In the martial arts arena, the autumn wind whistles to cheer, the sounds of killing are like thunder, and the musketeers are training in basic assassination movements to improve their close combat skills.

In the stands, the Crown Prince, now you should call him the Crown Prince.

It is now mid-October. The prince officially ascended the throne yesterday and the reign title is Yongxing, which means eternal prosperity.

After Emperor Yongxing ascended the throne, he issued several imperial edicts according to procedures, including one to appoint the crown prince as the crown prince. Li Hu was promoted from the crown prince’s junior protector to the crown prince’s grand protector, responsible for the crown prince’s security and protection, and taught the crown prince to practice riding and shooting martial arts, becoming a part-time nanny.

The little prince in casual clothes sat on the chair in the middle.

Li Hu sat beside the little prince, observing the musketeers of the Yongwei Camp who were in training and answering the little prince’s questions from time to time.

“Is it true that Grandpa Emperor can’t wake up?” the little prince suddenly asked.

Li Hu didn’t expect him to ask such a question. For a moment, he really didn’t know how to answer. He couldn’t tell him, “Your Royal Grandfather will never wake up under the careful care of your Royal Grandmother.”

This is too cruel for a child!

The young prince looked at the eunuchs who were driven by Li Hu to look at the eunuchs standing in the audience, and then said to Li Hu: “I know, they don’t want the emperor to wake up.”

Li Hu was startled and looked over quickly.

There were tears in the little prince’s eyes.

Li Hu opened his mouth but just sighed softly.

Jia Yun just stepped onto the stands, was stunned, and was in a dilemma, when he was caught by a glance from Li Hu.

Li Hu: “What’s the matter?”

Walking up to him, Jia Yun bowed to the young prince first, then replied, “General, the ammunition has been brought back.”

Li Hu: “Let’s shoot with live ammunition.”

Jia Yun: “Yes.”

The little prince took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his eyes, then said to Li Hu, “Since Grandpa was poisoned and fell into a coma, no one has taught me to ride a horse. Several masters in the Zhanshi Mansion not only did not allow me to practice riding, but also complained to my father and sent the pony Grandpa gave me to the Duke of Lu, the Imperial Horse Supervisor. Can you teach me to ride a horse now?”

Li Hu was in a dilemma. The imperial edict clearly stated that the prince could only be taught to practice riding and archery next year. In addition, the prince inherited his father’s skills, and several old corrupt scholars such as the Prince’s Secretary and Junior Secretary became his teachers. This would ruin two generations!
The expectation in the little prince’s eyes slowly turned into sadness, and he revealed a frustrated expression.

Li Hu saw it and gritted his teeth, thinking nothing of it. He wasn’t afraid of being bitten by too many lice, and he wouldn’t live long anyway.

Thinking about this, Li Hu stood up and said to the prince, “Let’s go on horseback.”

The little prince seemed a little bit unbelieving: “Really?!”

Li Hu patted his chest and said, “There is no joking in the army!”

The little prince jumped down from the chair and shouted happily: “Great! Great! Duke Lu, let’s go.” After that, he took Li Hu’s hand and walked towards the stands.

Yangxindian

Outside the west warm room, Zhao Tong sat in front of a small charcoal stove, looking at the medicine jar that was emitting hot steam, and listened to the movement inside with his ear tilted.

Finally, the sound of many people talking and walking could be heard from inside.

Then, the cabinet’s chief minister, the second chief minister, Jia Jinghe, two grand secretaries, as well as the minister of war, Duke Niu Jizon, and the commander of the imperial guards, Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding came out from the warm room while talking.

Zhao Tong stood up quickly.

When everyone saw Zhao Tong, they immediately stopped talking, nodded to Zhao Tong, and walked out quickly.

The medicine had already been boiled. Zhao Tong poured out the medicine and walked into the West Warm Pavilion with the medicine bowl.

Emperor Yongxing, wearing his imperial uniform, was sitting at his desk reviewing memorials.

Carrying the bowl of medicine to the imperial desk, Zhao Tong said softly, “Your Majesty, it’s time to take the medicine.”

Emperor Yongxing hummed, approved the memorial, put down his pen, took the medicine bowl and drank it in one gulp.

Zhao Tong brought warm water to help him rinse his mouth, and whispered, “Just now, several masters from the Zhanshi Mansion came.”

Emperor Yongxing looked at him and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Zhao Tong: “It is said that the prince followed the Duke of Lu to the Yongwei Camp.”

Emperor Yongxing frowned, realizing that it was another arrangement by the Empress Dowager.

Zhao Tong continued, “Several masters said that they hope the emperor will issue an edict to severely reprimand Duke Lu and maintain the discipline of the court! And…”

Emperor Yongxing: “Anything else?”

Zhao Tong: “The prince should not follow the Duke of Lu to practice riding and archery. The books of the sages are the foundation of governing a country. The prince should read the books of the sages carefully and learn how to govern a country with rituals and music.”

Emperor Yongxing raised his hand and said, “Tell them that it is the ancestral precept for the prince to practice riding and archery.”

Zhao Tong: “Yes.” Emperor Yongxing paused and said: “Prince, you must have my oral order before leaving the palace.”

“Yes.” Zhao Tong sighed in his heart.

Emperor Yongxing suddenly remembered: “Prince Nan’an recommended a man of extraordinary ability to me, saying that he might be able to cure my illness.”

Zhao Tong was startled: “Your Majesty!”

Emperor Yongxing: “I know what you want to say. But the medicine doesn’t work for my illness. Give it a try, maybe it will work.”

Zhao Tong wanted to say something, but Emperor Yongxing spoke again: “I am not that easy to fool. I will only take the medicine from that supernatural person after Li Yuanzheng and the others nod their heads.”

What else could Zhao Tong say, so he had to answer, “Yes.”

Emperor Yongxing: “They should be here. Go to the Prince of Nan’an’s mansion and take a look.”

Zhao Tong: “Yes.”

The afterglow of the setting sun falls on the yard.

The sound of abacus beads shifting on abacus came from Lin Daiyu’s main room.

The housekeepers’ wives came out, some holding bills, some holding account books, all in bright red, talking and laughing, making the place very lively.

Inside the room, Xue Baochai handed Lin Daiyu a large red paper envelope.

Lin Daiyu put down the account book in her hand, took the brief report and looked at it. As she read it, a bitter smile appeared on her face.

Xue Baochai smiled and said softly, “I have calculated it for several days and have saved what should be saved. These expenses are inevitable even for ordinary people to marry a daughter-in-law. The second master is a first-class duke, and the girl is a first-class earl, the legitimate daughter of the governor of Shandong and Henan. It is also a marriage granted by the emperor, so we can’t hold a shabby wedding.”

As he was speaking, the voice of a little maid came from outside: “The Second Master is here.”

The door curtain was lifted and Li Hu walked in, wearing a loose brocade robe and with his hair loose, obviously having just taken a shower.

Lin Daiyu stood up and looked at him with a smile: “Second brother is back.”

Li Hu smiled and said, “I’m back.” Then he walked over to Lin Daiyu and sat down.

Xue Baochai bowed slightly: “Second Master is back.”

Li Hu smiled and nodded, then said to Lin Daiyu, “Your hair is wet.”

Lin Daiyu said unhappily: “I’m not your maid.”

By this time Xue Baochai had already taken out a dry face towel and handed it to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took the towel and wiped Li Hu’s hair while asking, “You’re not going out tomorrow, are you?”

“Not going out, what’s wrong?”

Li Hu took the tea from Xue Baochai, took a sip, and then said to Xue Baochai, “Xue Ke will be back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Send someone home to tell him the news.”

Xue Baochai said “hmm”.

Lin Daiyu then spoke: “Let’s settle the accounts.”

“Settling accounts? What accounts?!” Li Hu put down the tea bowl.

Lin Daiyu glanced at Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai understood and handed the items needed for the wedding, the list, and the budget to Li Hu.

Li Hu was also surprised. He never dreamed that a wedding would cost so much money! This was just the cost of the wedding day. If all the expenses were calculated, it would be at least three or four hundred thousand.

Lin Daiyu: “Let’s calculate it tomorrow.”

Li Hu slammed the bill on the table and said loudly, “Forget it. The wedding that only happens once in a lifetime must be grand and solemn!” Then he held Lin Daiyu’s hand and said, “For you, I am willing to spend as much money as possible, even if it means losing everything.”

Lin Daiyu said angrily: “You think my family is useless! And it’s bankrupt!”

Li Hu coughed and said, “Well, how much money do we have?”

Lin Daiyu: “Let’s talk about it when you want money.”

After a pause, he said, “It’s enough for you to squander anyway.”

Looking at the two people chatting and laughing, a hint of envy flashed in Xue Baochai’s eyes.

Li Hu changed the subject: “According to the time, my father will be able to come to Beijing in mid-November, so let’s move the wedding to the end of November.”

Lin Daiyu paused: “What happened again?”

Li Hu was silent for a moment, then replied: “Someone is courting death!” (End of this chapter)