Lu Zhaoan and Yao Niang watched Lu Jingan wash the bamboo fungus, and were very worried about the cleanliness of the soup.
Seeing the black particles bobbing up and down in the pot of bamboo fungus soup, which was slightly cloudy compared to the usual bamboo fungus soup, the two of them were not interested.
However, the eldest prince, seeing how precious Lu Jing'an looked, was determined to try it.
Lu Jing'an didn't dare to protect him too much, and reluctantly served him a bowl.
Zhao Yang blew on the rim of the bowl, took a sip, and his expression became somewhat serious.
He looked at Lu Jing'an suspiciously, but seeing the genuine appreciation in Lu Jing'an's eyes, he couldn't help but take another sip, and finally couldn't help but frown.
Why does it smell so earthy?
The elders of the Lu family have always favored Lu Jing'an. Could it be because the child was born with a deficiency in taste?
The prince, whose heart was usually cold and hard, couldn't help but feel a little sympathy.
Lu Jing'an felt a little uneasy under his gaze. He could tell there was no hostility, but he also had a vague feeling that something was not a good thing.
He poured himself a bowl of bamboo fungus soup, shook the bowl with anticipation, and took a delicious sip.
But he suddenly spat out the liquid in his mouth.
Gu Yaoniang had already anticipated this, and seeing his reaction, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She turned to look at Lu Zhaoan, who also knew the situation, only to find him smiling at her. Her smile remained, but she suddenly felt a little awkward.
Yao Niang and Lu Zhao'an's laughter clearly displeased Lu Jing'an. He snorted coldly, picked up an empty bowl beside him, filled one for each of them, and said with a snort, "Drink up!"
The two of them shook their heads in unison and refused.
Princess Ruining became curious and reached out to take the soup bowl from Lu Jing'an's hand.
Lu Jing'an was only annoyed by Gu Yaoniang and Lu Zhao'an, and since he did not want to tease Princess Ruining, he naturally refused to give her the bowl.
Seeing Princess Ruining's suspicious look, Lu Zhaoan said, "The child is just throwing a tantrum. Princess, please don't mind him."
Unable to get Gu Yaoniang and Lu Zhaoan to drink it, and unwilling to see Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan drink it, Lu Jingan could only awkwardly admit that the soup tasted bad and poured the rest of the soup into the river.
Stars hang in the sky, casting sparse rays of light.
Young men and women gathered around a bonfire, enjoying the fragrant roasted meat.
Princess Ruining ordered that green bamboo wine be prepared. The cool wine dispelled the heat of the summer night as it entered her throat, but also brought a warm feeling to her stomach.
The riverbank seemed to be wrapped in a soft silver veil, and the leaves rustled and swayed gently in the wind.
As usual, Gu Yaoniang didn't dare to drink any alcohol, focusing only on eating the roasted meat.
The aroma of meat mingled with the scent of wine in the air, and the orange flames bathed the six people in a soft red glow.
Its figure became a silhouette in the darkness, appearing exceptionally serene and beautiful even though it was still in the mortal world.
I don't know who started it, but someone stood up and began humming the well-known "Song Under the Moon" from the Dacheng period—
“Give me wealth and gifts me fine clothes.”
Help me rise to prominence, and I will be grateful for your service.
They asked me for a hound, and I returned the favor by cutting my robe in return.
I think what I do, what can you do about it!
Legend has it that Si Wenru, a famous minister of the previous dynasty, was favored by the prime minister at the time for his talent and received great help in his career.
The previous dynasty did not organize extensive imperial examinations, and the selection of talents mainly relied on recommendations from powerful and aristocratic families.
Si Wenru came from a humble background and, despite his great talent, found himself unable to serve his country and his ambitions thwarted. Finally, with the help of the prime minister, he entered the court and was able to put his abilities to use. Therefore, he held the prime minister in the highest esteem and was filled with gratitude.
Unexpectedly, the prime minister gradually forgot his original intentions and became a powerful minister who brought chaos to the country. He took advantage of the favor he had received and demanded that Si Wenru join him in his corrupt ways, but Si Wenru resolutely refused.
The path to success that the prime minister had paved for Si Wenru was abruptly severed by the prime minister himself. His former glory vanished like smoke, and he was only reinstated after the prime minister's downfall.
But by then he was already an old man, and although his original aspirations remained unchanged, he no longer had the vigor he had in his youth.
He then petitioned the emperor to establish an academy in the suburbs of the capital, specifically to reward impoverished but ambitious scholars, hoping that financial hardship would no longer be a stumbling block on their path to learning and serving the country.
When Si Wenru was in court, he was a man of pure heart, speaking out for the people; in his old age, he devoted himself to teaching and nurturing countless talents for this land. The people were deeply grateful for his kindness. It is said that "Song Under the Moon" was written during his exile to Xizhou, and it has become widely circulated.
People use this to admonish future generations to never forget their original aspirations and keep their mission in mind, and to always maintain a childlike enthusiasm no matter where they are.
It was after that that those in power became deeply disgusted with the situation of powerful families dominating the country, realized the importance of the imperial examination system, and continuously reformed the system, which led to the current situation of opening up many special imperial examinations.
With dedication, even students from impoverished backgrounds can serve their country.
Under the moonlight, the young people formed a circle, holding hands, singing and dancing around the campfire, waving their arms and nimbly leaping around.
At this time, they were just six ordinary young people in the Dacheng Dynasty.
It has nothing to do with identity, gender, or romance.
They were just six ordinary young people, full of passion and aspirations, who prayed for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of its people.
I don't know how much time passed, but I was getting a little tired.
They gradually stopped and walked to the riverbank.
The summer night breeze still felt a bit hot on my face.
Lu Jing'an bent down, picked up a pebble, and skipped it across the river.
As he threw the object, he shouted towards the opposite bank, "My dad, stop forcing me to study!"
Seeing this, the others followed his example and picked up stones to throw into the river.
Princess Ruining's pebble flew the farthest. In the dim light of the night, the crowd counted that it had flown nine times before disappearing into the darkness, making it impossible to tell whether it had fallen into the river.
However, the eldest prince, Zhao Yang, threw four or five in a row, but they still sank immediately upon entering the water.
Lu Jing'an, simple-minded and oblivious to Zhao Yang's unpleasant expression, spoke with a lighthearted surprise: "Cousin Yao! Your stone went the farthest! My nanny told me that the farther you throw a stone, the more likely your wish will come true! What wish were you thinking about just now?"
Will my wish come true?
Princess Ruining Zhao Yao smiled as she recalled what she had just been thinking.
"I hope I can establish a girls' school so that all girls in the world who are willing to study can learn to read and write. I don't seek official positions or high-ranking positions, but only that they can be their own masters, have the right and freedom to choose, and no longer suffer the pain of displacement!"
Everyone else looked at her.
Lu Jing'an's face was filled with the longing and admiration of a young man. He chuckled foolishly, "A princess is a princess. Her wishes are completely different from mine."
Lu Zhao'an's face remained largely expressionless, but Zhao Yang laughed heartily, "Your Majesty is a model for women; indeed, your thoughts and ideas are those of a woman!"
Zhao Yang was also stirred with pride. He was the only prince under the emperor's tutelage and had always been raised to be the heir to the empire.
He said, "Very well! I am willing to create a prosperous and peaceful era and achieve unparalleled feats!"
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