Chapter 42 Song in the Rain
Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Zhanji were silent. The room was silent for a while. Seeing this, Zhu Youtong jumped down from Zhu Zhanji's arms, picked up the pipa on the table, and said, "Mother, I have written down the score. I will play it for you now."
Zhu Zhanji didn't want to think about it anymore. He smiled and said, "Why don't you play it for Daddy?"
Zhu Youtong said confidently: "My mother is my pipa teacher, so of course I have to let her listen first."
Zhu Zhanji was a little amused and said, "Okay, let Daddy take advantage of your mother's glory today."
Zhu Youtong tried hard to hold the pipa in his arms, raised his hand to pluck the strings, and for a moment the music came out clear and crisp. Although it could not be said to be lingering, at this moment, this slightly immature song was very soothing.
Zhu Zhanji clapped his hands and praised: "Not bad, when you grow up and understand the meaning of this song, you will definitely be able to play it even better."
Zhu Youtong understood what he meant and hummed, "After I practice more, I will definitely play as well as mother!"
Zhu Zhanji said casually: "Why not let your mother play a song too and see if you are still arrogant." He felt a little regretful as soon as he finished speaking. Hu Shanxiang has always been aloof and cold, not as easy-going as Sun Mengqiu. Hearing his words, she would probably be in a bad mood again.
Hu Shanxiang looked at him for a moment and said, "I haven't played a piece of music for a long time. If I play poorly, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhu Zhanji was quite surprised, but he nodded slightly and said with a smile: "It's rare for the Queen to be in such a refined mood. I am looking forward to it."
Hu Shanxiang took the pipa from her daughter and tested the notes twice. The slightest movement of her fingertips was already a melody. If Zhu Youtong's music was the tinkling of falling raindrops, then Hu Shanxiang's music was the gurgling of a mountain spring, relaxing and refreshing, allowing one to feel the vitality within the music.
Zhu Zhanji had never thought that Hu Shanxiang had such a skill. Seeing her lowering her eyebrows and eyes, her mind seemed to be completely focused on the pipa. Her body, which usually sat upright, swayed slightly with the movement of the strings. Zhu Zhanji could not help but stare at Hu Shanxiang in a daze.
In terms of appearance, Hu Shanxiang was not inferior to anyone else, but she had always behaved properly since she married into the palace. Even her husband Zhu Zhanji had never seen Hu Shanxiang show such a focused expression. It was as if she existed so vividly in this world for the first time, and not just the Crown Princess, Crown Princess, or Queen who abided by the rules.
Zhu Zhanji did feel guilty towards Sun Mengqiu, with whom he grew up, and wanted to compensate her by giving her the position of queen. After all, with Hu Shanxiang's personality, she probably wouldn't have any complaints. But when he looked at Hu Shanxiang today, Zhu Zhanji felt a little sympathy for her.
No matter how dull Hu Shanxiang was, she was still a living person. If the imperial concubine really deposed the queen as she wished, how would the queen deal with it?
Zhu Yuhuan knew that her mother could play the pipa, but she had never heard it in person. She didn't know much about the music, but she knew that Hu Shanxiang played it very well. If she were born in modern times, her pipa skills alone would be enough for Hu Shanxiang to live a peaceful life. However, such skills, born in this era, can only be forgotten.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at Zhu Zhanji beside him and saw that he had listened to him and said nothing.
After the song was over, Hu Shanxiang breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Zhu Zhanji, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for making fun of you. I've only practiced with Tongtong a few times, so I'm afraid I'm a little rusty."
Zhu Zhanji came back to his senses and smiled, saying, "The Queen is really modest. Her pipa playing is perfect and not inferior to anyone else."
Not to mention Zhu Zhanji, even the palace servants who were originally serving in the hall were stunned.
When Hu Shanxiang was teaching Zhu Youtong, they were also in the palace, but they had never heard Hu Shanxiang play a complete piece of music. Today, when they heard it, it sounded like heavenly music. How could they not be amazed?
Hu Shanxiang lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty has numerous state affairs, and you bear the expectations of the people. It is inevitable that you will feel upset sometimes. I don't understand your Majesty's concerns as well as the concubine does, so I can only relieve your worries in my own way."
Zhu Zhanji sighed softly and said, "The Queen is thoughtful. No wonder the virtuous concubines and the others admire and rely on you so much..."
Hu Shanxiang handed the pipa to Zhu Youtong and said to Zhu Zhanji, "As the empress, it is my duty to maintain the stability of the harem. Your Majesty is the ruler of a great empire, and all your decisions are for the people. As long as you are not ashamed of the heavens and the earth, there is no need to worry."
Zhu Zhanji hadn't expected Hu Shanxiang to have guessed his thoughts. After a long silence, he said, "Forget it. Why should the Empress also worry about state affairs?" He smiled again and said, "No wonder the Concubine Xian gave you the pipa. It turns out she knew you had such a skill."
Hu Shanxiang nodded when she heard this and said, "When the virtuous concubine was still a court lady, she was taught by my elder sister, and she also knows some of my past."
"She is a thoughtful person. She is very considerate of all the concubines in the palace. The Imperial Concubine always praises her in front of me." Zhu Zhanji saw that she was so calm, so he did not mention the matter again. He just said, "Mrs. Sun often comes to the palace to visit the Imperial Concubine these days. The Imperial Concubine is modest and always says that it is not in accordance with etiquette. I am thinking of allowing the mothers of the Xianfei and Huifei to visit the palace. What do you think, Empress?"
When Zhu Yuhuan heard Zhu Zhanji mention Concubine Sun, his heart moved and he had already guessed Concubine Sun's intention.
Hu Shanxiang naturally had no objection and said, "That's fine. I originally thought that after the war has calmed down, I would invite the ladies of honor from inside and outside the palace to attend the banquet, and let the concubines see their families."
Zhu Zhanji pondered for a moment and said, "When the weather warms up later, I will have someone hold a banquet and hunting trip in the western suburbs, and you can come along."
Zhu Yuhuan thought to himself, you roasted my second uncle in Xiyuan, and asked us to step on the dust to get rid of the bad luck?
It is not known whether Zhu Zhanji was bored by the war reports last winter and wanted to relax in the palace. He went to the Western Garden to visit his good uncle. Unexpectedly, the sight of him carbonized Zhu Gaoxu. Fortunately, Zhu Zhanji was a man who cared deeply about family affection. He was worried that Zhu Gaoxu would be lonely on the road, so he sent his son away with him.
Although Zhu Zhanji was very secretive about the reason for suddenly sending warmth to his uncle, Zhu Yuhuan knew very well that his own father was most likely angered by Zhu Gaoxu's sweeping kick.
Hu Shanxiang smiled and said, "On behalf of the six concubines in the palace, I would like to thank Your Majesty."
Zhu Zhanji then remembered that the Hu family was all in Jining. No matter how much grace was bestowed upon Hu Shanxiang, it was none of her business. However, Hu Shanxiang did not complain at all. She awkwardly excused herself, "It's a pity that the Hu family is all in Jining and cannot enter the palace. This is indeed my negligence."
He himself knew very well that he had deliberately ignored the Hu family. After all, if the Hu family was also in the capital, there was no guarantee that Hu Shanwei would enter the palace at any time, which made him annoyed.
Hu Shanxiang simply smiled and said, "My parents are old, and it would be inconvenient for them to come to Beijing. It would be a good thing for them to live in peace and comfort in their hometown."
Zhu Zhanji patted her hands and said, "The Queen has always been very sensible."
Zhu Yuhuan noticed that the rain outside was gradually easing, so he smiled and said, "Since Daddy is here, why don't you urge Tongtong to finish her homework? Otherwise, she always sneaks around and hides her homework."
Zhu Youtong, who was suddenly called out, cried out and stood up to run, but Zhu Yuhuan grabbed him by the collar from behind and said with a smile, "Why are you running? You dare to run when your father is here?"
Zhu Youtong pouted and said aggrievedly: "Sister, sell me out!"
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but laugh and said, "What's the point of selling it or not? Will your sister harm you?" But when he said this, his heart started to turn.
When he was asking the commoner Zhu Gaoxu about the secret rebellion in Xiyuan that day, Zhu Gaoxu deliberately tripped him and mocked him that not all the people around him were trustworthy, and that he would surely repeat the mistakes of his grandfather, the emperor, who had his family in turmoil. He was so angry at the time that he ordered Zhu Gaoxu to be burned to death, but he remembered Zhu Gaoxu's words in his heart.
Zhu Youtong asked with some confusion: "Why is Emperor Daddy in a daze again..."
Zhu Yuhuan rubbed his sister's head and said, "Adults have a lot on their minds. Daddy is the emperor, so naturally he has more on his mind than ordinary people."
"oh……"
Zhu Zhanji came back to his senses and said with a smile, "Why are you talking about Daddy's faults? Hurry up and bring the homework to me."
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