Chapter 90: Long Reunion
After returning from the imperial farm, Zhu Yuhuan finally survived the welcome celebration carefully prepared by the ministers who stayed behind. He was planning to go directly back to Kunning Palace to find his mother and sister, but was stopped by Wang Jin. It turned out that Zhu Zhanji also planned to go to Kunning Palace for a visit.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but wonder. Even if Zhu Zhanji was going to the harem, he should have gone to Renshou Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhang first, or at least to Concubine Sun's palace. Why did he go back to Kunning Palace with her? She was going back to wash and change clothes to avoid being too embarrassed in front of Empress Dowager Zhang, but Zhu Zhanji had his own bedroom, so why would he go to Kunning Palace?
She reunited with her mother and sister after a long separation and they loved each other. What did Zhu Zhanji have to do with it?
Zhu Yuhuan was muttering to himself a thousand times, but he didn't know what to say, so he could only act with Zhu Zhanji.
Before the carriage arrived at the gate of Kunning Palace, Zhu Yuhuan saw the figure of a palace servant from afar outside the carriage window. The servant also saw the emperor's carriage and immediately went in to report.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't sit still any longer. As soon as the carriage stopped, he ran out and quickly crossed the palace gate. He saw Hu Shanxiang just as she reached the door. The mother and daughter exchanged a glance. Hu Shanxiang ran even faster than Zhu Yuhuan. She immediately stepped forward, bent down and hugged her, muttering, "Finally, you're back safely..."
Zhu Yuhuan had been thinking about Hu Shanxiang terribly, but when she was actually hugged by Hu Shanxiang like this, she felt a little embarrassed. She quickly patted Hu Shanxiang on the back and said, "Mom, I'm back. I'm fine."
Hu Shanxiang's fingertips brushed Zhu Yuhuan's cheek carefully, and she said distressedly, "You've lost weight."
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and said, "Daddy never disturbs the people. In the border patrol team, the officers and generals all eat dry rations. I can't be an exception. It's inevitable that I've lost weight." After saying this, she patted her chest and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll gain weight back after a few more days in the capital."
Hu Shanxiang sighed softly, knowing that Zhu Yuhuan was relieved, and simply said, "I'm glad you came back safely..."
Zhu Youtong, who was studying in the study, also heard the noise outside. He immediately dropped his pen and ran over. He excitedly threw himself beside Hu Shanxiang and Zhu Yuhuan, put his arm around Zhu Yuhuan's waist and said, "Sister is finally back!"
Zhu Yuhuan touched her head and said with a smile: "It's only been a month since we last met, why do you feel that Tongtong has grown taller?"
Zhu Youtong was a little proud and said, "Of course, I'm just like what my sister said, I'm never picky about food." She suddenly stopped here and moved closer to Zhu Yuhuan to sniff.
Zhu Yuhuan uttered an "eh" and teased, "Why are you like a puppy? What are you sniffing?"
Zhu Youtong sniffed for a long time, and as if he had finally come to a conclusion, he said seriously, "Sister has become smelly."
When she said this, Zhu Yuhuan and Hu Shanxiang couldn't help but burst out laughing. Hu Shanxiang raised her hand and pinched the tip of her daughter's nose. She said, "You little girl, your sister came all the way back from the border, why are you saying this?"
Zhu Youtong muttered softly: "Sister always smells good..."
Zhu Zhanji, who had been watching from outside the door for a long time, saw the mother and daughter having fun together, so he walked in and said with a smile, "I knew you two missed her."
Seeing Zhu Zhanji coming, Hu Shanxiang couldn't hold back her smile. She simply said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for making you laugh." She glanced at the carriage and saw that it was no longer at the palace gate. Then she realized what had happened and ordered the maid beside her, "Why don't you go and ask the kitchen to make a few more dishes?"
The palace maids nodded in agreement, feeling surprised that His Majesty wanted to stay in Kunning Palace for dinner.
On weekdays, they often felt that they were following the Empress, who protected and cared for them, and they didn't have to worry about suicide in the future. But they never thought that His Majesty would be so close to the Empress.
Zhu Yuhuan returned to his own courtyard to change his clothes. Seeing Guilan holding a brush that Zhu Yuhuan had changed earlier, dipping it in water and practicing calligraphy on the ground, he couldn't help but smile and said, "It's been a while since we last met. You've already started practicing calligraphy."
When Han Guilan heard the familiar voice, she was stunned for a moment, but then she quickly reacted, stood up and trotted to Zhu Yuhuan, looking her up and down. Seeing that she seemed to be really safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Qiuying welcomed Zhu Yuhuan in and urged the palace servants to boil water for Zhu Yuhuan to wash up. Han Guilan skillfully helped Zhu Yuhuan open the curtain and enter the house, and helped Zhu Yuhuan find suitable clothes.
Zhu Yuhuan sat in front of the dressing table and asked her to comb his hair. He closed his eyes and said, "My father is in front. You don't have to stay by my side and serve me."
Han Guilan was a little surprised and asked, "Why is Your Majesty here? Shouldn't you go to the Imperial Concubine's Palace first?"
Zhu Yuhuan was just as puzzled as she was. "I don't know either. I thought Daddy was going to visit Grandma, or maybe to stay in the Imperial Concubine's Palace, so I thought I'd come back on my own. But I didn't expect Daddy to keep me waiting for him and come with me to Kunning Palace..."
Han Guilan understood immediately after hearing what Zhu Yuhuan said and said, "Your Majesty is using the opportunity to visit the Empress."
Zhu Yuhuan gasped and asked suspiciously, "Visit? Visit what?" She was of course more suspicious that Zhu Zhanji still had evil intentions and wanted to depose the queen, but she also felt that the hurdle had passed and that he would be enthroning the crown prince next year, so Zhu Zhanji would not consider deposing the queen again. Seeing Han Guilan's smile reflected in the mirror, Zhu Yuhuan finally understood and said, "You mean..."
"Your Majesty is such a kind person, it's inevitable that His Majesty will be moved."
Zhu Yuhuan felt goosebumps all over his body, shuddered, and said, "It wasn't like this before..."
Seeing her like this, Han Guilan felt like Zhu Yuhuan was still a child. She helped her comb her hair and said with a smile, "Some good qualities can't be seen at first glance, but can only be discovered over time. Besides, some people may not be compatible at first, but the longer they get along, the more harmonious they become. You'll understand when Your Highness grows up."
Zhu Yuhuan really had no experience in this area, but she was very clear about one thing, that is, Hu Shanxiang definitely did not have such an idea about Zhu Zhanji.
When Zhu Zhanji was cold and hostile, Hu Shanxiang was unwilling to bow down and please him in exchange for a good life. Now that Zhu Zhanji has changed his face, Hu Shanxiang can see his character more clearly and will definitely not have the slightest good impression of Zhu Zhanji.
It is important for people to respect themselves. No matter how high-ranking the emperor is or how low-ranking the common people are, who likes to be despised?
But Zhu Yuhuan changed his mind and looked at Han Guilan with some doubt. He lowered his voice and asked, "You seem so sure about what you said. Could it be..."
Especially that smile, there's something wrong at first glance! Could it be that she's in love in the palace?
Han Guilan didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to be so perceptive, and hurriedly said, "This servant just has some contacts with fellow villagers... After all, they are fellow villagers..."
Seeing her like this, Zhu Yuhuan immediately knew that he had guessed right. If she didn't mind, Zhu Yuhuan wouldn't say anything.
She touched her chin and said after a while: "Hide well and protect yourself."
Han Guilan thought she would ask who the man was and where he worked, but she didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to ask in detail. She had to swallow back the answer that was on the tip of her tongue.
Seeing her expression, Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "I heard that these things really happened in the palace. Wang Jin, who was by my father's side, also had concubines. You two are just trying to warm each other up. What's there to say? Just don't let others use it as a handle."
Han Guilan naturally knew that many people in the palace were watching Zhu Yuhuan, so she nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. We are very careful when we meet each other. Zheng Tong is now doing menial work in the Seal and Ribbon Bureau. These low-ranking eunuchs rotate shifts and rarely get together, so they naturally won't notice someone's absence. Besides, it's not a lucrative position, so no one usually cares."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't expect her to tell the whole story so clearly. When he heard her talk about Zheng Tong working in the Seal and Ribbon Bureau, he took note of it in his mind. Then he said with a smile, "It would be better if you could explain it clearly. We can all be safe." Seeing that the hot water was not ready yet, she leaned against the dressing table with one hand supporting her chin, her eyelids drooping back and forth.
When Qiuying asked someone to bring in hot water, she saw Han Guilan raising her index finger. Zhu Yuhuan was sleeping soundly beside the dressing table, with a cloak covering him, which must have been put on by Han Guilan.
The two looked at each other and retreated tacitly. Han Guilan moved the fumigation cage in the room closer, while Qiuying went to the front hall to explain the reason.
There are 360 days in a year, and every day is sensible. Let the princess have a good rest today.
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