Chapter 48 Walking
The journey was smooth and unobstructed. Zhu Qizhen was already in a good mood, and with Xue Huan flattering him all the way, the smile on Zhu Qizhen's face never stopped.
When they arrived at the Changping Imperial Farm, the stewards and tenants were already waiting at the door. When they saw Zhu Qizhen coming, they all bowed respectfully and shouted "Long live the emperor".
There were quite a few people in the imperial farm, so this shout was quite impressive. In addition, many people secretly looked at Zhu Qizhen, but when they were discovered by Zhu Qizhen, they lowered their heads and dared not speak, which made Zhu Qizhen very satisfied.
Many of them had never even seen Princess Shunde, let alone the emperor, so it was inevitable that they were curious.
If Zhu Yuhuan had not warned them in advance, the stewards would have made all the tenants kneel down obediently and absolutely not allow them to look at the emperor.
But Zhu Yuhuan specifically sent a message telling them not to restrict the tenants and just need to learn simple rules of meeting the emperor.
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at Zhu Qizhen and saw him looking around at the tenants with a satisfied look on his face, and he couldn't help but smile.
How could she not understand them? She was simply taking this opportunity to satisfy her vanity as a wise ruler.
Zhu Qizhen cleared his throat and condescended to speak in person: "Everyone, get up."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "This Changping Imperial Farm was chosen by the late emperor for Your Majesty, and the land was enclosed and built. However, because Your Majesty was still young at the time, the farm has been left to me for management. Your Majesty is here today to inspect the livelihoods of the farmers and the people, but also to remember the late emperor and to demonstrate Your Majesty's sincere filial piety."
Xue Huan knew that the entire journey was arranged by Princess Shunde, but he never expected her to say such a thing. Seeing that Zhu Qizhen seemed to have just realized the meaning of Zhu Yuhuan's words and straightened his face, Xue Huan couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Princess Shunde is so eloquent, no wonder she is so favored by the late emperor. Compared with her, Princess Changde is simply not worth mentioning.
Zhu Qizhen had only been thinking about hunting and playing in the imperial farm the whole time, and had never considered what Zhu Yuhuan had just said. Now that he heard her say this, he immediately said, "That's right."
Zhu Yuhuan was fully aware of his little trick and simply instructed the steward, "Lead the way for His Majesty. It's been a bumpy ride, so you deserve a good rest."
"yes."
Having learned from Zhu Yuhuan of the emperor's arrival long ago, Changping Huangzhuang had already prepared rooms for the royal family to rest. While not as labor-intensive and resource-intensive as later generations' receptions, no less effort had been put into it. Several rooms were broken down and joined together to create a larger room, which was then divided into a living room, study, bedroom, etc. A simple wall was built around the courtyard outside, forming a larger courtyard. A small pavilion was built and various plants were planted for decoration.
As for Jing Yuan, Guo Xuan and the Embroidered Uniform Guards who accompanied the emperor, they set up camp near Zhu Qizhen to protect this group of precious royal children.
Zhu Yuhuan had already patched things up with Zhu Qizhen. This trip was not simply about pros and cons, but also to investigate people's livelihood and to train Zhu Qizhen's will. After all, what Zhu Qizhen loved to talk about most was that Zhu Zhanji could go out to fight in person. If he couldn't even accept the simple accommodation prepared by the imperial farm, let alone consider the simple accommodation for the army.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't want to waste manpower and money to "welcome the emperor" just because Zhu Qizhen went out hunting. She managed the imperial farm so well, not to let Zhu Qizhen "ruin" it.
It was precisely because of what Zhu Yuhuan had said in advance that Zhu Qizhen was somewhat surprised to see the neatly decorated and even elegant room. He said to Zhu Yuhuan, "This imperial farm is not as bad as you say, big sister. I thought the people in Changping Imperial Farm usually treated you poorly."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "With Your Majesty personally visiting the Imperial Manor, how dare these stewards here sloppily deal in anything? However, considering Your Majesty has always advocated frugality and disliked extravagance, these stewards didn't dare to decorate the house too extravagantly and kept it simple. While I may not be as impressive as Your Majesty, I haven't been treated harshly when I've visited the Imperial Manor before. I have Your Majesty's support."
Xue Huan couldn't help but sigh in his heart. She was worthy of being the Princess Shunde. Her flattery skills were simple and profound, without any sense of flattery at all. No wonder the emperor was close to this princess.
Zhu Qizhen had already sat down, allowing the accompanying palace servants to serve him tea. After listening to what Zhu Yuhuan said, he said with a smile, "That's good. Big sister is the eldest princess. If you dare to treat her with disrespect, don't you think you are tired of living?"
Zhu Youtong resisted the urge to roll his eyes and simply pulled Zhu Hanjia and Zhu Qiyu to the side, as if he was taking them to appreciate the layout of the house.
Whether it was Zhu Zhanji in the past or Zhu Qizhen now, she couldn't stand this the most!
Zhu Qizhen naturally didn't know what his second sister was thinking. He just looked around and said with satisfaction: "I think the layout is quite good. It does have some rural charm."
Zhu Yuhuan jokingly said, "If Your Majesty wants to personally patrol the border in the future, the conditions will only be worse than they are now."
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, "So what? I am the ruler of a country. How could I back down over such a small matter?"
Xue Huan listened from the side and finally understood why Zhu Qizhen had made such a big fuss about the military examination. It turned out that he was thinking about leading the army himself...
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at Xue Huan, who seemed lost in thought, and then said to Zhu Qizhen, "Your Majesty, please take a good rest first. I will take Yongqing, Yu'er, Changde, and the Prince Consort to check out the accommodation. I have also arranged for the kitchen to prepare the food. By the time we are settled in, I believe the banquet will be ready."
When they arrived at the destination, Zhu Qizhen no longer had the initial excitement. He was indeed a little tired after riding a bumpy horse all the way. So Zhu Qizhen was also a little tired at this time. He just nodded and asked Wang Li beside him to help him take a brief rest.
After several people left Zhu Qizhen's room, Zhu Youtong finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing everyone looking at her, she said, "Why are you looking at me? Aren't you tired?"
Zhu Yuhuan suppressed a laugh and said, "Of course I'm tired."
Cheng Ming, who was standing next to him, took advantage of the opportunity and immediately asked someone to take Princess Changde and her husband to rest, while he personally took Zhu Yuhuan, Zhu Youtong and Zhu Qiyu, the three siblings.
Zhu Youtong thought of Xue Huan's smooth talk and flattery of Zhu Qizhen along the way, and wanted to take Zhu Hanjia with him. If Zhu Yuhuan had not secretly helped him, he would probably have spoken directly.
Zhu Youtong probably understood what his sister meant and couldn't help but sigh softly.
Zhu Yuhuan, who was walking in front, said calmly: "Changde is already a married man, he can't always stay with us sisters."
Zhu Youtong replied dejectedly, "I know..."
What stands between them is not only the issue of marriage, but also the feud between their mothers. She always interferes too much and causes trouble for her mother and sister.
Seeing that Zhu Youtong was a little depressed, Zhu Qiyu took the initiative to speak: "Second sister, His Majesty will go hunting in the imperial manor later, and he will definitely ask my third brother-in-law to accompany him. Let's play chuiwan nearby, and ask my third sister to join us."
Zhu Youtong's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "That makes sense. Xiaoyu is really smart."
Zhu Yuhuan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, shook his head helplessly, and said to Zhu Qiyu: "Brother Yu, this is your first time traveling far away, and you have never left the capital before. Don't you want to ride a horse and travel around?"
Zhu Qiyu shook his head and smiled shyly, "It might be dangerous if I'm not in the palace now. I'd better stay with my second and third sisters."
Zhu Youtong snorted and said proudly, "Sister, you see, Xiaoyu volunteered." Then she patted Zhu Qiyu on the shoulder and said, "Xiaoyu, when His Majesty and that Xue go hunting, you can do whatever you want. We both have palace servants with us, so nothing will happen."
Zhu Qiyu readily agreed and said, "Okay."
Zhu Yuhuan coughed and said, "You guys..."
Zhu Youtong tilted his head somewhat smugly and deliberately joked, "That man hasn't stopped talking all the way here. It's just right for him to accompany you so that Your Majesty won't be lonely. Sister can also take a break."
Although Zhu Qiyu didn't say anything, he obviously meant the same thing.
Zhu Yuhuan immediately understood that Zhu Qiyu had been listening to Xue Huan's constant flattery along the way, and he was probably annoyed with these two people for a long time, so he took this opportunity to take a break.
She felt both helpless and amused, and said, "You can do whatever you want, but I have to stay by His Majesty's side. Changde's consort is too young and has an impetuous personality. I'm afraid something might happen."
"Didn't the Jinyiwei come along as well?" Zhu Youtong wasn't worried about Zhu Qizhen's safety at all. He said, "If they can't even do their job as guards, what's the point of having them?"
Cheng Ming, who was walking in front, acted as if he was deaf and said nothing. He only gave a brief introduction when they arrived at the place.
Zhu Yuhuan first settled his sister and brother, and then took Cheng Ming back to his own residence.
Unlike the others who had just arrived at the imperial farm, Zhu Yuhuan had his own room and did not need any additional decoration. He only needed to do some simple cleaning and tidying.
Zhu Yuhuan asked Han Guilan to take a few palace maids to guard outside, and then left Cheng Ming behind to ask, "Is everything settled in the imperial manor? I specifically asked my guards to come here in advance to let you know. There must not be any mistakes or omissions."
After all, she was the one who managed Changping Imperial Manor. Although the responsibility of guarding it was now in the hands of Jing Yuan and Guo Xuan, she would still be directly held responsible if anything went wrong.
Cheng Ming responded repeatedly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. There are absolutely no outsiders in the Imperial Manor. The animals that Your Highness had previously ordered to be raised in the Imperial Manor are all ready. Whenever Your Majesty goes out hunting, we will release those rabbits and pheasants."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded slightly and said, "That's very good."
Shuntian's late autumn was no joke. How could there be so many wild animals for Zhu Qizhen to hunt at this time of year? Of course, the tenants could only raise them for a short period of time and then "release" them when Zhu Qizhen was about to go out hunting.
Cheng Ming briefly reported on the events in the imperial manor, then said cautiously, "Your Highness, Miss Zhou has been settled in. Do you think it would be a good idea to have her perform a talent show in front of His Majesty, or..."
Previously, Zhu Yuhuan met with Zhou Yingying alone, and then sent several ladies to the imperial farm. Ostensibly, they were selecting maids to follow Madam Xu to study medicine, but secretly they were teaching Zhou Yingying and sending a lot of good things to the Zhou family. Cheng Ming then realized that the Zhou family had really boarded the big ship of Princess Shunde.
Cheng Ming has taken good care of the Zhou family, so naturally he hopes to take advantage of this opportunity to gain some benefits.
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled and asked, "Did she ask you to ask, or did you want to ask yourself?"
Cheng Ming quickly said: "I dare not..."
Zhu Yuhuan stopped laughing and said coldly, "If she has good fortune, you will naturally reward her. It's useless to think about the rest. What do you think?"
Cheng Ming didn't dare to ask any more questions, and kept saying: "Your Highness is right, Your Highness is right..."
Seeing his timid look, Zhu Yuhuan's expression softened considerably. He said, "This rapid rise to prominence is both a good and a bad thing. It can magnify both gratitude and hatred. What do you think?"
Cheng Ming immediately understood that Zhou Yingying's personality was not easy to get along with. He wanted to take advantage of his past support for the Zhou family to reap some benefits, but he could not guarantee that the Zhou family might still be secretly resenting his charity.
He only thought about the benefits of the Zhou family, but completely forgot when he might have offended the Zhou family. So he should not think about taking advantage of the Zhou family.
After Cheng Ming left, Zhu Yuhuan asked Han Guilan to come in. Han Guilan snorted and asked, "What did Cheng Ming say that made Your Highness so unhappy?"
Zhu Yuhuan did not answer, but simply asked, "Is there any movement from Xu Gong?"
Han Guilan nodded gently and said, "Commander Xu sent someone with him to inform me, saying that he would come after dusk to discuss with His Highness how to settle Li Chu."
"good."
Han Guilan glanced outside the door, a little hesitant, but still asked, "The Empress Dowager left Li Chu behind to protect Elder Yang. Now that His Highness suddenly mentioned Elder Yang, is he going to...?"
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Yang is old and it's time for him to have a good rest. In that case, isn't it normal for him to vacate a position in the cabinet?"
"But this matter has been concealed for so long. If it were suddenly revealed to His Majesty, wouldn't it arouse suspicion?" Han Guilan hesitated, but still said, "Your Majesty may be young, but I think he's quite thoughtful. If Your Highness leaves any clues, I'm afraid His Majesty will take advantage of it in the future..."
Seeing the worry on her face, Zhu Yuhuan shook his head with amusement, saying, "This is just preparatory work. If my two Mr. Yangs leave the cabinet early, I won't have the people I want to replace them. I won't rush." She paused for a moment and said, "As for how to present this matter to His Majesty, that's even simpler. Let's take care of Yingying's affairs first."
"yes."
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