Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 581: Peace of Mind and Future Troubles
The turmoil in Wenhua Palace on the first day of October spread throughout the city at the fastest speed. In particular, in the afternoon of that day, two teams of brightly-armored soldiers from the Ruiqi Battalion hurriedly escorted two carriages out of the palace and out of the city. Soon, rumors spread that it was the emperor who ordered people to escort the eldest and second princes out of the capital, which caused a great commotion among officials and the people.
Of course, there are people who sympathize with the brothers. After all, just a year ago, they were the queen's legitimate sons who had the best chance of entering the East Palace. But now the queen has been deposed, and the brothers are more unlucky than the other.
Unfortunately, the eldest and second princes, one had been hypocritical for so many years, but his true nature was revealed in Cangzhou and caused a huge disaster; the other had been absurd since childhood, and not long ago he caused the Kunning Palace poisoning incident, which eventually led to the dethronement of the queen. Now the two brothers started trouble at the same time and place, but they both hit a wall. What else can others say?
To put it more seriously, the second prince slandered not only Zhang Shou's mother, but also accused his own father of being so foolish that he couldn't even tell his own sons and daughters apart. As for the eldest prince, it goes without saying that he slandered his teacher and spied on the emperor. If he didn't spy on him, how would you, a person imprisoned in the Zongzheng Temple, know where Zhang Shou's accessories came from?
Therefore, even though the two princes were suddenly driven out of the capital in a miserable manner, which was a huge event, everyone just shook their heads and sighed for a while, and their attention was focused on the other two things.
The first was of course the confusing backgrounds of Zhu Ying and Princess Yongping, and of course Zhang Shou's. However, Zhang Shou, who was declared by the emperor to be the posthumous son of an ordinary scholar, was certainly not as eye-catching as the unclear backgrounds of these two girls who could be called the darlings of heaven.
As for the second point, the popular "Ge's New Compilation of Mathematics" is not... or not entirely the work of Ge Yong, but Ge Yong and Zhang Shou, who claimed to have reviewed Chinese and foreign mathematical classics together and then reorganized and compiled them. And if what Ge Yong frankly admitted is true, it is even more likely that Zhang Shou completed it independently!
In contrast, the boat that Zhang Shou demonstrated in public at the Wenhua Hall, which could move forward automatically, was only circulated in a small circle among those who were interested. Even the confrontation between Confucius and Zhang Shou at the Wenhua Hall became insignificant and not worth mentioning in this series of events.
However, Confucius himself did not think that Zhang Shou's lecture and demonstration were insignificant and not worth mentioning. After the lecture, he left Wenyuan Pavilion on the pretext of feeling unwell and went home. When he arrived at the mansion, this old man, who was always shrewd, locked himself in the study, smashed the pen holder, and then sent his trusted servants out to deliver the letter.
In the past, Prime Minister Jiang Ge Lao was conservative, but he was quite open-minded and won over a large number of new talents who were once dissatisfied with Jiang Ge Lao. However, when he came to power, he also did not want too many unstable factors to jump out. It was true that he supported the Northern Expedition, but now the Northern Tartars had been completely defeated and frightened. Why not rest and recuperate at this time?
Are we going to bother with navigation technology just because of Zhang Shou's weird display? It's ridiculous! Those foreign countries, with thousands of years of Chinese poetry, books and etiquette, can be compared with the profound heritage accumulated by the great China?
While the Kong family was sending out invitations to heroes to stop Zhang Shouhua from using sweet words to deceive the emperor, Zhang Yuan had turned off the lights and went to sleep early. Compared to Zhang Yuan, many places in the Zhaoguo Mansion were also dark and quiet that night.
Because Zhu Jing simply stayed in the Ministry of War late at night and did not come back, claiming that he was busy with affairs, but no one knew what the Ministry of War, as a minister of war, could do to be busy now the world is at peace.
Zhu Tingfang, the eldest son, is also known to work overtime in the Nancheng Bingmasi. Although this is not the first time, it is conceivable that once this cold-faced god sits inside, not to mention that the once unruly people in the Nancheng Bingmasi are silent as a cicada, it is said that even the local tyrants in Nancheng have already arrived at the gate in the middle of the night to wait for orders.
Compared with this always powerful father and son, Zhu Er actually went to stay at Lu's house, under the pretext that the next day was Fatty Lu's coming-of-age ceremony, and he, as a friend, wanted to go and show his support - but he had never heard that a coming-of-age ceremony had to be attended early in the middle of the night!
It would have been fine if it was just the father and his two brothers. After sending Ge Yong home, she also personally sent Zhang Shou to Jiuzhang Hall. When Zhu Ying returned home one day, she heard people at the gate say that the father and his two sons would not be home tonight. Then she met her grandmother and mother, who went out together, claiming that they were going to the Buddhist temple to pray and fulfill a wish. She was so angry that she lost her temper at the gate of Duke Zhao's mansion.
"Are you and my mother trying to avoid me? Are you going to stay in the temple for two days of meditation and fasting? Just because the emperor said this in public in Wenhua Palace, do you think I am not your family anymore? Are you going to avoid seeing me?"
At this moment, Zhu Ying, who had locked herself in her room out of anger and refused to even go to dinner, could not help but slam her jewelry box shut, not bothering to listen to the knocks of Zhan Jin and Liu Yin outside. Suddenly, she frowned while staring at the mirror with her hair loose, and then she turned her head sharply, only to see that the door was pushed open!
Seeing Jiu Niang walk in so openly, she couldn't help but be stunned. She clearly remembered that she had bolted the door, otherwise Zhan Jin and Liu Yin wouldn't have to knock on the door and make people anxious. How did her mother get in?
Before Zhu Ying could say anything, she saw Jiu Niang flip her wrist and reveal a shiny rhino horn hairpin. She immediately remembered the legendary stories she had read and couldn't help but screamed, "Mother, have you ever been a female thief part-time?" She could even sneak into houses and pick locks !
"You are such a bitch that you can't even spit out ivory!"
Jiu Niang was both angry and amused. She gave an order without even turning her head. After Zhan Jin and Liu Yin hurriedly followed in, set the small table, and served the steaming hot meals, she tiptoed back out. She sighed and said, "Your father and your elder and second brothers are not sure what to do to you when we get home, so they are hiding outside as if they are escaping. As for me and your grandmother..."
"We really just plan to go and burn some incense, then arrange a ritual for Ah Shou's mother, and then we'll be back soon."
This time, it was Zhu Ying who felt embarrassed. She lowered her head and whispered, "I thought you and grandmother were going to stay away for two days to avoid me... Who told me that my father, my elder brother, and my second brother wouldn't come back? Didn't the emperor say that he didn't know whether I was born to you or to Concubine Yu? It's just a small matter!"
It's just a small matter... Only a careless girl like you thinks it's a small matter. Ever since Princess Yongping noticed it so keenly, I don't know how much worry she has secretly felt and how many tears she has shed!
Otherwise, she wouldn't have avoided me every time! When Concubine Yu came to the temple to see her, she sighed at her countless times!
Jiu Niang thought that the lady's worry and the little comfort she had painstakingly tried to offer outside the door were all in vain.
Zhu Ying was unhappy only because of her whole family's cautious attitude towards her - but wasn't their cautiousness just to proceed step by step and not irritate this girl who was always held in the palm of everyone's hand?
"The little thing you mentioned has already caused the Emperor to be severely criticized by the Queen Mother after he returned. The palace was in an uproar, the streets were full of heated discussions, and the government offices were about to explode. You were able to have a leisurely lunch at the Ge Mansion, but when you came back and saw me and your grandmother going out together, you lost your temper."
"Then you got angry and locked yourself in the room until now. Do you think we are worried?"
Zhu Ying was scolded by Jiu Niang and could only laugh guiltily. Then she simply sat down in front of the small table. Seeing that all the dishes were her favorites, she wrinkled her nose and said, "Who told you not to tell me the truth before!"
How can this so-called truth, which no one knows exactly what happened, be told casually? If it weren't for the idiot Second Prince who directly brought some rumors to light today, this matter would have been covered up for a long time.
When the emperor said this today, he already felt that the rebellion of King Ye, which had been suppressed, was being brought out again and talked about with relish!
Jiu Niang thought so in her heart, but she finally came behind Zhu Ying and gently hugged her daughter who had grown from a little girl into a peerless beauty. Seeing Zhu Ying's body stiffen at first, and then she leaned comfortably on her, like a kitten enjoying herself, she smiled and said, "For me, you were all born safely, this is the greatest comfort."
"Whether you or Yongping, let alone the possibility that you were taken away by mistake, even if you were really taken away by mistake, whether you were raised in the palace or in the Duke of Zhao's mansion, you were all pampered, with fine clothes and delicious food, and endless wealth and glory. In comparison, Shou was the most pitiful, having lost his mother when he was born. Therefore, what I was most angry about back then, besides your father's attitude, was Hua Qi's late arrival!"
"Because it was he who reminded your father that of the three children who were born on the same day of the same month of the same year, two of them were already mixed up. If the only boy is involved and people say that his background is questionable, not only will the two families be in big trouble, but Ah Shou, who has lost his mother, will also be implicated." Zhu Jing was a particularly sensitive and thoughtful person, and he immediately made that excessive decision.
Seeing Zhu Ying turned her head immediately and was shocked, Jiu Niang gently scratched her chin. Seeing her daughter giggle and hurriedly dodged, she skipped the topic and said with a smile: "In short, whether the Queen Mother is happy to treat you as a granddaughter, or the Emperor and Concubine Yu are happy to treat you as a daughter, it is their business, but in my eyes, you are my daughter."
"It's my daughter, born after nine months of pregnancy. Now she's going to marry my ideal husband. I'm so happy!"
"Mom!" Zhu Ying finally stood up and couldn't help hugging her mother's waist. She placed her head on Jiu Niang's shoulder affectionately. "I will always be your daughter. Please don't abandon me like you did when you went to the temple!"
"I was too careless back then and did something really stupid." Jiu Niang gently stroked Zhu Ying's silky hair, feeling as if her heart was immersed in warm spring water, calm and comfortable. "When you marry Ah Shou, I'll stay at your house for a couple of days when I have nothing to do. Don't think I'm annoying. I'm tired of seeing your father's old face!"
Zhu Ying burst out laughing immediately: "Great, great! Wait until Ah Shou and I have a child, then it will be fun!"
Even though Jiu Niang never cared about worldly etiquette, she couldn't help but be stunned at this moment.
Zhu Ying is so...daring to say that!
Other daughters would often be shy when hearing about marriage proposals. Some would even look at each other quickly and leave in a hurry, fearing that they would cause gossip. How could they be as frank as Zhu Ying? However, whether it was her, Concubine Yu, or the emperor, they all seemed to have such straightforward personalities. Even Zhu Jing, who was usually more reserved, was always direct in matters between men and women.
Therefore, no matter whose daughter Zhu Ying was, it was not surprising that she had such a temperament. On the contrary, Princess Yongping, with her delicate and thoughtful sensitive temperament, seemed to be a bit similar to her and Concubine Yu, and her coldness in her bones was a bit similar to them, but too reserved.
When you live, you have to fight!
Thinking of this, Jiu Niang smiled helplessly and said softly, "When your elder brother and second brother get married and have children, and you and Ah Shou also have children, this family will be truly lively. By then, do you want your children to learn literature or martial arts?"
"Anything is fine! It would be best if he is good at archery and horse riding, and is also proficient in mathematics like Ah Shou, then what can be considered a family tradition!" Zhu Ying enthusiastically continued Jiu Niang's topic, completely forgetting to ask about the original topic of her life experience - of course, she was not very interested in the legendary escape of her mother and Concubine Yu, not to mention that it should be their hidden pain.
In this way, Jiu Niang accompanied Zhu Ying to eat a particularly long dinner. Fortunately, the main dish was a copper hot pot, with enough charcoal fire, and water was constantly added, so it didn't make the food cold. After the meal, she stopped Zhu Ying who was going to see the lady, and called Zhan Jin and Liu Yin to come in and help her wash and go to bed.
Seeing Zhu Ying lying down on the bed, she tucked in the quilt herself and sat with her until she began to breathe evenly before leaving.
When she arrived at the Qing'an Hall of the Taifu Lady, the moon was already high above the trees. Seeing that Mother Li was still guarding the door and the lights were still on in the room, she went up to ask and learned that her mother-in-law had not gone to bed. She naturally knew what was going on. Sure enough, after Mother Li informed her, as soon as she entered the room, she heard the Taifu Lady's voice: "Is Yingying okay?"
"She is just angry with us!" Jiu Niang saw that the old lady was leaning on the bed, leaning against a large pillow, looking very tired but waiting for her to come, so she simply stepped forward and repeated the conversation between her and Zhu Ying. Seeing that the old lady really showed a relieved expression, she smiled and said, "I knew that Yingying would not hold a grudge."
"Yes, she is very generous." The lady breathed a sigh of relief, and then said thoughtfully, "I wonder who sent the eldest and second princes to Wenhua Palace with so much trouble this time, and performed this monkey show that is a complete joke."
Jiu Niang raised her eyebrows and suddenly said, "Mother, I don't think this is a joke. Maybe it's just to prevent future troubles!"
