Chapter 84 Rumors
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Prince Wei Zhu Zhanshen was ordered to offer sacrifices to the Taimiao, but he heard rumors that Empress Dowager Zhang was going to pass the throne to Prince Xiang Zhu Zhanji, and had secretly ordered Prince Xiang to come to the capital to succeed to the throne.
Now the world is peaceful and nothing has changed. As the crown prince, Zhu Qizhen is the natural heir to the throne. Apart from the fact that he is still young and ignorant of state affairs, there is no reason to skip the crown prince to succeed to the throne, let alone the throne being passed from the eldest son to the younger son.
But for an emperor, Zhu Qizhen's small shortcoming was the most fatal problem, especially when the previous emperors were adults and had made great achievements.
Such nonsense spread widely in a short period of time. Although it did not cause a city-wide uproar, there were many people in the palace and their opinions were mixed. Even if the palace was under martial law, it would not be an ironclad place.
The fact that Zhu Zhanzhen heard the rumor suggests it was widespread, and it's possible that even the common people outside the palace had heard about it. Once such a rumor spread, it would not only affect the future emperor's reputation but could also damage the relationship between Prince Xiang and the emperor.
When Zhu Zhanzhen heard the news, he naturally did not dare to hide it and immediately told Empress Dowager Zhang and Hu Shanxiang.
Although Empress Dowager Zhang was angry, the most urgent task was to quell the rumors. However, such rumors could not be suppressed alone, otherwise they would only spread more and more widely.
Therefore, that night, Empress Dowager Zhang simply gave Hu Shanxiang a few words of advice and let her go back to the palace to rest. She probably knew that it was not enough to just ask the Queen to order the palace maids to shut up.
Hu Shanxiang naturally would not hide such a thing from her daughter. After having dinner with her three children, Hu Shanxiang asked the palace servants to take the two children back to rest, and then told them everything Zhu Zhan'an had said.
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan's thoughtful expression, Hu Shanxiang asked, "Do you have a plan?"
Zhu Yuhuan heard his mother's question and said calmly, "Yes, yes... but we need to talk to grandma in advance. This is not a small matter that we can solve."
Seeing her so confident, Hu Shanxiang immediately realized that this matter was somehow related to Zhu Yuhuan. She frowned slightly and said, "The Empress Dowager knows all this. She is not someone you can fool..."
Zhu Yuhuan said calmly, "Many palace maids witnessed the Emperor's passing that day in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Father's funeral was also unexpected. It's only natural that Grandma would make mistakes under such a busy schedule."
When Hu Shanxiang heard her say this, she was slightly stunned. She thought of Zhu Gaochi's funeral, which also happened suddenly, but everything was in order. There was no panic at all. Unlike Empress Dowager Zhang today, she even seemed a little overwhelmed.
In comparison, Zhu Gaochi's funeral seemed to have been prepared in advance.
Hu Shanxiang subconsciously clenched her hands, but seeing that her daughter was still as calm as ever, she knew that her daughter had suffered more without her knowledge, and she couldn't help but sigh.
She didn't ask any further questions, but simply said, "You've prepared this method, and I'll help you deliver it tomorrow."
Zhu Yuhuan shook her head slightly, the flickering candlelight reflected in her eyes. She said, "It's not a good idea for mother to bring this up. I have another way."
Hu Shanxiang knew that she had her own opinions, but she was still a little worried. She said, "What do you have in mind? If someone notices something..."
Zhu Yuhuan just gave his mother a comforting look, stood up and said: "Mother, have a good rest. You still have to continue mourning tomorrow. Don't waste your energy on these trivial matters." She went out and first told Huai En to pay attention to Hu Shanxiang's health and not let her overwork. Then she walked towards her own yard. Unexpectedly, she saw a figure in the distance. It was Wang Zhen who was beside Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Yuhuan and Han Guilan exchanged a glance, and Han Guilan stepped forward and said, "Eunuch Wang, have you taken care of the Thousand Year Old Master and are you ready to rest?"
When Wang Zhen met Han Guilan, he immediately remembered that he had said bad things about Zhu Yuhuan in front of Zhu Qizhen. He was frightened and just smiled awkwardly.
Seeing him salute, Zhu Yuhuan waved his hand and said, "Brother has gone to bed. You should take good care of him. Why did you come here?"
Wang Zhen followed Zhu Yuhuan and said hurriedly, "Brother, there are people guarding him, he is safe. It is my selfish desire, please give me a message, Your Highness."
He saw that Queen Hu looked a little serious today, and she glanced at the prince from time to time, revealing a bit of sadness. Wang Zhen guessed that something related to the prince must have happened today.
However, Queen Hu would naturally not mention state affairs to a mere eunuch like him. After much thought, Wang Zhen could only ask Princess Shunde for news.
Princess Shunde is the prince's eldest sister and her interests are aligned with his, so it would be no mistake to ask her.
Zhu Yuhuan raised an eyebrow slightly when she heard this and said, "You are my brother's most trusted companion. Now is a critical moment, so you should always stay by my side. Next time you come, don't blame me for telling the old lady." After hearing Wang Zhen's repeated nods, she continued, "There have been some rumors recently regarding the Crown Prince's succession to the throne. You must keep it under wraps and don't let my brother know. It will only cause trouble."
When Wang Zhen heard the words "inherit the throne," his heart immediately began to beat fast. However, since Princess Shunde was the boss, he dared not ask any further questions. He could only watch Zhu Yuhuan go into the house to wash up and rest. Han Guilan stopped him and said, "Eunuch Wang, it's getting late. You should go back and rest."
Wang Zhen could only put on a flattering expression and said with a flattering smile, "Madam Han, what's going on outside? We are not like you, who follow the princess around and have a wide range of knowledge. But the Thousand Year Old Master is the emperor, so naturally we are wholeheartedly thinking about the Thousand Year Old Master..."
Seeing that he was sincere in his words, Han Guilan briefly revealed the rumors that Hu Shanxiang had just said. She did not exaggerate, but it was enough to shock Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen couldn't hide his anxiety and worry, and immediately asked, "Then...does the princess have any solution?"
Han Guilan shook her head and said, "This is a matter of state, and we should follow the Empress's opinion..."
Wang Zhen understood Han Guilan's implication and had to respond twice more, but without the previous earnestness. He turned around and left, his back looking a little dejected.
Han Guilan saw that he had finally left, and she stood on tiptoe to take a look. Then she returned helplessly and said to Zhu Yuhuan: "Your Highness, don't worry. I have conveyed everything according to your wishes."
Zhu Yuhuan sat at the desk, tapped his forehead with his pen, and said, "Let me think about how to write..."
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