"To Ouyang Lun's residence." Although he was only seven years old (by Chinese reckoning) and dressed as a young scholar, no one dared to underestimate Zhu Xiong Ying. "Third Uncle, Cousin, is that alright?"
Chang Sen quickly replied, "Yes."
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled, seemingly somewhat displeased, "Third Uncle, this is too formal. Cousin, too, this time when we leave the palace, we are only discussing family ties. I am merely Third Uncle's nephew and Cousin's cousin."
Chang Sen and Li Jinglong were pleased, but they dared not actually agree. The Crown Prince could be polite, but they couldn't readily accept. Besides, they both knew the Crown Prince had important business to attend to this time. Being able to "do errands" alongside the Crown Prince meant they couldn't afford to mess it up; many people were watching.
Riding in a sedan chair was out of the question. Having finally gotten a chance to leave the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying also wanted to see the prosperity of the Ming capital.
"Where is Ru Chang's residence?" Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly asked. "He is my study companion, well-versed in poetry and literature."
Chang Sen was now in an awkward position, and Li Jinglong was also unaware. So the two exchanged a glance, "Your Highness, we are unaware of where he resides."
Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and shook his head, saying, "Third Uncle, Cousin, I said we're only talking about kinship."
Chang Sen continued, "Grandson, if it is to summon Ru Chang, you can send someone to issue an imperial decree."
Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying nod, Chang Sen glanced back and immediately a passerby strode over. This surprised Zhu Xiong Ying a bit; he knew there would definitely be some attendants and guards around, but he had really had a hard time recognizing their identities just now.
This was the Imperial Guard Commandery, the predecessor of the famous Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Just as Chang Sen was asking about Ru Chang, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Let's go over there. There are some things we still need to ask our study companion."
Everyone in the group already knew who was in charge. Since the Crown Prince had made the decision, everyone obeyed.
As Zhu Xiong Ying strolled along, he spotted a toy shop ahead and immediately became interested. Rattles, clay toys, including a cloth tiger resembling "Yellow Fatty," and puzzle pieces resembling tangrams, along with bamboo crafts, all piqued Zhu Xiong Ying's interest. He seemed to be casually browsing the market.
"Your Highness, you mustn't!" Chang Sen suddenly became a little nervous and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "His Majesty gave an order before we left the palace."
Buying toys is fine, buying jewelry is also okay, but if Zhu Xiong Ying wants to buy food, that's not allowed.
Chang Sen waved, and the men from the Imperial Guard Commandery immediately came over. Zhu Xiong Ying had bought a large pile of toys, which would naturally be sent back to the Eastern Palace, though they might also be sent back to the Kunning Palace. Whether the Crown Prince would play with these toys himself or give them to his younger siblings was up to him, but these items had to be returned.
The sugar-blowing vendor is very happy now because a big customer has come.
"Old man, are you still able to make ends meet these days?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked with concern as he sat on a small stool.
The vendor casually remarked, "Life is alright. I run my stall every day, and my wife does laundry for others. We manage to get enough to eat."
Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "How many people are in your family?"
The vendor glanced at Zhu Xiong Ying, and if it weren't for the fact that he was a big customer, he would have been impatient long ago. "Five people, and the grandson is all grown up now."
This is the true essence of traveling incognito. Zhu Xiong Ying observed and asked questions along the way.
These vendors were the subjects of Zhu Xiong Ying's "interviews," and he would occasionally grab passersby to ask them a few questions. There was no one he wouldn't ask, and the questions were basically about how many people were in their families, whether they had enough to eat, and whether their children were in school, etc.
This is a grandson of the emperor who cares about the hardships of the common people and is very concerned about their lives.
Ru Chang finally got a day off and was resting at home. But just before noon, the doorman suddenly came to report that a colleague of the adults had come to visit.
There was no door sticker or visiting card; this didn't seem like a formal visit from a colleague, but rather the impression of an unwelcome guest.
Ru Chang, with a slight frown, nodded and said, "Go and see, invite them into the manor."
The gatekeeper said that if he hadn't seen the extraordinary demeanor of those people, he wouldn't have come to inform them. He was worried that they might inadvertently offend someone on behalf of their master.
Zhu Xiong Ying entered the mansion and looked around. "Why does Ru, the companion, live in such a simple residence?"
Li Jinglong inwardly complained, "It's not even the current emperor; officials' salaries are pitifully low. Most people are barely able to support themselves."
Sitting in the main seat of the hall, Ru Chang suddenly couldn't remain calm. He saw the figure surveying its surroundings. Although the little figure was the smallest, it was still quite striking.
Unable to remain seated, Ru Chang immediately rose and said, "Your subject Ru Chang pays respects to the Crown Prince."
Even the gatekeeper leading the way couldn't remain calm. His master had knelt, so he immediately followed suit. Everyone in his household knew best who Ru Chang was. At sixteen, he had been selected as a tribute student to study at the Imperial Academy. Later, he entered the Imperial Academy, studying alongside the Crown Prince, imperial relatives, and princes.
Now, Ru Chang is the Crown Prince's study companion!
Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand and said with a smile, "Get up. I'm just taking a stroll today, so please don't stand on ceremony, my companion. Oh, and please tell your family not to let the news of our visit leak out, lest some people find out."
Ru Chang nodded immediately and said confidently, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I govern the palace with utmost strictness."
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "It is said that even a seventh-rank official is respected in front of the prime minister's door, but the servants in the study are quite polite and did not ask for a bribe."
"Menbao" refers to doormen who would accept money and then deliver invitations to guests, which could be considered a manifestation of the saying "even a seventh-rank official is treated like a prime minister."
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