Chapter 10, Bamboo Horse

Bored and restless, Prince Zhu Zhanji casually set aside the "Essentials of the Zhenguan Administration" and strolled out of the Xihe Pavilion, walking slowly along the lake. Before long, he arrived outside the Jingyaxuan. Should he go in? Zhanji hesitated a bit; although they were both in the Crown Prince's palace, aside from their initial meeting, he had only accompanied Zhan Yong to see her a couple of days ago.

She pointed to the white liquid flowing from the stone mill and said, "This is soy milk, which can be boiled and consumed. In the summer, it is soaked in well water to cool it down, making it both delicious and nutritious. I will serve you a bowl to try in a moment!"

It does not appear to be the delicate and reserved handwriting typical of ordinary women; instead, it possesses a certain ruggedness, lean yet not gaunt, balanced and mature, indescribably exquisite

"Your Highness, please take a seat inside!" Xiang Ting walked to the door and lifted the curtain high. Zhan Ji seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally entering the room. The girl's boudoir was clearly quite different from his own chamber, exuding an air of elegance and grace.

On the wooden bookshelf, there is a guzheng, and on the west wall hangs a pipa

Tofu was invented by Liu An, the King of Huai'an during the Han Dynasty. As a royal uncle, Liu An secretly came to the capital to present tofu to the young Emperor Wu of Han, using it to test the emperor's intentions regarding the reduction of feudal states. The young monarch and his uncle, who held significant military power and was preparing for conflict in a corner, were engaged in a contest reminiscent of the situation one might face today or tomorrow, playing chess against the Han king. The wise and considerate Ruo Wei, using this small stone mill, was clearly reminding and encouraging herself.

Then the training quickly came to an end

His father, the current Crown Prince, is frail and sickly, possessing a kind nature but somewhat timid. It is due to the strong support of his grandmother, Empress Xu, the backing of the ministers, and the ancient tradition of establishing the eldest son as the heir that he was appointed as Crown Prince by his grandfather. However, Zhanji is well aware that his grandfather favors the valiant, resolute, and courageous Second Prince, Prince Han.

Oh, there is no need to give this, it was given to you by your grandmother. Your brother is born in the Year of the Rabbit, isn't that like giving himself away?

In the face of the constant pressure and provocation from Han Wang both in the court and within the palace, the father remained unperturbed, still embodying humility and restraint, single-handedly maintaining the facade of harmony among the brothers.

The small and adorable jade rabbit rests on a large tree leaf carved from yellow jade, with the jade rabbit intricately sculpted from green jade above and the tender jade leaf below, complementing each other and enhancing the overall luster and smoothness.

If Wei sighed and said: "It's a pity that the ingredients here are not complete, otherwise, I would make some tofu and prepare tofu soup dumplings for you!"

Ah? A stone mill? Zhan Yong was taken aback, his mouth agape.

Zhan Ji's heart was filled with an indescribable emotion; for the first time, he felt that being in the palace and being a royal descendant actually brought him some joy

Then please wait! If Wei lifted the white cloth, she entered a small room on the west side while holding a basin.

Her hair today was not styled into a bun, but simply parted into two strands, tied with a blue silk ribbon at her chest, and her snow-white dress had long been soaked with sweat

"Stretching the legs?" A hint of confusion flashed in Zhu Zhanji's eyes

What are you doing? Zhu Zhanji asked in a daze

"Your Highness Changsun, what brings you here today?" Ruowei smiled sweetly, yet it made Zhu Zhanji feel somewhat embarrassed.

I said, "Brother Huang is in such a hurry to find this, it turns out he wants to give it to her?" Zhan Yang smiled and said, "But why give this? It would be more practical to give a pair of earrings or a hairpin."

Is this girl out of her mind? Sending you this? What does it mean? "Zhan Yang Dao"

"Bean dregs?" The exclamation did not come from Zhu Zhanji, but rather from the chubby second prince who had suddenly appeared behind him, his face full of longing: "You are giving this to my royal brother?"

"Do not give him any to drink. After a while, when the second prince has finished, he will surely say that it is not as good as the meat soup, so let's skip it!" Ruowei was deliberately teasing Zhu Zhanrong.

Who was it that initially said in front of the Emperor: "If not the prince, then one can still look at the grandson"

Zhan Ji clenched his fist once again, reaffirming his conviction that it cannot be done

Zhan Ji stood by and observed carefully; this was indeed a small stone mill. He had seen such mills during his travels in disguise with the Emperor, where they were the size of a dining table, and were always pulled by blindfolded donkeys. He had never imagined that it could also be operated by hand.

Zhu Zhanji smiled without speaking, while Zhan Yong glanced at him, his eyes darting around. He then quickly reached out, took a corner from the plate, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed. While chewing, he said: "It's nothing special, not as satisfying as a meat pie."

Zhan Ji smiled faintly as he sat in front of the writing desk, grinding away while saying: "Just now in her room, I saw her using a rouge box as a paperweight. It seems she has none by her side, so I thought of sending one to her!"

Zhan Ji was left alone in the courtyard, caught in a dilemma. At that moment, a person walked in from outside the courtyard, dressed in the attire of a palace maid. This person was Xiang Ting, a palace maid who had once served beside the Crown Prince's mother in the royal palace.

Zhu Zhanji then turned his gaze back to Ruowei, and he smiled: "I am asking you!"

Knowing one's inadequacies allows for self-reflection; recognizing one's difficulties enables self-improvement

Xiao Shanzi placed the items on the table and tore off the cloth that was wrapped around them

The sons and daughters of the Jianwen Emperor, as well as the loyal ministers of the Bao Emperor, all met with tragic ends in this storm of blood and violence

As Zhu Zhanji and Zhan Yong returned to Yihe Pavilion, they immediately plunged into the Sizhitang, rummaging through boxes and cabinets in search of items

An octagonal porcelain rouge box is pressing down on a square plain note.

Indeed, it is called soy milk! If only the smile were as beautiful as a flower

Is it a complete lack of resistance, or a strategic retreat that ultimately earns more praise and acclaim? Zhan Ji is more aware than anyone that this is an unavoidable form of non-action. The so-called "non-action" can sometimes be a sophisticated strategy of handling affairs after assessing the situation and taking a comprehensive view, while at other times, it is simply a sense of helplessness and inability to respond. His own father must belong to the latter category

That above is a piece of cursive script by Huaisu

A campaign known as the Jingnan War raged for four years, with the flames of battle spreading from Yanjing to Fengtian

Upon closely examining the text, Zhan Ji felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

If a gentle breeze brushed against her hair in front of her chest, there was not the slightest hint of shyness: "Oh? Your Highness was clearly looking at the stone mill while asking a question, how could I know it was directed at me?" She then laughed and said, "Alright, alright, no more jokes, I was just stretching my legs!"

Why does he often wander outside the courtyard for a long time but cannot enter? He himself cannot explain it clearly

Do not fear the floating clouds that obscure the view, for it is only because one stands at the highest level

"Well, this is a good thing!" Ruo smiled continuously: "The bean dregs are also the essence of the beans. Add some flour, eggs, and a small amount of water to form a batter, then add fresh vegetables and fry them into thin pancakes. Before serving, sprinkle a little salt and pepper. How does that sound? The taste is quite good, right?"

"Knowing one's inadequacies leads to self-reflection; knowing one's difficulties leads to self-improvement." She slightly raised her face, meeting Zhu Zhanji's gaze, and Zhu Zhanji felt a warmth in his heart, realizing that this little girl could actually understand his feelings at that moment

"I can do a little bit!" Ruowei grabbed a handful of yellow beans from the plate on the table, placed them in the hole in the center of the small stone mill, and began to grind: "This is for grinding the beans!"

"Alright, Zhan Yang, we should head back now!" Zhan Ji glanced at Ruo Wei and said, "I will come to see you again tomorrow."

If Wei looked at his expression, her eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but smile: "Are you in a hurry to leave, Your Highness Changsun?"

Looking at the Zhan Ying with a somewhat dazed expression, he repeatedly asked, "Is there any more? Please serve me a bowl as well"

Oh? What did you originally intend to write?

"Your Highness, this is a return gift from Miss Ruowei!"

Zhu Zhanji immediately stopped his work, walked over to take it in his hand, and examined it closely. This jade rabbit paperweight is crafted from jadeite from the Western Regions, featuring a smooth and lustrous texture with excellent moisture retention.

If she slightly raised her head and gave him a sweet smile, there was no trace of surprise or panic; she simply retracted her legs, adjusted her clothing, and was about to respectfully bow.

It has the aroma of eggs and is crisp and refreshing, is it an egg pancake with added vegetables? Zhanji pondered for a moment before responding

Who could have imagined that the crown prince, living in the opulence of the imperial palace, has grown up under such pressure since childhood? At the age of twelve, this young boy seems to be somewhat overwhelmed. Yet, despite his faltering steps and stumbling, he insists on moving forward. This must be the helplessness of being raised in a royal family

Tofu soup dumplings? Zhan Yong exclaimed: "Tofu, it's so terrible to eat, and you want to wrap it into dumplings?"

"Royal brother, what are you in such a hurry to find?" Zhan Yong leaned over, just about to reach out to touch it, but Zhan Ji quickly put it back in the box and instructed Xiao Shanzi, saying: "Go and deliver it to Miss Ruowei!"

Zhanji has not once walked into this small courtyard alone

Others cannot wrap, but I can, using tofu as the skin, wrapping it into dumplings!" As Ruowei's smile gradually faded, her gaze met Zhu Zhanji's: "Your Highness must know that tofu was first created by Liu An, the King of Huai'an during the Han Dynasty. This small tofu, though considered the food of the poor, is regarded as a delicacy. People say tofu is fragile, but as long as one has the heart, tofu can also be made into a skin, wrapping the filling, and become a fine dish! Do you believe it, Your Highness?" Her gaze met Zhu Zhanji's: "Your Highness must know that tofu was first created by Liu An, the King of Huai'an during the Han Dynasty. This small tofu, though considered the food of the poor, is regarded as a delicacy. People say tofu is fragile, but as long as one has the heart, tofu can also be made into a skin, wrapping the filling, and become a fine dish! Do you believe it, Your Highness?"

Please, Your Highness Changsun, have a taste. She felt somewhat apprehensive, perhaps due to the inappropriateness of the gesture, yet she still extended the chopsticks to him

What does it mean? Today, my royal brother seems a bit strange.

It is unexpected that Miss Wei, having just entered the palace for only a few days, not only became a playmate with the Second Prince, engaging in carefree and playful antics, but also garnered the favor of the Crown Prince. This is truly a promising beginning, and with this thought, Xiangting's heart felt a sense of clarity.

Zhanji shook his head

It is precisely this statement: from a young age, I was thrust into the battle for the pinnacle of power, becoming a pawn in the rivalry between the princely faction and the Han Wang faction. It was also due to this reason that my grandmother, Empress Xu, took me under her wing and devoted herself to my education.

If it seemed somewhat unexpected, I was momentarily stunned and forgot to respond, until Zhan Ji led Zhan Yong out of the room and walked out of the small courtyard, before I finally came to my senses

Your Highness, Long Sun! Xiang Ting immediately bowed to pay her respects

"Did you go to the study in the Wenhua Hall with your aunt this morning?" Zhanji met her gaze directly

This small mill is crafted with such intricacy, and at the exit, there is a porcelain basin, covered with a piece of white cloth, containing some scattered soybean dregs

At this moment, if Wei gently lifted the blue and white porcelain bowl, Zhu Zhanji took it over and sipped from it, asking, "Is this what you just ground out?"

Clearing his thoughts and striving to dispel the gloom within, Zhu Zhanji finally entered Jingyaxuan

If Wei murmured softly, as if whispering in a barely audible voice: "I never intended to write this!"

On the bed lay a dance costume as thin as a butterfly's wing, carelessly tossed aside

The same pattern, the same roles, yet the destinies must not be the same

Half right! If Wei feels a bit smug: "It is the bean dregs wrapped in the white cloth that His Highness just saw."

Xiao Shanzi was clearly taken aback for a moment, and then immediately responded, "Yes!"

At noon, the sun shines brightly, and the drowsiness of spring and the fatigue of autumn set in. The entire palace is quiet, with all the masters taking their afternoon nap, even the palace maids and young eunuchs on duty are dozing off against the palace door

Xiang Ting observed this with delight in her heart. Outsiders all say that the Crown Prince is well-educated and courteous, possessing both literary and martial skills at such a young age, and is deeply favored by the Emperor, enjoying a good reputation among the ministers. However, those who serve near the Crown Prince in the palace know that this young prince is quite discerning. Although he usually maintains a friendly demeanor towards everyone, he is particularly measured in his interactions, neither overly familiar nor distant.

Zhan Ji cast a glance at him, remained silent, merely picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, unfolded the tribute paper, and began to write on it.

"Can you guess what it's made of?" she asked, blinking her eyes

Could it be her handwriting

And Zhan Ji smiled

On the windowsill and the desk, there are some branches of flowers picked from the imperial garden, as well as some unnamed green vine plants, which look very vibrant.

Zhan Ji did not hesitate; he took the chopsticks, picked up a small piece of the thin pancake, placed it in his mouth, and savored it slowly

It turns out that she not only possesses a beauty akin to that of a flower's stamen, but is also remarkably talented in many areas

Zhan Ji pointed to that small house, and Xiang Ting immediately pursed her lips and smiled, thinking that if Wei were here, she would surely be pondering some new delicacy. This girl is truly interesting. When she first moved in, the Crown Princess asked her if she was accustomed to living here and if there was anything she lacked. After a long pause, she cautiously requested the installation of a small kitchen in this elegant pavilion, saying that she loved cooking and enjoyed experimenting with fresh ingredients.

He stared blankly without speaking, his eyes fixed on the small stone mill in front of her: "What were you just doing?"

Indeed, leg stretching is a fundamental skill in dance. To perform well in dance, the legs must be flexible and agile, which is why one must persistently practice leg stretching every day, making the most of every moment and seizing every opportunity to train!" With her face slightly raised and her eyes like a bright moon, she looked at him as if he did not understand, and explained further: "Leg stretching is akin to how men practice drawing a bow and shooting arrows. Leg stretching is the drawing phase; the more the bow is drawn, the more taut the string becomes, thus increasing the strength of the shot, resulting in a faster and more powerful arrow. Do you understand?"

Zhanji would like to ask, but feels a bit embarrassed

The lady has assigned me to Miss Ruowei!" Xiangting glanced around the courtyard: "Where is the young lady?"

What a wonderful thing, quickly open it and take a look! Zhan Yang immediately shouted

"Of course not, otherwise how could I cover for you?" There was a hint of shyness in Zhanji's eyes as he redirected his gaze to the plain paper: "Did you write this?"

At that moment, Xiao Shanzi ran breathlessly, holding a large cloth bag in her arms

In fact, over these days, the frequency of Zhan Yang's visits has far exceeded that of Zhan Ji, so the two have already become quite familiar with each other, and when they joke around, there is not the slightest hint of awkwardness

The inner servant, Xiao Shanzi, hurriedly stepped forward to attend, cautiously asking: "Your Highness, what are you looking for? This servant can help you find it"

The yard was quiet, and as I walked through the corridor and along the path, I was momentarily taken aback. Under the flower rack in front of the house, there was a peculiar figure of Ruo Wei. She had set up a small table in front of her, on which rested a small stone mill. One of her hands was pushing the mill, while her legs? The left leg was in a stable pose resembling a golden rooster standing on one leg, firmly planted on the ground, while the right leg was raised high, first forming a straight line with the left leg, and then astonishingly turning towards the left side, closely touching her left ear.

Zhan Yong leaned over to take a look

The crown princess, who was amused, covered her face with a smile and finally agreed, commanding the eunuchs and servants of the crown prince's palace to renovate this small kitchen

She tilted her head, seemingly a bit timid: "Your Highness, do you blame me?"

Behind him, there were faint footsteps. Zhan Ji turned his head and saw Ruo Wei entering with a food tray in her hands

"Xiangting, how did you come to be here?" Zhanji inquired

This morning in the study of the Wenhua Hall, I engaged in a debate with the Han Wang. Although I triumphed with my clear reasoning and eloquence, I did not take pleasure in this victory; instead, I felt somewhat anxious.

Find that jade rabbit paperweight! Zhu Zhanji did not turn his head, still rummaging through the books and boxes.

At the moment of reflection, when I was at a loss for words, she gently placed a tray on the table. On it was a plate and a bowl; the plate held a round, thin pancake, already cut into six pieces, a pale yellow color with a hint of green on top

Zhu Zhanji quickly interjected: "There are just the two of us here, no need for excessive formalities"

It seems like it was just yesterday

What is wrong with this? This simple little stone mill produces authentic soy milk and allows one to maintain a leisurely state of mind. This gift is truly wonderful! In Zhan Ji's heart, there was a great stir; to be understood by others and to resonate with them, this so-called kindred spirit is such an indescribable feeling.

Diligently studying the classics, poetry, military strategy, and learning the ways of governing the state, while surveying historical texts and documents, which of these stem from personal preference and will? It is merely a positive acquiescence, willingly serving as this pawn for the safety of the crown prince lineage, for the sake of the king and queen.

What is the result

Zhu Zhanji's expression changed slightly as he stared fixedly at Ruowei. Seeing her two beautiful big eyes blinking incessantly, her youthful innocence and clever, lovely appearance made one's heart tremble. After a long pause, he finally nodded solemnly.

"Can you dance?" It seemed that Zhu Zhanji only began to understand at this moment

Upon opening it, he immediately shouted: "Your Highness, over here!"

"Ruo Wei, why did you give this to my royal brother?" Zhan Yang felt a lingering regret for not being able to drink the soybean milk

Thus, the position of the crown prince is precarious, often feeling as if one is on the brink of a deep abyss or treading on thin ice

On the peak of Feilai, the thousand-foot pagoda stands tall, it is said that one can hear the rooster crowing as the sun rises

If Wei lowered his head and pointed at the small stone mill, asking: "Small stone mill, small stone mill, quickly speak, His Highness Changsun is asking you a question?"

The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was also the great-grandfather of the current emperor, adhered to the principle of establishing the legitimate heir. He chose to disregard the merits of the accomplished and strategically adept Prince Yan and instead designated his eldest son, Zhu Biao, who revered Confucianism, as the crown prince. However, the crown prince was frail and often ill, passing away at a young age. Consequently, Zhu Biao's eldest son, the imperial grandson Zhu Yunwen, was appointed as the heir.

The servant is here to assist you! Little Shanzi pondered for a moment, then walked over to the redwood scroll table at the base of the window, opened the two-tiered cabinet that stood against the wall, and took out a small brocade box from inside.

The gaze swept across the entire room, ultimately resting on the desk.

"What are you two looking at?" Zhan Yong stepped forward, glancing at Zhan Ji and then at Ruo Wei, feeling quite confused