Chapter 37: Strange Fragrance
The tragedy caused by Zhu Yuhuan's sneeze was laid out in front of several people, and Zhu Yuhuan felt that the situation was hopeless.
Putting aside the question of why Tan was here, the mere fact that she and Zhu Zhanji had run into each other was a major problem. With so many people talking, if this were to get out to others, wouldn't it be Zhu Yuhuan and her father who couldn't keep their mouths shut? She finally understood that kinship, friendship, and love, once tainted with the word "royal," completely changed their meaning.
Not to mention Zhu Yuhuan was frightened here, even the eunuchs who gathered around without knowing the truth were regretting it so much that they wished they could poke their own eyes out.
Suddenly, the hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan could only sneeze again, rubbing his nose and mumbling, "Huanhuan, Grandma told me that the weather starts to get cold after August. I've been craving for coolness lately and have been disrespectful in front of the palace. Please punish me, Grandpa." After saying this, she seemed to be concerned, "Grandpa, please remember to put on more clothes and don't catch a cold, otherwise the people will suffer."
She spoke first, and the atmosphere in the hall was no longer as cold as before.
Zhu Gaochi hummed and said to the eunuch beside him, "Go, and ask the imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital to give the princess a thorough checkup."
Zhu Yuhuan saw that although his face was warm, his tone was not as warm as when the father and daughter had just entered. He knew that Zhu Gaochi must be a little angry, and then he said, "It is indeed the Empress Tan who is very considerate. The season of lingering autumn rains is about to arrive. My mother also told me not to use the incense burner to fumigate the house more often to prevent dampness and mold. It is obvious that Empress Tan is always thinking about Grandpa Huang."
Her words were two-faced, and Zhu Gaochi's expression eased a lot. He felt like he had found a way out. His expression eased a lot. He smiled and said, "Tan is indeed thoughtful. She has a delicate mind at such a young age."
Seeing this, Tan hurriedly said with a trembling voice, "My Lady, your praise is too great. It was at the Imperial Concubine's suggestion that I brought the incense burner here for Your Majesty... to fumigate the room."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but shake his head inwardly when he saw that she was more frightened than anyone else and blurted out everything at once.
She vaguely guessed that there was nothing good in the incense burner. In desperation, Tan also exposed Concubine Guo. With so many people listening, she was afraid that she would not have a good time after returning.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but look at Zhu Zhanji, only to see that he looked a little embarrassed. Zhu Yuhuan was a little confused, but she also knew that she couldn't talk nonsense at this time, so she secretly reached out and pulled Zhu Zhanji's sleeve.
Zhu Gaochi cleared his throat and said, "Zhanji, let's do what you said just now. Huanhuan loves reading just like her grandmother. It would be great if she could be like her grandmother."
Zhu Zhanji then responded, "Yes."
Zhu Gaochi ordered the palace servants beside him to open the windows for ventilation, and then said: "I haven't seen you and your daughter for a long time. Why are you here today?" After he finished speaking, the eunuch beside him had already walked up to Tan very sensibly and asked her to leave the main hall.
Zhu Yuhuan answered obediently: "In response to the emperor, Huanhuan was given the title of princess before she got married. It was the grace of my great-grandfather and the emperor. It's just that the palace is busy these days, and Huanhuan didn't dare to bother the emperor. Seeing that father has been much free these days, I begged father to bring Huanhuan here to thank the emperor." After that, she knelt on the ground obediently and kowtowed to Zhu Gaochi.
Hearing him mention Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi also felt a little emotional. He said, "When your great-grandfather was alive, he wanted to make you a county princess, but it was not granted... Now that the emperor has made you a princess, your great-grandfather would be deeply pleased if his spirit were still in heaven." He then gave an earnest instruction: "In the future, when you follow your father to listen to the teacher's lectures, you must behave properly and sensibly. Don't run around and ask questions like you did with your grandmother."
Zhu Yuhuan had spent twelve years sitting at a desk in modern society, so he wasn't completely incompetent. He simply replied, "Huanhuan understands."
The three generations of grandparents and grandchildren were unusually speechless for a moment. If it were in the East Palace before, with Empress Zhang by their side, the scene would never have been dull.
Seeing that the father and son were silent, Zhu Yuhuan said again: "Huanhuan would like to ask the emperor for a favor."
Zhu Gaochi hummed in confusion and asked, "What grace? Is there anything my princess can't do?"
Zhu Yuhuan didn't feel relieved when she heard him say that. She said seriously, "Huanhuan wants to continue learning horseback archery and military tactics from the commander."
When Zhu Yuhuan said this, both Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji looked at her with surprise in their eyes.
Zhu Zhanji immediately grabbed Zhu Yuhuan's shoulders and emphasized, "Huanhuan, what did Daddy tell you? You've forgotten everything, haven't you? If you like archery, just set up a target in the yard. If you like reading, just follow Daddy. The daily lectures alone are enough for you to concentrate on your studies. Don't get distracted."
The implication is that now that there is a new person on the throne, he can no longer be as presumptuous as before.
Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Zhanji looked at each other, but without any sign of panic, she spoke firmly, "Huanhuan believes that things should be done from beginning to end. Now that we have started learning, we can't give up halfway. If a farmer abandons his fields halfway through, or a student studies hard for ten years and then wastes time playing, isn't that a waste?" Seeing Zhu Gaochi's thoughtful look, she continued in a low voice, "Besides, this is what Huanhuan promised my great-grandfather. Mother taught us that people should never go back on their word..."
Hearing him mention Zhu Di, the originally serious expressions of the Zhu family father and son both softened. Zhu Gaochi was silent for a long time, and then he sighed and said, "Your great-grandfather's love for you was not in vain. Well, since you have such a heart, how could the emperor bear to disappoint our Shunde Princess?"
Even Zhu Zhanji showed a surprised expression. He couldn't help but say, "Dad...the censor and the Imperial Ming Ancestor's Instructions..."
Zhu Gaochi sat upright and said solemnly, "I only asked Huanhuan to study hard with the teacher, but I never told him to get involved in government affairs. As for the censors..." He smiled and said, "I want to be a wise ruler and make amends for my mistakes, but I never told them to bully my granddaughter."
Zhu Yuhuan blinked his eyes, his mind full of emotions, but he finally bowed and said, "Huanhuan thanks Grandpa Huang."
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