The first time he entered the palace, Zhang Shou was picked up by a carriage sent by the Qingning Palace and entered the palace to see the Queen Mother. The second time he was suddenly summoned by the emperor from the Lu family to go to court. Now he entered the palace for the third time. When Shou walked into Qianqing Gate, his mood was much calmer than the previous two times. He was walking through Bei'anmen, which happened to be staggered with the team of officials from the next court. When he saw Qianqing Gate, he glanced at the people who were evacuating. Go to court and drive to Luan.
Obviously, the emperor had just returned to Qianqing Palace from Fengtian Palace.
The chamberlain who guided him today was an acquaintance, Lu Chan, whom he had met once before at the Si Li Jianwai Yamen. He had just talked about the past and present along the way, and was very talkative. At this time, he had already entered the Qianqing Sect, but he was not as talkative as before. He was casual and didn't dare to say a word. He led Zhang Shou to the bottom of the steps. After announcing something inside, he heard a sharp voice not long after.
"The Emperor is changing his clothes. Dr. Zhang will stay here for a moment."
Although the wind was a bit strong at the moment, Zhang Shou's official robe was specially made by Zhao Guogong's palace and was lined with cotton. It was enough to keep out the cold and keep warm in this kind of weather. Zhang Shou saw that Lu Chan hesitated for a moment after hearing the words, and seemed to be displeased. Knowing whether he should go in, he simply didn't press or ask. He lowered his eyes and stood there waiting calmly, turning a blind eye to the careful and scrutinizing eyes around him.
Taking advantage of this free time, he was thinking about the prototype of the Jenny spinning machine he saw when he went to the blacksmith shop last night. Although he had not actually tried the machine, Zhao Si also said that it still needed fine-tuning. Several iron components , Luo Xiaoxiao has not finished it yet, but it is not far from what he had in mind. As for whether it can be used, I will probably have to go back and ask Wu later.
Although weaving, dyeing and spinning are not the same thing, my mother is better than a mere layman like him.
He waited like this for a long time, and even when he was habitually distracted, he suddenly heard a voice from behind: "Why do you let Dr. Zhang wait outside the door to cool down?"
Zhang Shou turned around and saw that it was Chu Kuan, the director of etiquette Bingbi, walking towards him from the Qianqing Gate. He nodded and greeted him, but he only saw Chu Kuan returning the salute with a smile, and glanced at the side slightly angrily. Lu Chan quickly walked up the steps. Soon, a middle-aged servant came out quickly, with a bit of anger on his face, but before he could speak, Chu Kuan sprayed him back.
"Liu Feng, it's true that you are the steward of Qianqing Palace, but Dr. Zhang was specially invited by the emperor, and he is also the teacher of the third and fourth princes. Is this how you treat the court ministers so indifferently?"
Liu Feng, the steward of Qianqing Palace, wanted to retort. What kind of court minister could a mere sixth-grade official be? Especially when he saw Zhang Shou standing there calmly and completely ignoring the dispute between him and Chu Kuan, he felt even more in his heart. I wasn't happy, but more than anything I felt guilty. After all, the emperor only ordered Zhang Shou to stay for a long time, but he didn't tell him to wait outside the Qianqing Palace!
He was not from the Queen, and had no reason, let alone the courage, because the one in the Kunning Palace had still been ordered to shut up and think about his mistakes, so he gave Zhang Shou a look. If not for the coincidence, the Queen Mother in the Qingning Palace was not very good. He likes Zhang Shou, but he doesn't like him getting involved in royal affairs. Just now, he wouldn't even hint that Zhang Shou should be allowed to hang out outside.
Therefore, he could only bite the bullet and say: "It was just a momentary negligence of the person who sent the message before, it was just a trivial matter. Why did Eunuch Chu exaggerate so much?" As he spoke, he immediately smiled and greeted Zhang Shoudao, "Dr. Zhang, please come in quickly. That company just now This guy can't even tell a message, I'll teach him a lesson!"
Zhang Shou said calmly: "Since the emperor sent a message to me to wait for a while, but did not call me to enter the Qianqing Palace, how could I enter without permission? Although I was once an idler in the mountains, but now as a doctor of Guozi, Naturally, no one can say that I am rude."
When Chu Kuan saw that Zhang Shou pushed Liu Feng back neither softly nor hard, he immediately glanced at the steward of the Qianqing Palace with a half-smile, and immediately strode into the palace. He came in and out of the Qianqing Palace on purpose. There is no need to notify people who can drive straight in regardless of day or night, so after Liu Feng was startled, he didn't care about Zhang Shou and hurriedly chased after him.
As soon as the two people left, Zhang Shou suddenly chuckled to himself. Chu Kuan and Liu Feng were obviously at odds with each other at first glance, so they had to argue over the small matter of him waiting here. However, although he didn't have any obvious differences Biased, but he has never entered the Qianqing Palace before, and it is not called by the emperor now, so didn’t he wait in vain?
Feeling that his hands were a little cold, he raised them and breathed a sigh of relief.
He was just halfway through this action when he suddenly caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye. In the corner of the yard, two palace ladies were sweeping and peeking at him secretly. When they met his eyes, the two palace ladies who were obviously quite young hurriedly lowered their heads. , one of the ladles of water was splashed a little higher, and the water droplets immediately splashed far away, and a few drops of water just hit the hem of Zhang Shou's official robe.
Seeing this scene, one of the palace attendants was immediately frightened. She subconsciously took a rag and stepped forward to make amends. But before she could get closer, Zhang Shou smiled and said: "It's just a few drops of water, it doesn't matter. It's such a dry weather. , it will be invisible after it dries.”
The emperor who just happened to come out saw Zhang Shou's warm words to each other, and the young palace servants were excited and frightened, kneeling down and bowing to apologize. He found this scene very interesting inexplicably, so he stood and took a second look. Who would have thought that a disturbing voice came from behind: "You lazy girl, I asked you and others to clean up, how dare you dare to take advantage of Dr. Zhang!"
Zhang Shou just felt that someone had arrived. At this time, he turned around and saw the emperor looking at him with a smile. Chu Kuan stood behind him, and the person on the other side gesticulating was Liu Feng, the former steward of the Qing Palace. He bowed He saluted and said, "Your Majesty, someone made an unintentional mistake while sweeping. I know that Your Majesty is always tolerant, so I will definitely not blame you for such a trivial matter."
"I have always been tolerant, unlike those who make a fuss out of molehills." The emperor chuckled with a pun, and found that there was no sound behind him, as if even his breathing had stopped. He nodded slightly towards Zhang Shou and said, "Minister of Rites Someone will be sent to take those boys to the Langfang of Qianqing Palace soon. I originally planned to take you to see the Queen Mother, but now that I think about it, I might as well forget it."
He waved Zhang Shou to come forward, and then motioned for people to follow him into Qianqing Palace. As he walked, he said without looking back: "I and the Queen have been ordered by the Queen Mother to shut up and think about their mistakes. These days, except for court gatherings, I go to Qingning Palace in the morning and evening. Say hello, and don’t go out to Qianqing at other times. If I make an exception today because of your arrival, I don’t know what gossip will be said!”
Liu Feng was about to go in with the emperor, but when he heard these pointed words, he immediately shuddered. Especially when he found that Chu Kuan was looking at him with a sneer, he couldn't help but regret it more and more.
Although Zhang Shou was not a high-ranking official, and he had not actually married Zhu Ying, who had always been favored by the emperor and the queen mother, it was obvious that the rumors that the emperor was very fond of her turned out to be true! He is really
I went crazy because I heard other people gossiping about Qingning Palace and believed it to be true. Now I was self-defeating!
He didn't care whether Chu Kuan would use this incident to stir up trouble and stir up trouble, so he quickly chased after him. However, he originally thought that Zhang Shou would follow the emperor's words and continue the topic of being left outside in the cold wind.
I knew that Zhang Shou never mentioned this matter, but was talking to the emperor about the relics of Taizu.
"You are interested. I have put the original manuscript of Taizu's Notes into the collection of ancient and modern collections. As for the manuscript, I have read it several times when I have nothing to do. Unfortunately, I can't understand anything. I can only hope that you can
Solve it."
"I can only say that I will give it a try. But this is different from the previous ones. It is very difficult. I have to tell the emperor in advance. There is little hope. After all, those symbols are unheard of and unseen, so I don't have a clue."
"It doesn't matter. I'm not in a hurry. There are many similar manuscripts in the Ancient and Modern Tongji Library. They have been piled up for almost a hundred years and I still can't figure them out. A dead horse is a living horse, so you just have to do your best. I won't rush you.
If you make any progress, just write to me directly. Well, just use the box I gave you before, and you and I agree on a password."
Chu Kuan, who came in behind Liu Feng, happened to hear these words. He felt his heart skip a beat, and then he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, those Taizu manuscripts have been kept in the ancient and modern collection library for many years. Why don't you let Zhang
Did the doctor also take a look at the transcript?"
Zhang Shou had long heard that there were many manuscripts of Taizu preserved in the Gujin Tongji Library. At first, the emperor even teased him that if he made meritorious service again, he would be asked to go inside and take a look. But later he got a warning from Ge Yong.
, even many bachelors were not approved, so he gave up this idea. Now that Chu Kuan mentioned it, he quickly made a mental calculation, and finally simply shook his head.
"Those words are too weird. Even if there are more references, I won't be able to figure out anything for a while. Eunuch Chu, please don't be anxious. After all, I asked Zhang Chen, Lu Sanlang and the others to copy out several copies and distribute them to all parties, so that everyone can work together.
Underneath, there will always be results.”
Seeing the emperor nodding in agreement with Zhang Shou's words, Chu Kuan couldn't say anything more no matter how unhappy he was. And then the emperor smiled and only talked about choosing a son-in-law, so it was even harder for him to turn to this topic.
.Soon, a woman's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, Princess Deyang, Princess Yongping, Princess Xinyang, and Princess Ninghe are at Qingning Palace. The Queen Mother ordered the slave to report."
After hearing the last sentence, Zhang Shou finally recognized the voice. It seemed to be the voice of a middle-aged female official who he had seen in the Qingning Palace, standing beside the Queen Mother. At this moment, he thought about her.
Having said that, I just feel that the Queen Mother's move seems to be a precautionary measure. She is probably worried that the Emperor will choose a son-in-law with his daughter and niece!
The emperor smiled nonchalantly and said: "My mother is really worried. Go back and tell your mother that she was furious because of Qing Ning's affairs back then. I don't dare to be so deviant now. Okay, Chu Kuan, go and see her."
See where everyone is. Once they arrive, they will be placed in the front porch, prepare refreshments for them, and then follow the list. I will meet them one by one!"
As Waijian Yuquan agreed and then left quietly, Chu Kuan also walked out of the door with a smile on his face. As soon as he left, the emperor saw Zhang Shou standing there with calm eyes, dignified and generous, and he squinted.
Liu Feng, who had a worried expression on his face, curled his lips and said, "Liu Feng, show Zhang Shou where he is seated, and then go make the best tea and prepare refreshments."
"Forty people, even if each person asks three or five questions, so many people will probably have to wait until the afternoon, and be prepared to spend a lot of time and not have time for lunch. Zhang Shou, if you can't hold it any longer,
Say, you are the touchstone."
Seeing the emperor's meaningful expression, Zhang Shou immediately understood what the emperor was referring to, and felt angry and funny for a moment. Obviously, the emperor was not necessarily afraid that he would be unable to sit still and stumble around and ruin his image, but he was probably hinting that he could not hold it back any longer.
Go as soon as you feel the urge to urinate! Even if you meet one forty people every five minutes, it will take more than three hours. It is indeed a protracted battle!
Before anyone arrived, Liu Feng was already hurriedly going out to prepare. He simply said in a confident tone without hesitation: "Can you let me borrow the cleaning room first?"
The emperor was stunned for a moment, and then he couldn't help but smile. He pointed to a young chamberlain next to him, and said with a smile: "Go!"
Seeing that the emperor sent a palace servant to follow him without any evil intentions, Zhang Shou breathed a sigh of relief. When he relieved his burden in the emperor's spacious but elegantly furnished clean room, he was a little surprised to see that there was no chamber pot.
There is no clean bucket, and the design of running water from a high water tank to wash away dirt is used directly. It doesn’t take much to know that the ancient palace had such a design, it must be thanks to Emperor Taizu.
When he came out, he saw that a large armchair had been placed at the lower right hand of the emperor's throne. There was also a high table next to it, with a small and exquisite tea cup with plum blossom pattern on it, and a red lacquer tea cup beside it.
Save the box. When he came closer and took a look, he saw that inside there were four-color dots, almond cakes, beef cakes, mung bean cakes, and crystal cakes, all of which were bite-sized.
He thanked the emperor and then sat down. During the free time while waiting for the visitor, the emperor actually asked him with great interest about the noble disciples of Banshan Hall, many of whom were participating in the final election today.
People, he patiently explained one by one. Liu Feng, who was standing beside the emperor, couldn't help but secretly wonder when he saw Zhang Shou talking and laughing freely, not pretentious about everyone's strengths and weaknesses.
Even though the emperor has mostly appeared in front of ministers with a gentle side over the years, he certainly knows how scary the emperor can be when he is angry, and how ruthless the emperor can be when he is decisive and killing. And most of the ministers can understand that this is the emperor who takes life and death, standing in front of the emperor.
Either serious or solemn, fearful or cautious... As for the word "normal", no one except senior bosses can do it.
But in front of him, Zhang Shou, who he once thought had only one good-looking face, actually did it easily!
Just when Zhang Shou finally mentioned Zhang Chen in response to the emperor's inquiry, Chu Kuan's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, the young masters are already waiting in the gallery. According to the list, the first one is Zhang Chen. But
Want to bring him in?"
The emperor glanced at Zhang Shou, who was calm and composed, and suddenly laughed and said: "Just follow the list... But when calling people, you tell them to go backwards. The last person on the list will be the first to enter the Qianqing Palace, and Zhang
Put Chen at the end. This is called chewing sugar cane and gradually achieving good results."
Zhang Shou was stunned for a moment, and then he couldn't help but take a breath. The list in the Ministry of Rites was probably arranged according to family background. Now the emperor's trick is to make those with poor family backgrounds be ranked higher. However, for those with poor family backgrounds,
For people who are slightly worse off, this is by no means a good thing, because they have to face the huge pressure of suddenly seeing the emperor without any psychological preparation!