Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 193 If Life Could Just Be Like First Meeting (Vote Request)

The main courtyard of Zhang Mansion.

main room.

"Son, today the old man Wan, also known as the Prime Minister Wan'an, left a pill. How about... you take a look at it?"

As Zhang Luan spoke, he took out a pill wrapped in paper from his arms.

Zhang Yanling took it in his hand and looked at it, and said in surprise: "This seems to be... a medicine for strengthening the body. It seems to be made by alchemy. The surface is covered with a layer of cinnabar, and some heavy metals are added. Tsk tsk... Hey, Dad, what's the look in your eyes?"

Zhang Luan was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He stared at the question, "How can you smell it just by sniffing? Where did you learn this skill, kid?"

Zhang Yanling couldn't help but frown.

In my previous life, I was a graduate of a traditional Chinese medicine school, and I studied for eight years to obtain my bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and this does not include the accumulation of working time. If I don't even have this common sense, then haven't I just wasted my time?
"Dad, this isn't complicated... It's just some medicinal herbs that you're not familiar with." Zhang Yanling explained, "If you get in touch with them more, you'll be able to smell them."

Zhang Luan shrugged and said helplessly: "I just smell sulfur."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "That's not the smell of sulfur. It's the unique pungent smell of cinnabar combined with herbs. But it does have sulfur in it, and rhubarb is also added. In general, this is a very powerful medicine."

"What is it for? You said earlier that it would strengthen your body? How...do you strengthen your body?"

Zhang Luan asked for advice seriously.

Zhang Yanling raised his eyebrows, "Dad, Wan'an brought this medicine to you, which means someone gave him this medicine and asked him to offer it to the emperor... Guess how it strengthens you?"

"Ah!? Is this medicine for the old emperor?"

Zhang Luan was shocked again.

"Haha. If it's not for the emperor... do you think Wan'an has to ask you about the condition of this medicine in an occasion like today? By the way, what did you tell him?"

Zhang Yanling seemed to be telling a joke, with a smile on his face the whole time.

Zhang Luan thought about it carefully and said, "I didn't say much. I wanted to say that we need to examine it carefully before we can come to a conclusion. Actually, I just wanted you to come back and help me. But he thought that I had a big problem with this medicine. His attitude changed immediately and he even said that I helped him a lot."

Zhang Yanling nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right. He might have wanted to use this medicine to gain the emperor's favor, but after being frightened by you, he must have retracted his idea in time."

"Then this medicine..."

Zhang Luan seems to be very concerned about the efficacy of this medicine.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "After all, at my age, I can't use this kind of strong medicine. You can't use it either. It's too harmful to your body."

"Hey, kid, you know a lot at such a young age."

Zhang Luan cursed, "You haven't even grown all your hair yet, I don't know who taught you that... He is a cabinet minister, he is already at the top of the government, why would he offer this kind of medicine? Isn't he asking for trouble?"

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, what kind of good person do you think Wan'an is?

If you knew that he would submit a memorial to your emperor son-in-law about some sexual techniques in the future and even lose his job because of it, you would know how out of touch this person is.

It would be strange if the Ming Dynasty could have a clean government with such a person as its prime minister!

"I think you need to inform Li Zisheng about this matter now, Dad." Zhang Yanling suggested.

"Why?"

Zhang Luan was a little confused.

Zhang Yanling analyzed seriously: "If this medicine came from Li Zisheng, he would have presented it himself. Why would he need to trouble Wan'an? Now it is clear that another Taoist priest made the elixir and deliberately bypassed Li Zisheng. Wan'an paid attention to it and even went to you to find out the truth. This means that this medicine is not suitable for the imperial physician of the Imperial Hospital to ask.

"Thinking about it this way, this medicine was basically made by Deng Changen or Zhao Yuzhi. You should let Li Zisheng be mentally prepared for this kind of thing."

Zhang Luan swung his sleeves and said, "Why would I go and cause trouble if there's nothing wrong? Didn't you also say that we are now in an equal cooperation relationship with Li Zisheng? There's no need to agree with him on everything, right?"

Zhang Yanling said: "We may really need him to protect us from the wind and rain at this moment. After all, it is still His Majesty who is in charge of the world now."

"Look at what you said... well, it's quite disrespectful!"

Zhang Luan made a joke and then continued, "Well, there is nothing that cannot be said to others. There is no need for me to hide it. Isn't it just Wan'an who came to ask me about a medicine? Even if I tell Li Zisheng, what will happen?

"The gifts given by the imperial court this time are really quite a lot... Didn't you say that the prince is not favored? It seems that the royal family is not stingy at all."

Zhang Yanling said, "This is a major event that concerns the reputation of the royal family. It must be based on the previous crown prince's wedding. Who dares to neglect it? Father, please don't go into it in detail.

"When my sister marries into the palace, our family may not receive attention and care for a long time. You must be prepared to sit on the bench for a long time."

Zhang Luan said indifferently, "Son, you know a lot, but don't always scare your father with nonsense. Your father is not the kind of person who can't stand being ignored by others. You should be content with the current situation...

"Hmph, what do you mean by a bench or not? Back then, your father swore that even if I was a minor official in the prefecture or county government, I would be content. Now, at least I am the fourth-rank official in the Honglu Temple. Even if it is just an honorary position, it is more glorious than my biggest dream in the past. How could I not be satisfied?"

"Being contented is a good thing."

Zhang Yanling nodded in approval, acting like a senior expert.

"Hey, brat, I think you are just like your elder brother, you both deserve to be punished. How dare you make fun of me, your father? Are you itching for trouble? By the way, don't you want to study hard? Now that the teacher has been invited back, I haven't seen you read a single day of books. I just don't have time to discipline you recently. When I get back..."

"Dad, you should take care of yourself first. I won't bother you to worry about me anymore."

……

……

Eastern Palace, Duanjing Hall.

Zhu Youtang received the letter from Tan Ji, who had just delivered it to the palace. He had a happy smile on his face, as if his life had become brighter from then on. Tan Ji took the initiative to introduce the situation he knew: "It was just delivered. The Crown Princess was enthroned yesterday. The wedding date is set for the eighth day of next month. That is a good day. By then, our East Palace will be bustling."

"Uh-huh."

Zhu Youtang couldn't wait to open the letter, and then looked at it seriously.

"There are new words... Haha, my dear, she has new words... But why is it only half a verse?"

Zhu Youtang was extremely surprised, but then felt a little disappointed. After carefully reading that half of the poem, he became energetic again.

Qin Ji leaned over to take a look and sighed sincerely, "It's really well written. Isn't our Crown Princess the most talented woman in the world? The Crown Prince is so lucky!"

Zhu Youtang said happily: "I think she is not only the most talented woman in the world, but her level is enough to be recorded in history and comparable to the great poets of ancient times. When the time comes, I will make her famous and I guarantee that people all over the world will admire her."

After reading it carefully again, Zhu Youtang's heart was moved, his eyes full of deep affection: "It is indeed a rare masterpiece... She clearly wrote this poem for me, it is gorgeous... but with a bit of sadness... Oh, my dear, is she questioning me?"

Tan Ji's eyes also lit up, and he couldn't help but say:
"If life could always be like our first encounter, why would the autumn wind make the fan sad? People's hearts change easily, yet they say that people's hearts change easily... I am old and don't understand love and affection, so I don't know how to praise the beauty of this half-verse."

Zhu Youtang said: "In fact, I often think back to the good times when I first met her. Every time I think of it, I feel so sweet... But I always feel that she is saying that some people will change their hearts after the first meeting... She is so good, how could I change my heart? I am not a fool!"

Tan Ji couldn't help but shook his head and smiled bitterly.

I was thinking, Prince, your emotions are being controlled by others.

Someone just wrote you a poem and you start doubting yourself? Are you afraid that they will be sad? Your mood swings are really too big.

Zhu Youtang said with a sad look on his face: "She must think that I will change my mind in the future and betray her love for other people or other things... This is absolutely impossible to happen!"

Qin Ji advised cautiously: "Your Highness, you are the crown prince, and in the future...some things...are human nature!"

It's almost like saying that it will be difficult for you to live up to her in the future. Can you still insist on not taking a concubine?
If the Crown Princess fails to give birth to a heir, will you still insist on spending your life with her? What will happen to the Ming Dynasty? What will happen to the legacy left by your ancestors?
You believe everything they say? You are too naive!
You really don’t need to care too much about it. This way you won’t be controlled by others and will maintain your independent personality. This is extremely important for you, the future emperor!
Zhu Youtang said seriously, "With a wife like this, what else can a husband ask for? I will never let her be sad... My dear, how do you think I should respond to her?"

Tan Ji said: "It may be that the Crown Princess is sad about getting married. Many ladies have this kind of sad mentality before going out."

"Will not."

Zhu Youtang shook his head. "She must have heard something. Previously, the Imperial Grandmother said that she wanted to keep the other two candidates for the Crown Princess with me, but I refused at the time... Could it be that she thought that I would change my mind in the future? My dear, please light the lamp for me. I need to write her a letter right away."

"Don't be in a hurry, Your Highness, have your meal first."

Tan Ji hurried to persuade.

"No, I must write this letter early and send it to her as soon as possible so that she can know my feelings. It's best not to delay for a moment."

Zhu Youtang looked affectionate, then buried his head and began to write rapidly.

……

……

Zhu Youtang worked late into the night, but he was not reading, but writing a letter to his wife who had not yet married him.

He looked even more serious than when he was studying before.

After serving for a while, Qin Ji found that the young master had entered a state of meditation and was oblivious to what was happening around him. He could only leave the hall and notify them to heat up the dinner so that Zhu Youtang could eat it after he finished his work.

"Eunuch Tan."

Jiang Cong came over and said with a worried look on his face, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has been absent-minded recently. Could it be because he is worried about getting married soon?"

Qin Ji looked at Jiang Cong and couldn't help but frowned slightly.

As Zhu Youtang's constant attendant, he was naturally well aware of Zhu Youtang's current condition, but Jiang Cong was inevitably confused... Although he knew that the prince was about to get married, who knew how he felt about his new wife?

He says he is happy, but no one knows if he is just pretending.
Tan Ji said solemnly: "Your Highness fell in love with our Crown Princess at first sight, and he is so deeply in love with her that he can hardly extricate himself."

"what?"

Jiang Cong was surprised when he heard this: "Is it that weird? Didn't they only meet once?"

Qin Ji said with emotion: "Some people may get along with each other for half their lives but still be strangers, without any ripples in their hearts. But for some people, it's like they've known each other for a long time at first sight, and they become lifelong friends. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Our Crown Princess is really not a simple person. She has made the Crown Prince worried and distracted all day long after just one meeting!"

Jiang Cong was quite emotional, and then asked with some concern, "But if she enters the East Palace in the future, will it be difficult to get along with her? Will those of us who serve her have a hard time in the future?"

Tan Ji shook his head.

Even Qin Ji knew very little about the newly-married Crown Princess. As for how to get along with this hostess in the future, Qin Ji himself had no idea.

Jiang Cong said: "Should we prepare a gift for the occasion? It is said that the more gifts you give, the less blame you will receive."

Qin Ji said seriously: "As a servant, serving the master is the most important thing, and everything else is just trivial matters. As for whether to give gifts or not...it's up to you to decide.

"It may take a long time for the prince to have dinner, so we must not let him eat cold food... It's the first month of spring, and the north is still freezing cold. The prince is not in good health, so we must be careful."

"I know."

Jiang Cong said, "I have already given the order. Eunuch Qin, don't worry. Not to mention an hour, even if the prince wants to eat at midnight, the food will definitely be hot."

It can only be said to be hot, not freshly made.

Qin Ji also understood this. After taking a breath outside the hall, he went back to accompany Zhu Youtang.

(The last two days of this month, persistence is victory, today's 10,000-word update, please vote for me!)
(End of this chapter)