06. Pursuing education

Although the reasoning is clear, Xu Guanghan still harbors some unresolved feelings in his heart. The reason is none other than Zhang Pengzu's father, Zhang Anshi, who is the younger brother of Zhang He. Currently, he holds the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies in the court, but he has always conducted himself according to the principles of General Huo Guang, which has earned him great favor from Huo Guang

Xu Guanghan held a lowly official rank and did not pay much attention to the factional struggles and changes in the court. His only concern was that Zhang Anshi, in order to avoid suspicion, would oppose his son getting too close to Liu Bingyi

The Grand Commandant supervises the uncle

The path within is not easy to traverse, uneven and bumpy. Due to the rain last night, many low-lying areas have accumulated water, making the surface muddy and damp. Zhang Pengzu had only taken about ten steps when his silk shoes became wet. Having been pampered and accustomed to comfort, he was unaccustomed to such hardship and immediately cried out: "Uncle! Carry me!"

Uncle! Before the cart came to a complete stop, a corner of the bamboo curtain on the cart was already lifted, and a boy about six or seven years old poked his head out from inside, waving at them with great delight.

Zhang He let out a heavy sigh from the depths of his heart, his eyes filled with compassion reflecting the weariness of life. As he reached out his left hand to embrace the poor orphan and offer comfort, the innocent Zhang Pengzu had already clapped his small hands and teased loudly, "Haha, got nothing to say now, I knew you were just talking nonsense and boasting!"

Xu Guanghan was overjoyed upon hearing this. The three of them arrived at the studio door, where Zhang He presented the gate pass, allowing them to exit the Weiyang Palace smoothly. Just ten steps away from the palace gate, Liu Bingyi could no longer contain his excitement and began to cheer. Outside the studio door was the east-west oriented Straight City Gate Street, which was wide open at that time, with a stream of people entering from the left side, and the street was bustling with crowds, creating a scene of great activity.

Zhang He nodded and lifted the boy from the car. The child had a round face and a lively demeanor, and Liu Bingyi stared at him without blinking. The child was not shy at all; despite his young age, he carried himself with great confidence, flashing a broad smile at Liu Bingyi. When he smiled, a deep dimple appeared on his left cheek, making him quite endearing

Liu Bingyi could no longer endure the ridicule filled with distrust, and his face immediately turned crimson. "I... I know that place, I have lived there, I must have lived there... The one who lies is a little dog! Uncle Tingwei Jian lives there, I lived there with Uncle Tingwei Jian, it is exactly there..."

Zhang Pengzu did not dare to retort to his elder uncle, shrinking his shoulders and responding in a low voice. Liu Bingyi, witnessing this, could only remain silent. The convoy turned away from the bustling and noisy city walls and headed east. The two children could only gaze longingly at the towering city buildings, their faces filled with envy

As soon as the words fell, Zhang Pengzu let out a sneer, saying, "What a boast!" He scratched his cheek with his index finger and shyly remarked, "How could you possibly have lived there? That is the official residence of the prefecture, the place where the feudal lords stay when they come to the capital to pay their respects. Only the princes can reside there. Are you a prince?"

As the vehicle hurriedly passed by, it was indeed impossible to discern the exact location referred to by Zhang Pengzu, but the impressions along Chef City Gate Street had already been deeply etched in Liu Bingyi's mind. As the vehicle continued northward, private residences were gradually replaced by official residences. The further north they traveled, the more familiar the scenery became, until he could not help but exclaim, pointing to a towering mansion on the left, "I used to live there!"

Zhang He waved his hand dismissively, saying, "It is merely allowing Peng Zu to accompany Bing Yi in studying; what could be inappropriate about that? Moreover, given Bing Yi's temperament, going alone to the teacher's house to seek knowledge would inevitably lead to loneliness. Having Peng Zu as a companion in the future is certainly better than him constantly thinking about seeking the Jin brothers in the main hall..."

The carriage sped past, and along this street, what one could see were all tall buildings and deep courtyards, with imposing gates. Some residences even had gate towers erected in front, with household servants standing beneath them, their grandeur rivaling that of the imperial palace's inner courtyard

Zhang He responded with a loving smile, the coachman brought the carriage to a stop, tightening the reins while not forgetting to greet Zhang He: "Yeting Ling, I have been ordered to bring the young master here."

Liu Bing had become greatly disappointed and looked at Zhang He with a pitiful expression. Zhang He couldn't help but laugh and said, "You can come with me, and you can also take the opportunity to visit your wife and children on the way home"

Zhang He glanced at his nephew but did not pay him any mind. Instead, he crouched down and picked up Liu Bingyi, carrying him in his arms as he waded through the water and stepped over the pits. This action truly astonished Zhang Pengzu. He stared at his uncle's back for quite a while before he finally understood one thing: in his uncle's heart, he, the biological nephew, was far less significant than that ignorant country boy.

"There is nothing of the sort! You are overthinking it!" Xu Guanghan explained with a smile, "Bingyi is a pitiful child; he has no father or mother, and there are no relatives in the clan to take care of him. Your uncle has a kind heart and, feeling sorry for his loneliness, it is only right that he takes extra care of him. Pengzu, you should befriend Bingyi in the future; he is actually a very good child."

Xu Guanghan was afraid that Liu Bingyi would get lost, so as soon as they exited the palace gate, he tightly grasped his arm. Zhang He stood at the entrance, looking around anxiously, as if searching for someone. Indeed, after a short while, a person arrived, panting and driving a cart, stopping in front of them.

This is my little nephew Peng Zu! Peng Zu, this is Bing Yi... From now on, you two will study together, and you must respect and love each other...

Zhang Hezhong remained loyal to his former master, recalling the bond of loyalty between the servant and Prince Wei. Therefore, he regarded Liu Bingyi as his own kin. Such acts of loyalty and righteousness left Xu Guanghan with nothing but admiration. Upon reflection, he realized that he had once shared a similar master-servant relationship with Prince Ai of Changyi. Comparing hearts, he found it truly impossible to emulate Zhang He. Not to mention his views on the current King of Changyi, Liu He, even if Prince Ai, Liu Bo, were to be reborn, he could not reciprocate like Zhang He, with no complaints or regrets.

Driving north along Zhichengmen Street and turning onto Chuchengmen Street, the sound of hooves clattering against the ground created a distinct rhythm. Zhang Pengzu was clearly an unsettled child; after the carriage traveled a hundred zhang, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Look quickly, that's my home!" The two adults in the carriage remained silent, while Liu Bing had already peered out through the gap of the lifted curtain, only to see the houses on the left side arranged in a staggered manner, with each roof higher than the last. Although he was accustomed to the grandeur of palatial buildings, he was still taken aback by the opulence of the mansions before him.

In a certain moment, some vague fragments seemed to flash through his memory, and then he stopped speaking. The fervor with which he had just sworn and vowed dissipated completely in an instant. The towering palaces and buildings in the distance were soon left behind by the carriage, gradually fading from view. He suddenly began to feel uncertain, as the fragments in his mind were illusory, hazy, and fragmented, seeming to be facts that had once occurred to him, yet also appearing to be merely a dream that occasionally flashed before him during his sleep. He could not discern clearly, only staring blankly back at the long street, lost for words. He suddenly began to feel uncertain, as the fragments in his mind were illusory, hazy, and fragmented, seeming to be facts that had once occurred to him, yet also appearing to be merely a dream that occasionally flashed before him during his sleep. He could not discern clearly, only staring blankly back at the long street, lost for words.

Zhang He interrupted the two, saying: "Today we must go to Beihuanli to pay a visit to the gentleman. Peng Zu, you are not young anymore; you should prioritize your studies and reading. How can you think about leisure all day long?"

Zhang Pengzu curled his lips, revealing a peculiar smile. He initially intended to mockingly utter a remark, but as the words reached his lips, he prudently swallowed them back.

Zhang Zhongweng resides in Beihuanli, a bustling and noisy commoner's neighborhood. The walls of the neighborhood are not high, and the houses are densely packed, with one room closely adjacent to another. Carriages cannot enter the main gate of Beihuanli, so they must be parked outside the inner gate. The coachman is left to tend to the horses and carriage while two adults lead two children into the neighborhood. There are countless residents within, and for the ordinary folk accustomed to two meals a day, this is the time for dining. Many households have their doors wide open, with family members gathered in the hall for their meal. The houses are stacked closely together, with curling smoke rising from kitchens, fragrant aromas wafting through the air, and the sounds of pots and bowls clattering intertwining. Occasionally, the calls of women urging their young, mischievous children to eat can be heard.

Xu Guanghan held him in his arms, took two steps, and the child resting on his shoulder asked in a melancholic and trembling voice: "Uncle used to care for me the most, why does he treat him better than he treats me now?"

Early in the morning, Xu Guanghan changed Liu Bingyi into a new outfit. Liu Bingyi knew that Zhang He was going to take him out of the palace, and he was particularly excited. After finishing his breakfast, he could no longer sit still and kept tugging at Xu Guanghan's hand, urging him to set off. Xu Guanghan smiled and said, "The Yeting Ling will take you out of the palace; I do not need to accompany you."

Liu Bingyi initially did not want to respond, but his curiosity was piqued, and he could not help but turn his head to ask: "What is plum syrup?"

Zhang He instructed the coachman to lift the two children onto the carriage. After lingering for a while, Xu Guanghan approached and quietly asked, "Although the idea of having the young master accompany the sick to study is good, it is just that Dr. Zhang on the other side..."

He felt aggrieved in his heart, breathing in and out with indignation, ready to stamp his feet in anger, when suddenly a sharp and bright voice softly inquired, "Shall I carry you over?" He looked up and saw it was Xu Guanghan, a subordinate of his uncle.

Without waiting for Zhang He to finish speaking, Zhang Pengzu directly lunged forward, grasping Liu Bingyi's hand, his face filled with joy, "Brother Bingyi!" Liu Bingyi was suddenly blessed with a peer companion, feeling even happier than Zhang Pengzu, yet he said nothing.

Liu Bingyi shot him a glance, pouted, and turned away, facing the wall of the carriage without uttering a word. Zhang Pengzu, feeling disheartened, after a moment, his notoriously poor memory got the better of him, and he leaned over again to tease Bingyi: "Up ahead is the main market; do you like to drink plum juice? I will buy some for you when we get to the market."