Chapter 11 Xuandebao
Zhu Yuhuan laughed enough and looked at the beginning of the scroll. There was only a sign with the words "Yongxi Shiren"① written on it, but no drawing date was mentioned.
Zhu Yuhuan was stunned for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Is this Daddy's personal seal? I've never seen a female official at Grandma's place handle this seal before."
Wang Jin responded, "This is a new seal Your Majesty just ordered made. It's for private use and is not under the supervision of the Imperial Treasure. Your Majesty heard that Your Highness had hung various calligraphy and paintings in the teahouse outside for students to enjoy, and said that if Your Highness liked any of them, he could also hang them outside. So, this seal was made for signature."
This news is really well-informed.
Zhu Yuhuan noticed Hu Shanxiang's gaze and said with a smile, "The Song people often talked about the four great elegances: making tea, burning incense, hanging paintings, and arranging flowers. These past few months, students from all over the country are coming to Beijing to prepare for the exams, so I thought of using some of these elegant items to attract customers."
Hu Shanxiang shook her head helplessly and said, "You..."
Upon hearing this, Wu Miaosu jokingly said, "It seems that Your Majesty is also going to use the teahouse to compete with those painters."
Everyone knows that Princess Shunde is behind this teahouse. Anyone with a keen eye can guess who painted this picture.
It can be seen that Zhu Zhanji's painting had other purposes than painting the wine.
Zhu Yuhuan studied the painting for a long time and said, "This raccoon is so adorable, I can't bear to hang it up. What if it gets damaged?"
Zhu Yuhuan did not mean to make things difficult for Wang Jin by saying this. After all, this was written by the emperor himself. Moreover, Zhu Zhanji's painting skills were extremely high. If this painting was passed down, it would at least be a national treasure. Future generations would enjoy it, and it would also make Zhu Zhanji's image more approachable.
Look, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was a cat lover! He loved to draw cats in his paintings, even the fat black ones looked a bit more amiable!
Of course, the most important thing is that Zhu Zhanji hoped to use this to create an image of harmony and unity within the royal family. The prince and princess were included in the portrait together, and it was painted by the emperor himself, which shows how good their relationship was.
Wang Jin thought Zhu Yuhuan was just joking and said with a smile, "If Your Highness wants it, how could the Emperor not give it to you? Even Li Daizhao and Ni Daizhao from Renzhi Hall can paint for Your Highness. We can paint whatever Your Highness likes."
Zhu Yuhuan rolled up the scroll again and gave it to Huai En to keep. She said, "Okay, I'll have it hung in the middle of the teahouse later." She said to the palace servant beside her, "Go and get Wang Dayun a stool to sit on and serve him another cup of tea."
Wang Jin hurriedly said, "That's unnecessary. Your Highness is truly embarrassing me..." He seemed to suddenly remember something and slapped his forehead in frustration, "I almost forgot. His Majesty also instructed that on the Double Fifth Festival, I should bring you to the Wenhua Palace to personally select a mentor for the Crown Prince. Please make preparations early."
Now everyone stopped laughing and looked surprised, as if they had not expected Zhu Zhanji to suddenly propose to take Zhu Yuhuan to Wenhua Palace and participate in the selection of a teacher for the prince.
Only Zhu Yuhuan readily agreed, saying, "I understand."
When she saw the painting, she had already guessed Zhu Zhanji's intention. Wang Jin's words made Zhu Yuhuan more certain of her thoughts, so she was not surprised.
Isn't it just a matter of holding a press conference to prove it? That's easy!
After Wang Jin delivered His Majesty's decree, he left Kunning Palace. Unexpectedly, Han Guilan happened to be returning from outside with a few palace maids. She was surprised to see Wang Jin coming out of Kunning Palace and greeted him with a greeting: "Wang Dayun."
Wang Jin knew that Han Guilan was now highly valued by Princess Shunde, so he asked with a friendly expression, "Miss Han, are you back from your mission?"
Han Guilan smiled and said, "Yes, His Highness said that Meteor is useless and asked the Imperial Stables to find a companion for him and send down a few more horses. They might be useful to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince when they practice riding and archery in the future." She saw Wang Jin looking at the trays held by the palace maids behind her and continued, "Her Highness said that Meteor is her horse after all, and she couldn't let the Imperial Stables take care of it for nothing. They should give her some money. So I ran to see Fan Dayong."
Wang Jin and Fan Hong were both from Jiaozhi, so they were considered fellow villagers. Wang Jin had also discussed the Imperial Stables matter with him, so he naturally knew that Zhu Yuhuan had sent Han Guilan to deliver the money, simply to subsidize the entire Imperial Stables staff. After all, the previous incident at the horse farm had nothing to do with the eunuchs of the Imperial Stables. Even servants would complain about having their monthly salaries deducted, but who would dare blame the emperor? They simply pinned the blame on the princess and the imperial concubine.
If Zhu Yuhuan didn't pay the money, Fan Hong would have to pay for the livelihood of his disciples, which would have made him feel uncomfortable. Princess Shunde gave the money out of courtesy and to show her helplessness, so as not to offend the eunuchs.
Wang Jin smiled and said, "Your Highness has always been considerate and compassionate. Everyone in the palace and outside the palace praises Your Highness."
Han Guilan simply said, "Then I will accept the Grand Eunuch's good advice. I will return to report to His Highness and will not delay the Grand Eunuch."
“It should be.”
Seeing Han Guilan leave, the apprentice beside Wang Jin couldn't help but ask, "Why is Miss Han's words so sarcastic?"
Wang Jin glared at him and said, "Stop talking! Don't you fear the death of your own!"
"I dare not..."
Wang Jin finally sighed and said, "You all, do you really think the Empress and Princess Shunde don't have tempers? They're just being considerate of our humble backgrounds and not getting angry with us palace maids. If it were any other noble, wouldn't there be the Imperial Stables?"
Moreover, Wang Jin saw how difficult the life of the mother and daughter was. If it weren't for Princess Shunde's hard work, who knows what the harem would be like today.
Empress Hu was compassionate to the poor and the needy, and was very kind to the palace ladies. Unlike during the Yongle reign, when someone would lose something around their neck while walking, and not even know how it happened. No one would want Empress Hu to fall.
"What the eldest son said is true. As sons, we must be filial to the queen and His Highness in the future."
Inside Kunning Palace, after Wang Jin left, Hu Shanxiang began to worry. "Why does His Majesty want you to go to Wenhua Hall? You've been there before when he was attending daily lectures, but this time they're selecting teachers for the Crown Prince. What does that have to do with you?"
Wu Miaosu seemed to be thinking about something, and said, "Perhaps the princess usually interacts more with the gentlemen, so Your Majesty wants to hear the princess's opinion?"
Zhu Yuhuan liked Wu Miaosu's statement and nodded immediately, saying, "Madam Wu, what you said makes sense. I'm familiar with at least six or seven of these tutors, if not dozens. I have some understanding of their scholarship and knowledge, so it's no mistake to ask me."
Hu Shanxiang knew from her expression that things were more complicated than they seemed. However, seeing her easily dismiss the matter, it was clear she was confident. So she said, "Since we are going to Wenhua Hall, I'm afraid we will have to meet the three Yang scholars. You should be careful with your words and not be careless."
Zhu Yuhuan thought that there was no need for her to speak, Zhu Zhanji could perform a stand-up comedy by himself, and she just needed to be a mascot to cooperate with the performance.
After all, she had been hiding in Kunning Palace for a whole month, and had not even gone to the daily lectures. These lecturers had not seen Zhu Yuhuan for a long time, and many rumors were probably spread by these lecturers. It was time for her to show her face and let everyone see that Princess Shunde was safe and sound.
"Huanhuan knows."
Seeing his sister deep in thought, Zhu Yuhuan asked with amusement, "Why are you silent after looking at the painting?"
"Yongxi people..." Zhu Youtong's eyes lit up and he said, "Sister, I also want a seal, so that I can leave a mark on my painting!"
Hu Shanxiang didn't expect that she was standing there thinking about the seal. She shook her head helplessly and said, "I'll have someone carve one for you later. I'm glad you thought about it so seriously."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Then you have to choose a name for yourself first. These names have a reason, often from ancient books. Once you have thought of one, let us help you take a look."
Zhu Youtong immediately lost interest in flying the kite and skipped towards Zhu Yuhuan's study, apparently to find a name for himself. Only Zhu Qiyu looked confused and said, "Geese, geese, geese..."
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