Chapter 208 The King Who Lost His

Country 8 The softer persimmons were put into the cabinet to ripen. Nan Liujing planned to use the remaining hard persimmons to make persimmon cakes.

The production of persimmon cakes is not troublesome, and only requires the following three steps:

first soak the selected persimmons in water, and then peel them one by one.

It is best not to remove the stalks on the persimmons when peeling.

After peeling, put the persimmons in a ventilated place to dry for at least seven days and at most ten days, and the persimmon cakes will be made.

If you want the persimmon cakes to taste better and look better, there are many small things to pay attention to.

Nan Liujing and Guisheng worked for more than an hour and finally got everything done.

"Your Highness, go and have a rest, and the rest will be done by the servants." Guisheng took a broom and swept the peels on the ground.

Nan Liujing nodded in agreement, but did not go to rest, but went into the library to attend class.

Today he was going to study "The Analects".

After nearly an hour of class, Nan Liujing was about to leave the library, but Yao Rong reminded him: "In order to facilitate your daily practice of calligraphy and review of your lessons in the real world, I have prepared a set of pens, ink, paper and inkstones and a set of books for you. Remember to pick them up later."

After returning to the real world, Nan Liujing immediately picked up these items.

Because he had already found a way to get them from Guisheng, Nan Liujing did not avoid Guisheng when using these items, and Guisheng did not ask any questions.

In the afternoon, Nan Liujing began to take martial arts classes.

In this world, without internal strength, no matter how good a person's martial arts skills are, they can only fight ten people at most.

Even if Nan Liujing has a martial arts qualification of 85, it is no exception.

Yao Rong asked Nan Liujing to learn martial arts, hoping that he would have the power to protect himself and strengthen his body.

In order to help Nan Liujing recover his physical foundation as soon as possible, Yao Rong also found some prescriptions from the previous world, made them into medicine bags and gave them to Nan Liujing, asking him to boil water for bathing every day.

Nan Liujing smelled it, and it was okay, he couldn't smell what kind of medicine was put in it: "Teacher, can Guisheng use these medicines?"

[Yes. ]

"That's good."

Nan Liujing first gave the medicine bag to Guisheng, and then went back to continue the military strategy class.

Yao Rong did not arrange any classes for Nan Liujing during that time in the evening, but Nan Liujing was already proficient in adding lessons for himself.

He lit two oil lamps and began to practice calligraphy at his desk. He practiced for half an hour before stopping to rest.

Even on his day off, Nan Liujing did not slack off, and practiced all the necessary horse stances and calligraphy.

The system sighed: [Why didn't I see before that this child has the potential to become a master of the subject?]

Yao Rong was preparing a lesson plan for tomorrow's class, and smiled when she heard this.

[You don't want to persuade him?]

After writing the last word of the lesson plan, Yao Rong said softly: [No need to persuade. These lessons are still within his tolerance.]

The second half of the sentence she didn't say was: Even if he persuaded, Nan Liujing would not do it.

In this matter, Nan Liujing showed a rare stubbornness.

He couldn't rest with a clear conscience.

Compared with the fourth prince, the fifth prince, and the sixth prince who received orthodox education since childhood, Nan Liujing fell far behind.

He didn't know anything, not even the "Three Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Names" by heart. If he didn't hurry up and catch up on the courses he missed as soon as possible, how could he deserve the teacher's recognition and become the "most suitable candidate" in the teacher's mouth.

He knew better than anyone that the opportunity in front of him was the only one in his life and the only possibility for him to change his destiny.

He didn't want to be an ordinary prince who was unknown and died in the cold palace and no one cared. He didn't want to let others control his life.

This kind of mentality obviously went from one extreme to another, but it was indeed difficult to correct in a short time.

Yao Rong was not in a hurry. After all, being diligent and hardworking was not a bad thing. With her watching, Nan Liujing would not push himself too hard.

This morning, Nan Liujing just came out of the library, and suddenly smelled a strong fruity fragrance. He seemed to think of something, stretched out his hand to open the cabinet door, and brushed away the wood chips.

The persimmons in the cabinet have all turned red on the outside.

With a gentle poke, the skin and flesh will sink together.

"Teacher, the persimmons are ripe! The persimmons are really ripe!" Nan Liujing said happily.

[Don't be excited, try the taste first.]

"Oh, yes." Nan Liujing picked out two persimmons at random, gave one to Yao Rong, and tasted the other one himself, "The taste and mouthfeel are the same as those that are naturally ripe on the tree."

He went to look at the persimmon cakes outside.

After a few days of drying, the persimmon cakes have basically taken shape, and it looks like they can be put away in two days.

In addition to being excited, Nan Liujing also began to draw inferences: "Teacher, if raw persimmons can be ripened, then peaches, dates, pears... can these fruits also be ripened..."

"There are persimmon cakes, so will there be peach cakes, date cakes, and pear cakes?"

Yao Rong was amused by this strange idea.

She did not give a direct answer, but encouraged: [If you have the conditions in the future, you can try it yourself.]

"You don't know the answer either?"

[It will be more meaningful if you try it yourself.]

"Then we will have to wait until next year to get the results."

Nan Liujing took out the notebook provided by Yao Rong, lowered his eyes, and wrote down the conversation between the two of them.

After a few days of classes, he had already written down more than a dozen things to be completed in the future in his notebook.

After the first snow of winter fell, Nan Liujing and Guisheng successfully obtained persimmon cakes.

The cold Changxin Palace was filled with the sweet aroma of persimmon cakes, and this winter was no longer unbearable.

***

Time flies, and it has entered the month of Leon.

Nan Liujing has been studying with Yao Rong for two whole months.

In these two months, he has been copying the calligraphy of famous masters, and he will no longer miss strokes when he picks up the pen;

He can now read the Four Books and is no longer confused about allusions;

his horse stance is getting more and more stable. At the beginning, his body was shaking after half an hour of stance, but now his calf muscles don't tremble even after two quarters of an hour...

Yao Rong saw all these changes.

[Let's stop the horse stance today.]

Nan Liujing slowly gathered his strength, changed from squatting to standing up, and walked to the kitchen happily.

Today is Laba Festival, Guisheng specially cooked a pot of Laba porridge. When he saw Nan Liujing coming in, he quickly served Nan Liujing a bowl while it was still hot.

Nan Liujing held the porridge and sat next to Guisheng: "I was doing horse stance outside just now, and I smelled the sweet fragrance of porridge."

The originally clear sky suddenly began to flutter with snowflakes.

The cold wind outside was biting and piercing like a knife. Nan Liujing sat in the warm house, holding the warm and delicious porridge, and felt the warmth from his palms to his heart.

He ate very happily, and every time he swallowed a spoonful of porridge, his head couldn't help but shake slightly.

Yao Rong asked with a smile: "Is Laba porridge so delicious?"

He enjoyed it so much that she was a little curious about the taste of this pot of Laba porridge.

“Delicious.”

Nan Liujing scooped up a spoonful of porridge, stared at the plump lotus seeds, his eyes curved: “Teacher, the lotus seeds you rewarded me with are of uniform size and plump…”

Nan Liujing put the spoonful of porridge into his mouth, chewed and swallowed it, his black and white eyes brightened a little: “I have never eaten lotus seeds that are sweeter and softer than these.”

He scooped up another spoonful of porridge and looked at the longan on it: “And this longan…”

“And these red beans…”

Nan Liujing explained and took a bite. Anyway, in his words, nothing was undelicious.

After a while, after finishing a bowl of porridge, Nan Liujing wiped his mouth and said, "Guisheng, I want another bowl!"

Guisheng said happily, "Your Highness's appetite has been getting better and better recently."

Nan Liujing touched his stomach and said, "I think so too."

Pulling his sleeves and robe corners that had become shorter, Nan Liujing stood up and walked to the door and measured, "It seems that I have grown a little taller."

Yao Rong smiled and said, "I have grown an inch taller."

One inch in ancient times is about equal to three centimeters today.

Nan Liujing is at the age of growing up. Because of malnutrition, he developed slower than his peers. In

the past two months, with the rewards given by Yao Rong, he can eat as much as he wants. In addition, he practices martial arts every day, so it is normal for his height to grow rapidly.

[After the Laba Festival, New Year's Eve is not far away.

Now a random task is issued: practice one hundred large characters before the arrival of New Year's Eve.

The reward for completing the task is two rolls of cloth, and there is no punishment for failing the task.

Nan Liujing is a beginner. It takes him half an hour to write a large character.

If he wants to write more neatly, it takes half an hour for a large character.

The task of writing 100 large characters is not easy, but thinking that he and Guisheng can wear new clothes during the New Year, Nan Liujing is full of fighting spirit and looks forward to practicing calligraphy.

In less than half a month, he completed the task.

When he saw the two rolls of cloth, Nan Liujing exclaimed: "This cloth doesn't look new at all."

Yao Rong explained: [The cloth is deliberately made old, and it looks similar to the material you are wearing, but it is much more comfortable and softer than the material you are wearing. Although few people

usually visit Changxin Palace, it is in the imperial palace after all, and necessary cover-up measures are also necessary to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Nan Liujing nodded, understanding Yao Rong's good intentions, but he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

He didn't want Yao Rong to see anything unusual, so he turned his head away gently and walked to the next door with two pieces of cloth: "I'll take them to Guisheng."

Guisheng was no longer surprised by Nan Liujing's behavior of always bringing supplies, and smiled and reached out to take them.

Nan Liujing specifically reminded Guisheng that two pieces of cloth should be used to make a new set of clothes for each person. However,

Guisheng secretly made two new sets of clothes for Nan Liujing.

Seeing this, Yao Rong rewarded Nan Liujing with another piece of cloth, and Guisheng was willing to make a new set of clothes for himself.

On New Year's Eve, Yao Rong gave Nan Liujing a day off so that he could have a good rest.

Nan Liujing also slept for a rare time. He didn't get up until the sun rose a little from the horizon, shone through the half-open wooden window, and shone on his belly.

"Teacher, I'm awake."

Nan Liujing greeted Yao Rong as usual, and then went to the kitchen.

Guisheng was already busy in the kitchen. Nan Liujing wanted to help, but was pushed out by Guisheng.

Nan Liujing stood at the door, helpless and amused.

Yao Rong said: [Liujing, I will accompany you to paste window paper-cuts.]

Nan Liujing's focus fell on the most important word: "Accompany? How to accompany?"

[I am responsible for commanding, and you are responsible for pasting.]

Nan Liujing rushed into the house, took out the window paper-cuts he had cut yesterday, picked out the most beautiful "Fu" character, and started pasting from where he lived.

[It's crooked]

[A little to the left]

[Still a little crooked... Now it's OK]

Nan Liujing pasted upside-down "Fu" all over his room, and then ran to Guisheng's room and pasted upside-down "Fu" and Guan Gong's image for Guisheng.

This Guan Gong's image and the red paper used for paper cutting were all exchanged by Guisheng with persimmon cakes and familiar palace maids.

Yao Rong asked: [Why did you think of pasting Guan Gong's image for Guisheng?]

Nan Liujing grabbed a handful of snow and used the melted snow water to wash off the paste stuck on his fingertips: "Guisheng fell into the water a few months ago. Paste a Guan Gong's image, and you will be safe and sound in the next year, and you will never offend villains again."

[Then why don't you paste a Guan Gong's image for yourself?]

Nan Liujing said as a matter of course: "With the teacher here, I don't need Guan Gong's protection."

Guan Gong has too many people to protect.

But the teacher is only his personal patron saint.

He would not compete with others for Guan Gong's favor.

Yao Rong smiled: [There is only the palace gate left to be posted. Let's finish it as soon as possible, and then you come to the library. I have something to give you.]

Nan Liujing subconsciously wanted to ask more questions, but when the words came to his lips, he restrained his curiosity well and just quickened his hands.

As soon as he entered the library, Nan Liujing saw several large wooden boxes.

He was sure that these wooden boxes were not there when he left the library yesterday.

This was undoubtedly the work of Yao Rong.

Nan Liujing subconsciously called out: "Teacher?"

Yao Rong did not respond.

Nan Liujing bent slightly and touched the wooden box with his hand: "Is this for me... Then I'll open it..."

While confirming, he slowly opened the wooden box.

When he saw what was inside, Nan Liujing was stunned.

The first box contained a royal blue plain cloak and a dark red fox fur cloak.

The second and third boxes were filled with gorgeous brocade robes.

The fourth box was filled with soft and comfortable boots.

The fifth box was filled with accessories.

From belts to hair accessories, everything Nan Liujing could think of could be found in the boxes.

"...What is this?"

Nan Liujing murmured to himself.

"...Are these clothes prepared for me?"

[Yes, these are all prepared for you.]

Yao Rong's voice finally rang out.

[I was distracted before. I thought that the people in the palace must not discover your abnormality, so I deliberately made the fabric old. In this way, even if you wear new clothes, the people in the palace will think it is an old set of clothes when they see it. ]

But that day, when she handed the cloth to Nan Liujing, she clearly felt the loss in him.

Why was he lost?

She thought about it for a long time before she realized what she had overlooked.

It seemed that since she met him, he always wore those sets of gray old clothes.

She only thought about keeping it secret and safety, but she forgot that Nan Liujing had only worn new clothes a few times since he was a child.

While other princes wore beautiful and bright clothes and played freely in the palace, he could only wear gray clothes and was trapped in this narrow palace that was as silent as a dead water...

If he couldn't wear bright and beautiful clothes in the palace, it should be okay to wear them to class in the library, right?

[I picked these clothes for you. I'm free today. Go try them on to see if they fit you.]

Nan Liujing was a little embarrassed.

He thought he had concealed his emotions very well, but he didn't expect that his disappointment was seen by the teacher.

But despite the embarrassment, Nan Liujing felt a little happy in his heart.

Even such a small matter could not be any smaller, the teacher could consider it for him.

There is a special changing place in the Sutra Library. Nan Liujing bent down and picked up a dark red robe with cloud patterns, walked behind the screen, and put on the new clothes and new shoes clumsily. Then, he put on the jade ornaments according to Yao Rong's instructions.

Nan Liujing walked out from behind the screen, looked at himself in the mirror, pulled at his sleeves uncomfortably, and whispered, "Does it look awkward?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but raise his hand and adjust his collar.

Yao Rong suppressed a smile: [It's just that you are not used to wearing it.]

[It's not awkward at all. You stand there in this outfit, representing four words.]

Nan Liujing didn't bother to adjust his clothes: "Which four words?"

Yao Rong: [Orchids and jade trees.]

Nan Liujing: "..."

The teacher is too good at exaggerating.

The system that accompanied Yao Rong to choose clothes all night yesterday came up to refute: [You used these four words too subtly!]

Yao Rong paused and repeated it to Nan Liujing directly: [I thought about it, and these four words seem to be too subtly used. ]

The system is satisfied: [What do you think of Yunshuizhiding? ]

Yao Rong is also satisfied: "Very good, very good."

He relayed to Nan Liujing: "What do you think of Yunshuizhiding."

Nan Liujing: "…………"

Nan Liujing was a little embarrassed by this straightforward and undisguised compliment.

He stood there for a few breaths, and suddenly turned around: "Teacher, I will go try on a few other clothes, and you can help me take a look and see if they are suitable for me!"

This is the first time that Nan Liujing "did not do his job" in the library.

Yao Rong and the system prepared a total of six sets of clothes for Nan Liujing. Without anyone to help, Nan Liujing tried on these six sets of clothes for more than half an hour.

He had to admit that trying on clothes for such a long time was much more tiring than practicing calligraphy for such a long time.

But he really enjoyed the teacher's praise.

No matter what clothes he changed into, the teacher could find a new angle to appreciate it. The magic potion kept making him dizzy.

Yao Rong asked him: [Which set of clothes do you like best?]

Nan Liujing said affirmatively: "I like the first set the best."

[Do you like the dark red clothes the most?]

Nan Liujing nodded: "Yes."

[I also think red is the most suitable for you. I will prepare more red clothes for you in the future.]

Nan Liujing lowered his eyes to cover the flash of tears in his eyes: "Okay."

[I will also prepare new pens, ink, paper and inkstone for you. I will put them on the table.]

"Aren't the previous ones still used up?"

[This set will be better.]

"I am a beginner. Wouldn't it be a waste to use such good pens, ink, paper and inkstone?"

Yao Rong said naturally: [How can it be a waste to give you something to use? No matter how good the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone are, they are just objects. I will provide you with the best things I can within my ability.]

When Nan Liujing held the best Hu brush, dipped it in the Hui ink that was as smooth as lacquer, and used the white and smooth paper, he suddenly thought of something that happened

a long time ago. "Three years ago, I secretly went to Yu Garden without telling Guisheng."

Nan Liujing suddenly spoke.

"When I arrived at Yu Garden, the fifth prince was playing with butterflies inside."

"He was wearing a red brocade robe, chubby, like a lucky doll, so cute that people wanted to hug him."

"I don't know why, he suddenly saw me and stumbled towards me. Just when he was about to walk in front of me, I was pushed down in the snow by the people around the fifth prince."

They were a group of ministers' children.

They were also dressed very nicely. They surrounded the Fifth Prince, pointed at him and asked him which palace he served in, why he had no rules at all, and whether Yu Garden was a place he could come to...

"After they left, I followed them quietly and found that they went to a book room for classes. The objects they used were all things I had never seen before. The knowledge they learned was also incomprehensible to me."

"Later, they found me and angrily asked the eunuch to chase me away."

"The eunuch dragged me away, and I didn't want to. The eunuch beat me and kept asking me which palace I was from. I knew that if I said I was from Changxin Palace, I might be able to avoid the beating..."

But at that moment, he chose to remain silent.

He didn't know how to describe that feeling until he learned a word from a book some time ago, and then he realized that it was called self-contempt.

Why is it like this?

Why is he ashamed to admit his identity.

Later, he never went to Yu Garden again, and never saw the Fifth Prince and the group of children again, but he knew from the bottom of his heart that he and the Fifth Prince were different.

Even if they are all "Your Highness", the biological sons of Emperor Yongqing, they are still different.

Yao Rong listened to his narration quietly.

Listening to those things she missed, the years when he was treated poorly.

After a long time, she whispered: [It doesn't matter. It won't happen again in the future.]

Things like this will never happen again in the future.

Nan Liujing was stunned. The suppressed emotions and the extremely strong grievances in his heart seemed to burst out with these words.

He was trapped by the square Changxin Palace and the imperial palace outside Changxin Palace. He

was trapped by hunger, cold, illness,

and unfair treatment.

So his whole world was covered with dust and became gray.

Until the teacher came.

Until he also had red clothes.

His world seemed to have regained its color.