Chapter 137 Only One Chance
Because of his good behavior, the fifth young master even shared the steamed buns he had secretly bought with other beggars, pretending they were begged for, and he wasn't bullied at all among the beggars.
Within two days, a beggar shared his experience of begging in the capital with him.
"On the first and fifteenth of the month, everyone will definitely not go hungry. The owner of the Chunbuwan Teahouse, which is not far away, is very kind. He will be giving out steamed buns to everyone these two days."
The steamed buns are bigger than my fist; one person could eat at least two.
There's also hot soup! On the first day of this month, Chun Buwan cooked a big bone soup, which was incredibly delicious when eaten with steamed buns.
On other days, you would wander around various restaurants and snack shops.
Especially after meals or in the evening, you can definitely get some money.
Also, Bao'en Temple makes an offering on the fifth day of each month, so you can usually get food there.
As for the rest...
It all depends on luck. The key is to be quick-witted and see which noble family is hosting a banquet. Whether it's a wedding or a funeral, there will almost always be steamed buns to eat.
If you're lucky, the host will not only give you steamed buns, but also some leftover vegetables!
I still remember the food the Duke of Dingguo's mansion served for the old lady's birthday this year...
It wasn't just three big white steamed buns per person.
There was also chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all whole and untouched, not leftovers.
I got such a big piece of pork knuckle!
I still remember how juicy it was with every bite!
The beggar, who was neither too old nor too young, swallowed hard as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Young Master also quietly swallowed.
Chicken, duck, fish, meat...
He used to not even look at it; even the head of the household ate better food.
But now...
It looks pretty delicious!
"By the way, the fifteenth will be here in two days. Let's go to the back door of Chunbuwan to get our steamed buns."
It's cold now, so we should hide the steamed buns if possible.
"Wait at the foot of the mountain near Bao'en Temple on the sixteenth," the beggar suddenly said.
"Why go there? Didn't you just say that Bao'en Temple makes offerings on the fifth day of the lunar month?" The fifth young master was a little confused.
"Hey! It's normal that you don't know this since you've just arrived in the capital."
The sixteenth of this month is the birthday of the late Emperor. On that day, the Crown Prince will perform a religious ceremony at Bao'en Temple on behalf of the imperial family.
Three days.
On the 16th, steamed buns will be distributed to everyone.
On the 19th, which is the last day of the year, steamed buns will be distributed to everyone.
Remember that, don't blame me for not reminding you!
"Alright, when that day comes, you come with me, and I'll take you to a good place where you're sure to get some steamed buns," the beggar assured him, patting his chest.
The fifth young master's eyes lit up, and he nodded.
......
Meanwhile, in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, Shangguan Jin was also exchanging instructions with Shen Zhong.
The New Year's gifts sent by Marquis Changsheng this time were so dazzling that they almost blinded the entire mansion.
Not to mention the various furs, there are also precious medicinal herbs, including four ginseng roots that are over a hundred years old.
Deer antlers, tiger bones, and various kinds of dried meat unique to the Northern Hu region, as well as homemade milk powder from the Northern Hu area.
Shen Zhong was worried that Shangguan Jin and the others wouldn't know how to drink it, so he even demonstrated how.
Of course, there was also a small box, which Shen Zhong secretly handed to Shangguan Jin.
When Shangguan Jin opened it, wow! It was still pearls and gemstones.
It's just that there aren't as many as Shen Huaichen brought back last time.
It seems this is what Shen Huaichen meant by secretly saving up.
Besides pearls and gemstones, there are also some bracelets.
A bracelet made of wolf teeth, said to ward off evil spirits, was specifically designated for Shangguan Jin.
The other string of red agate beads was for Shen Qingyue.
Several strings of turquoise were given to Shangguan Jin to admire and play with.
They also gave Shen Qingjun and the others daggers inlaid with gemstones.
Of course, these were all sent in the name of the Ever-Victorious Marquis.
The Seventh Prince has already paved the way for this, so Shangguan Jin isn't worried at all.
Looking at these gifts, Shangguan Jin felt relieved. Although Shen Huaichen had asked Shen Zhong to tell him not to bring him anything to avoid arousing suspicion, Shangguan Jin still made a gesture.
"For the Duke's safety, we won't bring any things."
The gifts of gratitude to Marquis Changsheng have also been sent to his residence.
As for the other side... just a few words will suffice.
Safety first. It's better to live a miserable life than to die. As long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback. We're waiting for him to come back!
Just these few sentences.
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong's tears immediately welled up again.
These few simple words carry immense weight!
What were you thinking when you said those words, Madam?
As long as the Duke returns safely...
“Madam…” Shen Zhong was about to express his loyalty again.
"Stop it! Stop howling! My young lady's eyes have been red ever since you came back."
The ginger in the manor is running out.
"Try yelling again, and I'll beat you with a fire poker." Dongmai interrupted Shen Zhong in time.
Helpless, Shen Zhong had no choice but to hold back his tears.
"You should also be careful. The north is not like Beijing; the environment is harsh, so you need to take good care of yourself."
These past two days, Dongmai and Aunt Xin made two pairs of leg braces for you.
Remember to bring it.
Also, take these gold coins with you. It's better to have some money on you when you're traveling, even if you're poor!
I also had Dongmai buy a lot of Hu Ji's braised beef, which you used to love, so you can take it with you on the road.
"I'll say it again: swords have no eyes, so be careful," Shangguan Jin carefully instructed.
Shen Zhong didn't say anything, he just nodded seriously, then knelt down and kowtowed to Shangguan Jin.
He picked up the two packages he had prepared and left.
"Miss, they... they'll definitely come back, right?" Dongmai asked softly as she watched Shen Zhong's figure disappear from sight.
"Yes! Definitely!" Shangguan Jin answered without hesitation.
Dongmai nodded seriously.
Yes, they will definitely come back.
The Duke is the God of War of the North, and always will be.
......
That evening, Shen Zhong went to the Changsheng Marquis's residence and returned to the north with the New Year's gifts prepared by the Changsheng Marquis for him, who was far away in the north.
The people in the capital only discussed the fact that the Marquis of Changsheng, who was far away in the north, suddenly sent New Year's gifts to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and then stopped talking about it.
It's almost the end of the year, and there's so much going on in Beijing! Everyone's talking about it.
And so, the late emperor's birthday has arrived, and the crown prince is going to Bao'en Temple again to perform a ritual for the late emperor on behalf of the imperial family.
However, this time he brought the Seventh Prince along.
I wonder what the imperial family is thinking...
The fifth young master quietly followed the group of beggars as they ran around.
After running around for a while, he discovered that the security wasn't very tight.
All he needs to do now is to make sure that when the Crown Prince brings the Seventh Prince down the mountain three days later, he can get the attention of the Crown Prince and the onlookers.
You only get one chance; you must succeed...
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