Chapter 5: Reassurance
As Zhu Yuhuan arrived at the gate of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he heard a lively chatter inside. Besides Zhu Zhanji and Sun Mengqiu, there was another voice that Zhu Yuhuan was unfamiliar with. Before Zhu Yuhuan could ask, the palace attendant beside him said, "Princess, wait a moment. It's the imperial concubine's brother who has come to the palace to pay his respects. I'll go and pass it on right away."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "Thank you for your help, Grand Duke."
The eunuch was flattered when he heard this and quickly said, "Princess, that's not right. It's just my duty."
Zhu Yuhuan watched him go in, glancing at the smoky yellow sky. He couldn't help but sigh, "Green waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." This weather clearly indicated a sandstorm; no wonder Zhu Di's disagreement with the Jingnan Rebellion had knocked down the flagpole. However, now wasn't a good time to plant trees. Productivity needed to be improved, and with the massive construction projects going on year after year, it was unclear when the climate near the capital would improve.
She was lost in thought. The eunuchs had already passed on the message. Zhu Yuhuan entered the hall and indeed felt a warmth. She glanced at the people sitting in the hall and bowed, saying, "Huanhuan greets father, may father be well. Greetings to Empress Sun, may Empress Sun be well."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand to signal her to stand up, and ordered the people around him: "Prepare a seat for the princess."
"yes."
Zhu Yuhuan sat down obediently, then said with a smile: "Daddy, what delicious food is there in the palace today? I know so I can have someone make it for Tongtong and Hanjia to taste. Mother taught me that as an older sister, I can't always monopolize Daddy's favor and refuse to let go, otherwise it will hurt my younger sisters. The most important thing between sisters is harmony."
Zhu Yuhuan said this without any scruples, and looking at her expression, it was clear that this was from her heart, just to make those who had something on their mind feel uncomfortable, while those who didn't know the truth nodded in agreement.
However, the two people present were both of the former type, so they inevitably felt a little uncomfortable. Sun Xianzong, who had just been lectured by his brother-in-law, the emperor, did not take it to heart. Instead, he nodded in agreement and said, "Princess, what you said makes sense. I always heard my elder sister say that you are smart. Seeing you today, I find that you are indeed smart. No wonder your brother-in-law likes you so much. Hanjia needs to learn from the princess and can't always keep everything in her heart like her elder sister."
Zhu Yuhuan almost laughed out loud, but managed to swallow it back with great difficulty.
If we really talk about gourds with sawed-off mouths, her mother is the best among them. It would be too false to say this about Sun Mengqiu.
Zhu Yuhuan only regretted that there was no Internet and WeChat now, and no suitable emoticon package could replace her true feelings at this moment.
Although it was not known whether Sun Xianzong's words were intentional or unintentional, Zhu Yuhuan felt uncomfortable for Hu Shanxiang, not to mention Sun Mengqiu himself.
As expected, Sun Mengqiu couldn't help but cough lightly upon hearing this, frowning and saying to Sun Xianzong: "What nonsense are you talking about? It's not your place to talk nonsense in front of His Majesty and the Princess."
Zhu Yuhuan seemed oblivious and said, "Yes, my sister is still young and active. She can't be so stuffy all the time. Why don't Daddy let Tongtong and Hanjia attend classes with me? We sisters can communicate more and we don't have to worry about them getting bored."
Sun Mengqiu's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she was obviously determined to take action on Zhu Yuhuan's proposal, but she looked at Zhu Zhanji hesitantly, obviously hoping to get Zhu Zhanji's consent.
After all, Zhu Yuhuan was personally assigned by Emperor Taizong and the late emperor to learn martial arts and study, so she naturally didn't want her daughter to be inferior to others for no reason.
Zhu Zhanji frowned slightly and said, "You are older than Youtong and Hanjia, so how can you play with them? As for the daily lectures, let the Queen hire a tutor for Youtong and Hanjia. It won't be too late until they can recite ancient texts as fluently as you."
It was enough to have Zhu Yuhuan as an exception, and that was also for the sake of Emperor Taizong's face. The other two daughters were still young, and they couldn't all be brought up like Zhu Yuhuan, neither like princesses nor like princes. Who knows what kind of trouble they might cause in the future.
Sun Mengqiu understood the implication of Zhu Zhanji's words and was extremely disappointed, but he still tried to put on a smile and said, "Your Majesty is right."
Sun Xianzong looked at his nose and his heart, without saying a word.
Zhu Yuhuan noticed Sun Mengqiu's loneliness, but pretended to know nothing. He asked curiously, "Dad, did you ask Huanhuan to come here today? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but smile when he heard this and said, "How do you know it's an important matter?"
Zhu Yuhuan raised his head slightly, looking very proud, and said openly: "Of course it's because Daddy thinks highly of me."
Her behavior made Sun Xianzong slightly stunned, and he subconsciously looked at his sister.
Everyone says that Queen Hu is a gentle person, but she actually has such a spoiled daughter?
Zhu Zhanji was very pleased and said, "I'm glad you think so. Daddy called you here today because I have good news to tell you. When we change the reign title to Xuande next year, we will hold a canonization ceremony for you in mid-spring."
Zhu Yuhuan had anticipated this and immediately thanked Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Zhanji had just ascended the throne, and it was time to stabilize the government. If he clashed with the ministers over the empress's dethronement, it would be a loss, and would also damage Zhu Zhanji's reputation. Since rumors were rife that Empress Hu would be deposed, it was natural to grant her a favor to dispel some of the rumors. As Empress Hu Shanxiang was already a queen, a reward was not unusual for her. Therefore, Zhu Zhanji decided to confer the title on his daughter in advance to prove that he had no intention of deposing the innocent empress.
After standing up, Zhu Yuhuan asked again in a polite manner, "Why don't we hold a canonization ceremony for the two sisters as well? Otherwise, they will be sad."
Zhu Zhanji looked at Sun Mengqiu next to him and coughed lightly, apparently signaling her to speak.
Sun Mengqiu understood what Zhu Zhanji meant. She forced a smile and said, "Tongtong and Hanjia are still young. It's too early to confer titles on them now."
Zhu Yuhuan then nodded as if he understood, and said, "So that's how it is."
It wasn't her who stopped Zhu Zhanji, it was Zhu Zhanji himself who was being stingy.
Zhu Zhanji sighed inwardly, then said to the Sun siblings, "You two may leave first. Emperor Xianzong has been granted permission to stay in the palace for dinner today, so you two can have a good chat. I have something to say to the princess."
After hearing Zhu Zhanji's order, although Sun Mengqiu was unwilling, he still agreed and retreated with his brother. Sun Xianzong wanted to say something, but silently shut up at Sun Mengqiu's hint.
After the Sun siblings left together, Zhu Zhanji waved at Zhu Yuhuan, motioning her to come forward.
It was not until Zhu Yuhuan really stepped forward that Zhu Zhanji asked, "Huanhuan, have you heard the rumors outside and feel a little aggrieved?"
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