Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 159: The Drought and the Rainbow

It's quiet at night.

In the Duanjing Hall, Crown Prince Zhu Youtang had just finished bathing and came out to change into new clothes. He was ready to leave the city to participate in the grand sacrifice the next day.

"My dear, there are many things I don't understand. Can you tell me in detail? If I don't do it well, I'm afraid I will embarrass my father."

Zhu Youtang's little face was full of tension and anxiety.

He is the type who is shy and self-contained.

He had to receive so many people at once and participate in a large-scale sacrificial ceremony. Even as the crown prince, he had to stand in the most conspicuous position so that everyone present could see him. All of this made him feel invisible pressure.

Qin Ji carefully arranged Zhu Youtang's formal attire and smiled to comfort him, "It's okay, Prince, just follow what you have learned before and perform yourself step by step. Even if there are some omissions, the civil and military officials in the court will understand the difficulties of the prince and no one will take it to heart."

Zhu Youtang lowered his head and said in frustration, "I'm afraid I won't do well enough and disappoint my father... But why did my father insist on taking me to attend? My dear, is there any explanation for this?"

Qin Ji forced a smile and did not answer this extremely sensitive question.

As an old man in the palace, Qin Ji had heard about Concubine Wan's illness and Li Zisheng's prophecy and was able to guess the reasons behind it.

As the closest person to Zhu Youtang and having watched the prince grow up, Qin Ji naturally hoped that the prince would have a smooth future and ascend the throne smoothly. However, as a servant in the palace, he did not dare to think about the question of "whether it would be better for the prince if Concubine Wan died."

As a slave, that is a serious taboo!
Although Qin Ji knew very well that as long as Concubine Wan was alive, Zhu Youtang would not have a good life and the position of the Eastern Palace could change hands at any time.

"By the way, my dear, is there any new news about my marriage?" Zhu Youtang suddenly thought of something he was concerned about and looked at Qin Ji with an eager face.

Qin Ji had a happy smile on his face and nodded, "It's almost there, it's almost there..."

Zhu Youtang frowned and asked in confusion, "Didn't they say that they were ready to go through the six rituals? Why is there no movement now?"

When this question was raised, Qin Ji felt embarrassed and found it difficult to speak.

There were some things that he knew clearly, but he couldn't explain them clearly to the prince who had never been exposed to any practical experience.

The young man in front of him was a complete blank sheet of paper, which was extremely precious to Qin Ji.

He couldn't bear to dirty this piece of white paper with his own hands.

"Is it because of the illness of the Imperial Concubine Anxi Palace's mother?"

Zhu Youtang had already thought of the key to the problem and asked.

"Ah."

Tan Ji nodded.

There is nothing wrong with what the prince said.

Because Concubine Wan was ill, the marriage had to be accelerated because the emperor was planning to let his son get married to bring good luck to his sick wife.

Also because Concubine Wan was ill, she did not like the prince and thought that the prince's wedding would only cause her troubles and make her illness worse, so the emperor urgently called off the wedding.

This sounds absurd and ridiculous, but it is true!

"Then I hope that the Imperial Concubine's mother will recover soon, so that I can marry Zhang to the palace... I have been thinking of a lot of poems recently, and I wanted to try to write one, but I feel that it is not as good as hers. When I close my eyes, I will think of her appearance, and feel that she is... different from ordinary women."

When Zhu Youtang said this, little stars seemed to begin to appear in his eyes.

Qin Ji smiled and said, "The prince is attracted to the future crown princess."

"Is this what you call being moved? I don't know."

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said with longing, "I just want her to marry into the palace as soon as possible. I can sit with her when I have nothing to do, talk to her, and smell her fragrance. I think that feeling will be very good... But I don't know when the Imperial Concubine's mother's illness will be cured. It's really unreasonable for me to get married when her illness is not cured."

Seeing that Zhu Youtang was so affectionate, so innocent, and even full of filial piety... Qin Ji couldn't help wiping away his tears.

Zhu Youtang was horrified when he saw this scene, and asked quickly: "My dear, what's wrong with you? Did I say something wrong?"

Qin Ji seemed to have finally made up his mind, and almost gritted his teeth and said: "Prince, some things may become clear the day after tomorrow."

"Why do you say that?"

Zhu Youtang asked in surprise, "Is there any difference between today and the day after tomorrow?"

Qin Ji said seriously, "Your Highness, you must remember that people in the palace cannot be trusted. You must not be so kind in the future."

Zhu Youtang was even more confused. He didn't know how the usually gentle and polite Qin Ji could suddenly become like this. He couldn't even understand what he said.

"You have a good heart, but some people don't."

Qin Ji said seriously, "You must carefully observe who treats you well and who treats you badly. Only those who truly treat you well will plan for you carefully. Otherwise..."

"What else?"

Qin Ji said helplessly: "Prince, you are the hope of all of us in the East Palace. No matter what, you can't fall down."

……

……

The ninth day of the first lunar month.

Early in the morning.

The weather is fine.

Although there were some clouds in the sky, the sky became bright early and the sun could be vaguely seen in the east.

Zhang Luan got up from bed early in the morning, brought a ladder, climbed up the wall, and looked at the sunrise from afar.

When Zhang Yanling woke up and went out to wash his face, Jin grabbed him and said, "Go talk to your father. I don't know what's wrong with him today. He climbed over the wall so early in the morning."

Zhang Heling, who followed him out of the house, heard this and grinned, "Dad is looking at the clouds and fog early in the morning... There's a description of this in the book, why is mom worried?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled helplessly and said, "Brother, that's called 'Looking for Rainbows During a Drought', from the 'Mencius: King Hui of Liang, Part Two'. You should read more books."

"Really? I've read a lot, don't lie to me, I'll go check it out later. Looking forward to clouds and rainbows during a severe drought? I don't know what it said..."

Zhang Heling muttered to himself but his hands did not stop. He quickly poured some of the hot water that his mother had just boiled into the wooden basin in front of him. After feeling the water temperature to feel it was right, he ran to the front yard with the basin, ready to see what was happening in Zhang Luan.

Zhang Yanling simply put down his face towel, walked out of the ceremonial gate, came to the ladder beside the front yard wall and asked, "Dad, did you see the fog?" "Ahem..."

Zhang Luan, who was on the wall, was coughing non-stop. Hearing this, he turned his head and looked down, saying, "Hold on, I'll be down soon."

Zhang Yanling had no choice but to help his old father hold the ladder.

But I was thinking in my heart, you stayed there and didn't come down. Is it because the ladder was not stable and you didn't dare to come down rashly? Are you afraid of falling?
When Zhang Luan had only a few steps left, he jumped down and panted as he landed, "It doesn't look like there's fog on this day, and I have to keep my eyes closed... It's difficult."

Zhang Yanling smiled and asked, "Dad, are you God?"

"What words!"

Then Zhang Luan called out to Zhang Heling who was glaring at him not far away, "Boss, tell your mother that you don't need to prepare breakfast for me today. I'll take Yanling out to eat."

Zhang Heling protested: "Dad, I also have a name, why do you call him Yanling and call me Boss? I also want to go out to eat with you..."

When Zhang Luan heard this, he immediately became angry, but he had no place to vent his anger, so he grabbed a brick nearby and threw it at Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling was also very quick-witted and managed to avoid it. He ran while shouting, "Mom, Dad hit someone! He wants to take my brother out for breakfast and not eat at home."

……

……

Zhang Luan and his son Zhang Yanling left home.

Outside, Qin Yun was sitting on the steps in front of Zhang's house, holding an embroidered spring knife in his hand. When he heard footsteps, he turned around and saw the Zhang father and son. He jumped up from the ground.

"Master Zhang, are you going out for something?"

Qin Yun rubbed his eyes and asked.

Zhang Yanling greeted him with a smile: "Captain Qin, don't you have a lot of subordinates? Do you really need to come in person to keep watch?"

Qin Yun shrugged and said, "I can't help it. His Majesty is on tour today, and many people have been transferred away. Besides, I am a little worried about letting others guard the gate of your mansion."

Zhang Yanling said to Zhang Luan, "Dad, you think Captain Tan is a capable person, right?"

"Ok?"

Zhang Luan looked puzzled, then he seemed to understand something and nodded in approval, "That's right, I've met so many people in the capital, but I've never seen Captain Qin as capable as him."

Qin Yun is a smart man. When he heard the conversation between the father and son, he couldn't help but think, how can you father and son be so careless when praising others?

Are you just making up a lie so that I can do my best to serve you?
Zhang Yanling said, "Captain Qin, I heard that there might be a heavy fog in the city today... Have you heard about it?"

"is it?"

Qin Yun looked up at the sky, a little surprised, "It's quite cold today, and there's white frost hanging on the roof, but as for the fog, looking at the sun, it's probably... not easy, right?"

Zhang Luan asked, "Yanling, what nonsense are you talking about?"

What I mean is, we agreed to keep this matter secret, so why did you ask a Jinyiwei centurion directly? With his official rank, is he qualified to know such a confidential matter?
Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, it seems that some things are really just gossip, and people outside are unaware of it... Look, even Captain Qin in the Jinyiwei doesn't know about it."

"Alas! Whether the fog will come or not depends entirely on God's will... Come with me, kid. I'm going to see your uncle right away."

Zhang Luan was extremely confused at this time.

The only thing he could think of was to find someone who could bring him psychological comfort, such as an official.

Among the officials he knew, the only one he could visit directly was Shen Lu.

It would be better if Shen Lu could take him to see Li Zisheng, but he knew very well that Li Zisheng was busy going out of the city to attend a grand sacrifice today, so how could he have time to see him?
Shen Lu's official rank is low, so he doesn't need to leave the city. He will definitely stay at home and wait for news.

Tan Yun said, "Are you two going to see Mr. Shen? I will clear the way for you two right now."

"no need."

Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said, "Dad, I think we shouldn't go see my uncle now. It's better to just stroll around the city and appreciate the customs and people of the capital... Maybe when we're walking, the fog will come and we won't be able to find the way home."

"Uh?"

Zhang Luan looked a little confused.

It was clearly my suggestion to go out and take you to visit your uncle's house.

How come when we actually got out of the door, it was you who took the initiative to lead the way?

Could it be that……

"Yanling, are you going to take your father to see someone?" Zhang Luan's heart suddenly started beating wildly and his emotions became excited.

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled but said nothing.

He knew what Zhang Luan was so excited about. He must have thought that he was going to take him to meet the "expert" hidden behind him.

If before this, Zhang Luan felt that the person who could give him the most psychological comfort was Shen Lu, then now Zhang Luan must feel that this reclusive master is truly powerful and is the one who can truly point him in the direction.

"Then will Dad go?" Zhang Yanling asked.

"Go, go, go, go." Zhang Luan said repeatedly.

Qin Yun looked suspicious and asked, "Where are we going?"

"Let's go for a walk on the street."

Zhang Yanling asked, "By the way, Captain Qin, have you ever heard of someone suffering from liver disease? What are the signs from the onset of the disease to their sudden death?"

Qin Yun became even more confused, but shook his head honestly.

I was thinking to myself, this father and son are truly masters. I couldn’t understand a word they said.

Zhang Luan's eyes widened as he asked, "What are the signs of death from liver disease?"

Zhang Yanling seemed to be chatting casually, walking in front. Zhang Luan and Qin Yun hurriedly followed, as if listening to his lecture.

"When liver disease develops, it will not progress rapidly. But when it becomes critical, symptoms of liver failure will appear... Uh, Dad, you are a doctor, so you can understand, right? In a day or two, or a few hours, the patient will die. Even a Golden Immortal cannot save him."

(End of this chapter)