Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 276 The Grandson Is Not in a Hurry, the Old Lady Is

Early the next morning, many people came to the Zhang family to congratulate them after hearing the good news, including former colleagues from the Honglu Temple, classmates from the Imperial College, and officials from Xingji and even Hejian Prefecture in Beijing.

Even when Zhang Luan was the Minister of the Honglu Temple, he didn't receive such treatment...

Those who came to congratulate were headed by Shen Lu, because Zhang Lu was able to enter the Hanlin Academy because of Shen Lu's recommendation. Shen Lu also contacted many officials to jointly recommend him.

"Laizhan, congratulations. Entering the Hanlin Academy is of great significance to us scholars. Moreover, you are a historian, which was a position that only the top scholar could hold in the past."

Shen Lu complimented with a smile.

Zhang Luan said modestly, "No, no, I was blessed by the emperor to go to the Hanlin Academy for further study for a few days, and I also edited some books. I know my own worth."

Shen Lu smiled and said, "Today, many colleagues from Hejian Prefecture came to me and said they were planning to host a banquet for you."

"A banquet? Never mind, forget it."

Zhang Luan now gets a headache whenever he hears about drinking.

A real headache.

I had a hangover yesterday and when I woke up today I felt weak all over. Not only did I feel dizzy, but I also had a dull headache.

While receiving wave after wave of visitors, Zhang Luan suddenly remembered something. Unfortunately, it was inconvenient to talk to his son about it at this time, so he could only bury it in his heart for the time being.

After seeing off the last group of guests, Zhang Luan found his son writing furiously at the desk by the window in the study room and said, "Son, there was something that happened yesterday. The more I thought about it after I woke up, the more I felt something was wrong. I wanted to tell you about it."

"What's the matter?"

Zhang Yanling stopped writing and asked.

"Do you know the Imperial Wine House? Is it managed by the Taichang Temple?"

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "Yesterday when I was drinking with a group of people from the Taichang Temple, someone accidentally revealed that the wine they drank came from the Imperial Wine Room, and it seems that the two are very closely related."

Zhang Yanling put down his pen, picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip before saying, "The Imperial Winery is where the imperial court brews wine. It was originally under the jurisdiction of the inner court, but in the past two years, it has become the norm to use public equipment for private purposes. The wine in the Imperial Winery is often taken out and sold privately. Deng Changen should have made a lot of money from it."

"Ah? That's true... I am ignorant."

Zhang Luan said angrily.

……

……

Forbidden City.

Qingning Palace.

Zhu Youtang brought his young wife to pay his respects to Queen Mother Zhou that day.

The Queen Mother Zhou had just finished worshipping Buddha that day. She kept chatting with the young couple for a long time, and at lunch time, she didn't seem to have any intention of letting them go.

Zhu Youtang was filial and Zhang Yu was also very clever. In addition, Zhang Yu was eloquent and made the old lady smile happily. It seemed that all the previous gloom had been swept away, and she doted on the young couple.

"Prince, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you've been married for quite some time, how come there's been no news?"

Queen Mother Zhou suddenly asked in an unfathomable tone.

Zhu Youtang looked puzzled: "Grandson doesn't quite understand what the Royal Grandmother said."

"Silly child, what else could it be? Of course it's your wife's belly! As the crown prince, if you have a child, you will appear more mature and stable. Your father will trust you more and entrust you with more court affairs. Do I need to explain this to you clearly?"

Queen Mother Zhou always felt that her grandson was a little stupid.

Such a not-so-bright person actually gets along so well with his clever granddaughter-in-law. Who knows if there is some fishy plot behind this?

As an old woman, Queen Mother Zhou became more shrewd. Of course, she would consider the interests of her grandson in such matters.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youtang blushed and stammered, "No... not yet... Yu'er has recently..."

When pressed by his elders, he almost told them that his young wife had been feeling unwell in recent days.

It is precisely because there are such a few days every month that the young couple does not have affectionate affection during these days, but this does not affect their harmonious relationship. They just sit together every night to read storybooks, chat, and occasionally talk about poetry, which makes Zhu Youtang very happy. He feels that his life has a direction, which is to live a simple life with his lovely wife.

"Then hurry up."

Queen Mother Zhou rolled her eyes at her grandson and said, "This matter must be put on the agenda. After all, you are the crown prince, and you are different from others. If there is no movement on your side, it will be very disadvantageous to you. No matter what, your father will not be indifferent to this. Well, do you need my advice?"

Zhu Youtang was feeling guilty for worrying his old father, and suddenly he felt something was wrong.

What kind of tiger-wolf talk is this?
Why do you still need to give me some advice?
What advice?
Are you good at giving birth to children?
Do you still need personal guidance?

Zhang Yu quickly took over the conversation: "Grandmother, please rest assured. I will work hard, but there is still a long way to go. I have just entered the palace, so there are some things I am not used to. The prince has done a good job in many things. It is me who is not ready."

"Really?"

When Queen Mother Zhou heard this, she couldn't help but look at her grandson with admiration.

I thought to myself, even though you look weak and sickly, you are actually doing “pretty well” in some aspects?
It seems that you can't judge a book by its cover. You are quite capable.

"Too."

When Queen Mother Zhou heard this, she felt relieved.

This test ended here, but she still reminded, "It's normal for people who have just entered the palace to be unprepared. But you are actually old enough to have children, so there is no need to wait too long. You must know that this matter is related to the fate of the Ming Dynasty and even your own future, so you must pay attention."

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "What the Imperial Grandmother reminded me of is correct. The Crown Prince and I are keeping an eye on this matter."

"Yes, yes, as an elder, I can't give you too much advice on your relationship. Just keep it in mind."

Empress Dowager Zhou was completely relieved.

Her grandson was surprisingly strong in some aspects, which temporarily suppressed her gossiping nature. She also felt that today's conversation with the two juniors was worthwhile.

"I'll get you some deer penis and blood later." Queen Mother Zhou said, "Grandson, I'm doing this for your own good. You have to understand."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang looked confused.

What is deer penis and deer blood? What is that?

Could it be that there is some auspicious meaning?
……

……

The couple had lunch in Qingning Palace and then returned to Duanjing Hall. Back in the back hall, Zhu Youtang had to go to class in the afternoon, so he left after a brief conversation with Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu stretched out his body and said lazily, "It's a good time for me to catch up on some sleep."

"Yes, yes, yes. You should sleep a little longer. We can read the storybook together tonight. I'll read a sentence and you'll read a sentence..."

The couple has recently become obsessed with role-playing.

When watching "Journey to the West", Zhang Yu felt inspired and suggested that anyone speak in the voice of a character in the book, and then another person would take over until the scene ended.

Zhu Youtang seemed to be addicted to this, repeating it over and over again, often refusing to rest until late at night.

Zhang Yu said, "I can take a nap, can you? Don't ruin your health... Even the Empress Dowager said that you have to take good care of your health."

"fine."

Zhu Youtang patted his chest and said, "Whenever I think of you, I feel refreshed. Oh, by the way, Yu'er, did you understand what the Empress Dowager said?"

"Of course I understand. She hopes that we...can have children soon."

Zhang Yu said, "No, it should be said that I want you to have a child as soon as possible, so that your position will be more stable. I am also ready to take care of you, but it will take some time."

Zhu Youtang said, "I'm not talking about that... I also understand that. It's what the Empress Dowager said about deer penis and deer blood. Do you know what that is?"

Zhang Yu glanced at Qin Ji who had just come in and was standing there waiting to go out together. Seeing that Qin Ji was so embarrassed that his face turned red and he seemed to want to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, she was also speechless.

He immediately said angrily: "Are you stupid? What is that for? Of course... Oh, you should learn more about this. Don't ask me... I don't want to bother with you. I'm going to rest."

"Oh."

Zhu Youtang felt even more confused.

I'm just asking what it is for. Do you have to be so anxious about it?

However, he was very tactful. Since his wife told him not to ask, he did not ask and went to Wenhua Hall with Qin Ji.

……

……

"My dear, you mean, those are all supplements to strengthen the body, right?"

Zhu Youtang finally got the answer from Tan Ji, but he still didn't understand, "Why is my beloved concubine so anxious when this is mentioned?"

Tan Ji was also embarrassed: "Because that kind of make-up is related to the affairs of the bedroom, which is the core of family ethics...it can be more...umm..."

At this point, Zhu Youtang finally understood what he was doing.

"No wonder."

Zhu Youtang asked, "Is the Empress Dowager worried that I am not good enough in that aspect?"

"may be."

Qin Ji didn't know what to say.

You are too honest, you tell everyone everything... Fortunately, the people you met today are your own people. If you asked this question in front of outsiders, don't you think it would be embarrassing?
"So is the Imperial Grandmother. It's so embarrassing to bring this up in front of my beloved concubine." Zhu Youtang said, "But I know how to answer next time."

Qin Jixin said, what about next time?
The old lady is just testing you. Now that the test is over, she won’t ask again next time.

"By the way, Your Highness, there is one more thing. It was news that came this morning, saying that after Zhang Honglu was transferred to the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, he was transferred to the Hanlin Academy to serve as a historian. It is estimated that he will take up the post in the next two days." Tan Ji said.

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Really? It seems that my father-in-law had the idea of ​​entering the Imperial Academy from a long time ago, but he never thought that it would suddenly come true... By the way, do you know how it came true?"

Qin Ji shook his head: "I don't know exactly how it was done, probably someone recommended it, and with the approval of His Majesty, it was possible.

"From the perspective of outsiders, the work of the Hanlin Academy is extremely easy, with low official rank and low salary. The only advantage is that it is noble and elegant. It is not necessarily a preferential treatment for a senior official of the fourth rank to be transferred there. But for scholars, entering the Hanlin Academy is a lifelong pursuit, and Lord Zhang has finally achieved his wish. With this resume, if there is a chance in the future, Lord Zhang may be able to enter the East Palace to give lectures and serve the crown prince."

"I hope so too."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "You should have told me this good news earlier. I told my beloved concubine, and she would definitely be very happy."

Tan Ji smiled and said, "I will go and pass on the message after the Crown Princess takes a nap. That's fine too."

Zhu Youtang rolled his eyes at Tan Ji and said, "Wouldn't it be better if I went to tell my beloved concubine in person about something that would make her happy? I'll tell her in the evening...

"If my father-in-law could come to the palace every now and then, I wouldn't have to send people out of the palace to ask him for advice... Oh, by the way, do you know where Yanling, the second brother of my beloved concubine, is studying now?"

Tan Ji said: "I heard that the family has hired a teacher to teach. He is a student from Shanxi, named Chai Meng."

Zhu Youtang asked in surprise: "My wife even knows this?"

"Uh... I was just asking." Tan Ji said, "Your Highness, let's go to class quickly. The lecturer in the East Palace has been waiting for a long time. Don't keep him waiting for a long time."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang didn't ask any more questions and took Tan Ji to Wenhua Palace.

……

……

Liang Fangfu's residence.

Liang Fang's situation was not good recently. As he fell out of favor with the emperor, it was difficult for him to even enter the palace, which made it difficult for him to handle the work of the Imperial Horse Administration. Many people who were originally dependent on him began to distance themselves from him, and some even turned around and sent gifts to Li Zisheng, as if they no longer took Liang Fang seriously.

It would be fine if it were just some people who had no affiliation with him, but the key now was that even many of his subordinates began to be at odds with him and did not report anything to him. Liang Fang became really nervous.

"Eunuch, this is not their fault... You should know that the court is full of people who curry favor with the powerful. Now that everyone knows that Li Zisheng is in power, who wouldn't lean towards him?"

Wei Xing persuaded.

Liang Fang was furious: "Why is it that when we were both impeached, His Majesty ordered me to reflect on myself, while Li Zisheng was able to thrive?"

Wei Xing said: "There are many things that are not clear about the matter of selling official positions, so your majesty did not blame too much. Besides, didn't that Taoist Li lose his position as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites? Unfortunately, this does not seem to affect his interference in the affairs of the court..."

Liang Fang said angrily, "According to what you said, my family is still the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Stables. Why is my position different from others?"

Wei Xing sighed and said, "I heard that it was because His Majesty wanted to give the Empress Dowager a title, and the time was chosen by Li Zisheng. Perhaps His Majesty wanted him to preside over this matter. There are also rumors that His Majesty was going to let him preside over this matter as the Minister of Rites. Now that the news has leaked, everyone in the court and the public has rushed to curry favor with him...

"I think there must be some conspiracy behind this. He said that there would be auspicious signs on that day. Did it really happen? Who is he? How can he predict disasters and auspicious signs again and again? Is there really divine help?

"I do not believe!"

(End of this chapter)