After the Lantern Festival, Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao prepared to move to a villa outside the city.
Nanny Fang and her maid packed their luggage.
Gu Jiu asked for a simple and light vehicle, but found that it was impossible to keep it simple.
Before anyone set out, ten carts of luggage had already been transported to the villa.
There were at least ten more carts of luggage behind.
"Carry less luggage."
"Madam and His Highness will be away for at least three to five months, and at most a year and a half, so they'll need luggage. Food, daily necessities, clothing—none of them can be left out. You have to bring the books in the bookcase, your brushes, inkstones, medicinal herbs, and even your bedding and quilts..."
Gu Jiu was convinced!
There is no other choice but to retreat and let Nanny Fang deal with it.
Yu Ge'er followed Gu Jiu eagerly.
"Mother, can my son also live with you in the other courtyard?"
His parents and younger brother were all gone, leaving him alone. He felt like he was abandoned by the whole world.
Gu Jiu looked at Yu Ge'er's red eyes, which looked like he wanted to cry but was trying hard to hold it back.
She squatted down and touched Yu Ge'er's head. "We are going to the other courtyard as a family. You are also a member of the family. Of course you have to go with us."
"Really?" Yu Ge'er asked pitifully, "My son really doesn't have to go to the palace to study? Can I really live in the other courtyard with my father, mother, and brother?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Of course, mother has already asked for leave for you."
"Will the Emperor agree?"
"He will agree." Gu Jiu said affirmatively.
…
Inside the palace, Chang En served Emperor Wende.
"Your Majesty, the eldest prince and his family are leaving the palace for the other courtyard today."
"I understand!"
Emperor Wende continued to review memorials.
Chang En calmly placed the letter from Gu Jiu requesting leave for Yu Ge'er in front of him.
Not long after, Emperor Wende received Gu Jiu's memorial.
When he opened it, Emperor Wende laughed.
"What did I say about the New Year's Eve palace banquet?"
"Your Majesty said that all the princes and grandchildren who are of school age must study in the palace."
Emperor Wende smiled and said, "Has Gu Jiu become stupid? Doesn't she understand what I say or what? I told her that Yu Ge'er has to stay in the palace to study, so why did she still ask for leave?"
Chang En said cautiously, "Your Highness and Madam Zhao will be away for at least three to five months this time. It may be that Madam Zhao is reluctant to leave Young Master Yu."
"A loving mother often spoils her child!" Emperor Wende scolded softly.
Chang En hesitated for a moment before saying, "Last time, I met the Grand Master of the Imperial Household. He mentioned that Madam Zhao is willing to contribute to paving all the official roads in the capital with cement. It has to be at least fifty miles long. Starting from the capital, each official road should be paved for fifty miles."
Emperor Wende raised an eyebrow, "Did the Minister of the Imperial Household really say that?"
"I just listened to what I heard. I guess this matter hasn't been officially finalized yet. So many official roads must cost a lot of money."
Emperor Wende smiled and picked up Gu Jiu's memorial again. "I remember her motherly love and have granted her special permission to live with me in the other courtyard. However, his studies must not be delayed. After returning to the capital, I will carefully examine him."
"Your Majesty, be merciful!"
Emperor Wende picked up his pen and wrote the bright red word "准" on the memorial.
At noon, Emperor Wende rested.
Chang En specifically took out Gu Jiu's memorial and handed it to his godson, "Hurry up and send it to Madam Zhao and tell her that our family has fulfilled the mission."
"My son knows."
…
In the palace, Gu Jiu finished lunch with the two children.
Another ten carts of luggage were transported to the villa.
Xu Yousi quietly reminded Gu Jiu, "Madam, if we don't leave now, it might be too late."
Gu Jiu said, "Wait a little longer. At worst, I can go out again tomorrow, it will be the same. Where is His Highness?"
"Your Highness went out early this morning with Eunuch Lin and Eunuch Qian. They haven't returned yet."
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly, "No need to wait for them, pack your luggage according to the plan and take everything you need."
"Madam, Madam, Eunuch Wu is here."
Xiao Cui ran in from outside with a happy look on her face, still panting.
Gu Jiu suddenly laughed, "It seems there is news from the palace. Please invite Eunuch Wu in quickly."
Soon, Eunuch Wu was invited into the small study.
"Congratulations, ma'am. Congratulations, ma'am. My godfather has fulfilled his mission and has helped Master Yu get the vacation."
After saying that, Eunuch Wu took out the memorial and placed it in front of Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu opened it and saw the bright red word "准" (quasi-accurate) on it, which looked particularly pleasing to the eye.
"Thank you for the trouble, Eunuch Wu. Go back and tell your godfather that I will fulfill my promise soon. Please be patient and wait."
Eunuch Wu laughed. "Madam, your reputation is excellent. My godfather is not worried. I wish you a safe journey."
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile, "Xu Yousi, send Eunuch Wu out."
Xu Yousi bowed and accepted the order, escorted the man out, and handed him a purse. Inside the purse were two hundred-liang silver notes.
Eunuch Wu was very satisfied after getting the purse.
He knew that if he went to Madam Zhao's place, he would definitely get a lot of money.
It is a recognized fact in the palace that Madam Zhao is generous.
Many people in the palace hope to have the opportunity to visit the palace and meet Madam Zhao.
Eunuch Wu hurried back to the palace to report.
After entering the palace, not long after walking, I met Zhou Miao.
"Oh, isn't this Eunuch Wu? We pay our respects to Eunuch Wu."
Zhou Miao saluted in a very formal manner.
However, in terms of rank, Zhou Miao is half a head higher than Eunuch Wu.
"I was wondering who it was. It turned out to be Eunuch Zhou. Isn't Eunuch Zhou on duty today?"
Zhou Miao laughed, his eyes narrowed into slits.
"I just finished my work today and will have three days to rest. I was planning to leave the palace. Eunuch Wu, did you just come back from outside the palace? You look so happy, are you going to see Madam Zhao?"
Eunuch Wu said sternly, "I have to hurry back to report, so I don't have time to chat with Eunuch Zhou. Please make yourself at your leisure."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Zhou Miao stared at Eunuch Wu's back and sneered. Then he hummed a little tune and walked out of the palace.
…
With the permission of Emperor Wende, Gu Jiu can take Yu Ge'er to the villa.
Yu Ge'er was so happy that he held his younger brother Heng Ge'er's hand and played wildly in the garden.
He thought that from today on, he would no longer have to study.
How young and naive.
When he arrives at the villa, he will be faced with double the homework and more subjects to study.
I wonder if Yu Ge'er will shed tears of regret at that time.
Many years later, when he looks back, he might say: The longest road I have ever walked is the routine of my parents.
Xiao Cui ran to Gu Jiu and reported, "Madam, Eunuch Zhou is here. He said he learned that you were going to live in another courtyard, so he came to see you off."
"He must be a weasel paying a New Year's visit to a chicken with ulterior motives." Qingzhu said casually.
Gu Jiu laughed and said, "Don't worry about his purpose. Since he has arrived at the door, let him in."
Zhou Miao was invited into the small study.
Seeing several boxes piled on the ground, he smiled and said, "Madam is about to go out. Fortunately, we came here at the right time, otherwise we would have to go out of the city to visit Madam at the other courtyard."
"Eunuch Zhou, have some tea."
Gu Jiu asked Zhou Miao to sit down.
Zhou Miao sat down casually on the chair. "I've been to many officials' homes, but only here, Madam, do I feel the most comfortable. I really don't want Madam to leave the capital."
Gu Jiu looked at Zhou Miao with a half-smile, "I don't have much time, so if you have anything to say, please speak directly."
"Haha, speak frankly, speak frankly. I will definitely speak frankly. I have been working with Madam for many years, so Madam, please rest assured of my credibility."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Eunuch Zhou has a good reputation, but his asking price is too high."
“Not high, not high, all prices are reasonable.”
Gu Jiu smiled and asked, "Eunuch Zhou, are you short of money?"
Zhou Miao laughed heartily. "The one who knows me best is Madam. Madam, you've been to the other courtyard, so you're not as well informed about the news in the palace. I can pass on the news for Madam. What do you think?"
Gu Jiu held the teacup but didn't drink. "Don't you know, Eunuch Zhou, that this time, Your Highness and I are living in the other courtyard to cultivate our moral character and stay away from trouble. This lady is not anxious to know what's going on in the palace."
Zhou Miao shook her head repeatedly. "Madam, your words are biased. Even if you are going to cultivate your character, you should still be aware of the affairs of the world. In order to prevent accidents from happening, you can react in time to avoid losses and injuries."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "To be honest with you, Eunuch Zhou, my prince has given up on this matter. We don't really want to know what's going on in the court and the palace."
"Madam, you're such a jokester. We'd rather believe a sow climbs a tree than believe the Crown Prince will give up."
Phew!
Gu Jiu laughed out loud, "If you say that about my prince, be careful that he will punish you."
"With my wife here, we are not afraid."
Gu Jiu thought for a moment and said, "It's not impossible to buy your information, but this lady not only wants information about the harem, but also about Xingqing Palace. Information about the harem alone is not worth much."
"This..." Zhou Miao hesitated.
Gu Jiu said, "Eunuch Zhou, you can go back and think about it slowly. You know the address of my villa. When you have figured it out, just send someone to deliver a message to me."
"No need to think about it slowly, our family can agree to it right now, Madam."
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
Zhou Miao said firmly: "It's absolutely true."
Gu Jiu smiled faintly, "Eunuch Zhou can even get information about Xingqing Palace. He is indeed well-connected."
After saying that, he clapped his hands.
A moment later, Qingzhu came to the small study with a wooden box.
Gu Jiu pushed the wooden box towards Zhou Miao and said, "This is the deposit. The subsequent price will depend on the value of the information Eunuch Zhou brings. Is that ok with you?"
"Haha... no problem, no problem at all."
Zhou Miao smiled happily, "Madam is the most generous person we have ever met. We wish you a safe journey."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
The belated third watch
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