The next day, because the Crown Prince was' unwell 'and did not need to enter the palace, Yang Ling was able to sleep in. He did not wake up until a quarter past seven in the morning. The bright and beautiful spring sun shone through the window paper and spread on his quilt. The light was soft and bright.
Young-niang nestled in his arms like a kitten, sleeping sweetly. A head of beautiful black hair covered half of her delicate face. On her beautiful and delicate face, there was an enchanting arc of long eyelashes that had a slight rhythm in the tranquility.
Her delicate and pretty face was very pleasing to look at. Although the corners of her eyes and the tips of her eyebrows still exuded a kind of childishness and purity, she already had the air of a woman for the first time. Yang Ling tenderly looked at the little girl in his arms. He gently curled up his arm and used it as a pillow. He did not dare to move too much, afraid that he would wake her up.
Yesterday he had already told her that she did not need to wake up early to enter the palace. Seeing that she was still sleeping sweetly, Yang Ling suddenly realized that these past few days he had woken up early to enter the palace and felt that it was unbearable. But every day she was the one who woke him up. Every time he woke up, the meal would already be ready. Not only did she wake up early, she was always worried about these things, so she did not sleep well and her body must be even more tired.
Although she was tired, Young-niang still woke up after a while. She opened her eyes and saw that her husband was already awake. She quickly stuck out her tongue and embarrassedly said, "Aiya, hubby is already awake? Really, qie actually overslept. "
Yang Ling saw that she was frantically trying to get up, so he reached out and pressed her shoulder. He smiled and said, "These past few days you have woken up too early. At night … you have to clean yourself and sleep too late. In any case, I don't need to go so early today. Rest a bit more."
Listening to him talking about love affairs, Youniang blushed imperceptibly. She glanced at him shyly and joyfully, and then gave a sound of assent. She meekly snuggled into his bosom and said coquettishly, "Hmm! I don't know what's wrong with me these past few days. Especially today, I feel that my bones are sore and soft. I don't want to move. When I was at my mother's house, I had to wake up early to practice martial arts every day. But now I'm getting lazier and lazier. "
When Yang Ling heard her say that her body was sore and too lazy to move, he hurriedly said, "How could that be? Did you catch a cold? "As he spoke, he touched her forehead. Her forehead was slightly damp, but it was cool and not hot.
Young-niang's body had always been strong and healthy and she did not like to get sick since she was a child, so she did not take it to heart. She thought that it was because she had just broken a watermelon and her husband needed too much rest. She was too embarrassed to say it out loud. She laughed softly and said, "It's alright. I've been practicing martial arts since I was a child and my body is strong. If I really catch a cold, I'll find a doctor to prescribe some medicine and I'll be fine."
Yang Ling touched her forehead and found that she did not have a fever, so he was relieved. He looked at her lovely and languid appearance, full of the charm of a bride. That kind of rare charm was very different from her previous handsomeness and childishness. Unconsciously his desire was aroused. He pulled her closer and said with a smile, "Come, Husband, give Young-niang a massage to relieve her tiredness."
His hand under the quilt reached into Young-niang's underwear and stealthily found her soft and delicate chest. He gently rubbed it. Han Youniang quietly rolled her eyes at him and her face blushed an intoxicating bright red.
Young-niang did not make a sound. She blushed and let Yang Ling touch her all over her bosom. Being touched by his touch made her feel uncomfortable. She felt very tired, but she did not want to move. She panted slightly and angrily said, "Husband, don't make trouble. Didn't you say you still have to go to the palace? Quickly get up and rinse your mouth and put on your clothes. I'll cook something for you. "
When Yang Ling saw how shy she was, he couldn't bear to force her. He kissed her on the cheek and said with a chuckle, "If you are tired, you should rest. My husband can just eat something on the way."
Young-niang did not want to comply. While putting on her clothes, she asked, "Husband, why did Liu Biao invite you to the North Town Provost yesterday? Aren't you with the Crown Prince now? "
Taking advantage of her getting up, Yang Ling patted her plump buttocks and said with a smile, "But I have the rank of Imperial Bodyguard, so I have to do some work. Admiral Zhang was afraid that I would not have time to deal with official business, so he temporarily gave me a more leisurely job. I will be responsible for the South Town Provost's official documents to the capital. "
Young-niang deftly pulled up her hair and softly said, "Oh." She tilted her head and asked, "Husband, what is the South Town Provost in charge of?"
Yang Ling replied, "The South Town Provost is in charge of the Imperial Guard Punishments and military craftsmen. The punishments are used to convict people. Military craftsmen, such as armors, weapons, rockets, guns, and even warships and chariots, are all under the South Town Provost's jurisdiction. "
The Imperial Guard Punishments that Yang Ling mentioned were only responsible for sentencing criminals within the Imperial Bodyguard. Ordinary officials and generals who committed crimes were still under the jurisdiction of the Three Law Divisions. As a result, the South Town Provost's jurisdiction was somewhat similar to a small military court. As for the management of military craftsmen, it was an important department in the modern era, but in that era, it was not a big deal to manage these skilled workers.
Young-niang naturally did not understand these things. After Yang Ling finished his breakfast, he instructed Young-niang to rest on the kang bed if she was not feeling well. He carried a bag that he had prepared in advance and leisurely made his way to the back gate of the capital.
It was still early, but the nearby shops were already open for business. At that time, the status of merchants in society was still very low, but the enormous profits from doing business were enough to make people envious. As a result, some hereditary meritorious officials sent their family stewards to open shops near the back of the Imperial City under their own names. In reality, investment, management, and profits were all in their hands. Spontaneously, they formed a market that sold middle and high quality goods.
Yang Ling went to a tea shop near the back palace gate. He ordered a pot of tea and a plate of melon seeds. He drank as he waited. After waiting for another hour, the palace gate opened and twenty or so eunuchs drove a few water carts out of the palace gate.
The inner palace often went to Yuquan Mountain to draw high quality spring water for the emperor and imperial concubines to drink. Although they usually left before daybreak, it was common for them to come out at this time. As a result, the bustling tourists and merchants did not mind.
Yang Ling looked closely and saw a few eunuchs among the people looking left and right with their heads slightly lowered. One of the young eunuchs was standing next to the large wheel of the water cart, his shifty eyes looking around. Yang Ling immediately recognized this person as Zhu Houzhao and hurriedly went to greet him.
Zhu Houzhao was wearing the clothes of a young eunuch and was looking around. Yang Ling moved closer and pulled on his sleeve. In a low voice, he said, "Crown Prince." Zhu Houzhao jumped in fright. When he raised his head and saw that it was him, his face involuntarily lit up. Yang Ling hurriedly waved his hand to signal for him to be quiet. Liu Jin was also standing beside Zhu Houzhao. When he saw Yang Ling, he smiled slightly.
Yang Ling carried his bag and followed them for a while. They came to a furniture shop. This shop shipped the best wood from all over the country. They had hired many carpenters who could make different styles of furniture on the spot according to the requests of high officials and nobles. As a result, there was an aisle next to the shop. Once they entered, they would reach their own woodwork factory.
Yang Ling pulled on Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao understood. When no one was paying attention, he followed Yang Ling and turned around. Yang Ling hurriedly walked two steps. Seeing that it was secluded and there was no one around, he stopped. He turned around and was about to speak when he saw the people following behind Zhu Houzhao. His eyes widened and he said in surprise, "Why … why … why are all the eunuchs here?"
Yesterday's agreement was that Liu Jin and Zhang Yong would accompany Zhu Houzhao and use the opportunity of the water harvesting cart to sneak out of the Palace. Gu Daeyong and Ma Yongcheng would stay in the Eastern Palace as a cover. Gao Feng, Luo Xiang, Wei Bin, and Qiu Ju would not accompany them.
Because these eight tigers were not all old people. Some were young eunuchs in their early twenties. If they all followed, first, it would be too conspicuous. Second, they were afraid that Zhu Houzhao would be instigated by them and cause trouble. Among Zhang Yong and Liu Jin, one was experienced and prudent, the other was rather scheming; with them following him, it would be safer. Who would have thought that as soon as he took a look, all eight of them followed him out of the Palace?
Seeing Yang Ling's surprise, Wei Bin chuckled and said, "Master Yang need not worry. His Majesty just came to see the Crown Prince last night. In addition, there was an urgent military report entering the Palace today. His Majesty is currently discussing matters with the three Grand Scholars, as well as the Ministers from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works. Later, he will have to go with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue to inspect the Spring Examinations. There is no need to worry."
Yang Ling laughed bitterly. He understood that these people saw an opportunity to curry favor with the Crown Prince and did not want to let it go. Yang Ling could only say, "Eunuchs are right, but … this lowly official did not know beforehand, so I only prepared three sets of clothes …"
Qiu Ju hurriedly said, "There is no harm. We have all prepared our own clothes." He looked around and saw that there were only people passing by occasionally. They did not pay too much attention to what was going on inside. He hurriedly took off his eunuch robe and hat. Underneath, he wore the clothes of an ordinary scholar and a scholar's scarf on his head. He changed his clothes very quickly. He was originally a eunuch and lacked masculinity. Wearing these clothes, although his skin was a bit tanned, he really did look like a scholar who did not use his limbs.
Because Zhu Houzhao, Liu Jin, and Zhang Yong had clothes prepared by Yang Ling, they were not as long-winded. The others changed their clothes and stood in front of them. The three of them also hurriedly changed their clothes. The ten of them were uniformly dressed as scholars. Fortunately, it was the Spring Examinations and scholars from all over the country had gathered in the capital. Beijing was filled with scholars, so it would not arouse any suspicion.
Yang Ling asked, "Crown Prince, are we going to the Ministry of War now?"
Zhu Houzhao left the palace like a bird released from its cage. In the past, when he left the palace, it was his Imperial Father who would occasionally take him with him under the secret protection of many imperial bodyguards. He did not go to places with few people and scenery. It was rare for him to come out on his own today. He was like a country bumpkin entering a city. Everywhere he looked was new. If he went to the Ministry of War now and caused a ruckus, he would definitely not be able to go to other places. How could he be willing to go now? He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No hurry, no hurry. Let's take a stroll first."
Yang Ling had no choice but to accompany him to the market. Zhu Houzhao saw many things sold in the market that could not be found in the palace and was very happy. This little fellow's understanding was good. Seeing other people haggling over prices until the sky was dark and the earth was dark, not knowing where they were going, his heart was itching. When he saw something he liked, he could not help but go up and ask the price. Then he would learn to haggle over prices.
Although he did not understand prices, most of the Eight Tigers were. With them helping him, Zhu Houzhao did not treat them as fools. But after haggling over prices, he had to buy things. Most of the Eight Tigers were poor and did not have much money. Only Ma Yongcheng was in charge of the palace's daily purchases. Although he was not the main eunuch, he had enough money to spend. In order to win the Crown Prince's favor, as long as Zhu Houzhao haggled over the price of something, he would immediately take out his money and buy it.
The group of people strolled in the market at the foot of the palace for less than two hours. The eight eunuchs, including Yang Ling, all had their hands on their shoulders, carrying a load of things on their backs. Even Zhu Houzhao himself had a roll of silk slung over his shoulder, two bags of tea in his right hand, three sets of pearls around his neck, and in his left hand was a beautifully shaped large porcelain plate with lotus flowers and goldfish inlaid inside. He looked unspeakably comical.
Although those merchants' statuses were low, they were all stewards sent by wealthy families and had seen a lot of the world. Looking at these people, who looked like nouveau riche, they thought they were local moneybags from the countryside. After earning their money, they could not help but show some disdain on their faces.
Zhu Houzhao was having fun. As for their expressions, he was too lazy to care. He was tired of strolling in the market and felt that the things he had just bought were too much of a hindrance. Turning his head to look, he saw that Liu Jin and the others, as well as Yang Ling, were in an even more sorry state than him. Zhu Houzhao could not help but laugh heartily.
He thought that these eight eunuchs were all serving in the palace and did not have any relatives in the capital, so he said to Yang Ling, "Today was really fun. I wanted to go out for a walk, but carrying these things is too inconvenient. Didn't you just come to the capital? Take these things as a gift from us to you. Let's go to the street and get a carriage. We'll send these things to your house and then continue to stroll. "
Hearing this, Yang Ling was delighted. He did not expect that accompanying the Crown Prince to stroll would result in an unexpected fortune. Zhu Houzhao bought things based on what he liked and did not care about the price. Therefore, there was a wide variety of things. The cheap ones were only worth about 20 copper coins while the expensive ones were worth more than 300 taels. The things that the eunuchs were carrying added up to more than 1000 taels. Among them, there were things like rouge and mirror. Taking them home and buying them for Young-niang would save him the time to go out and buy them.
He was happy inside and still had to be courteous. He hurriedly modestly said, "Crown Prince, this is not appropriate. These are all things that you like. Even if you want to reward them, the eight eunuchs should each have a share."
Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao laughed and scolded, "Don't try to deny it. They eat from the palace and take from the palace. They do not even have a home. What is the use of giving these things to them? Quickly go and hire a carriage. "
With a bitter expression, Zhang Yong said, "Master Yang, please don't decline. My body can't take it anymore. Aiyo, I didn't feel this heavy a moment ago. Now I can't hold it anymore."
Beside him, Luo Xiang, Wei Bin, and Qiu Ju all nodded their heads. Although they were all obedient servants, they had never done much physical labor. After carrying these things for half a day, they were tired and did not dare to casually throw away the things that the Crown Prince had bought. Right now, they could only hope that these things could be sold quickly. As for who they gave them to, it did not matter.
As a result, Yang Ling and Zhu Houzhao, shoulder to shoulder, squeezed out of the crowd and walked down the street. Because there were so many people, the eunuchs were afraid that something would happen to Zhengde. Out of habit, they stood in front and behind to protect him. Their waists were slightly bent, as if they were serving a noble young master on a trip.
However, they were also dressed like scholars, which made them seem a bit strange. The group of people did not even realize it. Just like this, they formed two lines and carried all sorts of things to Yang Ling's house.
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