Chapter 42: Endure Separation
Zhu Yuhuan was busy with classes, studies and schoolwork, but he did not forget one thing, that was Hu Shanwei who was about to leave the palace.
Zhu Yuhuan did not know the final outcome of Hu Shanwei in history, but when the nest is overturned, no eggs will be left intact. His sister was deposed, and whether Hu Shanwei left the palace or not, he would probably not have had a good ending.
Now, Hu Shanwei left the palace early and was no longer involved in the palace's right and wrong, which was a blessing. Zhu Yuhuan could not guarantee that her mother would not become the "deposed queen", but she would never let her mother and sister be harmed.
Hu Shanwei did not hide the fact that she was leaving the palace from everyone. She had been in charge of the Six Shangs for many years, and many people had received her favor. They wanted to come to the palace gate to see her off, but Hu Shanwei now adhered to a low-key approach and specifically told them to focus on their own tasks and not to think about her who was leaving the palace. In the end, only Wu Miaosu accompanied Hu Shanwei all the way to the palace gate.
Although there was no grand scene of shedding tears at the palace gate, Empress Zhang rewarded her with a lot of treasures and gold and silver, and also gave her a carriage to send her back home. This was a compliment to Hu Shanwei for her many years in the palace, and also to distinguish her from other palace ladies who were expelled from the palace for mistakes.
After all, Hu Shanwei had served diligently in the palace for many years without any fault, and she was also the eldest sister of the Crown Princess, so naturally she could not be treated unfairly.
The wind was biting cold, and the horses pulling the carriage snorted loudly. Hu Shanwei, dressed in the winter clothes of a commoner, stood in front of the carriage, looking back at the towering palace. She couldn't help but sigh and said, "I have been in the palace for more than twenty years."
Wu Miaosu unconsciously raised her hand to wipe away her tears, then forced a smile and said, "You've worked hard for many years, and now the Empress has graciously allowed you to return home to enjoy your retirement. With the filial care of the Hu family's descendants, your future will surely be better than your life in the palace."
Seeing her red eyes, Hu Shanwei smiled and soothed her, "Since it's a good thing, why are you crying? You've become a court lady now, why are you still so unruly? If your servants saw this, they'd probably look down on you, a newly appointed court lady." After scolding her, she gave her earnest advice, "When you're in the palace, think more and look less. Be cautious. No matter what happens, you must remain calm. Do you understand?"
Hu Shanwei was the head of the Six Shangs and was highly valued by the previous emperor. It was not an exaggeration to call her the umbrella of the palace ladies. Now that the emperor had changed, even Hu Shanwei, the Shang, had returned to her hometown to retire. The palace ladies, especially the female officials, could not help but feel uneasy and had a sense that a storm was coming.
Although Hu Shanggong left the palace so respectably, who knows if she was forced out? Everyone saw how difficult it was for Hu Shanwei on the Crown Prince's birthday. If Hu Shanwei left the palace, I'm afraid the female officials' lives would become even more difficult.
Wu Miaosu responded softly, and had to hold back her tears, lowering her head in silence.
Hu Shanwei stood by the carriage for a long time. It was almost time to leave the palace, but she still couldn't wait to see the person she wanted to see. She could only sigh and said, "It's time for me to go. Miaosu, the future is long and you will take care of yourself. If you can leave the palace and come to my house, we can meet again as master and disciple. It will be a great blessing in life."
Upon hearing this, Wu Miaosu nodded heavily and reached out to support Hu Shanwei for the last time, so that she could get into the car and leave the palace.
Just as Hu Shanwei lifted the curtain, a child's voice came from not far away: "Auntie!"
Hu Shanwei turned around and saw a carriage slowly approaching. A little head popped out from inside. It was Hu Shanxiang's second daughter, Zhu Youtong. She was covered tightly, wearing a red hood with a circle of rabbit fur around the brim, which made her look even more lovely.
She was born too late and was weak, only three years old this year. Compared to Zhu Yuhuan, Hu Shanwei was not familiar with this niece. But when he saw her talking to him in the wind, Hu Shanwei was still startled. He hurriedly got off the carriage, walked to Zhu Youtong's side, reached out to help her straighten her collar, and said, "Why are you here, young master?"
Zhu Youtong said obediently, "Mother is busy helping Grandma Huang with official business, so my sister and I are here to see my aunt off."
Hu Shanwei was startled. Seeing Zhu Yuhuan lift the carriage curtain with one hand, he hurriedly bowed and said, "My concubine greets the Princess Shunde. May the Princess be well."
Zhu Yuhuan had already jumped off the carriage and reached out to help Hu Shanwei, who had not yet fully bent over, and said, "It's freezing cold, there's no need for you to be so polite, aunt."
When Hu Shanwei heard her call him "Auntie", he felt mixed emotions and didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
In order to avoid suspicion, the two never addressed each other as aunt and nephew in front of others. Now that Hu Shanwei has regained her commoner status and is no longer a palace lady, they no longer need to be shy.
Zhu Yuhuan handed over the handkerchief and said, "Aunt is returning home now. From now on, she will no longer be a member of the palace, but an elder of the Hu family. With my uncles around, Aunt is very blessed."
Hearing her say this, Hu Shanwei understood that the matter of the young eunuch tipping off was finally resolved. She nodded slightly and said, "I understand. With an elder sister like me around, the Hu family will be even more cautious in what they say and do."
Ever since the incident with the little eunuch, Zhu Yuhuan seldom went out often. This was the first time the two met after the national mourning, but the invisible tacit understanding was always there.
Zhu Yuhuan exchanged a glance with her, then instructed the eunuch driving behind him, "Bring the things here."
"yes."
Hu Shanwei was puzzled by this when a palace maid arrived with a pipa. It looked quite old, even the four strings were extremely worn. Hu Shanwei was taken aback when Zhu Yuhuan took the pipa and held it in his arms. As if carelessly scratching a delicate string, it made a few sounds. Hu Shanwei burst into tears when he heard these sounds.
Zhu Yuhuan handed over the pipa in his hand and said, "This is a farewell gift from my mother to my aunt. Please take it home. If you miss her, you can look at this pipa."
When Hu Shanwei received the imperial edict from Empress Zhang, she had never lost her composure like this. She took the pipa with trembling hands, but never let it fall to the ground.
Hu Shanwei stroked the pipa for a long time, then handed it to Wu Miaosu. Finally, he knelt down, bowed deeply toward the palace gate, and said, "I thank the Crown Princess for the reward."
This time Zhu Yuhuan did not stop her, but just watched her body trembling slightly on the ground. After Hu Shanwei kowtowed, Zhu Yuhuan helped her stand up with one hand, and saw that she was holding the pipa steadily, then said: "Aunt, take care of yourself."
Hu Shanwei nodded gravely, and finally turned and walked towards the carriage that was leaving the palace, leaving behind only a small puddle of water on the ground that quickly froze.
Zhu Youtong watched eagerly as the carriage carrying Hu Shanwei left. The palace gate slowly closed again, and she couldn't help but ask, "Sister, can we also leave through this door? Will this door open and close like this then?"
Zhu Yuhuan took her hand, which was thinner and colder than that of an ordinary child, and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "As long as your heart is free, it doesn't matter whether this door is open or not."
"oh……"
Zhu Yuhuan looked at Wu Miaosu and said, "Madam Wu, please come back with us."
"yes."
Wu Miaosu got into the carriage with the two Zhu sisters. She didn't dare to look at them too much. She just lowered her head and took care of Zhu Youtong while he ate snacks.
Zhu Youtong put down the pastry after taking a few bites and asked puzzledly, "Sister, why did Auntie suddenly look so sad just now?"
Zhu Yuhuan recalled Hu Shanxiang's instructions and said, "When my aunt was chosen to enter the palace, my mother was still very young and had just started learning the pipa. Her skills were not very good, and she could only play a few simple notes. She said she wanted to see my eldest sister off, but she could only play a few notes. Unexpectedly, my great-grandfather later chose my mother as the Crown Prince's Consort, and my mother brought the pipa to the palace. My aunt must have been moved to tears by seeing this old item."
However, it is more likely that the sounds of the pipa were a secret code agreed upon by the two sisters of the Hu family, otherwise Hu Shanxiang would not have specially taught her how to play the pipa.
——"As long as I hear these few sounds of the pipa, my sister will feel at ease."
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