At the end of the afternoon, in the swaying mule cart, Zheng Haizhu looked through the simple handouts written by Lu Xiangsheng.
After a while, she handed the booklet back to the jade-faced scholar sitting opposite.
"Very good. Today we are still talking about both civil and military matters. Let's play with the princes on the warship for a while. After no more than half an hour, we will bring them back to the Wenhua Palace to talk about history. Lest the Zhejiang Party people go to sue Sun Chengzong for his treachery shape."
Lu Xiangsheng responded and put away the handouts.
Zheng Haizhu leaned against the window lattice of the car and said in a nervous tone: "Xiang Sheng, after every lecture, we go to the Hanlin Academy to submit the manuscript to Sun Chengzong. Not only does it mean to respect him as a superior, but you also ask him for advice on the article. What a good opportunity. What kind of person is Sun Hanlin, he will not be confused."
Lu Xiangsheng's eyes reflected Chaoyang, his expression sparkling, and a look of gratitude appeared on his face: "Xiang Sheng understands my sister's plan. This is like knocking on the door to write a scroll in the Tang Dynasty. I only hope that Sun Hanlin can condescend to give me some advice." .”
Zheng Haizhu cast his eyes full of encouragement.
"Condescend? What condescension does Mr. Sun have? Believe me, he hopes to be your master in his heart. He is a person who loves talents, and you and I are Donggong mentors and Donglin allies. Well, I am paving the way for you. The main thing is you. In this city of literature and martial arts, many of those classmates from Yingtian Mansion will definitely be able to become Jinshi in two years. You are all under the age of 30, and Sun Chengzong, he is going to join the cabinet. , so, in the next few years, you will need him, and he will need you even more."
When Lu Xiangsheng went to Beijing to meet Zheng Haizhu, he felt that she was more like his eldest sister than before. When there were no outsiders, she always used straightforward words without pretense to promote his own future.
Lu Xiangsheng thought of Gu Shouqian, Zheng Shoukuan, Zheng Zhilong, Xu Yilong and others. They were all at a very young age, but they were either in business or in the military. Sister Zheng had good connections in the civil service. The only person in the court was Ma Xianglin's father-in-law Zhang Quan, who was from other provinces. Having only one Huang Zunsu is really not enough, you have to work hard.
I heard Zheng Haizhu speak again: "But I'm worried that I'll have to pay you for the show I'm going to do today."
Lu Xiangsheng responded without hesitation: "I don't think my sister is rash. We set up a trap today not only to vent the anger of the fifth prince. How could Xiang Sheng not understand. Now that you have decided, don't worry."
Zheng Haizhu smiled, said no more, closed his eyes and rested.
…
After a few miles of journey, the two got off the bus outside Donghua Gate.
With the recognition and support of Sun Chengzong, a popular imperial master, He Zongyan, a veteran of the Ministry of Rites, was the first to advocate that the prince should study every day. Therefore, in the past ten days, this was the third time that Zheng and Lu went to the Wenhua Hall.
There was a turmoil involving Eunuch Xue, so Wang An was able to send Cao Huachun, an internal official of his own camp, to take care of Zheng Haizhu openly.
Cao Huachun walked slowly, but he did not forget to chat frequently with Zheng Haizhu to show his closeness. After talking about the two brothers returning to the inner court, he praised Master Zheng and Mr. Lu for their good conversation.
Zheng Haizhu remembered that Cao Huachun should later be a close confidant of Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Youjian, so he said in an unabashed manner: "I heard that there are several little princesses in the palace who are also very clever and intelligent. It is not as good as the one in the letter Hua Dian?”
Cao Huachun glanced at Lu Xiangsheng who was following him, and lowered his voice and said, "Master Zheng is joking. I can see a female master. How can it be so easy for a princess to see a male master?" But what a coincidence, Qianer, Empress Dongli was still talking about finding a female master for the Sixth Princess. "
"Well, Empress Dongli treats the fifth prince and sixth princess very well," Zheng Haizhu sighed with emotion, and then said sincerely, "Eunuch Cao, in our area of Susong, there is a business called boudoir master, which is where female masters enter the homes of wealthy families. In the back house, I will give lessons to the rich ladies. If my father-in-law is familiar with Empress Dongli, please help me and I can also help with the princess’ enlightenment.”
The last time Cao Huachun led the way, he had already received some advice from Zheng Haizhu. At this time, he said cheerfully: "Okay, let's go back to our house and look for clues."
He only thought that these few exchanges of words were just that the woman surnamed Zheng wanted to cling to the members of the Tian family as much as possible, but little did she know that Zheng Haizhu was testing and confirming that he had made a secret agreement with the fifth prince Zhu Youjian after his last lecture. As a result, Zhu Youjian did not reveal the secret.
While talking, the three of them walked to the Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian, each holding a wooden boat, thumped down the steps.
"Master Zheng, Master Lu, Xiao Wu and I have done the homework you did last time. Of these two turtle boats, one has a pointed bottom and the other has a round bottom, just like the crabs brought as tribute from the south. The male has a pointed bottom. The navel, the mother’s is the navel.”
Zhu Youxiao finished speaking in one breath, which also made Cao Huachun amused.
Cao Huachun thought to himself, that mean woman from Xi Li always went to Long Live Lord to talk about how the eldest son of the Emperor was stupid and stupid. In fact, he clearly had a good brain and could tell jokes, it just depends on who he was talking about.
Cao Huachun worked under Wang An and watched the two brothers Zhu Youxiao and Zhu Youjian grow up. Seeing his two brothers happy, he was naturally happy too.
The fifth prince Zhu Youjian on the side spoke softly and softly: "Cao Banban, please go back to the ceremonial office. Remember to take the time to visit our palace. Empress Li has sewn a lot of sachets. Come back to you." Take it back and reward others."
Cao Huachun said earnestly: "Oh, this slave is such a blessing. Empress Dongli and my brother are so considerate."
Zheng Haizhu watched Cao Huachun go away, and then glanced at Zhu Youxiao who couldn't wait to pull Lu Xiangsheng to release the boat by the pond. When he took the model of the pointed-bottomed turtle ship from Zhu Youjian, he said meaningfully: "Your Highness, the Fifth Highness, is so eager to be smart. .”
A sly look flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes: "Of course I'm afraid that Mr. Cao will reveal his sixth sister."
After saying that, he turned around and waved towards the depths of the Wenhua Hall.
The four little eunuchs filed out. Zhu Youxiao's companion Gu Zi went to the pool, and the other three gathered around Zheng Haizhu and Zhu Youjian.
Zheng Haizhu looked at them one by one. She already recognized Wang Chengen. The other two had faces about ten years old. In addition to their childish look, they had more delicate facial features and fair and tender skin.
They were two girls, dressed as little eunuchs.
One of them, with an oval face and round eyes, looked up at Zheng Haizhu with curiosity.
The other one, who was taller and slimmer, stood behind her with his sleeves hanging down.
Zheng Haizhu understood, looked around, and bowed her hands to the oval face: "I have met the Sixth Princess."
Zhu Huiyan, the sixth daughter of today's emperor Zhu Changluo, felt that the female master in front of her was indeed, as the fifth brother said, very different from the empresses and nuns in the palace, and not scary.
The corners of Zhu Huiyan's mouth turned up: "I should salute the master."
Zheng Haizhu said softly: "I also want to be your master, but it depends on what happens after today."
Zhu Youjian appears to be more decisive and urgent than the adult Zheng Haizhu.
"Sixth sister, it's almost time. You and Qiuwan go change your clothes first and hide by the imperial pharmacy."
Zhu Huiyan responded, took the little palace maid Qiu Wan, turned around and left.
Zheng Haizhu murmured: "I wonder if the fish will take the bait?"
Zhu Youjian moved the dragon's head of the turtle boat and said calmly: "Yes, that person has always been greedy for the first prize, and he has treated me, the prince and princess of the Zhu family, as if he were in the palm of his hand, thinking that he could control her Hold it and rub it."
"Well, His Highness the Fifth Highness will never misjudge someone. Whether he is an enemy or a friend, he will never misjudge him." Zheng Haizhu responded meaningfully.
I couldn't help but sigh again. Emperor Chongzhen, whose reputation has been polarizing in history, has been somewhat ruthless since he was a child.
At the edge of the pool, Zhu Youxiao, who was observing the boat model swimming in the water with Lu Xiangsheng, seemed to realize why his younger brother and sister were so lazy.
Zhu Youxiao looked back and said hello: "Hey, where have they gone?"
"Going to clean the room." Zhu Youjian replied.
(End of chapter)
