On New Year's Day, the sound of firecrackers all over the city makes it impossible to sleep peacefully.
The Zhang family's master and servants stayed up very late last night, and many of them were drunk, so when they got up, they all had dark circles in their eyes, yawned, and started working. The house quickly regained its vitality.
Zhang Yanling also got up early in the morning, because on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, according to custom, the ministers of civil and military affairs and the princes and nobles would enter the palace to attend the New Year's meeting. It was only a ceremonial greeting, not a discussion.
Zhang Yanling sat in the front hall and drank a few sips of hot tea, then rode his horse to the palace with his guards. However, when he arrived at the palace gate, he saw a large number of officials walking out shaking their heads and sighing.
Zhang Yanling saw Xu Yande, Zhang Lun and Zhu Lin leaving the palace together, and hurriedly stepped forward to say hello and salute.
"You three, what's going on? I'm late? Didn't make it to the court meeting?" Zhang Yanling asked.
"Not really. The court meeting has been cancelled. Everyone's trip was in vain. The emperor couldn't get up, so he sent someone to send an order to cancel the court meeting." Zhu Lin replied with a smile.
Zhang Yanling was stunned. No wonder he just saw a group of civil servants with unhappy faces and very angry looks. It seemed that they all made a futile trip and were let go by Zhengde, so they felt very unhappy.
"That's fine. It's a cold weather and there's nothing serious to discuss. It's not a big deal to cancel." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"That's right. Tell me, it would be better to cancel it every year. It's the first day of the New Year and it's such a cold day. It would be nice to get more sleep and have a peaceful sleep." Zhu Lin said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling nodded in agreement.
"Master Zhang, when can we get together? It's been a long time since we had a drink together." Zhu Lin said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I can do it anytime."
Zhang Lun, who was standing aside with a somewhat impatient expression, said: "Everyone is very busy, let's talk about it. During the funeral, it is not appropriate to gather for drinking and having fun."
Xu Yande also said: "Brother-in-law, don't blame me for not reminding you that when the new emperor takes the throne, we all have to restrain ourselves. This is especially true for you. After all, things are different from before."
Zhang Yanling sneered in her heart. She and Zhang Lun and Xu Yande had not seen each other for a long time. Zhu Lin was still enthusiastic, but the attitudes of Zhang Lun and Xu Yande were obviously much colder. This was the consequence of the death of Emperor Hongzhi. His status had become obvious.
In their eyes, it has dropped a lot. Although it cannot be said that they are looking at each other with cold eyes, it is obvious that there is already a little bit of a respectful distance.
The Chunjiang Plumbing Duck Prophet, this group of nobles is the most snobbish and the most sensitive. From them, you can most directly feel the warmth and warmth of human nature and the harshness of the world.
"I understand. Let's get together again when we have the opportunity. It's really not appropriate at this time." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"It's good that you know. It's not appropriate for us to gather here and talk. Look, those officials are looking at us. Let's go first." Xu Yande nodded.
Zhang Yanling bowed his hands and saluted. Xu Yande and Zhang Lun turned and left, but Zhu Lin stayed.
"Brother Zhu, why don't you go with them?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"I'm not like them, Lord Marquis. If you and I get together alone another day, it's fine if they don't come. It's not a big deal either." Zhu Lin said.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Brother Zhu, what do you mean?"
Zhu Lin said: "Don't you see? They just don't want to deal with you anymore. What a bullshit funeral. We had a party and drank together a few days ago. It's just Zhang Lun, and the same is true for Xu Yande, he is your uncle.
Well. I looked at the death of the late emperor and realized that your status is different now, so I wanted to stay away from you. I think I regret getting married to you. Bah!"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Then why doesn't Brother Zhu keep a distance from me? My status is indeed different now. Everyone knows that my Zhang family's backer is gone. It can't be compared with the Guogong Mansion."
Zhu Lin said angrily: "Master Zhang, although I, Zhu Lin, have not read many books and am not a gentleman of high moral character, I still understand the principle of repaying kindness with kindness and being consistent on the inside. You, Lord Zhang, were generous and tolerant back then, and I, Zhu Lin,
Lin is grateful. Mr. Zhang, don’t worry. I, the Duke of Chengguo, are different from them. I, Zhu Lin, treat you as a friend, and a friend for life."
Zhang Yanling was a little moved in her heart. Among the three young princes, Zhu Lin should be the least educated and the most irritable. He can be said to be a vulgar person. But it is he who can say such a thing. Here
At this time, it is naturally comforting for Zhu Lin to say that he will be his lifelong friend.
"Thank you, Brother Zhu. I also consider Brother Zhu a friend. But my uncle and Mr. Zhang don't have to blame them harshly. I don't think it's a big deal. Besides, even if they keep a distance from me, it's understandable.
.Seeking benefits and avoiding
It is the nature of harming others. Gentlemen do not stand behind dangerous walls. They not only represent themselves, but also have the entire family and relatives following behind them. They should be cautious in their behavior. Even if Brother Zhu does the same, I will not blame you.
"Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Zhu Lin pointed his finger and praised: "Look, this is what is admirable about you. You are broad-minded and not careless. If I say these things to them, I am afraid they will die of shame. No matter what,
, I will not be like them. If Mr. Hou needs my help with anything, just say hello. I, Zhu Lin, will do my best to help."
Zhang Yanling expressed his gratitude continuously and thought to himself: This Zhu Lin is a good friend. He has neglected this person. Chengguogong's Mansion is also the family of the Duke. Although the power is not as powerful as the other families of the Duke, it seems to have an upright family background.
Last time, Zhu Fu, the Duke of Chengguo, personally came to express his gratitude. Judging from Zhu Fu's demeanor and deeds, he was also a straightforward person. Maybe we could make friends with this family.
Zhu Lin said goodbye and left, but Zhang Yanling did not leave. He stood in the corner of the square and watched the officials leave one after another. Then he went to the palace gate and handed the package he brought to the guards at the door, asking them to deliver it to the Queen Mother's Palace on his behalf.
They were some pastries and tonics, plus a fox fur scarf that Axiu had hand-made for the Queen Mother. There were also ten bottles of Yunnan Baiyao First Aid Powder. It was a New Year's greeting to the Queen Mother Zhang on the first day of the new year.
Zhang Yanling originally wanted to send her to the palace in person, but she thought that now was the time when Empress Dowager Zhang needed to calm down the most. He went there by himself, but he only talked about old things with her, which only aroused her unhappiness. So it was better to go there after a while.
Look at her. Maybe in a few days, when the snow melts and the weather is fine, it would be a better way to let Axiu and the others go into the palace and take a walk with her to relax.