No matter what kind of conversations Zhu Jing had with the Lady Dowager and Jiu Niang in private, the dinner at Duke Zhao's mansion that day was still a happy one, with the whole family rejoicing. The only flaw was that the brothers Zhu Tingfang and Zhu Er had not returned from Cangzhou, so it could not be considered a complete reunion.
But even so, Wu was still overjoyed. Whether it was the goodwill of the Zhu family elders, Zhu Ying's undisguised affection for Zhang Shou, or the calligraphy from the emperor that Zhang Shou received, she, who came from a humble background, felt that the hard work over the past decade was worth it. Therefore, when she took the carriage back to Zhang Garden at night, when Zhang Shou sent her back to her room, she couldn't help but hold Zhang Shou's hand.
"A Shou, you have become famous in Cangzhou this time, and now you have been granted a name by the emperor. Can you report to the emperor and build a family temple so that the scholar and his wife can enjoy the incense and offerings at all times?"
Zhang Shou did not expect that Wu did not urge him to get married, nor did she make any other requests, but reminded him that he should build a family temple for his parents. Although the system of this dynasty requires that only officials of the fifth rank can build a family temple, the system is nothing more than human feelings. If he is willing to write a letter to request, it can be imagined that this matter should be approved as soon as possible. After all, his life experience has always been closely related to Zhu Ying and Princess Yongping.
He glanced at Wu, who looked pleading, and thought of the widow Zhang who risked her life to give birth to a child but died. He finally nodded: "I know, I will do it right away. Don't worry, mother, I have almost enough strength now."
"Okay, okay!" Mrs. Wu cried with joy, wiped her eyes, and then said with great relief, "I have been looking forward to this day. When the family temple is completed, I will go with you to worship the scholar and his wife. You will unfold the calligraphy given by the emperor. They will be so happy in their netherworld... Let's not talk about this at night. Go back and have a good rest!"
Zhang Shou had been running non-stop since he set out from Tongzhou early in the morning, and he was indeed very tired. Fortunately, he and Zhu Ying sent Ge Yong home first after leaving the palace. Otherwise, if he took Ge Yong to Zhu's house for dinner, he doubted whether the teacher would fall asleep at the dinner table out of exhaustion.
After sending Mrs. Wu into the room, Zhang Shou walked back, unable to conceal his fatigue and yawning endlessly. When he turned his head in a daze, he found that Ah Liu, who was only half a step behind him, was still full of energy. He found it unbelievable.
"Ah Liu, how long did you sleep last night? You are still so energetic now. Are you a night wanderer?"
"I'm used to it. I just need to get two hours of sleep a night." Ah Liu answered without any reluctance. Seeing Zhang Shou looking at him as if he had seen a ghost, he said as if it was a matter of course, "How else would I have the time to learn? The madman used to come to teach me at night."
Hearing this, Zhang Shou was stunned for a moment, and then he could not help but feel horrified. Indeed, since he came here, he remembered that Ah Liu was mostly at home during the day, and occasionally went out to chop wood or do some chores, but he would never leave his sight for too long. To practice the various skills of martial arts, riding, driving, etc., he really had to squeeze out time from sleep.