Family Letters
Di Shaoze studied harder. Not only did he stop going out for fun, he even stopped the crickets in the house from fighting. The days in the mansion passed faster and faster, and he would be reading every day until evening in the blink of an eye.
He no longer said any childish or discouraging words, and completed his homework seriously and beautifully, which comforted Lin Huai'en a lot. At the same time, as he grew older, his uncle wrote a letter from the distant frontier and asked a retired veteran to teach him shooting.
Di Shaoze lost his freedom at a young age. He spent the whole day hunched over, reciting books and practicing spear fighting, revealing a melancholy and depression that was not appropriate for his age. Huai En was fine, but I don't know why his uncle also urged him like this. Do they really think they can become the overlord of a region?
The pressure is so great...
But Di Shaoze had nothing to complain about. His uncle and Huai En were the apple of his eye. As long as they needed him, Di Shaoze was willing to give everything for them, even if it made him miserable because of schoolwork at a young age. He didn't care.
Di Shaoze could only occasionally take a break from his busy schedule and sit on a stone bridge in the pond to feed the koi. Looking at the lively fish tails swinging back and forth, he envied their freedom from the bottom of his heart. At this time, Lin Huai'en came hurriedly from the left side of the stone bridge.
Lin Huai'en bowed, and after a long pause, he asked shyly, "Your Highness... can you send a letter for me?"
Di Shaoze and Lin Huai'en were both monarch and subject, and master and disciple. Although they were close, there was a limit to their relationship. Lin Huai'en had never mentioned any needs to him. This rare situation made Di Shaoze stand up straight and throw all the fish food in his hand into the pond. Such a good opportunity, he had to perform well. He quickly reached out and took the letter and bag held by Lin Huai'en -
This bag is full of money.
It turned out that Lin Huai'en worked in the prosperous capital and saved up a lot of heavy wages. This was the first wages he had saved in his life and it was of great significance. Of course he wanted to send it to his mother so that she could enjoy it together. But how could an ordinary person dare to send such a large sum of money to the post station? It would be like a sheep venturing into a wolf's den.
Lin Huai'en hesitated for several times at the door of the post station, and finally did not dare to go in. The money was his hard-earned money, and he did not want to take any risk.
An idea suddenly struck him, and he finally thought of his own little prince. The little prince could go through official channels and have a special person deliver the letter all the way with a good horse, without having to pass it through several hands. And those officials who were investigating the case would not dare to open the official letter, and they would probably not even want to take their heads off. So the wages would definitely reach his mother without a single cent missing.
So Lin Huai'en returned home and found Di Shaoze.
Di Shaoze made the decision and said, "Leave it to me, Huai'en, don't worry." He pinched the purse tightly in his hand and asked with concern, "Huai'en, are you sending most of it to your mother? Don't you want to keep some for yourself?"
Lin Huai'en smiled and said, "No, my food, clothes, and shelter are all provided by the mansion. I don't have much money to spend. On the contrary, the village needs money for a whole year after farming one season. My mother needs money more."
Di Shaoze thought for a moment and then said, "I'll tell them to rush it eight hundred miles. It will be delivered within a few days."
Lin Huai'en breathed a sigh of relief. The young prince doted on him. He could clearly feel that after leaving his hometown and coming to the capital, he had no relatives or friends. He knew nothing about the trendy topics, places to visit, and popular games that people in the capital talked about. Occasionally, he wanted to make a few friends and could feel the sense of community among the people in the capital.
He had never grown up here and had no passport to make friends.
Only the little prince's purity and peace could make him relax a little.
Lin Huai'en found it difficult to describe this special feeling of closeness. He pulled out a square piece of satin from his bosom, unfolded it a few times, and revealed a bluish-white jade pendant. He handed it over, "I bought this jade pendant with my wages, and I want to give it to Your Highness."
At this point, Lin Huai'en revealed a bit of embarrassment. "It's a crude... crude thing. Although it's far from the standard of your Highness's use, I still hope Your Highness will accept it and wear it occasionally when you have free time."
Di Shaoze frowned and said, "Why thank me? I would be happy to deliver it for you even if it doesn't cost you a penny." Lin Huai'en's alienation made Di Shaoze's mood instantly depressed, and the end of his tone unconsciously carried a bit of grievance.
"No, no..." Lin Huai'en waved his hands quickly, realizing that giving something at this time was somewhat ambiguous. However, he was not the type to say sentimental words. After a pause, he said, "I picked this out specially for Your Highness at Xiliang Shop. I heard from the owner that it is top-quality blue-white jade, and some dignitaries also come to buy it. Your Highness helped me out on the long street, brought me back to the mansion, and reused me. I don't know how to express my feelings, so I can only use this piece of jade to express my feelings."
The first salary he saved in a foreign place was of great significance. It was natural for his mother to get a share, but Di Shaoze did not expect that he would also get a share. He felt a burning sensation in his heart at the surprise.
The moment he took it, he decided to wear it every day, saying only, "I will use it well."
Emperor Shaoze didn't let anyone else take over, but went to the post station himself. After explaining his purpose, the postmaster carefully held the letter and bag, and then said, "Your Highness should know that Qinghe County is suffering from floods due to the recent continuous rain. Baihe County has suffered severely, but you don't know that the small neighboring Qingcheng County is also suffering from the same disaster. It's just that the area is too small, so the disaster seems minor, and the canal repairs are even less qualified. Several villages have been severely affected, and their houses have been washed away. The villagers have taken refuge in the mountains... I'm afraid they will be difficult to find, but I will definitely do what Your Highness has instructed. Please rest assured, no matter where you are, I will ensure that the letter is delivered."
When Di Shaoze heard this, he couldn't help but worry. When people in the capital were out for an outing, the remote small county had problems even with food and accommodation. However, he had no title or official position, so he had no authority to take care of such matters.
Di Shaoze lowered his eyes and waved his hand, saying, "Go."
The postmaster kowtowed and said, "Yes."
Di Shaoze was worried about this matter for several days, and the postmaster was also very dedicated. After a few days, he sent someone to the mansion to deliver a reply letter and a purse with half of its money missing. When Lin Huai'en received the things, his eyes were still smiling, but in the evening, Di Shaoze saw that he had a sullen face, and after seeing himself, he tried several times to force a smile, and his mood was all written on his face.
Di Shaoze knew that Lin Huai'en knew about his hometown.
Di Shaoze was worried, so he ordered people to go out and buy the latest poetry collection. He carried the book all the way to the bamboo courtyard, hoping to coax Lin Huai'en and make him happy.
When I entered the door, Lin Huai'en was sitting at the desk writing something, his eyes were red.
Seeing that he was holding back his tears, refusing to cry or speak, Di Shaoze sat on the couch in silence for a long time before speaking: "Huai En, have you heard what your mother said about your village?"
Lin Huai'en shook his head. "No... Mother didn't tell me about the disaster. She only had someone write a letter about a sow giving birth to eight piglets. She also complained about me sending so much money back home, saying that expenses in the capital were high and I should save some. It was only when the head of the pavilion sent a letter that I learned that my family was flooded. She thought that since I was in the capital, I would have better access to other places, so she asked me to ask for help."
They said they were asking for help, but in fact, Lin Huai'en himself had no official position, and Di Shaoze had no real power. However, the villagers did not understand these official affairs, they only knew that Lin Huai'en was promising, so they came to ask for help like grasping at straws.
Lin Huai'en put down his pen and said, "It's because my mother didn't say anything that I'm even more worried. Plus, the captain said this is the biggest flood since he started working..." Lin Huai'en couldn't go on. Besides, if he really cried in front of others, it would be the kind of crying that he couldn't stop.
So he quickly changed the subject: "Your Highness may not know that there is a huge gap between our county and the neighboring Baihe County. Baihe County is rich and close to the water. When Qinghe County is mentioned, Baihe County is the one that comes to mind. When it was hit by a disaster, everyone was concerned."
"Every place is different. People in the same prefecture have different fates, and even people in the same county have different fates. Our village is poor and remote. When the court allocates resources, our village is rarely given a turn. Building a canal is unthinkable."
These words were what Lin Huai'en felt in his heart. If he told the people in the capital around him, they would all sigh, but the sigh would be over, so Lin Huai'en would not tell them. However, he naturally told Di Shaoze everything because he knew that Di Shaoze could understand.
Di Shaoze pursed his lips and said nothing, but he was indeed listening.
"There are many counties like ours..." Lin Huai'en murmured, "I hope that sooner or later, someone in higher up will discover this..."
Di Shaoze placed the poetry collection on Lin Huai'en's desk, glanced at what Lin Huai'en had written, and said, "Huai'en, the kitchen has cooked a few side dishes. You should go to the central hall to eat first. You still have to eat."
Lin Huai'en was about to shake his head when he met Di Shaoze's concerned eyes. After thinking for a moment, he stood up and said, "Okay."
After Lin Huai'en left, Di Shaoze touched his desk and picked up the "Disaster Guide" with the ink still wet. After flipping through it, he smiled in surprise and then walked out.
Although Di Shaoze had no real power, it did not prevent his mother's family from having friendly officials. However, most of them were military generals. Di Shaoze searched his mind and remembered a third-rank military general who was slightly knowledgeable in literature. He went to the door with a guide...
After losing the guide, Lin Huai'en became even more distraught. In addition, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the streets and houses were full of joy. The lights were all replaced with colorful ones, and everyone had a smile on their face. The happy scene contrasted with the sad mood. Unless it was necessary, Lin Huai'en rarely left the room.
It is impossible and too cruel to ask him to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival when his hometown is suffering from disaster!
A few days later, the postmaster arrived with another letter, claiming it had been sent from his hometown. Lin Huai'en nervously opened it, only to see that the letter explained that the county had exchanged grain with a nearby county, selected a location for a charity granary, and worked together to build a disaster relief center. Instead of waiting for funding from above, neighbors were helping each other. The postmaster, realizing it was all Lin Huai'en's work, wrote to express his gratitude.
Lin Huai'en was stunned. This was exactly what was written in his guide.
Is it a coincidence?
No, it can't be a coincidence. Lin Huai'en thought about it and began to doubt the timing of losing the guide. Could it be that the little prince helped his hometown?
Lin Huai'en felt a warm feeling in his heart, and he ran to the central hall impatiently, hoping to find the young prince. However, before he could find him, a shocking piece of news came first -
The little prince was humiliated.
His Majesty had always forbidden the young prince from engaging in officialdom, but this time, having discovered his secret dealings with officials, he unleashed his mighty power, forcing him to kneel on the long steps beneath the throne room for a whole day and night...
Kneeling alone is not the most important thing, but the fact that the people around him are all officials. For a prince to kneel like a criminal in front of all the ministers, isn't this a great shame and humiliation?
After the court session, the ministers were so frightened that they dared not speak, nor did they dare to accept the gold from the prince's knees. They all avoided the main steps and walked away to the secondary steps. However, they could not help but look at Di Shaoze's expression out of curiosity. Fortunately, Di Shaoze lowered his head and would not meet anyone's eyes, so the scene would not be too ugly.
But even if the situation is manageable on the surface, when everyone goes home privately, humiliating discussions and pointing fingers are inevitable.
However, the Crown Prince and the other princes did not take a detour. They walked towards the main steps as usual, even slowing down their pace, and walked past Emperor Shaoze in a dignified manner...
Upon hearing such a punishment, the butler was almost frightened silly, his body shaking like a sieve. While trying to figure out what had happened, he was worried about the risks. After he had no idea what to do, he asked whether he should tell Major General Bai Hai.
Di Shaoze's eyes were red with humiliation, and he said harshly, "Don't say it! Don't let my uncle know about this! If you dare to reveal a single word, I will fine you three years' wages!"
The butler was shocked by the young prince's low tone and nodded in agreement.
After saying that, Di Shaoze slammed the door shut and ordered no one to come near.
The atmosphere in the mansion was heavy, and the servants were extremely cautious in their words and actions, not even uttering the words "long steps" and "kneeling." His Highness's humiliation was the humiliation of the entire mansion. They knew this matter was serious and feared that innocent people would be harmed.
Fortunately, Di Shaoze is not a difficult person. When something happens, he never takes his anger out on his servants, but just keeps it to himself.
Lin Huai'en hadn't seen Di Shaoze for a long time.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the invitation to the family dinner in the palace was rejected. Emperor Shaoze claimed to be ill. After all, this incident had happened and became the talk of the whole capital. He also knelt down to all his brothers, so how could he have the face to attend the dinner again?
Lin Huai'en made mooncakes himself, and when he arrived at Di Shaoze's door, he knocked and said, "Your Highness, Your Highness."
No one in the house answered.
Lin Huai'en continued, "Your Highness, I made mooncakes. It's my first time, so they're not very good, but they're fresh and hot. Your Highness, please try them while they're still hot. Your Highness? Little Prince? Your Highness?"
Lin Huai'en carried the heavy food box, leaned against the door and shouted, his voice deliberately soft.
The house was still silent.
Suddenly, Lin Huai'en said pitifully again: "Alas... His Highness doesn't even want to see me. What should I do? I have no friends or relatives in the capital. I'm so pitiful... If even His Highness doesn't accompany me, I'll have no one to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with..."
"Your Highness, please look at me."
A helpless voice came from inside the house, "Come in."
Lin Huai'en curled the corners of his mouth slightly, opened the door and entered the room, walked around the four screens in the hall, and went to the inner room. He saw Di Shaoze wearing only a white middle garment, with long hair like a waterfall, sitting on the couch drinking tea. His eyebrows and eyes were as handsome as before, but with a hint of haggardness and paleness. This made Lin Huai'en feel a little relieved. The little prince should have recovered a lot.
Lin Huai'en placed the food box on the tea table and handed the mooncake inside to Di Shaoze: "Your Highness, please try it."
Di Shaoze took the mooncake and ate it bite by bite, slowly but seriously.
Lin Huai'en also ate a red bean mooncake, not daring to mention the kneeling on the long steps. He only said, "I've been learning this for several days, and I made it especially to thank Your Highness. After my hometown received the guidance, the situation after this disaster has been alleviated compared to previous ones. I'm very grateful to Your Highness."
Lin Huai'en took out another stack of letters from his arms: "Your Highness, please take a look."
This pile of paper pages are all letters from the village, and they are all written in the same handwriting. Not many villagers can read, so there are only two or three educated ghostwriters.
These letters were three or four pages long, and each page was filled with densely packed handwriting, which could have broken the ghostwriter's hand.
Di Shaoze opened the letter and took a look at it, his eyebrows curved like a crescent moon.
Lin Huai'en hadn't told the villagers that he was a counselor under the prince, only that he was a noble. The words of gratitude in the letter were very simple. He also asked Huai'en to bring the noble to the village when he had time, and everyone would give him a warm welcome. The village didn't have anything else, but there were plenty of sweet potatoes and corn! And there were mountain views that couldn't be seen in the city!
Di Shaoze read through the pages one by one and soon started laughing.
Lin Huai'en didn't miss any of Di Shaoze's expressions. Seeing that his Highness's brows relaxed and then blinked slyly, he asked, "Is your Highness happier?"
Di Shaoze was stunned, stopped laughing, and said with a rather arrogant tone through his nasal cavity: "Hmm..."
Lin Huai'en held his cheeks with both hands and asked with concern: "Your Highness, are the mooncakes delicious?"
Di Shaoze answered truthfully, "It's OK...", then realized he was wrong and quickly made amends, "But... being freshly baked adds to its flavor. It's a taste I've never tasted before."
Lin Huai'en bent his eyes and smiled cutely: "That's good. As long as Your Highness likes it."
Lin Huai'en gave the letter and food at the same time, and this smooth combo almost made Di Shaoze melt.
Di Shaoze's appetite was whetted, and he swallowed the whole mooncake without realizing it.
Lin Huai'en opened the window next to him to let the cool breeze in. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the round and bright moon was embedded in the dark night sky, with no stars around it.
"Your Highness..." Lin Huai'en pinched the mooncake and sighed as he admired the moon. "I have no friends or relatives in the capital. You are the only person I know. I am really grateful to Your Highness for taking care of me and appreciating me."
"Although I can't go back to my hometown for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Your Highness, you've helped me so much. I feel a sense of closeness. It's like I've grabbed a piece of driftwood in a drifting city..." Lin Huai'en smiled gently, "Because Your Highness is here, I'm willing to show some affection for this place and regard it as my second home."
Upon hearing this, Di Shaoze was stunned, forgetting to bite the mooncake beside his mouth. He looked at Lin Huai'en for a while, put the mooncake down, and while he was thinking about how to respond, his ears had already turned red. In the end, he could only say: "Huai'en... Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Lin Huai'en replied cheerfully, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Mid-Autumn Festival.
Reunion night.
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