Zhu Youqi was discussing matters with Yuan Zonggao and Zhang Zuo.
Yuan Zonggao went out to meet the people who came to spread the news. When he came back, he said with a smile: "King Xing, I heard that the opera troupe invited by the palace was very popular, and the people in the palace rushed to watch it... Do you also want to go and have a look? Woolen cloth?"
Zhu Youji shook his head, his heavy expression indicating that he was not in such a mood at all.
Zhang Zuo laughed and said, "I really should go take a look later."
Yuan Zonggao and Zhang Zuo tried their best to act relaxed, but Zhu Youqi was not happy at all.
"Prince Xing, someone in the court is targeting my Prince Xing's Mansion. This has been expected for a long time. Even if the transfer of stone and wood can be done well, Xiaoxiao in the court will still have other excuses to criticize. Why should we care too much?"
Yuan Zonggao expressed relief.
What he said was what Zhu Youqian was struggling with. After Zhang Zhong, the imperial eunuch, returned to the capital, he wrote a memorial to attack Prince Xing's government for shirk the imperial court's transportation of stones and wood to rebuild the palace, and hindered its supervision of the transportation of wood and stone. He also secretly entangled his party members to plot evil. etc.
Many things are unproven.
It is a fact that Prince Ke Xing’s palace did not put much effort into transporting wood and stone, so Zhu Houzhao directly issued an order to hold people accountable, without mentioning punishment, but just a warning and a beating.
This made King Xing feel that the imperial court was deliberately targeting him.
Zhu Youqian said: "I have stayed in Anlu with peace of mind for twenty years, but I still can't get the court's trust in me?"
Yuan Zonggao shook his head: "How much the court trusts Prince Xing's Mansion does not depend on what happened in Anlu, but on the court's movements. If... haha."
There are many things that do not need to be clarified. To put it bluntly, Zhu Houzhao has no heirs. If he had a son now, the Xingwang Palace would no longer be the target of public criticism.
When Yuan Zonggao spoke to Zhu Youqi alone, he might still be able to speak clearly, but when there was Zhang Zuo, he needed to avoid it, although Yuan Zonggao did not regard Zhang Zuo as an outsider.
The feeling of three people talking is very different from two people talking in secret. If the news gets out, let’s not say whether it is really leaked by one of the three people. If the three people are suspicious of each other, the Prince Xing’s Mansion will become a mess, so When three people are together, when it comes to leaking secrets and taboo topics, no matter whether they trust each other or not, they only need to understand each other without speaking outright, so as to avoid the risk of suspicion in advance.
Zhu Youyi understood the meaning of Yuan Zonggao's words, shook his head and sighed: "Time is not up to us, how should we make up for it next?"
Yuan Zonggao said: "I would like to suggest that we allocate three thousand taels of silver from the treasury of Prince Xing's Mansion, and a batch of stones and wood from Huguang to be sent to the capital. Even if the quantity cannot make Chao Zhongxiao shut up, we still have to tell His Majesty and the emperor." The nobles show that Prince Xing’s government is dedicated to serving the imperial court.”
Zhu Youqian nodded and looked at Zhang Zuo: "What does Zhang Fengzheng mean?"
Zhang Zuo smiled and said: "Yuan Changshi has a very good idea. Three thousand taels of silver will not hurt the palace, but it can silence everyone's mouth. This money is well spent."
Zhu Youqi was relieved.
Logically speaking, the relationship between Yuan Zonggao and Zhu Youqi is closer, and they are equivalent to the role of the palace steward. However, when it comes to the expenses of the Xingwang Palace, Zhu Youqi mostly seeks Zhang Zuo's opinions.
Civil servants are invited staff, and no matter how close they are, they are still outsiders. Listening to advice never means relying on everything. However, no matter how weak their ability is, their own eunuchs still depend on the palace and their hearts are completely towards themselves. This is probably the same as how the emperor treats the eunuchs and eunuchs around him. The attitude of civil servants was average, and Zhang Zuo and Yuan Zonggao also had their own positions in Prince Xing's palace.
Zhu Youqian said: "I wonder if Jin Yiwei has made any small moves in Huguang recently?"
Yuan Zonggao smiled and said: "Everything is very peaceful. Prince Xing doesn't have to worry too much... Zhang Fengzheng, why don't we accompany Prince Xing to watch the show?"
"good."
Of course Zhang Zuo agreed.
Zhu Youqian yawned and looked very tired. He waved his hands and said: "You go ahead. I have to go to rest. The affairs inside and outside the palace will bother you two."
…
…
In the inner courtyard of the palace, there is a lot of fun going on.
The opera had to be sung until evening, and the palace would take care of the food in the afternoon. But before sunset, Zhu Hao forcibly dragged Jinghong back to the dormitory in the west courtyard.
Jinghong looked frustrated: "It's such a good show, why don't you continue watching it? Zhu Hao, if you want to come back, just come back by yourself. Why are you holding me back... I haven't seen enough."
Zhu Hao looked at the guards coming and going at the entrance of the courtyard. Almost all the guards in the palace were there that day, even the ones on duty last night. This was enough to show that Prince Xing's palace regarded this meeting as a major event and deliberately strengthened its defenses.
"How can I tell you that you understand? The inner courtyard of the palace is not the place we should go. If you want to watch a play, I will take you out of the palace to watch it later. Isn't it much more comfortable than here?"
After Zhu Hao finished speaking, someone walked in at the door, but it was Lu Song.
After Lu Song entered the room, he looked around and made sure that there was no one else except the second child. Then he called Zhu Hao aside and asked in a low voice: "The princess asked me to ask if the theater troupe can find time to perform in the palace recently." One game?"
Zhu Hao blinked and asked, "What do you mean?"
Lu Song said impatiently: "That's what you heard."
Zhu Hao laughed and said: "Lu Dianzhan is so angry. If the palace wants to hear a play, it can completely change the troupe to perform it. After sending out an invitation, theater troupes from all over the country will flock to it? Why is the palace so guarded against me, but let me do it again?" Where is the troupe that sings the opera?"
Lu Song frowned: "The princess doesn't know much about the festivals between the Zhu family and the palace, that's why she asked this question."
Zhu Hao had an "I see" expression on his face and said clearly: "Then I understand. Please go back and tell the princess that the theater troupe has been very busy recently. It's almost the end of the year. Not only do they have to perform in bookstores outside, but they also have to go to various places. I'm afraid there won't be any time for singing in the Tang Dynasty for a wealthy family."
"you……"
Just as Lu Song was about to get angry, he suddenly wanted to understand why Zhu Hao said such a thing.
Since the princess doesn't know about the festival between the Zhu family and the palace, and she only asked you to ask because the play is good, and she has to come, then I'll push the matter aside for you, so you can go back to deal with Prince Xing and Yuan Zonggao!
Lu Song pointed at Zhu Hao with his finger and said, "Look at your worldly appearance, how do you look like a seven-year-old child? But... I will report back as you wish..."
Zhu Hao corrected him: "Lu Dianzhan, after the Chinese New Year, I will be nine years old. Don't always treat me like a six or seven-year-old baby... Besides, if you don't learn to grow in the dragon's den, how can you keep Xiang Shang?" A human head?”
Lu Song turned around and rolled his eyes at Zhu Hao before leaving.
…
…
As soon as Lu Song left.
Jinghong came over and asked curiously: "What did Lu Dianzhan come to tell you? It seems like the matter is serious."
Zhu Hao said: "Oh, I just asked if I could perform in the palace again later, and I said no."
"Why?" Jinghong was confused.
"The theater troupe has a full schedule of performances at the end of the year, and I really can't find time to come to the palace to perform... Xiao Jingzi, why do you care about the theater troupe? Even if you come next time, you won't have a chance to listen."
Having said this, Zhu Hao greeted, "Let's go and eat first."
…
…
The troupe's performance at the palace was very successful.
The most exciting one was "The Legend of the White Snake". After the end, they performed the popular southern opera "Moon Worship Pavilion" and "The Story of the Jingchai". Unfortunately, there were not many highlights. After nightfall, at the request of Princess Chiang, "The White Snake" was re-enacted.
pass".
More people came to watch the show in the evening, and they were all attracted by the exciting content.
And that night... Jinghong tossed and turned again and couldn't sleep.
The next day, Jinghong went to class with Zhu Hao with dark circles under his eyes. When he saw that the conditions of Zhu San, Zhu Si and Lu Bing were not much better.
"Zhu...Zhu Hao, I've finally met you. Did you write that play? How do you sing that line..."
When Zhu San saw Zhu Hao, he was speechless and almost grabbed Zhu Hao's arm to ask for his autograph.
Zhu Si asked from the side: "Is this how it is sung... Hey hey hey, hey hey hey, the beauty of the West Lake, the sky in June..."
As he sang a part of what he had learned, Zhu San shook his head: "The tune seems wrong."
Zhu Hao had no intention of teaching them how to sing, and said, "I don't know the details. Why don't you go back and ask the opera singer yesterday?"
"good!"
The two siblings answered in unison this time. Standing next to them was Lu Bing, who didn't have time to say hello but raised his hands in approval.
Zhu Si then asked with a smile: "The sister who sang the opera yesterday was so beautiful, can you take me to meet her? How happy I would be if I could hear her sing again!"
Several children, including Jinghong, looked at him with strange eyes.
Zhu San frowned: "Xiao Si, what bad idea are you planning?"
Zhu Sidao: "I don't have any bad intentions. I just want to hear her sing. She sings so beautifully. I want to learn the minor tune...Zhu Hao, what tune is that? Why have I never heard it before? It seems like heaven.
The tune is the same.”
Zhu San rolled his eyes: "Is that called the music of nature? It's a shame to be uneducated."
Zhu Si ignored his sister and just looked at Zhu Hao eagerly, hoping that Zhu Hao could give an explanation.
"Maybe it's a Jiangnan minor tune, or maybe it's called a Huangmei tune? I'm not sure about the specifics. If you still want to listen... just study hard and I'll take you out to listen, or I can call her... into the palace alone.
Singing music...wait a minute, are you talking about the one wearing blue clothes or the one wearing white clothes?"
Zhu Hao wanted to make sure finally.
"Of course the one in white."
There was a hint of confusion in Zhu Si's eyes.
Just like a child who has just learned to chase stars, Zhu Si's young mind was greatly shocked when he heard "pop songs" for the first time. He wanted to have close contact with his idols... he was self-taught without a teacher.
Zhu Hao doesn't think that at such a young age, Zhu Si will have thoughts about men and women other than chasing stars, even if his physical condition doesn't allow him to mature precociously, right?
Zhu Hao thought again.
Yes, absolutely impossible!
"Okay, let's go back to our seats first. I don't know if Mr. Gongsun will come today. Even if he doesn't come, I will give you a lecture...Hey, aren't you all thinking about yesterday's drama and not in the mood to study?"
Zhu Hao's question was in vain.
Including Jinghong, who had vowed to study hard, everyone was in a daze. How could the children still have the thoughts to study at this time? They were afraid that their hearts would fly out of the high walls of the palace and drift to the theater troupe.