Empress Dowager Sun’s authority had been affected because sitting on the dragon throne was no longer her biological son, but Zhu Qizhen, who claimed to be the orthodox emperor. The orthodox emperor led troops on an expedition but was defeated and captured, becoming a prisoner of the Oirats in the historically famous “Tumu Fortress Incident.”
The orthodox emperor remained in the northern wilderness undergoing labor reform, enduring material poverty, harsh climate, and the humiliation of living under others’ roof, hoping to be reborn in the flames.
A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Temporarily serving as emperor was Zhu Qizhen’s half-brother, known as the Jingting Emperor.
Zhu Jianshen became crown prince because it was proposed by Empress Dowager Sun as an exchange condition for supporting Zhu Qiyu’s ascension to the throne, as the crown prince was the empress dowager’s biological grandson.
This is also why Empress Dowager Sun brought Wan Zhen’er to the crown prince’s side – as a trusted confidant, she wanted Wan Zhen’er to protect the crown prince’s safety and prevent people around the crown prince and Zhu Qiyu’s loyal dogs from secretly harming the young and naive crown prince.
The crown prince, though nominally a crown prince, was merely a facade, not truly living up to the title.
Only an idiot would pass the throne to a nephew instead of a son, unless he were a eunuch or impotent. The Jing Tai Emperor Zhu Qiyu was only in his twenties, and he likely thought that while young and strong, with numerous wives, he could easily father enough children to form not just a football team, but probably its entire cheerleading squad as well.
Initially, the Jing Tai Emperor’s promise to the empress dowager to establish Zhu Jianshen as crown prince was merely an expedient measure.
Haste makes waste.
The cunning Jing Tai Emperor was not in a hurry; he had plenty of time to go back on his word.
The Cry That Tugs at the Heartstrings
Wan Zhen’er didn’t even have time to put on her shoes before rushing over, climbing onto the prince’s bed, and tightly embracing him. She gently patted his back and said lovingly, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Aunt Wan is here.”
The prince choked up, clinging tightly to Wan Zhen’er: “Aunt Wan, Aunt Wan!”
