There is still no definite news about when the emperor will return to the capital. Even the presentation of prisoners in Nanjing has been delayed. There is no information in the capital about when Zhu Si will inherit the throne and return to Anlu.
Gongsun Yi and Sun Ru failed the examination and did not return to their hometowns. They followed Zhu Hao's advice and stayed temporarily.
Sun Ru's newlywed wife has been arranged by the Sun family to come to Beijing. This is also to stabilize Sun Ru's heart. As for Gongsun Yi... he is not so lucky. He can only continue to be a loner in the capital, and his beloved wife at home cannot take care of him for the time being.
, the family was not prepared to send his wife to the capital.
Gongsun Yi asked Zhu Hao many times what he was doing in the capital. He did not plan to prepare for the next examination. In his opinion, it was best to be released as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Zhu Hao persuaded him.
Today is May 18th.
Sun Ru, who was responsible for acting as an informant for Zhu Hao outside, heard the news and quickly came back to report to Zhu Hao.
"...Sir, everyone was saying that Lu Shangshu was about to be finished, but I just heard that the imperial court issued a decree to reward officials who had contributed to quelling King Ning's rebellion, and Lu Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel was also among them. It seems that he is ranked relatively high."
Sun Ru blinked in confusion and added, "Also, I heard that there are people wandering around the capital, trying to give gifts to the big shots in the court. It seems to be related to Prince Ning's rebellion."
Sun Ru has never been serious, but after experiencing the fight between Jiaofang Si and Yang Weicong and others, he became much more practical.
When you inquire about things, they all have their origins.
Because he has money in his pocket, Sun Ru here in the capital belongs to the "generous and generous" type. As long as he says a few nice words in front of him, he can eat for free without worrying about the problem of returning the invitation, so that not only the local scholars in Huguang
, even some outsiders would come to him to drink, and in the end Sun Ru paid the bill.
After being taken advantage of, although the purse strings were tight, the scope of information was greatly broadened, and more and more things were heard over the wine table.
"By the way, sir, I also heard that Lu Shangshu is going to have a banquet in his mansion for the young tributes who will be taking the exam. Sir, as the leader, will you go?"
Finally, Sun Ru asked with a narrow smile.
Zhu Hao said: "At this time, everyone knows that he may be involved in Prince Ning's case, who dares to approach him?"
Sun Ru smiled and scratched his head: "Originally, people outside said so, but didn't His Majesty just issue a commendation? Besides, there is doubt about whether there is conclusive evidence that Prince Ning is colluding with Lu Shangshu, and neither the Ministry of Punishment nor the Yushitai have it now.
The news came that Lu Shangshu was still doing well...
"What's more important is that Lu Shangshu has a granddaughter who is said to be one of the best among the ladies of the capital. She has the appearance of a fish and a goose, and the moon is shy of the flowers. She has not yet reached the age of hair, and is about the same age as Mr...."
Zhu Hao glanced at Sun Ru: "What do you mean, kid?"
"My fair lady, you are such a good gentleman." Sun Ru looked at the excitement and didn't think it was a big deal.
"Okay, you have to go on your own."
Zhu Hao said angrily, "This kind of climbing up a dragon and a phoenix, making friends with powerful people, is not my turn, a nobody who is not even a Jinshi."
Sun Rubian pursed her lips: "I can't go even if I want to. I'm just a civil servant, and people say I only entertain tributes. Oh, by the way, sir, I also heard that the granddaughter of Lu Shangshu is good at playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She once
I was betrothed to the young master of the Nanjing Ministry of War, He Shilang's family, but it was delayed for some reason. You really don't think about it? With your talent and learning..."
Zhu Hao waved his hand quickly: "Stop, stop, let's talk about the next thing..."
Sun Ru then stopped mentioning the affairs of the Lu family and continued to talk about what he had seen and heard in the capital.
…
…
Even Prince Xing's Mansion had heard about Lu Wan's marriage to his granddaughter.
Jiang Lun specifically asked Tang Yin about this matter and asked Tang Yin to help him find out whether it was necessary for Prince Xing's Mansion to marry Lu Wan. Tang Yin didn't even ask Zhu Hao for his opinion, so he knew that this matter was not feasible.
"I'm not old, less than fifteen, one year older than my nephew. He's so beautiful and beautiful. He's also knowledgeable about books and etiquette. If His Majesty returns to the court and Lu Shangshu is not held accountable, others may want to marry him."
But not..."
Jiang Lun's attitude towards Tang Yin was quite mild.
His sister asked him to inquire about the ladies and ladies in the capital, and now he found out that the granddaughter of Lu Wan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was the most outstanding, and she was famous all over the capital.
Tang Yin pointed at Zhu Hao who had just gone upstairs and said, "Ask him."
Jiang Lun smiled.
Although he usually respects Zhu Hao's opinions very much, he doesn't want to ask Zhu Hao for advice on Zhu Si's marriage. Zhu Hao and Zhu Si are still young. What constructive opinions can they have?
Tang Yin said: "Zhu Hao, let Meng Zai tell you about the matter. I also want to listen to your opinion."
Jiang Lun glared at Tang Yin, and seeing Tang Yin insisting, he roughly said: "... Lu family daughter, she is fifteen years old, her name has been found out, her name is Lu Zhiyao, she looks as beautiful as a fairy, Mr. Zhu wants to see it with his own eyes
If you look, I can find his portrait here.
"I heard that the Lu family attaches great importance to this girl's marriage, just because Lu Shangshu may be involved in Prince Ning's rebellion, so...Mr. Zhu Xiao, what do you have in mind?"
Zhu Hao frowned and said, "If you really want to get married, you don't have to rush into it now, right?"
Jiang Lun slapped the table: "Mr. Tang, look, even Mr. Zhu Xiao agrees with my point of view."
Tang Yin frowned: "When did he agree with you? Zhu Hao, let's be clear, do you agree with this marriage?"
"Of course not."
Zhu Hao answered very directly, "The daughter of the Lu family had a marriage contract, but her husband's family did not hesitate to offend the official minister and insisted on canceling the marriage. Do you think this is serious?
"Isn't it shameful enough for Prince Xing's palace to marry someone who may cause trouble in the court?"
Jiang Lun looked a little embarrassed after hearing this, and said helplessly: "Mr. Zhu Xiao, your words are too direct... be more tactful, be tactful."
Tang Yin laughed loudly: "It's not good to be tactful about this matter. Zhu Hao, tell Mr. Jiang whether Lu Shangshu will be punished in the end?"
"Will!"
Zhu Hao answered decisively.
Jiang Lun said: "I understand. You two masters and disciples are venting their anger from the same nostril, so I shouldn't ask for your opinions. You are a minister of the Ministry of official affairs. There is no evidence that he is connected with Prince Ning's house. If this is a crime, the court will still
Don’t want to cause chaos? Forget it, let’s not get involved in this marriage!”
Jiang Lun was unconvinced, but his heart was open.
Zhu Haoming said that Lu Wan must be unlucky. Based on his previous understanding of the accuracy of Zhu Hao's prediction, the matter should have gone away.
Since Lu Wan is about to be unlucky, and Prince Xing's palace is marrying him, doesn't it mean that there is a pit ahead, and he still has to jump into it?
Besides, Jiang Lun couldn't make the decision on this matter himself, and Princess Jiang probably wouldn't agree to it. Saying so much was just wishful thinking on his part.
…
…
Jiang Lun searched everywhere for a suitable marriage partner, and even Zhu Si heard about it.
Zhu Hao was giving him a class that day, and Zhu Si mentioned this matter.
"Zhu Hao, I heard that the granddaughter of the Minister of Civil Affairs is very beautiful?" There was enthusiasm in Zhu Si's little eyes, as if he was very concerned about this matter.
Zhu Hao said: "Maybe, I haven't seen it before."
Zhu Si smiled and said: "Then I marry her, wouldn't it be great?"
Zhu Hao originally wanted to say, don't you miss Gong Yeling, the actress who sang in the Legend of White Snake? Are you "moving on to another love" now? Or are you moving on to a woman you have never even met?
"Your Majesty, I can't make the decision about your marriage, and you can't make the decision yourself. Either the court will grant you a marriage, or your court will give you a choice. It's useless for you to ask me about this."
Zhu Hao simply became a hands-off shopkeeper.
He could indeed give advice on other matters, but regarding who Zhu Si should marry, Zhu Hao didn't want to get involved.
After all, historically Zhu Si did not get married before he ascended the throne, so there was no need for Zhu Hao to change the course of history.
"oh."
After listening to Zhu Hao's words, Zhu Si looked thoughtful and rarely mentioned the matter again.
…
…
A few days later, Sun Ru explained to him the situation about the Lu family's banquet.
"...I heard that a lot of people went there, mostly young talents, but none of them were unmarried, so it was useless to go. I said that if you go, sir, you would be the only one...who can take the exam before getting married?"
Jinshi? Who can match this level? Besides, you are still good at it..."
Sun Ru's words were completely meaningless, but Zhu Hao heard a hint from them, that is, Lu Wan also felt that his end was approaching.
In other words, who doesn't know his crime?
Lu Wanxin was like a mirror. He exchanged many letters with Prince Ning and accepted a huge amount of bribes. As long as the court wanted to investigate, they would surely find out the clues.
The main reason is that King Ning was defeated too quickly and completely after he raised his troops. If he persisted for several years and then lost, it may be difficult to retain the evidence. Instead of being like now, King Ning was blamed soon after he left the army. What evidence?
They will be preserved as they were.
But Lu Wan really hopes that making friends with a group of new scholars... or even just new scholars can bring about a turn for the better for his family?
Or does he want people to think that he is still the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and can call the shots in the court, so as to win over a group of people and make people think that he is very powerful?
After all, the officials in the DPRK who are willing to make friends with Lu Wan have almost disappeared, and everyone is hiding far away. If you don't make friends with Xinke Gongshi, who can you make friends with?
…
Two days later.
Su Xigui, who was still in the capital, came to see Zhu Hao and talked about Huang Zan's appointment in Nanjing. During this period, he also mentioned Lu Wan.
"...Lu Shangshu originally wanted to marry his granddaughter to the fifth son of Huang Gong's second wife. The fifth son is young and promising and has now passed the examination for students, but Huang Gong politely declined."
Lu Wan wanted to marry his granddaughter to Huang Zan's grandson to complete a political marriage.
Didn't you, He Mengchun, reject my marriage? Wouldn't it be better if I find the son of the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing to marry? How much say do you, He Mengchun, have in Nanjing? Huang Zan is a big shot in the court who can be the Minister.
The benefits brought by the marriage between the two families will also be greater.
Zhu Hao said: "Huang Gong refused because he didn't want to get involved in the dispute, right?"
"Yes and no."
Su Xigui said, "Huang Gong has always looked down on Lu Shangshu, who is good at making friends with powerful people and gets very close to the nobles in the court. If it were in the past when Huang Gong was an official in the local government, this Lu Shangshu would not even
I didn’t even bother to accept the gifts I sent you. If you weren’t desperate now, why would you want to send your beautiful granddaughter to your doorstep? It’s okay not to make friends with such a young girl.”
Zhu Hao sighed: "But this Lu Shangshu once put down the rebellion in the Central Plains and can be regarded as a hero of the Ming Dynasty."
Su Xigui was a little surprised, and then asked curiously: "Does Mr. Zhu think that Mr. Huang should accept the marriage between the Lu family?"
"I don't mean this at all, I just feel it's a pity. If you are not humble and cautious, no matter how powerful you are and how great your contribution is, you will eventually end up being betrayed and separated from your relatives. This can be regarded as a warning to me."