It was not too late, but the night had fallen, and the reception banquet in Hongde Hall ended in a warm and harmonious atmosphere. The chamberlain held the lamp to lead the way, and Concubine Xiao, mother and son, slowly walked towards the bedroom. The dim light reflected on their faces, revealing two calm faces.
The entire journey was silent. Even when he returned to the palace, he was silent for a while. The palace maid brought a basin of water, and Concubine Xiao took the silk scarf and gently wiped her face, as if to wipe away the drunkenness on her face.
In Hongde Hall, Xiao Chuo also drank some wine, which came from Gaochang Dao Grape Wine. In today's Han Dynasty, although the planting of grapes is blooming everywhere, accompanied by the great development of the wine industry, in terms of quality and taste, the wine from Gaochang Road has to be the most "authentic".
However, in recent years, due to the Anxi War, the production of wine has also been affected, and the price has been rising. Gaochang wine has also become a luxury product due to its scarcity. In ordinary times, only the rich and powerful can enjoy authentic wine. Gaochang wine.
Liu Wenji also washed his hands and face slowly, without speaking during the process. Until the maids were dismissed, Xiao Chuo looked at his son who had been silent for a long time and asked in a low voice: "Are you envious?"
Although Liu Wenji is only thirteen years old now, he is not too young for the Tian family. Although Xiao Chuo's question has no beginning or end, Liu Wenji understands what she is referring to. After thinking about it for a moment, he replied: "Envy!"
How can you not be envious? Although the Hongde Palace Banquet just now was just a family banquet, it obviously had an extra protagonist. Prince Liu Yang's light seemed to have transferred part of it to Liu Wenhuan. In the past, Liu Wenji had always been in a state of being a vassal among the brothers in the East Palace. He never fought or thought about fighting.
However, today, when Liu Wenhuan received the recognition from his father and the reward from his grandfather, when others focused their attention solely on Liu Wenhuan, and when the disparity in status became obvious, Liu Wenji had some whims.
At this time, Liu Wenji could not accurately describe his feelings, but he felt a little uncomfortable, perhaps envious, jealous, and unwilling.
Hearing the straightforward answer given by his son, Xiao Chuo was surprised and looked at him with an inquiring gaze for the first time. Originally, Xiao Chuo thought that Liu Wenji would give the opposite answer to this question, even if it was just a reserved expression, but the result was somewhat beyond her expectation.
Compared with this answer, some subtle changes revealed behind it made Xiao Chuo feel a little flustered and inexplicably expectant. He slowly came forward and sat next to Liu Wenji. With a smile on his face, he said gently: "Why are you envious?"
Liu Wenji shook his head: "I don't know! I'm just envious!"
Xiao Chuo asked: "Are you envious of getting the title? Or is it the favor of your grandfather and father?"
Liu Wenji was silent for a moment and said, "Big brother deserves all of that!"
Looking at his calm son, Xiao Chuo's expression gradually became serious. He straightened his body and asked seriously: "Tell mother! Do you want it too?"
Faced with this question, Liu Wenji was obviously a little nervous. He couldn't hide a look of expectation on his face. He took a deep breath and whispered: "I just think that I should learn from my elder brother. Wait until I turn sixteen." , I wonder if I can be as down-to-earth as my elder brother and travel thousands of miles!"
Hearing this, a smile broke out on Xiao Chuo's face again. The rich smile even looked bright. He raised his hand and gently stroked the back of Liu Wenji's head and said, "You don't have to travel thousands of miles to read thousands of books!"
Upon hearing this suggestion, Liu Wenji's eyes brightened, but soon turned gloomy: "Can I be made a marquis after reading thousands of books?"
"Wen Ji, you should know that you are different from those scholars in the world. You study and understand science, not for fame and wealth like them. Your origin determines that you don't need to worry about a mere title. Likewise, you also You can't be too active in striving for something you should get," Xiao Chuo sighed lightly.
Liu Wenji listened carefully to Concubine Xiao's words, but obviously didn't quite understand, and shook his head directly: "I don't understand what my mother said!"
Xiao Chuo still looked good and persuasive, and said softly: "Although mother doesn't want to talk about something, and I don't want you to be disturbed, but that's all for today, so just listen to it. You are half Khitan's blood." "
"But I never considered myself a Khitan!" Liu Wenji suddenly broke out and said to Xiao Chuo excitedly. Although the green face is childish, the expression is very serious and the eyes are extremely firm.
Facing his firm and questioning gaze, Xiao Chuo smiled slightly and said calmly: "Mother knows! Mother has never thought that you are a Khitan, nor does she hope that you are, but we, mother and son, cannot control how others view you. It’s over!”
"The Han Dynasty has so many civil and military officials, distinguished officials, and even founding fathers of the country. Didn't the imperial court regard them as nationals? Didn't their achievements be recorded in the history books, and their heroes were not honored in Zhaolie Temple?" Liu Wenji said.
"What you said makes sense!" Liu Wenji's question was so sonorous and powerful. Xiao Chuo's eyes became brighter when he heard it, and he said in a tone of approval: "However, some facts cannot be changed. Mom is indeed up to you. This is undeniable for the Khitan woman whose grandfather went south.
No one can deny that you are Han, because you are the grandson of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, and half of the most precious blood in the world flows in your body. However, if you want to get the same thing as your elder brother, you are destined to work harder."
Hearing what his mother said, Liu Wenji frowned tightly and subconsciously bit his lip with his teeth, so hard that it almost bled, but Xiao Chuo did not stop him. Today's words had a huge impact on Liu Wenji.
But these things must be experienced. Thirteen years old is no longer young, and can even be regarded as an adult labor force on the grassland, and it is time to experience things. With his fists clenched, his breath heavy, and his chest heaving several times, Liu Wenji suddenly raised his eyes to look at Xiao Chuo, his eyes slightly red: "Do my grandfather and father treat me as my mother said?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chuo's smile was gentle and contagious, and he said softly: "You have been influenced by your father since you were a child, and you are often called to serve your grandfather. Do you think they treat you differently or look at you differently?"
Liu Wenji thought for a while, his tense body slowly relaxed, and he said with certainty: "No!"
"You have to know!" Xiao Chuo nodded slightly and said solemnly: "You may need to work several times harder to gain the approval of the foreign subjects, but the opinions of thousands of foreign subjects are not as good as those of your ancestors and father. Ideas matter!”
Seeing that Liu Wenji was thoughtful, Xiao Chuo said leisurely: "Mom, let me answer your question just now. Reading thousands of books may not necessarily lead to a knighthood, but your eldest brother has traveled thousands of miles, and only traveled one way to the northwest. What he has seen is just A corner of Anxi. But if you can read ten thousand books, you can see the court, the people, and the entire world."
The conversation between mother and son lasted for a long time, until late at night, Liu Wenji finally resigned. In the end, Concubine Xiao once again gave Liu Wenji a warning, asking him to remember what he said tonight, but not to reveal even a single word to the outside world. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to his grandfather and father, to the second concubine of the East Palace, to Liu Wenhuan, and even to his one-year-old third brother Liu Wenpeng. The attitude must be the same as before, without any neglect.
The biggest characteristic of Liu Wenji in the past was that he was obedient, and at the same time he accepted death, kept his promises, promised his mother, and was even less likely to break his promise.
It has to be said that the conversation that night had a great impact on Liu Wenji. Although there were still many confusions and even seemed ignorant, the thirteen-year-old Liu Wenji mentally endured something that he had never experienced before. Passed baptism.
As for how much impact such a baptism will have on him and how much effect it will have on his future, it remains to be tested. At least after this night, many people who were familiar with Liu Wenji discovered that there were some changes in His Royal Highness, some indescribable changes, which were a bit strange, but not offensive.
