Volume 1: The Great Wind Rises, Clouds Soar, Six Punishments of the Heart, Great Han's Elegant China, Historical Cross-Dressing, Big Book Package Net

  The purple-robed youth who followed Liu Ying into the palace walked up to Lü Zhi and bowed down, "Auntie, it's been half a month since we last met, is your body still in good health?" He raised his head, only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a tired yet affectionate expression.

  "It's Liu Lang." Lü Zhi replied, turning to ask Liu Xuan, "Your father the emperor has invited Sun Fengchang as your Taizi Taifu, what did he teach you today?"

  Liu Ying respectfully said, "Today's lesson is on 'Zhou Li'."

  "Good," Lü Cuī smiled, "this is indeed the specialty of Grand Tutor Sun." Turning again to ask, "You returned from the Ministry of Justice, what did Wang Tiān say?"

  Lü Liulang's face darkened upon hearing this, and he turned to look at Liu Ying. Liu Ying sighed, "Of course, Brother-in-law would not admit it, and Wang Tian couldn't find any evidence either. However, although they treated us with respect, they never mentioned the final verdict again."

  The three people present all looked solemn, understanding in their hearts the final outcome of Zhao Wang Zhang Jiao. However, in the mind of the highest-ranking person in Chang Le Palace, a turning point had occurred. Suddenly, Lü Liu Lang slapped his hand on the table and angrily said, "Your Majesty is clearly targeting the Crown Prince, you have already begun to cut off the Crown Prince's wings, could it be that you really intend to use that ignorant child from the Divine Temple to replace your nephew as the Crown Prince?"

  "'Silence, you insolent child!' Lü Zhi rebuked with a scowl. 'Can such words be spoken recklessly?' She swept her gaze across the people in the hall. 'If someone were to spread this to the Emperor's ears, what would he think?'"

  The maids in the hall were silent and still, their faces pale with fear, not daring to move.

  Lü Zhi smiled slightly, her long fingernails tracing a mark on the surface in front of her. "Anyone from the Pepper Chamber who dares to utter another word," she said calmly, "will be dealt with by me personally. All of you may withdraw."

  Zhang Yan raised her head as the palace maids all lowered their heads and withdrew, secretly observing Liu Ying's expression. She saw that his expression was calm, with only a hint of melancholy in his eyes. Unconsciously, she let out a sigh in her heart. The father-son relationship had reached such a point; Emperor Gao had acted in this way, and what Liu Ying felt hurt by was not just the position of crown prince, but also the heart of being a son.

  "However, Your Majesty has no intention of replacing the crown prince, but that concubine Qi is always stirring up trouble," said Empress Lü, her voice sharp and calm, "we cannot afford not to make early preparations."

  "Auntie said," replied Lv Liu Lang with a nod, "what should we do?"

  Lv Wei's eyes gleamed with sharpness, "In terms of stirring up trouble in the harem, I naturally can't compare to Qi Ji. So, our focus shouldn't be on the palace, but on the imperial court."

  "In the imperial court, he has achieved the most merits, retired the earliest, and has the highest talent. He is also the one most respected by Your Majesty. Luoyang, go see him, if you can get his support, even your father, the Emperor, would not dare to mention it again."

  Liu Ying raised her eyes, "Empress Dowager, you should know that my identity is not suitable for meeting with Liu Hou."

  Besides, if I see you and we've said all there is to say, it won't be good to linger on.

  Lv Wei's eyes slightly dimmed, and she murmured, "That's also true."

  "Auntie, let me go," said Lü Liu'lang with a smile. "I'll go and it won't be in the way."

  Zhang Yan picked up the lacquered cloud-patterned high-footed ear cup on the case, warmed her palms, and thought to herself, so this Lu family's sixth son is actually Lu Lü.

  The discussion had been settled, and Lü Lu smiled a few more times. Suddenly, he turned to Zhang Yan with a smile and said, "Master, is my little fifth daughter still well?"

  "Huh?" She blinked in surprise, immediately reacting to his mention of Lü Yi, pursing her lips into a smile, "She's doing great." Refusing to say more.

  Lv Lu smiled calmly, revealing his white teeth. "I just heard Master Weng speaking outside, Master Weng's thoughts are kind and good, just like your mother."

  "Yes," Lü Zhi smiled and said leisurely, "Màn Huá was like this since she was a child. If I hadn't been her mother, calculating every step for her, she would have suffered losses. Looking at this child, who knows what will happen in the future?"

  "How could it be?" Lü Lü comforted, "Isn't there an aunt? As long as Aunt is here, who dares to bully her?"

  Lv Liu smiled and scolded, "You child, your mouth is just sweet." She smiled and bent down to hug Zhang Yan, softly saying, "A Yan, what you heard just now, don't mention it to others, okay?"

  She rolled her eyes and said helplessly, "Can't you say anything, Mother and Father?"

  "Your mother is pregnant and should not be disturbed by such trivial matters. As for your father," Lü Wei turned her head, thought for a moment, pursed her thin lips into a straight line, and her expression became firm, "he knows what's important."

  She nodded and came out of the hall, the sun was still early, it was still a while before noon. Tong Fang followed behind her and asked, "Master Weng, are we going back or...?"

  She turned back, and the hall was already far away. She could vaguely see her mother and son sitting opposite each other in the hall, still not yet at the point of drawing swords and bows, warm and peaceful. Suddenly, she had an urge to go feel for her own mother too.

  "Let's go find Mother," said Zhang Yan.

  Lü Zhi had only one son and one daughter in her life, the son was Liu Ying, and the daughter was Princess Lu Yuanlong, Liu Manhua. She treated both of them equally and loved them very much. This time when Lu Yuan encountered difficulties, she placed Lu Yuan in the west wing of the Jianfang Hall, which was the closest place to herself.

  As she passed by Ruyuan's window, Zhang Yan stopped and asked herself, "Can you really treat the woman inside as your own mother?"

  When the mind is wandering, the yellow-robed female official in the palace looks out of the window and says with a clear and refreshing smile, "I thought it was some blind thief who was coveting the princess, but it turned out to be Young Master. Why doesn't Young Master come in?" It's Tu Tu, the most trusted princess lieutenant by Lu Yuan's side.

  Zhang Yan smiled and walked into the inner hall. At first glance, she saw Lu Yuan leaning against a white satin quilt on a yellow pear wood carved lacquer bed, with crimson peony flowers embroidered on the canopy, which was hooked up by bronze hooks, hanging down beside her cheek, delicate as a flower.

  "Ah Yan come here," she said with a smile, beckoning her over.

  Zhang Yan unconsciously walked to her side, biting her lip in distress. How could it be that with just one command, she would make a move as if it were something she was born to do? Wasn't it true that there really was such a thing as mother-daughter instinct in the world, unrelated to the soul?

  "These days have been hard on you," Lu Yuan said, holding her cheek in his hand, "Look at you, your face has thinned out. Your father was wrongly accused and implicated you, previously in Handan you were carefree, now you have to be cautious."

  "There's nothing." Zhang Yan pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes falling on the bamboo slips in her mother's hand, slightly curious, "What is that?"

  "Ah," Lu Yuan's face turned slightly red with joy, "It was your uncle who brought it over, a letter from the king, your father."

  "Oh?" Zhang Yan curiously took it over, unfolded and read it. On a one-foot-long bamboo slip tied with fine hemp thread, Zhao Wang Zhang Yi's handwriting was clear and elegant, using small seal script, which was quite different from what she had learned before. As she read through the whole article, she couldn't recognize several words.

  Lu Yuan burst out laughing and reached out to smooth her furrowed eyebrows, "Can't understand, right? Who told you not to study hard when I was teaching you to read, write and play the piano in Handan?"

  Zhang Yan was both embarrassed and annoyed, clenching her fists as she glared at Lu Yuan, "What's so great about it? I'll go learn to write characters right now."

  "Ha!" Lu Yuan teased, "Your ambition is commendable. But there's no teacher here for you to learn from."

  "It doesn't matter," said Zhang Yan. "Give me a copy of 'The Book of Songs' and a copy of 'Chu Ci', I'll just copy them."

  The Book of Songs and the Chu Ci are the most basic literary classics. Although Zhang Yan dare not say that she can recite them from memory, when looking at them, she still knows what they mean. By writing according to these two books, the characters that should be learned have also been learned by about 70 or 80%.

  Lu Yuan smiled and nodded, indicating to the maid to bring over a book, pen and inkstone according to the girl's wishes.

  The brush is Zi Feng Hao, the ink is Yun Lu ink, both are the best products of the Han Dynasty. The maid waited and took out the ink grains from the ink bag, ground them on the inkstone with a grinding stone, and soon ground out the black ink like lacquer. Zhang Yan spread out the silk fabric on the desk, sat up straight, picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, held down the fabric, and copied the first chapter of "Guan Ju" on it:

  The waterfowl and the mandarin ducks are in the islets of the river. The modest and virtuous maiden, a gentleman delights in her company.

  Lu Yuan was curious, and ordered Tu to take out the piece of silk cloth that his daughter had written on, and handed it over for him to look at. As soon as he took a glance, he burst out laughing, "This is all crooked and messy, what is this supposed to be?"

  Zhang Yan's face turned slightly red, she refused to turn her head to respond to her mother, and continued copying books.

  It was unknown how long had passed when a faint snoring sound came from behind. Tu Tu put down the account book and Lu Yuan had fallen asleep.

  She didn't want to disturb her mother, so she signaled the maid to quietly move the inkstone and paper from the case to the outer room. She copied seven poems from the Book of Songs, but got a bit tired, then switched to copying the Chuci, skipping over the lengthy "Li Sao", choosing her favorite "Jiuge" to copy instead. When she was copying the line "Sorrow is sorrow, birth and separation; joy is joy, new acquaintance" in "Shao Siming", she suddenly heard Lü Yi's voice outside the hall, "So you're here, Ah Yan."

  Lü Yi pouted as she walked in, "Didn't I tell you to wait for me? How could you..."

  "Shh," Zhang Yan raised her index finger to her lips and made a zipping motion with her hand.

  Lui blinked and lowered his voice, "How did you end up here?"

  "You didn't tell me where to wait." Zhang Yan said lazily, her brush still not leaving the silk.

  "Huh? What's with the writing?" Lü Yi was taken aback, then burst out laughing. "Oh, I see - you want to be like my Ninth Aunt and become a talented lady, huh?"

  Zhang Yan blinked her eyes, "Ninth Aunt?"

  "Uh, Ninth Aunt is Grandfather's eldest daughter, only four years older than me. Grandfather died early, and Grandmother put a lot of effort into her education. She has read many books, writes beautiful calligraphy, and plays the zither with great skill. I heard that," Lyu Yi originally spoke in a low voice so as not to disturb Ru Yuan's afternoon nap in the inner palace, but now she leaned closer to Zhang Yan's ear, her lips barely moving, her voice reduced to almost a whisper, "it was hoped that she would marry your uncle and become the Empress of Great Han in the future."

  Zhang Yan was slightly stunned, if so, why did the name of Lü Jiuniang not appear in history after that day, but instead a farce about a niece marrying her uncle was staged?

  Daydreaming, unintentionally applying too much force with his hand, the brush left a big ink stain on the silk fabric.

  "Oh dear, this note is ruined." Lü Yi covered her mouth and smiled, pulling on her sleeve, "A Yan, let's just forget it and go out to have some fun instead."

  "You go ahead." Zhang Yan shook her head, "I'll finish copying these bamboo slips first."

  Lü Yi looked at Zhang Yan's thick stack of bamboo slips and couldn't help but shiver, reluctantly saying, "Then you continue copying, I'll leave first." He pushed the books on his side away and hopped out.

  Unconsciously, the sun gradually leaned westward. Lu Yuan slept enough and got up with a refreshed spirit. Seeing Zhang Yan, he was taken aback for a moment, "Ah Yan, you're still here?"

  "Ah." Zhang Yan smiled and rubbed her hands which had become sore from writing for too long, pushed away the bamboo slips and said with a smile, "Mother, you're up?"

  "It's already been two hours." Lu Yuan looked at the sky and frowned, "Have you been copying books here all this time?"

  Zhang Yan pinched her mouth and compared it with the thick silk on the shore.

  Lu Yuan picked up the last sheet of paper her daughter had written, looked at the words on it, and although they were still without any bone structure, they had made some progress compared to her daughter's first attempt. Sighing, she put down the paper and took her daughter's hand, saying with a smile, "After this incident, you've indeed become more sensible. Why did you spend so much effort practicing your writing? If it was just to read the letters from your father, I could have read them aloud for you."

  Zhang Yan lowered her head in embarrassment, "Can't I just think about writing a letter home to Father?"

  Lu Yuan was taken aback, then her eyes reddened with delight. "Good, my dear child, your father the king will be very happy to know of your filial piety." She raised an eyebrow in anger and scolded, "That wicked Guan Gao, not only did he commit treason, but also implicated your father the king, causing him to be taken captive and sent to Chang'an in a prisoner's cart. Now he is still suffering in the廷尉府. You and I, mother and daughter, are not even allowed to visit him."

  She spoke indignantly, saying that Zhang Jue had no intention of rebellion, but the Emperor believed the slanderous words of some treacherous official and refused to release him. At first, Zhang Yan listened patiently, but as she heard more, she became increasingly impatient. It was so obvious, yet Lu Yuan seemed not to see it, or perhaps he saw it but didn't want to believe it. Men's politics were full of intrigue and bloodshed, and women caught in the middle couldn't even see the truth clearly - it was truly pitiful. Zhang Yan felt both sorrow and anger for him, and finally couldn't help but sneer coldly, "If you want to frame someone, what's the worry that there won't be a reason?"

  "What?" Lu Yuan suddenly stopped talking and stared at her in shock.

  "What did you say, Ah Yan?"

  "I say," she said stiffly, "Your Majesty is not unaware of whether the King of Zhao has any intention to rebel or revolt. He just uses this excuse to strip the King of Zhao of his position and remove the wings of the Crown Prince."

  "Nonsense." Lu Yuanmeng stood up abruptly, her sleeves fluttering with a powerful arc. "You... little kid... talking nonsense." She scolded in a stuttering tone, her face half pale and half flushed, her heart racing with fear. Tu Tu hurried over to support her, "Princess, be careful of your body."

  Before he could finish speaking, Lu Yuan was already bent over with his hands clutching his stomach, groaning in pain, "My stomach, my stomach hurts so much."

  Been continuously hit by several people I usually admire, saying that the new article starts too artfully, has a sense of stacking, and is not conducive to beginners. Silently reflecting, decided to restrain the desire for luxury. By the way, modify the previous article, trying to turn it around.

  But alas, tears. The sentences I wrote with great effort, it's really heart-wrenching to delete them.

  Well, I'm seriously asking for collection and recommendation for this article. The results are really a bit dismal.

  Then, I originally wanted to announce the update time. However, during the Chinese New Year, the schedule will change, and I can only confirm that there will be two updates tomorrow.

  Come on, everyone.