Chapter 79: Determining the Country’s Foundation
Empress Dowager Zhang was deliberately trying to embarrass Concubine Sun, simply to tell her that even if she had the emperor's favor, she, Empress Dowager Zhang, was still the Empress Dowager, the emperor's biological mother.
When she was still the Empress and Crown Princess, no one dared to openly contradict her. Now that she was the Empress Dowager, Concubine Sun was actually using her son to control her? Empress Dowager Zhang naturally couldn't stand it.
Zhu Yuhuan naturally noticed Concubine Sun's embarrassment and said, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Brother Zhen. Are you feeling better?"
She said this simply to give Concubine Sun a way out and help her send Zhu Qizhen back to Renshou Palace. After all, she couldn't influence the succession, so why not give her grandmother and her father a way out? It was also a good deal.
Besides, her younger brother's blessing is still to come.
Concubine Sun hadn't expected Zhu Yuhuan to speak, and was slightly taken aback. Then, hearing Concubine He Hui also asking about the eldest prince's health, she smiled and said, "He's getting much better. Alas... it's all my fault for not taking good care of him. I didn't expect the eldest prince to fall ill so soon after returning to my palace." After saying this, she turned to look at Empress Dowager Zhang and nervously said, "After all, I've never taken care of a child myself, so I'm not as attentive as you..."
Now many people could taste the flavor, and they couldn't help but look cautiously at Empress Dowager Zhang who was sitting there, curious about the attitude of this weathered old lady.
Empress Dowager Zhang uttered a soft "oh" and said nonchalantly, "But the eldest prince is the Imperial Concubine's son after all. Yu'er is already being raised by the virtuous concubine. How can I take the eldest prince away from the Imperial Concubine?"
Concubine Sun clenched her hands and spoke humbly, "The eldest prince has been raised by the Empress Dowager's side since birth. Even after returning to the palace with me, he yearns for me constantly and cries often. This is the deep love between a grandparent and a grandchild. As a mother, I should consider my children just like Meng Mu did when she moved three times."
Upon seeing this, Ruilan immediately took the eldest prince from the wet nurse and handed him to Empress Dowager Zhang as if presenting a treasure.
Seeing Concubine Sun looking like a defeated rooster, Empress Dowager Zhang finally smiled. She reached out and took the confused Zhu Qizhen, gently rocking him a few times. Seeing him beaming in her arms, Empress Dowager Zhang continued, "Yes, parents who love their children will naturally try their best to plan for them. But planning alone cannot be achieved through hard work. It also depends on how far you can go. Without foresight, no matter how many plans you have, they are useless."
Zhu Yuhuan understood what Empress Dowager Zhang meant. She simply meant that Concubine Sun was not capable enough and no matter how she planned, it would be a mess and she was far inferior to her.
Concubine Sun showed an expression of being taught a lesson and said, "What the old lady said is correct."
And only she herself understands the humiliation involved.
Empress Dowager Zhang first asked Wu Miaosu to carry Zhu Qiyu to her front, and then waved at Zhu Yuhuan, indicating her to come forward.
Zhu Yuhuan was slightly startled. Just as she stepped forward, Empress Dowager Zhang took her hand and placed it together with Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu's hands. She smiled and said, "Although you are not siblings from the same mother, you are still blood relatives from the same father. You should work together and cooperate with each other. Do you understand?"
Zhu Yuhuan nodded solemnly and said, "Huanhuan understands."
Upon hearing this, Hu Shanxiang also stood up and took the memorial from the female official beside her. She said, "I have already drafted a memorial. I request that upon your Majesty's return from your border patrol, you should quickly establish the foundation of the country and appoint the eldest son as crown prince to reassure the people."
Empress Dowager Zhang then revealed a satisfied smile and clapped her hands, saying, "This is very good."
Concubine Sun had never imagined that Hu Shanxiang had already prepared a petition to establish a crown prince. She was extremely confused for a moment. She was happy for her son, but also felt dazed for a moment, as if everything in front of her was not real.
Even the concubines beside them were unable to react for a moment. It was Wu Miaosu who stood up first and said, "The Queen is virtuous."
The concubines also stood up and echoed.
Only after she had taken Ruilan out of Renshou Palace did Concubine Sun come to her senses and whispered to Ruilan, "Has the Empress submitted a petition requesting that our brother be made Crown Prince?"
Ruilan also nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty heard it right. The Queen did say so."
Once the imperial concubine becomes the mother of the crown prince, these palace maids will have a way out. How can Ruilan not be excited?
Concubine Sun stared straight ahead at the road, and after a long while she said, "I love watching operas, but I didn't realize that the stage had been set up long ago, just waiting for me to perform."
Today's singing and dancing went even more smoothly than her childbirth, and it was planned long ago.
Princess Shunde was probably waiting for her return to submit to Empress Dowager Zhang. Then, if the Empress submitted a petition requesting the appointment of a crown prince, it would also be a meritorious deed. Ultimately, whether a crown prince was appointed or not had no impact on the childless Empress. With this incident, if the Empress took the initiative to submit a petition requesting the appointment of a crown prince, not only would it not be a mistake, but it would actually be a meritorious service to the country, further stabilizing her position as Empress.
Ruilan didn't understand what he meant and asked doubtfully, "Big brother has been appointed as the crown prince. Isn't the queen happy for him to be the crown prince?"
Concubine Sun laughed bitterly and said, "You've been singing for so long, but you're still just an actor who comes when they call and leaves when they dismiss you. How can you be happy?"
Ruilan understood what he said and hurriedly whispered, "Your Highness, you can't say that. You are a noble concubine, your position is above all the concubines. If you are an actor, what will the concubines become?"
Concubine Sun remained silent for a long time before she regained her spirits and said, "There are still many days ahead. I will naturally persevere."
Ruilan nodded repeatedly after hearing this and said, "Yes, the Queen and Big Brother are blessed with so much, why should we be sentimental about such a small matter?"
On the other side, Zhu Yuhuan first went to the horse farm, rode his horse five or six laps, and then practiced archery and sword dancing. In the evening, he returned to Kunning Palace. Zhu Yuhuan first ran a few laps in the palace garden, and after dinner, he paced for a long time. It was not until nightfall that he took off the green armor on his body.
Han Guilan was helping her get her nightgown out. She was startled to see a few red marks on Zhu Yuhuan's plain white undergarment. She asked hurriedly, "Is it because the armor doesn't fit? Why are there marks on the princess' body..."
Zhu Yuhuan just shook his head and said, "This armor weighs at least ten pounds, not counting the helmet. I used to wear a yisa, which was at most a cotton armor. This is also considered iron armor, and my body will take a while to adapt to it."
Han Guilan had already taken out the ointment from the cabinet in the house. Seeing Zhu Yuhuan take off her clothes, she washed her hands and helped her apply the ointment. "Today, the Queen took the initiative to propose an early decision on the national foundation. I am very pleased. It shows that the princess and the queen's plan is correct."
"I'm just following Grandma and Daddy's wishes. The matter of establishing an heir should be decided sooner rather than later. It's better to speak up yourself than be forced to, right?" Zhu Yuhuan felt a pang of pain, and his body stiffened before he said sullenly, "Besides, why did Daddy grant me this reward? It couldn't be for my mother's sake or my maternal grandfather's family, right? Once this petition is submitted, there's no need to say anything more. The position of empress will naturally be secure."
Ultimately, it was thanks to Zhu Zhanji's rationality that outweighed his sentimentality. Considering Hu Shanxiang's reputation as a virtuous woman, her still somewhat usefulness, and the unfinished "surprise" at the imperial farm, Zhu Zhanji didn't want to depose them both for the time being. In any case, Concubine Sun hadn't suffered any loss; when the crown prince ascended the throne, Concubine Sun would still be the Holy Mother Empress Dowager.
Seeing her like this, Han Guilan couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart. She brushed her fingertips lightly across Zhu Yuhuan's back and said, "Everyone says that wealth and honor are good, but there are also bitterness and pain behind wealth and honor."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled softly upon hearing this and said, "What kind of hardship is this? I still have food to eat in this family. I couldn't be happier." She had her back to Han Guilan. The candlelight shone through the screen painted with a map, casting a shadow on her body, as if her relatively thin back was carrying everything.
Han Guilan couldn't help but slow down her hand as she applied the medicine, and became more cautious.
"A-choo!"
Han Guilan hurriedly helped her put on her clothes and said, "This time, the Concubine Xian also played an indispensable role. The princess came up with 30% of the plan, and the Concubine Xian was able to make 70% of the effect. She is truly the princess's confidant."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "She is a good girl who will repay a favor. Such loyalty and kindness far surpass those heartless men."
She said this in a sophisticated way, but Han Guilan was already used to it and just responded with a
Zhu Yuhuan put on his pajamas and then walked to the screen. He said, "The order to patrol the border has been issued. I will offer sacrifices to the ancestors and the emperor, and review and assemble the troops. It will probably take a short time. I must hurry and get used to this armor."
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