Lu Song and several children listened to Zhu Hao's story together, and even lost track of time.
First, Lu Bing couldn't help it. He covered his stomach and said, "Dad, I'm hungry."
Lu Song heard the shout and was still unfinished. At this moment, footsteps came from the door. It was Lu Song's men who came over to see what was going on. It was clear that Lu Song just came in to urge Zhu San and Lu Bing to go back to the inner courtyard for dinner. Why did they go in?
No movement?
"Okay, that's it for today. Let's talk about it when we get back from the Mid-Autumn Festival." Zhu Hao's mouth was dry and he didn't want to continue talking.
Zhu San protested: "No, no! I haven't heard enough yet. You all should leave. I'll stay and continue to listen."
At this time, Zhu San was immersed in the joy of the little beggar teasing the silly boy, as if he had inserted himself into the role. He was enjoying listening to it, so how could he give up?
Even Jinghong couldn't help but glance at her, as if he remembered his previous entanglement with the story "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves" told by Zhu Hao. He guessed that this person, like him, was obsessed with the story told by Zhu Hao.
.
"Your Majesty, please return to the inner courtyard immediately, otherwise you will not be able to explain to the prince and Yuan Changshi."
Lu Song said righteously and sternly.
Previously, I was listening to stories with the children, but now my adult thinking has taken over again, and I quickly broke away from the world of martial arts.
When Zhu San heard that Lu Song used the names of his father and teacher to pressure him, he became discouraged, muttered and left with Lu Song.
…
…
"You are so awesome. How do you remember these stories?" Jinghong looked at Zhu Hao with some admiration after Lu Song, Lu Bing and Zhu San left.
Zhu Hao said: "If you listen too much, won't you remember it?"
Jinghong's eyes were filled with enthusiasm as he asked, "Who told you the story?"
"hehe."
Zhu Hao laughed and said nothing.
There was no teacher here, Zhu San and Lu Bing had both left, and there was no point in staying in the school any longer. Zhu Hao packed up his books and prepared to go back to the west courtyard to have something to eat before leaving the palace.
"Is it class time now? It might not be convenient to leave the palace." Jinghong said with a bit of worry.
Zhu Hao said: "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, who still has the heart to study now? Besides, who cares whether we study or not?"
Jinghong thought for a while, and it seemed that this was really the case.
Since I entered the palace, I have a husband and classmates in name, but in fact, I basically rely on myself to do my homework and no one cares about me.
In terms of supervision, only Zhu Hao will supervise them when he takes up the responsibility and becomes Mr. Zhu, but usually this guy just keeps busy with the things at hand.
Back in the west courtyard, the guards were carrying things, large and small boxes.
"Brothers, guards, do you need any help? What are these?" Zhu Hao walked over and asked with a smile.
The guard surnamed Lian replied: "It's for the festival... The Wangfu family has a great cause. Do you think there will be less things for the festival? Come and help me."
If there is free labor, of course you have to use it.
It happened that at this time, Luo Sheng, the deputy of the palace guard, brought people over for inspection and shouted sternly: "Hurry up and work without delay!"
Luo Sheng's status in the Royal Palace's Yiwei Department was higher than that of Lu Songlai. Lu Song was only one of the six canons of the Royal Palace's Yiwei Department. The reason why he was highly regarded was mainly because his wife was the prince's wet nurse, and the husband was valued based on his wife.
Usually responsible for the security work of the outer courtyard, as well as travel ceremonial guards, etc.
Luo Sheng, as the deputy of the ceremonial guard, was the second-in-command of the ceremonial guard department. He usually stayed at the palace's farm outside the city and rarely came back.
Luo Shengyu was born in a thousand households in Linweizheng. He is now over sixty years old and still in good spirits. According to history, after he passed away in the 16th year of Zhengde, his son Luo An inherited his position. Luo An was the second generation of Jinyiwei after Zhu Houcong succeeded Datong.
Commander.
Zhu Chen, the first commander of the Jinyi Guards, is now the Chief of Yiwei of Prince Xing's Mansion.
This group of guards originally wanted Zhu Hao to work as a free labor force, but when they saw Luo Sheng, they all remained silent and focused on their work. Luo Sheng looked at Zhu Hao and took them to the inner courtyard without any expression.
Looking at this battle, it's probably because the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching and the top officials of the royal palace have gathered together.
Lunch in the cafeteria has been taken out long ago.
After returning to the room, Zhu Hao took out the snacks and handed them to Jinghong, who shook his head and declined.
"We will leave the palace soon. If you go home hungry, will you eat more or less at night? If you eat more, your family will think you are not having a good life in the palace. If you eat less... aren't you hungry? ?We are friends, let’s take care of ourselves.”
Zhu Hao's words are reasonable and well-founded.
Jinghong thought for a while and realized that was really the case.
He just listened to stories at noon and didn't think carefully about what would happen if he didn't eat and went home. As a filial son, of course he couldn't let his family worry.
"Then thank you."
Jinghong was not as restrained as before. The two of them ate snacks, drank water, and returned to the school together.
"What happened to Guo Jing later?"
When Jinghong saw that Zhu San and the others had not come back, he couldn't help but want to continue listening to the story.
Zhu Hao said: "We agreed to talk about it when we come back during the Mid-Autumn Festival. We can't break our promises. Let's learn from you."
…
…
I didn’t see Zhu San again in the afternoon.
When the sun set in the west, Lu Bing followed his father Lu Song to the bookstore.
"You can leave." Lu Song came to deliver the message.
Jinghong said "Oh", put down the book in his hand, stood up to leave, but saw Zhu Hao walking towards Lu Song with a smile on his face.
"Lu Dianzhan, tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since your husband won't come today, why don't you let us go home early?" Zhu Hao asked.
Lu Song glared at Zhu Hao and didn't answer.
Lu Bingze asked with a bit of excitement: "Dad, can I bring things home this year?"
Lu Song still didn't answer.
When he returned to the west courtyard, Zhu Hao found two bamboo baskets outside the house where he and Jinghong lived. There were many things in the bamboo baskets. They should be holiday gifts from the palace to his companion.
Lu Bing went over to take a look excitedly, but Lu Song grabbed him back: "I've asked your mother to take your share home. You can see it when you get back."
"Okay." Lu Bing was very happy.
At such a young age, although he did not earn a salary in the palace, he had already begun to bring things home, which gave him a sense of accomplishment.
Lu Song said: "You can go home after you go in and pack up."
After saying this, Lu Song did not stare, explained to the guards, and took his son away first.
…
…
Zhu Hao and Jinghong packed their things separately. They were also curious about what was in the bamboo basket.
After looking at it, I found that it was not a very expensive thing. There were some ingredients for making eight-treasure porridge, a bag of whole grains, some dried salted fish, two ink stands, and a few writing brushes, which were also wrapped in baggage. Some salted duck eggs and hard-boiled eggs.
Finally, there are the mooncakes, there are eight pieces, and I don’t know what the fillings are.
"The royal family's treatment is really good." Zhu Hao said with a smile.
Jinghong raised his head and glanced at Zhu Hao. He wanted to say, is this not bad?
Usually what you eat is stronger than this.
Zhu Hao said: "I'm going home first, will you leave?"
"Walk!"
Jinghong didn't want to stay in the palace for a long time, so he hurriedly packed up and left the palace with Zhu Hao.
On the way, the guards saw the two children but ignored them. At this time, there were still people moving things into the palace. Obviously, these things were not bought by the palace for distribution, but were gifts from outsiders to Prince Xing's palace.
Even though Prince Xing's Mansion usually has little contact with local officials and gentry, it is still common practice for officials and gentry to show adequate etiquette during festivals and festivals. After all, given the aloof status of Prince Xing's Mansion, if he deliberately stirs up trouble, it will cause local turmoil.
Especially those officials and gentry with strong family backgrounds are most afraid of being robbed by powerful forces.
Prince Xing's Mansion has a good reputation in Anlu. Firstly, Zhu Youqi is a kind-hearted person, and secondly, Prince Mansion Chief Shi Yuan Zonggao is courteous to others. Even though there are some young people in the Prince's Mansion, they dare not cause trouble easily if someone suppresses them.
On the contrary, some local state capitals where vassal residences existed were not necessarily so peaceful. The most notable one was Prince Ning's Mansion in Nanchang.
"Zhu Hao, should we go listen to a book?"
After Jinghong left the palace, he was not in a hurry to go home and wanted to go to the bookstore.
Zhu Hao shook his head and warned: "Jinghong, I have to remind you to go home early after school, so that your family will not find out our secret of escaping the night. If you must listen to books, it is better to invite your family to go with you in the evening." , I just said that I heard from the prince at the palace that the bookstore was very lively..."
This is based on experience.
It is natural for children to be playful and playful, but the problem is that everyone in your family knows that you are going home now. How do you explain if the time doesn't match up?
Jinghong nodded in understanding, and the two of them said goodbye at the intersection.
Zhu Hao hadn't gone far when he saw the county magistrate's yamen coming to pick up Jinghong. Apparently Prince Xing's Mansion had informed the county yamen in advance that the child would go home early in the afternoon. Maybe Zhu Hao's status was not high and no one cared about it, but As the son of the county magistrate, Jinghong would not be easy to handle for the palace if something happened to him.
If Jinghong had gone to listen to a book, he would have missed the people who came to greet him, and it would be hard to explain when he returned.
…
…
Zhu Hao returned home.
The shop was very lively, with many neighbors coming to buy holiday items.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the four traditional festivals. Since ancient times, there have been customs such as worshiping the moon, appreciating the moon, eating moon cakes, playing with lanterns, appreciating osmanthus, and drinking osmanthus wine. In addition, the autumn harvest has just passed and people have some money on hand, so they will naturally come to buy some. The east and west celebrate the festival, and the business of the usually deserted shops has obviously improved.
"Xiaohao, your mother is waiting for you behind."
The person settling accounts behind the counter is Aunt Li.
Zhu Hao walked in with the basket and heard the aunt outside talking: "Mother Zhu's child? Is he so old? I heard he is working in the palace now? He is really awesome."
Zhu Hao wanted to say, thank you for the compliment.
Entering the yard, I saw Zhu Niang and Zhu Ting picking vegetables there. The festival was coming soon, and the family was making preparations in advance.
"Your aunt's hand is cut. She can't touch water for the next two days. Let her support you at the counter while I come over to do some work... Xiaohao, what is this?"
Zhu Niang was very kind and did not bully the younger because she was an eldest wife and Aunt Li was a concubine. With her husband gone, the two could not remarry in the shackles of the world, and they became sisters who depended on each other for life.
Zhu Hao said: "It's a holiday gift from the palace. There are moon cakes and salted duck eggs in it... Xiaoting, do you want to eat it?"
Zhu Ting's eyes lit up and she turned to look at Zhu Niang.
Zhu Niang smiled and said, "Come in and eat with your brother."
"Mom, let me help you."
Zhu Hao put down his things and sat down to help.
Zhu Niang waved her hand quickly: "It's very hard for you to study in the palace, just let your mother do all the work... Xiao Ting, you can come in too. If Xiao Hao has free time, he will teach your sister how to read. She is very smart and learns quickly. "
For Zhu Niang, her son was a scholar and would have great potential in the future. In this era, the idea that a gentleman stayed away from the kitchen was deeply ingrained. Zhu Niang did not want her son to do anything that would damage the dignity of a scholar just to lighten her burden.
That day was not the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the family sat together for a reunion dinner in the evening.
Mother Zhu was very happy: "This year we have finally stabilized, we have money, and Xiaohao has started to study. Everything will be fine for our family in the future."
Zhu Hao said: "Mom, since we have some spare money, why don't we do anything else and invite a maid back?"