Chapter 78 Storyteller
Empress Dowager Zhang, sympathetic to the palace maids' hard work in the summer, specially exempted them from waiting outside the palace gate. However, when they reached the palace gate, only one palace maid was left to guard the door, as someone had to be on guard. Therefore, when the palace maids saw Concubine Sun coming, they hurried in to report and did not notice Concubine Sun's retreat.
Ruilan saw it all clearly. Although she didn't understand why Concubine Sun was suddenly frightened, she immediately stepped forward to support Concubine Sun and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't show your fear."
Concubine Sun came back to her senses, held Ruilan's hand tightly, and said in a deep voice: "Okay."
Upon hearing that Concubine Sun was coming with the eldest prince, Zhu Yuhuan had already sheathed his sword and handed it to Han Guilan beside him. He then bowed to Concubine Sun and said, "Huanhuan greets Concubine Sun."
Concubine Sun saw that she had tied up all her hair, but it was not a man's bun, but a woman's bun, fixed with a red rope, and the end of the rope hung beside her ear, which was quite consistent with the green armor on Zhu Yuhuan. The rivets on the armor shone silver in the light coming through the curtain, and she looked like a heroic figure.
Concubine Sun couldn't help but tremble in her heart, and had a vague ominous premonition in her heart.
The other concubines also paid their respects to Concubine Sun. When Concubine Sun saw that Hu Shanxiang was also there, she paid her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Queen. After such a grand ceremony, Concubine Sun took her seat with the eldest prince.
Concubine Sun seemed completely unaware and asked, "Why is the palace so bustling today, Madam?"
"The princess listened to a storyteller at the Taiping Teahouse outside and came back to tell us about it."
Concubine Sun pretended not to know and asked, "What book are you talking about? I've never heard of it."
None of the concubines knew, except Wu Miaosu, who replied, "It's the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I heard it told on the street when I was little. I only heard the first few chapters, like the Peach Garden Oath of Brotherhood between Liu, Guan, and Zhang, and the Three Heroes fighting Lü Bu. I can't remember much about it anymore."
Now the public opinion in the palace is in favor of the second prince. Empress Dowager Zhang also gave him face and let Wu Miaosu and Hu Shanxiang sit on her left and right. When she saw Concubine Sun coming, she did not let Wu Miaosu stand up and give her seat.
Zhu Yuhuan laughed and said, "This chapter is called 'Discussing Wen Ming Dong Zhuo Scolds Ding Yuan, Giving Gold and Pearls to Li Su and Persuading Lü Bu'. It just happened to be talking about the tit-for-tat confrontation between Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao."
Concubine Sun naturally knew that this part involved a story about the succession to the throne and the abolition of the legitimate wife and the establishment of a concubine's wife. On the surface, it was a discussion about the throne, but in fact it was a contest between Dong Zhuo and others. Although Dong Zhuo was brave at the time, he was actually a little timid when facing the heroic Yuan Shao, which was somewhat similar to her now.
Concubine Sun didn't want to think too much, she just looked at Zhu Yuhuan and asked, "Princess, this armor..."
Concubine He Hui smiled and said, "I heard from Wang Dayong that His Majesty was worried that the two factories would not be able to make it in time, so he ordered people to dismantle and reweave the blue armor he had worn before and make a special set of armor for the princess."
Ever since His Majesty rewarded the Hu family but not the Sun family, and especially after hearing that people outside were watching for the crown prince, the concubines all understood that Concubine Sun had lost the favor she once had with Empress Dowager Zhang and His Majesty, and they couldn't help but feel a little gloating.
Concubine Sun was startled, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty's blue armor was given by Emperor Taizong. It is the finest thing in the world. Your Majesty is actually willing to give it to the princess."
Although she remained calm, she felt a chill in her heart. This armor might not be a big deal for the concubines, but to His Majesty and the ministers, it was more than just a set of armor. What on earth did His Majesty want to do by giving it to them in such a reward...
If Zhu Yuhuan knew what Concubine Sun was thinking, he would definitely tell her that Zhu Zhanji actually had no thoughts at all. Just like doting on Concubine Sun, this reward was unreasonable. It was just that people liked to make far-fetched assumptions about it, and some people believed it.
It’s just that this favor was given to Concubine Sun in the past, and she herself didn’t notice it. Now that the offense and defense have changed, she feels scared.
Hu Shanxiang coughed lightly and said, "Your Majesty is just practicing frugality. Don't worry about it. Your Majesty has a more personal Ming armor for protection. The old armor is not suitable for you. Keeping it is just a waste of inventory. It's enough to send Huanhuan away."
Zhu Yuhuan showed a humble smile and said, "The two factories in Beijing are already doing their best to produce a thousand sets of visible armor every year, not to mention they have to find time to make hidden armor. For example, this green armor is the so-called hidden armor. It is made of cotton cloth on the outside and iron plates embedded in it. It saves a lot of trouble in making it. Not only can it be made quickly and well by dismantling it and remaking it, but it also saves a lot of armor plates." She took out two red ropes from her arms, and there were actually several armor plates on each of them.
Everyone was confused, but Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "These two pieces of armor were taken from the chest of the armor. I have already asked my father, and he allowed me to string these two pieces of armor together and give them to my brothers as amulets to protect them."
The nail piece was polished and inlaid with gold. It was round and slightly cool. If it was hung as a necklace, it would not hurt the child.
Upon hearing this, Wu Miaosu hurriedly stood up and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Princess, for still thinking of Yu'er." After that, she took the red rope from Han Guilan's hand and tied it directly around Zhu Qiyu's neck.
Zhu Qiyu had never seen such a little thing before. He held it in his hand and fiddled with it back and forth, and even put it in his mouth and took a few bites, which made the people around him laugh.
Concubine Sun was a little hesitant, but thinking that Empress Dowager Zhang was right beside her, she finally put the armor on Zhu Qizhen like Wu Miaosu did.
Upon hearing this, the concubines could not help but praise Zhu Yuhuan for his concern for the two princes. Empress Dowager Zhang even smiled and said, "Huanhuan is a child who has always been thoughtful and caring towards his brothers and sisters. I am most relieved."
Concubine Cao complimented her, "The princess was raised by the old lady herself, so she has naturally been deeply influenced by her words and deeds."
Concubine Sun followed Concubine Cao's words and said, "Your Majesty and Princess, you have always listened to the old lady's teachings, so naturally you are better than us who are clumsy in speech."
Empress Dowager Zhang had noticed Concubine Sun's wariness towards Zhu Yuhuan. Although she understood the hidden meaning behind Concubine Sun's words, she did not respond. Instead, she smiled and said, "What's the point of teaching or not? He will soon reach the age of knowing his destiny. Now is the time to enjoy his life. Things like teaching and admonishing should be left to you young concubines."
The concubines were all a little confused about what she meant, but they still followed Empress Dowager Zhang's words. Only Concubine Sun understood the hidden meaning of Empress Dowager Zhang's words and remained silent, which was unusual for her.
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