The prince is more stable

Chapter 284: New Friendship
Prince Chu's Palace, Yin'an Hall.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked embarrassed and forced a dry laugh to show politeness.

Su Shi's eyes were wide open with an unfriendly expression. His sharp gaze was like a razor, scraping back and forth on his body, leaving no grass growing wherever it passed.

Zhao Hao sat beside him, not only sitting with him but also smiling along.

No one spoke, and the atmosphere in Yin'an Hall was as awkward as a Shura field.

"Haha, Master Su, it's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding. Master Su, don't take it to heart." Zhao Hao laughed heartily towards the sky.

Zhao Xiaoqian also hurriedly said, "It is indeed a misunderstanding. I have heard of Scholar Su's great name for a long time. I have known him for many years and I only regret that I have never met him in this life. If I had known it was Scholar Su, I would never have dared to be so rude today."

Su Shi sneered: "Misunderstanding? Your servants almost pushed my head into the cesspool. It was just a little bit short. I was about to eat it, eat it... Humph, what a shame!"

Zhao Hao smiled and said, "I didn't get to eat it..."

Su Shi flew into a rage: "You're feeling sorry for me, aren't you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little confused. Shouldn't Su Shi be living in a sea view apartment in Hainan? Why did he return to Bianjing?
I haven't heard that the court summoned him back to Beijing.

Unable to get an answer to his question, Su Shi pointed at him and said, "Boy, tell me, you were all right today, why did you suddenly turn against me? How did I offend you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said awkwardly, "This kid hates cilantro, oh, that is, coriander, and you threw a handful in without saying a word..."

Zhao Hao also explained: "My son was born unable to eat that thing. Even the smell makes him want to vomit. I didn't know that Master Su was here today, and my son was really excited..."

Su Shi was startled for a moment, then his expression finally softened a little: "So there's a reason for this. It's me, Meng Lang, who has been reckless."

Zhao Xiaoqian was about to thank Su Shi for his understanding, but Su Shi muttered in a low voice: "There are strange people in the world who don't eat coriander, tsk!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face turned green again, greener than coriander.

"Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. It is true that I have violated a taboo. Let's put today's matter behind us." Su Shi laughed, he turned out to be a very magnanimous old man.

Inside the Yin'an Palace, the atmosphere finally became much more harmonious.

After getting over the unpleasantness, Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi got to know each other again.

"I am Zhao Xiaoqian, the young man, and I would like to pay my respects to Mr. Su." Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and bowed deeply.

Su Shi nodded with a smile: "I came to your house today especially for you."

"Last year, my brother sent me a message saying that a remarkable young man had emerged in Bianjing. His poems were truly stunning, worthy of being passed down through the ages. Unfortunately, each poem was only half-written, hence the nickname 'Zhao Banque'."

"I returned to the capital yesterday, and today I can't wait to visit the prince. Haha, hearing about him is worse than seeing him in person. The prince has left a deep impression on me."

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched slightly. What did he mean? Had the misunderstanding just now been cleared up? This old man seemed to still hold a grudge...

"In this life, I have only two passions: eating all the delicious food in the world, and writing all the poetry and prose. Today, I saw the mutton cooked by the prince himself, and I was very happy with it. It seems that the prince has the same hobbies as me."

Su Shi stood up, walked over to Zhao Xiaoqian, stroked his beard, and said with a smile, "Fan Wencheng said, 'Without this man, who would I go home with?' Su Zi said, 'Those who share the same ideals and aspirations are willing to go home with me.' I recognize you as my friend."

Zhao Hao, who was standing next to him, was delighted when he heard this. He hurriedly looked at Zhao Xiaoqian and kept signaling with his eyes.

There are not many people who can be recognized by Su Shi and regarded as his friends regardless of age difference.

Don’t mention the titles and status of prince or duke, they are nothing in front of Su Shi.

He is the undisputed leader of the literary world of the Song Dynasty and a super idol in the hearts of countless students and scholars. His lyrics, whether popular or unknown, are still being played and sung in brothels.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian was actually similar. Although he only wrote half of the lyrics, Zhao Xiaoqian became famous after the Song-Xia War, and his lyrics have been sung in brothels to this day.

Today, Su Shi took the initiative to make friends with Zhao Xiaoqian, which was undoubtedly the greatest appreciation and recognition of Zhao Xiaoqian.

Su Shi and Zhao Hao both stared at him, but Zhao Xiaoqian scratched his head.

After a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked, "I wonder if mutton smells bad when eaten by Master Su?" Zhao Hao was puzzled and bewildered.

Su Shi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "It used to smell like mutton, but from today on, it won't. Of course, it must be cooked by the prince himself. I can't eat anyone else's cooking."

Zhao Xiaoqian also smiled: "Okay, I accept you as my friend."

Su Shi was deeply relieved and turned to Zhao Hao, smiling, "Your Highness, your son is a wonderful person. I regret not having known Jing earlier. Your Highness has raised such a talented person, which shows that you are no ordinary person."

Zhao Hao said proudly: "Over the years, I have worked hard and raised him with all my heart..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and made way for him: "Master Su, how about I take you on a tour of the palace?"

Su Shi smiled and said, "That's what I wish for. I dare not ask you to do it. Let's go."

Zhao Xiaoqian twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "I dare not invite you". I clearly told you to wait obediently in Yin'an Hall, but you insisted on running around everywhere. Not only did you ruin my pot of mutton, but you almost got pushed into the cesspool. Now you "dare not invite you".

Hey, intellectuals...

The two of them walked out of Yin'an Hall together, and Zhao Hao sat on the chair and muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Why don't you let me finish? I still have a lot of parenting tips to share..."

It was early summer and the weather was already a bit hot, and the pavilion in the backyard of the palace was a cool place.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi were sitting in a pavilion with a set of tea sets placed on the stone table. Su Shi was staring in amazement at Zhao Xiaoqian's tea art performance.

It’s not the kind of tea art that “I just feel bad for giegie”, it’s real tea art.

What about pouring tea, shaking incense, patrolling the city, nodding...

After a series of dazzling moves, Su Shi was completely stunned.

I thought the tea-making in the Song Dynasty was already fancy enough, but I didn't expect there was something even more fancy...

"Mr. Su, please." Zhao Xiaoqian smiled elegantly.

Su Shi picked up the cup, took a sip, smacked his lips, and immediately showed a look of surprise.

"Interesting! Quite interesting! Good stuff! Today is indeed an auspicious day. I can actually have such a good meal. Haha!"

After taking another sip, Su Shi nodded repeatedly in praise.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed secretly. As expected, intellectuals like this kind of tea. The elegant taste and sweet aftertaste make people think of sages, philosophy, the universe, the law of nature, etc.

Uneducated people simply can't think of that much and will just say "Wow, that's delicious."

The two sat in the pavilion, drinking tea and chatting.

Zhao Xiaoqian finally knew why Su Shi returned to Beijing.

Originally, Zhao Xiaoqian thought that Su Shi was exiled to Danzhou, Hainan, but now he realized that he was wrong.

The ups and downs of Su Shi's life were closely related to the reform.

He was a typical stubborn member of the old party. When the court implemented new laws, he was always demoted and suppressed. When the court changed its approach and implemented old laws, he rose rapidly to prominence.

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, he was suppressed and reduced to the position of deputy envoy of local militia. During the Yuanyou period, the Empress Dowager was in charge of government affairs and the court implemented the old laws. He was promoted to Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites and was recalled to Beijing.

But later he could no longer tolerate the various drawbacks of the old laws and wrote a memorial to denounce them, so he was demoted to Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Dingzhou, and finally Huizhou...

Su Shi was a man with quite contradictory political views, but of course, he could also be called "upright."

He opposes the new law and dislikes the old law, and he cannot please both sides. Therefore, no matter who is in power, his career is destined to be suppressed.

(End of this chapter)