Chapter 22: Chatting and Laughing
Zhu Yuhuan had no idea what Li was thinking, and he just walked inside leisurely. However, the young man Zhang Zhongxian who was playing the piano saw Zhu Yuhuan, was stunned, and subconsciously looked into the hall.
When Zhu Yuhuan saw that he stopped playing the piano, he waved at him, indicating that he should continue playing the piano.
Although Zhang Zhong didn't know who Zhu Yuhuan was, he knew that her identity was not simple when he saw her calm demeanor in her every move and her mother was beside her. The sound of the piano paused for a moment and then resumed.
Zhu Yuhuan followed his gaze and saw an old man over fifty years old sitting on a chair. The old man had gray hair, but he was still holding a book in his hands and had a rosy complexion. It was obvious that he was in good health.
The two men are about the same age, but Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu is obviously in much better physical and mental condition than Zhu Gaochi.
However, although this healthy old man was holding a book, he was already dozing off. He must have fallen asleep while listening to the piano.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw this.
Li was waiting for her at the door early in the morning. The Duke of England seemed very relaxed, which was probably intentional.
After the song was over, Zhang Fu showed signs of waking up slowly, mumbling incoherently, "Why don't you continue playing?"
His words and actions are quite like those of modern elderly people who wake up as soon as they turn off the TV. It seems that the elderly in ancient and modern times are like this.
Zhang Zhong had already stood up and whispered, "Dad, a guest is coming."
Zhu Yuhuan then walked through the hanging flower gate, bowed and said with a smile: "Junior greets Duke Yingguo."
When Zhang Fu saw the lady not far away, he knew that she was Princess Shunde Zhu Yuhuan, so he stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Highness greets Princess Shunde."
Zhang Zhong hurriedly bowed upon hearing this. Although he knew that his mother, who was accompanying him, must be of extraordinary status, he had no idea that she was the legendary Princess Shunde. He could not help but secretly scrutinize her.
She wore a cypress green top with a honey-colored lining and a scarf on her head. At first glance, she looked like a young scholar, but her elegance was not something that ordinary people could possess. She was indeed from a noble family. Naturally, he didn't dare to look closely, and after a quick glance, he quickly lowered his head.
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "It is said that Duke Ying loves reading and often makes friends with scholars. He is a first-class elegant person among civil and military officials. When he sang the song "Deer Singing" in the Imperial College, it was a peaceful and prosperous time. Even my great-grandfather praised him. I came to pay my respects to him today and I found that he is indeed so."
When Zhang Fu heard her mention Zhu Di, he said seriously, "If Emperor Taizong saw the princess who is now a master of both civil and military skills, he would surely be extremely pleased."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but secretly sigh that his great-grandfather's business card was indeed very useful, with the main slogan being "endless benefits".
Zhu Yuhuan asked Huai En to bring the brocade box, then said, "A few days ago, the craftsmen fired some new glass, which was clear and translucent. I asked them to grind a few pairs of vases to present to Grandma. The Empress Dowager was thinking about the Duke of Yingguo and other old ministers, so she specially asked me to send the vases to you."
Li reached out to take the box, and after opening it, there was indeed a pair of brocade brocade inside, but the place where the silk ribbon was originally tied was replaced with a copper frame, which looked sturdy and convenient.
But the most attractive thing is the colored glass pieces fixed on the copper frame, which look as clear and transparent as thin ice in winter.
Li couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, saying, "This colored glass is truly rare! None of the vessels gifted by Emperor Taizong before were like this. It looks just like lake water." She handed it to Zhang Fu and said, "Master, take a look. The princess is truly extraordinary. This is something I've never seen before."
Zhang Fu carefully took the pair of glasses and put them on, saying in amazement, "Such a small thing is even clearer than the reading stone that Emperor Taizong gave me before."
Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Please try it on, Duke Ying. If you still can't see clearly, I'll have someone adjust the thickness and send it back."
"This is quite good. No wonder the Queen Mother gave it to me."
Zhang Fu actually treasured this thing very much. After putting it on, he first flipped through the book, and then walked around and looked around. It seemed that everything was new to him.
This appearance made it difficult for Zhu Yuhuan to associate him with the brave and powerful general on the battlefield.
Seeing him like this, Li and Zhang Zhong beside him were curious and came over. Li even asked, "What did you see, Master?"
Zhang Fu sighed, "It's light and convenient, yet crystal clear, just like an immortal caressing your head and clearing away the clouds and mist."
Zhu Yuhuan felt embarrassed by the compliment and said quickly, "If the Duke of Ying doesn't feel dizzy when wearing it, then it should be just right."
Zhang Fu said with a smile: "It's suitable, very suitable."
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but smile, then said: "Empress Jingfei has something else to tell me to pass on to Duke Ying and his wife."
Hearing the words "Respected Concubine", Zhang Fu, who was originally cheerful, immediately turned his face into a frown and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully listen to your instructions."
Zhu Yuhuan softened his voice and first repeated Concubine Zhang Jing's original words, then comforted the two, "Concubine Jing is concerned about the health of Duke Ying and his wife, and asked them to rest well and not work hard. She also asked about the recent situation of my younger brother and sister-in-law."
After hearing this, Li's eyes turned red and she was about to cry, but she forced herself to hold it back and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, why are you saying these things..."
Seeing this, Zhang Zhong seemed to want to ask something, but Li looked back at him and he didn't dare to speak.
Zhang Fu suddenly asked in a gentle voice, "I would like to ask the princess, how is your health?"
Zhu Yuhuan had heard from several female officials that Concubine Jing was very low-key in the palace and that Empress Dowager Zhang treated her very kindly. So after a moment's thought, she replied, "I've run into Concubine Jing a few times when I visited Grandma to pay my respects. She seemed to be in good spirits."
Zhang Fu felt relieved after hearing this and said to Zhu Yuhuan, "Princess, please forgive me for making fun of you. When people get older, they like to ask questions and talk a lot."
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head and said, "If Concubine Jing knew that the two elders were in good health and still cared about her so much, she would definitely be very happy."
Seeing Zhang Fu and Li like this, she could guess that when Concubine Zhang Jing was still in the boudoir, she must have had a good relationship with her family.
Zhang Fu seemed to feel a little guilty, but that expression was only fleeting. He said respectfully, "The Queen Mother and Your Majesty have always been kind and generous. Your Highness Jingfei will naturally enjoy a comfortable and prosperous life in the palace."
Zhu Yuhuan just smiled when she saw this. Thinking of the complicated relationships in her own family, she could actually understand the helpless estrangement between Zhang's parents and children.
No matter what the relationship is, once it is related to the royal family and the emperor and his subjects, it will become distorted. There is nothing we can do about it.
Just as she was about to leave, a servant came in quickly and said, "Master, Madam, General Liu is here."
Zhu Yuhuan immediately took back what he was about to say, and began to wonder if his master really had a mutual understanding with her?
Isn't this just like someone bringing a pillow when you feel sleepy? She was just planning to go around and see Liu Yongcheng.
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