"By the way, Your Majesty, Second Sister. I have something I would like to ask the Emperor and Queen to tell you. In two days I would like to ask the Prince to come out of the palace. The Prince studies in the East Palace every day and must be very tired. I want to take him out.
Let’s relax and go out to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery. I wonder if you can agree.” Zhang Yanling bowed and said.
"Leave the palace?" Empress Zhang frowned and said, "How can Hou Zhao leave the palace casually? If he gets too wild, he can't take it back. Yanling, don't do these tricks. Besides, it's not safe for the prince to leave the palace.
"
Zhang Yanling said: "Students who study every day will get tired. Relaxation is the way to go. Besides, the prince is studying very hard now, so he will be diligent and attentive. And I invited the prince out of the palace not just to enjoy the scenery. I have built a new dam in Xishan Manor.
, the tenants are also about to harvest rice. I took him to my manor to have a look, so that he can understand the people's sentiments and understand the hardships of the people in farming. This is also a kind of experience. It is also good for the prince."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "What Yanling said is right. Houzhao should go and understand the sentiments of the people. It is really good for him. Houzhao has been having a hard time studying recently. He might as well go for a walk. Queen, let him leave the palace.
Just take some time to relax. With Yan Ling by your side and some guards with you, nothing will happen to you, don’t worry."
Empress Zhang glanced at Zhu Houzhao and saw the expectant expression on his face. Her heart softened and she said: "That's all, for the sake of your uncle's face, I will let you go out to the palace with your uncle to have fun. But be careful and don't make any mistakes.
Yanling, it is not a trivial matter for the prince to leave the palace. You should understand the importance of this and don't make any fooling around. You will come back as soon as you go for a walk, and you must not do anything inappropriate. If I find out, I will not comply. "
Zhang Yanling said hurriedly: "Queen, don't worry. Of course I know that the responsibility is heavy and I will be careful. We will only go to Xishan Manor for a walk and then return. We will not go far in two days at most."
Queen Zhang sighed and said, "As long as you understand."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Queen, Houzhao is not young anymore. Don't control him so harshly. I know you are worried about his safety. So, I asked Mou Bin to send some Jinyi guards to accompany him for protection, and let him lead people to guard Xishan.
Just clean it up and make sure it's safe."
Queen Zhang said: "That's the best."
Mou Bin is the commander of the Jin Yiwei. He asked the Jin Yiwei to inspect the place where the prince is going in advance, eliminate hidden dangers, and do a good job of protection. Then there will naturally be nothing to worry about. Mou Bin is mature and prudent, and his actions can still make people feel at ease.
Hearing that his father and mother agreed, Zhu Houzhao could not suppress his joy. After all, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy. He was a lively and active person by nature. He was naturally very happy to be able to go out to play in the palace.
When Zhang Yanling and Zhang Heling said goodbye, Zhu Houzhao actually carried a lantern and sent his two uncles to the gate of the back garden. It can be seen that he was in a good mood and was more attentive to his two uncles. Before that, Zhu Houzhao treated the Zhang brothers very well.
He was cold and distant. Of course, Zhang Yanling was happy to see this change. The importance of the relationship with the future Emperor Zhengde is self-evident, and it must be handled well. Even if he likes him, he must give him a good impression.
…
After coming out of the palace, the long streets of the inner city are full of lanterns and crowded with people. It is very lively. Various lanterns are hung in front of every house and street shop. They are colorful and colorful, and it is very beautiful. Appreciate the lanterns
There are also many people.
Zhang Heling was not interested in this, so he said goodbye and went home to reunite with his wife and children. Zhang Yanling had nothing to do, so he took two boys to stroll around the market and admire the lanterns. Half an hour later, he left Xuanwumen and arrived.
Outer city.
As soon as we left the outer city, the market became much deserted. It was already the second watch at night, and although there were some lights on the market, they were dimmed. There were very few pedestrians. However, the moon was high in the sky, the moonlight was bright, and the long street was full of people.
It's moonlight. The refreshing autumn wind is mixed with the subtle fragrance of osmanthus. This scene is really calming and enjoyable.
"Master Marquis, shall we go back to the house?" the servant accompanying him asked.
Zhang Yanling said: "You go back first, I still have something to do."
Two servants hurriedly said: "Where are you going, Mr. Marquis? We have to follow him."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said, "No need. You can just go back home."
The two servants had no choice but to watch the Marquis galloping south along the empty street on horseback, not knowing where the Marquis was going so late at night.
Of course, Zhang Yanling cannot take two servants with him, because tonight he is going to Baizhifang to talk about the family mansion and have a private meeting with Ruqing. The reason why he wandered up to now is not to watch the lanterns, but to wait until the dead of night.
Only then can I steal jade and incense.
During this period, although she and Tan Ruqing communicated through letters from Xiaozhu Hongyan, they were not able to meet each other. Mrs. Tan did not let Tan Ruqing go out, so the two had no chance to meet. Zhang Yanling was very angry about this.
. Then Tan Yunxian went too far. I don’t know what I smelled, but he actually restricted Tan Ruqing’s freedom to go out.
When Xiaozhu came to Zhang's house a few days ago, Zhang Yanling asked Xiaozhu to bring a message to Tan Ruqing, hoping to see her during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Tan Ruqing asked Xiaozhu to reply and said that she couldn't come out, although she wanted to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival together.
The moon watched the lantern, but she wanted to reunite with her grandmother, so she was very sorry. Zhang Yanling became even more disappointed after hearing this. So he decided to take the initiative.
"Xiaozhu, I need your help with something," Zhang Yanling said.
"Master Hou, please tell me," Xiaozhu said.
"I want to see your young lady. Your young lady must also want to see me. Please arrange it so that we can meet." Zhang Yanling said.
"..." Xiaozhu was speechless, and after a while he spread his hands and said, "Xiaozhu can certainly bring a message or something. But when it comes to meeting, Xiaozhu doesn't have that ability."
Zhang Yanling said: "No, you do. As long as you are willing, it will be done."
Xiaozhu was very baffled.
"Does your back garden have a small gate?" Zhang Yanling asked.
Xiaozhu was startled and shook his head: "No...no."
"So how high is the fence in your back garden?"
"Master Hou, you...could it be that..." Xiaozhu said angrily.
"Yes, I'm going to see your lady on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I'll go around three o'clock, and you can think of a way. Since there is no small door, I can only climb the wall to get in. You can prepare a ladder and a rope." Zhang Yanling said in an unquestionable way.
The tone said.
"Ah, then... that can't be done. If the old lady finds out about this... I will be beaten to death. Mr. Marquis, why are you going there in the middle of the night? The lady will not agree to it. Please spare me.
This can’t be done.”
Xiaozhu was frightened to death. Does this Marquis actually want to be a flower picker? Do you want to be his conspirator?
"Don't worry, I only see your lady once and I won't do anything bad. You don't have to tell your lady and give her a surprise. As long as you keep it secret, how will your old lady know? In short,
You have to take care of this matter. I will arrive around three o'clock on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. If you haven't prepared anything, if I can't get in. Xiaozhu, then you are doomed. Then don't blame me, Zhang Yanling, for being ruthless. This matter is due to
When you rise up, you must make an effort."
Faced with Zhang Yanling's threat, Xiaozhu blushed angrily and left the Jianchang Marquis Mansion without saying a word. The little girl was obviously furious.
In fact, Zhang Yanling didn't know if his threat would work, but he was going to give it a try tonight.
Entering Baizhifang, there was silence all around. There was no festive atmosphere in this place where poor people gathered. In the streets and alleys, the moonlight was bright, the shadows of the houses were scattered, and it was extremely quiet. In order not to disturb the neighbors and Tan's family, they stayed away from the Tan family's mansion.
At the entrance of the alley, Zhang Yanling dismounted his horse, tied it under a tree by the roadside, and then walked to the front of the Tan family's mansion.
There were two red lanterns hanging at the door of the Tan family's mansion, gently swaying and flickering in the night wind. Zhang Yanling did not dare to stay longer, and walked around the south wall of the mansion. The wall of the Tan family's mansion was about ten feet high, with thorns and spikes on it.
It is impossible to climb with bare hands as it is covered with objects. You must have the assistance of ladders, ropes and the like.
Zhang Yanling tiptoed and walked around the wall. He didn't see any place to climb, let alone any ropes or ladders, and he couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"It seems that Xiaozhu didn't take his words seriously at all and ignored him at all. Damn it."
Zhang Yanling walked around again, but still didn't see anything climbing. Just when he was about to leave, he heard the sound of the third watch drum coming from the distant streets and alleys. It was already the third watch of the day.
Then Zhang Yanling heard a sound of rustling, and there was movement inside the wall.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly hid in the shadows to check. After a while, a small head poked out from the wall. He looked at the moonlight that was slanting westward. Who else could it be if it wasn't Xiaozhu?