Chapter 73 A sudden visit
The news of the archery competition between Zhu Yuhuan and Toghto Boluo soon spread. Although Zhu Yuhuan won, it was inevitable that people would suspect that this "victory" was actually Toghto Boluo's humility as a subject.
However, Tuotuo Boluo spoke up for Zhu Yuhuan many times and praised Zhu Yuhuan's excellent archery skills.
Zhu Zhanji didn't say anything about this, but for outsiders, not saying anything was a silent approval, so no one would criticize this matter too much.
Zhu Zhanji originally intended to treat Aluta, who had lost his Grand Tutor, well. Zhu Yuhuan did this so that Abjiwo and others could quickly integrate into the circle of the capital. This was invisibly stabilizing the morale of the remaining Aluta's people and reassuring these foreigners who were originally worried that they would be despised and targeted by the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Zhanji certainly would not comment too much on his daughter's behavior.
Although it is indeed controversial that a princess is not devoted to learning Nüshu, as long as the final result meets Zhu Zhanji's requirements, it is not a big deal.
Compared to these, Zhu Zhanji has been worried about his health recently.
Since his one-month border patrol, Zhu Zhanji often felt unwell. Although it was just occasional white vision and a heavy head when he stood up after sitting for a long time, these signals undoubtedly gave Zhu Zhanji an ominous premonition.
"Your Majesty, the elixir is here."
Zhu Zhanji put down the memorial in his hand, raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. After Wang Jin placed the pill on the table, he asked, "Have you changed the recipe of the pill recently?"
Wang Jin quickly replied, "In reply to Your Majesty, there have indeed been some changes. Master Tong Miao prepared this medicine based on Your Majesty's pulse. In addition to its refreshing effect, it also has the effect of nourishing Qi."
Zhu Zhanji warned: "Tell him to keep his mouth shut and not to reveal anything casually."
Ever since Zhu Zhanji realized that he was suffering from minor illnesses, he took elixirs more frequently.
"yes."
Every time the emperor summoned a royal physician for a consultation, a pulse record was prepared. This record was also open to the empress dowager and the cabinet for regular review. However, Empress Dowager Zhang did not want her son to think that she was interfering too much in state affairs, and the Three Yangs did not want to touch the emperor's sensitive spot by having the power to review pulse records. Therefore, they rarely checked Zhu Zhanji's pulse record.
Despite this, Zhu Zhanji was still very cautious about the matter of medical consultation. If the emperor frequently summoned imperial physicians to see him, Empress Dowager Zhang and the Three Yangs would definitely check his pulse, which would invisibly prove that the emperor's health was becoming increasingly fragile, which was something Zhu Zhanji absolutely did not want to see.
Zhu Zhanji drank it with water, closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. The weather was getting colder and colder, and when the palace was quiet, he could always hear the whistling wind.
Zhu Zhanji had never taken it seriously in previous years, but this year the rumors seemed to have been amplified for no reason, making him feel unusually nervous, as if a huge unknown net had been spread over his head.
Seeing that Zhu Zhanji didn't say anything, Wang Jin stood by in silence as usual.
He had followed Zhu Zhanji for many years, being five years older than his master, and could be considered to have watched him grow up. Wang Jin knew that although this favored child of heaven seemed confident and easygoing, his mind was not simple. He would never express his goals unless he was fully aware of them. Silence often meant that he was unsure of something or was calculating something.
"Have the cabinet draft an imperial decree to confer upon Hu Rong the title of Earl of Cheng'an, and his wife, Zheng, the title of Lady of Cheng'an. This imperial decree will be issued after the new year."
Wang Jin was startled and said, "I obey your command."
"This is the title that the Queen's mother's family deserves, but it came a little late." Zhu Zhanji looked far away and said, "The time has come to reward them with this honor."
Wang Jin couldn't guess what Zhu Zhanji was thinking at the moment, and didn't dare to answer for a moment.
Zhu Zhanji turned his head and looked at Wang Jin, his eyes as calm as water. He asked, "Wang Jin, who do you think Shunde loves most, his father or his mother?"
Wang Jin immediately replied, "The Emperor is both your father and your Majesty, so naturally, Your Highness respects the Emperor the most."
Zhu Zhanji looked at Wang Jin and couldn't help laughing: "You are telling lies with your eyes open."
How could he not know that Zhu Yuhuan wanted to stay by his side because he was worried about his mother Hu Shanxiang.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Zhanji stood up and said, "Send someone to bring some clothes."
Wang Jin hurriedly sent someone to bring the emperor's robes in, but Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and asked, "Has Princess Shunde returned to the palace today?"
Wang Jin didn't expect Zhu Zhanji to ask this. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses and replied, "It must be the same as before..." He was slightly stunned at this point and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, do you want to...?"
"Have someone bring some clothes for ordinary people."
Wang Jin immediately said, "Yes."
Zhu Yuhuan poked his head out from the second floor and looked at the various lanterns and stands hanging on the street. He said to Han Guilan beside him, "The lanterns in the capital are getting more and more extravagant every year. I remember that the lantern stand only reached the second floor of the teahouse last year, but this year it has already exceeded the roof."
Han Guilan also felt a little emotional. She said, "This grandeur is no less impressive than the Lantern Festival in the eighth year of the Xuande reign..." She looked at Zhu Yuhuan curiously and said, "Your Highness, won't you ask the teahouse to prepare some lantern riddles and lucky numbers? Perhaps that will attract more customers."
Zhu Yuhuan just shook his head and said, "What's so worthy of emulating such extravagant and wasteful practices?"
No matter how much preparation is made, it will be useless anyway. If the emperor dies, even if there are no bans on weddings and funerals, and even if music is played, who would dare to celebrate the New Year in a lively manner?
Before Han Guilan could speak, Zhu Zhanji's voice could be heard from outside, saying, "Princess Shunde is truly far-sighted."
The two turned back together. Han Guilan didn't expect that the emperor would travel incognito with only one follower, Wang Jin, by his side. He also came to Princess Shunde's Taiping Teahouse. Han Guilan hurriedly bowed and greeted him.
Zhu Yuhuan had no qualms about it. He immediately walked up to Zhu Zhanji and greeted him. He then took Zhu Zhanji's arm and asked in surprise, "Why are you here, Daddy?"
Zhu Zhanji smiled and said, "Dad hasn't been out in the streets for a long time. As for familiarity with the outside world of the palace, he still has to rely on our princess."
Zhu Yuhuan first showed a bit of pride, then pretended to be serious and said: "We are outside now, Daddy can't call me by my title like he does in the palace."
Zhu Zhanji was amused by her serious look and deliberately asked, "Then what should Daddy call you?"
Zhu Yuhuan thought seriously for a moment, then said with a smile, "Of course, I should call her Big Sister. Huanhuan sometimes hears the guests in the teahouse chatting and they call their daughters that."
Zhu Zhanji raised his hand and touched his daughter's bun, and said with a smile: "Okay, today, let my eldest sister take Dad around the capital."
Han Guilan was a little nervous about the emperor's sudden visit and was not sure what the emperor was thinking.
But seeing that Zhu Yuhuan remained calm, Han Guilan could only pinch her palms to remind herself not to show her fear.
We must not hold His Highness back!
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