Chapter 96: The Heart of the King and His Subjects
Because it was a family banquet, there was no need for banquet music, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than a palace banquet.
Zhu Yuhuan had been away for such a long time, and what he missed most was the food in the small kitchen. Now that he was finally back with his family, he didn't mind his younger brothers and sisters being next to him, and just ate to his heart's content.
Seeing that Zhu Yuhuan finished the food in front of him very quickly, Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu were a little surprised. However, Hu Shanxiang did not care and asked the palace maid beside her to add more food for Zhu Yuhuan.
Seeing that neither of them had eaten, Zhu Youtong said calmly, "What's the big deal? When my sister was practicing martial arts, she would eat several bowls of rice when she came home."
Zhu Qiyu nodded in understanding and said, "Big sister, you're on the march, and sometimes you can't even have hot meals. No wonder you've lost so much weight."
Zhu Qizhen then looked at Zhu Yuhuan carefully, and indeed he could see that she looked a bit thinner.
Although the eldest princess Zhu Yuhuan did not have to fight in the battlefield herself, she had to sleep in the open air for the past year, so it is no wonder that Zhu Yuhuan had lost weight.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't take it seriously and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'm stronger now."
It's nothing more than making the muscles tighter, but the weight definitely hasn't been reduced at all, otherwise how could Zhu Yuhuan's body withstand the hard work of the past year?
Zhu Qizhen subconsciously touched his arm.
He had naturally read Wang Ji's report, which mentioned that Zhu Yuhuan had a military achievement. On the surface, Zhu Yuhuan had killed a Luchuan man, but being able to fight and kill the enemy in person was a valuable experience...
Zhu Yuhuan naturally saw Zhu Qizhen's little action, but he did not say anything, only said: "I haven't seen you for a year. Not to mention me, Your Majesty and Yu Ge'er look a lot taller."
When Zhu Qizhen mentioned this, his face was filled with pride. He said, "That's right. I've grown a lot taller and have changed my bows and arrows several times."
Unlike Zhu Qizhen, Zhu Qiyu said modestly: "Sister is still very meticulous. It's a pity that I have only grown a little taller. My archery and horsemanship are still far behind my brother."
Zhu Youtong comforted her, "It's okay, Xiaoyu, you don't have to ride a horse to fight anymore. It's so good now. And you may not know, Xiaoyu's calligraphy has improved a lot. Now I give Xiaoyu inscriptions on my paintings and send them to Taiping Teahouse. The scholars at the gathering really appreciate Xiaoyu's calligraphy."
Zhu Qiyu was praised by Zhu Youtong, but he was also concerned about Zhu Qizhen who was beside him, so he quickly declined, saying, "Second sister, you are exaggerating. Those people are only praising me because I am your Majesty and your sister's brother. I am just taking advantage of your Majesty..."
The more Zhu Qizhen listened, the more he felt something was wrong.
If the praises for Prince Qing were all because of him and Zhu Yuhuan, then weren't those who praised him because he was the emperor?
He suddenly remembered what his father had warned him, and also remembered what Wang Zhen said about the eldest princess having a close relationship with the chief minister of the cabinet. He couldn't help but look up at Zhu Yuhuan who was sitting opposite him.
Zhu Yuhuan naturally noticed Zhu Qizhen's ambiguous gaze and simply smiled and said, "Your Majesty is busy handling government affairs every day, with many tasks. Of course, he doesn't have the leisure time to study calligraphy and painting like you do."
Zhu Youtong immediately realized from Zhu Yuhuan's words that Zhu Qizhen might be overthinking things, so she had no choice but to agree with Zhu Yuhuan, "That's right... Anyway, I've been idle all day long. Mother has lectured me several times, saying that I should be like Your Majesty, always thinking about the world... I'm just a princess, how can I have the same ambition as Your Majesty."
Zhu Qiyu also understood and said, "Yes, if it weren't for my brother, the emperor, who works day and night, how could we have such leisure time?"
Zhu Qizhen felt much more comfortable after being flattered by the three men in turn.
After the five of them had their meal together, Zhu Yuhuan asked about the wedding ceremony. He learned that everything in the palace had been arranged, including the Kunning Palace, which had been vacant for seven years, with all kinds of supplies available, and the female officials and palace maids had all been arranged.
Because the empress would have to take over palace affairs as soon as she entered the palace, Hu Shanxiang specially prepared two groups of female officials, eunuchs and palace servants. Those who had been on duty for a long time would go to the Qian family's residence in Beijing to serve the empress who was about to enter the palace. The rest of them who were younger would stay in the palace and continue to learn the rules from the female officials to prevent these people from causing trouble after the empress entered the palace in the future.
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile: "People always say that getting married first precedes career, and getting married always comes before career. Your Majesty has already achieved great achievements before getting married. You are truly a role model for the world."
Zhu Qizhen's expression was filled with a hint of pride, but he tried hard to suppress it. He coughed twice to clear his throat and said, "It is because of wise ministers and brave generals, as well as people like my elder sister who are devoted to assisting us, that the Ming Dynasty will prosper and flourish."
After hearing the beginning, Hu Shanxiang already understood what Zhu Yuhuan was going to say next, so she waved to Zhu Youtong and Zhu Qiyu, signaling them to leave. She was helped to stand up by the female official, saying that she felt a little sleepy in the afternoon and wanted to take a short rest.
For a moment, only the brother and sister were left in the hall. Zhu Yuhuan then stood up and said, "Your Majesty is getting married, and it is only natural for you to take over the government. I came to the capital not only to witness Your Majesty's wedding, but also to implore Your Majesty to take back the power of regent."
Zhu Yuhuan seemed to be having a meal, but he was always paying attention to the changes in Zhu Qizhen's expression. Of course, he understood that Zhu Qizhen, who had been involved in government affairs for more and more time, would naturally not allow anyone to get involved in power. What's more, Zhu Yuhuan had already got what he wanted. The position of assisting the government, which did not hold any actual power and was just a staff officer, was not important at all. Zhu Yuhuan would certainly not linger on.
Zhu Qizhen knew that Zhu Yuhuan would definitely hand over the power of regent, but he never expected that Zhu Yuhuan would be so straightforward.
Although being a regent may seem glorious, it does not have much power. However, just being able to handle government affairs is a peak of power that is difficult for anyone other than the emperor to achieve. It is rare for someone to resign as readily as Zhu Yuhuan.
The daze at that moment was too obvious. Zhu Qizhen moved his body uncomfortably, and a rare sense of discomfort and guilt surged in his heart.
Zhu Yuhuan pretended not to notice and continued, "As a minister, I should have returned to the Princess's residence and fulfilled my duties as the eldest princess. However, Your Majesty has allowed me to go to Yunnan to implement the transformation of the natives into Han Chinese, and has also left Minister Wang in charge temporarily. This favor far exceeds previous precedents. I know that the only way to repay Your Majesty's sincere love for me is to stabilize the southwestern border and ensure that the Ming Dynasty no longer has any worries."
Zhu Qizhen heard the sincerity in her words and said, "Why do you consider yourself a minister, elder sister?"
"All I'm doing is official business, so I should be your servant." Zhu Yuhuan said, half jokingly, "Besides, I'll inevitably have to ask Your Majesty for many favors in the future as a princess, so I naturally have to be even more respectful now."
Zhu Qizhen met her eyes, but he still couldn't read the ambition that his father had warned him about. Finally, he said, "Big sister treats me with sincerity, and I treat you the same way. How can I not agree to your request?"
Zhu Yuhuan nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."
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