Chapter 69: Small-minded
Ever since Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu were born, the lecturers and attendants had become somewhat restless and more attentive to Zhu Yuhuan than before, occasionally asking him indirectly about the eldest prince.
Zhu Yuhuan naturally understood their hidden agenda. The Ming dynasty always valued the heir apparent. If there were no legitimate sons, the eldest son would be the next best option. Now that the Empress was childless, the Imperial Concubine and the Virtuous Concubine had both given birth, and the Empress was aging and still unable to conceive, it was inevitable that one of the eldest and second sons would be chosen as the Crown Prince. Since the eldest son, Zhu Qizhen, had been born first and was being raised by Empress Dowager Zhang herself, everyone inevitably began to favor the crown prince.
If nothing unexpected happens, the eldest prince will be the future crown prince. If he can become the prince's tutor, even if he cannot reach the highest position like the Three Yangs, his life will not be too bad.
It was Chen Shan who was forced to teach eunuchs to read, and he also served as the chief editor of the Veritable Records of the Two Dynasties.
Of course, Zhu Yuhuan could also notice this subtle change. After thinking about it for a while, he took the opportunity to tell the truth when he visited his grandmother.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang just sneered and said, "Your Majesty is still alive, but they have started to plan what will happen after your Majesty's death." But when she said this, she couldn't help but frown slightly, obviously a little troubled.
The news that Concubine Xian had given birth to the emperor's second son quickly spread throughout the palace. She was very popular, and everyone not only congratulated her but also sent gifts to Concubine Xian Wu's palace.
Zhu Zhanji showered the virtuous concubine and the Wu family with gifts, and Hu Shanxiang personally presided over the emperor's second son's full-month ceremony. Zhu Yuhuan even gifted Zhu Qiyu a jade ring left to her by Zhu Di, and Zhu Youtong frequently visited the virtuous concubine's palace. As a result, the virtuous concubine and her son enjoyed even greater prestige within the palace, enjoying immense popularity for a time.
Although Concubine Sun knew that it was not a bad thing to entrust Zhu Qizhen to Empress Dowager Zhang for raising, the eldest prince was a piece of flesh and blood that fell from her body, and they were all illegitimate sons. The virtuous concubine could raise the second prince herself, but she could only visit the eldest son occasionally.
As time goes on, I'm afraid the eldest prince will not recognize her as his biological mother. In this case, what is the point of her going through so much trouble to give birth to the eldest prince?
But Concubine Sun had no say in Empress Dowager Zhang, and the only person she could beg was Zhu Zhanji. She would invite the emperor to her palace every few days and beg Zhu Zhanji to think of a way to bring the eldest prince back to her side.
Now Concubine Sun has aroused public anger. They are all concubines. They finally have a chance to sleep with the emperor, and they all rely on their children to save their lives. But they are intercepted by the concubine every day. No one can stand it.
The concubines did not dare to offend Concubine Sun in person, but whenever they had time they would run to Empress Dowager Zhang's palace to complain, obviously hoping that someone would take charge.
Empress Dowager Zhang naturally couldn't stand such behavior, but she was the elder after all. She had already had a rift with Concubine Sun because of the eldest prince's affairs. If she continued to pick on the younger generation, wouldn't it be embarrassing for her as an elder?
Zhu Yuhuan noticed that Empress Dowager Zhang was a little embarrassed, so he smiled and said, "It is human nature for a mother and son to have a deep love. Isn't it the same for Grandma and Daddy? It's just that Grandma always remembers Daddy's ambition and future in her heart, so she reluctantly let him go. Since the Imperial Concubine can't be as righteous as you, then let the Imperial Concubine and Zhen'er be reunited. Grandma can then have a few days of leisure and don't have to worry about raising Zhen'er."
Empress Dowager Zhang frowned slightly at first, but then she recalled Zhu Yuhuan's earlier mention that the Hanlin Academy members were speculating that the eldest son would be appointed Crown Prince. Knowing Zhu Yuhuan's thoughts, Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said, "Who could you possibly hide your petty thoughts from? You're getting smarter now, and you know how to retreat in order to advance."
Zhu Yuhuan said sweetly, "Huanhuan is also worried that Daddy will be caught in the middle. Right now, the country needs Daddy to work hard to govern. It's not good to be distracted by such trivial matters. The prince is the foundation of the country. He can't be like this now, making a small fuss every three days and a big fuss every five days."
Thinking of her son's unwavering care for Concubine Sun, even allowing his granddaughter's grievances to remain unaffected, Empress Dowager Zhang grew increasingly displeased. "As a king, how can you be constantly entangled with concubines and indulged in harem affairs? I used to think her writings on women's books were excellent, but I didn't expect her actions to be inconsistent with her words." After hearing her granddaughter's sensible words, she couldn't help but sigh and said, "The five of you are siblings, connected by blood. Ultimately, it will be you siblings who will take care of each other in the future. In everything you do, you should be as considerate of your brother as you were today."
Zhu Yuhuan stood up and responded, saying, "Huanhuan understands."
On the other hand, Zhu Zhanji has always been very patient with the imperial concubine. Seeing the imperial concubine sick with longing, Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but feel a little worried.
But after all, Concubine Sun had been with him the longest, and Zhu Zhanji couldn't bear to see her so sad and thin, so he decided to go to Renshou Palace and give it a try. Even if it didn't work, the worst that could happen was a lecture from Empress Dowager Zhang. Zhu Zhanji had been scolded many times because of this matter between mother and son.
Before Zhu Zhanji even entered the main hall of Renshou Palace, he heard bursts of laughter coming from inside. Looking through the gauze curtain, he saw Zhu Yuhuan holding Zhu Qizhen in his arms and teasing him. Zhu Qizhen was obviously very familiar with his sister and was laughing with his mouth wide open. Empress Dowager Zhang watched the harmonious scene between the siblings and said with a smile, "Look, Zhen'er's saliva has wet your clothes."
Zhu Yuhuan said nonchalantly, "It's just clothes. Just go back and wash them."
Zhu Zhanji's heart was beating fast, which was unusual for him. His own mother was in a good mood at that time. If he went up to her, wouldn't he be asked to be beaten?
However, he had promised Concubine Sun, so he could only enter the main hall. He pretended to be relaxed and said, "My princess, why do you have the leisure to come to Renshou Palace today? I heard that you asked the craftsmen of Wunong Temple to build a loom. Could it be that you have some other ulterior motive?"
Zhu Yuhuan handed her brother to the wet nurse, then bowed to Zhu Zhanji and explained, "Classes ended early today, and the teachers didn't stay after class. They only said a few words before letting me go. Besides, there was nothing important happening at the Wunong Temple, so Huanhuan thought of returning to the palace to visit my brother early." After saying this, she showed a sly smile and said, "As for the loom matter, Huanhuan is planning to have it moved to Xihe Imperial Manor. As soon as there is a result, I will be the first to report the good news to my father."
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but pat his daughter's head and said with a smile, "Very good, very good. Daddy is eagerly awaiting good news from our princess." He then instructed Wang Jin, "Select fifty warriors with excellent martial arts skills from the young soldiers to serve as the princess's entourage. No more mistakes are allowed. Do you understand?"
Wang Jin quickly agreed.
Zhu Qizhen was confused by the conversation between the father and daughter. He just stretched out his hand towards Zhu Yuhuan and screamed, obviously not understanding why Zhu Yuhuan suddenly gave himself to someone else.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and took Zhu Qizhen's little hand, shook it gently twice, and coaxed the little guy into submission.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhanji teased, "You two siblings have a very good relationship."
Empress Dowager Zhang said with a smile, "This Renshou Palace is the busiest place. Our town is blessed. The concubines come to visit him every now and then."
Zhu Zhanji glanced around and said, "Mother, I have something to discuss with you."
As soon as he said this, the palace maids naturally retreated tactfully, and the wet nurse also hurriedly took Zhu Qizhen away, leaving only the tail end of Zhu Qizhen's babbling.
Zhu Yuhuan was originally sitting on a chair. When he saw Zhu Zhanji looking at him, he immediately stood up and said, "Huanhuan, go to the side hall to see your brother."
Didn't she just want to watch the fun? Why is she so stingy...
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