Chapter 25 Love to Lie
Seeing Han Guilan's astonishment, Zhu Yuhuan asked with a grin, "Why? He looks like a scheming and mercenary person, not someone who is devoted to cultivating the Dao."
Han Guilan quickly shook her head and said, "Of course not..." She said righteously, "Your Highness has done so many things that benefit the people. This is also a form of cultivation, and it is the great way to serve the country and the people. If Master Liu does not accept Your Highness as a disciple, he is too shortsighted!"
Zhu Yuhuan was amused by her seriousness and said, "No wonder they say I have a great scholar behind me to debate the classics." Seeing Han Guilan's confusion, she didn't explain and continued, "Once I get married, it will be harder to get information from the palace. Who knows what His Majesty might be thinking one day... I can't leave the palace until I have built a suitable bridge between the inside and the outside."
Han Guilan nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Highness is right."
"Practicing Taoism is naturally the best excuse. I can find some reason to be connected to Taoism, and use it as an excuse to pray for the Ming Dynasty, and then I can join the sect first." Zhu Yuhuan held his chin with one hand and said, "But she is the Queen's daughter after all. Even if this goes through, I guess they will still arrange a marriage for me soon..."
Han Guilan also became nervous after hearing this and murmured, "What should I do..."
Zhu Yuhuan laughed and said, "What's there to be nervous about? If an enemy comes, we'll just fight him with our troops and if a flood comes, we'll block it with earth."
Han Guilan still felt a little anxious and said, "But if the emperor forces the princess to marry..."
Zhu Yuhuan waved his hand nonchalantly, "Don't worry, it won't happen."
After all, his own father could not even survive the tenth year of Xuande, which happened to be Zhu Yuhuan's "marriageable age". With his father's death, Zhu Yuhuan had every reason to mourn for him for two or three years.
If Zhu Zhanji could actually live to the eleventh year of the Xuande reign, it would be considered a "success" for Zhu Yuhuan. If he could survive a year, what would be the difference between two and three years? By then, perhaps even the Tumu Incident could be reversed. By then, Zhu Youtong and Zhu Qiyu would have both established families and careers. With Wu Miaosu and Hu Shanxiang in the palace, perhaps the situation Zhu Yuhuan didn't want to see could be avoided.
Although from the current perspective, if Zhu Zhanji lives too long, the situation on the border may worsen.
Seeing that her prince was so confident, Han Guilan put all her doubts aside.
Our princess has a kind of magic that makes people believe her every word and action involuntarily.
Zhu Yuhuan stated that she had no other requests. After several times, Liu Yuanran gradually trusted Zhu Yuhuan. In addition, she herself had a deep understanding of Zhengyi Dao, was quick-witted, and had no difficulty in talking about Taoism, which made Liu Yuanran sigh with admiration.
Previously, I only knew that this princess was talented, intelligent and wise, but only after talking to her did I find that this princess's sharpness was far more than that.
Liu Yuanran couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for talented people.
The most important thing is that princesses do not interfere in any royal affairs, and many princesses believe in Taoism. It is not necessary to enlighten Princess Shunde to become a Taoist priest, but at least it can bring them closer.
Zhengyi Dao adheres to the principles of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, which best meets the requirements of the royal family. Princess Shunde is a kind-hearted person with a good reputation among the people, which is also beneficial to the spread of Taoism.
Therefore, although Liu Yuanran struggled for a long time, he finally brought up the matter to Zhu Zhanji, but he was much more tactful and only said that Chaotian Palace was grateful to Princess Shunde, and seeing that Princess Shunde was quite interested in Taoism, he wanted to teach her a little.
These words were spoken while presenting the elixir. Zhu Zhanji raised his eyebrows slightly and asked someone to put the elixir away. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Does Princess Shunde like Taoism?"
Liu Yuanran said respectfully, "The princess has a deep understanding of Taoism and is able to put it into practice. She is indeed destined to Taoism."
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help laughing when he heard this and said, "Even a real person who is above the mundane world would believe what Princess Shunde said."
Seeing this, Wang Jin quickly served tea to prevent Zhu Zhanji from choking while laughing.
Liu Yuanran was somewhat puzzled and asked, "I would like to ask Your Majesty why you say that."
Zhu Zhanji didn't even know the Crown Prince as well as he did his daughter. He took a sip of tea to recover, then continued, "If you say the Empress has a connection with Taoism, I might believe you. But as for the Princess..." He and Liu Yuanran were close, so he spoke openly. "She's been by my and the Empress Dowager's side since she was little. She's always known how to read people's faces and how to work for her own benefit."
Liu Yuanran was startled by this and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty works for the country and the people, seeking only the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people. The princess has inherited your majesty's ambitions, so how could she be so materialistic?"
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Never mind. Since you have the intention and the princess is willing, it's not a big deal. Just let her go."
Liu Yuanran didn't dare to say anything more, especially since his goal had been achieved, so he obediently responded and left.
When only Zhu Zhanji and Wang Jin were left in the hall, Wang Jin cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, why did you agree to the Great Immortal's request? The princess is in her prime, and practicing Taoism is a bit too desolate."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and said, "That's best. This way, the princess will be able to leave the palace more often. This will satisfy the princess and the imperial concubine. She won't say anything about worrying that the prince will be too clingy with the princess. If she doesn't get tired of it, I'll get tired of hearing it too."
Wang Jin heard Zhu Zhanji's attitude and followed his words, "The princess is very smart, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the prince to learn from her..."
Zhu Zhanji sighed and said, "We've been together for many years. Don't I know what the Concubine is thinking? She's just uneasy. Ever since the incident at the horse farm, Zhen'er hasn't disliked Huanhuan, but has actually developed a deeper admiration for him. She's become much more distant from the Concubine as a mother. After all, the Crown Prince is the Concubine's biological son, so it's understandable that she harbors resentment towards the princess. One is my Concubine, the other is my daughter. I don't want to treat either of them badly. It would be best if they can live in peace."
In addition, Zhu Zhanji also noticed the change in Empress Dowager Zhang's attitude. He felt that his own mother was just like the imperial concubine, making a fuss out of nothing. Huanhuan was just a girl after all, so what was there to be wary of?
"yes……"
Zhu Zhanji suddenly felt amused again and said to Wang Jin, "You said that Master Liu is over seventy years old. Could it be that even a cultivator of Taoism can become confused and can't even tell if the princess is deceiving him?" He then sighed and continued, "This girl loves to deceive people and is the best at it. She can even fool the emperor. Sometimes I almost can't tell the difference."
Wang Jin naturally wouldn't say anything bad about Zhu Yuhuan. He just smiled and said, "The princess is a sensible person, and she puts the emperor and the country first in her heart. From childhood to adulthood, every word and action of the princess has always been on the side of the emperor."
"That's right." Zhu Zhanji said with relief, "The princess is always well-behaved and never disobeys. What's wrong with me being a little more tolerant?"
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