Chapter 80 Calming the Mind
Seeing her granddaughter being so serious, Empress Dowager Zhang raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "What are you going to give me? You're so serious about it."
Zhu Yuhuan straightened up and said, "This is what Daddy asked Huanhuan to do."
Empress Dowager Zhang said doubtfully, "What instructions?"
Zhu Yuhuan took out Zhu Zhanji's imperial edict and handed it to Empress Dowager Zhang, saying, "This is my father's handwritten edict, ordering Huanhuan to take on the responsibilities of the eldest sister and teach and assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Empress Dowager Zhang never expected that Zhu Yuhuan actually had an imperial edict, and it was an imperial edict written by Zhu Zhanji himself. She reached out to take it and unfolded it, only to see that it was indeed written by Zhu Zhanji. She was slightly stunned until her eyes swept over the signature of the imperial edict, and then she withdrew her gaze as if nothing had happened.
She never imagined that her son could be so wary of his own daughter.
If Zhu Yuhuan had any selfish motives and decided to use this imperial edict to seek a "legitimacy" for himself, as soon as he took out this imperial edict, he would be doomed.
Empress Dowager Zhang glanced at her son, who hadn't even opened his eyes, and asked, "Why are you giving me this? Your father gave you this because he wanted you to have a legitimate reputation. Why are you refusing it?"
She knew that her granddaughter had probably never seen the imperial edict, but her granddaughter was extremely intelligent. If she became suspicious, wouldn't this create a rift between the two siblings?
Zhu Yuhuan raised his head slightly, and spoke through tearful eyes, "Father issued this decree to reassure Huanhuan, but our ancestors have rules, and Huanhuan dare not cross the line. Father has a good reputation for pardoning my concubine mother and the palace maids. Even if it was with good intentions, if this imperial decree were to become known to outsiders, they would undoubtedly accuse Father of being incompetent. Huanhuan does not want to see such a scene."
Empress Dowager Zhang listened to her sincere words and could not help but glance at Zhu Zhanji again. Finally, she sighed and said, "You are thinking about your father."
Zhu Yuhuan's eyes were red as he choked up, "Just now, Zhen'er asked me about Daddy's health and was worried about him. Huanhuan dared not be so foolish as to abandon Daddy's reputation. Moreover, 'the flowers of the Changdi are not as bright as the flowers of the Hubei. Among all people today, there is no one better than a brother.' Although Huanhuan is a girl, she and her brothers are of the same blood and share weal and woe. Even without the imperial edict, she would still wholeheartedly support the Crown Prince. Why would she need these material possessions?"
After saying this, she kowtowed again. Just from the sound, one could tell that Zhu Yuhuan's forehead was red.
Empress Dowager Zhang felt a little distressed, but she also knew that the drama was almost over at this point. She said, "I will keep this imperial decree for you and won't tell your father. Go and have the imperial physician examine you. Don't hurt yourself."
Zhu Yuhuan kowtowed again obediently and then retreated.
Fortunately, it was dark and the palace servants could not see the redness and swelling on Zhu Yuhuan's forehead. They just watched her go to the side hall.
Zhu Yuhuan stood under the eaves, enjoying the breeze and watching the sky gradually brighten in the distance.
It seems that her guess was correct. The so-called "imperial edict" was just a test. Zhu Zhanji had no intention of putting her in the open. If Zhu Yuhuan "overestimated her own abilities", someone would naturally teach her a lesson.
Zhu Zhanji told her with his words and actions that she really couldn't be soft-hearted.
Zhu Qizhen, who was originally having snacks in a side hall, heard footsteps and looked in the direction. He saw that his sister, who was usually dignified and generous, had a slightly messy hair and a red forehead. Although she did not show any grievance, she looked a bit pitiful.
Zhu Yuhuan wiped the tears from his eyes and said, "Zhen'er, if you are tired, take a rest first. You may have to attend court soon."
Zhu Qizhen responded obediently, a rare gesture, but he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Who dares to bully my sister?"
Zhu Yuhuan forced a smile and said, "What's the point of bullying? Who dares to bully me?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded seriously and said, "If anyone dares to bully my sister, I will have Mr. Wang and his men teach him a lesson."
Zhu Yuhuan was amused by him and said, "Then sister will wait for you to protect me."
Usually Zhu Qizhen would ask his elder sister to help him do this and that, but this was the first time that Zhu Yuhuan asked Zhu Qizhen to stand in front of him.
Zhu Qizhen suddenly felt that he had taken on a great burden. He sat up straight and said, "Don't worry, sister. I am the crown prince. Apart from grandma and dad, no one dares to disobey me!"
Zhu Yuhuan touched his cheek and said, "Okay, you are the best."
He is going to be the emperor soon, how can he not be awesome?
On the other side, Empress Dowager Zhang saw Zhu Yuhuan leave, then she put away the imperial edict, looked at Zhu Zhanji, and said, "Son, are you satisfied now?"
Zhu Zhanji barely held up his eyelids to look at his mother, and half-jokingly said, "Only mother can tell that I'm awake."
Empress Dowager Zhang's eyes moistened as she spoke, "When I first sent you to be raised by your grandfather, I was reluctant, but I knew it was the only way. I stayed by your side for several days straight, even when you slept. Is there anything about you that I don't know?"
Zhu Zhanji sighed and said, "I never thought that time would pass so quickly. I haven't had the chance to be filial to you for a few more years before I have to leave you. I have only caused a lot of trouble for you..."
Zhu Zhanji's chest rose and fell rapidly as he spoke. He finally calmed down and continued, "Huanhuan is a good child, otherwise she wouldn't have said what she just said. I guess from now on, she has also calmed down and doesn't dare to have any unreasonable thoughts."
"This child is born different from others and has a rebellious streak." Empress Dowager Zhang clutched the imperial edict tightly and said, "Since you don't intend to give her these privileges, why bother teasing her? If she finds out, how will she view you as a father? How will she view her brother?"
Zhu Zhanji smiled faintly and said, "I dare to do this, so I can be sure that she doesn't know about this. I know that she is more cunning than others, and she needs to be intimidated a few more times before she can be at peace. This is also for her own good."
Empress Dowager Zhang looked at her haggard son and finally couldn't help sobbing, "It's already this time, and you're still thinking about these things..."
Zhu Zhanji's eyes dimmed, and he said, "Mother, I'm worried..."
Empress Dowager Zhang sensed something was wrong and hurriedly held her son's hand tightly, saying, "Don't fall asleep before the Three Yangs enter the palace."
Zhu Zhanji's vision was already beginning to darken, his body was alternately hot and cold, and it felt like waves were surging inside him. The pain was so severe that he could hardly speak.
Zhu Zhanji knew that he didn't have much time left, so he said with difficulty: "Mother, call the prince, Huanhuan and Wang Jin."
Empress Dowager Zhang said repeatedly: "Good!"
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