I open a history tutorial class in Daming

Chapter 182 Why don’t you marry a second wife?

Kunning Palace.

Empress Ma was sewing the soles of shoes when she heard the palace maids outside saying that the emperor had arrived.

She didn't put down her work until her husband came up to her, then she asked without looking up:
"Zhongba, what are you doing here? Aren't you already out of class today? What else is there?"

After waiting for a long time without any response, Empress Ma looked up in confusion and was startled.

"Biao'er, Duke Hanguo? Why are you all here?"

She put the needle and thread in her hand on the table and quickly ordered the palace servants to serve tea, but was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand:

"Stop busying yourself. We are here for something. Song Shen will be here soon. He is already on his way. Someone from the Yiluansi ran back from his house to report. He will be here soon."

Queen Ma was stunned for a moment, and became even more confused:

"It's not a festival, why did he come to the palace on his own initiative? If I remember correctly, Ziwei doesn't like to go to the palace. He seemed uncomfortable every time he came here. Now he comes on his own initiative. What's the big deal?"

Zhu Yuanzhang is now in a state of not knowing anything.

"I don't know. I heard that Song Lian sent him a letter from Pujiang. After reading it, he immediately packed up and prepared to go to the palace. I guess it must be something important..."

"Li Shimin, please stop yelling. Why are you butting in on the Queen when she's talking to you? Don't you have a Queen yourself?"

Queen Ma: ???

She looked around Zhu Yuanzhang suspiciously, but there was nothing special about him except Li Shanchang who suddenly came today.

Then, Empress Ma's eyes fell on Zhu Biao's face:
"Biao'er, your father didn't wake up today? Why did he call Emperor Taizong of Tang's name?"

Zhu Biao smiled awkwardly and explained:
"It's a function of the tutoring class. Emperor Taizong of Tang contacted Dad through the system under the pretext of discussing other people's papers with Dad..."

He explained to Queen Ma roughly what had happened today, and the latter's eyes widened.

Queen Ma confirmed that she saw nothing wrong:
"How come I didn't see this? Are only those of you who were dragged in able to see it?"

"Also, what's going on with Han Guogong? Was he also dragged in?"

Being the mother of a country is not an easy life.

Although Empress Ma was not in good health, she usually handed over many palace affairs to other concubines of higher rank. She was only responsible for taking charge of the overall situation and making the final decision. However, if some matters were too important, she still had to handle them personally.

Recently, the other princes who were sent to Fengyang for training were about to return to the capital, so early this morning, she explained the situation to the concubines. If these princes who were given titles did not go to their fiefs in the future, then after the emperor passed away, the concubines with children would become concubines, and they could be arranged as appropriate, perhaps to live out their days in the palace of their own children.

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very healthy and looked like he could live to be 70 or 80 years old, so the concubines had to wait a long time before they could leave the palace. However, Empress Ma was very sensible, and since the country had just been founded, many rules were not set so rigidly, so she discussed with the harem to see who wanted to go out and stay for a few days, or who wanted to stay with their grandchildren for a while, and set some rules accordingly.

She herself could meet Zhu Biao every day, but other concubines didn't have this fate, but which mother wouldn't worry about her children? So, be more accommodating if possible.

It was precisely because of these things that Empress Ma was busy attending meetings this morning and noon, and she sent Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao back to Wuying Palace to attend tutoring classes, thinking that nothing serious would happen in just one or two days.

As a result, I didn't pay attention for a long time, and Li Shanchang suddenly showed up.

Empress Ma had the ability to see the essence through phenomena, and she was also familiar with Li Shanchang. She knew that he was probably coerced and bribed by her husband. And if Li Shanchang had not been in the tutoring class, how could Zhu Biao have said those things in front of him.

really.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded:

"The Baishi just entered today, and the one about Li Shimin... This is a long story, and Biaoer didn't explain it very clearly. I'll explain it to you later."

"The most important thing now is that you have to find out why Song Shen came here. If he wants to ask you about Baishi, just say you know nothing. Then find a way to get some information from him and find out what Song Lian said to him that made him so anxious."

"Let's talk about Biao'er. Today, if Baishi comes again, we will sit behind the screen and listen as before. If he says something important, we will pass you a note. How about that?"

Even though it seemed like she was completely in the dark and knew nothing, Empress Ma had no choice but to agree.

Even if the people from the Yiluansi were quick, they set out at the same time as Song Shen. Now Zhu Yuanzhang had heard the news and came to tell her, which meant that Song Shen would be here soon. If she continued asking, she might be exposed if she delayed further.

She asked the people in Kunning Palace to prepare a screen, tea, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, and then she returned to her previous state and sat down to continue sewing shoe soles.

After Song Shen finished his message and came in, he found the palace a little too quiet, and Empress Ma did not greet him as warmly as before.

"I see you, the Queen."

He bowed first, and then heard Queen Ma exclaim in surprise, saying:
"Ziwei, why are you here all of a sudden? I was sewing shoe soles for His Majesty and Biao'er, and I was so absorbed in it that I didn't notice you coming. Please don't be offended."

Song Shen quickly bowed again, first saying he was embarrassed, then curiously asked:

"The Empress is so precious, why does she sew the soles of shoes herself? Can't she just let the servants do it? The clothing department in the palace is responsible for these things, right?"

Queen Ma smiled and put down the needlework in her hands:

"Your Majesty is so delicate that they insist on the soles made by me to wear them. Otherwise, they will find fault. Biao'er is not so particular. He will wear the soles made by anyone. But Your Majesty is different. He can tell the difference between the soles made by me and those made by others as soon as he puts them on. Sometimes I am too lazy to make them, so I just fool around. He still gets angry!"

"Forget it. Anyway, there is nothing to do in this palace, and he doesn't have to run around like before. If I make him a few more pairs now, it will be enough for him to wear for a year."

"By the way - Ziwei, what is the matter with you coming to the palace today? If you need anything, just ask. Your grandfather has retired and returned to Pujiang. There are not many elders in the capital you can entrust your services to, and I am one of them. As long as it is within my ability, just tell me and I will arrange it for you."

Song Shen felt comfortable talking to Empress Ma.

This is clearly a downward compatibility. Knowing that she is not a very talkative person, she deliberately passed the conversation to others, making people feel comfortable chatting. No wonder everyone thinks that Empress Ma is the ministers' savior. Not only is she willing to save people, but she also doesn't make people feel that this is a condescending charity.

On the way here, Song Shen had already rehearsed his speech eight hundred times. Now he went over the matter in his mind again before he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I am here to ask for your opinion."

"As your majesty said, my grandfather has returned home now. There are many things that I don't have the elders to advise me on. I am a young boy and I don't know how to deal with them properly. After thinking about it, I decided to ask for your opinion."

"I wonder...is this convenient?" Queen Ma smiled kindly.

She was more appreciative and tolerant of young talents like Song Shen. When she saw young people like him getting into trouble in the court, she was always willing to help them. In addition, Song Shen was Song Lian's most valued grandson, and Song Lian was Zhu Biao's teacher. With this relationship, she really treated this child as a junior.

Even if we put aside the matter of the tutoring classes and Zhu Yuanzhang's plans, Empress Ma was willing to help.

"I am very happy that you are willing to ask me."

"Ziwei, if you have something to say, just tell me. I feel good to be able to give advice and help a good kid like you."

Hearing her speak, Song Shen felt slightly relieved.

He said slowly:

"You should be well aware that I have lost my memory and have forgotten my past. The imperial physician has come to see me several times but has not been able to cure me."

"The past twenty years have seemed like a dream. It was not until I received a letter from my grandfather today that I learned that I was once married and had a Yue family."

"Do you know about this?"

Queen Ma was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect that he came here today to talk about this.

She paused, nodded and said:

"Of course I know. Your grandfather was a world-renowned scholar. When you got married, I also sent you a gift."

"If I remember correctly, your Yue family's name is Zhu Mengyan, the current Minister of Rites?"

"It was such a pity for your wife at that time. She died of illness at a young age. If she had left behind a child, it would have been a memory. But she left nothing. She just passed away quietly..."

"Why, you mentioned this today, are you tempted by worldly desires, planning to ask for grace and remarry? Oh my, if you really have this idea, it's a good thing. You are not young anymore, you are twenty-five this year, and you can't continue like this even if you are a lovelorn person. If you really have this idea, I will definitely pick a good and decent girl for you!"

"Ziwei, do you have any requests? Tell me and I will help you!"

Song Shen never expected that Empress Ma actually had the potential to be a matchmaker.

He quickly waved his hand and declined:
"No, no, no, Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. I have no such intention."

"Now my eyesight is not good, and I have forgotten many things. Thanks to your majesty and your majesty, although I still have this official position, I can't work in the government as usual. Finding a good girl would be a waste of time for her, so let's wait and see."

Seeing that he didn't mean that, Empress Ma became a little confused:
"So you mentioned this today, is it..."

Song Shen was stunned by her enthusiasm for matchmaking, and without beating around the bush, he got straight to the point:

"I want to ask, if the Yue family wants me to take sides, how should I deal with it?"

"The Yue family is now the Minister of Rites, and the position of the Minister is temporarily vacant. The six ministries are under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat. Your Majesty's recent posting of the imperial edict has caused a big stir, and it has also caused the Secretariat and all officials to remonstrate. If the Yue family wants to take further steps, I am afraid they will move their ideas to me."

"Grandfather's letter today was a reminder."

"I have eye problems. Since I am no longer an official in the court, I can no longer get involved in these things. Logically, they won't find a blind man like me. But my grandfather is too famous, and they are my in-laws, so it's inevitable that they will have some ideas."

"However, my grandfather is my grandfather, and I am my subject. If this matter continues to escalate and implicates my grandfather, I will be held responsible even if I die a thousand times..."

"Please give me some advice, Queen. I will thank you."

Song Shen fumbled to kowtow and pay his respects.

Empress Ma was still in a daze just now, and seeing this, she hurried to help him up, while she helped him up, she blamed him:
"You kid, you just talk when you want to. You are still like this when it is inconvenient for you to move. You really don't regard me as your elder, right?"

"Hurry up and get up. This matter is not that troublesome. Don't be anxious. Just talk slowly!"

It sounds like... you're willing to help?
Song Shen pondered her words for a moment, then stood up and sat back in his previous seat.

Empress Ma also sat down and said after thinking:
"Your Majesty, the posting of the imperial edict has indeed caused quite a stir. At the morning court today, I heard that many civil officials gave advice to your Majesty in person. Some even said that they were ashamed to associate with those illiterate craftsmen who were recruited to serve as officials in the court. They also said that craftsmen are nothing more than gimmicks and tricks, and are not worthy of being in a refined place."

"They took turns to give advice, and the scholars were very harsh in their criticism. His Majesty got really angry. He hasn't even come to Kunning Palace today. I'm afraid he will come over to curse me later."

"If Zhu Mengyan really intends to ask you to take the lead, then your worry is justified."

"If His Majesty knows about this, the Song family will suffer. Even if your grandfather retires and goes home, he will still be summoned to the capital."

Song Shen nodded like a chick pecking at rice, without saying anything, but just trying hard to show that you are right.

He knew very well that for an elder like Empress Ma, you just need to listen to her advice, and you have to wait until she finishes speaking before you can praise her. In fact, people in power hate having their train of thought interrupted.

not to mention……

In fact, when Song Shen came here today, he didn't really intend to ask for her opinion.

This is just a strategy to express one's attitude.

Although he had made up his mind to turn Zhu Mengyan away if he came to visit in the future, they were related by marriage after all. It was hard to say whether the other party would directly use the tiger's skin and raise a banner, and righteously say in front of all the officials and Zhu Yuanzhang that the Song family had the same idea as them, and then directly execute first and report later to drag the Song family into the water. It would be difficult to explain clearly at that time.

And now, he came to Queen Ma in advance to explain his position. Even if he was dragged into the pit, he had already called an ambulance, so he was not afraid of being killed by Zhu Mengyan and Hu Weiyong.

The plan goes through!
Song Shen was daydreaming and ignored Empress Ma's analysis.

But unexpectedly, a word came into his ears.

"...The best way is to quickly marry someone new, and someone who doesn't get along with Zhu Mengyan or the people in the Secretariat. This will be the most convenient way, and you can also directly show your position, and you can also have a new wife."

"Ziwei, what do you think?"

Song Shen was horrified:

"My lady, why are you talking about this again?!"

(End of this chapter)