Chapter 43 Return to Beijing Banquet
The weather inside the Great Wall was much better than outside, and the safety factor was greatly improved. Troops were rotating to escort Zhu Yuhuan to various cities along the way. Zhu Yuhuan's tense nerves could finally relax a little, and she changed into the winter clothes that Hu Shanxiang had prepared for her.
It would not have mattered if she had not changed, but this change shocked Xu Gong. Princess Shunde, who was fair and tender before leaving the capital, now looked just like the border people they had seen at the beginning. Although her skin could not be said to be dark, it was much rougher, and there were two blushes on her cheeks, probably caused by the cold in Liaodong.
She was originally a princess of golden branches and jade leaves, but after being taken away by him, she turned into this state...
Xu Gong was very frightened, very flustered, and sweating profusely.
If His Majesty, His Majesty, and the Empress saw this, would it be good for him?
Seeing Xu Gong buying all kinds of creams for himself with his own money along the way, and looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated, Zhu Yuhuan understood the reason. In order to comfort this boy, Zhu Yuhuan could only seize the time to "take care of his skin".
If Zhu Zhanji saw this, he might use this as an excuse to scold Xu Gong and others, not to mention if he stopped Zhu Yuhuan from moving around. That would be a real disadvantage for her.
When he returned to Beijing, although Zhu Yuhuan had not fully recovered, he was much better than when he was at the border.
After the convoy was inspected and entered the capital, Xu Gong rode his horse to the carriage and said, "Your Highness, we are entering the city."
When Zhu Yuhuan had been following Liu Yongcheng through wind and rain at the border, he had not felt it was hard. But when he saw that he would soon see his mother and sister in the capital, Zhu Yuhuan suddenly felt a surge of longing in his heart.
Fortunately, she will be able to return to the palace soon and be with the person in the world who makes her feel most at ease.
Zhu Yuhuan was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Xu Gong approach the carriage window and whisper, "Your Highness, there's a message from the palace. His Majesty wants you to rest for a while in the Princess's residence."
Zhu Yuhuan was confused. He raised his hand to lift the curtain and asked in confusion, "Is it someone close to Daddy?"
Xu Gong knew that Zhu Yuhuan had nearly been killed the last time because he had listened to rumors from the palace eunuchs in a moment of desperation. Before leaving, Sehazhi had also specifically reminded him to pay close attention to the princess's safety, and Xu Gong had always kept this in mind.
Xu Gong explained, "The messenger was an eunuch from the palace. I have checked the ivory plaque and it is confirmed that he is walking before the emperor."
Now that they have entered the city, no one would have the courage to take action in the princess's mansion in the inner city.
Zhu Yuhuan thought for a moment and said, "In that case, let's go to the princess's residence first." She smiled at Xu Gong and said, "I'll have to go back to the palace to see my father later. You all should stay at the princess's residence for dinner. If there's not enough food here, I'll have them order a banquet from a restaurant on the street. We can just eat our fill."
A lot of things had been delivered to the Princess's Mansion when it was completed, and there were also quite a few servants who cleaned and dusted it every day. Zhu Yuhuan didn't have to worry about any inconveniences when he arrived at the Princess's Mansion. However, this time, Zhu Yuhuan was accompanied by quite a few people, about a hundred people, and they were worried that there would not be enough food.
Xu Gong also knew that his mission would not be officially completed without an audience with His Majesty, so he did not refuse and said, "On behalf of the other brothers, I would like to thank Your Highness for your hospitality."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and nodded at him, then lowered the curtain and leaned back on the cushion in the carriage, lost in thought.
According to Zhu Zhanji's personality, he should have asked Zhu Yuhuan to return to the palace as soon as possible to report the situation. Why would he let her stay outside the palace for an extra hour? But if this was some kind of conspiracy, it was too crude. This is not the way to use a single trick to conquer everything...
Although he still had doubts in his heart, Xu Gong had already verified the news, and Zhu Yuhuan could not openly disobey orders. He could only send someone to inform the princess's mansion first, and then took a carriage to the princess's mansion.
As the New Year was drawing to a close, the streets were bustling with people coming and going, and people were everywhere buying New Year's goods. The carriage stopped and started frequently, and after a long delay along the way, it finally arrived at the princess's mansion slowly.
The carriage entered the princess's residence. Zhu Yuhuan stepped down from the carriage. Someone was already waiting with a sedan chair. Two maids came forward and helped Zhu Yuhuan change to the sedan chair. One of them said, "Your Highness, don't worry. The princess's residence has already prepared a banquet to entertain the soldiers."
Seeing that they were so well-organized and didn't need his direction, Zhu Yuhuan felt relieved and said, "I'll go wash up first."
"Yes, I have asked someone to bring the hot water into the house, and I have asked someone to pack the clothes."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this princess's mansion was indeed not in vain, it also gave her a temporary place to rest.
Thinking she could enter the palace early in the afternoon, Zhu Yuhuan washed herself briefly. Seeing that her complexion hadn't fully recovered, she chose a sandy red jacket, which only then made her feel better. Seeing this, the maid beside her chose a silver-white skirt with a hundred birds and flowers, and helped her comb her hair into a bun, embellishing it with a few moths, making it lively yet elegant.
Seeing her dressing up so carefully for him, Zhu Yuhuan asked curiously, "Is there someone else in the mansion?"
Xu Gong and others were ministers. They ate at home and did not need Zhu Yuhuan to entertain them personally. There was no need for them to dress up elaborately. It would be enough to dress up after the meal.
The maid had never expected Zhu Yuhuan to be so perceptive, and a look of embarrassment appeared on her face.
Seeing her expression, Zhu Yuhuan understood what was going on. He quickly stood up and walked outside, saying, "Next time, tell me something like this sooner."
The maid picked up the prepared white jade pendant and hurriedly followed her, saying, "The emperor specifically ordered this. There's no need to rush Your Highness..."
Zhu Yuhuan thought to herself, if others knew that the emperor was waiting for his daughter to dine together, what would happen? The spit alone would drown her.
She walked in a hurry and just as she turned the corner of the corridor, she bumped into someone who was coming.
Seeing Zhu Qizhen falling backwards, Zhu Yuhuan quickly reached out to grab him and said, "Why are you running so fast?"
Zhu Qizhen didn't expect that he would bump into his sister. He smiled and said, "Sister is so beautiful."
Zhu Yuhuan looked him over, smiled, patted his shoulder, and motioned him to come with him. As they walked, he said, "Why are you so sweet?"
The brother and sister haven't seen each other for more than half a year. Zhu Qizhen has grown up a lot and has lost some of his former mischievousness. It seems that his words and deeds have indeed been strictly controlled. At least on the surface, he doesn't look as naughty as before.
"I was telling the truth. It's just that my sister has too few jewelry. She should have the same jewelry as last year's Chongwu Festival."
Zhu Yuhuan was amused by his words and said, "I don't know why you came to my house, but I was just dressed casually."
Zhu Qizhen put his hands behind his back, looking relaxed and at ease, and said, "Dad told me to hang out at my sister's house. I finally get to leave the palace and don't have to listen to their advice to study anymore..."
What this meant was that the father and son left the palace together and came to the princess's mansion.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at him and asked, "How is it? Is it fun in the Princess's Mansion?"
"It's fun, but it's a little small. It doesn't have the grandeur of a palace." Zhu Qizhen followed Zhu Yuhuan and said, "Isn't it said that Ruan An is very powerful? Sister should ask Dad to build a bigger garden."
Zhu Yuhuan was a little amused and said, "I have my own princess's mansion before I even get married. This is already a special favor. Besides, the renovation of the princess's mansion has already cost a lot. If I squander it any more, I will be criticized by the ministers."
Zhu Qizhen didn't take it seriously. He said, "Sister is a princess, and she can patrol the border for Dad. She's much more capable than those civil servants who can only hide in the capital. So what if she builds a bigger garden? The whole world belongs to Dad, and naturally, all the money in the world belongs to the royal family."
Zhu Yuhuan stopped, reached out and pinched his cheek, and warned: "Don't let others hear this." After that, she looked at the maid behind her and said, "Do you understand?"
The maid quickly leaned forward and said yes.
Zhu Yuhuan took Zhu Qizhen's hand and said, "Let's go and see Daddy and Mommy."
"good."
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