Chapter 18: The Morning Meeting Begins (Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

  The eastern sky is a pale white, the sun breaks through the dawn. A ray of sunlight shines down, making the bright yellow glazed tiles on the Zhengde Temple shine brightly.

  Zhou Jian and the princes and princesses arrived at Zhengde Hall, Zhou Jian stopped in his tracks, looked up at the three golden characters "Zhengde Hall" shining brightly, and stood still for a moment.

  At this moment, Zhou Jian still did not think that in the future he would be sitting in the Zhengde Temple, commanding all officials from afar. He just sighed, and it was another decade or so later that he set foot here again.

  Moreover, this time entering was to contend with the civil and military officials of the Manchu dynasty, to pluck chestnuts from the fire, to obtain the honor of that prince. After a moment of emotion, Zhou Jian stepped into the Zhengde Hall.

  Another burst of dazzling light flashed, and what first caught the eye was a floor paved with Han white jade, surrounded by pillars made of amethyst, extremely luxurious.

  Against the north wall stood a massive screen, on which was painted a golden dragon. The golden dragon shone with a dazzling light all over its body, as if it were rolling and leaping in the sea of clouds, bringing with it an overwhelming and intimidating aura that seemed to press down upon one.

  Looking at this golden dragon, feeling the overwhelming momentum, even Zhou Jian felt a hint of shock. Taking a deep breath, Zhou Jian finally shifted his gaze away from the golden dragon. He then led the princes and stood on either side of the throne.

  Then it was just waiting. Soon after, the Grand Preceptor Deng Kuang and the General-in-Chief of the Cavalry, Guan Xing, led the Three Dukes, Nine Ministers, and civil and military officials into the Zhengde Hall.

  Each dressed in court attire, with a majestic and powerful gait, unmatched in grandeur.

  After entering the Zhengde Temple, he had just stood up, and almost all the civil and military officials involuntarily cast their eyes on Zhou Jian.

  Zhou Jian, as the eldest son, stood at the very front and was indeed too recognizable. The eyes of the officials were filled with inquiry. This young master is indeed the second most important person today.

  Today, there is destined to be a battle, and this one is also destined to have nothing to do with the position of Wang Taizi, but the source of everything is triggered by him. For many years, as the eldest son born to the first wife, he firmly blocked the way for his younger brothers born to concubines, and now he finally has to step down and yield to others.

  In response to these inquiring gazes, Zhou Jian faintly nodded towards Zhao Wen in the upper ranks and Zhao Deng in the lower ranks. This uncle and maternal grandfather looked unchanged, he still recognized them. Whether it was his mother's family or not, he had to rely on them. Today's battle would likely require him to rely heavily on these two elder relatives for protection.

  Zhao Wen and Zhao Deng were extremely surprised by Zhou Jian's nodding and bowing. For over a decade of seclusion, they didn't think that this young master still recognized them. This showed that Zhou Jian was mentally stable and had no major issues. So after Zhou Jian nodded, the two of them also hastily nodded in response.

  All civil and military officials are exploring Zhou Jian, the big supporting actor of today, the second character. Naturally, they also noticed the interaction between Zhou Jian and Zhao Wen, Zhao Deng.

  Deng Zhong's eyebrows rose slightly, with a hint of coldness. At the same time, his lips moved subtly as he transmitted a message to Deng Kuang: "Father, it seems that Zhou Jian is not only behaving normally, but also remembers many things."

  "Don't panic. Even if he's recognized, Zhou Jian's leg is already broken and the matter is settled. Zhou Jian no longer has the qualifications to contend for the position of Crown Prince. The Zhao family can't stir up any waves."

  Deng Kuang heard the transmission and also moved his lips slightly, transmitting a message.

  Deng Zhong thought about it and felt that there was some truth to it. A crippled leg, how could he still aspire to be the crown prince? He couldn't help but put his heart at ease.

  "Hmph, does the Zhao family still want to turn things around?" Guan Xing's face also revealed a hint of cold intent as he thought to himself.

  "Dad, it seems that Zhou Jian still has some tacit understanding with the Zhao family, which is also a favorable opportunity for us."

  Ming De stood in a central position, but also looked very clearly, and couldn't help but transmit his voice to Ming Yuan.

  "Hmm, this is good news. However, let's calm down for now and see how the Zhao family will open up the situation for us." Mingyuan was also secretly delighted in his heart, but he remained extremely calm as he transmitted his voice.

  Ming De nodded in understanding after hearing the transmission.

  Whether they were civil or military officials, they all had some cultivation. However, the transmission of sound was not a divine thought-probing technique that would cause misunderstandings. Therefore, most of the officials in the grand hall chose to use sound transmission due to Zhou Jian's slight movement. Although it was quiet and silent, they were actually already stirring and boiling up inside.

  "The Emperor has arrived."

  Just then, the sharp cry of the eunuch sounded.

  Many of the civil and military officials were suddenly shocked and stopped transmitting. They looked up to see Zhou Zheng walking out of a door on the left side of the screen.

  He wore a coronation robe, with a coronet on his head and jade pendants at his feet. From head to toe, he was dressed in imperial attire. Step by step, he walked up to the throne and sat down.

  "Your Majesty."

  The princes and princesses, as well as the courtiers, all bowed down together.

  Zhou Zheng glanced at the group of officials, princes and princesses with a faint expression, his eyes lingering slightly on Zhou Jian's body for a moment before flashing away with a hint of cold intent.

  He then raised his hand and said: "At ease."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty (the king)."

  Everyone bowed together again.

  Zhou Jian also bowed his head in gratitude along with the crowd, but his keen senses picked up on the chill in Zhou Zheng's eyes, and a cold feeling arose in his heart.

  Zhou Jian was imprisoned for over ten years, all thanks to Zhou Zheng. When Queen Zhao disappeared that year, he was put under house arrest. His younger sister, who had just come of age, was left unattended and almost died, it was truly pitiful. However, Zhou Jian never knew why this happened. As the fallen crown prince, he didn't have the right to ask King Zhou anything.

  But all in all, it's just that Zhou Jian is not likable. And this time, he wants to take the position of Crown Prince from Zhou Wang and his brothers with impressive backgrounds. I wonder if the truth back then will also surface.

  After the ceremony, Zhou Zheng raised his eyes and swept them over the officials again before speaking slowly: "I have been on the throne for dozens of years, but I still haven't established a crown prince. As a result, people's hearts are unsettled throughout the court and the countryside, affecting the stability of the dynasty. Today, I should follow your wishes, officials, and establish a crown prince to consolidate the dynasty. Please, officials, take a good look at these few princes of mine and choose one."

  "Father, since ancient times, the eldest son has been established as the heir. My elder brother is not only the eldest but also the most suitable for the position of crown prince."

  Unexpectedly, the first to speak was Zhou Feng, and surprisingly, he strongly supported Wang's eldest son, Zhou Jian. Zhou Feng stepped forward, sincerely bowed to Zhou Zheng and said.

  "What a thief."

  Many officials secretly cursed in their hearts.

  "Terrible."

  The ministers secretly cursed in their hearts.

  "Well said."

  There were also officials who secretly praised him.

  Zhou Feng's words were beyond the expectations of all the officials, and they also had a deep meaning. Almost everyone in the court knew that Zhou Jian's leg was broken by Zhou Feng.

  However, this was just a rumor and Zhou Zheng did not issue an edict. It was said that the eldest son of Wang had broken one leg and would have to give up his position as Crown Prince. This gave Zhou Feng an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

  First of all, this is a matter of defensive officials taking Zhou Jian's broken leg to attack him.

  To put it simply, Zhou Feng is just pretending to be innocent and feigning ignorance. He respects his elder brother and wants to help him ascend to the throne as the crown prince. Someone like that, you wouldn't even dare say that he was the one who personally broke the leg of the king's eldest son.

  Secondly, this is still an active offense.

  Long and steady wins the race, if by then the truth about Zhou Jian's broken leg is thoroughly exposed, that would be an automatic exit from the competition for the crown prince. So, among the remaining princes, who is the oldest? The answer is Zhou Feng. Then Zhou Feng can firmly occupy this reason and rise to power.

  The words can be said to be both attacking and defending at the same time, which is quite formidable. That's why it shocked all the officials.

  "As the old saying goes, a thief shouting to catch a thief. Second brother, you personally forced big brother to cut off one of his legs, and now you're the first to stand out and want to assist big brother in taking over the crown prince's position, it's truly laughable."

  Zhou Fei was the first to step out and question Zhou Feng, saying coldly.

  "Hmph, it seems that among the younger siblings, you're still the most anxious one, Fourth Brother." Zhou Feng heard this and sneered in his heart, but his face suddenly changed color, and he exclaimed: "What? Big Brother lost a leg? This is impossible!"

  Right after that, Zhou Feng suddenly turned his head and asked Zhou Jian: "Big brother, did you really break a leg? Who is so ruthless, who is so bold, to actually break the leg of the eldest son of King Zhou?"

  In the end, Zhou's tone and expression were both stern, with an air of wanting to capture a thief.

  If it weren't for knowing beforehand that Zhou Jian's leg was a masterpiece of Zhou Feng, probably everyone would have mistakenly thought that Zhou Feng was a caring older brother and good younger brother.