Chapter 74: Husband and Wife Follow
Zhu Hao couldn't find Lu Song for the time being.
I guess it’s impossible to see him recently.
The only way is to start with Lu Song’s wife, Fan.
If Lu Song had not mentioned the past to Mrs. Fan, Mrs. Fan would not have taken her son's words seriously.
But if Lu Song had told his wife that he was an accomplice of the Jinyiwei, then as long as he told her about the Jinyiwei, Fan would understand that something big would happen that would affect the fate of the couple, and as long as she was not stupid, she would take the initiative to come looking for him.
That night, after Zhu Hao tidied up simply, he sat at the table to write.
Jing Hong asked, "Aren't you going out to listen to a book today?"
Zhu Hao did not stop writing and said casually: "Even the two princes are studying hard during the day, shouldn't you work harder than them?"
During the day, Zhu San and Zhu Si also wanted to listen to the story of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", but were rejected by Zhu Hao. Zhu Si had never heard of it before so she didn't care much about it. The brother and sister now wanted to go out of town to play and put all their energy into studying.
"By the way, Zhu Hao, I heard from my father that King Xing only had one son... Why does he have two now? Are they... really brothers?"
After going home several times, Jinghong finally got it.
It was no secret that Prince Xing had only one son. Lu Song had previously intended to call Zhu San "Crown Prince" and Zhu Si "Prince". However, Jing Zhongkuan could probably guess that this was a trick used by the palace and that one of the two princes must be a fake.
Zhu Hao said, "You came to the palace to find out who the prince is? Our purpose is to study. Who they are is important?"
"I... I'm just curious." Jing Hong seemed to lack confidence.
Zhu Hao continued to ask: "What else did your father tell you?"
Jing Hong remained silent, as if he didn't want to tell Zhu Hao about his family affairs. But then he thought that most of the time he had asked Zhu Hao for help in the palace. If he had to hide even this, wouldn't he be treated coldly by Zhu Hao in the future?
"My father also said that you are from the Zhu family, and the Zhu family is a family of the Jinyiwei. Your father is a captain of the Jinyiwei... He said that your motives for entering the palace are not pure."
Jing Hong's words made Zhu Hao burst out laughing.
Jing Hong asked curiously, "What are you laughing at?"
Zhu Hao said: "Your father is right. Now everyone in the palace knows that my Zhu family has ill intentions towards the palace. Don't you think they are watching me like a thief?"
"ah!?"
Jinghong didn't expect Zhu Hao to admit it so frankly.
"Don't talk about me, you are the same, aren't you? Do you think your father's purpose in letting you enter the palace is simple? In principle, local officials cannot associate with princes. Your father may know that his term as the magistrate of Changshou will not end, so he took advantage of his position as the county magistrate to curry favor with Prince Xing. This is more important than being an official, which means that he will have the opportunity to be an official in the future. No one can say that they are more noble than anyone else!"
Zhu Hao did not give in at all in his words.
Jing Hong was so angry that he shouted, "No, my father would not do such a despicable thing just to become an official!"
Originally, the two had a good relationship, but Jing Hong got angry because of Zhu Hao's speculation about Jing Zhongkuan's motives for arranging his son to study in Prince Xing's mansion.
After that, the two of them said nothing, probably preparing for a long cold war.
In fact, this is exactly what Zhu Hao wanted... Now he can finally have some peace and quiet, and do his own things without worrying about being disturbed.
…
…
The next morning.
Zhu Hao got up at daybreak, dressed neatly and went to the yard to wash.
Jing Hong also got up early, but because they had an argument last night, he ignored what Zhu Hao did and sat alone in front of the window in a daze.
Zhu Hao was happy about this because something would happen later that would be inconvenient for Jinghong to participate in.
The guards on duty were dismissed one after another, and chaotic footsteps were heard outside. Some went home directly to sleep, while others would wait until after breakfast before leaving, it all depended on the individual.
Just then, someone in the alley greeted me.
"Sister-in-law, where are you going?"
The guard's voice was clear.
A young woman's voice came: "Take the child home to change clothes, and bring some things back by the way."
When Zhu Hao arrived at the gate of the courtyard, he saw Lu Bing and a pretty young woman walking towards the west gate of the palace. They deliberately slowed down their pace when passing by the courtyard where Zhu Hao lived.
Originally, the young woman wanted Lu Bing to call Zhu Hao when he entered the house, but she saw Zhu Hao coming out on his own initiative.
There is no need to guess, you can tell that this young woman is Lu Bing's mother, Fan.
"Lu Bing, is this your mother? Hello, auntie. I'm Lu Bing's classmate, my name is Zhu Hao... Let me help you get it."
Zhu Hao said enthusiastically.
While Fan was stunned, Zhu Hao walked over and took the bag from her hand. Fan didn't react for a moment.
If an ordinary man did this, it would be inappropriate, but if it was a child like Zhu Hao, no one would care.
"Aunt, let's talk on the way out. Try not to let anyone notice anything." Zhu Hao said in a low voice.
Fan didn't expect Zhu Hao to be so alert. With a little uneasiness, she nodded to the guards who passed by and greeted them, handed the bundle to Zhu Hao, and the three of them went to the door.
After walking for a while and taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Fan asked in a low voice, "Zhu Hao, what did you mean by those words you asked Xiao Bing to tell me?"
Zhu Hao said, "Aunt, before I tell you, I want to confirm how much you know about this. You should know that I am a member of the Zhu family, and my family is Jinyiwei. People in the palace think that I am a spy planted by the Zhu family in the palace, so they are on guard against me... In fact, I have a good relationship with Lu Dianzhang."
Zhu Hao's caution made Fan feel a little relieved.
This shows that Zhu Hao is a smart person.
Talking to smart people will make you feel more at ease.
Mrs. Fan glanced at her son.
At this time, Lu Bing also had something in his hand, which should be a gift issued by Xingwang Mansion on Mid-Autumn Festival. However, because Lu Song was urgently sent out on business after he finished his shift, he did not bring the things home.
Feeling that her son was too young to understand her words, Fan whispered to Zhu Hao, "Actually, Xiao Bing's father told me everything he should have said. He... also told me about you and him."
Only then did Zhu Hao realize how good the relationship between Lu Song and his wife was.
"Xiaobing's grandfather served in the Jinyiwei, and the son inherited his father's position. Xiaobing's father can also be considered a member of the Jinyiwei. Now the Jinyiwei is using this as a threat. Xiaobing's father is in a dilemma. He doesn't want the Lu family to let down the Prince Xing's Mansion, but he also doesn't want to expose his identity. He is unable to make a decision for the time being." Fan continued to add.
Zhu Hao finally understood why Lu Song helped Captain Lin.
Captain Lin was using the fact that Lu Song's father, Lu Chi, had been an undercover agent to threaten Lu Song. If Lu Song did not agree to continue working for them, he would expose Lu Chi's identity, and then Lu Song, as the son of an undercover agent, would basically have no chance of staying in the palace.
Of course, Fan's claim of not wanting to let down Prince Xing's Mansion was just an excuse, and she was more concerned about the future of the Lu family.
This is also an important reason why Lu Song told his wife the whole story. For Lu Song, if his identity was exposed, at most he would be transferred to another place as a military household, or he could even continue to work for the court.
But for Fan, she was Zhu Houcong's wet nurse and was deeply trusted by Princess Xing. If the Lu family let down the palace, it would be extremely unfair to Fan. After careful consideration, the couple could only discuss it and first stabilize Captain Lin's side, and use some irrelevant information to deal with official business without harming the interests of the Xing Palace.
Zhu Hao said, "Aunt, I'm actually afraid of leaking secrets... That's why I told you this in this way. Time is tight and it's inconvenient to talk in detail. Anyway, you have to find a way to notify Lu Dianzhang in time and tell him not to meet with Captain Lin recently. The reason why the palace transferred them away is because they know that someone in the palace Dianzhang is working for the Jinyiwei. But now they can't be sure who that person is."
"What?"
Fan was shocked.
She didn't expect her husband's identity to be exposed so quickly, and she didn't expect that the person who came to warn her was Zhu Hao.
Originally, it was not far from the west courtyard to the west gate. The gate was right in front of them. Seeing Fan's face change drastically, Zhu Hao hurriedly reminded her, "That's all I have to say. Aunt, don't show your surprise. If it wasn't urgent, I wouldn't risk letting Lu Bing tell you. Anyway, Prince Xing's Mansion also has an insider in the Jinyiwei... Maybe that's it."
At this point, Zhu Hao suddenly regained his childish innocence, and said loudly with a smile: "Lu Bing, I'll send you and your mother here. The baggage is so heavy... You should go back with your mother quickly . See you later when the class starts."
…
…
When Fan left the palace with some panic, Zhu Hao understood how anxious the couple was.
The couple could have lived a peaceful life in the palace, but they were threatened by the Embroidered Uniform Guards. If the news got out, they would have to find another place to live. It is unclear whether the palace would deal with them. However, you are an enemy of the Xing Palace because you are a spy for the court and spy on information about the Xing Palace.
All the convenient conditions created before that made the Lu family prosperous will be wasted.
Arrived at the school in the morning.
Jinghong still didn't intend to forgive Zhu Hao and buried his head in reading.
Zhu San and Zhu Si arrived and looked around as soon as they entered the house.
"I don't know where that brat A Bing has gone. He was clearly still in the palace last night."
Zhu San was very angry that Lu Bing was not there.
She has a strong desire for control and wants everyone and everything to go according to her wishes, as if Lu Bing is just her little follower who cannot have his own affairs .
Zhu Hao said, "I saw him this morning, leaving the palace with his mother."
"Is it Mrs. Fan?"
Zhu Si's eyes lit up.
It is obvious that he has a very good relationship with Fan, who is his wet nurse and is like half a mother to him.
Zhu Hao nodded.
At this moment, Yuan Zonggao led his men into the house.
"Mr. Yuan."
Several children stood up and saluted Yuan Zonggao respectfully.
Yuan Zonggao smiled and nodded: "No need to be so formal. Instructor Sui is not in the palace these days, so I will take over your lessons temporarily. If you have any questions, just ask."
Yuan Zonggao is the chief historian of the royal palace. With so many things to do in the palace, how could he come to teach children?
Zhu San smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Yuan. We won't do that. Just ask Zhu Hao. We will definitely pass the exam this time, and then we can go out of town to play... Mr. Yuan, take care, I guarantee you will be surprised by then."
"Oh, haha, it seems that you guys really appreciate Zhu Hao's knowledge."
Yuan Zonggao, the old fox, smiled meaningfully. "But your studies still need supervision. How about this? If you really don't have any questions, I will leave. A new teacher will take up the post. He is a student and has good knowledge. He will come later. You can call him Mr. Gongsun..."
The younger ones then realized that Sui Gongyan had been completely abandoned by the palace.
Unable to find a suitable candidate for a while, the palace found a temporary teacher, a scholar named Gongsun, to take over the job.
