in2ebook Chapter 229 His Majesty Has Grown Up
Chapter 229 His Majesty Has Grown Up
Empress Dowager Cheng paused slightly upon hearing this: "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jing'an replied with a smile: "Your Majesty, what I mean is that the Marquis of Pingxi should change his surname to Ming, follow the Ming clan ancestral hall, and regard Lady Ming as his ancestor. He and his descendants can worship her for a long time. In this way, there is no need for adoption, and there is no need to compete with the Marquis of Cheng'en, Zhang, for a right or wrong identity."
Before Empress Dowager Cheng could speak, an official jumped out and said, "Your Majesty, men and women in the world all inherit their father's surname, and there has never been a case of inheriting one's mother's surname. This matter is probably against etiquette and is somewhat inappropriate."
"What's wrong with that?" Emperor Jing'an chuckled. "In ancient times, there were families with no male heirs but only female heirs. Therefore, they would arrange for a son-in-law to be chosen. Or, after a female heir got married, she would choose a son to inherit her family's ancestral hall. Although such things were rare, there were no precedents to follow."
"Besides, the most important thing right now is to resolve the Empress Dowager's worries. She can't sleep at night because she's afraid of being an unfilial child and can't find peace of mind."
That makes sense, but the most important thing is still the matter of Empress Dowager Cheng.
Emperor Jing'an continued, "Moreover, this matter is ultimately a private affair between the Cheng and Ming families. If both the Cheng and Ming families agree, wouldn't that be a win-win situation? Marquis Pingxi, what do you think? Are you willing to share the Empress Dowager's burdens?"
This mother and son duo are quite amusing. One plays the bad cop and the other the good cop, taking turns saying things that leave people bewildered and convinced that what he says makes perfect sense.
At this moment, who wouldn't think that Empress Dowager Cheng was a filial daughter, unable to eat or sleep because of her mother's situation, fearing that her mother would be saddened?
If Cheng Yan were to change his surname, it would be in accordance with the wishes of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and would not be considered a betrayal of his clan. Rather, it would be to share the Empress Dowager's burdens, making him a loyal and filial son.
Empress Dowager Cheng was also secretly surprised. Although her son was a bit clingy in front of his family and even knew how to play the victim, he was incredibly skilled in the art of imperial power.
“Your Majesty, I am here.” Cheng Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, since it is Mother’s request and Your Majesty is uneasy about it, I am naturally very willing.”
"Very well, then let's do it this way. I will order someone to write an imperial edict, authorizing the Marquis of Pingxi to inherit the ancestral hall of his maternal clan. And that will be the end of it..."
"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate!" Just then, Minister of Rites Tang suddenly jumped out. "Shouldn't we ask the Cheng family for their opinion on this matter? If the Cheng family is unwilling, how can we force the Cheng family members to change their surname?"
“That’s true,” Emperor Jing’an nodded. “However, Marquis Cheng’en has passed away, as has Uncle Cheng. Marquis Cheng’en’s eldest and second sons have been exiled to the desolate continent and are criminals.”
Cheng Yan said, "My third aunt is currently in Qindu. If you want to ask for the Cheng family's opinion, just ask her."
Emperor Jing'an agreed: "Then let's ask him. Where is the Prefect of Jingzhao? Where is the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
"Your Majesty, we are here." Prefect Zeng of the Capital Prefecture and Vice Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward.
"Then I order the two of you to go to where Third Aunt Cheng is and ask her opinion. If she agrees, then that's how it will be done."
"I will obey His Majesty's will."
Emperor Jing'an was very happy after finishing this matter. After the court session ended, he called Cheng Yan and led him to the Imperial Study.
"What do you think of my handling of this matter, Uncle?"
“Very few.” Cheng Yan said with great emotion.
At some point, Emperor Jing'an had become adept at navigating among these court officials.
Emperor Taizong was right to judge him. He was indeed wise and intelligent. If he was properly taught, he would be a wise and virtuous ruler. If he were to rise to power, it would be a blessing for the Eastern Qin.
"Protecting your mother is the best thing to do. Your Majesty must remember that your mother has also sacrificed a lot for you. She is also a bit strong-willed. If you and your mother have any disagreements, talk to each other properly and don't be suspicious of each other. Otherwise, you will hurt her feelings and damage your relationship as mother and son."
Emperor Jing'an smiled happily: "Uncle, please rest assured. I know right from wrong. The Empress Dowager is the best mother in the world. I can see with my own eyes her love and care for me."
"But Uncle, I can protect Mother, and I can protect you too. Uncle, am I amazing?"
"Amazing." Cheng Yan was even happier and more emotional. The little boy who used to only reach his waist and run behind him was now up to his shoulder.
As he grew older, he gradually began to protect those around him and support them.
"Your Majesty has grown up."
Emperor Jing'an said, "I am already twelve years old, so I have naturally grown up. By the way, Uncle, do you think Aunt Cheng will agree? Or will she change her mind?"
"She won't." Cheng Yan had only met Aunt Cheng twice, but she knew her somewhat. She was a kind-hearted person, and she was aware of the grudges between the Empress Dowager Cheng and her siblings and the Cheng family, so she naturally dared not say more.
But that Second Aunt Cheng...
Cheng Yan narrowed his eyes. This person had some conscience, but not much, and was very greedy. He probably wouldn't be so well-behaved.
News of what happened in the court quickly spread, and the matter of Cheng Yan changing his surname to honor his mother's ancestral hall became a hot topic in Qin capital. By the afternoon, the number of visiting cards from the Marquis of Pingxi's residence had more than doubled compared to usual.
Even Song Pingping, amidst her busy schedule, rushed back to the Pingxi Marquis's residence to inquire about the inside story, showing that she was also curious about this matter.
"What's there to be curious about?" Qin Yizhen thought these people were just bored and had nothing better to do. "This is a private matter between the Cheng family and the Ming family. We can do whatever we want; it has nothing to do with them."
"By the way, it's been quite a while since I've seen you. How's the preparation for your teahouse going?"
Speaking of her teahouse, which she had put so much effort into, Song Pingping became very happy:
"The teahouse is almost ready. It will open when the weather is not so hot. If the princess has some free time and wants to go out for a walk, she must go. Besides, the princess said that it is my teahouse, so the princess has a share in it too."
Qin Yizhen suddenly realized that she did indeed have a share in the women's teahouse that Song Pingping was going to open. It was a teahouse that Song Pingping had converted into a women's gathering place, and she had even received a share of the profits.
"Look at me, it's been so hot lately that my mind is all muddled. In that case, if the weather isn't so hot, I'll go for a walk."
"Thank you, Princess. If you were to come in person, my women's teahouse would surely become famous throughout Qin Capital, and no one would dare to bully it." Song Pingping was overjoyed.
Anyone who lives in a populated area knows the importance of relationships and powerful backers. When the princess sits in her teahouse, everyone knows that her backer is the princess. Not to mention that many people will give her face and come to sit down, even if they don't give her face, they won't dare to cause trouble in her teahouse.
In a daze, Qin Yizhen thought of Fang Shixin again.
People can't stand comparisons. Compared to Song Pingping, who was both grateful and gave her money, Fang Shixin was simply treating her like a fool.
It's infuriating that she was so naive before, thinking I was a good person.