Ji Changze kept watching the Liu family's sedan go away, then turned and walked towards the second prince's residence.
Seeing that this evil god was gone, Hu Xiufang was relieved, rubbed his face that was frozen in laughter, and followed Ji Changze with a sad face and dejection.
In fact, he really wants to turn around and run away now, but he can't run away from the temple. He is an official in the same court and sees each other every day. If he runs away now, let Ji Changze remember him, and he will still have a good life in the future. Have you passed
But the mind thinks clearly, but the body is very honest.
Bearded Fang moved step by step, with a grimace on his face full of resistance, almost moving at a turtle speed.
Ji Changze turned around and saw the rejection on his face. He was not surprised. He just shouted in a good manner: "Zifang, if you don't want to go..."
Bearded Fang's spirit suddenly shook, and he looked at the person in front of him expectantly.
Ji Changze: "I want to go too."
Beard Fang: "..."
He sighed in response and walked forward with his head hanging down.
He knew that Ji Changze, the devil, would definitely not let him go.
However, Ji Changze has never interacted with the princes, so why did he think of visiting His Highness today
Just talk about how Ji Changze wanted to be his brother-in-law, because the co-author took a fancy to his friendship with the second prince.
Shameless villain! It’s really no good and I can’t afford to be early!
Huzi Fang cursed in his heart, but he could only go forward to visit the second prince. He was a frequent visitor to the second prince's mansion. When the servant saw him, he let him go and led the two of them into the mansion.
Ji Changze was not restrained on the road. He looked around and said to Huzi Fang with a smile: "The layout of Your Highness's mansion is very exquisite. I think the craftsmen must have put a lot of effort into the construction of the mansion. It is very wonderful."
Hearing him talk about this, Huzi Fang immediately became energetic and coughed dryly. He was obviously so proud that he wanted to raise his chin to the sky, but he also showed a reserved look on his face, a contradiction of "I want to show off but I am also very humble." appearance.
"Lord Ji, your guess is wrong. His Highness's residence is not the work of craftsmen. The layout, conception, and water canals of each courtyard were jointly arranged by the official and His Highness."
After hearing this, Ji Changze showed a look of surprise on his face, which seemed a bit unbelievable:
"Zifang actually knows everything about the Ministry of Industry?"
Ji Changze, who had a high status in the court and always looked aloof to others, was surprised and praised for his extraordinary talent, which satisfied Huzi Fang's vanity very well.
His tone was quite cheerful: "Don't think I am inconspicuous in the court, but when it comes to building houses, I have been learning it since I was a child, and I have already memorized the "Island Sutra" by heart."
"Zifang is such a talented person, why didn't he go to the Ministry of Industry but to the Hanlin Academy?"
Speaking of this, the expression on Hu Fang's face became sluggish again, and he said wiltedly: "The Ministry of Industry is engaged in craftsmanship after all, and the elders in the family do not allow me to go."
Ji Changze expressed his understanding.
This is normal. After all, Huzi Fang's ancestors come from a family of officials for generations, and his grandfather is a well-known scholar. It would be fine if he was doing other things in the Ministry of Industry, but if he has to build houses, it is normal that his elders are not happy.
But... the second prince also joined in, so this matter will be much more interesting.
"His Highness asked Mr. Hu to go directly to the study."
The servant who came to report that there was a guest hurried over, and after saluting, he took the two of them to the door of the study: "You two adults, just go in directly."
Ji Changze and Hu Xiufang went in and saw that in this huge study, there were wooden houses placed everywhere. The largest one was one meter long. It looked like it should be a model of the entire mansion, with various courtyards, gardens, and lakes. , everything is clear.
Behind the desk, there was a man immersed in drawing something on rice paper. When he heard the movement, he raised his head with a smile on his face: "Zifang is here, come and help me see my new tower."
Seeing Ji Changze, he was stunned, quickly put down his pen, and greeted Ji Changze almost at the same time.
"Your Highness."
"Master Ji."
The second prince is the master and he is the minister. Ji Changze avoided the second prince's greetings with his quick movements. He almost immediately searched for a picture in his mind and said with a natural smile: "I heard what Zifang said, your highness." I have quite a bit of experience in construction. I recently found a way to build a bridge, so I wanted to ask Your Highness if this method is feasible."
Beard Fang: "..."
I didn't, not me, when did I say that.
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he saw Ji Changze smiling gently at him and saying in a light voice: "Zifang, right?"
Beard Fang: "... It's... right..."
"oh?"
When the second prince heard about the method of building a bridge, his eyes lit up, and he didn't ask anything else. He just said, "Can you please bring it to me, Sir Ji?"
Ji Changze went directly to the desk and said, "I remembered how to draw, so I lent His Highness the pen and paper."
The second prince subconsciously stopped him. When he saw Ji Changze looking at him in confusion, he smiled dryly and said, "I just got some ink stains here. Let's go draw on that table."
Ji Changze narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced behind the desk as if unintentionally, and smiled good-naturedly: "That's fine."
He made a quick sketch of the bridge.
Before he finished the painting, the second prince had already stood beside him and watched intently. When the painting was finished, he immediately couldn't wait to observe it carefully.
Bearded Fang was still autistic, but when he saw the second prince's expression as if he had discovered a treasure, he felt itchy and couldn't help but go up and take a look.
The two of them are about the same age, and they have always been good friends. Now they are looking at each other, and they are talking directly to each other.
"Such a bridge should reduce water splash."
"The materials used are less than those of ordinary bridges. Look here, how do you think of how to build a bridge like this?"
Ji Changze watched them discuss excitedly.
His Majesty does not have many children today, but they are all princes, and no princess was born. There are five princes in total, and the eldest prince is only thirty-five years old this year. He was only nineteen years old when he was accused of treason.
The second prince is about the same age as the eldest prince. He is thirty-two years old this year. Since the "eldest prince's rebellion" incident happened sixteen years ago, the princes may have been frightened by this incident and they did not like to take the lead. The prince was naturally among them.
In the past sixteen years, he has only been out of the house a handful of times.
Not only him, but the third and fourth princes also stayed in the house and did not communicate with officials in the court or try to appeal to the court. Their existence was comparable to invisible people.
Among the four princes, only the fifth prince, who is just sixteen years old and has never experienced the shadow of his father's circle, often goes out of the palace. However, the places where this fifth prince goes are not good places. They are all fireworks places. At a young age, he had a reputation as a celebrity.
Ji Changze originally guessed that the four princes might have been frightened by what happened back then, but today it seems that this is not the case.
He had been waiting patiently, waiting for the two of them to finish their discussion, which was getting more and more exciting, and they were about to start writing and calculating. When he looked up, he remembered that there was Ji Changze.
The second prince was a little embarrassed and apologized:
"I'm really sorry that I forgot about Master Ji. Sir, where did you see this drawing? The person who drew this drawing must be a genius. If possible, can you recommend it to me?"
Ji Changze's expression remained unchanged: "I got a book by chance and saw it from inside."
Before the second prince asked again, he said: "I saw that book in my master's study when I was young. There was a fire in his study sixteen years ago, and the book disappeared with it."
Hearing the words sixteen years ago, the second prince, who was originally full of joy, paused and smiled dryly: "That's it."
"Your Highness, if this picture is given to His Highness, might His Highness build a bridge similar to this picture?"
The second prince smiled awkwardly.
"I can create it, but... my father doesn't like the way I build it, so I can only mess around in my house."
"I wonder if Lord Ji can leave this blueprint to me? I know this picture is precious. Can I exchange it with Lord Ji for the treasure in the storehouse?"
Oh, I understand.
You can't blame the second prince for staying behind closed doors. You think he is autistic, but in fact he is doing what he likes behind closed doors.
"Of course I can send this drawing to His Highness, but I still have some things I want to ask His Highness."
After Ji Changze finished speaking, he glanced at Hu Fang.
Bearded Fang was suddenly stared at and was stunned. He looked at Ji Changze with a confused face.
Ji Changze glanced at him, then looked out the door, signaling Hu Fang to go out.
Beard Fang: "?"
He also looked out the door curiously.
There is nothing. What is Ji Changze looking at
Ji Changze smiled: "Zifang and Shengyan are indeed good friends."
Why is it so good? The topic has come to this. Beard Fang didn't know why, but he still raised his head proudly: "Of course, Shengyan and I are close friends and we have a good family relationship!"
Ji Changze: "I have something to ask His Highness alone. Can Zifang go out and wait?"
"OK."
Bearded Fang readily agreed and walked out the door neatly, and helped him close the door thoughtfully. When he stood outside and the cold wind blew, he suddenly realized what he was doing.
Was Ji Changze's look just now hinting at him to come out
Tsk, you're a villain and a traitor who only knows how to flatter people. Don't ask him to go out of his way without twisting around.
In the room, because the second prince was Husked Fang’s friend, and considering that he could not be a good friend even with a quick reply, Ji Changze learned the lessons from Liu Shengyan and Husked Fang, and asked the second prince directly and neatly what he thought of the eldest prince.
The second prince didn't have any complicated reaction. Sixteen years later, no matter how thrilling it was at the beginning, now that the dust has settled, it can't stir up any turmoil in his heart.
He glanced at the drawings on the table greedily, and replied happily: "The eldest brother has been smart, steady and kind since he was a child. He is considered to be the best in both civil and military affairs. He also takes great care of his younger brothers. If I am the first one who doesn’t believe that he is plotting rebellion.”
Ji Changze smiled: "Are the other highnesses like the second highness?"
The second prince paused, his nails scratching involuntarily on his palms, his eyes glanced under the desk, then moved up quickly, coughing dryly: "We brothers have always only stayed in our own house, except for the birthday banquet of our father and the New Year's Eve." How can I know what they think without even meeting them at the banquet?"
Ji Changze looked at the guilt that could not be concealed on his face, and thought, I can't blame the second prince for playing well with Hu Hufang, they are like little white rabbits from the same breed.
I won't tell any lies.
However, rabbits are not just good at eating grass, at least these princes are not all tools controlled by their foolish father.
They also have their own little secrets.
After asking a question, Ji Changze, who had almost gotten a rough idea, stood up with a gentle smile on his face, as if he was just chatting: "It's getting colder and colder these days. I heard that many refugees outside the city have frozen to death. I'm sorry. In addition to asking His Highness about the drawings today, I also want to ask Your Highness to donate some money and food to help those who live outside without charcoal, firewood, or even a thin quilt."
The second prince was stunned, his nails dug into the palms of his hands even more, and he stammered: "That, that's what should be donated. I asked someone to give Mr. Ji two hundred gold, and when I asked Mr. Ji to help the refugees, don't ask for it." I had a share in the mention.”
Seeing Ji Changze looking at him strangely, he said awkwardly: "Father doesn't like us buying people's hearts. In the past, we used to give porridge secretly."
[us].
Ji Changze just pretended that he didn't notice that the second prince had spilled the beans, and nodded in understanding: "I want to go to other royal highnesses' houses to inquire about this donation, so I will leave first."
His next stop was directly to the Third Prince's Mansion.
The third prince is dressed luxuriously, with a style of clothing that has never been seen in the capital. The back lining is fashionable and has a slim waist. His temperament is very introverted at first glance, and he is very shy when he smiles.
His reputation in the capital is that he loves gourmet food and fine clothes. The mansion has the most craftsmen who make clothes and cooks who cook all kinds of delicacies. He eats a lot at every meal and yet does not gain weight. Some women are very envious of this.
After hearing what Ji Changze said about his purpose, he immediately nodded in agreement and asked someone to give him two hundred gold.
Ji Changze seemed to say something casually: "The clothes on Your Highness's body look very different. I like them very much. I wonder if I can borrow them from the tailor in the mansion for a few days?"
The smile on the third prince's face froze, and he was silent for a few seconds before saying:
"Unfortunately, the tailor who made this dress just redeemed himself and returned home a while ago."
"That being the case, that's all."
Ji Changze didn't say anything more. He took the gold and left. When he arrived at the Fourth Prince's house, unfortunately, His Highness the Fourth Prince was addicted to blacksmithing and locked himself in the blacksmith's room all day. The servants in the Fourth Prince's house did not dare to I have to go and call him, so I can only trouble Mr. Ji to make another trip tomorrow.
As for the fifth prince, he went to Qinglou.
Although he only met two princes in total, Ji Changze also guessed these few from the Tian family.
In the evening, he took out his night clothes, put them on, slipped out and went straight to the second prince's residence.
In the palace, due to the weather change, there was a violent storm outside. The emperor opened the window, feeling the cold outside, and said to the people around him: "It's so cold today, the traitor is going to suffer."
The person serving him lowered his head and did not dare to answer.
Sixteen years ago, the eldest prince who "conspired against" was escorted to the capital. This incident was so strange that if the emperor killed him, it would make people think that he had a guilty conscience.
As a result, the eldest prince was imprisoned.
He was not trapped in his own house like the previous dynasty, but was locked up in the dark lower camp road.
The lower camp road was cold and damp, and because of the emperor's orders, even ordinary people lived better than the eldest prince in terms of food, drink and clothing, let alone compared to before.
He was locked up in the house, wearing thin clothes, covered with a thin quilt, and eating grains. The doors and windows of the house were all sealed with nailed boards. People outside could not get in, and people inside could not get out. Every day The person guarding outside will only open a small opening to put food inside and take out the bucket inside.
The eldest prince, the proud son of heaven, has been treated like a prince since he was born. How could he endure such hardships
The emperor thought that he would definitely be unable to bear it, and by then no one in the world would be able to say anything wrong.
In the history books, he will only be a good emperor and a good father who was betrayed by his own son, but he was soft-hearted and did not kill him but just imprisoned him.
The eldest prince will die there alive.
Thinking of this, the emperor felt happy.
To be honest, the eldest prince had never disrespected him, but he couldn't help but dislike this child.
This biological son who gradually grew up to be better than him seemed to be threatening his status every moment.
It doesn't matter.
The emperor thought with satisfaction that after the death of an eldest prince, he still had four princes.
The four of them are much more filial and sensible than the rebellious son, and have never done anything to collude with courtiers or win people's hearts.
On the roof of the Second Prince's Mansion, Ji Changze watched as the Second Prince asked for coal in the name of being cold, and then secretly took out a sack to pack the coal. Then, carrying the coal on his back, he carefully opened the dark hole under the desk like a thief. Got in.
Seeing him entering, Ji Changze stepped lightly onto the roof and went to the location revealed to him by the head eunuch.
Still squatting on the roof.
Underneath, the eldest prince who had been imprisoned for sixteen years was quietly reading a book by candlelight. When he saw something he didn't understand, he would carefully write it down.
After being trapped for more than ten years, I haven't gone crazy, my temperament is still so calm, and I am capable.
Ji Changze squatted for almost half an hour. There was movement on the ground behind the eldest prince's desk, and a head emerged from the weeds covering it. It was the second prince.
There was still mud on his face. He looked around carefully first to make sure he was safe, then he crawled out and shouted softly: "Big Brother."
The eldest prince was stunned and turned to look: "Second brother? Why are you here at this time?"
"Didn't the weather in the capital change? I'm afraid you don't have enough charcoal, so I'll give you some charcoal."
The second prince carried a sack and poured the charcoal fire under the bed with familiarity. Just as he was about to wipe his face, another head popped out of the hole.
When he saw the two of them, he shouted softly: "Brother the First Emperor, Brother Second Emperor."
It was the third prince.
He was weaker and couldn't climb out after struggling for a long time with his things. The eldest prince and the second prince hurried over to pull him up.
After the third prince came out, he first put the food box on the table, and then opened the big package he was carrying: "Brother, the weather is cold. I made you two cloaks. They are both made of rabbit fur. They are warm. It's very big. I made it very big. You can use it as a bedding when you sleep at night. And this..."
He opened the food box, took out the delicious food inside, and then picked up the soup pot underneath: "I filled it with hot water when I came here. You can sleep on this at night. It's very warm. You can boil the water when you use it on weekdays." Just pour it hot into it."
After the third prince finished talking, he looked outside carefully and took out a bottle of wine from his arms: "It just so happens that the second prince is here today, how about we have a drink and then sleep well?"
The eldest prince smiled helplessly and patted his shoulder: "Go back after dinner and dinner. You are weak. If you stay here all night, I'm afraid you will get sick. Lao Wu slept here all night last time. It won't be cold when you go back." Really? You still want to hide it from me."
The second prince and the third prince looked at each other guiltily: "First prince, do you know? How did you know? Did the fourth brother tell the truth?"
The eldest prince shook his head and laughed: "You guys, do you still need to tell me? As soon as you show up, it will be written on your face."
Ji Changze, who was squatting upstairs, agreed.
The emperor is an old and fatuous tiger. He does not allow his offspring to be tigers. When the little tiger brother was driven away and framed by the old tiger, the remaining little tigers were afraid and subconsciously followed the emperor's ideas and grew up into harmless men. rabbit.
All of them are simple and easy to coax, and they can't even lie.
It's just that the emperor never thought that if the little tiger brother who was better than him was really gone, how could a few rabbits take care of this huge country.
In the palace, the emperor was lying on the bed, staring upward.
It was suddenly so cold today, and he didn't want anyone to give the boss anything to keep out the cold.
It’s been sixteen years, the boss may not be able to take it any longer.
Even if he is dead, he still has four filial sons, especially the third son. Although he dislikes him for being too soft-tempered, the third son always does what he says to him.
This is his good son.
In the room where the eldest prince was locked up, the three brothers drank a few drinks and became a little tipsy.
The filial son, the third prince, burped from wine and went to pat his eldest brother on the shoulder. He choked with grievance: "A while ago, my father said that he wanted to carry concubines for me, and he carried them one after another, one after another, and I, I nearly died in bed.”
"I, I don't even need to ask who my father's cronies are, just look at the concubines in my house. They are either their father or their uncle. When my father rewards his cronies, he uses me to reward them. My body, How can you hold on? Why don't you just sell me by the pound?"
The eldest prince sighed. Although he felt sorry for his most frail brother, he was locked up here and had no choice but to comfort him: "Please be patient for now and take more tonics."
The second prince's eyes were also red: "The last time my father knew that I had someone build a wooden windmill on Zhuangzi, he sent people to destroy it. I... all my hard work for so long was just gone, and he even called me over and scolded me for a long time. Said that I am the most incompetent, incompetent, and a waste."
"He also said that if he had known that I was like this, he would have thrown me to death when I was born."
The eldest prince hurriedly went to comfort him: "How could it be? Didn't you say last time that if the windmill was built, the fields could be irrigated without manpower? This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. If it is really done, you will It can be written into the annals of history.”
The second prince sniffed: "I told my father, but he said that I was crazy and made some messy things, and even beat me ten times. If the eunuch who beat me hadn't been bribed by my mother and concubine, I wouldn't have known about it. How many days are you going to stay in bed?”
"The eunuch said that the fourth brother was also beaten last time. Father thought he was a blacksmith. What happened to the fourth brother? He was so good at ironmaking. The shovels we used to dig the secret passages were all made by the fourth brother. They are so useful, father. The emperor thinks that the fourth brother is unmotivated and cannot study well, but when the fourth brother was young, the emperor thought that his mother and concubine were of low origin, so he was not allowed to enter the study."
The second prince became more and more sad as he talked. He covered his face and cried softly: "When will this day pass?"
The third prince who was led by him also lowered his head and sobbed in discomfort.
The eldest prince was quite strong, but his eyes couldn't help but turn red.
Ji Changze was on the roof, watching the three princes below crying together, and he almost wanted to shed a tear for them.
Below, the third prince comforted his two brothers very strongly:
"Father is old and we are young... we will definitely, definitely be able to survive him."
When my father died of old age, birds fluttered high in the sky and fish swam in the vast ocean.
Just around the corner!