Chapter 54
The Crown Prince's Eastern Palace is connected to the Prince's Garden, the Study Institute, and the flower garden and is located in the northeast corner of the Right Palace. It is entered only from the Yuehua Gate. According to the rules of previous dynasties, the princess can be raised in her mother's palace, while the prince must move to the Prince's Garden when he is three years old.
The princes can be engaged when they are sixteen years old. Once a wife is chosen, the marriage usually takes about a year. The emperor will reward his son with a mansion, and the prince can usually move out of the prince's garden when he gets married.
He can be considered to have truly grown up and be able to take on a job.
There was an emperor in the previous dynasty who had many sons. The Prince's Garden was almost full with more than 20 princes crammed in. Those whose mothers and concubines were favored could move out early, and the rest of them actually felt chaotic living together, as they all hoped to move out of the palace and build their own houses.
The situation is different for the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince’s status is too noble to allow him to build a mansion outside the palace. The entire Eastern Palace is larger than the Prince’s Garden. Imagine that more than a dozen princes live together, and the Crown Prince occupies such a large space alone. Who wouldn’t want to be the Crown Prince?
Entering from the Yuehua Gate, on one side is the Prince's Garden, and on the other side you can see the majestic East Palace. Across a palace road, in front is the Diligent Study Institute.
A palace gate was opened between the Qinxue Institute and the Prince's Eastern Palace, which was not there before.
Xuanyuefu came over to see that the palace gate was open and guarded by the Jinwu Guards. He saluted him and Xuanyuefu waved his hand, curiously asking, "Where does this gate lead to?"
"Your Highness, this is the martial arts arena. In front is the Zichen Palace where His Majesty resides."
Xuanyuefu was overjoyed when he heard this. Doesn’t this mean that the palace gate is super close?
Happy, happy.
When you have nothing to do, you can go and have dinner with dad.
He hasn't moved all his things yet, but the Chongming Hall is closed today. A few days ago, Duo Xuanfu heard that Wang Banban was moving, so he came over to take a look today.
It had been several days since the move, and there was no chaos like at the beginning, so Wang Yuanyuan did not stop His Highness from enjoying himself. He followed His Highness, and since it was His Highness's first time here, he introduced everything to him. His Highness asked curious questions and ran around to look around, but Wang Yuanyuan was very patient and did not rush His Highness to go straight to the East Palace.
Since I have nothing to do, I just play with little Duofu.
Xuan Fu retreated from the palace gate. The gate of the Prince's Garden was very low-key, and compared with the Prince's Eastern Palace it was very plain and simple. Moreover, the gates on both sides were staggered. His palace gate opened frontally, in the same direction as the gate of the Emperor's father's Zichen Palace, in a square position.
The Prince's Garden had a side door, on the other side of the palace road surrounding the East Palace.
Xuan Fu did not enter the East Palace first, but went to see the Prince's Garden. Because he was the only son of the emperor, the Prince's Garden was naturally idle. But Xuan Fu could visit the palace for free, so he just took a look.
Entering the gate of the Prince's Courtyard, there are eight courtyards separated by small paths. Each small courtyard is a miniature bedroom. There are side rooms on both sides of the main room. I can't help but ask: "There are only eight rooms. What if the emperor has many children?"
"The princes can live together before they get married," said Wang Yuanyuan.
Xuan Fu first said, "That's not bad. It's not scary to sleep in the same yard with a few people." He thought it was much more luxurious than the dormitory, but then he thought again and whispered to his companion, "It's not bad for brothers to live in the same yard, right?"
Whether it is better for strangers to be grouped into dormitories or for half-brothers to live in the same yard depends on the situation.
"I heard that the previous Chu Baodi had 23 princes. At that time, the princes fought like chickens. After just a few years, several princes who were not favored died one after another."
Many blessings:!
A "Fuck", why did he kill him?
When Wang Yuanyuan saw that Xiao Duofu was frightened, he regretted saying this and hurriedly comforted him, "Don't be afraid, Your Highness. You are the prince in the East Palace, and the emperor has no other children yet." He thought that if the emperor had other children in the future and dared to harm Xiao Duofu, he would kill them even if he risked his life.
Wang Da Zongguan doesn't trust men. Now, for one or two years, Xu Xiaoman and the emperor can still be fine, who can say what will happen in the future? Anyway, no one can surpass Xiao Duofu's position!
Xuanyunfu had no idea what Wang Banban was thinking. He just felt that the Prince's Garden suddenly became chilly. "Let's go back to the East Palace and take a look."
"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Yuanyuan was eager to do so.
The group came out of the Prince's Garden and entered the East Palace through the main gate. Xuan Duofu felt much better all of a sudden, because the East Palace was very warm and had a smell of pine resin. The doorheads, corridors, and pillars were all freshly painted, and the roof tiles were also new.
The entire East Palace is divided into two parts. The front third is where the prince works, with a study, a meeting hall, a tea room, and a main hall - this one is very large and is used for banquets to receive guests. There are also several guest rooms where overnight guests sleep.
This is also why the East Palace and the Prince's Garden are separated from the Right Palace and have a single door, because sometimes there will be "outside men".
Further back is the prince's harem. After the prince gets married, he has concubines such as the crown princess and concubines. Therefore, the back part is larger and consists of four courtyards, among which the prince's courtyard is the largest and most luxurious.
The East Palace also has a small kitchen and a mini garden.
Xuan Fu first went to the main courtyard, which was where he slept and rested. It consisted of a bedroom, a warm room, a shower and a washbasin, as well as his dressing room and toy room.
"All my toys have been moved here?!" Xuan Xuanfu was very happy.
Wang Yuanyuan also said happily: "We lived in the side palace of Zichen Palace before, but it was not convenient for His Majesty to move all of them. Now the East Palace is spacious, and I have asked people to move all of Your Highness's things from the East Factory here."
Xuan Fu was very happy and said, "If there is not enough space, clean up the other three yards and put my things in them. By the way, move here the gift that Li Ang gave me." He was only ten years old and it was still too early for him to get married. It would be a waste to leave the yard empty.
Let him go!
Wang Yuanyuan said she understood and coaxed His Highness.
Therefore, Duo Xuanfu played in the East Palace for a long time that day. When it got dark, Duo Xuanfu finally remembered to "go home". Naturally, he went through the newly opened door in the palace, which was faster.
In the Zichen Palace.
Xu Xiaoman kept asking where Duoduo was. Why wasn't she here during the holiday? Did she go out to play? Zhong Yun looked at Xiaoman, calling her Duoduo all the time, and leaning on the soft couch calmly, as if she had no bones. However, even with this sitting posture, Zhong Yun's beauty was not affected, and she even looked better.
He looked a bit lazy and comfortable, without the cold majesty of a high and mighty emperor, like a handsome young man.
Xu Xiaoman couldn't take his eyes off it and sat over as well.
"He didn't go out. He went to the East Palace for a stroll." Zhong Yun's voice was also much more relaxed. He hadn't come back yet at this time. It seemed that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was enjoying himself.
How nice.
Zhong Yun went to hold Xiaoman's hand and comforted her, "You are grown up now and don't remember your father anymore. Xiaoman, you still have me."
Xu Xiaoman: ...
"After all, Zhong Yun, you are setting a trap for your son here." Xu Xiaoman laughed angrily and tried to shake off Zhong Yun's hand, but failed.
Zhong Yun's eyes were full of smiles. He grabbed Xiao Man's hand. The two of them used the child to play around and joke around. "It's not a trap. We should just spend this day together."
"You are so petty."
"Xiao Man, don't you know whether I am small or not?"
“…Who said that?”
Zhao Erxi's voice was heard outside: "Your Highness, you are back? The governor was just asking you."
"I'm back, father, father, father." When Xuanyunfu heard what Eunuch Zhao said, he knew that there was no 'accident' in the warm room, so he jumped happily and rushed in, unable to wait to share the good news with his father.
Xu Xiaoman pushed Zhong Yun away. Zhong Yun heard the noise outside getting closer and closer, and sat up straighter. He just thought that it was right to confer the title of prince on Xuan Fu, and it could be considered as moving to the East Palace.
Before the two men had put their clothes in order, the curtain at the door was raised, and a round, cute face poked its head in. Emperor Ningwu said sternly, "How dare you, a prince, poke your head in."
"Oh, father, the prince can also peek in, right, father?"
"Yes." Xu Xiaoman thought to himself, Zhong Yun didn't even sit like an emperor just now, as if he had no bones, and now he is talking a lot.
Zhong Yun leaned back with an expression of "that's all", and his imperial majesty was gone in an instant.
Now there are three people living in the warm room, just like the most ordinary family in the world.
Xu Xuanfu sat next to his father, sinking into the deep end of the soft couch like a little monkey, and threw off his boots. He said excitedly, "Dad, I went to the East Palace today. There is a door between the East Palace and the Qinxue Palace. It is very close to the Zichen Palace from there."
Zhong Yun boasted quietly on the other end: "I ordered the door to be opened."
Xu Xiaoman suddenly softened her heart and looked at Zhong Yun with bright eyes. However, because of the presence of the child, she could only use her eyes to say: You are such a good daughter-in-law.
Zhong Yun laughed from the bottom of his heart.
Xuan Fu didn't see the two fathers flirting with each other, and was very excited. "I calculated that it would take less than an incense stick of time to get over there. I walk fast."
"That's indeed close." Xu Xiaoman thought to himself that it would be faster if he walked.
"Dad, the East Palace is so big. Not to mention those in front, I have four courtyards in the backyard alone." Xuanyifu's eyes flickered.
Zhong Yun immediately knew what Duo Xuanfu was going to say, and hurriedly said, "That's where your Crown Princess, Concubine, and others will live in the future."
"But father, I am still young and I have not married yet." Xuan Xufu first replied to his father and looked at his father eagerly, "Father, you pick a courtyard. Why don't you live in the main courtyard and I live in the Crown Princess' courtyard?"
Emperor Ningwu slammed the table and said, "How shameful!"
"Don't carry the bucket." The Crown Prince was lazy and got into his father's arms, "Dad, Dad, if you are not happy living here——"
"Your father is very happy in Zichen Palace." Zhong Yun interrupted.
Xu Xiaoman laughed heartily, hugged the baby and rubbed it again and again, saying affectionately: "Dad doesn't live in the main courtyard of the East Palace. If those old men from the former dynasty find out, they will be furious."
"Oh, right, I forgot about that." Xuanyu Fu pouted, "It's really troublesome. We are a family. You are my biological father. Even if you sleep on my head, your son will be happy. What does it matter to outsiders?"
Xu Xiaoman was delighted when he heard this, and his heart softened.
Zhong Yun thought: It would be better if Xiaoman sleeps on my head.
"After all, there are rules to follow." Emperor Ningwu said.
The prince said: "Father, you just don't want me to get too close to my father, and you bring up the rules to scare the child." His emperor father is a rebellious person and would not care about those pedantic rules.
"Since you know it, why are you still telling me?"
The prince was the biological son after all, so he gave his biological father face. He immediately knelt down and crawled to his father, the emperor, and said obediently, "Son, I know."
"If the Eastern Palace is still lacking anything, ask the Internal Affairs Department to do it." Emperor Ningwu was still very pleased with the Crown Prince's attitude just now.
So the family of three lived happily together again.
Xu Xiaoman smiled and ordered the meal to be served. He then asked Duoduo, "The Chongming Palace is closed for the holidays. Daddy will be free in a few days. Daddy will take you to the street to play."
"! Shall we go to Baifu Street? And then go to Tianshuifang to eat." Xuanyun Fu was happy.
Xu Xiaoman agreed to all of them. Xu Xianfu asked, "Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
"Don't be afraid, it's cold, Daddy will dress you up."
Xuanyuefu suddenly thought of something and his eyes lit up. Zhongyun, who was standing by, saw this and said, "What bad idea have you come up with again?"
"It's not a bad idea." Xuan Fu leaned next to his father, "In our previous class, Master Yan asked us to talk about the special places in our hometowns. Li Ang mentioned Anle County..."
Zhong Yun listened to Xuan Duofu's chattering. After such a long story, he was afraid that he might have a "big idea". If it was an ordinary one, Zhong Yun would not be interested. But now, Xuan Duofu was getting more and more slow in talking, and he secretly looked at him and then at Xiaoman.
Will this idea get him a beating? Zhong Yun became even more interested.
"He gave you two boxes of gifts, but he hasn't told you what the gifts are?" Zhong Yun asked.
Xu Xiaoman was also curious, and Duoduo kept him in suspense. This little rascal was so clever, just like when he was a kid! Xu Xiaoman was proud.
Zhong Yun always says that he is a fool. Humph, he is an inner beauty while Duoduo is an outer beauty.
"One box of hemorrhage red dyed silk cloth, and one box of dried hemorrhage red." Xuanfu risked his life, "The hemorrhage red is red, and can be used as a dye, to dye nails."
Xu Xiaoman suddenly realized, "Duoduo, you want to dye your nails?" He thought it was a big deal. Although dyeing nails is a habit of the concubines in the palace and the girls outside, but Duoduo is curious, so dyeing her nails is not a big deal.
Just dye it.
He thought Duoduo might be embarrassed, so Xu Xiaoman patted his chest and said, "Dad will dye with you."
"Dad, can I dye my hair?" Xuanfu was so excited that he grumbled, "The New Year is coming soon, dyeing it red will be so beautiful, festive and auspicious."
Xu Xiaoman was stuck, "Dye your hair...?"
"It seems to work, OK!"
Xu Xiaoman saw that his son's eyes were bright with anticipation, and he convinced himself the second time. It was so fast that Zhong Yun didn't have time to say anything. Seeing that the father and son were excited and began to think about when to dye, Zhong Yun finally spoke, "Wait until I stop writing and the Ninth Prince doesn't go to the court, then dye it."
"Yes, yes, yes, your father has thought of everything." Xu Xiaoman agreed.
Manyu Fu didn't care about just two or three days, so he agreed immediately, "When the time comes, I will appear at the palace banquet with red hair and stun them all."
Xu Xiaoman heard this and asked, "Who should I suppress?" He looked at Zhong Yun. He didn't need him to suppress the people in the East Factory. The palace was holding a palace banquet this year? To suppress Prince Li's family?
Zhong Yun, holding the confused Xiao Man, was also looking forward to it, and his smile could not be concealed by his words, "It would be great if the Ninth Prince could suppress me."
The family of three chatted in the warm room for a while and were very happy. Zhao Erxi came in and asked if they wanted to set the meal. Then the three of them remembered to have dinner, so they set the meal.
Emperor Ningwu actually lived a very simple and frugal life, with ten dishes per day - already very frugal. Now that the Crown Prince and the Nine Thousand Year Old Emperor were dining together, sometimes there would be a few more dishes. Naturally, the portions provided by the Imperial Kitchen were not too large, so they tasted just right.
It’s cold in winter, so people in Zichen Palace often eat hotpot.
Either spicy hotpot, nourishing soup pot or stew pot.
Today we had rice, which was still hot when it was served. Xuanyifu liked it very much as he hadn't had proper stir-fried dishes for a long time, especially those made by the imperial kitchen. There was also a steamed fish dish for meat today, which he liked very much. Apart from the large skeleton, the fish had almost no small bones and the fish meat was very tender.
Xu Xiaoman also likes to eat.
Upon seeing this, Zhong Yun praised the imperial kitchen for the good food prepared today and asked them to give a reward.
In the past, they would drink tea and chat after meals, but today, Xu Xiaoman was in high spirits after Duo Xiafu praised the Eastern Palace so much that he suggested taking a tour of the Eastern Palace - he had already made up his mind.
Both father and son looked at Emperor Ningwu.
Emperor Ningwu: I must have been lucky in my previous life to meet these two funny guys in this life.
"Prepare your carriage and take the sedan chair." Emperor Ningwu said this to Zhao Erxi first, and to the Ninth Prince second.
Xu Xiaoman agreed immediately.
The family of three rode in a sedan chair and passed through the martial arts arena and the palace road to the palace. The palace gate was locked. When the Jinwu guards at the door saw the emperor saluted and greeted him, they immediately opened the door and invited His Majesty the Ninth Thousand Years Old to come in.
The lights in the East Palace were on. Xu Xiaoman went to the main courtyard at the back and saw the warm room. It was warm and there was no cold at all. He felt relieved. Xuan Fu took his father's hand and wanted to show him his big bed.
Taiji Palace is really different from the Forbidden City.
He had been to the Forbidden City. The dormitory there was relatively small, and the bed was also small.
His bed was very big, it felt like more than two meters long, and the bed frame with carved dragons and painted pillars was hung with layers of bed curtains. Wang Banban knew his habits and prepared a small couch for the eunuch who was on night watch, which was located at the foot of his bed so that it was more hidden.
Xu Xiaoman was very satisfied when he saw it, and said, "You need someone to watch over you at night, so this is a good arrangement."
"Wang Banban arranged it."
Xu Xiaoman: ...Well, Wang Yuanyuan used to pretend that she knew nothing in front of him, but now the chief steward of the East Palace is doing a very good job.
The family of three chatted in the warm room of the East Palace. It was late at night. Zhong Yun took Xiao Man away and asked the prince to stay. The prince: ...? ? ?
The prince took the initiative to get on the sedan chair and said, "We haven't chosen an auspicious time yet, and we have to prepare a banquet when we move over." In short, he was going to sleep in the Purple Palace.
Emperor Ningwu and the Nine Thousand Year Old Prince sat together in the sedan chair in the front, which was carried by eight people.
Xu Xiaoman looked back frequently, and only felt relieved when he saw Duoduo's sedan caught up. He then went to secretly pinch Zhong Yun. Zhong Yun sat upright and enjoyed Xiaoman's tickling. He smiled and said, "Tease him. Look, he's catching up."
"He's still a child."
"I am a child too."
Xu Xiaoman: “…”
"Nine thousand years old, what you said doesn't count?"
"I am the eunuch Xu from the East Factory. Who doesn't keep his word?" The Ninth Prince tried to show off in front of Emperor Ningwu. Emperor Ningwu smiled and said, "Today in the warm room, he said that he and the Ninth Prince had a discussion about the difference at night."
Xu Xiaoman's ears turned red in the dark night, and he said, "I didn't say that."
"You did."
"No." Xu Xiaoman thought carefully and said it firmly.
Zhong Yun was silent. After a while, Xu Xiaoman secretly looked over. Why didn't he speak? Was his wife angry about this? No way——
Then, as if waiting for Jiu Qian Sui to turn his head to look at him, Emperor Ningwu leaned in close, kissed her, and stopped after a light taste. Emperor Ningwu said with a smile: "I didn't say that, it's because I want it."
Xu Xiaoman licked his lips, his throat felt a little itchy, and said, "Then go back to sleep."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't see it from the back, but he was also very happy. He was thinking about who to invite for the moving banquet - it was all up to him. Later, after thinking about it, he decided to invite all the classmates.
This will save us from inviting this one and not inviting that one, which would be bad if someone is marginalized later on.
Besides, the East Palace is big enough, everyone can come.
The next day, Xuan Fu woke up and had breakfast with his two fathers. His two fathers still had to go to work, but he didn't. He couldn't help but look a little proud. He also talked about the "work" he had to do today, which was to post a message to everyone to invite guests to warm up their new home.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Ningwu said without changing his expression: The Crown Prince is indeed busy.
Xuanyuefu laughed. Actually, Wang Banban said that two adults were in charge of these tasks. He just needed to give them the list, and the list was ready. It meant that they would go to the East Palace to play on the first day of the holiday.
He even found an excuse for himself to show that he was not doing nothing. He was really excellent.
Xuanyunfu arrived in front of the East Palace, and Wang Banban said that the two adults had arrived and were waiting outside.
These were the first two officials with official ranks in the East Palace. Of course, the king's companions also had official ranks, but these two could walk around in the court, which was different.
A prince's guest: mainly responsible for the prince's etiquette, admonishing the prince for his mistakes, and having the responsibility of teaching and admonishing. Fourth rank.
When Xuan Fu heard that he was a fourth-rank official, he was very surprised but remained calm on the surface. This guest was a fourth-rank official. Only then could he truly feel that the position of "Crown Prince" was indeed very impressive.
The prince’s guest was very young, about twenty-eight years old, named Wen Lianglu, from the Wen family in Jiangnan.
When Xuan Fu heard the name Jiangnanxi, he thought of the Jiangnan Salt Administration case and asked a few more questions. Lord Wen said modestly: The Dong family in Jiangnan is a famous and prestigious family, and they, the Wen family, dare not compare with them.
In short, Lord Wen is handsome and polite, and his every move is graceful.
It's not the kind of affectation, but it can be seen that it has been cultivated since childhood. And he speaks his mind without being annoying. Many people later thought that the emperor arranged for Lord Wen to come so that he could interact with officials from the same clan and the same imperial examination. It's not about who is good or bad. How can we judge these by family background? We have to judge by the person himself.
The other is the chief clerk, who is responsible for checking for omissions and losses. He is a seventh rank official.
Because the position of prefectural chancellor is vacant, and the prefectural chancellor is mainly responsible for clerical work. After the next spring examination, Xuanyu Fu will select a person from the Jinshi candidates to fill the position, so the invitation letter today will be completed by the chief clerk.
The chief clerk was a member of the imperial examination system and had been writing articles for so many years that it would definitely be enough for him to write a note to the prince.
The chief clerk's surname is Wen, which sounds similar to Lord Wen's surname. His name is Wen Erdan. He looks a bit old, with a thin and short stature, and he looks like a pedantic old man who has been worn down by the years. However, when asked, he is only in his early forties.
Many people have a lot of feelings. It is not easy to pass the imperial examination, especially for those who come from a poor family. When he asked, Lord Wen said respectfully: "I am from the north, from a peasant family. Our village is called Wenjia Village. My nickname is Wen Erdan. Before taking the imperial examination, I changed my household registration and dared to change my name..."
Mr. Wen is somewhat talkative and interesting when he speaks, and is not at all stuffy.
Many blessings: Never judge people by their appearance in the future.
In short, the two new officers were quite pleasing to his eye at first sight.
Then they started to "work". The Crown Prince said that he would invite all the students in the hall to celebrate his new home. He felt that he was very generous. Unexpectedly, Lord Wen Lianglu said: "Your Highness, in addition to the students in Chongming Hall, you should also invite two more tutors and the teacher who teaches your martial arts."
Many blessings:?
Wen Erdan wrote the post without saying much. It was not his job to give advice. He was only responsible for writing the post.
"We still need to invite a tutor." Xuanyuefu thought, it will be impossible to have fun now that the teacher is here.
Wen Lianglu smiled gently and politely, saying, "Not only the tutors, Your Highness is not old enough to listen to the government affairs and discuss politics, and does not interact with officials. However, as for the clan members, I heard that Your Highness has had relations with Princess Changping and Prince Li's palace. Should we invite them as well?"
Manyu Fu's 'housewarming' - inviting classmates to eat, drink, play and have fun, and it ends with a lot of laughter.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince moving into the East Palace, choosing an auspicious day, entertaining guests, and who to invite is all a science.
Xuanyuefu: …He felt like he was really working today, not just coming here to play under the guise of work, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and discuss it with Wen Lianglu. Woo woo woo woo woo.
At the beginning of the Shen time, which was three o'clock in the afternoon, Wen Lianglu and Wen Erdan got off work.
Manyu Fu had been "tortured" for most of the day. He was exhausted but still remembered that he was the leader of the two. It was his first day working for him, so he said, "Wang Banban will give you two a meeting gift in silver. Each of you will be rewarded with thirty taels of silver."
The two thanked His Highness and left feeling much happier.
Wen Lianglu's family was wealthy and talented, and he had some reputation in the local area. However, the Wen family had few descendants and could not compare with the aristocratic families. He had been well-educated since he was a child, and he could have passed the imperial examination. However, his father arranged an official position for him through an old friend who recommended him to him.
Previously, Wen Lianglu worked in the Ministry of Rites, a fifth-rank official. The Ministry of Rites was responsible for diplomacy and etiquette. In recent years, Dasheng had not gone to war with other small countries, and the emperor did not travel far, so the Ministry of Rites was still very idle.
What he never expected was that he received a transfer order to be a guest in the Eastern Palace.
Being a guest was similar to his previous job, except that he had to stand in line when he went to the East Palace. He was an official in the Ministry of Rites and was a minister of the dynasty...
Colleagues congratulated him on the surface, but Wen Lianglu knew that they were actually laughing at him, thinking: a promotion in name only but a demotion in reality. If he didn't want to go to the Eastern Palace, then he could go to the Eastern Palace.
In the past month, the prince wanted to open a diligent study center for the eunuchs to study, the prince was naughty and liked to play, the prince was close to the eunuchs, etc. Wen Lianglu thought that it would be difficult for him to be a guest in the future.
Today was his first day reporting to the East Palace, and he met the Crown Prince who was said to be 'naughty' and 'unambitious'. Before leaving the palace, Wen Liangluo held the cold silver ingot in his hand and smiled in his heart, thinking that the Crown Prince was a good Crown Prince, unlike the rumors outside.
He is certainly not short of money, but the other Lord Wen might be short of this.
His Highness gave silver to both of them as rewards. Before giving the rewards, he glanced at him. The frankness in his eyes showed everything: Lord Wen Liangru was a man with an open mind and would not care about giving them the same amount of silver.
Wen Liangru laughed out loud.
He felt that this job was not difficult, and what he said made sense. His Highness would agree even if he was unwilling, but he would not blindly "suffer" himself, and he found a way to strike a balance.
Everyone was invited, but everyone had a great time.
Life in the Eastern Palace will be much more interesting than in the Ministry of Rites.
The other Wen Erdan was also happy holding the silver. Thirty taels of silver meant his family could have a good New Year and could also reduce their food expenses next year. He bowed and let Lord Wen go first. Lord Wen nodded and thanked him, but did not wait for him. Wen Erdan walked slightly behind Lord Wen, a shoulder distance away. The two of them walked out of the palace side by side.
When they went out to chat, Lord Wen would start by lamenting things like "The New Year is coming soon" and "Lord Wen's family has prepared New Year's goods." Wen Erdan responded to each of them. Knowing that Lord Wen was interested in making friends, he felt relieved immediately.
It is a great job to work in the Eastern Palace. His Highness is kind and the superiors are also good-tempered.
Great. Wen Erdan got on the carriage, and the driver drove the horses back to the small house. It took more than half an hour to drive back to the Wen family house from Taiji Palace. It was in the alley on the other side of Hulu Mountain. There was a small house with two entrances, where a family of seven, including the master and servants, lived.
His son and daughter-in-law are going to have a baby next year, so Wen Erdan wants to rent a bigger house since he has enough money.
He was a graduate of the third class, with mediocre academic performance. He used to be a ninth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy, where he had worked for seven or eight years. He could not save much from his salary, and had to support his family, so he had to send some money back to his hometown village from time to time, so he could only rent a house to live in.
It's fine now.
"I was on duty at the Eastern Palace and was promoted from the ninth rank to the seventh rank. My salary increased, and His Highness also awarded me thirty taels of silver today..."
The parents' gray hair and fallen front teeth couldn't hide their surprise and they smiled.
The salaries of officials in Dasheng were: silver, rice, and silk. Take Wen Erdan, who was a ninth-rank official before, for example. He received 1.5 taels of silver per month, rice, and cloth. The rice was a bit of a stretch for the seven people in his family, but it was just enough. The Wen family also grew vegetables and raised chickens in the yard.
The saved silk cloth can also be sold or exchanged for food.
All the money can be saved.
Unexpectedly, his son was promoted from the ninth rank to the seventh rank and served His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. On the first day, His Royal Highness gave him thirty taels of silver, which was almost two years' salary for Wen Erdan.
The whole Wen family was very happy, and the two old people kept saying: It is better to study and to be an official.
Taiji Palace, in the warm room of Zichen Palace.
Emperor Ningwu came back early today. Seeing that the Crown Prince came back listlessly, he asked knowingly, "What's wrong with the Crown Prince? Wasn't he so cheerful this morning saying that he was going to the East Palace to work? Why did he come back only now? He seems even busier than I thought."
"Look at him, he's really working hard." There was a hint of mockery in his tone.
Xu Xiaoman: ...
How come Zhong Yun is the same age as Duoduo?
Xuanyu Fu: Damn it! The Emperor must have known that the moving banquet isn't as easy as he thought.
But Xu Xiaoman was also curious, so he asked the kid to come and sit down, and gave Duoduo the peeled pine nuts in his hand.
Many of the bitter melon faces were eaten up, and then they hugged their father and said, "I met two officials today, and they are very easy to get along with. But, but, why do we have to invite the Grand Tutor to the housewarming banquet? We have to invite so many people..."
"So that's how it is." Xu Xiaoman was a little scared when he heard that Master Hu was also coming, but he couldn't say that he would not invite the Master. That wouldn't be good either, as he still had to respect his teacher. Therefore, he felt very embarrassed and felt bad for his son, his head humming.
When Zhong Yun saw that the father and son were getting close again, he kindly said, "Don't you have guests there? Let them entertain the distinguished guests that day, and you just need to show up."
"Huh?" Xuanyuefu looked up from his father's arms.
Zhong Yun: "How stupid! He is the prince's guest, so he naturally represents you. You don't have to do everything yourself."
"Father, what I'm thinking today is that when there are too many people, we need to use the Penglai Palace to separate the two ends." Xuan Fu ignored the "stupid" and hugged the thigh first, "I was originally thinking of asking you to help me entertain them."
Zhong Yun almost spit out his tea and looked at Xuanyifu in disbelief.
"You said it?"
"No, I didn't tell anyone else until you agreed." Xuanyu Fu reacted at this time. Was his suggestion stupid?
Zhong Yun was very lucky. "My face was saved. Think about it, you, as a son, entertain your guests, and let me, a father, entertain your guests. Is that reasonable?"
Xu Xiaoman: “…” He just saw Duoduo was worried and was thinking about him going to help greet people.
It turns out that it doesn’t work.
Zhong Yun looked at the faces of the two, one big and one small——
I am also blessed, he has two like this.
The author has something to say:
Xu Xiaoman: It is your happiness to have this father-in-law!
Zhong Yun: Yes, my dear Xiaoman~
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