04. Theft of food
Amidst the pouring rain and wind, the water cascading from the eaves fell like a column. There were faint footsteps shuffling back and forth in the corridor, and when Liu Bingyi could no longer hear the footsteps, he cautiously emerged from the corner, stretching his limbs and bending his waist. While smiling broadly, he unfortunately realized that his clothes were completely soaked by the rain. He shook his body in place, like a little dog shaking its head, splashing water everywhere, yet he found it immensely amusing and couldn't help but chuckle.
Zhang He knelt on the mat, slapped his thigh forcefully, his face turning ashen. Xu Guanghan suddenly fell silent, sullenly lowering his head. The thunder grew louder and louder, and Zhang He looked up at the sky; the wind on the eaves was strong, rustling the leaves. "The Crown Prince Wei has treated me well; no matter what, I must raise Wang Zengsun to adulthood."
His tone was so resolute that it left Xu Guanghan incredulously speechless, "You... you... Zhang Ling, you can't possibly be thinking of paying for his schooling and apprenticeship yourself, can you?"
Zhong Huangmen, fully aware that Zhang He was distorting the truth, dared not to argue. He could only set down the tray, kneel on the ground, and bow his head, saying, "I, a lowly person, acknowledge my mistake. Please, Lord Yeting, forgive me!"
Liu Bing has grown to eight years old, and his height has noticeably increased, yet he still spends every day fooling around with the inner officials and eunuchs in the Shaofu government office. Xu Guanghan can only take care of his basic needs such as eating, drinking, and sleeping, but is unable to teach him the proper conduct and manners he should have. Zhang He is also greatly troubled by this situation.
After about an hour and a half, as dusk fell and the rain began to lessen, the previously tranquil Yeting suddenly became lively. In the dim light, flickering candles moved swiftly, revealing the hurried figures of the Yeting Ling and Yeting Cheng, accompanied by a group of palace maids, braving the rain as they approached.
Xu Guanghan's face twitched, his expression was peculiar, truly caught in a situation that left him both amused and exasperated by this Minister of the Interior
He looked up in confusion, staring blankly at the fairy before him. The woman, seeing his foolish expression, couldn't help but smile gently, turning to call her sisters, "Come and take a look at this child; he is quite handsome, yet how is it that he is such a fool?"
The Zongzheng mentioned that the emperor's great-grandson was young and was raised in the Yeting, only provided with meals until he reached adulthood... Zhang He paused here, lost in thought for a moment
Xu Guanghan could not help but sigh, "When will this unruly temperament ever be restrained!" Zhang He walked out from the room; being meticulous by nature, he immediately noticed that the yellow-clad attendant was holding a lacquer tray containing two bowls of chilled mung bean soup to relieve the heat. The exquisite ceramic lacquer bowls were adorned with glistening water droplets, and one of the bowls had slightly less soup, with just over half remaining. The wooden ladle used for serving the soup was not placed according to etiquette on the tray, but was instead directly resting inside the bowl.
Xu Guanghan understood that Zhang He had made up his mind. After pondering for a moment, he could only speak the truth: "Indeed, there is a suitable candidate. In my early years, I met a man named Zhang Zhongweng from Donghai County while serving as a lang in the Wangfu of Changyi. This person is well-versed in the Book of Songs and is currently residing in Chang'an. If the sick person could take him as a teacher, he would surely be able to achieve success."
As he passed by a corridor, he saw about ten elegantly dressed women in flowing garments gathered together, playfully frolicking. Their soft waists leaned against the railing, silk sleeves sliding down their arms, and their snow-white lotus-like arms extended from the eaves, palms catching the crystal-clear raindrops. The courtyard was filled with rainwater, and the raindrops pounded against the ground, creating a misty vapor that rose up, making the entire corridor resemble a fairyland. The sound of their tinkling laughter pierced through the swirling mist, like a celestial melody descending from the heavens, instantly capturing the young man's soul. The courtyard was filled with rainwater, and the raindrops pounded against the ground, creating a misty vapor that rose up, making the entire corridor resemble a fairyland. The sound of their tinkling laughter pierced through the swirling mist, like a celestial melody descending from the heavens, instantly capturing the young man's soul.
Zhang He let out a cold snort, "Where did you incite the Emperor's great-grandson to mischief?" The inner court official silently lamented, understanding that although Zhang He appeared gentle, he was in fact exceptionally astute, not easily deceived like the clumsy and honest Xu Guanghan beside him. No matter how he tried to argue, he could not outsmart him, so he could only stammer, "This humble servant tried to prevent the Emperor's great-grandson from stealing food... The Emperor's great-grandson once inquired who was enjoying these two bowls of mung bean soup..."
On the second day of the ninth month in the first year of the Shiyuan era of the Yimai year, Jin Ridi, one of the four ministers appointed by the late emperor to assist in governance, passed away. The day before his death, General Huo Guang reported to the emperor and, in accordance with the late emperor's edict, conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Jiao. Jin Ridi received the seal and insignia while lying in bed.
As soon as she shouted, the women playing in the water by the railing immediately rushed over and surrounded him. Liu Bing had grown up to this point, and it was the first time he had encountered so many enchanting and graceful women. He could only feel the fragrant aroma, mingled with the moist rainwater, particularly fresh and pleasant, intoxicating to those who inhaled it
He has always been reckless and audacious, relying on the indulgence of Zhang He and Xu Guanghan since childhood. He has been mischievous and unruly within the Shaofu government office, engaging in all sorts of antics. One of his favorite pastimes is sneaking into the Tai Guan to steal delicious food. Sometimes, even when caught red-handed, he shows no fear, as most of the eunuchs and palace maids simply laugh it off. Even the Tai Guan Ling and Tai Guan Cheng turn a blind eye, pretending not to notice, out of respect for Zhang He. Liu Bingyi has grown bolder in the Yeting, yet he remains unaware that most people are merely overlooking his behavior due to Zhang He's influence, coupled with his identity as the emperor's great-grandson and his youthful ignorance, which is why they do not hold him accountable.
Liu Bingyi stood dazed in place, completely forgetting his original intention. It is unclear how much time passed when someone gently pushed his shoulder, and a pleasant voice asked with a laugh: "Which palace are you from?"
The shift in the court's power may cause some concern for Zhang He, but for the young and restless Liu Bingyi, all his energy is devoted to indulgence and amusement. Day after day, under the careful nurturing of Xu Guanghan, he gradually grows from a dark and thin little boy into a handsome youth, yet his mischievous nature remains completely unchanged
The decision has been made, and Zhang He was about to call Liu Bingyi, but upon turning around, he found the corridor empty—surprisingly, the young boy who had been playing and seeking shelter from the rain was nowhere to be seen
The laughter startled those nearby, drawing hurried footsteps. Liu Bingyi quickly and cautiously slipped behind a column. After a moment, four young women in elegant attire hurriedly passed by, holding vermilion lacquer trays. Liu Bingyi, hiding behind the column, craned his neck to peek and caught a glimpse of the jade plates filled with delicacies, and from a distance, he could almost smell their fragrance.
Zhang He furrowed his brow slightly. The middle-ranking official, sensing the situation was not favorable, quickly knelt down and said, "The Imperial Attendant is astute; this is not a case of petty theft by a lowly person. It was indeed the Emperor's great-grandson who passed by just now and took two spoonfuls. I was unable to stop him and was just about to return to the Imperial Kitchen to replace it." Zhang He slowly took the wooden spoon out of the bowl, then lifted the bowl and poured the cold soup into the lacquered tray, coldly asking, "If the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor inquires, do you know how to respond?"
The woman was taken aback and then asked, "Isn't the Chamberlain on duty tonight?" Someone nearby whispered a few words, and soon the surrounding people erupted in a fit of suppressed laughter. The woman suddenly understood, and her expression took on an ambiguous nuance. "I see, since that is the case, let someone escort you to the Hall of Declaring the Chamber. However, the people here can only take you to the steps of the main hall. From the rear pavilion heading south is the Hall of Declaring the Chamber. Once you arrive there, you should know how to proceed, right?"
The death of Jin Ridi has stirred a turbulent undercurrent in the court, which was originally characterized by a tripartite balance of power. Although there are four ministers in charge of governance, only three truly hold sway over internal affairs. Now that one leg of the tripod is missing, the political landscape is gradually undergoing new changes—In the spring of the second year of the Shiyuan era, the Emperor conferred the title of Marquis of Bolu on General Huo Guang and the title of Marquis of Anyang on Left General Shangguan Jie
Xu Guanghan was someone who could recognize a few characters. It is precisely for this reason that he understood, more than others, the value of a person who could read and write, as well as the difficulties involved in supporting a child’s education. In this era, there were not many learned individuals. After the late Emperor Xianwu elevated Confucianism to a position of prominence, Confucian scholarship flourished. Dong Zhongshu submitted three proposals to the throne, advocating for the establishment of the Taixue, the appointment of distinguished teachers, and the nurturing of talented individuals throughout the realm. Thus, in the sixth year of the Jianyuan era, Emperor Xianwu established the Taixue in Chang'an, where the Five Classics were taught, including the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. Each doctor’s degree program accepted ten students, and due to the scarcity of exceptional talents and virtuous scholars in the world, these students became even more precious.
Zhang He, filled with joy, clapped his hands and said: "Donghai Caozhong Weng... Since it is so, I shall take him as my master and teach him the knowledge I have learned about illness." Xu Guanghan, however, was not as optimistic, and with a pained expression said: "Zhang Ling, at the beginning, the King of Changyi, Liu Bo, invited Caozhong Weng to be a guest in his court, but he politely declined, which shows the pride of the man..." Zhang He patted Xu Guanghan on the shoulder, half jokingly and half seriously, he teased: "This is certainly better than those who are solely greedy for wealth and material goods. If it were for money, how could my meager salary support it?"
"Where is Ren...?" Zhang He stood up from his seat. Xu Guanghan, agile and quick, had already dashed to the door before Zhang He could rise. Outside the corridor, the rain fell heavily, and the sky and earth merged into a gray expanse. The rainwater dripped down from the eaves, resembling a flowing curtain of crystal beads, shimmering with light and the sound of rushing water.
The Middle Yellow Gate said cleverly: "Indeed. The rainwater splashed and wet the corridor, which is why the petty person slipped and fell inadvertently"
This was originally a trivial matter; the women in the palace, even if they found this strange child amusing at the time, did not take him to heart. After a while, everything returned to normal: those who were playing continued to play, those who were laughing continued to laugh, and each went about their own business.
On the other hand, in order to avoid public criticism regarding the usurpation of power by regents, Huo Guang heeded the advice of his subordinates and promoted members of the Liu royal family. He appointed Liu Bijiang, the grandson of King Liu Jiao of Chu, and Liu Changle, a member of the royal family, as Grand Officials of the Court. Liu Bijiang also concurrently held the position of Commander of Chang Le. However, due to Liu Bijiang's advanced age, he soon fell ill and passed away, after which his youngest son Liu De succeeded him as the Minister of the Imperial Clan.
In this not too large, not too small corner of the Weiyang Palace, this great-grandson of Emperor Xiaowu, who carries the bloodline of the Liu family, has become an awkward presence. He is neither a palace servant nor a true noble; although he bears the lineage of the Liu clan, he has not received the attention he deserves.
He looked at those women with great curiosity, and the women looked at him with equal novelty, each one vying to pinch his little face, pat his head, and chatter incessantly. Just as the teasing was in full swing, a voice called from behind: "Do not be rude, this is the esteemed Jin Shizhong..."
The crowd of women was taken aback and ceased their jesting. The throng parted, and a woman in plain attire, appearing to be around thirty years of age, slowly approached. Without speaking, she first bowed to Liu Bingyi in greeting, then lowered her head with a smile and asked, "What is your title, Chamberlain? This is not a place for you to be; you should quickly return to the Chengming Hall!"
Liu Bingyi was just about to respond when a woman beside him immediately interjected, "How old is he? Why is this such a big deal?"
Zhang He disregarded Xu Guanghan's astonishment and continued to plan for himself: "It would be best to have the opportunity to enter the Taixue in the future, but before that, enlightenment is still necessary. Which of the Five Classics do you think would be most suitable for someone with his aptitude?" Xu Guanghan frowned and muttered, "He can't even write a character." Zhang He laughed dismissively, saying, "At his age, it is indeed time for him to start school and receive enlightenment. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?"
The light outside the window was dim, the sky was weighed down by heavy, dark clouds, and occasional thunder rumbled ominously. Xu Guanghan took a candle lighter to illuminate the candlestick, "The royal family does not intend to take care of this child any longer, does it?" No sooner had he spoken than a sharp crack echoed, startling him greatly
"No matter how old he is, even if he is a child who has not yet reached the age of twenty, he should not be here. Do you not know Han Yan?" Her voice was not loud, yet it was spoken with such righteous authority that even the laughing women could not help but quiet down. Especially her last sentence, which on the surface was directed at those around her, but in reality was meant for Liu Bingyi. Unfortunately, Liu Bingyi was completely oblivious to social nuances and did not understand the implication of her words. However, being a clever person, he vaguely realized he had made a mistake and was just about to turn and run when the woman softened her expression again, calling over a palace maid behind her and instructing, "Go outside and call a Zhonghuangmen to take the umbrella and escort Jin Shizhong back to the Chengming Hall."
Zhang He was taken aback and urgently asked, "What do you mean?" Without waiting for an answer, he immediately jumped to the most critical question, shouting sternly, "Where on earth has he gone?"
"You people, do not think that I am unaware of the tricks you play, always preferring to shift your own faults onto the young children..."
Liu Bingyi panicked and said, "I... I will not go to the Chengming Hall"
Xu Guanghan stood on the corridor, looking around. A middle-ranking eunuch was passing by, holding a lacquer tray, when he was suddenly grabbed by Xu. Xu asked, "Have you seen the Emperor's great-grandson?" The eunuch blinked, thought for a moment, and then turned his head to say, "I just seemed to see him chasing a leather ball towards the east."
During his time in the Grand Palace, the food he consumed was merely ordinary pastries and snacks, yet he had never encountered anything as exquisite as the dishes he had just seen. At that moment, he was eager to know where these foods were being sent, and without much thought, he followed closely behind those palace maids, walking in step along the long corridor.
Liu Bingyi stammered and could not respond, leading the woman to think he was shy and embarrassed to answer, so she sent a young palace maid to escort him out. Liu Bingyi turned back three times with each step, his face filled with a distracted longing, stumbling as if he could hardly walk. The women, witnessing this, could not help but burst into laughter.