Wei Qi's pomp and circumstance in Beijing was very large, and Prime Minister Lu Yichu led hundreds of officials out of the city for 5 miles to greet him, and did not enter the city from the nearest West Gate, but went around to Nanxun Gate, and went directly to Yong'an Gate by the wide imperial road.

After the hundred officials first entered the Imperial Palace and lined up their shifts, Wei Qicai entered the main hall under the guidance of the Ministry of Rites and the ministers of the Zongqin Mansion. When Wei Qi walked in the main hall wearing the prince's service, some old ministers of the Hongzhi Dynasty who had seen the Hongzhi Emperor couldn't help but burst into tears and sighed.

Emperor Jing'an sat on the throne, watched Wei Qi stop, and after kneeling three times and bowing nine times, he said loudly: "Unfilial nephew Wei Qi, meet the emperor's uncle." I couldn't help but be excited, and said in a trembling voice: "Hurry up, hurry up." ”

When Wei Qi stood up, due to the distance, Emperor Jing'an still couldn't see clearly, he beckoned: "Qi'er, come up above." ”

Wei Qi hesitated, Qiu De hurriedly walked down the stairs, guiding him from the steps next to him to the throne and kneeling. Emperor Jing'an looked at Wei Qi carefully, and couldn't help muttering: "Elephant, elephant, you really look like your father." ”

Wei Qi's tears burst out of his eyes, and he choked up and shouted, "Uncle Huang!" ”

Emperor Jing'an wanted to stand up, but he didn't stand up after moving, and Qiu had to step forward to help. Emperor Jing'an stopped him, then stood up vigorously, walked to Wei Qi's side, and helped him up with his own hands.

Seeing this, Lu Yi led the hundred officials to kneel down and shouted: "Congratulations to the emperor, congratulations to the prince of Qi." ”

Emperor Jing'an turned around and sat back on the throne and said, "Flat." After the ministers got up, he continued: "Heaven bless, the ancestors and the heroic spirits of the ancestors, the son of the first emperor was killed and returned to the royal family, this is the happy event of the great follower, the happy event of the world, with the amnesty of the world, the whole world celebrates." "All the ministers shouted together, "Long live." ”

Next, the minister of the prince's mansion accompanied Wei Qi to the temple to worship, and then issued a holy decree to seal Wei Qi as the prince of Ming, and changed the original prince's mansion to the Ming prince's mansion, and gave it to Wei Qi.

The next day, according to the will of Emperor Jing'an, Wei Qi took Ye Qi to the harem to meet the concubines. The queen of Emperor Jing'an died early, and has not been re-established, several old imperial concubines are old or sick, and they don't care about anything, and the harem is in charge of the young Concubine Li, and the two of them will be entertained for lunch by Concubine Li at noon.

Concubine Li is only in her thirties, beautiful and shrewd, very affectionate to the two, took Ye Qi's hand and asked for warmth, and told her to go into the palace often to talk if she has nothing to do in the future. expressed special care for Wei Qi, and after listening to his simple situation in the people, he sighed. Then he ordered someone to take out a large number of gifts to give Wei Qi, and also gave Ye Qi a few special cosmetics in the palace alone, laughing that Ye Qi was born beautiful, and he didn't need these, which was the icing on the cake.

When Wei Qi asked about the situation during the Hongzhi period, Qiu De said lightly that although he was also in the palace at the time, his position was low, so he barely escaped, and no matter how many things were not clear.

A few days later, Emperor Jing'an sent Wei Qi into the palace alone, and went directly to the Yangxin Pavilion of Shenming Palace, where he usually lives. Emperor Jing'an leaned on the kang, and after Wei Qi finished saluting, he asked Wei Qi to sit on the bottom of the kang, and the two uncles and nephews began to talk.

Emperor Jing'an listened carefully to Wei Qi's experience in the folk over the years, and asked him what books he had read, and was very relieved to know that he had won the fame of Xiucai. Hearing that the female official Guixiang had been accompanied by hard work for many years, he turned his head to Qiu Deyong and said: "Tell Lu Yichu that the female official Ye Guixiang has rescued the prince regardless of life and death, and has taken care of the prince for many years. ”

Wei Qi hurriedly got off the ground, kowtowed and thanked him, Emperor Jing'an asked him to get up, sat down again, and asked, "What are your plans for returning to the court now?" ”

Wei Qidao: "My nephew can't be filial in front of his parents, he only wants to accompany his uncle more." ”

Emperor Jing'an nodded and said, "You have been alone outside for many years, and I don't have a son by my side now, so I naturally won't let you stay away." It's just that you have been in the private sector for many years and are very unfamiliar with the government, so you should seize the time to study now. ”

Wei Qidao: "Uncle is right, my nephew is willing to study in the Hanlin Academy. ”

Emperor Jing'an shook his head and said: "Of course, the subset of scripture and history must be studied, but the top priority is to learn government affairs. In this way, according to the imperial court system, the relatives of the clan are not allowed to associate with the ministers of the dynasty, I will assign you two ministers as teachers, and they will teach in your palace on the second and sixteenth days of the first month of each month. The rest of the time you can study at Hallym Academy. ”

Wei Qidao: "Which two masters did my uncle send to me?" ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Xue Jiabi, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, is proficient in the etiquette systems of various dynasties, has profound knowledge, and has served as an examiner many times, and his protégés are all over the world; Zuo Zhenkun, the left capital of the Imperial Palace, is upright, shrewd and capable. I asked the two of them to be your teachers, and I will be your right-hand man in the future. ”

Wei Qidao: "Thank you uncle, my nephew must learn from the two masters." ”

Emperor Jing'an smiled again and said: "I heard Concubine Li talk about Ye Qi, I am really full of praise, and some people have said that she is very much like your mother." This time, she can easily snatch you from the hands of the inspection department, and her ability is even more incredible. She lives in your house now? ”

Wei Qi couldn't help blushing and said, "My cousin was afraid that I would be involved in the Five Doumi Sect at first, and the Inspection Department would not know my true identity and would be unfavorable to me, so I came to the rescue, please forgive my uncle." ”

Emperor Jing'an smiled: "There is nothing to forgive or not forgive, it is human nature for your grandmother to protect her grandson." Ye Qi is very good, and with her by your side to protect me, I am more at ease. As for your marriage, I'll call the shots. ”

Wei Qi said: "Thank you, uncle." After speaking, he looked at Emperor Jing'an and said, "Uncle, I have no impression of my father, can you tell me about him?" ”

Emperor Jing'an paused and said with some sadness: "Your father is a benevolent monarch. Since childhood, he has been knowledgeable and courteous, respects my eldest brother, and cares for his younger brothers. He seems to have a mild-mannered personality, but he never regresses when it comes to right and wrong. At that time, a serf in a Guogong manor, because his wife and daughter were bullied by the housekeeper in charge of the village, beat the housekeeper, and the housekeeper actually killed the whole family of serfs, which provoked a popular uprising. Afterwards, the prince of the kingdom wanted to put all the serfs involved to death. After the investigation, your father strongly advocated that the serfs be dealt with lightly and the stewards of the manor should be severely punished, and later your father proposed the abolition of serfdom. But at that time, your grandfather felt that the time was not ripe and did not agree, and your father argued with reason, which provoked your grandfather to be furious. Your grandfather's temper is not afraid of anyone, even your grandmother persuaded your father to bow his head, but your father just didn't admit his mistake. As a result, your grandfather was angry and demoted your father to Shu County. ”

Speaking of this, Emperor Jing'an became excited, coughing again and again, Wei Qi hurriedly got off the kang and came behind him to help stroke his back, Qiu De hurriedly brought a bowl of warm ginseng soup, Emperor Jing'an breathed for a while, slowly drank the ginseng soup, and motioned Wei Qi to go back and sit down.

Emperor Jing'an continued: "At that time, Shu County was still a wild land, and when your father arrived in Shu County, he was not depressed, but ran around, organized the prefecture and county to promote Jiangnan agricultural tools, and vigorously built water conservancy. He personally went deep into the hinterland of the barbarians, pacified the barbarians everywhere, and finally more than 100 barbarian Tusi of all sizes in Shu County sincerely attached themselves to the Great Sui. After Shu County was settled, not only did it no longer need relief from the imperial court for a few years, but it also began to pay a large number of taxes every year, turning from barbaric to rich. ”

Speaking of this, Emperor Jing'an's face flushed, full of yearning, and Wei Qi couldn't help but be infected, and asked, "What happened later?" ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Later, your grandfather was seriously ill and sent someone to take your father back to inherit the throne. At that time, your father had already married your mother, and originally promised your mother not to return to the capital, but they couldn't bear to refuse your grandfather, and finally returned to the capital. After your father succeeded to the throne, he began to vigorously reform, the imperial examination of scholars, the abolition of serfdom, and the prosperity of the country, but the Tatars in the north and the Uighurs in the west, the military and national strength were unmatched for a while. ”

Emperor Jing'an's face showed a gloomy look, and he sighed and said: "It's a pity that your father is still soft-hearted, your mother and I have advised him to pay attention to the family and take precautions, and first destroy a few princes who may cause rebellion, but your father always said that if you do too much injustice, you will kill yourself, and you must wait until they do it first, and then act justifiably." In the end, it caused disaster, and both were killed. ”

Emperor Jing'an sighed with a heavy heart: "If I could have arrived two hours earlier, your parents would not have been martyred, but unfortunately the distance is far away, and it is still too late for me to ride day and night." ”

Wei Qidao: "Listening to my uncle tell my nephew this, knowing that my father is a benevolent monarch, my nephew is very pleased. ”

Qiu Deyong said softly beside him: "Your Majesty, it's time for lunch." ”

Wei Qi hurriedly got up and said: "Uncle is old, nephew is tired, you said for a long time, I am really afraid, please ask uncle to eat, nephew will retire first." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Today was originally to prepare for our uncle and nephew to have dinner together, and when I saw you, my uncle was happy and his spirit felt much better." Let's go, let's have lunch together. ”

On the third day, Emperor Jing'an issued an edict appointing Xue Jiabi and Zuo Zhenkun as the teachers of Prince Ming. On the same day, the two came to the palace of Prince Ming, and in the palace hall, Wei Qi made three gestures to the two of them, and the two of them returned a bow, which was regarded as a tribute.

Wei Qi is already very familiar with Xue Jiabi, not only because he is the uncle of the Xue family brothers and sisters and the house master of Mao Xiang's brother-in-law, but also because he went to Xi'an to pick him up, and on the way back to the capital, the two have had many long conversations.

Although Zuo Zhenkun met for the first time, he also admired his name for a long time, knowing that he was selfless to corrupt officials and had excellent views on government affairs.

For the two masters assigned by the emperor's uncle, Wei Qi was happy in his heart, and felt that the uncle really hoped that he would become familiar with the government and the court as soon as possible. Therefore, as soon as you sit down, you can't wait to ask them how to start learning.

The two glanced at each other, because Xue Jiabi was older and the name of the department was in front, so he spoke first: "Your Highness, the two of us have discussed, I mainly give lectures to His Highness and various etiquette systems of the imperial court; Lord Zuo mainly introduces His Royal Highness to the great politics and state of our dynasty. His Royal Highness has any questions in his own studies, and he can raise them with me at any time, and we will learn from each other. ”

Wei Qidao: "Great. However, the two masters are usually busy with official duties, and they only teach two days a month, so I want to go to the Hanlin Academy to listen to the lectures the rest of the time. ”

Xue Jiabi said: "Your Highness is diligent, of course it is good, but the Hanlin Academy mainly studies scriptures, and political affairs and practice are what Your Highness should be familiar with as soon as possible." ”

Wei Qidao: "At present, Uncle Huang has not arranged for me to listen to the government, so I can only learn from the two masters first." ”

Zuo Zhenkun said: "I have an idea, Your Highness can not only study in the Hanlin Academy, but also really get in touch with government affairs. ”

When Xue Jiabi heard this, his eyes lit up and said, "That's right!" ”

Wei Qi hurriedly said: "What is the method?" ”

Zuo Zhenkun said: "When Your Highness comes to the place of Hanlin Academy, you must hide Your Highness's identity, so that you can get in touch with real government affairs." ”

Xue Jiabi nodded again and again: "In the end, filial piety is fast." ”

Wei Qi couldn't wait to say: "Oh, Master Zuo, don't sell it, tell me quickly." Zuo Zhenkun said them one by one unhurriedly.

With Wei Qi returning to Beijing with great fanfare, he was named the prince again, although he was not made the crown prince, but the discerning people felt that it was only a matter of time. The nursery rhyme about the King of Jinling that circulated in the capital was quietly not heard, and what was talked about everywhere in the market and teahouses and restaurants was the story of how Prince Ming escaped in the skyrocketing fire 17 years ago, and it was even more mysterious that when Empress Huixian held the prince and was ready to die together, a phoenix under the seat of the Nine Heavens Xuannu flew down to the world, and said to the queen that he was ordered by the Nine Heavens Niangniang to receive the prince, so he rescued the prince from the fire, and many people echoed it, saying that in the fire that night, he saw a phoenix rising to the sky.

Among the more and more folk rumors, Wei Qi's mysterious escape, as well as this bizarre return, indicate that he is the true son of heaven, because he is the only son of Emperor Hongzhi, and he is the natural heir of Emperor Dasui.

Gradually, some discussions with ulterior motives are also spreading, and it is precisely because Wei Qi is the true son of heaven that the three sons of Emperor Jing'an died one after another. What's more, because Emperor Jing'an is a usurper, God will let him be the last and return the throne to the prince of Emperor Hongzhi.

Although the gossip in the sky only quietly circulates among the people and does not affect the court situation, these are like invisible winds, quietly eroding people's hearts and changing the image they see in people's eyes.