Chapter 23 Shocking Words
Seeing that there were foreign guests, Li withdrew, only ordering tea to be served. The British servants then filed in, serving tea and various snacks.
As soon as Liu Yongcheng entered, he saw Zhu Yuhuan sitting in the hall. He couldn't help but look surprised. He first saluted Zhu Yuhuan, then asked, "Why is the princess at the Duke of England's residence...?"
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile: "My grandmother asked me to deliver something to Duke Yingguo, and then I have to go to the residences of the three Mr. Yangs."
This jade pendant is a good thing. Besides, they are all old and have reached the age where they need these things. Even if the royal reward is worthless, it is an honor for the ministers, not to mention that the jade pendant made by Zhu Yuhuan is not simple.
Liu Yongcheng naturally understood what was going on. He looked at the frown on Zhang Fu's face and said in amazement, "This is truly a rare treasure given by the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. It looks much better than the one I used before."
Zhang Fu loved this little gadget very much and teased Liu Yongcheng, "You are not yet as old as I am. When you become as old and blind as I am, I will ask the Empress Dowager to give you a pair as well."
Liu Yongcheng laughed heartily upon hearing this and said, "Not everyone can have such a favor. If the Queen doesn't reward me, I will borrow yours."
From listening to the two people's interactions, Zhu Yuhuan could guess that they had a pretty good relationship and were obviously a pair of friends regardless of age.
Seeing this, she smiled and said, "If Master wants it, I can naturally make it. But Master, please don't look down on me because it's not a gift from the Emperor."
Zhang Fu then remembered that the princess in front of him had once studied martial arts with Liu Yongcheng for a period of time. It wasn't a long time, but they did have a bit of a master-disciple relationship.
Liu Yongcheng, in and out of the palace, always practiced self-preservation. Even when Emperor Taizong was still alive, she hadn't participated in the disputes between the late emperor and the Princes of Han and Zhao. Yet, her friendship with Zhu Yuhuan was a testament to Princess Shunde's skill in maneuvering. On the other hand, the fact that she commanded Liu Yongcheng's trust was also a testament to her remarkable abilities.
Just by looking at Zhu Yuhuan's words and actions just now, Zhang Fu could also sense that this princess was different.
Thinking of the charity hall that was completed not long ago, although all the officials were praising His Majesty, when it came down to it, the biggest beneficiaries were the Empress and Princess Shunde, both of whom enjoyed considerable prestige among the people.
Although Zhang Fu was a military general, he also had some friendship with the Three Yangs, so naturally he heard about Zhu Yuhuan from Yang Pu.
She studied hard and understood things very quickly. Nothing was difficult for her when reciting poetry or prose. Even though she was a woman, none of the gentlemen dared to look down on her, which shows how outstanding Zhu Yuhuan was.
If this princess were a prince, who could compete with her?
Liu Yongcheng didn't care about Zhu Yuhuan's teasing, and said with a smile: "I dare not do that. The princess makes good things, so of course she should present them to His Majesty and the Queen Mother first."
Zhang Fu came back to his senses and laughed, "I heard that the princess had made a bow and arrow before, so that even the weak could bend the bow and shoot arrows. However, this thing was only used in the palace, and we have never seen it. I didn't expect that the princess would have such a novelty."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't hide his feelings and said frankly, "It's not really new, I just made some things by myself. Luckily, my father is kind enough to let me have some fun. I'm making a farm cart now, and I can use it to harvest crops in the autumn."
Zhang Fu was stunned and asked doubtfully, "Farmland?"
The princess has not yet married, so naturally she does not have the imperial farm bestowed by His Majesty. Where does the farmland come from?
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and explained, "My father allowed me to cultivate land in the imperial city, so I cleared a few acres of land and planted sorghum, wheat, etc...."
Zhang Fu was really surprised now, and looked at Zhu Yuhuan with a bit of regret.
Not everyone can farm in the imperial city...
Zhu Yuhuan noticed Zhang Fu's gaze and just smiled. Then he said, "When the rice comes out this year, I'll have some sent to the Duke of Ying's mansion and Master's house to taste."
Zhang Fu smiled at Liu Yongcheng and said, "Brother, I am really benefiting from your success now."
Liu Yongcheng chuckled and said, "That's out of the question." He looked at Zhang Fu and said, "Some time ago, I asked someone to go to Wuxi to invite Mrs. Lu's grandson to come to Beijing to treat Zhong'er. He should be here in about two weeks. You can ask him to take a good look at him then."
Zhu Yuhuan was somewhat familiar with the name and said, "Madam Lu, is she the wife of the physician Xu Mengrong? I've heard from my grandmother that this old lady is a miracle worker who can bring people back to health. She even treated my great-grandmother once."
"Yes, Madam Lu was an expert in medicine, known to everyone in the court and the country. Unfortunately, she passed away early. I heard that her medical skills were passed down to her children and grandchildren. However, some of her children were not very motivated, so the family clinic could not continue to operate, and some of them became traveling doctors." Liu Yongcheng said with a smile, "One of my grandsons has become famous, so I asked someone to invite him to the capital to see if he can cure Zhong'er's illness."
Zhang Fu was very surprised when he heard this, and a light flashed in his eyes. He said, "That's really great. I don't know how to thank you."
He was already over fifty years old and had only one son, Zhang Zhong. He had originally hoped that his son could inherit his career, but Zhang Zhong was physically disabled. Not to mention inheriting the title, even having children was difficult. Now that there was finally hope, he was naturally very surprised.
Zhang Zhong, who had been standing aside, had already stood up, his eyes reddened as he said, "Thank you, Uncle Liu..."
Liu Yongcheng didn't take it seriously and said with a smile, "It won't be too late to thank me after you cure Zhong'er."
Zhu Yuhuan thought about it and thought that since the grandson of Mrs. Lu was unable to make it, he might as well take this opportunity to get in touch with him. If possible, it would be a good thing to recruit him into a charity or to send him to the Imperial Hospital.
It would be a waste not to make use of the talents that are already available!
Zhang Fu naturally agreed. Seeing that Zhu Yuhuan was still there, he said, "If this old lady Lu's grandson is really capable of curing Zhong'er's stubborn illness, Princess, why don't you recruit him into the charity? This way, you can also give him a living."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled when she heard this. She glanced around and saw that no one else was around. Then she said, "Of course I trust the doctors recommended by my master, but didn't the King of Han recommend any famous doctors to the Duke of Ying?"
After these words were spoken, not to mention Zhang Fu, even Liu Yongcheng, who was secretly monitoring the King of Han, could not help but stand there in a daze, staring at Zhu Yuhuan in amazement.
What did Zhu Yuhuan mean by this sudden remark? Had he discovered something and was questioning the Duke of Ying on His Majesty's behalf?
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