webnovelfull Chapter 387: Shangshufang
Chapter 387: Shangshufang
The first day of September was the day when Hongzhan went to the Shangshufang to study. An Lingrong, who had been tossing and turning in bed, got up before dawn.
According to ancestral rules, once a prince reaches the age of six (in lunar years), he cannot live with his biological mother and must move to a prince's residence.
Only with the emperor's grace did Hongzhan allow him to stay in Yongshou Palace after his birthday until the end of the month before moving out.
From then on, the mother and son could only meet briefly on special days such as palace banquets, festivals, the emperor's birthday and their own birthdays.
Unless Hongzhan marries a concubine, An Lingrong can summon her daughter-in-law to the palace as a mother-in-law to talk and convey some information.
When An Lingrong thought of the little things that the mother and son had experienced together, her heart ached and her eyes became hot.
When Baoque came in quietly and asked her master to get up, she found that she was already dressed.
"Master, are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to summon a physician?"
An Lingrong sighed softly, "I'm fine, but I feel very uncomfortable when I think of Hongzhan living alone in the prince's residence."
"Hongzhan is only six years old, and already..."
Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps in the yard, An Lingrong changed the subject.
"It's fine for Hongzhan to move to the prince's residence. After he enters the Shangshufang, the emperor will check his homework. I will feel at ease leaving the child in the care of the emperor."
"I have to pay my respects to the Yikun Palace later, so please help me wash up."
Baoque nodded gently and walked out of the bedroom quickly.
When An Lingrong was paying her respects in the Yiku Palace, Hongzhan, who had been studying in the Shangshufang, also received the ten haha beads carefully selected by the emperor.
Hongzhan, with a serious face, lit up his eyes when he saw one of the familiar faces.
So he walked closer with a smile.
"Be flat."
After the children in the room had introduced themselves one by one, an old Hanlin with white hair and beard stepped into the room.
"Sixth Prince, this old minister is from the Hanlin Academy..."
The children who were chatting and laughing together just now sat back in their seats obediently.
Currently, there is only one prince, Hongzhan, studying in the Shangshufang, and he sits directly in the middle of the first row.
After half an hour, the old Hanlin, who was very satisfied with Hongzhan, announced with a serious face.
"The class ends here. Everyone, please take a quarter of an hour's break."
As soon as the old Hanlin left, Hongzhan stood up and ran to the last row, stood in front of a child about the same height as him, and shouted excitedly.
"Uncle, you were going to accompany Hongzhan to study in the palace. Why didn't grandma mention this in her letters home?"
"Sixth Prince, my family just received the news of your entry into the palace three days ago. Eunuch Su, who came to announce the decree, specifically instructed us to keep this a secret from you and my sister."
Su Peisheng said at the time that the emperor wanted to give Concubine Shu a surprise and asked his mother not to reveal it in advance.
Lin felt that it was a great honor that the emperor was willing to spend time on his daughter, so how could she disagree?
An Chengle suppressed his mother's idea of going out to burn incense and fulfill her vow, and the mother and son prepared to enter the palace in a low-key manner.
The other children were only two or three years older than the Sixth Prince, and the lively ones immediately followed suit.
"Sixth Prince, what Brother An said is correct. My family also received the news of her entering the palace three days ago."
Fu Cha Fu Wen'an pulled his cousin Fu Le'an to his knees on the ground.
"My cousin has behaved badly, please forgive me, Sixth Prince."
His grandfather had given him many warnings before he entered the palace, but the third prince of Li Shuren was arrogant and domineering, and often beat his study companions.
Now that Concubine Shu is deeply favored by the Emperor, he must serve the ignorant Sixth Prince with great care.
Although Fu Le'an was his cousin within five generations, they were both from the Fucha clan after all.
If he behaves out of line, the entire family will be affected.
An Chengle is the Sixth Prince's uncle. How could a cousin be so ignorant of etiquette as to call him "little brother"?
This is not a roundabout way of taking advantage of the Sixth Prince.
"Fu Wen'an, you don't have to be like this. Mother always says that I'm boring, so it's a good thing to have such a lively study partner."
Hongzhan helped the two of them up with a smile.
At this time, Xiao Quanzi bowed and walked to Hongzhan and reported in a low voice.
"Sixth Prince, the Imperial Concubine has sent Aunt Baoge with some snacks. I have prepared tea in the pavilion. Would you like to move over?"
"Alright, you all must be hungry since you entered the palace before daybreak. Come with me and fill your stomach."
After Hongzhan finished speaking, he asked everyone to go out.
Fu Le'an, who was lagging behind, secretly glanced at his cousin who was walking in front, and like a thief, he approached An Chengle and gently poked his arm.
"I heard that the cakes at the Yongshou Palace of Concubine Shu are truly exceptional. Could you tell me how delicious they are?"
Fule'an is the youngest son in the family. Both his father and mother love him very much, and he has a lively personality.
At that time, after the eunuch who announced the imperial edict was sent away, the whole family looked sad, and he was the only one who was happy.
It can be said that Fu Le'an urged the housekeeper to arrange for someone to send him out before the rooster crowed just for this meal.
An Chengle unconsciously imitated him and spoke in a low voice.
"Even the Emperor has praised the cakes in the Imperial Concubine's palace. You'll know when you try them later."
In fact, An Chengle had eaten Yongshou Palace dim sum only a few times. His mother said that since his elder sister was very favored and had three children, it was inevitable that some villains would cause trouble.
The cakes can only be eaten if someone trusted by my sister brings them home when leaving the palace.
An Chengle thought of the soft pastries he had eaten before, and pulled Fu Anle beside him to quicken his pace.
"The snacks are in the pavilion, let's go faster."
Baoge brought two food boxes, one large and one small. After greeting Hongzhan, she reminded him in a gentle voice.
"Sixth Prince, this is the cake that the master specially prepared for Master Hanlin. Please deliver it to him."
"Aunt Baoge, Hongzhan will be leaving right away."
Hongzhan knew his mother's good intentions, which were to help him establish a good relationship with Qiao Shidu.
Qiao Shidu's full name was Qiao Zhongping. He ranked second in the imperial examination during the reign of the previous emperor and was directly admitted to the Hanlin Academy.
Because of his honest nature, he stayed there for more than twenty years.
When the emperor was selecting someone to teach Hongzhan, he chose Qiao Zhongping, who had no background, at first sight and directly promoted the man who stayed in his room to edit books to the rank of fourth-rank tutor.
Qiao Zhongping was humming a Jiangnan tune to celebrate his sudden promotion when he heard footsteps coming from outside the door.
He took a closer look and quickly stood up to greet him.
"Old minister Qiao Zhongping pays homage to the Sixth Prince."
Qiao Zhongping was confused and wondered if the Sixth Prince was dissatisfied with him in some way.
"No need to be so polite, Mr. Qiao. Mother sent some cakes, and Hongzhan sent one especially for you. Please accept it."
After Hongzhan finished speaking, Xiao Quanzi brought the carved red lacquer food box to him.
When Qiao Zhongping heard that what was delivered were cakes, his beard trembled slightly and he bowed again.
"I, your humble servant, would like to thank Sixth Prince and Her Majesty Shu Guifei for their gifts."
As soon as Hongzhan left, he opened the box and checked it carefully. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found six plates of exquisite pastries inside.
Fortunately, Concubine Shu did not hide anything in it, otherwise he would have offended the Sixth Prince on his first day on duty in the Shangshufang.