Chapter 55: Big Disaster
Although she had not yet met the clerk Yu Qian, Zhu Yuhuan still hid the article with the idea of "not missing it". It was not because she had any intention of collecting it, but because she was worried that the clerk Yu Qian would be implicated.
This "return to Yingtian" was an important goal set by Zhu Gaochi. It was unanimously agreed by the court and the public, and no one dared to be the first to do so. The reason why Yu Siwu wrote this article at this time was nothing more than hoping to use the mouth of Yang Pu, a Hanlin scholar, to persuade Zhu Gaochi not to return to Yingtian. Although this wish was good, it was obviously contrary to the emperor's will. He was just a small secretary. If Yang Pu didn't take it to heart, it would be fine. But if Yang Pu helped Zhu Gaochi to use him to establish his authority, wouldn't this ruin his official career?
Even though she was not sure whether this Yu Siwu was the Yu Qian she knew, Zhu Yuhuan could not watch a wise man jump into the trap.
If anyone is going to jump into the pit, it shouldn't be him. In her opinion, there is someone more suitable to jump into the pit than Yu Qian.
Some time ago, Zhu Zhanji was busy with spring plowing and was not at home all day long. Now that the spring plowing is over, he finally feels a lot more relaxed. He took advantage of his birthday to accompany his wife and children to have dinner and appreciate the flowers.
Previously, when Hu Shanxiang held a peony tea party, Zhu Yuhuan did not come on the pretext of practicing martial arts. This time, since Zhu Zhanji, the head of the family, had spoken, Zhu Yuhuan naturally could not run away easily. He had to follow along to appreciate the flowers and taste the various delicacies from the small kitchen in the East Palace.
There would always be a problem when the Guanglu Temple did not hold a grand banquet, so it would be better to open a small kitchen in one's own palace. Hu Shanxiang specially asked Empress Zhang for permission, and then this small kitchen was opened. It happened to coincide with Zhu Zhanji's birthday, and the whole family could also enjoy a hot meal.
Zhu Zhanji was quite surprised to see that his eldest daughter had become much more well-behaved recently. He said, "It seems that what I said today was really useful. Even Huanhuan, who is usually the most active, has become so well-behaved."
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled and said, "I'm worried that Dad will come back and test my studies, so I'm going to do my best to leave a good impression on Dad. That way, even if Dad really stumps me, I won't have to worry about Dad punishing me."
She openly expressed her thoughts, which made Zhu Zhanji laugh. He said, "How come you have revealed all your plans? If that's the case, Daddy won't test you with simple questions."
Zhu Zhanji has been working as a farmer outside during this period. His face has become much darker than before. When he smiles, his teeth are exposed, giving him a rather simple and unpretentious look.
Zhu Yuhuan suppressed his laughter and patted his chest. "A gentleman is open and honest. This is an open conspiracy. Could it be that Daddy is really going to embarrass me?"
Hu Shanxiang couldn't help but smile when she saw her like this.
Seeing her so confident, Zhu Zhanji knew she was confident and said with a smile, "In that case, Daddy will really test you. Bring me your homework first."
"Yes." Rang Huai'en brought over all his recent homework and said, "These days, the teachers often ask me to write my thoughts and essays, so I borrowed a few to study. I have written quite a bit recently. Please take a look, Dad."
Zhu Zhanji picked up a few books and flipped through them, but when he saw one of them, he stopped and read it carefully, frowning.
Zhu Yuhuan looked at his expression and knew that Zhu Zhanji had read Yu Qian's article.
After all, it was a royal matter, and it was much better for Zhu Zhanji to speak up than for Yu Qian to speak up. Even if Zhu Gaochi was angry, he would not touch Zhu Zhanji, the prince. After all, this was the crown prince who was personally appointed by Zhu Di. Even if he wanted to depose him, he had to have a suitable excuse. However, he might not be able to wait for that day.
As for Zhu Zhanji, there are probably only two reactions after reading this article. One is to keep it to himself and nothing will happen, and the other is to tell Zhu Gaochi the disadvantages of returning home. No matter which one, it is a good opportunity for this Secretary to show his face in front of Zhu Zhanji, the future emperor.
Although Zhu Yuhuan was not completely sure of the other party's identity, she personally believed that this kind of talent with a clear mind and the courage to go against the crowd was still worthy of promotion, so she deliberately mixed a few articles in, one of which was Yu Qian's article.
Zhu Zhanji frowned slightly, then smiled and jokingly said, "Huanhuan, although you completed the homework on time, you were not very careful in this detail. You should not be careless in your daily work. Why did you mix in other people's articles?"
Zhu Yuhuan pouted after being scolded, but still said obediently, "Huanhuan, I understand." She stretched out her hand again and said, "Daddy, remember to return it to me. I promised the teacher that I would return it in time after learning it."
Seeing that his daughter looked natural, Zhu Zhanji thought she didn't do it on purpose, so he turned to test her on what she had learned recently.
Sun Mengqiu, who was standing by, saw the father and daughter interacting with each other, and then looked at Zhu Hanjia who was walking there with her wet nurse. She couldn't help feeling sad, and unconsciously raised her hand to gently stroke her belly.
The prince was busy with official duties these days, so even when he stayed in her room, the two of them didn't spend much time together. If they could have another son...
Zhu Yuhuan answered fluently, not forgetting to mention his sister, saying, "Dad, Tongtong has recently learned gongche notation from mom and has learned a lot of characters."
Of the three Zhu sisters, the second-born, Zhu Youtong, was the one who spent the least time with her father. Zhu Yuhuan was born early, and Zhu Hanjia had a good mother. Only Zhu Youtong, stuck in the middle, was less likely to be noticed by Zhu Zhanji.
Although Zhu Yuhuan opposed some of the ideas of his biological father Zhu Zhanji, children do need fatherly love to grow up, so Zhu Yuhuan still encouraged his sister to get closer to Zhu Zhanji.
With her around, there is no need to worry that Zhu Youtong will be influenced by Zhu Zhanji's feudal dregs.
Zhu Zhanji waved at his second daughter and said with a smile, "How come you don't know many words, but you've already started learning gongche notation?"
Zhu Youtong had spent very little time with this father, so he walked up to him timidly but still didn't dare to speak.
Seeing her daughter like this, Hu Shanxiang said, "Children are playful and like fun things, which is inevitable. But Tongtong does have some talent and learns quickly."
Zhu Zhanji didn't mind his daughter's estrangement. He reached out and rubbed Zhu Youtong's head, saying, "That won't do. Your sister was able to speak fluently when she was just over a year old, and she learned to read and write faster than ordinary people. Your sister is so amazing, you can't fall behind."
Zhu Youtong responded softly and said no more.
Zhu Yuhuan scoffed inwardly, but smiled broadly as he said, "'Every inch has its own merits'. Tongtong is also a rare talent in music. Daddy doesn't know that this time, Tongtong and I prepared a birthday gift for Mom. If Tongtong hadn't learned to recognize the five tones, it wouldn't have been possible."
When Zhu Youtong heard his sister speaking for him, his originally nervous expression relaxed a lot, and he looked at his sister with admiration in his eyes.
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but laugh when he saw her speaking for her sister. He became interested in the gift she mentioned for Hu Shanxiang and asked curiously, "What gift did you prepare for your mother that even required the use of the five tones?"
Zhu Yuhuan proudly put his hands behind his back and said, "Daddy will know when the time comes, and it will definitely surprise you!"
Zhu Zhanji smiled and asked, "So what gift did Huanhuan prepare for Daddy this year?"
Zhu Yuhuan then beckoned to Huai'en, asking him to bring out the compound bow he had made in the training ground, and handed it to Zhu Zhanji as if he were presenting a treasure.
Zhu Zhanji had never seen anything like this before and was a little surprised. He asked, "Why does this bow have two wheels?"
Zhu Yuhuan said confidently, "This is Huanhuan's own idea. A carriage runs faster because it has wheels, so maybe a bow and arrow will be faster with two more wheels." She then added proudly, "Huanhuan has had someone try it out. This method is much more energy-saving than the usual bow and arrow. If Dad doesn't believe me, you can try it yourself later."
Zhu Zhanji knew that his daughter would never fight a battle without confidence. The fact that she could take out this bow and arrow meant that she was very sure that this thing would come in handy.
But he was really curious about how his daughter could come up with so many strange and bizarre things.
Zhu Zhanji played with the bow for a moment and said, "I don't know what's hidden in your head, little girl. You come up with all kinds of weird things."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youtong immediately took credit for Zhu Yuhuan, saying, "Sister started drawing the blueprints long ago to make bows and arrows, often asking my uncle to borrow books. She read so many books filled with all sorts of strange things. It took her a long time to create such an amazing compound bow!"
Zhu Zhanji was slightly stunned. He looked at his daughter who seemed unconcerned. He couldn't help but feel touched. He patted his daughter's shoulder and said softly, "Huanhuan is so thoughtful."
Zhu Yuhuan simply gave a shy smile and said, "Daddy, you're too kind. Since this is a birthday gift for you, of course I have to put in some effort. Huanhuan has also drawn the blueprints. If Daddy finds it interesting, I can have someone use the blueprints to make a more powerful one."
If she didn't prepare carefully, when Zhu Zhanji saw the gift she gave to Hu Shanxiang, he would most likely think that her daughter was "partial".
Seeing the deep affection between father and daughter, Sun Mengqiu unconsciously turned her gaze to Zhu Yuhuan.
If only Han Jia could be half as eloquent as Princess Shunde in the future...
Zhu Yuhuan vaguely sensed Sun Mengqiu's gaze, but pretended not to see it and concentrated on playing her role as a "good daughter".
Just as the family was enjoying themselves, an eunuch came quickly and said respectfully, "Prince, the Emperor has summoned you and the Princess to the Palace of Heavenly Purity for an audience."
Zhu Zhanji saw that the eunuch looked unfamiliar and seemed to have never been seen before the emperor. He couldn't help but feel a little puzzled and asked, "Why would you summon me, but why summon the princess?"
"I didn't know. It was the Emperor's order." The eunuch glanced at the bow and arrow Zhu Zhanji had placed on the table and said, "Please take this bow and arrow with you, Your Highness."
Zhu Zhanji's face changed and he said, "How can the inner court carry weapons at will?"
He had been busy with farm work recently and inevitably neglected the palace, but Hu Shanxiang had never made any mistakes in managing the internal affairs before. He had never thought that this was related to his daughter, but when he heard the eunuch say this, Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but start to worry that it might really be because of his daughter's birthday gift.
"In reply to the Crown Prince, this is also the Emperor's order..."
Hu Shanxiang was listening at the side, and when she heard the eunuch pick up the bow and arrow, she felt something was wrong and couldn't help showing a worried expression.
She knew that Zhu Yuhuan had gone to Empress Zhang to report this, but now that Zhu Yuhuan had been called in, she was afraid there was a deeper reason. Perhaps it involved the battle between Empress Zhang and Concubine Guo...
Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan said, "Grandpa Emperor must have known that Huanhuan's birthday gift to Daddy was unique, so he asked someone to take it along. Daddy, let's go." After she finished speaking, she looked at Huai En and shook her head slightly at him, indicating that he didn't need to come.
Huai En noticed Zhu Yuhuan's gaze, immediately took a step back, and quietly left the courtyard.
Zhu Zhanji naturally understood that the emperor's order could not be disobeyed, and said with a serious face: "Let's go."
After the father and daughter left, Sun Mengqiu tentatively asked, "Your Highness, both Huanhuan and I were summoned by His Majesty. Could something serious have happened?"
Sun Mengqiu knew that Zhu Zhanji, as the crown prince, wouldn't face any substantial punishment unless he committed a grave offense, a reprimand at most. Instead, she was curious about what had happened, even implicating Zhu Yuhuan. It was likely that the princess had gotten herself into some kind of trouble. Thinking of Zhu Yuhuan's usual pursuit of excellence and his competitive nature, yet still not escaping the imperial order, Sun Mengqiu felt a sense of relief for her daughter.
Although my daughter is not as outstanding as her elder sister, at least she won't get into any trouble. She just needs to behave herself.
Hu Shanxiang could hear the doubt and subtle relief in her words. She couldn't help but frown and instructed the palace maid beside her, "Send someone to tell Mother about this. Be careful not to let anyone else see it."
"yes."
Elsewhere, father and daughter walked side by side on the palace road. Zhu Zhanji asked, "Huanhuan, your grandfather suddenly summoned you...but what trouble have you gotten yourself into recently?"
Zhu Yuhuan looked innocent and said frankly, "When has Huanhuan ever gotten into trouble?"
Zhu Zhanji said helplessly: "Aren't you getting into trouble every day?"
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled upon hearing this and said, "If I get into trouble every day, doesn't that mean I've never been in trouble before? I'm the star of trouble, and everyone's used to it. How can I even say I'm in trouble? Daddy, am I right?"
Hearing her say this, Zhu Zhanji was not angry, but felt helpless and said, "You..."
Although he asked his daughter, Zhu Zhanji vaguely guessed something, perhaps it was related to the previous time when he brought his daughter to express gratitude.
There is no impenetrable wall in this world. When Tan suddenly appeared in the hall and served closely, with so many eyes watching, it was inevitable that someone would leak the news.
After all, he was still in mourning at the time. If the news were to spread, not only would it damage the emperor's reputation, but more importantly, among those reckless censors and civil servants, there was no guarantee that someone would get to know the news and submit a memorial to advise him.
If this was the case, Zhu Zhanji was not worried. After all, there were many people here and they all had big mouths. Who could provide evidence to say that it was the prince who spread the news? It was nothing more than the father being unhappy about being reported and taking it out on his son.
But the emperor ordered him to take the bow and arrow, fearing that there might be a bigger trap waiting for them, father and daughter.
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