Chapter 80: Things in My Heart
As soon as Empress Dowager Zhang spoke, Zhu Yuhuan naturally packed up quickly and left the palace. The moment he walked out of the palace gate, Zhu Yuhuan felt a lot more relaxed. If it weren't for the mourning period, Zhu Yuhuan would probably jump up and laugh three times.
Huai En naturally noticed Zhu Yuhuan's excitement and quickly stepped forward to remind her so that she would not be too happy.
But seeing Zhu Yuhuan like this, Huai En could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan always look heavy-hearted before, Huai En was a little worried that she was too worried and would hurt herself. But seeing Zhu Yuhuan so happy because she could go home, it was obvious that Zhu Yuhuan had her own way of venting, and Huai En felt a lot more relieved.
It's a good thing that the princess is naturally intelligent, but he is always worried that she will be overwhelmed by it since he is watching her from the side.
Zhu Yuhuan returned to the East Palace smoothly. Seeing everything familiar around her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly walked into the main hall, but did not see Hu Shanxiang. She looked at the palace servants beside her and asked in confusion, "Where is my mother? And Tongtong, why are they both gone?"
The palace maid hurriedly replied, "In reply to the princess, since the news of the death spread in the palace, Concubine Sun has become even more ill and often suffers from nightmares. Therefore, Her Highness the Crown Princess visits Concubine Sun every day and has also summoned the imperial physician to treat her."
Zhu Yuhuan was a little confused and asked, "Is he so seriously ill? What did the imperial physician say?"
"I just said that the concubine is restless and overthinking, and she must get some rest."
Zhu Yuhuan blinked, wondering if Zhu Zhanji had such a great influence on Sun Mengqiu?
Hu Shanxiang didn't see Zhu Zhanji many times in a month, which was probably less than the number of times Zhu Yuhuan saw him during his annual leave in modern times. He still ate and drank as usual and didn't take anything to heart. Although he couldn't be said to be in good health and enjoy eating everything, he wouldn't be so sick.
Zhu Yuhuan thought for a moment and decided to visit Sun Mengqiu first.
But she had just come out of the palace, so she had to at least wash up briefly.
After a quick wash, Zhu Yuhuan headed to Sun Mengqiu's yard. Unexpectedly, there were fewer people in the yard than before, and it was exceptionally deserted. There wasn't even a messenger. As soon as Zhu Yuhuan entered, she saw Zhu Youtong and Zhu Hanjia squatting under the peach tree in the yard. Curious, she approached and asked, "What are you two doing?"
Zhu Hanjia was startled by her and sat down on the ground. Zhu Youtong, on the other hand, jumped up immediately after hearing the sound and hugged Zhu Yuhuan excitedly. Just as she was about to shout a welcome, Zhu Yuhuan quickly covered her mouth and said, "Don't shout or scream for a while, Tongtong, be obedient." After that, she reached out and picked up Zhu Hanjia, letting her stand up again, and then said, "I'm sorry, I scared you. Did you fall?"
Zhu Hanjia hurriedly shook his head but said nothing.
Zhu Youtong replied proactively, "We were watching ants moving! Such small ants have been moving for over half an hour. This is called perseverance!"
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but complain in his heart, it's not easy for the two of you to sit here and watch for more than half an hour.
Zhu Yuhuan's eyes swept over Zhu Hanjia. She looked as delicate as a white porcelain doll, though a little taciturn. Although not stupid, she looked a little dull, not like an ordinary child at all. Zhu Yuhuan almost wondered if his little sister was also a fellow villager who had traveled through time.
But there's no reason not to pretend. She's old and still knows how to act cute in front of her elders.
Zhu Yuhuan was a little confused. He leaned close to Zhu Youtong's ear and whispered, "I wanted to ask before, why doesn't Hanjia talk to me?"
Zhu Youtong also imitated Zhu Yuhuan, tiptoed close to his sister's ear, and whispered: "I've observed carefully, Jiajia only behaves like this in front of her..."
Zhu Yuhuan was even more puzzled. She wouldn't dare call herself a peerless beauty, but she wasn't exactly scary, was she? Her words were usually polite and proper, so how could she have frightened her little sister like this?
Zhu Youtong had no doubts at all and said as a matter of course: "It must be because my sister is so majestic! Everyone says that my sister is not an ordinary woman, but a learned and talented woman! She is also capable of both literature and martial arts, unparalleled in ancient and modern times..."
Zhu Yuhuan quickly interrupted his sister and said, "Stop, stop, stop! Are these words you just made up? Why have I never heard anyone praise me like this?"
Zhu Youtong chuckled and said, "That's why I say sister is so majestic. Ordinary flatterers don't dare to approach her."
Zhu Yuhuan raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this and said, "It seems that even you, little girl, know that what you just said is called flattery."
"It's just a slight embellishment. I've been learning idioms with my master's wife recently, and this is the new idiom I learned." Zhu Youtong put his hands behind his back and said, "We all know that my sister went to arrest Huang Yan today. My sister is really amazing! I also heard that Huai En seemed to slap him twice!"
Huai En felt shy when Zhu Youtong pointed at him. He quickly lowered his head and stared at the gaps between the tiles, pretending that he heard nothing.
Zhu Yuhuan was speechless for a moment, and after a long while he finally asked, "Do you know everything?"
This matter spread throughout the palace so quickly, who else could it be except Empress Dowager Zhang who publicized it herself? Not doing publicity in modern times is really an injustice to a talent like Empress Dowager Zhang. However, Zhu Yuhuan could also understand what Empress Dowager Zhang meant. Hu Shanxiang was "unmotivated" and had no intention of wearing the same pants as Empress Dowager Zhang, let alone being involved in any vortex of struggle within the Zhu family. Zhu Yuhuan was different. Although she was still young, she was proactive and hardworking, and she had a good reputation. At the same time, she was still a "family member" who would not share the power of the Zhu family. She was indeed more reliable than a daughter-in-law.
Zhu Youtong said honestly: "I know everything."
Zhu Yuhuan held his forehead helplessly, looked at his two sisters, and after a long time he sighed and said, "It's okay for others to say it, but we can't take it seriously, understand?"
Zhu Youtong pulled Zhu Yuhuan aside and whispered, "That's why Jiajia is even more afraid of her sister. Concubine Ci often says that her sister is amazing, and Jiajia has taken it to heart. She secretly told me that most women wouldn't be like her. I specifically taught Jiajia that her sister is not an ordinary woman, so of course she's different!"
Could the “awesome” my sister said and the “awesome” Sun Mengqiu said have the same meaning?
Zhu Yuhuan hadn't expected his public image to have "evolved" to this extent, so he had to change the subject: "Is the concubine seriously ill? She even alarmed my mother."
"Mother said that even though Dad and the Second Concubine had a fight, Dad would still feel distressed if he saw her thin after returning, so he made a special effort to look after her personally." Zhu Youtong seemed to remember something and said, "Don't worry, sister, mother brought the family's booklet with her. She will handle the affairs and take care of the Second Concubine at the same time, so she won't delay anything. Just like sister, she usually does this, this is called multitasking!"
Zhu Yuhuan thought his mother, a full-time housekeeper, was too dedicated to her job, so he said, "The funeral ceremony will be very busy later, so we can ask someone to look after the concubine. Why should mother do it herself?"
Zhu Youtong nodded seriously and said, "But mom said she finds dad annoying..."
Before Zhu Youtong could finish her words, Zhu Yuhuan covered her mouth and grabbed his sister and walked towards the inner room. He said nonchalantly, "Hey, the weather is a bit cold. Tongtong is so cold that she can't speak. Come in and warm up! Drink more hot water!"
It is certain that Hu Shanxiang felt annoyed with Zhu Zhanji, but she was cautious by nature, so how could she say that to Zhu Youtong? As soon as she heard it, she knew that this was Zhu Youtong's "free interpretation" of the meaning, and it must not be publicized!
Zhu Yuhuan took a few steps and suddenly realized that there was another sister. She turned back to look at Zhu Hanjia and said, "Hanjia, come in and rest."
Zhu Hanjia looked at the warm sunset not far away, touched her thin clothes, and then followed the two of them into the room.
Hu Shanxiang was checking the accounts at the table. When she saw Zhu Yuhuan come in, she was startled. It seemed that her throat was a little dry. After a long time, she said, "You're back."
Zhu Yuhuan saluted obediently and said, "Huanhuan is back."
Hu Shanxiang coughed lightly and said, "I'm glad you're back." She still held the account book in her hand, but her eyes unconsciously looked Zhu Yuhuan up and down. She said softly, "You study with your grandmother every day, and you look thinner..."
Zhu Yuhuan saw her eyes redden slightly, and his heart warmed. He then said, "I've been a little lazy recently. I haven't practiced hard and haven't eaten much."
Although Hu Shanxiang didn't know the situation in the palace, she was very clear about Empress Dowager Zhang's decisive and ruthless character. She would definitely not treat Zhu Yuhuan like an ordinary child. She didn't know what kind of suffering her daughter had suffered in the palace.
But since they were in Sun Mengqiu's courtyard, Hu Shanxiang didn't dare to ask too much. She just said, "The concubine has been having nightmares these past few days. She's always scared and always wants to call for help. So I thought I'd come over to keep her company and bring her some cheer."
Zhu Yuhuan then asked, "Why are there so few palace servants in the Second Concubine's room?"
Hu Shanxiang glanced at the screen not far away, then lowered her voice and said, "The palace has been sealed off for many days. Recently, palace maids have been taken away by female officials. When asked, they said it was the Empress Dowager's decree. I guess some of the news leaked out. Usually, few are released, and most never return. The number of people taken away from the Second Concubine's courtyard is especially high. She was already unwell, and hearing this news made her even sicker."
Zhu Yuhuan understood that Sun Mengqiu was frightened.
Previously, because of her pregnancy and childbirth, she had invited many guests, and there were many favors and face that could not be erased, so the palace servants were naturally a mixed bag. Now, during this special period when the throne was temporarily vacant, Empress Dowager Zhang was busy screening people in the palace. She didn't care which courtyard these people came from, and anyone who showed any problem would be taken away.
Hu Shanxiang sighed and said with some concern, "She grew up in the palace and has seen countless bloody events in the Eastern Palace. It's inevitable that she'll become ill from worry. I think she'll get better after some time."
As the mother and daughter were talking, there was movement behind the screen. Sun Mengqiu actually forced herself to stand up and walked around the screen. Although she was dressed neatly, she still looked haggard.
Sun Mengqiu was slightly startled when she saw Zhu Yuhuan, and asked hurriedly, "Is the princess doing well in the palace?"
Seeing her tense appearance, Zhu Yuhuan guessed that she had heard that the palace had strictly sealed the news of the late emperor's death, so he comforted her: "It's just that you eat one less bowl of rice every day, don't worry, Second Concubine."
Sun Mengqiu seemed relieved. She looked Zhu Yuhuan up and down, then hurriedly raised her hands to rub her arms, as if she was still afraid of something.
After an unknown amount of time, Sun Mengqiu finally asked in a concerned voice, "Did the princess see anything?"
Zhu Yuhuan was slightly stunned, and when he thought about what Hu Shanxiang had just said, he understood why Sun Mengqiu was like this.
There were countless overt and covert struggles in the palace. Sun Mengqiu originally grew up among the common people, but was brought into the palace to be educated. He had witnessed countless palace struggles. Now, the situation of dealing with palace people on such a large scale, the more Sun Mengqiu saw, the more frightened he became.
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head and said, "I usually study in Kunning Palace, so I really didn't see anything."
Apart from the fact that Lei Tian witnessed Concubine Guo's suicide when Zhu Gaochi died, Zhu Yuhuan did not see any scenes of suicide.
Sun Mengqiu smiled bitterly upon hearing this and said, "That's good. I've heard stories about things in the harem before, and I was terrified just by hearing them..." Her tone was a little disappointed, but she still praised, "However, with the princess's courage, she will definitely not disappoint the Empress Dowager."
Looking at her expression, Zhu Yuhuan immediately understood the implication of Sun Mengqiu's words.
Sun Mengqiu was raised by Empress Zhang, but after Zhu Zhanji's wedding, Empress Zhang turned her favor to Hu Shanxiang. It was obvious that after observing Sun Mengqiu for a long time, she felt that she was not capable of taking on important tasks. Hu Shanxiang herself had the character of "no matter how the wind blows or the rain falls, I will remain unmoved", and she was not liked by Zhu Zhanji. Although she was able to keep the harem in order, she was not a suitable helper for Empress Zhang.
If Zhu Yuhuan was really just an ordinary little girl, Empress Dowager Zhang would probably have given up on her completely. After all, with her strength, she would not be inferior if she worked alone.
Just looking at Sun Mengqiu's appearance, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but feel wary.
You should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. Zhu Zhanji will soon become the emperor, and it won't be long before Hu Shanxiang is deposed. Zhu Yuhuan must make preparations early.
Whether it was Zhu Zhanji or Sun Mengqiu, Zhu Yuhuan would not sit idly by as long as anyone dared to touch Hu Shanxiang and Zhu Youtong.
Seeing that Zhu Yuhuan didn't say anything, Hu Shanxiang immediately stood up and said to Sun Mengqiu, "The funeral rites in the palace are complicated, and you have to drag your sick body along, which is already difficult. I will take her back now so as not to disturb your rest."
Sun Mengqiu nodded slightly and watched Hu Shanxiang, her mother, and her daughter leave. Then she looked at her daughter who had been quietly observing everyone beside her and couldn't help but sigh, "It's my mother who is useless..."
Although Hu Shanxiang was not favored by Zhu Zhanji, he still had a good daughter. Her family background was not as auspicious as Hu Shanxiang, and she had to embroider to supplement the family income when she was young. If she could have been well fed and clothed like Hu Shanxiang, I wonder if she could have a daughter as capable as Hu Shanxiang...
Zhu Hanjia shook his head, very obedient, and said: "Daddy likes Mom, Mom is very good, mother and sisters are also good."
When Sun Mengqiu heard her daughter's words, she forced a smile and then lowered her head to look at her flat belly.
Although Zhu Yuhuan didn't say anything, Sun Mengqiu knew she must have heard about Concubine Guo's burial with the Empress Dowager. She couldn't help but worry that she could remain so calm at such a young age... Concubine Guo had an heir and was favored, yet she was still buried with Empress Dowager Zhang. Hu Shanxiang was kind, but Zhu Yuhuan was not easy to deal with. If Zhu Zhanji was gone in the future, could she escape the same fate as Concubine Li? Not to mention that she was being ignored just for angering Zhu Zhanji, allowing Wu to take advantage... Only if she had a son and a chance of him inheriting the throne could she save her life and preserve her daughter's wealth and glory.
Hu Shanxiang could become the empress dowager even though she had no son, and Zhu Yuhuan could become the eldest princess even though she had no younger brother. They could both enjoy wealth and glory with the help of Empress Dowager Zhang and their own abilities.
But since Sun Mengqiu has no son, she can only wait for death, and her daughter can only be an inconspicuous princess... She must snatch the young master back from Wu as soon as possible, and try to give birth to a prince as soon as possible after she is out of mourning!
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