Chapter 6: Breaking the Formation
Zhu Zhanji did not care about Zhu Qizhen's request. In his opinion, it was a peaceful and prosperous time, with peace both inside and outside the country. His son did not need to be as cautious as he was when he was young.
Do whatever you want to do, make decisions decisively and without hesitation. This is the demeanor that the heir to the prosperous Ming Dynasty should have.
Concubine Sun was a little embarrassed, but fortunately she was in the palace today and no outsiders saw her, otherwise it would have been too embarrassing.
Although Zhen'er is a prince, how can he be a prince when he shouts like this? None of the three princesses were like him when they were young... Not to mention Zhu Yuhuan, even Han Jia, who was raised by her side, never behaved so rudely.
Thinking that it was Empress Dowager Zhang who raised the prince, Concubine Sun felt even more chest tightness and shortness of breath. If the prince had been handed over to her to raise personally, he would not have turned out like this.
How could she save face if the Queen and the Princess saw the Crown Prince in this state?
Hu Shanxiang on the other side was also feeling a little uneasy. She didn't care about the prince's words and actions, but was worried about what would happen if an accident happened soon.
Wu Miaosu noticed Hu Shanxiang's uneasiness and feigned worry, saying, "Is there nothing wrong with the horse? I once rode a fast horse when I accompanied Your Majesty back to the capital, and it was quite frightening. The Crown Prince and Princess are so precious, what would we do if something happened to them?"
Zhu Zhanji listened to her talk about the past, and thought of Wu Miaosu's courage and carefulness, so he smiled and said to her, "Don't worry, this horse is usually taken care of by the people in the Imperial Horse Administration, and it has never been out running, so it can't be that fast."
Concubine Sun also pulled herself out of her annoyance and realized that what Wu Miaosu said was indeed very reasonable. She immediately said, "Yes, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still young. Even with the princess's protection, it is too dangerous..."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. It's rare for the Crown Prince to have such courage, and he should try more. How can a dignified Crown Prince not even dare to ride a horse?"
After he said that, Concubine Sun didn't know what to say. She could only clench her sleeves and stare motionlessly in the direction of her son.
Seeing that she still looked worried, Zhu Zhanji said, "There are Jinyiwei people nearby, so nothing will happen." He felt a little helpless when he said this. Seeing that Concubine Sun did not respond, he secretly felt fortunate that the prince was handed over to the Queen Mother for care. He cleared his throat and said, "Look at the Queen, how can she be as cautious as you?"
He waited for a long time without any response from Hu Shanxiang. He turned his head and saw that Hu Shanxiang was even more anxious than Concubine Sun. She leaned forward slightly and was also looking at Zhu Yuhuan.
Noticing Zhu Zhanji's gaze, Hu Shanxiang finally spoke: "Your Majesty is right, but Huanhuan's riding skills may not be enough to accompany the prince..."
Speaking of this, Zhu Zhanji was quite confident and said, "What are you talking about, Queen? Huanhuan once patrolled the border with me, and I saw it all."
Hu Shanxiang felt even more helpless and could only say, "I understand, but the prince is still young..."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand, signaling her not to say anything more.
Zhu Zhanji was still trying hard to persuade his nephew, but when he saw the eunuch coming with Zhu Zhanji's message and bringing Zhu Yuhuan's mount, he could only look at Zhu Yuhuan helplessly.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't care. He stood up and said, "Since it's Daddy's request, I will naturally agree."
To facilitate his movements, Zhu Yuhuan had changed into a red yisa. His hair was tied up in a bun, adorned only with a silk ribbon. He wore short boots, looking remarkably heroic. Because he was about to mount a horse, Han Guilan had someone fetch a folded-brimmed hat for Zhu Yuhuan to wear, lest his hair become messy and interfere with his archery skills.
Zhu Yuhuan's current mount was none other than Meteor, the Arutai steed selected from the Imperial Horse Administration two years prior. Meteor, now a full-grown adult, was unblemished, tall and mighty, its coat sleek and glossy, a testament to the care and attention the Imperial Horse Administration had bestowed upon him. Meteor, decked out in a saddle of eight treasures and a draped in a turquoise brocade, had his gray-white mane braided, and a polo club tucked into the side of the saddle. He was a complete and exquisitely adorned figure.
Zhu Yuhuan climbed over the railing and mounted his horse swiftly. He then said to the eunuch who was holding the horse beside him, "Have the nanny bring His Royal Highness the Crown Prince here."
"yes."
When Zhu Qizhen saw Zhu Yuhuan reaching out his hand to him, he immediately cheered and, ignoring the nanny's surprised shouts, mounted his horse with the help of the eunuch.
He sat in front of Zhu Yuhuan and said excitedly, "Sister, let's go!"
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and took his hand and grabbed the saddle, then held him in his arms, slightly squeezed the horse's belly, and Meteor carried the two of them to trot around the field.
It was Zhu Qizhen's first time riding a horse. Although he was trotting, the wind blew past his ears quickly, making a whistling sound. This was much more interesting than the eunuchs carrying him on their backs as horses on ordinary days.
Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but clasped his hands together happily and said, "Sister, please be faster!"
"Wait." When Meteor ran to the center of the horse field, Zhu Yuhuan pulled the reins in his hand and Meteor stopped.
Everyone watched from afar, somewhat confused, but soon saw that the seemingly unruly white horse became remarkably docile under her control, pacing on the horse field to a beat that no one could hear, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, just like a dancer.
Zhu Youtong was watching from a distance. Seeing that Liuxing's horse hooves had their own rhythm, he suddenly understood and said to Han Guilan, "Guilan, quickly bring me my pipa."
The horse farm is where the Imperial Stables are located. Zhu Youtong originally brought the pipa with him because he felt bored, thinking that he would go back to the carriage to kill time. He didn't expect that it would come in handy here.
Han Guilan moved swiftly, quickly bringing the pipa. Zhu Youtong paused for a moment before launching into the "Pozhen Music" from the Wuwu dance series. Its solemn and majestic power lifted the spirits. The clashing of the ornaments adorning the horse's body was like a musical melody, a delightful addition to the scene.
As the sound of the pipa rang out, everyone looked at Zhu Youtong, except Zhu Yuhuan, who was at ease, steering the horse and soon joined in with Zhu Youtong's music.
Concubine He Hui exclaimed, "Could this be a dancing horse? I've heard people talk about it, but I've never seen one with my own eyes."
Zhu Zhanji's face brightened with a smile. He said, "Saihazhi's teaching was truly worthwhile. He even taught her horse dancing. It's just that dancing alone is a bit lonely. Accompanied by this pipa music, it actually adds a bit of momentum." He glanced at Hu Shanxiang, who looked surprised, and teased, "It seems Tongtong has a trick up her sleeve that even Changqiu didn't know about."
Hu Shanxiang looked embarrassed and said, "Tongtong, how could you act on your own..."
Concubine He Hui sighed, "This 'Pozhen Music' is a martial dance, and it complements the dancing horses very well."
Concubine Sun gazed at Zhu Yuhuan's figure in the distance and could not help muttering, "The banners and flags of the Zhou and Wei armies are solemn, the sounds of bells, chimes, and pottery echo across the earth. The roar of the clouds frightens the sun, the clanging of the dew sways the steeds of heaven."
Seeing Concubine Sun lost in thought, Concubine He Hui casually asked, "Have you ever seen a dancing horse, Your Majesty?"
Concubine Sun came back to her senses and whispered, "Your Majesty used to dance with horses."
That moment and this moment seemed to overlap. Concubine Sun was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn't help but look up at Zhu Zhanji, but she saw that his eyes were only on the pair of children in the middle of the horse field.
Wu Miaosu caught a glimpse of Concubine Sun's shoulders drooping slightly, a rare look of dejection, and then turned her gaze to Zhu Qiyu. Seeing her son leaning on the railing and looking out, she couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth slightly.
This dancing horse may look spectacular to others, but it is boring to Zhu Qizhen who is sitting on the horse. To him, the dancing horse is not running fast, but seems to be going around in circles, which is very boring.
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan concentrating on the dancing horse, and thinking of his sister's action of pulling the reins just now, Zhu Qizhen's eyes lit up. He imitated Zhu Yuhuan's action, grabbed the meteor's mane, and pulled it hard. The meteor, who was originally very calm, neighed and ran forward with the siblings.
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