Chapter 24 Liu Yuanran
Zhu Zhanji was worried about his son's growth, but Zhu Yuhuan was under no pressure. As Zhu Zhanji said, he would take his sister to Renzhi Hall to learn painting when he had free time.
The two sisters went there for a while. Zhu Youtong, who was outgoing and cheerful, quickly became familiar with the painters and no longer needed Zhu Yuhuan to accompany her all the time. Zhu Yuhuan continued to go out of the palace frequently and regularly went to Dongyue Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.
This time he was sincere. After all, Liu Yongcheng was on the battlefield. In war, swords and spears were silent, and even the commander-in-chief might not be absolutely safe.
Zhu Yuhuan could not hear first-hand military intelligence or military reports, so he could only ask people to search for some gossip among the tea drinkers at Taiping Teahouse. Zhu Yuhuan could only analyze the true and false, real and imaginary things in a fog.
Zhu Yuhuan inserted the sandalwood incense and bowed again before turning to leave with Han Guilan. But before they could even step out of the hall, a little Taoist boy hurried over and said respectfully, "Madam, there's a place to wash your hands in the side hall. You can wash off the incense ash."
Zhu Yuhuan looked at his clean hands and said with a smile, "Thank you for taking me there."
The rear building is quiet to begin with, not to mention the side hall. It is obviously used to entertain female relatives who come to burn incense. Just by looking at the surrounding furnishings, you can tell that this place does not often receive guests.
Zhu Yuhuan simply rinsed herself, took the handkerchief, wiped her hands, and said to the Taoist boy with a smile, "Thank you for your hospitality." She nodded slightly to Han Guilan, who had already taken out a coin and gave it to him.
The little Taoist boy hurriedly said: "This money cannot be accepted..."
"Just think of it as helping me add some fragrant oil to Guan Yu."
The little Taoist boy had no choice but to accept it and then said, "I will lead the way for the two distinguished guests."
After leaving the veranda, the group passed by the back building and saw a white-haired old man sitting in the Jade Emperor Pavilion. Although he did not show any sadness or joy, he looked very kind and amiable.
Zhu Yuhuan slowed down his pace and asked, "Is this Taoist priest Liu Zhenren?"
The little Taoist boy didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to be so open about it. He was a little embarrassed at first, but then he quickly replied, "Yes, Master."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "I often hear Daddy talk about the Immortal Master. Seeing is believing. He is indeed an immortal."
"Your Highness, you are too kind..." The Taoist boy said this, and when he saw Zhu Yuhuan looking at him and smiling, he realized that he had let the cat out of the bag and subconsciously raised his hand to cover his mouth.
Zhu Yuhuan was a little amused and said, "If the real person wants to see me, why bother to be so mysterious?"
The little Taoist boy looked embarrassed and said, "I'm worried about disturbing His Highness while he's burning incense..."
Zhu Yuhuan simply curled the corners of his lips, then walked into the hall and said, "Master Liu."
When Liu Yuanran saw Zhu Yuhuan enter, he stood up and said, "Your Highness."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "Master, you are so polite that you even waited for me here."
Although Liu Yuanran was older and of a higher status, his attitude was exceptionally humble. He first asked Zhu Yuhuan to sit down and personally made tea for him before saying, "Your Highness has donated grain to Chaotian Palace and allowed Chaotian Palace to distribute porridge in your name. I am deeply grateful."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "I grew up with my parents. My father is a great believer in Taoism, and my mother is also quite a believer in Taoism. When I was young, I often saw her holding Taoist scriptures in her hands, so naturally I understand a little bit about them. It is precisely because I trust them that I handed the grain to Chaotian Palace for disposal."
Seeing that Liu Yuanran remained silent, Zhu Yuhuan continued, "Of course I know. Master Liu was exiled by my great-grandfather for his association with the literati, so he's so cautious, even being extremely careful about meeting me today. But I'm just a princess after all. My father really appreciates Master Liu, and Master Liu is loyal to my father. Why should I worry?"
There was one thing Zhu Yuhuan had to admit, that was the political environment during Zhu Zhanji's reign was obviously much more open than that during the Yongle period. What he himself yearned for was the atmosphere of harmony between Emperor Taizong of Tang and his ministers during the Zhenguan era, so the court was much more relaxed than before.
For example, when rumors circulated outside the palace, Zhu Zhanji would have likely launched a massacre under Zhu Di, rather than allowing ordinary people to discuss royal family affairs. However, Zhu Zhanji often let them go, preferring to resolve issues through methods such as "clarification." This clearly marked a difference between him and Zhu Di.
It was precisely because Zhu Yuhuan grasped this characteristic that he was able to use "open conspiracy" to control Zhu Zhanji.
So from a certain perspective, people cannot have both face and substance.
Seeing that he was still tense, Zhu Yuhuan continued with a smile, "The most important thing is, I have no other requests for you, Master. If I must say anything, it is that if there is any surplus food in the imperial farm in the future, I would like to ask Chaotian Palace to distribute it to Yingtian."
Liu Yuanran, who had been silent, relaxed noticeably after hearing these words, and was obviously relieved.
He had already experienced exile once. Like Chen Shan, he dared not take any other action easily. He would rather not do it than make mistakes. This is also human nature.
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile: "If there is a chance, I would also like to chat more with the real person about Taoism, which can also be regarded as a way to kill time."
"It is truly wonderful that Your Highness thinks so."
After leaving Dongyue Temple, they went to Taiping Teahouse together. Only after entering the private room and confirming that no one else was outside did Han Guilan speak up, "Master Liu is really good at making trouble. He even dared to refuse entry to His Highness."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't take it seriously. "The Immortal is no different from other ministers. This also concerns the health of His Majesty, so he must be more cautious than others."
Han Guilan was slightly stunned before asking, "Your Highness, do you mean... that the Emperor is taking the elixir refined by Master Liu?"
Zhu Yuhuan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "My great-grandfather eats it, so how can my father be an exception?"
Who doesn't dream of immortality? Not to mention the emperor, once exposed to these things, it's inevitable that they will think that "eating less won't be a problem" and then eat endlessly.
Han Guilan was startled, then asked cautiously, "Could it be that Your Highness wants to..."
Zhu Yuhuan heard the hidden meaning in her words and said with a mixture of laughter and tears: "Don't come on, does he have the guts? He doesn't even dare to see me, let alone do such a daring thing."
Xu Wangzhi was the only one in the world who believed that ignorance was innocent. He had actually considered Zhu Yuhuan asking her to poison the imperial concubine, but who was Liu Yuanran? Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to poison the elixir.
For Zhu Yuhuan, as long as he ensures that his father eats well and keeps eating, that is enough. After all, the elixir itself is a poison at this time.
When Han Guilan heard Zhu Yuhuan say that Liu Yuanran didn't have the courage, but didn't deny that she herself did have plans in this regard, her heart skipped a beat and she felt a little excited.
Han Guilan asked curiously, "If that's the case, why would Your Highness take the risk of contacting him?"
"One is to take care of Daddy's health, and the other is..." Zhu Yuhuan turned the teacup in his hand and said, "I want to take Master Liu as my master."
"ah?"
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