Chapter 68: Honest and Reliable Young Master
Zhu Hao's chess level is obviously much better than Jing Hong's. Even Jing Hong himself knows that the difference in their ranks is huge.
Even though Jinghong fought hard and never gave up, this game with such a big margin of victory and defeat was not very interesting to Zhu Hao. After the game, Zhu Hao gave up his position and Zhu San volunteered to play against Jinghong.
The balance of victory instantly reversed after the game was resumed.
Jing Hong's level is much higher than Zhu San and Zhu Si's, but the game between them is really interesting because Zhu San has a set of skills that no one else has... regretting his moves.
"No, I don't want to play here, I want to play there, you take the chess piece back!"
"This step doesn't count. You're not allowed to put it here... Then let's go back two steps..."
Jinghong was speechless.
He started to wonder, are all the children in the palace so unreasonable?
Do you understand that there should be no regrets in making a move?
But he didn't worry too much about it, because even if Zhu San was good at the tactic of regretting his moves, he was still no match for him. The kid finally gained a little more confidence, but when he saw Zhu Hao peeking out of the gate, Jing Hong felt a little more gloomy in his heart.
What’s the point of being stronger than Zhu San and Zhu Si?
When will I be able to rival Zhu Hao?
…
…
There are three consecutive courtyards at the west gate of the palace. Next to the school is an empty wing courtyard, which was originally reserved for visitors to the palace to live in. However, it has been idle before. It may be related to the fact that Prince Xing behaves low-key in Anlu and almost never interacts with outsiders.
At this time, the courtyard was being renovated, and some craftsmen were moving things in and out.
Zhu Hao observed carefully, because Lu Song had said before that he and Jing Hong would move in after this yard was cleaned up. Did this mean that the yard next door would become their new dormitory after it was renovated?
"What are you looking at?"
After Jing Hong finished a game of chess and easily defeated Zhu San, he came to the gate of the courtyard and looked in the direction Zhu Hao was looking.
Zhu Hao didn't answer.
Zhu Sanzhui said angrily from behind, "I don't accept it, Zhu Hao, play a game with me."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hong and Zhu Si who followed him looked at Zhu San as if he were a monster, as if to say, if you want to play chess with Zhu Hao, you have to cross the first hurdle first.
"Xiao Si, what are you looking at? If you have the guts, why don't you challenge Zhu Hao?" Zhu San felt that his brother's eyes were full of provocation, so he fought back tit for tat.
Zhu Si laughed playfully. He still had some self-awareness . After all, his sister had learned to play chess, and his own chess skills... were good enough at being able to understand the chessboard. Wouldn't it be asking for trouble if he went to play against Jing Hong and Zhu Hao?
Zhu San couldn't find an opponent, so he walked over sullenly and said to the workers outside, "I heard that the courtyard next door is going to be converted into a study room... The study room where my father lives is almost full, so we have to move some books over."
Jing Hong's eyes lit up and he asked, "Does that mean we can see the ancient books treasured in the palace in the future?"
The child was not very scheming and believed whatever others said. He actually thought this was a good thing. However, Zhu Hao had different thoughts. The wind direction in the palace was too strange now. From the dismissal of Sui Gongyan to the construction of this so-called study, he hoped that these were all conspiracies against him.
…
…
Lu Bing did not come back that afternoon.
Before the school was over, Zhu San pulled Zhu Si away, as if there was some celebration in the Heavenly King's Palace. Then Zhu Hao and Jing Hong returned to the West Outer Courtyard where they were temporarily staying.
"How long have you been learning to play chess?"
Jinghong is still upset about losing the game to Zhu Hao.
Zhu Hao didn't answer the question, but said casually: "I'm going out to listen to a book tonight, are you coming?"
"go!"
Jing Hong agreed without thinking, but then realized that he was too rash. Maybe Zhu Hao was testing him intentionally?
He immediately changed his words: "Let me take a look, I'll go if nothing happens."
Zhu Hao looked at him. How could such a little kid say one thing and mean another?
Do you have to learn to act like an adult? I guess you are influenced by your father's words and deeds. It's a pity that you can only learn the basics at your age. Look at your father... He is an old fox.
When you think about how Jing Zhongkuan had just arrived in Anlu and hadn't even reached the government office, he went to visit his mother and son at the rice shop, you can see how scheming this person is.
What an upright son could a father like this raise?
By dinner time, the kitchen had added more dishes.
Normally, if the two children came a little late in the afternoon, not only would there be no good food or drinks, there would be hardly any food left. But that day, it was unusually so, there was plenty of food, and all the dishes were meat-related.
Zhu Hao asked the guard who was eating with him and preparing to take the night shift, "Big brother, it's not Mid-Autumn Festival yet, are there any festivals in the palace?"
The guard said, "The noble lady in the palace is pregnant... Hey, why are you talking so much nonsense? Just eat what you want to eat."
pregnant?
What good news?
pregnant?
Or some unexpected surprise?
I didn't know that since Zhu Houcong was born, he had only one sister from the same mother, who was born in the sixth year of Zhengde, and from then until Zhu Youju passed away, he had no more children?
Did she mean that the baby was born but later died, or was it because of my arrival that a butterfly effect occurred, giving Zhu Youlang hope of having a son again?
The strong feeling of conspiracy in Zhu Hao's heart showed signs of spreading again.
…
…
That night, Zhu Hao and Jing Hong continued to read by candlelight.
But Jinghong's mind was no longer on the books. Instead, he wanted to go out and listen to storytelling. For him, escaping at night was both exciting and fun. This feeling could easily make a child with little self-control addicted to it and unable to extricate himself.
"When are we leaving?"
Jinghong urged several times.
Zhu Hao said, "Why are you in such a hurry? It's just the beginning of the night shift. Since there's a happy event in the palace, there's a high possibility that there will be guests. If you go out and get noticed, you might be kicked out of the palace, or your family might be informed... Do you want that?"
Jinghong's expectations almost hit rock bottom.
It was a long time before Zhu Hao took Jinghong on the road.
When he was about to leave the west wing gate, he met Lu Song who was on night patrol.
"Lu Dianzhang? What a coincidence."
Zhu Hao said to Lu Song with a smile.
Lu Song asked his men to cheer up and continue patrolling. He walked over and asked the two younger ones, "Where are you going?"
Zhu Hao replied: "Let's go out of the palace to listen to the story... How about Lu Dianzhang come with us?"
Although he said that, Zhu Hao just made the invitation casually and it was not sincere.
Unexpectedly, Lu Song nodded: "I am about to go back, so I will go with you guys."
Zhu Hao realized that Lu Song was worried about him and wanted to see what they were going to do after leaving the palace. But the problem was that if you wanted to find out my whereabouts, shouldn't you follow me secretly? Go out with me openly... Then I had a conspiracy, but it was inconvenient to act because you were next to me.
Lu Song arranged for someone to guard the door, and then took Zhu Hao and Jing Hong out of the palace.
Jing Hong was worried that Lu Song would tell the people in the palace about his escape at night, especially Yuan Zonggao, and finally the news would reach his father's ears...
After leaving the palace and walking less than half a street, I saw a bustling scene with people crowding around.
It is nearly the Mid-Autumn Festival and autumn grain has been stored in many places. This is the busiest time for the people in the city. After a year of hard work, they finally have some free time. I heard that there is a lively storytelling venue on West Street where you can listen to stories for free. So why not come and join in the fun?
Lu Song watched coldly, not feeling surprised at the lively scene before him. Zhu Hao thought that this guy must have done some research beforehand.
Lu Song was wearing the official uniform of the royal guard, and he was intimidating wherever he went. People would consciously make way for him when they saw him coming. Finally, the three of them came to the storyteller's stage in the theater. Someone looked up and saw Lu Song, and quickly gave up his seat.
“No need!”
Lu Song did not accept the man's kindness, and his purpose was not to listen to the book.
When the storyteller saw an official visiting from below, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva, stopped telling the story, and looked over with a hint of nervousness.
Lu Song waved his hand: "Go on!"
The storyteller felt relieved and continued his story.
Yu San was maintaining order in the storytelling hall, and when he saw something unusual happening, he hurried over. When he saw Zhu Hao, his face lit up with joy at first, but Yu San was a man who was good at observing people's expressions, and when he noticed that there was a man in official uniform and carrying a sword next to Zhu Hao, he immediately understood what was going on.
"Sir, are you here to listen to a story? How about I arrange the best seat for you... Tea is free, you see the story is about Yue Fei, please move?"
Yu San’s meaning is very clear.
Standing in the front row is not only an eyesore but can also make the audience nervous.
I'll find you a good place to sit and enjoy it.
"Little Third Brother, this is Lu Dianzhang from Prince Xing's Mansion. He is not an outsider. You don't have to make special arrangements. Just find a place for us to sit."
Before Lu Song could say anything , Zhu Hao made it clear.
Instead of letting Lu Song go to the trouble of investigating the origins of these people who opened bookstores around the palace, it is better to tell him directly that I know this person and we have a close relationship, and I have no intention of hiding it... Are you satisfied now?
When Yu San heard this, he felt a little relieved. It turned out that he was not an enemy but a friend.
Since he was Zhu Hao's friend, he entertained him with greater care.
From now on, with the military generals from the palace to maintain order, who would dare to cause trouble?
This is a great backer!
…
…
Arrange your seats.
Zhu Hao, Lu Song and Jing Hong sat together, the table in front of them filled with dried fruits, snacks and tea.
At this time, order was restored in the storytelling venue, and the storytellers and listeners were immersed in the mysterious world of "Shuo Yue Fei" again.
Lu Song looked around and frowned slightly: "Do you know this person?"
"Of course I know him. His name is Yu San. He is from the Cao Gang. He used to work with Uncle Zhong. My mother met him when she was looking for help. He is considered a long-term worker in our family."
Zhu Hao picked up the melon seeds and started cracking them.
"Your family's...farmhand?"
Not only Lu Song was surprised, but Jing Hong on the side also looked over curiously.
Jing Hong thought, no wonder this man who seemed like the owner of a bookstore was very polite to Zhu Hao last time, maybe it was like a servant meeting a young master?
Zhu Hao smiled and said, "Not only that, I also have a share in this business. I feel that it is too boring to stay in the palace except reading and sleeping, so I brought Mr. Lu... I am not relying on you, Lu Dian. You should have heard the conversation between me and Yuan Changshi the other day. It was a story that my mentor Mr. Lu taught me. I brought it to people to tell, and who knew it would be so popular... Now it's good, I can bring Jinghong out to listen to books in the future, so that I don't have to spend the night like a year."
Really honest, he says what he thinks.
Such frankness made Lu Song confused.
"you……"
Lu Song wanted to say something, but found that the words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't utter them.
Zhu Hao said, "This business is good. I can't make a lot of money, but I can still make a little money... How about you, Lu Dianzhang, also invest in it? We can run it together, and you can come over occasionally to support the business. I think from now on, no one will dare to cause trouble... What do you think, Lu Dianzhang?"
