A gentle night breeze blew, the sky was clear and blue, and the moon in the sky appeared even rounder and brighter.
Unable to fall asleep for a long time, Lü Bu got up and went outside, only to find that Gao Shun and the others were also sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, looking up at the moon.
"What's wrong? Can't you sleep either, Fengxian?"
"Yes, the moonlight is beautiful, but I can't sleep!"
As he spoke, Lü Bu walked over, found a spot, and sat down with the others.
Looking at the bright moon that shone with a white jade-like light, Lü Bu said seemingly casually, "I wonder where such moonlight can shine?"
"We'll find out sooner or later!!"
Everyone understood each other without saying a word, and looked up at the bright moon in the sky, but their thoughts were elsewhere.
The next morning, people from the palace came and brought Lü Bu and his men the clothing of the Imperial Guards and rewards from Liu Hong.
"His Majesty has said that the Imperial Guard's assessment is not yet complete, and the officers from various regions have not all arrived. You may stay at the guesthouse for a while to rest and take the opportunity to explore Luoyang and get familiar with the city!"
"We will obey Your Majesty's orders!"
After giving his instructions, the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial edict looked at Lü Bu and asked with a smile, "I am ordered to take the little princess to the Cai residence to become a disciple. I wonder if the little princess is there?"
Lu Bu smiled and nodded: "She's inside. I'll go and call her over right away!"
"Thank you for your trouble, General Lü!"
"polite!"
Then Lü Bu turned and walked towards the backyard, and soon came out carrying Lü Zhen.
Upon seeing this, the eunuch quickly stepped forward and bowed to Lü Zhen, who was in Lü Bu's arms.
"This servant, Guo Xian, greets the little princess!"
Lu Zhen, nestled in Lu Bu's arms, stared at Guo Xian with wide eyes, remaining silent, seemingly still somewhat unaware of her current status.
Lu Zhen didn't speak, and Guo Xian didn't dare to get up either, so he could only stand there with his back bent.
Upon seeing this, Lü Bu immediately leaned close to Lü Zhen's ear and whispered, "No need for formalities!"
Lü Zhen nodded and, in a similar manner, pointed her little finger at Guo Xian.
"No need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Princess!"
After getting up, Guo Xian also looked at Lü Zhen with a big smile: "Little princess, today is the day you become a disciple, please come with me!"
"Oh, okay!"
Lü Zhen nodded happily, seemingly very pleased with becoming an apprentice.
Immediately afterwards, Guo Xian led a large group of palace maids and eunuchs, carrying the apprenticeship gifts that Liu Hong had prepared for Lü Zhen, and headed towards the Cai residence in a grand procession.
On the other side, Cai Yong, who had been notified in advance, also changed into a plain white robe and sat in the head seat of the living room.
On the guest seats on both sides of the hall sat more than a dozen of Cai Yong's friends, while Zheng Xuan, who was in charge of the apprenticeship ceremony, sat at the head of the right side.
On the table next to Cai Yong's seat were several elementary books, which were probably gifts given to him as a student entering school.
Before long, the gatekeeper came to report that the palace eunuch had arrived with the little princess.
"please!"
Cai Yong nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the outside of the hall.
The main gate of the Cai residence was wide open, which showed the importance attached to the palace servants and also to this disciple.
Soon, guided by the gatekeeper of the Cai residence, the group filed in. Guo Xian respectfully carried Lü Zhen in front, followed by Lü Bu and others, and then a large group of attendants carrying the apprenticeship gifts.
Upon entering the hall, Guo Xian carefully set Lü Zhen down, then bowed to Cai Yong.
"I have met Dr. Cai!"
"Greetings, Attendant Guo!"
Cai Yong nodded slightly, but his gaze was fixed on Lü Zhen.
Lu Zhen, however, was staring intently at the books on the table with wide eyes, her gaze filled with a thirst for knowledge.
Seeing this, Cai Yong felt relieved. He then turned to Zheng Xuan and nodded slightly. Zheng Xuan understood and slowly got up and walked to the hall, facing Lü Zhen.
"The auspicious time has arrived, let the apprenticeship ceremony begin!"
With Zheng Xuan's shout, everyone inside and outside the hall turned serious.
Because Lü Zhen was young, Guo Xian had to perform the kowtow on her behalf.
"I wish to learn from you!"
Guo Xianyi kowtowed.
"Pay homage to the ancestral master!"
Guo Xian kowtowed twice.
"I pay my respects to my master and mother!"
Guo Xian bowed again.
After bowing three times, Cai Yong coughed lightly and looked at the crowd inside and outside the hall, and said loudly, "I am unworthy to accept Zhen as my disciple. From this day forward, Lü Zhen shall be my disciple! I bestow upon her the name Mingji!"
"Congratulations, Brother Bojie!!"
Everyone in the hall stood up and bowed to Cai Yong to offer their congratulations.
After exchanging pleasantries, Cai Yong looked at Lü Zhen with a smile and then waved.
Upon approaching, Cai Yong picked up a book from the table and handed it to Lü Zhen, saying in a deep voice, "Now that you have become my disciple, you should strictly abide by the rules of the sect, diligently study, not seeking to be knowledgeable about the world, but only to bring clarity to the world. Do you understand?"
“I know!” Lü Zhen replied loudly, holding the book in her hands.
"Okay, okay!!"
Cai Yong stroked his beard and said "Good" three times.
Then, the attendants outside the hall carried the prepared apprenticeship gifts into the hall.
In addition to the six rites of gift-giving, a large amount of paper, silk, and imperial wine were also prepared, which can be described as quite generous.
"Yan'er, take your junior sister to the back hall to rest!"
As Cai Yong finished speaking, a seven-year-old girl slowly walked out from the back hall.
The woman had skin as white as snow and eyes like pools of clear water. She exuded a light and ethereal aura. She was Cai Yan, the daughter of Cai Yong.
Cai Yan walked slowly to Lü Zhen and smiled sweetly: "Junior Sister, come with me!"
"Um!"
Lü Zhen was not shy and let Cai Yan lead her into the back hall.
Afterwards, a grand banquet was held at the Cai residence, and everyone parted in high spirits.
From then on, Lü Zhen and Yan Jin stayed at the Cai residence and studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting together.
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