Chapter 69 Guessing Thoughts
Zhu Gaochi issued an edict to celebrate Empress Zhang's birthday. This banquet was also the first time that Concubine Guo hosted a palace banquet. Naturally, the palace servants did their best. Therefore, although the banquet was held in Concubine Guo's palace, Concubine Guo carefully and manpower contributed to celebrating the Empress' birthday, and the scene was not small.
Although Empress Zhang was the protagonist, she did not look happy at all. On the contrary, Zhu Gaochi and Concubine Guo both looked very happy. However, Zhu Gaochi looked a lot fatter and sweaty on his forehead, which made Zhu Yuhuan feel hot for him.
Although the weight-loss method Zhu Di prescribed for Zhu Gaochi was a little unreliable, there is no doubt that Zhu Gaochi needed to lose weight.
Thinking that Zhu Gaochi would soon die of an acute illness, Zhu Yuhuan began to understand a little. This "three highs" body was not something that an ordinary person could endure, not to mention that Zhu Gaochi had now ascended the throne as emperor. Without Zhu Di's supervision, he could do whatever he wanted without restraint, and his physical condition was getting worse and worse.
Zhu Yuhuan subconsciously looked at his grandmother, only to see that she remained unmoved and didn't even glance at Zhu Gaochi.
When Zhu Gaochi was still the crown prince, Empress Zhang would often advise him to take care of his health. However, Zhu Gaochi seldom went to Empress Zhang's Kunning Palace, and Empress Zhang was busy with palace affairs, so she probably had no time to care about Zhu Gaochi's health.
Zhu Yuhuan was lost in thought when Zhu Gaochi, who was sitting above him, said, "Huanhuan, Grandfather Emperor has heard from the craftsmen that the farm tools you make are unprecedented. They don't require oxen to plow, but can be operated by human labor. And they are just as effective as oxen. They are clearly practical."
Zhu Yuhuan quickly stood up and said, "It can't be said that Huanhuan made it alone. Several craftsmen worked together to complete it, and my uncle also helped... In fact, this farm cart is not that impressive. It just replaces the oxen with people."
Zhu Yuhuan had witnessed several autumn harvests in her previous life, so she only had a rudimentary understanding of automated farm tools. She could roughly describe their shapes, but the specific design and production had to be left to the craftsmen. Fortunately, these craftsmen were very familiar with mortise and tenon joints and the like. After understanding Zhu Yuhuan's description and seeing her drawings of a hand-cranked music box, the craftsmen quickly created farm tools for loosening the soil and simply harvesting rice. The harvesting or loosening work was accomplished by human labor driving a special device installed at the back or front. This way, even if a family didn't have oxen, they could still use labor-saving tools to complete the work.
Although it was somewhat interesting, Zhu Yuhuan always felt that it was a bit flashy.
How could anyone who could afford this car need a few oxen to plow the fields? And how could anyone who didn't have any oxen afford this car?
"I heard that Zhan Chan went to help for a while, so he was thoughtful," Zhu Gaochi said with a smile. "This is something I've never heard of or seen before. It's not easy for you to come up with it. The credit goes to you."
Zhu Yuhuan hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, "This farm cart is quite expensive. I wonder if, like Dad's greenhouse, it could be funded by the government and made available to the people...? That way, even the poorest people could use a farm cart during the farming season, saving time and effort."
Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but ponder after hearing her words. After a long while, he said, "There is some truth to this... However, this conservatory is managed by the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince is heading south to Yingtian... let Zhanzhuang take care of it."
Zhu Zhanji was drinking when he suddenly received this order. The glass in his hand froze in place and he said, "Huh?"
In the future he would just be a leisurely prince, and he would be at ease in his daily life. Who would have thought that his peaceful life would be so ruthlessly broken by his own niece.
Zhu Gaochi grumbled, "What are you talking about? Your elder brother isn't here, and you're about to be crowned. You should learn to shoulder some of his responsibilities." He then turned to Zhu Yuhuan and said, "But if we want to hand over these agricultural carts to the Ministry of Works, we need to let them see them for themselves."
Zhu Zhanji noticed the look in his father's eyes and quickly stood up and said, "Leave this matter to me. Don't worry, Dad. My eldest brother has been ordered to go south, and as an uncle, it's natural for me to take good care of my niece!"
Zhu Yuhuan also said obediently: "Huanhuan will definitely help Uncle Wu to complete the task and introduce this farm cart to the officials of the Ministry of Industry."
Zhu Gaochi then nodded with satisfaction and asked the two to sit down.
Zhu Yuhuan felt the resentful look from his fifth uncle and just smiled awkwardly.
It wasn't that she didn't allow Zhu Zhanji to slack off, it was just that the emperor's orders were hard to disobey...
Zhu Zhanzhen, on the other hand, was both relieved and excited, and was obviously happy for Zhu Yuhuan.
Seeing that Zhu Gaochi seemed quite satisfied with Zhu Yuhuan, and thinking about how her youngest son had helped for so long but had not received any praise from Zhu Gaochi, Concubine Guo couldn't help feeling a little indignant.
She turned to look at Zhu Zhan'an, her eyes clearly showing the words "I'm disappointed in you."
If Zhu Zhanzhen had taken the initiative to come forward and take advantage of the situation, he wouldn't have to help so much and still not get a single word of praise in return.
Zhu Zhanzhen naturally noticed his mother's angry look, but he really couldn't do anything to steal the credit, so he could only pretend that he had not noticed.
Concubine Guo was annoyed for a moment, and then put the matter behind her. After all, Zhu Gaochi had already made the final decision, so what could she, a concubine, say?
Concubine Guo put on a warm smile and said, "I've always said Huanhuan is incredibly intelligent. Even a prince like Zhanzhen wouldn't be able to match her intelligence, even though she's a princess. It's a shame she's a girl."
These words sounded a little off. Zhu Yuhuan was about to stand up and respond when Zhu Zhanji spoke first, "Your Highness, I am too kind. Huanhuan often listens to the teachings of Your Majesty and the lecturers, so I naturally have a heart that serves the country and the people. It is precisely because all the people in the world share this heart that our Ming Dynasty will surely prosper for thousands of years."
Zhu Yuhuan listened to his own father trying hard to flatter Zhu Gaochi, and couldn't help but sigh at Zhu Zhanji's ability to adapt to changes.
The pattern opens!
After hearing these words, Zhu Gaochi was naturally very pleased, and Concubine Guo also hurriedly followed suit.
Empress Zhang smiled but said nothing, as if everything in front of her had nothing to do with her. She just said to Zhu Zhanji: "There are wine stains on your clothes. Go and change them quickly."
Seeing this, Wu Miaosu, who was guarding Zhu Zhanji, hurriedly helped Zhu Zhanji to get up and go to the room inside the palace to change clothes. Hu Shanxiang whispered a few words to her and asked the palace maid beside her to go back to the East Palace to get clothes.
As soon as Zhu Zhanji left, the scene suddenly became a little cold. Concubine Guo's three sons were still young, and the older brothers naturally knew that this was a battle between the Queen and the Concubine, so they didn't dare to interrupt casually. The scene suddenly became cold.
Zhu Gaochi was originally in high spirits, but seeing the deserted scene, and seeing his sons cautiously looking at Empress Zhang's face, his heart suddenly turned cold and he looked displeased.
Seeing Empress Zhang remained silent, Concubine Guo asked the palace maid to pour wine. Holding the wine glass, she stood up and walked to Empress Zhang, saying, "I have previously offended the Empress in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Today, on your birthday, I dare to offer a toast to apologize and congratulate you. May your life be filled with prosperity and wealth."
Empress Zhang did not care, but just said: "The imperial concubine is also thinking about His Majesty, how can it be said to be offensive? The imperial concubine does not need to toast and apologize." There was no intention of blaming in her words, and she was even unwilling to accept the toast from Imperial Concubine Guo.
Zhu Yuhuan then realized that the food and wine in front of his grandmother had hardly been touched, and he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Empress Zhang and Concubine Guo often argued with each other, but it was rare for them to directly refuse like this, let alone in front of Zhu Gaochi.
Thinking of how Zhu Zhanji had come to the rescue just now, Zhu Yuhuan was about to speak, but she saw her fifth uncle Zhu Zhanji opposite her secretly winking at her. Zhu Yuhuan realized that he didn't want her to intervene, so she had to pretend nothing happened and moved her butt on the chair.
Zhu Gaochi was already a little unhappy, and seeing that Empress Zhang insisted on not drinking, he frowned and said, "The imperial concubine apologized to you so sincerely, why are you suspicious?" After that, he took the wine glass from Concubine Guo's hand, raised his head and drank it all.
Concubine Guo was surprised for a moment, but when she saw that Zhu Gaochi looked normal and had only coughed a few times because he drank too quickly, she seemed relieved and quickly apologized, "I was so rude just now. I was only thinking about wishing you a happy birthday and forgot that the Empress had just recovered from a headache and shouldn't drink..."
Empress Zhang was not nervous because of Zhu Gaochi or Concubine Guo's expressions. She just said calmly, "I think the birthday banquet is almost over. I am not feeling well, so I will go back first."
Zhu Gaochi waved his hand impatiently, and only after Empress Zhang left did he say unhappily, "I think the older she gets, the more she spoils the fun. The imperial concubine means well, but she just doesn't appreciate it." Seeing that his sons were still there, he said, "You should all go away too. Have the banquet cleared."
As the saying goes, "It is disrespectful to scold a father in front of his son." As a mother, Empress Zhang was quite respected and loved by the princes. Although the princes did not dare to say anything, they were still a little unhappy when Zhu Gaochi directly rebuked Empress Zhang, especially the second son Zhu Zhanji. His mother, Concubine Li, was taken care of by Empress Zhang and loved him very much. He was born with a bad temper. If Zhu Zhanji had not been there to hold him back, he would probably have stood up and argued with Zhu Gaochi.
When the emperor spoke, the palace servants immediately responded respectfully, "Yes."
Zhu Yuhuan's meal was already bland because the scene was too exciting. When she saw that she could leave, she immediately stood up and followed her mother happily.
At this time, she was very envious of her own precious sister, Tongtong. Because she was young, she didn't have to participate in these activities.
Hu Shanxiang held Zhu Yuhuan's hand as the mother and daughter walked along the palace road, preparing to leave the inner court. Hu Shanxiang could not help but remind her, "Now that mother and the imperial concubine are increasingly at odds, you must be extremely careful with your words and actions. Do you understand?"
Zhu Yuhuan said obediently: "I understand, don't worry, mother."
She had already been cheated by Concubine Guo once, so of course she would not be given a second chance. Of course, more importantly, Concubine Guo probably didn't have any chance to cheat her anymore.
As the two of them were walking forward, Zhu Zhanji's voice suddenly came from not far away: "Sister-in-law! Huanhuan!"
Hu Shanxiang turned around, greeted Zhu Zhanji, and asked, "Uncle, is there anything important?"
Zhu Zhanji chuckled and said, "I'm here to borrow Huanhuan from my sister-in-law. Didn't Dad assign me this errand? I've never seen Huanhuan's fancy stuff, so of course I need to learn about it beforehand. Who knows more about these things than Huanhuan? I have no choice but to ask our young master to come out and help me."
Zhu Yuhuan thought of the look Zhu Zhanji had given him just now, so he said to his mother, "There's no martial arts practice this afternoon. My fifth uncle and I will go to the warm room together. We will definitely be back to the East Palace before dinner."
Seeing this, Hu Shanxiang had no choice but to agree, but she also reminded Zhu Yuhuan: "Be sure to be careful."
Zhu Yuhuan understood Hu Shanxiang's implication, and subconsciously made a gesture to his mother that it was all right. He called Huai'en and followed his fifth uncle Zhu Zhanji away.
The palace servant beside Hu Shanxiang was a little amused and said, "What does the princess mean by this? I have never seen such a gesture before."
Hu Shanxiang smiled helplessly upon hearing this and said, "Maybe he wants me to rest assured."
Although Zhu Zhanji was not crowned a king, he was already an adult and could not live in his mother's palace like his other brothers. Therefore, he and his other brothers except Zhu Zhanji lived in the Nan Palace, which was a temporary residence for princes. Because it was some distance away from the inner court, he also had his own carriage.
As soon as the uncle and nephew left the inner court, they boarded the carriage. This was Zhu Yuhuan's first time alone with his fifth uncle. He surveyed the interior of the carriage, noting the various teas, snacks, and incense burners. He couldn't help but sigh, "Fifth Uncle's carriage is truly elegantly furnished."
Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and said, "I'm just making a simple arrangement. If it were too complicated, Grandpa Taizu would have appeared in my dreams."
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled and said nothing.
Our family has already supported the Emperor and quelled the rebellion, so why should we be afraid of our great grandfather?
"Fifth Uncle, why didn't you let me speak just now?"
Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "You may be clever, but my mother's mind is extraordinary and unpredictable... She dared to do that, which means she has the ability to handle the situation. Let's not get involved. If we accidentally mess things up, wouldn't that cause trouble for my mother?"
Seeing him relying on his mother so confidently, Zhu Yuhuan felt a little amused and helpless for a moment, so he could only say, "Fifth Uncle, you are really relieved."
"If the sky falls, my mother and my eldest brother will 'establish a mind for heaven and earth, and establish the way for the people.' It's right to leave these things to them." Zhu Zhanji patted Zhu Yuhuan on the head and said, "Just take Fifth Uncle and finish the job."
Empress Zhang and Zhu Zhanji seemed to be serious people, naturally calm and reliable, but Zhu Zhanji's personality was completely different from that of his mother and elder brother, and he was so eccentric that they didn't seem like they were from the same family.
Zhu Yuhuan blinked his eyes and asked curiously, "Fifth Uncle, don't you want to do a good job and make some progress?"
Zhu Zhanji was startled by her words and quickly waved his hands, saying, "Don't talk nonsense. Fifth Uncle is still waiting to become a Taiping Prince. What is there for a prince to strive for?"
Zhu Yuhuan had some understanding of the historical Zhu Zhanji, mostly about how he was able to protect himself and retreat at the right time. He was able to enjoy his old age despite three rumors of his succession to the throne, which shows his wisdom.
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan staring at him, Zhu Zhanji reached out and touched her head, saying, "If the world doesn't need us, then it will be peaceful, a great thing! Niece, learn more from your fifth uncle, Prince Taiping, Taiping..." He felt something was wrong at this point and quickly changed his words, "I'm talking about Princess Anwen, how wonderful it is."
Zhu Yuhuan thought about it and found that it made some sense.
If only there were such an opportunity...
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