Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

185 The early bird catches the worm; diligence can make up for clumsiness

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Zhen Huan had just left Shen Meizhuang's residence and set foot on the path to Yongshou Palace. When passing by the Yangxin Palace, she saw the brilliant lights in the palace, reflecting a never-ending scene.

Zhen Huan whispered softly, "At this moment, the emperor must have already chosen the concubines to sleep with him."

Little Yunzi responded, "That's right. Recently, in addition to visiting Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui, the emperor has also frequently visited Concubine Ning at Suiyuxuan."

As the words were still echoing in the air, the two of them saw from afar a woman in emerald green palace dress standing quietly outside the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The woman saw Zhen Huan from afar, and immediately moved her lotus steps lightly, bowed and saluted, saying gently: "I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine."

Zhen Huan slowly approached and took a closer look. It turned out to be Ning Changzai Ye Lanyi.

It was dark and cold at this time. Zhen Huan couldn't help but ask with concern: "It's late at night and the dew is heavy. Why are you standing here alone? Don't let the cold air attack you and hurt your body."

Ye Lanyi's eyes gently passed over the threshold of the Yangxin Palace, and then she whispered softly, "I came here in compliance with the Emperor's order, but unexpectedly the Third Prince is in the palace right now. Eunuch Su told me that the Emperor is unhappy at the moment, so he asked me to wait outside for a while."

Yinzhen's words echoed clearly in Zhen Huan's ears before she could respond: "I asked you to read Wei Zheng's "Ten Thoughts to Admonish Emperor Taizong". You recited it fluently, which shows that you put your heart and soul into it. I asked about the way to rule easily, and you were able to answer the key to easy and effortless governance. However, when I wanted to discuss in depth how Taizong practiced it, you only memorized the chapter in your heart and failed to understand the profoundness of it. The reason why Taizong Li Shimin was praised for being able to rule easily was not because he opened up the way for talents, especially absorbing the unpleasant but honest advice in Wei Zheng's article? Although you are immersed in the sea of ​​books, you are not flexible and can draw inferences from one example. Could it be that even the teacher in the study has not led you to deeply understand Taizong's benevolent governance and outstanding wisdom?"

The third prince Hongshi said in a slightly timid voice: "Your son...Zhen...Zhenguan Zhengyao does have a detailed explanation, and the Empress Dowager also often urged your son to study it carefully."

Yinzhen felt an indescribable sense of helplessness and disappointment, and his tone was mixed with a hint of sarcasm: "Your master and the Empress' painstaking efforts have raised a lazy person like you. It has been more than ten years since you entered the study at the age of five, but I don't know where all your learning and memory are. I remember that you could recite many chapters of "Zhenguan Zhengyao" fluently in the past, but now you have completely forgotten them? If it weren't for your master's extraordinary patience, if it were me, I'm afraid I would have been so angry with you that I couldn't rest in the study for a day!"

Upon hearing this, Hongshi turned pale, and immediately knelt on the ground, crying out in panic, "Father Emperor, please calm down!"

"Calm down? I also want to calm down, but you just won't let me have a moment of peace! As my eldest son, I don't ask you to achieve great things and share my worries and problems, but I ask you to at least set an example of diligence and love of study for your younger brothers, so that I can worry less. However, you have time and again disappointed me, and your actions are really not commendable!" Before he finished speaking, the wind whistled outside the window, as if even the wind was resonating with Yinzhen's anger, and his figure projected on the window lattice seemed to be shrouded in anger, appearing particularly heavy and depressed.

Ye Lanyi has always been aloof and straightforward. She did not show any fear in this situation. She just said softly, "The emperor is so angry today."

Zhen Huan smiled when she heard this and responded gently, "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, so he is different from the prince who is approachable and free-spirited."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lanyi's face lit up with a gentle smile, and then she said, "Speaking of which, the prince has no children yet, and now the imperial concubine's sister, Yu Fujin, is already pregnant. When the child is born in the future, the father's love is as strong as a mountain, and perhaps he will be a little more strict and doting than the emperor."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan just smiled and said nothing. At this moment, faint footsteps were heard outside the door.

Suddenly looking back, I saw Hongshi walking out with a depressed look on his face, followed by Yinzhen's stern rebuke that penetrated the air: "You must thoroughly understand this article within these three days. If you still don't understand the profound meaning, you don't need to come to see me again!"

Hongshi suddenly saw the person standing at the door, his cheeks flushed instantly, he lowered his head quickly, bowed and said: "Good luck to Empress Xi, and good health to Empress Ning."

Ye Lanyi nodded gently in response, and Zhen Huan turned to Ye Lanyi and whispered softly, "You have been waiting for a long time, please go in quickly. The emperor is furious at the moment, so remember to speak gently and softly."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lanyi nodded and hurried into the hall.

Zhen Huan's eyes fell gently on Hongshi. He was already a young man of seventeen or eighteen years old. As he was brought up by the Queen's side since childhood, his manners and speech were extremely decent and he strictly observed etiquette.

His appearance was extraordinary to begin with, and although he looked a little simple and honest, as he inherited his mother's looks, it was still difficult to conceal his handsomeness.

Dressed in a dark fur robe decorated with blue fox fur edges, she looked even more gorgeous and noble.

However, due to the strict discipline he received since childhood, his expression was always a little restrained, and his eyes lacked the light and vitality that a young man should have. At this moment, he was shrouded in a layer of faint decadence.

Zhen Huan gently raised her hand to brush away the gently swaying hair on his shoulders, and said in a gentle tone of voice: "Your Royal Father is angry, so his words are inevitably a bit harsh. Please don't take it too seriously. There is no overnight hatred between father and son. After a few days, everything will be harmonious again."

Upon hearing this, Hongshi responded in a low voice: "Yes, I will keep Empress Xi's teachings in mind. Thank you for your concern."

Zhen Huan advised in a gentle tone: "It's late at night, you need to return to the palace. It's inconvenient to travel at night, so you'd better leave early."

Hearing this, he lowered his head even lower, almost burying it in his clothes, and replied softly, "The Empress Dowager is still waiting in the palace, asking about my academic progress."

Zhen Huan raised her eyebrows slightly and asked with concern: "It's late now, when will you get up and go to the study tomorrow?"

"Three quarters past three in the morning." Hongshi replied, with a firmness in his voice.

Although Zhen Huan felt helpless, she also understood the Queen's intentions, so she said no more and just gently reminded her: "You only rest for a few hours every day, how can your body bear it?"

Hongshi raised his head, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "The Queen Mother often said that the early bird catches the worm. I know I am not as smart as others, so I need to work harder and study hard day and night to achieve something."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan couldn't help but feel a little pity in her heart, and sighed softly: "It's understandable that the Queen wants her son to become a successful person, but you also need to learn to cherish yourself."

After saying that, she changed the subject and said with a smile, "I heard that the Queen has started to select a wife for you. It would be a good thing to get married soon and have someone to accompany you."

After hearing this, Hongshi's face did not show joy, but became more solemn: "My son is still young, and his studies are the most important. I dare not be distracted by children's personal affairs, so as not to make the emperor unhappy."

Zhen Huan nodded gently, understanding but with a hint of helplessness: "It was not easy for the Queen to raise you. You should listen more to her teachings."

After she finished speaking, Zhen Huan was about to turn around when she heard Hong Shi's low and sincere call in her ears: "Empress Xi, please stop."

Zhen Huan asked gently, "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

He slowly raised his eyes, his eyes full of sincerity: "I heard that my mother was honored in the past because of the kindness of Empress Xi. I was not able to come to the palace to express my gratitude in person, which was really disrespectful. I came here today to express my gratitude."

Zhen Huan was startled at first, but then she remembered that the mother he was referring to was her deceased mother, Concubine Qi, and she couldn't help but chuckle, "As the eldest son of the Emperor, and your mother passed away very early, it is your duty to enjoy such a mourning honor. You don't need to thank me."

However, Hongshi's expression gradually became solemn, as if in response to the cold season: "There are still many mysteries about my mother's death. Rumors have been rife for many years, and even my father has never investigated deeply. As a son, I feel powerless. What I have gained today is all due to the grace of Empress Xi, so I can show my filial piety a little."

Hongshi bowed deeply, almost touching the ground. Seeing this, Zhen Huan quickly reached out to stop him and said softly, "This kind of thought is not something that can be achieved by my own efforts. The Queen, as your stepmother, has also given her approval."

Hongshi forced himself to raise the corners of his mouth, but his smile was bitter: "The Empress Dowager has been kind to me, but she has always been prejudiced against her words and deeds when she was alive, and she doesn't even want me to mention them. How could she really worry about her affairs after her death? Empress Xi, I appreciate your kindness, and there is no need to comfort me anymore."

After that, he bowed again, his voice low and concerned: "It's late at night and the dew is heavy. Empress Xi, please take care of yourself. I will take my leave now."

Concubine Qi died young, leaving Hongshi with not only the pain of losing his mother, but also the indifference from his father and the strict teachings from the empress.

As the eldest son, he should have enjoyed more love and respect. However, for more than ten years, his life was full of repression and self-restraint, and true happiness always seemed out of reach.

Zhen Huan looked at his gradually receding back. His slightly bent back seemed to be telling of endless bitterness and helplessness. She couldn't help but sigh again, her heart filled with complex emotions.

The sedan chair moved slowly on the long street shrouded in the night. The creaking sounds of the bearers lifting the sedan chair seemed particularly clear in the empty environment and echoed all around.

Liu Zhu spoke softly, with some worry in her voice: "Your Majesty, the Third Prince studies so hard day and night, I am really worried whether his body can bear it. Although the Queen's expectations are high, but it is so urgent, I am afraid that the Third Prince cannot bear it."

Zhen Huan heard this, her eyes were gentle but deep, she shook her head gently, and said: "The Queen's heart is as clear as the sun and the moon, but the method may be too harsh. As the eldest son, the Third Prince carries more expectations and pressure, but excessive pressure may not stimulate his potential, but may wear down his will and enthusiasm. The way to educate is to guide rather than force. The Queen may not have understood this point yet."

Liu Zhu nodded, as if she had realized something: "Your Majesty is right. I also think that if the Third Prince continues like this, he will be exhausted. On the other hand, the Seventh Prince is naturally intelligent and knows how to adjust himself. He also doesn't forget to relax after studying. He really makes me less worried."

Zhen Huan smiled slightly, her eyes full of love and relief: "Hongzhou is indeed a sensible child. He knows how to balance study and rest. This is precious. With such a mentality, he will definitely achieve great things in the future. Remember, have someone prepare a pot of warm milk and send it to him to help him sleep."

"Yes, your Majesty, I have made note of it." Liu Zhu replied.

As the sedan chair continued to move forward, the lights on the long street gradually became sparse, but Zhen Huan's heart was filled with expectations for the future and care for her children.

She knows that every child has his or her own path to take, and all she can do is to give them the right guidance and warm care to the best of her ability.