In January in Kyoto, there is heavy snow, covering the sky and white snow everywhere. The snow is heavy on the roof, and the sound of breaking tiles can be heard from time to time.
Amid the howling cold wind, it was already dawn, and the few watch roosters in the inn yard were too cold to crow. In front of the desk, Lu Zuo held "The Analects of Confucius" in his left hand, and his right hand went back and forth in front of the red candle lamp to warm himself.
When Lu Zuozheng was reading and murmuring, he suddenly felt a warmth on his back. When he looked back, it turned out that it was Yin Ji who saw that he was wearing thin clothes and covered himself with another layer of cloak. Lu Zuo didn't expect Yin Ji to be so considerate at such a young age, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"Ji'er, why don't you sleep? It's still early?" Lu Zuo asked caringly.
"Can't sleep!" Yin Ji smiled sweetly, not feeling sleepy at all, "Master, why did you get up so early to read?"
"Think about something!" Lu Zuo said calmly.
"Oh?" Yin Ji frowned, "Master, isn't he reading a book? How can he still think about things?"
"Because the answer is in the book!" Lu Zuo took the book and tapped Yin Ji's forehead twice.
Yin Ji gathered around the red candle to keep warm. He asked, "What problem can you solve by reading this book?"
"Do you know the Analects of Confucius?"
"I heard that the master in my temple taught me a few words, but I just can't remember them!"
"Ji'er! Saints often reflect on themselves afterwards. We should reflect more and think more!" Lu Zuo nodded thoughtfully after saying this.
Yin Ji asked in confusion: "What are you thinking about?"
Lu Zuo smiled and answered patiently, "Is it unfaithful to seek others? Is it not trustworthy when making friends? Is it not customary to spread the word?"
"Master, Ji'er knows the meaning of this sentence!" Yin Ji looked a little excited. "This sentence talks about whether I have done my best for others, whether I have been loyal when interacting with friends, and whether I have reviewed the knowledge imparted by my teacher. Yes, master, right?"
Lu Zuo smiled and nodded.
"But master, what do you want to do with this?"
The corner of Lu Zuo's mouth raised slightly, "Because someone will come to us early this morning!"
"Uh?" Yin Ji didn't know why, "How does the master know? Could it be that the master can also tell fortunes?"
Lu Zuo chuckled in a low voice, "Yes! Now we have to think about how to take this road!"
"Yes!" Although Yin Ji didn't understand what the master said, he nodded resolutely, "I believe the master already has the answer. Ji'er is willing to follow the master!"
While the two were talking, Lu Renxiang had also woken up. Seeing Lu Zuo and Yin Ji getting up early, he rubbed his eyes and asked, "You two got up early! When is it?"
Yin Ji smiled mischievously, ran to Lu Renxiang's bed, lifted up Lu Renxiang's quilt, and said with a smile: "It's already broad daylight, and my second brother is still not up yet!"
Lu Renxiang got up lazily with sleepy eyes.
"Ji'er, stop making trouble!" Lu Zuo called to Yin Ji, "Go to the store clerk and borrow a piano!"
Yin Ji was very puzzled. He touched the back of his head and asked, "Why are you playing with these things so early in the morning? Aren't your hands afraid of being frozen?"
Seeing that Yin Ji was a little distracted, Lu Zuo said sternly: "What's wrong with you, you're so cunning? Is it difficult for me to speak now?"
Yin Jimao apologized and smiled, "Ji'er doesn't dare! Ji'er is just curious!" After saying that, he quickly got off the bed and said, "I'll go get it now!"
"By the way, let's go to the guy and borrow a plate of incense!"
Lu Renxiang couldn't help but ask: "What does brother want these for?"
Lu Zuo smiled and said, "A distinguished guest will be back soon!"
"Brother! You are overthinking it! Who would run out this early in the morning and on such a cold day?"
After a while, Yin Ji held the qin in his left hand and carried a small bamboo basket in his right hand. The basket contained an incense burner and several rolls of incense. Behind Yin Ji was the shop assistant named Li Erdan, who was holding a few pieces of unburned charcoal in his hand.
The shop assistant filled up the charcoal fire and said with a smile: "Mr. Lu, I heard that you are going to have a guest, so I came here to add some charcoal fire. It is very cold today. If the charcoal fire is not enough, just say hello."
After the store clerk finished adding carbon, he turned around and went out. After Yin Ji put down the piano and lit the incense, Lu Zuo sat in front of the piano table. After plucking the strings a few times, he started playing the piano with his hands. For a moment, incense smoke curled up in the room, and the sound of the piano melodious and melodious, complementing the sound of heavy snow pressing on bamboo outside the window!
Lu Renxiang and Yin Ji raised the tea in their hands and slowly smelled the aroma of the tea while listening in enchantment. The two of them couldn't help but shake their heads while listening to the sound of the piano, as if they were in a trance!
I don't know when the sound of the piano suddenly stopped. Lu Renxiang and Yin Ji just returned to the world as their souls. When they opened their eyes, they didn't know that there were two young people standing next to them.
The leader was a handsome young man who was extremely well-dressed. His bright red jacket and snow-white mink fur looked particularly eye-catching. One look at this domineering appearance and you can tell that he is a kid from a rich family. Next to him was a man with a mustache. He looked strong and healthy. In terms of appearance, he looked like a porter, but he also dressed like a rich man.
The two people saw Lu Zuo pressing the strings with both hands and closing his eyes tightly, as if he was meditating, so they waited quietly and did not dare to disturb him. After a moment of stalemate, the handsome young man couldn't bear it any longer. He bowed and saluted Lu Zuo, who was sitting in the seat, and asked, "Your Excellency, is Mr. Lu Gongfu, Mr. Lu?"
The young man with a moustache on the side seemed to feel a little rude, so he hurriedly followed him respectfully.
At this time, Lu Zuocai slowly opened his eyes, smelled the sandalwood that filled the room, took a deep breath, and said the word "yes" slowly.
"I have heard about Mr. Lu for a long time. This is Liu Xingzhi, the eldest son of Prince Ning. Today, my father specially ordered me to come and invite Mr. Lu to have a banquet at my house! I wonder if Mr. Lu can give me a favor?" Although the young man spoke tactfully, there was a trace in his eyes. Disdainful.
Lu Zuo squinted his eyes, glanced at Liu Xingzhi, then lowered his head and wiped the strings without answering.
The man next to Liu Xingzhi bowed again and saluted, saying: "Mr. Lu, when my brothers were leaving, my father repeatedly told me to be sure to invite you. I also ask Mr. Lu to honor me and come to the shelter to get together!"
Lu Zuo raised his head and glanced at the man, thought for a moment, stood up and asked: "Who is your Excellency?"
"I am Liu Xingyuan, the eldest son of Prince Ning!"
When Liu Xingyuan spoke, his voice was rich, yet extremely polite.
Lu Zuo glanced at Liu Xingzhi, who was slightly embarrassed, and then at Liu Xingyuan, who was smiling happily.
"Oh! By the way! We are half-brothers. I am the direct descendant of Princess Ning. He is just the son of my father's concubine. He is only a few years older than me!" Liu Xingzhi seemed to be thinking. He concealed his embarrassed expression, and then said loudly to Liu Xingyuan: "Brother! You don't have to worry about this!"
Liu Xingyuan's back suddenly became sweaty, and his face was as heavy as water. He didn't dare to raise his head to look at anyone in the room, so he lowered his head deeply and took two steps back cautiously.
At this time, Lu Zuo looked at Liu Xingyuan's blushing face, pondered for a moment, and replied coldly: "Okay! When will you get up?"
"Is it convenient now?" Liu Xingzhi asked impatiently, "We have prepared the carriage!"
Lu Zuo looked at Lu Renxiang and Yin Ji who were still stunned. Lu Renxiang came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Wait for a moment, let's sort it out!"
Lu Zuo and others packed up and got into the same carriage as Liu Xing. Lu Renxiang and Yin Ji followed Liu Xingyuan into another carriage.
Liu Xingzhi asked several questions in succession in the carriage. Lu Zuomei just smiled and nodded and shook his head without saying a word. Liu Xingzhi just felt that the scholar in front of him was pretending to be serious, and in the end he didn't bother to ask any more questions.
The carriage of the group of people was swaying, and at some point, the coachman reported the situation. When the doorman of the palace saw that the two young masters were coming back, he hurriedly stepped forward to pick them up and dust them off.
An old man with white hair ran up from the courtyard to greet Liu Xingzhi. He laughed and said, "My master, I have been tired all the way!" As he said this, he stepped forward and dusted Liu Xingzhi's cloak.
Liu Xingyuan also walked quickly to Liu Xingzhi's carriage, and together with Liu Xingzhi helped Lu Zuo get off the carriage, Lu Zuo waved to indicate that you were welcome.
"Old housekeeper! This is Mr. Lu!" Liu Xingzhi introduced to the housekeeper, "Go and tell the servants to prepare a banquet for Mr. Lu!" As he said this, he asked a young boy to take the reins and signaled to him. Drive the carriage back.
The old butler smiled and saluted Lu Zuo: "The banquet has been prepared and is waiting for you, Mr. Lu! Mr. Lu, please come forward!"
"It's time for the housekeeper!" Lu Zuo said with a smile.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" At this moment, a sharp and harsh voice came from not far away.
