If not abolished

Chapter 142 Preparing to return to Beijing

The situation in the capital is shrouded in mystery, with officials choosing sides. The prince has been extremely worried these days.

On this day, Zhu Gaochi rarely came to the Crown Princess's palace. Seeing that the Crown Prince looked tired, the Crown Princess asked, "Your Highness, do you want to take a rest?"

"Yeah." Zhu Gaochi pressed his temple and nodded.

The Crown Princess was massaging him, and soon Zhu Gaochi closed his eyes.

An hour later, Zhu Gaochi slowly woke up and saw that the Crown Princess had not rested. "You have worked hard."

"It's not hard for a concubine to do a little bit of work, but it's really hard for Your Highness to be the regent." The Crown Princess helped him up.

Zhu Gaochi frowned as he thought about what was happening in the court. "I heard that my second brother's family is getting married?"

"Yes, among the older ones, only Zhanqi doesn't have a principal wife yet, so we specially selected one this time. The Princess of Han entered the palace a few days ago, so this matter should have been confirmed. Why does Your Highness suddenly ask this?" The Crown Princess was quite confused. The Crown Prince never cared much about such matters.

"It's just that my second brother has been making some moves recently, and my father hasn't come back yet, so I've been paying more attention to him."

“What can I do for Your Highness?” The Crown Princess also knew that the King of Han had never given up on them. Since the Crown Prince could say this, it was probably a big deal.

"I hope everything is normal with you around, I feel at ease." The Crown Princess has always had a good reputation in the harem. His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine both praise her highly. The greatest blessing in Zhu Gaochi's life is to have a virtuous wife and a capable son.

"I can't help with the affairs of the previous dynasty, but I can still help Your Highness in the harem."

"I know." The prince stood up and prepared to leave. "Well, it's almost time. I still have palace affairs to attend to, so I won't accompany you for now."

"Farewell to Your Highness."

That night, Zhu Gaochi went to Concubine Guo's place.

"Your Majesty, let me serve you and let you rest." Yun Jin saw the Crown Princess standing outside the door looking in the direction of Concubine Guo.

"It's already so late. Let's just go to bed." The Crown Princess walked back to the room.

"My queen, are you feeling unwell?"

"After so many years, I've gotten used to it. Concubine Guo's family is very capable in the court, so it's only natural for Your Highness to go there."

"Your Highness has also done a lot for Your Highness."

"That's not the case. I'm not doing this just for the Crown Prince." There's also my own son. These are all guarantees for my future.

"His Royal Highness is also filial. I wonder when His Royal Highness will come back?"

"During the Chinese New Year." The Crown Princess had also heard the Royal Concubine mention it several times.

"It will be soon. There is only one month left until the end of the year."

The next day, the Crown Princess and Concubine Guo met on the way to pay their respects.

"Greetings to the Crown Princess." Concubine Guo came out with a beaming face, looking like she was in a good mood.

"No need to be so polite, sister."

"Sister, are you late today too?" Concubine Guo suddenly asked.

"Yes, I don't know why, I woke up a little late in the morning. Maybe it was because I read too late last night." The Crown Princess said unobtrusively.

"So that's how it is. I thought my sister was feeling unwell and couldn't fall asleep?" After all, everyone knew that the Crown Prince went to the Crown Princess's place in the afternoon, but then left and went to her palace at night.

"Sister, what you said is groundless. It's better not to say it next time."

"Yes, I did speak out of turn. Please forgive me, Princess."

"We are sisters, there is no need to be like this. Next time, please think more before you speak." After saying this, the Crown Princess quickly left.

Concubine Guo thought to herself, it would be a shame to save face.

At this time, Shuntian Mansion.

After nearly a month of rest, Princess Yong'an finally recovered and went to pay her respects to Zhu Di.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"You have just recovered from a serious illness, get up quickly." Zhu Di hurriedly asked her to get up.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am now well, so I came here specially to pay my respects to Your Majesty." Princess Yong'an stood up and said.

"I know you are filial, so why would I be so anxious at this moment?" Zhu Di gave her a seat.

"Actually, I have something else I want to explain to you, father."

"Yes, it's about Prince Zhao, right?" Zhu Di guessed it even without her saying it.

"Your Majesty is wise. I was ill before and didn't know what happened. If Sister Yongping hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that I had implicated my brother." Princess Yong'an continued, "I didn't tell anyone about my illness. It's normal for my brother not to know. I asked Sister Yongping to come and plead with you before, but you didn't listen. So I came here in person today..."

"Your story is just an excuse. This is not the only mistake he made. You don't know the details. So stay out of this matter."

"But……"

Zhu Di stopped her from talking and changed the subject: "It's rare for us to meet as father and daughter, but no one from the harem came with us this time, otherwise I would have kept you for dinner."

"Come to think of it, I haven't thanked Zhanji yet. If it weren't for him, I might have..." Princess Yong'an knew that she could not persuade Zhu Di.

"You are his biological aunt, there is nothing to thank him for."

"I haven't seen Zhanji for several years. Last time he got married, I didn't go. I just sent him something. This time it's a good opportunity to meet him."

"If you want to see him, just go find him."

"Then I will withdraw first."

"Well, let's go."

Zhu Di watched his daughter leave.

"How is King Zhao now?" Zhu Di asked after the others left.

"After his injury healed, Prince Zhao continued to handle affairs. Prince Zhao is also a hard-working person."

"It's better this way. If I find out what evil ideas he has in mind..."

"Your Highness Prince Zhao will understand your Majesty's painstaking efforts."

"Do you believe this? The King of Zhao is better. He doesn't have so many ideas. At most, he just follows the King of Han. But now they actually want to make a move on Agui. I can't tolerate this." He knew what his two younger sons did every day. The reason why he didn't stop them was, firstly, to maintain a balance in the court, and secondly, to suppress the prince.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is very smart?" Wang Jinghong said with a smile.

Zhu Di also nodded in agreement. He believed that the man was worthy of his favor. In the last incident, he deliberately let King Zhao fall into the trap, and he also took the opportunity to punish King Zhao as a warning.

"Things in Shuntian are almost done, and it's time to prepare to return to Beijing." Zhu Di counted the days.

"Your Majesty is right. Before I came here, the Imperial Concubine told me to remind Your Majesty that you must return before the end of the year."

"Then let's arrange to go back."

"Yes."

During this period, Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanhe checked out some conditions in the Forbidden City.

"The structure here is basically the same as that of the capital, but it's a little bigger. It won't be long before the emperor can prepare to move the capital." Zhu Zhanhe said, looking at the towering imperial palace.

"This is just the completion of the construction. There are still a lot of other problems to solve if we want to move the capital, such as the food problem. It will take at least two or three years," said Zhu Zhanji.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince has given more consideration."

"Okay, it's almost time to go back today," said Zhu Zhanji.

"Ah."

Just as he was halfway there, someone came up to Zhu Zhanji and said, "Your Highness, Princess Yong'an is here to thank you and is waiting for you in the palace."

"Aunt Yong'an is here. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" After hearing this, Zhu Zhanji quickened his pace and went back.

After a while, the two returned to the palace.

"Aunt." They both shouted in unison.

"Look at you, you are sweating all over. I told you not to let anyone look for you, but you came back in such a hurry. Sit down and rest."

"It's aunt."

"I'm here for no particular reason. I just came to thank you two." Princess Yong'an explained her purpose.

"Aunt, your words are too serious. It's just a coincidence." Zhu Zhanji said.

"I understand. I have been in Beijing and have not returned to the capital for your two weddings. I just happened to get two pieces of fine jade this time to give to my niece and her wife. I don't know what style they like, so I haven't polished them yet. You can take them back when the time comes." Princess Yong'an pushed two boxes in front of them.

"My aunt has already given me a gift for my wedding, so I will give you another one..."

"A wedding is a wedding, and this is a gift for my niece's wife. You two have no right to refuse. Just keep it and give it to my wife." Princess Yong'an specifically said that it was for her niece's wife, and they couldn't refuse anymore, so they had to accept it.

"Then I, your nephew, will thank you on her behalf."

"That's right. Well, I've been here for a long time and it's time to go back. Let's meet next time or when we have a chance in the future." Princess Yong'an rarely sees her family. Although she is reluctant to leave, she really can't stay any longer.

"Don't be sad, aunt. The capital will be moved soon. Take care of yourself. We will see each other then."

"That said, the last time I saw your father was ten years ago."

"My father often mentioned my aunt," said Zhu Zhanji.

"Really?" Princess Yong'an felt relieved to hear this.

A few days later, Zhu Di told them that he was preparing to return to Beijing.

"It has snowed several times in Shuntian, and it must be getting cold in the capital." Zhu Di said as he looked at the heavy white snow outside.

"It's cold in the capital, but the snow is not as heavy as in the rest of the country," said Zhu Zhanji.

"So does Agui like Shuntian or the capital?" Zhu Di suddenly asked.

Zhu Zhanji did not actively answer, but thought for a while: "Although my grandson has not been in Shuntian for a long time, I don't know why, I still like Shuntian more."

"Hahaha, well said, we two are destined to be in Shuntian. I was granted the title of Duke of Shuntian back then, and you were born here, so we should both belong here." Zhu Di stretched out his hand to feel the wind and moon.

"The Emperor doesn't like Shuntian, he wants to go to Mobei." Zhu Zhanji said with a smile.

"This clever little guy, yes, if we move the capital, it will be closer to Mobei, so your father won't have to say every other day that he has no money and won't let me fight. After moving the capital, the battle line won't be so long, which will save a lot of trouble." Yes, he didn't like Shuntian at all, he wanted to lead the army himself.

"Father has difficulties too." Zhu Zhanji didn't understand his father's hardships before. Only after he lived again did he realize how difficult his father's situation was. After he returned, there was still a conspiracy to uncover, and this time his father would suffer a great blow.

"I know, but...well, let's not talk about it anymore." Zhu Di waved his hand and stopped talking halfway through.