The Zhang family naturally rose in power because Taizu established his rule in the Central Plains and ascended the throne to become emperor. Because of the empress dowager, he was granted the title of Duke Feng'en. Since the empress dowager loved the Zhang family's little granddaughter very much, she had always wanted one of her three biological sons to marry this niece from her natal family. However, the crown prince, who was the brother of the current emperor, was much older than the Zhang family's daughter and had already been married. So the empress dowager Zhang wanted to pick one of her other two sons to marry the Zhang family's daughter. However, the empress dowager Zhang never expected that her niece only liked Prince Jing. This is why Prince Jing went to the banquet and finally had no choice but to take Zhang Qian, the niece of the empress dowager, back to Prince Jing's mansion.
Lu Zifeng knew what happened next. Zhang Qian died of severe hemorrhage when Situ Yi was born, and he was finally raised by Princess Jing, Lu Mingxue.
The wife of the current Jizhou prefect is Zhang Qian's cousin. Because of her cousin's influence, it was difficult for her to find a suitable family in the capital, so she finally married Lian Chengwen, a newly-minted Jinshi from a farming family. Over the years, Lian Chengwen finally got the position of prefect with the help of the Zhang family.
In fact, Lu Zifeng could also guess why Situ Yi came to Jizhou Prefecture. In the capital, the real confrontation was between the emperor and Empress Dowager Zhang. Empress Dowager Zhang supported everything in the Zhang family.
So even though the emperor gave face to the Zhang family, he would not do anything to the Zhang family. At least before Empress Dowager Zhang passed away, the glory of the Zhang family still needed to exist.
Lu Zifeng could also see that Situ Yi didn't have much good feelings towards the Lian family, but at this time he really had nowhere to go. Situ Yi seldom went to the Feng'en Mansion in the capital. Every time he went there, Situ Yi would instigate him to harm his two younger brothers so that he could become the prince of the Jingwang Mansion. Fortunately, he knew everything clearly in his heart, so later he basically stopped going to the Feng'en Mansion and became more and more distant from it.
After coming out of the restaurant, Lu Zifeng was ready to go back to the boat. Before leaving, Situ Yi pulled him and insisted on going with him to Luzhou Prefecture, saying that he had never been to Luzhou Prefecture and insisted on going to see it. Lu Zifeng had no choice but to agree.
"Brother Feng, how is my situation going in the capital now?"
Lu Zifeng felt a little ashamed when he heard this. He really had never noticed it before and said embarrassedly.
"Brother Yi, I'm so sorry. I've only heard about your story and don't know much. I don't know how it's going now, but the emperor rejected the Zhang family's petition at the time, so the matter may have passed. Besides, the decision-making power on this matter is not in your hands. Is it really necessary to be like this?"
Situ Yi shook his head with a wry smile.
"Brother Feng, you don't know that my mother's experience in entering the palace was not glorious. This is why I have kept a low profile all these years. However, the Zhang family still has wild ideas and wants me to compete with my two younger brothers for the position of Crown Prince. Not to mention that I am a bastard, but for the kindness of my mother in raising me all these years, I can't do such a thing. Besides, how could the emperor uncle treat me unfairly? By then, I will at least be a prince!"
Lu Zifeng also understood what Situ Yi meant by what he said to him today. This was to show that he had no intention of competing for the position! He also wanted him to tell his aunt!
"Haha, you just think too much. My aunt and Uncle Jing know what you are thinking. You are all family. Don't let others take advantage of your family relationship."
Situ Yi naturally knew who the "certain people" Lu Zifeng was referring to. Thinking of this, he felt depressed again.
"To be honest, Feng Ge'er, I left the capital this time just to avoid her. She likes to ask me to go to Ningshou Palace to see her from time to time. To be honest, I am really annoyed, but I can't show my annoyance. Every time she calls, I have to go."
Lu Zifeng also knew his dilemma, and since he was already outside, he said.
"It just so happens that you're outside right now. Even if she wants to see you, she can't. Don't overthink it. The Emperor is here to take care of everything. Didn't you say that? Leave everything to the Emperor!"
The two of them walked and talked and soon arrived at the boat. When the boatman saw Lu Zifeng bringing a young man over, he didn't ask anything, but greeted him first and then said that the boat could set sail in another hour.
Lu Zifeng exchanged a few polite words with him before speaking.
"This is my cousin. We happened to meet, and we went to Luzhou Prefecture together. I'm afraid I'll disturb the boatman."
The boatman naturally wouldn't meddle in other people's business and said with a smile.
"Since he is Mr. Lu's cousin, then naturally we will go together. When the time comes, I will prepare more food for Mr. Lu."
After the boatman left, Situ Yi said with a smile.
"Okay, Brother Feng, the Liu family's steward respects you very much, doesn't he?"
Lu Zifeng leaned on the couch, fanning himself and said.
"Nonsense! Although I didn't tell him who I was, I think he guessed it. Why don't you tell him that you're from Prince Jing's Mansion? See if he'll be more attentive."
Situ Yi immediately waved his hand when he heard this. "No, no, I'd better not. I'm finally feeling comfortable now, but please don't reveal my identity."
After a pause, he continued, "Also, when we get to Luzhou Prefecture, don't tell anyone about my identity. Just say I'm a bastard son of an official, and that we're just like-minded, which is why I followed you to Luzhou Prefecture."
Lu Zifeng ignored him and leaned on the couch and picked up a book to read.
Situ Yi looked at Lu Zifeng without saying anything, and picked up a book from the side and started reading.
As the sun sets, the merchant ship begins to leave the shore and sails towards the center of Mingjiang River. As dusk approaches, the setting sun in the northwest dyes the sky orange-red. The sunset glow is very beautiful, shining on Lu Zifeng who is reading a book, as if covering him with a layer of golden light.
The sky darkened and Lu Chun went into the cabin to light the oil lamp. The merchant ship's manager and two servants brought dinner, which consisted of four dishes and a soup. Two of the dishes were river seafood, which was quite to Lu Zifeng's taste.
Situ Yi called his servant over.
"Hold the sword, bring me some good wine. I want to have a few drinks with my cousin today."
Zhijian responded and walked in, holding a jar of wine in his hand.
"Young Master, you should drink less! You've been drunk almost every day these days!"
Situ Yi scolded with a smile. "Alright, go down, kid. Learn more from your cousin's servant. Look, he's just standing there listening. Look at you, you're almost a chatterbox."
Zhijian looked at Lu Chun speechlessly.
"Master, you don't know that little brother Lu Chun has a self-disciplined and obedient master. How can he be like me? If the master doesn't listen, there's nothing I can do."
Lu Zifeng laughed out loud. It was quite amusing to watch the two masters and servants bickering.
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