Chapter 31 Being a Daughter
After all, Zhu Yuhuan still had studies to attend and could not leave the palace often. In addition, she considered that she could not really cause trouble for her own father because of her words and deeds, so she had to leave the affairs outside the palace to Huai En.
If she really annoyed Zhu Zhanji and couldn't accomplish what she wanted to do, it would be a waste of time and effort.
Zhu Yuhuan was a little worried about Huai'en being alone at first, but when he saw that Huai'en had gone out of the palace several times very smoothly, he could probably guess in his heart that Zhu Zhanji probably often asked the eunuchs to go out of the palace to do errands, and the soldiers guarding the imperial city had long been accustomed to it.
Although the female officials could not find out anything about Zhu Zhanji, they could still find out a few other things. For example, Sun Mengqiu often invited her mother into the palace during these times. The old lady's mother-in-law and Empress Dowager Zhang's mother, Lady Pengcheng, were from the same hometown and had a very close relationship. If Zhu Di had not intervened, there would be no Hu Shanxiang and her two daughters today.
Zhu Yuhuan listened to the report from the female official and learned that Sun Mengqiu had asked his mother to find a so-called secret recipe for having a child to regulate her body, obviously in preparation for pregnancy.
Zhu Yuhuan originally thought that these were things that only existed in novels, but after listening to the female official's serious report, he realized that everyone thought this was very likely.
She had heard about how modern people prepare for pregnancy, but it was nothing more than relaxing and paying attention to diet. As the old saying goes, "All medicines are poisonous", so it is better to take less medicine unless you are sick.
"So, this Madam Sun entered the palace just to bring the Imperial Concubine..." Zhu Yuhuan paused before uttering this somewhat mysterious term, "The secret recipe for childbearing?"
The female official nodded seriously and said, "Yes, the imperial concubine and her daughter often whispered to each other about this, and it often took half an hour before the palace servants were called back to serve. Furthermore, Madam Sun personally prepared the medicine every time, making a dose every three days, never delegating it to anyone else. The residue was also taken out of the palace." She seemed a little embarrassed at this point, and said, "Unfortunately, none of us are knowledgeable in pharmacology, so we can't determine what ingredients are used to make this fertility medicine..."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't care. Since the fertility medicine did not need to be taken every day, the treatment course should be longer. He could then find a way to get Xu Wangzhi into the palace.
Zhu Yuhuan touched his chin and said, "If you have the chance, try to find out."
If her life is really a novel, we must first rule out the development direction of fantasy. After all, if we want to talk about fantasy, we still have to look at the Battle of Tumu.
Things like fertility drugs sound unreliable no matter how you look at them. Rather than discussing how to have a son, Zhu Yuhuan would rather believe that Sun Mengqiu and her mother have other considerations.
More importantly, whether Sun Mengqiu drinks the medicine or not, her two younger brothers will be born as usual soon, so there is no point in worrying about this so-called fertility medicine.
The female official nodded slightly and promised solemnly, "Don't worry, Princess. I will report to Auntie when I return, and I will definitely work with the other female officials to find out the secret recipe for having a child as soon as possible..."
Zhu Yuhuan quickly interrupted, "That's not it. It's what they were talking about! Besides, childbirth is harmful to the body. Mother's health is not good. This medicine can't be used casually..."
The female official hurriedly said, "I understand..." She thought for a moment and then asked, "The Imperial Kitchen should be serving meals. Why not force the female official to stay by the Imperial Concubine's side next time..."
Zhu Yuhuan immediately rejected it, saying, "Isn't this just putting your intentions out in the open? Even if the Imperial Concubine doesn't get suspicious, when Father returns and finds out about what you've done, he'll definitely become suspicious of you. I can't risk your lives for such a thing."
The loss of power of the female official is secondary; the real problem is losing her life.
The female official was moved upon hearing this, but she hesitated and asked, "Madam Sun is just an ordinary lady. Although the imperial concubine is full of thoughts, she is not a treacherous or evil person..."
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head and said, "It's just about having a child. There's no need to chat about it for so long, and even specifically dismiss you... Besides, who knows how long it will take for the so-called fertility potion to take effect. Even if someone really heard about it, can it really surpass the favor of the most favored imperial concubine in the six palaces?"
Although the emperor's whereabouts were forbidden, Zhu Yuhuan lived in Kunning Palace. Just by looking at the faces of the concubines, one could tell which concubine Zhu Zhanji had visited the previous day. Most of the time, it was Sun Mengqiu, followed by Wu Miaosu. The others were only a small fraction. Even if the fertility drug was truly effective, it would take at least a while for it to take effect. Sun Mengqiu was already one step ahead of the others, and coupled with Zhu Zhanji's frequent visits to the various palaces, Sun Mengqiu was naturally the most likely to be pregnant.
As for what Sun Mengqiu was trying to do... first of all, excluding the witchcraft thing, Sun Mengqiu was not so foolish as to play the nine clans disappearance trick. The only thing Zhu Yuhuan could think of was probably the discussion about the position of queen.
Once a prince was born, Sun Mengqiu would have a reason to ask Zhu Zhanji to get the throne for her. The reason was naturally that the eldest son, as the heir to the Ming Dynasty, could not just be a concubine's son. Sending the eldest son to be raised by the queen would be even more impossible.
However, Zhu Yuhuan had deliberately made a big deal out of the previous incident of the empress being deposed, and then there was the reputation of the charity hall, and Zhu Zhanji had to consider the issue of farm tools. Based on Zhu Yuhuan's understanding of Zhu Zhanji, it was probably not something that Sun Mengqiu could convince with just a few words.
At least Zhu Zhanji would not abandon Hu Shanxiang when Zhu Yuhuan was still useful, unless Hu Shanxiang and the Hu family had made irreparable mistakes.
The Hu family members are all in their hometown now. Although their grandfather Hu Rong and several uncles were granted official positions, they were all idle. The land awarded by Zhu Zhanji was also within the normal range. And the most important thing is that the Hu family did not have the title that the Ming Dynasty's foreign relatives should have. As a foreign relative to this extent, they could not be arrogant even if they wanted to, let alone make any big mistakes.
Although Grandfather Zhu Gaochi and Grandmother Empress Dowager Zhang were not a loving couple in the ordinary sense, Zhu Gaochi would never lose face for his wife in this regard. After he ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred the title of Earl of Pengcheng on Empress Dowager Zhang's father. Empress Dowager Zhang's two brothers, one inherited the title of Earl of Pengcheng, and the other was additionally conferred the title of Earl of Hui'an. Although it was not a special favor, it was normal treatment.
In other words, Zhu Zhanji had already been ungrateful to the Hu family. If he took advantage of his daughter and then deposed the queen without reason, he would have to consider the issue of his own bad reputation.
Zhu Zhanji revealed to his ministers that Zhu Yuhuan had improved agricultural tools. Although this did have the effect of attracting hatred, it also inadvertently revealed that Zhu Yuhuan was indeed useful to him. It was impossible for Zhu Zhanji to suddenly depose the queen at this critical juncture and slap himself in the face.
At this point, Zhu Yuhuan's previous sense of urgency was much relieved.
Although he was somewhat confused about Sun Mengqiu's purpose, Zhu Yuhuan's top priority was to try to accumulate more power in his hands.
"Taiping Teahouse?"
Zhu Yuhuan had a glass teacup brought to Empress Dowager Zhang and said with a smile, "Yes, when the news of my father's victory in pacifying Le'an and changing its name to Wuding reached the capital, the people were all overjoyed. So I thought of naming the teahouse Taiping Teahouse and officially opening it, giving away free tea to ordinary people so that we can share the joy with them."
Empress Dowager Zhang uttered an "oh" and asked with a half-smile, "Did you choose the name after hearing the news, or did you want to name it Taiping Teahouse from the beginning?"
Zhu Yuhuan was not afraid either, and said frankly, "I originally wanted to name it Taiping Teahouse. If the world is not peaceful, who would have the leisure to drink tea? Now that my father has returned victorious, the word 'Taiping' is the most appropriate."
Zhu Yuhuan had thought of the name Taiping Teahouse a long time ago and had discussed it with Princess Jiaxing and others. Everyone thought it was a good idea, so Zhu Yuhuan decided to use this name.
Empress Dowager Zhang took a sip of tea and found it tasted quite different from the usual ones. Seeing Zhu Yuhuan's frank attitude, she jokingly said, "You do know how to make your father happy."
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled and said, "It's just thanks to my father. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so convenient to open a shop. How could ordinary people have such an opportunity?"
Empress Dowager Zhang was somewhat helpless and simply said, "Only your father would tolerate your reckless behavior."
Zhu Yuhuan understood the hidden meaning of his grandmother's words, but he kept smiling and continued, "If it weren't for Daddy, Huanhuan wouldn't have so many clever ideas."
What she said had two meanings. The first was that if it were not for Zhu Zhanji, the "kind father", Zhu Yuhuan would not have had the opportunity to "make trouble" like this. The second was that if Zhu Zhanji had not been thinking about "deposing the queen" all the time, Zhu Yuhuan would not have had to go to such lengths to break the limits of a princess.
Empress Dowager Zhang was quite surprised to hear her words, but then she laughed and said, "You are such a stubborn person that you can't even let go of others even if you're right."
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously: "Huanhuan only knows that if you rely on the mountain, the mountain will fall, and if you rely on people, you will move forward. Only what you hold in your own hands is the most solid, and only then can you truly protect yourself."
When Empress Dowager Zhang heard her say this, she immediately understood that her granddaughter was very clear about the situation that the three of them were facing. Even if she, as a grandmother, protected them, the emperor was the final say in everything, and she could not really protect them under her wings forever.
The only ones who can truly protect the three of them, mother and daughter, are themselves.
Even Empress Dowager Zhang herself did not understand all this at the beginning. She realized this while working in the palace. That is why she was so surprised.
Empress Dowager Zhang couldn't help but ask curiously, "You are a princess, what are you afraid of?"
Even if Hu Shanxiang was not the queen, Zhu Yuhuan would be a princess forever, and she was loved by the emperor and her father, so why bother with so much effort?
Zhu Yuhuan looked into Empress Dowager Zhang's eyes without any intention of avoiding the question. She knelt on the ground and said slowly: "Crows are only birds, they know to repay their parents. As a child, Huanhuan should also repay her parents. Daddy is an emperor, and he has loyal people all over the world. There is not much Huanhuan can do, but just to do her bit. But mother is different. Mother only has Huanhuan. If Huanhuan also abandons mother like a worn-out shoe, who will really pity her?" After that, she kowtowed to Empress Dowager Zhang, obviously hoping for a favor.
Empress Dowager Zhang was slightly stunned, but she seemed to see her son who once protected her and begged her father-in-law for medical treatment.
It is natural for a mother to love her children, and isn’t it also natural for children to be filial to their mothers?
Even though Empress Dowager Zhang could now enjoy honor and dignity, she was still shocked by Zhu Yuhuan's words.
After a long moment, Empress Dowager Zhang finally spoke, addressing the surrounding palace maids, "You may withdraw. No one is allowed to spread the conversation between the princess and me today, especially not to the emperor. Otherwise, don't blame me for my drastic measures."
Even if the palace servants understood it, they would not dare to spread it. The empress dowager and the princess were the emperor's relatives. If they reported it, they, the palace servants, would be the ones in trouble.
Therefore, when the palace servants heard this, they all agreed and hurriedly left the hall, all breathing a sigh of relief at the same time.
Empress Dowager Zhang looked at her granddaughter with a complicated expression, a thousand thoughts flashing through her mind. After a long while, she finally spoke: "Grandma doesn't care what you want to do, but there is one thing I must remind you of: this country is your father's country. Born into the royal family, you are both a son and a subject. The emperor is always the emperor. Don't overthink it. It will be a good thing for you."
Zhu Yuhuan looked up at Empress Dowager Zhang with clear eyes and said solemnly: "Huanhuan is just a princess. This Ming Dynasty will always be the Ming Dynasty of the Zhu family, and the world will always be your majesty's world."
Dowager Zhang looked at her for a long time, as if she had finally made up her mind. Finally, she said, "You are your father's daughter after all. As a princess of the royal family, he has high hopes for you. You must not let him down."
Zhu Yuhuan kowtowed again and said, "Even women from ordinary families need to rely on their fathers, brothers, and their parents. Huanhuan understands this."
Seeing that she understood this, Empress Dowager Zhang was relieved and said, "Sometimes being too stubborn isn't a good thing. Take your mother, for example. If she were willing to bend over backward, there might be room for improvement."
Zhu Yuhuan simply smiled and said, "Although the Empress is the Emperor's wife, she is also his subject. As a subject, besides being respectful, she must also not forget her duties. Just like Emperor Taizong of Tang and Empress Zhangsun, and Emperor Taizu and Empress Gao, only then did the world have peace. If you obey everything, what's the difference between the Empress and ordinary concubines? Mother is simply fulfilling her duty."
Empress Dowager Zhang sighed softly and said, "Emperor Taizong was attracted by your mother's dignity and integrity. Your father is a proud person and needs someone to advise him." She paused and said, "It's a pity that your mother came too late."
Zhu Yuhuan was slightly stunned and said, "What difference does it make whether you come early or late? Daddy only has one person in his heart..."
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled, took a sip of the tea Zhu Yuhuan brought her, and said, "Men are all the same, whether you're a royal family member or a commoner, they're all fickle and always looking for more." She smiled and said, "This tea is quite novel. It looks like the recipe in the book, but with some changes..."
Zhu Yuhuan responded and immediately understood what Empress Dowager Zhang meant.
When it comes to understanding Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Yuhuan certainly cannot compare to his mother, Empress Dowager Zhang.
The position in Zhu Zhanji's heart is irreplaceable, but the person can be changed at will. It's just that this person is the imperial concubine now. If the time scale is extended, this person may also be replaced.
This is also why Sun Mengqiu was so anxious and uneasy. The time she spent with Zhu Zhanji was second only to that of Empress Dowager Zhang.
Zhu Yuhuan cannot let his guard down easily. Once his value is not recognized by Zhu Zhanji, he will be kicked out immediately.
However, Zhu Yuhuan was not completely without advantages. At least she knew that there was one thing that could not be changed, that is, Zhu Zhanji had only two sons, and he would not live to be forty years old.
Empress Dowager Zhang put down the teacup and sighed, "No more. I'm old now, and drinking too much tea gives me a headache."
Zhu Yuhuan came back to his senses and said casually, "There's a doctor in the charity hall who was recommended by Duke Ying. He was originally treating his eldest son, the grandson of Madam Lu. Why don't you invite him to the palace to see him?"
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