what I care about."

Xiao Mu coughed, everyone in the world is the king's land, and within the four seas, everyone is the king's ministers.

Emperor Tianjing wants to take back the land in the north, which is understandable.

"but!"

"You shouldn't refuse the order."

Xiao Mu shook his head. In his opinion, this was the most inappropriate thing Zhou Zheng had done.

"Because, in one month, you will be twenty years old."

"You have just been crowned as an adult."

This is what Xiao Mu really worries and cares about!

In order for the prince to become the crown prince, he must be crowned with a weak crown.

Eighteen weak crowns, twenty crowns, only then can one be the crown prince.

This is the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it is also a process that all princes must go through.

If you cannot be crowned, you cannot become the true crown prince. Even if you have the name of prince, you cannot be sure to inherit the throne!

Therefore, in the past two years, Zhou Zheng went to Beiyuan, and Xiao Mu supported him.

Because this is a meritorious situation that relieves the country's worries.

Zhou Zheng went to Xiangjun to put down the rebellion and stabilize the situation, and Xiao Mu supported him.

Because this is an opportunity to showcase your personal talents.

Zhou Zheng rushed to the northern border, defeated Xia Guo, and became famous in one battle. Xiao Mu was delighted.

Because this is an excellent way to shape Zhou Zheng's reputation and means.

At this time, Zhou Zheng did not have strong support in the court, even Emperor Tianjing was still unhappy, and the princes were still dissatisfied.

but!

In terms of emotion and reason, in terms of publicity and reputation, Zhou Zheng is worthy of being crowned!

As long as the coronation is successfully completed, Zhou Zheng's position as crown prince cannot be shaken.

At that time, no matter how unwilling the princes were or how unwilling the courtiers were, they could not change this fact.

"Tolerate?"

"Grandpa, do you want Zheng'er to be patient?"

With a raised brow, Zhou Zheng immediately heard what Xiao Mu meant.

"Be patient for a while, and the weather will be calm. Take a step back, and the sky will clear up after the rain."

"Return to Beijing and resume your duties, leaving others speechless."

Zhou Zheng knew the purpose of the imperial edict at this time. How could Emperor Tianjing, who was as wise as Tian Jing, not guess the reaction of Zhou Zheng and others.

However, the court is confident!

At the critical moment of the coronation, if Zhou Zheng dares to openly defy the decree, then there is no chance of being crowned, and he may miss the throne in this life.

Zhou Zheng and Zhenbei Houruo returned to Beijing, and the imperial court took advantage of the opportunity to take control of the northern territory.

"Grandpa!"

"Do you really think that Zheng'er will be crowned after he returns?!"

"Or does grandpa think that after Zheng'er is crowned, he will surely ascend to the throne!?"

However, Zhou Zheng just shook his head at Xiao Mu's advice.

"At the beginning, Zheng'er also wanted to endure it, and even just wanted to live a stable life, but what he got in exchange was countless conspiracies and assassinations."

"There are times in this world where patience cannot solve problems."

"In this world, fists are the last word."

Zhou Zheng stood up slowly and groaned in a deep voice.

"If you want to live well, never put your hopes in the hands of others, and never place your hopes on others' kindness to you."

"Zheng'er has endured it!"

"Now, Zheng'er, I don't want to endure it anymore!"

......