Chapter 69: Continue to pretend
Lu Song and Jing Hong both looked at Zhu Hao with incredulous eyes.
To Jing Hong, he just couldn't believe that Zhu Hao had that ability. He actually wrote the script of "Saying Yue Fei", and he was the behind-the-scenes owner of this business?
As for Lu Song, he never expected that Zhu Hao would actually ask him to invest.
"Lu Dianzhang, you don't need to spend too much money. What we need more is your help to take care of it. I will give you some of the profits every month... Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Your son and I are classmates. We should take care of each other more." Zhu Hao's tone was extremely natural, and the look he gave Lu Song was full of sincerity.
Jing Hong turned his head and looked at Lu Song again.
Granted, his son is your classmate, but you said you want to take care of your classmate's father? Come on, he's the official of the palace! Do you think he's just a street performer?
As expected, Lu Song was so angry that he almost slammed the table and said harshly: "I don't need it!"
After saying that, he stood up and left first.
At the beginning, the conversation between them was relatively harmonious. Zhu Hao suggested that Lu Song invest in the company, but Lu Song immediately walked away in anger. Everything happened very suddenly.
Lu Song had already disappeared, but Jing Hong was still in shock: "Why did Lu Dianzhang leave?"
Zhu Hao couldn't help but smile.
How could he not see that Lu Song came to the bookstore with him today to test him intentionally? It was very likely that it was instructed by the upper echelons of the palace, such as Yuan Zonggao.
But Lu Song is secretly connected with the Jinyiwei. Such a person... is struggling to survive in the cracks, so how could he be easily tied up with Zhu Hao's interests?
Zhu Hao knew that Lu Song would not agree, but he deliberately asked him to invest in it, in fact, he wanted to make it impossible for Lu Song to report back... Did he tell the person who instructed him to come here that this bookstore was actually opened by Zhu Hao, and asked him to invest in it? How could a child like him open a bookstore? Why did he ask you to invest in it?
Is everything explained clearly?
You test me, and I counter-attack. It's fair and reasonable.
It's your choice to leave out of shame and anger, but don't think that I didn't show any kindness to you . Of course, I also know that you don't need my kindness.
Zhu Hao looked at the storyteller who was stunned for a moment and then continued to talk, and smiled: "Maybe Lu Dianzhang felt that he had a stable job and didn't want to get involved in other businesses. Or maybe he didn't believe in the sincerity of a child like me."
Jing Hong came over and asked, "Did you really write this book?"
"Let's talk about it when we get back!"
…
…
The two continued to listen to the storytelling.
This time, the weather was much colder than last time, but the listeners who came to listen to the story generally left later than last time. By the second watch, the number of people who stayed was more than double that of last time.
Zhu Hao could understand that this was a nightlife habit gradually formed by the people of Anlu Prefecture.
This time, Zhu Hao and Jing Hong returned relatively late. It was not until after the middle of the second watch that Zhu Hao called Jing Hong to go back together.
This was the peak time for the audience to leave, and people along the way were commenting on the plot of the storytelling. The strategy that Zhu Hao formulated for Yu San was to tell a story in turn every day. The story did not have to be listened to in its entirety, and each paragraph had to have a gripping punchline, so that even if one could not connect to the previous story, one could quickly integrate into the new story.
When I arrived at the gate of the palace's west courtyard, I still didn't see Lu Song.
Zhu Hao did not ask the guards about Lu Song's whereabouts. Perhaps the other party went straight home after leaving the bookstore.
The next morning, after Lu Bing arrived, Zhu Hao asked casually, "Did your father go home last night?"
Lu Bing shook his head: "I don't know."
"Didn't you see your father this morning?" Zhu Hao asked again.
Lu Bing still shook his head.
"What about your mother?"
When Zhu Hao asked the next question, Lu Bing still shook his head.
Zhu Hao then realized that the Lu family’s situation was different.
Lu Song and his wife both work in the palace, and Lu Bing is usually taken care of by the elderly in the family. That's why the palace ignored Lu Bing's selection results and directly brought him in as a companion. It's more because this kid usually lacks parental care, so the palace takes care of him as appropriate.
The three of them arrived at the school together.
When passing by the yard next door that was being renovated, Zhu Hao took a special look. The craftsmen had been busy since early morning. Zhu Hao wanted to find an acquaintance to ask about the progress, but unfortunately he didn't see any familiar faces.
After entering the school and waiting for a long time, I saw Zhu Si arrive, but there was no sign of Zhu San.
"Why are you the only one here?" Zhu Hao asked.
Zhu Si sat down, yawned and said, "Mr. Sui returned to the palace today to give a private lesson to the third brother, so he asked me to come and study with you."
Zhu Hao immediately realized that the palace was still keeping the issue of the prince's identity a mystery.
Perhaps it was because Sui Gong had always been asked to teach Zhu Si a lesson before. If Zhu Hao and Jing Hong took this news back, it would inevitably cause people to imagine a lot and believe that Zhu Si was the real Prince of Xingwang.
In that case, let Zhu San also enjoy the special treatment and throw Zhu Si over here.
Zhu Hao originally wanted to ask the Zhu siblings about what "happy event" had happened in the palace last night, but then he thought, maybe the palace had spread the rumor just to let him find out?
If you ask your claimed good friend about things that don't match your age, doesn't it just prove that your theory of loyalty is just to fool us, and you are actually still spying on the palace for your family?
In that case, I'd better not ask.
Anyway, I know that you, Zhu Si, will never have any brothers or sisters in the future, and that is enough. What the palace wants most is to spread false news to the outside world through Zhu Hao, maybe it is that the princess is pregnant?
Do you really think I'm a child who would fall for your tricks?
"Mr. Sui, are you not coming to the school again today?" Jing Hong asked.
Zhu Si shook his head, indicating that he didn't know either.
Zhu Hao looked at Lu Bing standing aside, called him over, and took out a piece of sorghum candy.
Lu Bing's eyes lit up and he took it and put it in his mouth.
Zhu Si asked, "Zhu Hao, what are you doing?"
"I'm giving Lu Bing some food. Do you want to eat it?" Zhu Hao was intentionally testing Zhu Si.
Zhu Si shook his head. Although he said nothing, he thought about what the siblings had said before, that the palace had specifically instructed not to eat anything given by Zhu Hao casually. Then everything made sense - it seemed that they had relaxed their vigilance towards him, but in fact, they were loose on the outside but tight on the inside, and their defenses against him were no less than before.
Pack.
Then install it.
"Okay, let's read!"
Zhu Hao took out the book he had compiled.
Today he has an important thing to do, which is to write the next storytelling book, otherwise his storytelling hall will not be able to attract more listeners and make money in a legitimate way.
…
…
A day of letting things flow.
Zhu Hao did not go on stage to give a lecture, but just sat at his desk writing something.
Because Zhu San was not there, the classroom was less noisy. During the break, Jing Hong invited Zhu Hao to play chess, but he refused.
Jinghong wanted to see what Zhu Hao was writing, but Zhu Hao didn't give him the chance.
"I'll get some sleep first."
At noon, Jinghong did not go to eat, but lay on the desk to catch up on his sleep.
Zhu Siben was about to take Lu Bing back to the inner courtyard for lunch. Seeing Jinghong like this, he asked in confusion: "Jinghong, why are you so sleepy today?"
In the past, Zhu Hao would be the one sleeping soundly there, but why did Jing Hong become the one who was lazy and lazy in studying today? This was completely different from Jing Hong's usual attitude of being dedicated to studying.
Could it be that sleepiness is contagious?
Jinghong naturally couldn't tell him that I actually skipped the night yesterday and went out to listen to storytelling until very late. After I came back, I was so excited about the plot of the storytelling that I couldn't fall asleep for a long time. As a result, I was not in the mood today, but I am not the kind of person who likes to sleep in class, so I could only make up for my sleep during the lunch break.
Zhu Hao said: "It's been cold these past two days, he might be sick... You guys go back, I'll bring him some food."
As he spoke, Zhu Hao picked up his schoolbag and was about to leave.
Jing Hong looked at Zhu Hao. He didn't like Zhu Hao lying for him, but the look Zhu Hao gave him back seemed to be telling him, if you are not satisfied with my lie, you can explain it yourself!
In the end, Jinghong could only lie down and sleep.
…
…
After lunch at noon, Zhu Hao returned to the study very early and brought a pepper and salt rice ball wrapped in rice dumplings for Jinghong.
Then he ran to the next yard to watch the fun.
The craftsmen went back to eat at noon, leaving tools and wood all over the floor. After Zhu Hao went in to take a look, he confirmed one thing: this place was not going to be converted into a dormitory. Many bookshelves were customized, and it was obvious that they were used to store books. As for whether they would move a few beds in later, it was hard to say.
The palace wants to build a "library" next to the school?
That sounds good, but here’s the thing…
Isn't there a study hall in the inner courtyard? There are five rooms in front and back of the study hall, and the first one is the study room. How can such a large area not be able to accommodate books?
Zhu Hao always felt that something was strange.
"What are you doing here, kid?" Zhu Hao walked out of the renovated yard and saw Li Shun and a few others coming towards him.
These people were all implicated in the arson case.
Even though there is no evidence to prove that Zhu Hao was the one who set the fire, they still privately feel that Zhu Hao cannot escape responsibility. After all, someone wanted to set fire to Zhu Hao, which led to such a big incident in the East Courtyard and the craftsmen being punished.
The pointed hoe was handed over to the government, and unrelated people were also implicated and fined.
"I'm studying next door. Can't I come in and take a look when I have nothing to do at noon? Isn't this place empty?" Zhu Hao looked like he was ready to confront this group of people without fear of trouble.
Li Shun wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to attack, but when he thought about Zhu Hao, who was studying with the prince and had an unclear relationship with Yuan Zonggao, and now the palace suddenly turned around, as if it had suddenly turned to Zhu Hao, he immediately said in a cold voice: "Don't come in from now on, I'll find you if I'm missing anything!"
Zhu Hao pouted: "Where can I take the things I stole from you? I'm afraid I can't even get out of the door outside!"
After saying this, he ignored the strange looks from the group of craftsmen, left the yard, and returned to the school next door.
Jinghong was still sleeping soundly there.
Zhu Hao sat by the window, took out paper and pen from his schoolbag, and continued to write his story. After more than half an hour, he heard footsteps outside. Turning around, he saw Zhu Si coming back with Lu Bing, holding a Cuju in their hands, with red faces. It seemed that they played for a long time after lunch before coming here.
"Zhu Hao, let's go out and play Cuju."
As soon as Zhu Si arrived, he wanted to continue playing.
Zhu Hao said: "I don't have time for now. I have something on hand that I haven't finished writing yet."
"what?"
Zhu Si came over and looked closely.
But when he saw the densely packed words on the notebook in front of Zhu Hao, he suddenly didn't want to look at it anymore. At this moment, Jing Hong rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up, obviously awakened by the voices.
"That's perfect. How about the four of us playing football, two against two?"
When Zhu Si saw Jinghong wake up, he immediately said happily.
Zhu Hao looked at Zhu Si. Is the person in front of him really Zhu Houcong?
What did Zhu Houcong like in history?
It seems to be something from Taoism, fasting and offering sacrifices, Qingci...
But at this time, Zhu Si probably had not yet come into contact with Taoist things, and since he was not an emperor, he probably would not be interested in immortality.
Looking at it now, Zhu Siai is a little bit obsessed, or to put it bluntly, extreme. It can be vaguely seen that he has a very twisted personality.
