The Kou family set out for the city early in the morning. After struggling for a long time without eating, they were very hungry. Chao Xun called over a boy named Bencao and asked him to order the kitchen to heat up some rice, steam a bowl of egg custard, and fry two pieces from Zhuangzi.
Add less oil to the vegetables brought from the greenhouse. Nai explained: "Kou Debao is chronically malnourished at first glance. Don't rush to eat greasy food that is difficult to digest."
Kou Agui hurriedly said: "You are the doctor, you have the final say."
Chao Xun smiled slightly at the corners of his eyes and said with a sullen face, "I'm just a trainee doctor." He casually ordered someone to get the chocolate box, poured some warm water, and pointed at the two of them.
The boy turned around and brought the box over. Kou Agui took a look and saw that it was the kind of perilla chocolate often seen in the capital. He had secretly eaten it once or twice before. After the two men each got a piece, he said: "
Thank you, Third Master. I won’t eat this at my old age. It’s better to give it to my children.”
Chao Xun said: "Chocolate can replenish physical strength and make the most hungry. Our professor stuffs this to satisfy his hunger during surgery. The food has not been brought out so soon, so I want you to put a cushion first. He is hungry, is it possible that you are not hungry?
?”
Kou Agui clicked his tongue, thinking that now that he was using valuable things to fill his belly, could it be possible that the princess was still rich? Seeing that the third master's face turned cold again, he did not dare to disobey, so he first tore off the wrapping paper for Kou Debao and let him eat it
Kou Debao took a bite, it was very sweet, he smiled immediately, and handed the piece in his hand to Kou Agui: "Dad, you eat it!"
Kou Agui hurriedly picked up his own piece and said, "Daddy has it, let's eat it with Debao." Kou Debao looked at the piece that was the same as his own, nodded, and ate it. Kou Agui really wanted to leave his own piece to his son, so he secretly went
Looking at Chao Xun, he saw Chao Xun staring at him coldly. He was so frightened that he didn't dare to keep it. He quickly tore off the wrapping paper and stuffed the chocolate into his mouth. Chao Xun then moved his eyes to look at Kou Debao and lowered his head to write the medical record.
After eating chocolate and drinking warm water, I suddenly felt less hungry.
Suddenly the Materia Medica came back with a food box. Kou Agui had been doing business earlier and knew that the rice bowls and dishes of the wealthy families in the south were only a little big. He thought that the food he would bring would be small, so he planned how to give it to his son while Chao Xun was not paying attention. Who?
The boy opened the food box and took out a big bowl of egg custard first. A maid laughed first and said, "Oh, how many eggs are these!"
Materia Medica said: "Not many, eight. I thought, if there is no meat, four eggs per person would be enough."
Chao Xun said: "You shouldn't eat too many eggs. But they are very hungry, so it's OK."
Bencao smiled proudly and took out two large basins of vegetables. There were three or two waiters in the room, and they all smiled and said, "You brought the soup basin from the kitchen."
Bencao smiled and said: "The rice bowl is bigger."
When everyone saw that the rice bowl was indeed bigger, they laughed again. The Kou family had a full meal.
After taking a rest for a while, Chao Xun asked Kou Debao about his daily life in detail, and everyone who knew Kou Agui answered them one by one. Chao Xun ordered a room to be cleared in the courtyard for the two men to stay. He also called the steward outside to come in and give instructions.
He traced Kou Agui's origins and must find out his birth family. Although the chief steward was reluctant, he finally agreed to go.
The next morning, Chao Xun sent people to his nephew's house to borrow colorful toy balls, and also ordered people to go to the street to buy three sets of large jigsaw puzzles. He put all these on a long table and called Kou Debao over, kindly
Kou Debao said: "Debao, do you recognize the color?" Kou Debao was at a loss. Chao Xun picked up the red ball and told him, "This is red." He picked up a red triangle jigsaw puzzle and said, "This is also red." Then he took a red square piece.
Tangram, "This is also red."
Three red things were placed together. Kou Debao frowned and looked at it, then went to look at Kou Agui. Kou Agui hurriedly continued to teach him about the color red. Chao Xun observed from the side. After teaching for half a day, Kou Debao finally understood and pointed.
Three things said: "Red."
Chao Xun looked at his watch, pointed to the other pile of toy balls and jigsaw puzzles and said, "What else is red among these? Take it out."
Kou Debao quickly picked out all the red balls and red jigsaw puzzles. Chao Xun couldn't help but applaud, and Kou Agui was overjoyed: "Who said my son is stupid!"
Kou Debao suddenly pointed to the silk flower on the head of a maid and said: "Red!"
Chao Xun applauded again: "Yes! Good boy, you have learned to draw analogies."
Kou Debao was happy. He stood up and looked around. When he saw a red paint tray on the table, he pointed and shouted: "Red!" When he saw a red seal on an ink painting hanging on the wall, he also shouted: "Red!"
Chao Xun said: "Take him out and see if he recognizes the camellia in the yard."
Kou Agui hurriedly pulled him out of the house and walked towards the camellia. Sure enough, Kou Debao pointed at the camellia from a distance and shouted: "Red!" Everyone applauded. But in a short time, Kou Debao had all the bright red things in the yard and outside the house.
Recognized it.
Everyone was happy when suddenly a dozen people poured in outside the courtyard gate. The leader was Chao Er, the chief steward of the mansion. Kou Debao recognized Chao Er at a glance and was followed by a steward of the charcoal kiln who had beaten him with a whip. He was frightened.
Kou Agui had to hide behind Kou Agui. Looking at the dark faces of the housekeepers and stewards, Kou Agui guessed that an escape had occurred. Since he didn't know if the brothers had escaped, he was worried and hurriedly opened his arms slightly to block Kou Debao.
Chao Xun said calmly: "What to do."
Chao Er stepped forward and called Qian'er and said, "I have met Third Master. I heard that a fool and his godfather were sent to Third Master outside yesterday. I have something important to ask them."
Chao Xun said: "I am using them here, please come back in a few days."
Chao Er said: "Wait a few days, and I don't know which country those slaves have fled to." Kou Agui immediately understood that everyone had escaped, and was secretly happy. He had already thought about how to deal with it, but his face was confused.
Chao Xun frowned: "What's going on? Tell me clearly." He turned around and went back to the house. Everyone hurriedly followed him in.
Chao Xun sat down on the big nanmu chair, with the maid and servant standing beside him. Chao Er stepped forward to reply.
It turns out that this morning the stewards of the charcoal kiln woke up and discovered that the slaves had escaped. They were so frightened that they sent someone to report to the official and rushed into the city to deliver the message. Naturally, they would not say that they had eaten wine. They only said that they had collected it last night.
The workers drove the slaves to sleep as usual. When I got up early this morning to urge them to work, they saw that the door was open, the iron locks were thrown on the ground, and everyone had fled. When Chao Er heard this, he was furious: "What's wrong!" said the messenger.
Yesterday, he just sent the Kou family father and son to Third Master Xun, so he came to find them.
Chao Xun frowned and said: "Kou Debao is really a fool. I think Kou Agui is very reliable and knows the rules. He can also read and recognize a white coat. He doesn't look like a charcoal burner doing menial work."
Kou Agui was just thinking about how to lead the conversation to his own background, when he came over and said with tears streaming down his face: "Third Master... this slave... this slave is not the one who talks dirty."
"Huh? What's going on?"
"A slave is the steward of Princess Yan in the capital."
"What?!" Everyone was shocked.
Chao Xun asked urgently: "What's going on?!"
Kou Agui then explained who he was and what he was doing in Beijing, how he received letters from his younger brother and went home to visit relatives, how he encountered a black shop that fell into the hands of Ren Yazi, how he was resold again and again, how he entered the Chao family's Zhuangzi, and how he met
His son, Kou Debao, told him in detail how he sent the short fat man to the city. Chao Er was dumbfounded.
After a long while, Chao Xun thought: "In that case, do you know the whole story?"
"Third Master, please tell me."
Chao Xun flipped through a stack of newspapers and pulled out one and handed it to him. Kou Agui looked at it and saw that it was the "Yanjing Weekly". On it was the announcement and photos of King Yan relinquishing the throne. He was stunned. For a long time, he said solemnly
: "This is not our prince! This is the substitute."
Chao Xun's eyes twitched: "Substitute?"
Kou Agui nodded and said: "Our prince left the capital many years ago and went to Java to find his late son."
Chao Xun thought for a moment and stood up and said, "Come with me." He picked up his feet and walked away. Kou Agui hurriedly followed, and Kou Debao followed his father. Chao Er hesitated for a moment and followed.
The group of people went straight to Mr. Chao's outer study. Chao Xun asked Chao Er and others to wait outside the door, and he led the Kou family and his son into the house. The old man was discussing with several aides. He saw the third child walking in wearing "filial piety clothes"
, coughed twice: "Nonsense, I tell you not to wear this at home."
Chao Xun said: "Father always pays attention to such trivial matters. My son has big things to say."
Mr. Chao hummed: "What big thing can happen to you? It's up to you to play with it."
Chao Xun invited Kou Agui to come closer and said, "This is my father."
Kou Agui hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "I kowtow to the great master, may the great master be blessed and safe." Master Chao said "hmm".
When Kou Debao saw that the steward who beat him did not come in, he became bolder for some reason. When he saw a red coral tree placed on the high table, he loudly and proudly said: "Red!"
Chao Xun smiled and said, "Debao is right!" Naila stood next to Kou Agui and said to Mr. Chao, "Father, can you tell what accent this slave has?"
Mr. Chao stroked his beard and said, "It seems like the accent in Beijing."
"That's right." Chao Xun nodded, "Something happened in Beijing in the early years, and the world doesn't know about it." He then asked Kou Agui to stand up and tell his story again.
Kou Agui said it again. Mr. Chao and his staff all looked sighing with emotion. One staff member said: "It turns out that this is just the way it is under the federal government."
Chao Xun said: "Kou Agui said that King Yan in the capital is a substitute." Everyone was shocked. Several staff then asked Kou Agui questions, and he answered truthfully.
Mr. Chao nodded and said: "I see. What am I saying? If a person like King Yan is not in good health, he can only give up the throne to the crown prince. How can he waste his time to the point of not wanting the throne?"
Chao Xun said: "It's such a big deal, please go to Changsha and tell the prince personally, and don't go to see my sister first."
An old staff member with a white beard asked: "Third Master, why can't you tell your Majesty? Isn't this a credit to your Majesty's mother's family?"
Chao Xun said: "Your Majesty knows that my father is my mother's biological father. There is no need to remind him, he will not forget it. My sister is a harem woman, there is no need to interfere with the affairs of the court, let alone the court of another country."
The old staff member was slightly surprised and said: "Master, what the third master said makes sense."
Mr. Chao said: "The third child is too honest. Which lady's mother's family doesn't meet with them to discuss matters now?"
Chao Xun snorted: "Everyone else is doing wrong things. If we don't do it, we will suffer a loss, right?"
Mr. Chao was speechless, waving his hands and saying, "Of course I know what's appropriate."
Chao Xun shrugged and said: "The prince will definitely want to see Kou Agui, so father will take him there. His stupid son can't live without him, so he should take him with him. Kou Agui, your son is just slightly less intelligent, not a complete idiot. You teach him."
He has a rule of thumb and doesn't want to offend the prince."
Kou Agui said sadly: "This servant's son... I dare not take him to meet the noble man."
"No, you must take him with you." Chao Xun said, "It is extremely important for this kind of child to have someone he trusts within sight. He will not act recklessly if you are around. If he cannot see you, he will not feel safe and will be anxious.
.Especially in a strange environment. You must take him wherever you go."
Mr. Chao said: "Nonsense. How can you bring a fool to the prince?"
Chao Xun said: "I don't know yet whether he is really stupid or just slightly mentally retarded. I am treating him."
A staff member laughed and said: "The third master is joking. I have never heard that a fool can be cured."
Chao Xun said without raising his eyebrows: "Who are you? You haven't heard of a lot." The staff member's face turned red.
Mr. Chao coughed twice: "Xun'er, please don't be rude to the old gentleman."
Chao Xun said insincerely: "I'm sorry." Kou Agui couldn't help but want to laugh and quickly lowered his head.
Another aide said: "It's better to bring a fool with you. The master is suspicious, and the fool is more trustworthy."
Mr. Chao thought for a moment, nodded and said, "That's fine."
The white-bearded old staff member said: "Since that's the case, Third Master Xun should go too."
Chao Xun said: "I won't go. I'm busy."
The old staff member said seriously: "Third Master, please don't be lazy. After all, you are the one who takes the lead."
Mr. Chao had always been spoiled by Chao Xun. Seeing that he didn't want to go, and knowing that he was afraid of offending the nobles because he was always unruly, he was just thinking about it.
He said, "What is he going to do?" Suddenly he saw the old staff wink at him and changed his words: "It is really you who took the lead."
The old staff member said: "Don't you still need to diagnose and treat this fool?"
Kou Agui was reminded by one word. This third master Xun is obviously a good doctor. If he can't escape in front of the noble man, he can at least entrust him to take care of Debao Yili. He looked at Chao Xun with a begging look on his face. Chao Xun hesitated. He looked again.
Kou Debao naively grabbed his father's lapel and finally agreed.
Master Chao decided to leave tomorrow. After coming out of the study, Chao Xun waved his hand to Chao Er: "It's none of your business." Then he led the Kou family back to the yard to pack their luggage.
Chao Er and the manager of the charcoal kiln watched them go away and did not dare to say anything. They had to ask someone to see the grandma who was in charge of the housework. After asking for a long time, the grandma found out that the master was taking people to Changsha tomorrow and did not dare to disturb them. The slave ran away.
The matter no longer has anything to do with the Kou family.
The staff dispersed, and Mr. Chao left the white-bearded old staff member behind and asked: "Why did Sir let me take Xun'er with me?"
The old man bowed with a smile and said: "Congratulations, sir. I'm afraid that Third Master Xun is more understanding than the first and second masters, but he's just too lazy to do things. From what I see, he will undoubtedly be the most promising in the future. Master
Don't worry, just take it to the prince to see."
Mr. Chao smiled and said, "It would be great if that's true."
Suddenly the old staff member came out and returned to his home. He wrote a long letter behind closed doors, ordered his son to hide it close to his body, and immediately set off to send it to Prince Xiang's Mansion.