==Chapter 176==

In a side hall of Tong'an Palace, from time to time there are babbling voices of babies and hearty laughter of men.

Futai stood outside the door, looking inside from time to time, and his eyes flashed with relief and joy. Since he had a little county lord, His Highness has laughed a lot, and his health has been much better than before. Futai had always questioned Mu Yuanzhang's resignation as the crown prince before, but now that he looks at it, it seems to be a good choice.

In the hall, there is a special small wooden bed, this small bed is used for children to play, or Mu Mu used to use it back then. There is a white and tender little girl sitting on it, with big eyes and tender skin, if the average baby is well raised, it is almost like this, but let Mu Yuanzhang look at it, no matter how you look at it, her daughter is more beautiful and cute.

Ruan Ling'er looked at the father and daughter with a smile, and said to Mu Yuanzhang: "Your Highness, An An is still young, and she won't be called at this time." The concubine listened to what Mama said, and most children will only speak when they are about one year old. ”

Over there, Mu Yuanzhang was half-leaning on the couch, playing games with the little baby girl sitting in front of him.

He tirelessly repeated the word 'father' to his daughter from time to time, An An opened his big eyes, looked at his father, sometimes he would reply to him, sometimes not back. She also seemed to know that her father was having fun with her, and she smiled so much that her pink gums were exposed, with a few small tender teeth on them, and saliva flowed down her cheeks, and Ruan Ling'er wiped her with a handkerchief from time to time.

"Poof......" she pouted and popped, blowing a saliva bubble at the same time.

"Father." Mu Yuanzhang said again.

An An turned his head to grab the handkerchief in his mother's hand, grabbed it and shook it happily at Mu Yuanzhang, as if he was offering treasure to him.

Mu Yuanzhang's face was full of joyful smiles, and he said to Ruan Ling'er: "You see how smart our An An is, maybe we will call our father after a while." ”

Ruan Ling'er hesitated for a moment and said, "It is said that when the child first spoke, she said it word by word, and my father was afraid that she would not be able to call it out for a while." ”

"Then call Daddy." Mu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, and then said to An An: "Dad." ”

An An Ke won't reply to him now, and the reason why she can poke it out is just a foley sound.

At this time, Futai walked in from outside the door, Mu Yuanzhang glanced at him and asked, "Something?" ”

Futai hesitated for a moment and said, "Just now, the people below came to report that King Liang went to Zichen Hall again, and His Majesty also saw him." ”

Mu Yuanzhang nodded, and after waving his hand to let Futai go down, he showed a wry smile.

Ruan Ling'er couldn't help asking, "Your Highness, what's wrong?" ”

Now as the relationship between her and Mu Yuanzhang becomes closer and closer, especially with another daughter between the two, Ruan Ling'er is not as silent as before, and occasionally takes the initiative to ask Mu Yuanzhang about things outside. She didn't have any ideas, but she knew that her family's situation in the palace was delicate now, and she was afraid that Mu Yuanzhang would not say anything and bury it in her heart too much.

"King Liang has been going to Zichen Hall a little bit recently."

Mu Yuanzhang said very implicitly, but it didn't mean that Ruan Ling'er couldn't understand it. In the past, she was trapped in the East Palace, and her life was hopeless, and the only thought in her heart every day was to hope that the prince could live. Now that Mu Yuanzhang has resigned as the crown prince and has a daughter An An, his body has gradually begun to improve, Ruan Ling'er will inevitably think more, so he also pays attention to some movements in the palace outside.

Concubine Shu and Concubine Qian have always dominated the palace power, and the crown princess is hindered by the status of the two elders, so it is difficult to question more. At the same time, King Liang seemed to have won the eyes of Emperor Chengyuan. Even if Ruan Ling'er couldn't figure out the wit in it, she also knew that this was going to be something in the palace again.

She doesn't want trouble in the palace, now they are in a delicate situation in the palace, An An is not famous or divided, if there is any trouble, I am afraid that it will involve herself. After all, in her opinion, what fame, fortune, and power have nothing to do with their family of three, they just want to live their lives in peace.

Seeing Mu Yuanzhang's face groaning, Ruan Ling'er hesitated and asked, "Then what are your plans, Your Highness?" ”

Seeing her worried, An An didn't smile anymore, looking at her father and mother in a daze, Mu Yuanzhang smiled and said: "It's okay, you don't have to worry about this, I have my own charter, you just take good care of your daughter." ”

Ruan Ling'er nodded, and didn't say much, she had always believed in her Royal Highness.

Mu Yuanzhang called Futai in, asked Futai to serve him in a wheelchair, and after making some preparations, he said that he was going to Zichen Palace.

Ruan Ling'er sent him away, looked back at her daughter on the little bed, and sighed softly.

Why don't you stop?!

……

Zichen Palace

When Mu Yuanzhang entered, King Liang had just come out of it.

King Liang didn't expect to meet this prince's brother, so he hurriedly saluted Mu Yuanzhang, Mu Yuanzhang did not embarrass him, exchanged a few words with him, and let him leave.

King Liang walked out, and couldn't help but look back at Mu Yuanzhang.

He has known this prince brother since he was a child, he is talented, intelligent, erudite and talented, but his wisdom will be injured, and his body has not been good since he was a child. He was the person on the tip of his father's heart, and his status was above all the brothers, and whenever there was a family banquet, the seat of the crown prince and brother was closest to his father.

King Liang has been very envious of Mu Yuanzhang since he became sensible, but his mother has repeatedly taught him not to be envious, not to be delusional to compete for favor, just live his life in a low-key manner, we can't afford to envy, and we can't compete for that favor. Therefore, King Liang is like his mother Concubine Qian, who has always been a small transparent storage in the palace.

Now, King Liang still envies this prince brother, but he can only raise his neck and look up like before. It was like a god who had fallen off the altar, and after beating the prince's brother and losing the crown prince's throne, King Liang found that the prince was not as high and untouchable as he imagined.

Especially after his father looked at him differently recently.

He couldn't help but think that maybe one day his father would also pamper him as much as he doted on the crown prince. Feng Shui takes turns, and everyone is also the son of their father.

King Liang saw Ruan Ronghai greet Mu Yuanzhang with a smile on his face, lowered his eyes, and hid the look in his eyes.

Every time he came to Zichen Palace, Ruan Ronghai had never treated him like this.

That's the gap!

King Liang understands what this gap represents, and he has to continue to work hard.

After Mu Yuanzhang entered, he greeted Emperor Chengyuan's physical condition, and after a few small chats, he called Futai and asked him to present the map he brought.

Fu Tai opened a huge picture of Kanyu, and Ruan Ronghai and Ruan Ronghai held up the picture on the left and right, and presented it in front of Emperor Chengyuan and Mu Yuanzhang.

Emperor Chengyuan fixed his eyes, "Oh? Is this a map of Penglai Mountain? ”

The East Palace on Penglai Mountain in Taiye Pool was personally supervised by Emperor Chengyuan, and he knew it in his heart. Now when I see this familiar map, I immediately understand what it is.

Mu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Father ordered people to rebuild Penglai Mountain, and now it has almost been repaired, it was built according to the previous Kanyu map, and the son only made a few modifications to it. ”

He stretched out his hand and pointed to Emperor Chengyuan.

In fact, the rebuilding of Penglai Mountain, not only made a few changes, but changed almost two-thirds of the way. Before, this huge palace group was built according to the residence of the prince, there are two main halls in the central axis, one is the Haoran Hall where Mu Yuanzhang lived before, and the other is the Qingran Hall where the princess lived, and several palaces surround it, and there are beautiful gardens for leisure and enjoyment.

Now, only one main hall remains, and several palaces stand on the left and right behind the main hall.

Emperor Chengyuan did not investigate the mystery of this, and only when Mu Yuanzhang was Xingzhi would care about this matter. In fact, he also felt a little guilty in his heart, when the construction of Penglai Mountain was supervised by him personally, and now he is sick with a dragon's body, and his energy is limited on weekdays, and he can't take care of the repair of his son's residence.

"Yes, very good. If there's anything you need to add, just come and talk to me. "Emperor Chengyuan said.

"Erchen didn't feel that there was any shortcoming, the fifth emperor brother went to Erchen at the beginning, and said that if there was any problem, he directly ordered the Ministry of Industry and the palace province to do so, and they would do it one by one. Erchen went to see it a few days ago and was very satisfied. ”

Emperor Chengyuan muttered dissatisfiedly: "He would be a good person, he should be like this, if it weren't for ......"

He didn't finish the rest of the words, but Mu Yuanzhang didn't need to listen to them to know what they were. Probably if he hadn't resigned as the crown prince because of his poor health, how could it be Mu Jinting's turn to dictate to him now.

Mu Yuanzhang sometimes has to sigh at the character of Emperor Chengyuan, his father has always been like this, love wants his life, and evil wants his death. If you don't like anyone, it's nothing, and you can pick out the bones in the eggs. But if you really have a heart for someone, it is a thousand good things.

For this kind of favor that he has had since he was a child, Mu Yuanzhang does not feel honestly afraid, he may be used to it, but more often it is a kind of helplessness, just like his mood at this time, helpless but reluctant to question, because his father is really good to him.

Leaving aside the chaotic thoughts, Mu Yuanzhang did not change his smile, and continued to Emperor Chengyuan with great interest: "The sons and daughters of this main hall are ready to be left by their father, and the sons and daughters live here. ”

He pointed to a palace next to the main hall to Emperor Chengyuan, "The garden inside is rebuilt on the original basis, and many scenery has been added, which is good for relaxation and enjoyment." Here is the Taiye Pond, Erchen remembers that his father used to like fishing very much, but he suffered from no time, but now it is good, Erchen also wants to learn fishing with his father, and when the time comes, the father should not refuse the sons......"

As Mu Yuanzhang's words came out, Ruan Ronghai's head on the side became lower and lower, cold sweat began to break out on his forehead, and the smile on Emperor Chengyuan's face gradually retracted, turning to a questioning gaze to look at Mu Yuanzhang.

The hall was so quiet that there was no sound of breathing, and the needle could be heard.

Mu Yuanzhang's face was full of smiles.

Emperor Chengyuan didn't have any expression at all.

"Yuan Zhang......"

"Father."

Mu Yuanzhang also put away the smile on his face, and looked at Emperor Chengyuan with some apprehension.

Emperor Chengyuan tried to suppress the anger in his heart, and waved his only right hand, Ruan Ronghai and Fu Tai hurriedly retreated. When Futai left, he glanced back at Mu Yuanzhang with worried eyes.

"Yuanzhang, what do you mean by this, persuading your father to give way to the throne?"

Emperor Chengyuan's voice was full of anger, and there was a feeling that seemed to be hurt. In front of others, Emperor Chengyuan didn't want to fall in front of his son, so he made everyone retreat, even Ruan Ronghai, an old man.

Mu Yuanzhang did not speak.

"What good did he give you, so that you went to such great lengths to speak well for him in front of me. You first paved the way for him, and now you have changed your way to persuade me to give him a place, you are so bold! ”

Emperor Chengyuan was so angry that his fingers trembled.

This was the first time he had spoken to Mu Yuanzhang in such a fierce tone, so it was extremely thrilling, especially the expression of disappointment on his face at this time, even when Mu Yuanzhang personally told him that he wanted to resign from the position of prince, he had never had it.

Looking at his father like this, Mu Yuanzhang's heart trembled.

It's not that I'm scared, but that I'm questioning whether I'm doing it right.

Was he doing the right thing? I am afraid that there has never been such a bold prince as him in all dynasties, first asked to resign from the crown prince, and then persuaded the emperor to abdicate the other sons to make way for Xian. If you write a note in the history books in the future, you will probably think that he is pedantic and absurd.

But Mu Yuanzhang felt that he had not done anything wrong, this road had been laid out long ago, good to him, good to his father, good to everyone. As early as the beginning, he had no turning back, so he could only go on step by step.

Mu Yuanzhang's lips trembled a little, and he said: "Erchen admits that he intended to pave the way for the fifth brother at the beginning, but that was the best choice at the beginning, in fact, the father also understands, doesn't he?" ”

Emperor Chengyuan held him up too high, and there was no one among the princes who didn't hate him, the only exception was the fifth brother. So Mu Yuanzhang paved the way for Mu Jinting at the beginning, no one wanted to die, he wanted to live, especially after knowing that Ruan Ling'er was pregnant.

Emperor Chengyuan also understands this truth, and although he does not treat Mu Jinting's son very well, his ability is undeniable, so choosing Mu Jinting at the beginning is indeed the best choice.

Mu Yuanzhang continued: "As for the father emperor saying that the son persuaded the father to give way to the fifth emperor brother, the son did have this idea, but the fifth emperor brother did not give the son any benefit, it was the son who thought so. ”

Emperor Chengyuan clenched his back molars tightly, clenched his huge fists, and looked at his favorite son with fierce eyes.

"You, big, reverse, no, way!"

This sentence is spit out word by word. If you change to anyone else, I'm afraid you will be dragged down at this time, and you will die a thousand times or ten thousand times. But he is no one else, it is Mu Yuanzhang, the son of Emperor Chengyuan who was raised by himself since he was a child and placed infinite hopes on him. Even if this son has been weak since he was a child and has disappointed him many times, he has never given up on him, still puts him in the most important position in his heart, persevering in his plans, and digging out his heart and lungs.

How much attention was paid to it, how disappointed it is now.

Emperor Chengyuan never expected that Mu Yuanzhang would say such a thing to him today.

In an instant, he aged by dozens of years.

"Erchen is indeed a great rebellion. The son-in-law was useless, which disappointed his father repeatedly, and the son-in-law could not shoulder the burden of the country, so the son-in-law resigned. The son persuaded his father to give the throne to the prince, which is a great sin to die a thousand times and ten thousand times. Mu Yuanzhang looked at Emperor Chengyuan and said word by word, tears flowing down his cheeks, "But Erchen has no selfishness, even if Erchen is selfish, it is for the sake of his father's dragon body." The father worked hard for his sons, and he had to manage the government every day, and every time the sons saw their father's hair turn a little gray, and his face was getting old day by day, the sons felt distressed. ”

"Erchen complains to himself, why is his body so useless? I couldn't help my father for half a point. Erchen can't even give birth to a grandson, what's the use of Erchen! I can only watch my father fall into trouble...... If there were no sons, the father would be the Ninety-Five, and the situation would never be like this, and he would not end up sick on the bed......"

Mu Yuanzhang cried bitterly.

This was the first time in his life that he expressed his heart to Emperor Chengyuan. Sometimes there are some things that we know each other, but we can't say them and can't say them. Everyone in the world says that the prince is weak, but who would have thought that this so-called weakness is not because of the body itself in many cases, but also because of heavy thoughts and burdens.

Is it possible to think less about it?

Apparently not.

As long as he sits on the throne of the crown prince, the burden on him cannot be reduced in a day. There are many reasons for this, but the most common is Emperor Chengyuan's stubborn and paranoid fatherly love. This kind of fatherly love Mu Yuanzhang can't refuse, and he can't bear to refuse, so he can only bear it day by day, until one day he can't bear it.

Resigning as the crown prince is a new path for Mu Yuanzhang, but fortunately he has already walked out. All the qiē are developing on the good side, but there are still drawbacks, that is, Emperor Chengyuan is obviously no longer supported, but he still wants to hold on to the power.

This is probably a kind of thought that as an emperor, he will have, but obviously Mu Yuanzhang can't sit idly by. Not only because of Emperor Chengyuan's body, but also because he didn't want to see history repeat itself. Mu Jinting is obviously not King Zhao, if he is forced to do something in a hurry, judging from the current situation of Emperor Chengyuan, he will not be able to resist it at all.

Mu Yuanzhang originally wanted to take it slowly, especially when he saw Emperor Chengyuan's attitude towards Mu Jinting and Mu Mu, he thought that he had changed. But the jumping of Concubine Qian and the appearance of King Liang made him have to face the fact that Emperor Chengyuan was not as open as he imagined.

"Yuan Zhang......"

Emperor Chengyuan's voice trembled, his body trembled, his eyes were full of pain and sentimentality, and there was something that he couldn't say what it was.

"Father, why bother?" Mu Yuanzhang said with tears in his eyes.

yes, why bother?

Although the reality is very cruel, people must face it, and why bother to hold on to their rights when their bodies are no longer supported. It is difficult for others, and it is also difficult for yourself.

"Father, let it go. Erchen's body is slowly getting better now, this is all because of meditation and recuperation, and the father can be the same as Erchen, and the dragon body will definitely get better. Erchen hopes that his father will live a long life, and he also hopes that he can accompany his father for a few more years...... Penglai Mountain is now built very beautifully, the scenery is what my father and the emperor like, our father and son can visit the garden every day, drink tea, and talk...... Erchen remembered that his father liked to play chess very much, and he had studied for many years, and he could play a few games with his father......"

With Mu Yuanzhang's slow description, Emperor Chengyuan's thoughts spread.

Perhaps, that kind of day is really good?

……

Jiuniang did not choose to face Concubine Qian, but waited and watched.

Although she does not hold the power of the palace, the general trend of the East Palace is located, and there are many minions who have taken refuge in the palace, so Jiuniang can see all the movements in the Daming Palace.

And the movements of Concubine Qian and King Liang naturally did not leak.

Mu Jinting is very busy now, Emperor Chengyuan is sick, and the crown prince is in charge of the country.

said that he was in charge of the country, but in fact, how could he avoid Emperor Chengyuan, who was still lying in the Zichen Palace, and he had to go up whenever there was any major event. And Emperor Chengyuan also has signs of taking power, the dragon body is just a little better, and he began to summon a few close ministers to come to Zichen Hall occasionally to discuss matters, although he did not cross the prince, but Emperor Chengyuan's attitude has been revealed.

Because of this, some of the ministers below who are good at speculating on the thoughts of the superiors are not as obedient as before, and the process of Mu Jinting taking over the government has been hindered. However, this kind of obstacle can be imagined, Mu Jinting has never been a naïve person, and naturally he will not think that Emperor Chengyuan's attitude has softened, which means that he can rest assured that he can put all the qiē in his own hands.

However, he didn't care about this qiē, and he didn't question Emperor Chengyuan's behavior in any way, and only did what he was supposed to do every day. This attitude also fell into the eyes of many ministers, allowing him to get a steady and self-controlled evaluation that he was worthy of great responsibility.

Of course, this qiē is all a secret discussion.

Who does not have an account in his heart? Emperor Chengyuan is declining, and the prince is like the rising sun, how to choose is actually known to everyone. But after all, Daqi rules the world with filial piety, as long as Emperor Chengyuan does not take the throne for a day, no one can question it.

Everyone is speculating about how long the prince will endure.

However, this person has always been thoughtful, and he has been tempted countless times, and he is as immobile as a mountain.

In this situation, there was a fire in the backyard, and Jiu Niang, as the crown princess, had to do something.

After observing for a few days, she informed Mu Jinting of the matter.

Mu Jinting already knew it in his heart, but it was just not suitable to move Concubine Qian and King Liang now.

It's not difficult to move a person, the key is that he is in a delicate situation now, and naturally he doesn't want to lose a reputation for a young brother for an insignificant person. Sometimes when you are in a certain position, you have to pay attention to the general trend, and following the trend is the best and least likely to be criticized.

The husband and wife discussed it for a while, and ignored the actions of Concubine Qian and King Liang, as if they couldn't see it.

But just because they can't see it doesn't mean that others can't see it either.

What is the place of Zichen Palace, it is the dormitory of Emperor Chengyuan, and it is also the place where Emperor Chengyuan used to discuss matters with ministers every day, commonly known as 'Son of Heaven's Palace'. Courtiers often come here to meet Emperor Chengyuan, how can King Liang's frequent comings and goings not attract everyone's attention, plus now there are many people who know that King Liang's biological mother, Concubine Qian, is now in charge of the harem.

Gradually, there were many rumors in the former dynasty and the harem.

It is nothing more than that some concubines of Qian dominate the palace power and do not lose it, and they have not yet been handed over to the crown princess. All in all, everything is said, which is nothing more than an expression of a meaning, King Liang is coming out.

As for what this means, it is up to each to guess for himself.

Mu Jinting was calm, but some courtiers couldn't sit still, some of them were for the country, and some of them took the initiative to lean over and want to be loyal because they knew that the prince was powerful. No matter what kind of mind they have, violating the rights and interests of the prince is equivalent to violating them.

As a result, some people have repeatedly explicitly hinted that Mu Jinting can no longer sit idly by like this. Mu Jinting ignored it at first, but gradually he was talked about too much, and it was inevitable that he would show some embarrassment.

He didn't need to say these feelings himself, someone helped him explain, after all, King Liang was the younger brother of the prince, and the prince, as the elder brother, how could he do anything?

Since the prince can't do it, as an empathetic courtier, he naturally has to share his worries and solve problems, although the prince is a half-king, but he is also a king.

The righteousness and the truth can stand, and naturally many courtiers have jumped out.

If Concubine Qian ignores her status and etiquette, the palace power should be managed by the crown princess, and King Liang is not small now, and it is time to go to the domain. These twists and turns Mu Jinting was also not easy to handle, so they were naturally presented to Emperor Chengyuan by Zhongshu Province.

Emperor Chengyuan called Mu Jinting over and scolded angrily: "This is what you asked you to do? ”

At the same time, several books were smashed.

Mu Jinting didn't hide, and lowered his head and said: "Back to my father's words, no." ”

"It's not you who instructed someone to do it, whoever is full has nothing to do, take care of my housework!"

Mu Jinting did not speak.

There are indeed those who have nothing to do when they are full and take care of other people's household affairs, aren't those courtiers and imperial historians like this? Emperor Chengyuan has been the king for many years, so he naturally understands the truth of this.

He gasped for breath and looked very annoyed.

Mu Jinting raised his head and persuaded, "Wan Wang's father and emperor pay attention to the dragon body. ”

"Get out, it's good if you don't get angry."

Emperor Chengyuan spoke, and Mu Jinting naturally rolled out.

After he left, the hall was quiet, and Emperor Chengyuan, who was sitting on the dragon couch, did not show annoyance, but showed an extremely complicated expression.

Thinking of the prince's words before, the bitterness on his face became even stronger, and he couldn't help muttering: "It seems that I am old after all......" The people below were disobedient.

The voice of the sentence was extremely low, almost just a spin in the air, and then vanished.