If not abolished

Chapter 298 Seeking a meeting

"Yes, yes, your majesty has been preparing for many years. It has been decided to officially move the capital this year. And then, there are still some affairs to deal with in Shuntian. Now Agui is not in the capital, so..." The prince explained from the beginning.

"Does Your Majesty want to call Agui back? That's great. Your Highness should write the letter quickly. Agui and the others walk slowly. Maybe they haven't reached Zhongdu yet. This way I will feel more at ease." When the Crown Princess heard him mention Zhu Zhanji, she thought that Zhu Di wanted to call someone back and her face was full of surprise.

"That's not the case." The prince continued, "It may be too late to wait for Agui to come back. His Majesty is planning to let Zhanqi in the capital take charge of the affairs of the new capital."

When the Crown Princess heard that Zhu Zhanji was not called back, she suddenly became discouraged and asked, "Then why did Your Highness tell us this?"

Concubine Li, who was sitting below, also wanted to ask what this matter had to do with her, so she was called over.

"Have you waited for me to finish? His Majesty said that he wanted Zhan Jun and Zhan Qi to go and gain some experience, so he planned to let them go with Zhan Qi." The prince finally said it in one breath, with sweat on his forehead.

Sure enough, as soon as he said this, the two of them looked at him together.

"Your Majesty, why did you suddenly think of these two people?" It was no wonder that the Crown Princess said this. After all, Zhu Di had so many grandsons, and the only one who had been with him since birth was Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Di didn't know the names of many of the others. Why did he so directly and clearly ask for Zhu Zhanjun and Zhu Zhanji this time? How could the Crown Princess not suspect that someone was deliberately pushing this matter behind the scenes?

"Oh, you are overthinking it. His Majesty just wanted to train them, and besides Zhanqi, Zhanjun is the only one older, so His Majesty let them go." The prince dispelled her doubts.

"That being said, but... well, even if Zhanjun is older and needs experience, it's understandable this time, but how old is Zhanjun? He has never left us since he was a child. How can I be assured that he will go so far away alone? Your Highness, are you assured?"

"You are just a woman with a heart. Besides, he is going there alone. His two brothers are taking him there. There is nothing to worry about. We are not going to fight in the war. Besides, we will be there in a few months. Don't worry, don't you think?" The prince suddenly looked at Concubine Li and winked at her, wanting her to persuade the Crown Princess.

Concubine Li received the signal, "Your Highness is right. These two children have been locked up in the palace. I'm afraid they want to go out for a walk. Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will let Zhanjun take good care of his brother. Besides, I think Zhanjun looks much more stable than Zhanjun. I'm afraid I should let Zhanjun watch his brother and don't let him cause trouble."

"You see, I also think so. Speaking of which, His Majesty went to the main hall to see them both, and His Majesty even praised Zhanzhuang for his maturity." The prince also echoed.

"Your Highness..." The Crown Princess knew that this matter was probably a done deal, so she could only sigh and ask, "If that's the case, then when does Your Majesty plan to let them leave? I'll have to prepare some more things for them."

"Oh, that's confirmed. We'll set off together in five days."

"Five days? Such a rush!" The Crown Princess thought it would take at least ten days or half a month.

"Well, only our two sons will go, and Zhanqi will have to bring his family with him. They will also have five days, so they don't need to prepare too many things. Let them travel as light as possible, which will be convenient," suggested the prince.

"I understand." When the Crown Princess heard that Zhu Zhanqi had to bring his family with him, she thought it would be difficult for him to take care of his own son, so she naturally understood that she should not bring too many things.

"Well, that's fine. You can talk to them. I still have things to deal with." The prince thought of the memorial sent by Zhu Zhanji. "By the way, Agui sent a letter. Everything is fine with them. You don't have to worry too much."

"Agui sent a letter, why didn't I see it?" The Crown Princess' eyes lit up again.

"It's not for us. He handed a memorial to His Majesty, and I have to deal with his matter, so I thought everything should be going well for them. He also said in the memorial that he greeted us." said the prince.

"This child, since he is submitting a memorial, he doesn't even know how to write a letter home." The Crown Princess didn't know what to say to her son.

"You know that Agui has this kind of personality. Besides, after all, he has been with His Majesty since he was a child. He is closer to His Majesty than we are."

"Your Highness, what you said is true. Agui has always respected you as a father." The Crown Princess immediately spoke to her son.

"Of course I know. Okay, I'll go first." The prince said as he walked out step by step.

After the Crown Prince left, the Crown Princess sighed and said to Concubine Li: "Tell me what this is all about. Moving the capital is such a big thing, and you asked a little kid like Zhanzhuang to go there. What can he do?"

"Your Majesty, this shows that your children are all excellent. Your Majesty has a good eye for talent. I always feel that your Majesty lets them go, not to let them do this or that. You can just relax. Besides, there is Zhan Jun here. How can you not take good care of your brother? I will tell him when I go back." Concubine Li counselled her.

"It's enough to have someone like Agui. For others, being too outstanding may not be a good thing." The Crown Princess said with a frown.

"We can't make the decision on this matter, so let them do what they want." In contrast, Concubine Li was more open-minded.

"You're quite open-minded about it." The Crown Princess saw that she acted as if nothing had happened since she first heard the news.

"This is all thanks to the Empress. I think His Majesty just wants Zhanzhuang to be stable. I'm afraid that my son is just blessed by Zhanzhuang." She knew what her son was like. It was good enough that he didn't cause trouble. How could he be favored by His Majesty? Could it be that the sun rises from the west?

"What you said, I think Zhan Jun is a good person. Okay, you should go back and prepare the luggage for the child."

"Yes, the concubine is retiring."

Two hours later, the brothers Zhu Zhanjun and Zhu Zhanji returned to the East Palace respectively.

In Rouyi Palace, the Crown Princess and Zhu Zhanji finished discussing this matter.

After listening to this, Zhu Zhanji nodded and agreed.

"Aren't you a little too calm? Don't you have anything to say?" The Crown Princess looked at her overly steady son.

"My mother probably can't answer what my son wants to ask. I will just ask my father or the emperor directly when the time comes." Zhu Zhanji said after thinking for a while.

"Ah, you are still planning to meet His Majesty?" The prince looked at his son in shock.

"This matter was decided by Grandpa Emperor, right?" Zhu Zhanji did not answer the Crown Princess' question, but raised another question.

"It should be. Your father just found out about it, too." The Crown Princess answered him truthfully.

"I see. Do you have any other instructions, mother? If not, I will go and prepare them."

"I just want to say that you should take care of yourself along the way. Also, although I let you go, what can a little kid like you do? Shuntian has your third uncle and two brothers, so you just need to listen to them, okay?" The Crown Princess would not let her son show off too much.

"Yes, son knows." Zhu Zhanji nodded, "But since I'm going, I still have to do what I should do. Also, mother, I'm not a child anymore. I'm fourteen years old. My elder brother was seventeen when he followed Grandpa Huang to fight the enemy."

"Your elder brother's... is different." The Crown Princess wanted to say, but...

"My son understands that my eldest brother has an important responsibility, but as his younger brother, I can't be a waste. I won't cause trouble for myself. Mother, don't worry, just like you worry about my eldest brother."

"Okay, I'm relieved." The Crown Princess was a little depressed. Each child was more mature than the other, and they didn't have to worry about them. It was a good thing. Why did she feel sad?

Zhu Zhanji went to ask for an audience with Zhu Di in the afternoon.

"Your Majesty, Prince Zhanzhuang has arrived." Wang Jinghong came in to report.

"Why is he here? Doesn't he want to go to Shuntian? Let him in." Zhu Di asked in surprise.

"My grandson, please pay your respects to Grandpa Huang."

"Stand up, what brings you here for?"

"My grandson does have something to do. Your Majesty, did you simply ask me to go to Shuntian Prefecture?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"As for the trip to Shuntian Prefecture, I think my brother Zhanqi is enough. Why does Your Majesty want me and my second brother to go?" Zhu Zhanji raised his question.