https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-402-Unveiling-the-Imperial-Proclamation/12973624/
Chapter 403: Visiting the Crown Prince's Mansion
Chapter 403: Visiting the Crown Prince's Mansion
Laifu had the carriage prepared and entered the main hall with a cheerful smile. He addressed Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan, "Madam Lu, Sir Lu, the carriage is ready."
Meng Qianqian noticed Laifu's choice of words, always placing her first. Once or twice could be a coincidence, but he consistently did so, indicating that this was the Yu family's customary way.
Laifu was used to the fact that Yu Zichuan's status was higher than all others.
"Uncle Yu, let's go."
Meng Qianqian spoke to Yu Daddy.
Yu Daddy whispered, "After we finish reading the Imperial Proclamation, if there's still time, I can have Laifu take you around the Imperial City."
This was exactly what she had in mind.
Who said only Meng Qianqian could help Yu Daddy ease the awkwardness?
Yu Daddy was also very considerate and attentive.
The couple boarded the Yu family's carriage.
Yu Zichuan lightly jumped and, holding his polished bow, sat atop the carriage.
Laifu looked up at his young master in confusion, "Young Master, why are you sitting there? The carriage is spacious! Or, if you want, you can sit next to me!"
"I want to sit here."
Yu Zichuan replied.
Laifu asked again, "Why?"
Inside the carriage, Meng Qianqian also questioned Lu Yuan, "Yes, why? Why does Yu Zichuan either sit on the roof or atop the carriage?"
Seeing how Yu Zichuan had been tanned by the Miaojiang sun, Yu Daddy didn't mind that he had become a little dark-skinned. He was truly kind and generous.
Yu Zichuan answered from atop the carriage, "An archer needs to occupy the high ground."
Meng Qianqian's lips twitched, and she asked Lu Yuan, "Did you teach him that?"
Lu Yuan replied with a light and carefree tone, "Shangguan Ling taught him."
Meng Qianqian touched her forehead.
Indeed, one was bold enough to teach, and the other was bold enough to learn.
She had thought Yu Zichuan had some special habits or preferences, but it turned out he had been misled by the very commander of the Jin Yi Wei.
How could they trust him to teach Yu Zichuan archery? Occupying the high ground was correct, but sitting so casually atop the carriage, wasn't he just making himself a living target?
Meng Qianqian whispered, "Doesn't he realize that this is inappropriate? Hasn't he been shot at before?"
Lu Yuan said, "Shangguan Ling told him that this is a basic requirement for an archer."
Meng Qianqian: "..."
Suddenly, she felt a bit sorry for Yu Zichuan. How unlucky had he been to encounter such a group of troublemakers?
Despite this, he had managed to develop archery skills that could hit a target a hundred steps away. Should she say that it was a lucky coincidence or that he had exceptional talent?
Meng Qianqian had something on her mind but hesitated to speak.
Lu Yuan noticed her expression and asked, "If you have something to say, just say it."
Meng Qianqian looked up at the carriage top, "Is it possible that he just wants to ride on your head?"
Lu Yuan: "..."
The carriage set off, swaying gently.
Laifu was a clever and capable young man. After two months, he had become very familiar with the terrain of the Imperial City, some places he had visited personally, and others he had memorized from maps.
"Madam Lu, Sir Lu, Young Master, we're here."
Laifu said, "After this alley, there are too many people, and the carriage can't get through. Should we stop here?"
Yu Zichuan looked up at Laifu, who was looking up at him), "What do you think I'm doing?"
Laifu shook his head; the young master's trip hadn't changed his simple-mindedness.
Meng Qianqian lifted the curtain and glanced at the bustling street, asking Lu Yuan, "Can we walk?"
Lu Yuan asked coolly, "Can't we walk? Do you want to carry me?"
Meng Qianqian: "It's not impossible."
Lu Yuan: "..."
Meng Qianqian remained true to her original intentions. Even today, she was still a qualified bootlicker.
Laifu directed the group, "Over there, where the most people are, is where the Imperial Proclamation is posted."
He stayed behind to watch the carriage.
Yu Zichuan: "Are you really not considering borrowing a bride from me? After today, it will be a four-percent interest rate."
Laifu sighed, "Young Master, you're not cut out for business."
Yu Zichuan persisted, "Are you really not considering it?"
"Let's go.
Lu Yuan took Yu Zichuan away.
The Imperial Proclamation was surrounded by layers of commoners.
Most of them were just there to watch the spectacle. Each time someone stepped forward to unveil the proclamation, the crowd would erupt in exclamations.
However, unveiling the proclamation came with conditions. One had to have a renowned reputation or purchase the eligibility to participate with silver.
"A thousand taels of gold!" exclaimed an enthusiastic old man.
"Is it that expensive?" Meng Qianqian asked.
It was understandable to set a threshold to prevent random people from unveiling the proclamation, but a thousand taels of gold for eligibility seemed a bit excessive.
Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Don't you think this Imperial Proclamation is quite interesting?"
Lu Yuan's gaze swept over the people unveiling the proclamation, one after another, and he calmly said, "It is indeed interesting."
Yu Zichuan asked, "I don't understand."
Meng Qianqian smiled and explained, "The conditions for unveiling the proclamation are that those who meet the first condition should have already completed their application three days ago. The rest have to pay a hefty price for the eligibility to apply. A thousand taels of gold is no small amount, yet people keep unveiling the proclamation. This is likely because they are being instructed by someone else. There are people using the unveiling as a pretext to send silver to those in charge of the selection."
Yu Zichuan understood, "Bribery."
Meng Qianqian said, "Yes, it's bribery, a type of bribery that leaves no evidence."
Yu Zichuan turned to Lu Yuan, "You should learn from her."
Lu Yuan remained expressionless, "Have you really gotten bored with life lately?"
Yu Zichuan silently walked over to Meng Qianqian's side.
"Are we still going?" Meng Qianqian asked with a smile.
Lu Yuan replied, "It's up to you. I'm fine with whatever."
His mother had said that when her daughter spends silver, it doesn't have to be for something grand; she just wants to spend it.
Meng Qianqian laughed, "Why don't we take a look first?"
Lu Yuan nodded.
Then Yu Zichuan started taking out silver notes.
Meng Qianqian held his hand, "What are you doing?"
Yu Zichuan asked, "Aren't we going in to take a look?"
Meng Qianqian said with amusement, "You don't need to pay silver for that."
Yu Zichuan's expression turned serious, "I'm only paying for you. He can stay outside."
Lu Yuan thought to himself, You're really asking for it!
Meng Qianqian couldn't help but smile, "Wait a moment, let me ask."
Two pairs of guards stood on either side of the Imperial Proclamation.
Meng Qianqian approached one of the guards and politely said, "Guard brother, we're from Wushan, and we want to unveil the proclamation. May I ask a few questions?"
The guard, who was initially impatient, became much more gentle upon hearing the mention of Wushan, "Please, madam."
Meng Qianqian nodded inwardly, as expected, using Wushan's reputation was the right choice.
She said, "May I ask where to go after purchasing the eligibility?"
The guard replied, "The initial selection will be held at the nearby Lin Yue Wine Pavilion. After the screening at the wine pavilion, you can proceed to the Crown Prince's Mansion. But whether you will be ultimately selected depends on the quality of the wine."
Meng Qianqian looked around discreetly and slipped a gold ingot to the guard, "I just want to broaden my horizons. Whether I get selected or not doesn't matter. The main purpose is to enter the Crown Prince's Mansion and experience it."
The guard quickly accepted the gold, suppressing his uneasiness and nervousness, and said in a low voice, "Go to Lin Yue Wine Pavilion and look for Liu Deputy Manager."
"Thank you," Meng Qianqian expressed her gratitude.
"Even if you go in, you might not be selected," Lu Yuan said to Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian smiled, "This has nothing to do with the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion. It's purely about establishing a connection with the Crown Prince."
"Establishing a connection?" Lu Yuan furrowed his brows.
Meng Qianqian asked, "What's the surname of the Crown Prince of Liangguo?"
Lu Yuan replied, "Lu."
Meng Qianqian said, "Chancellor Xun told you on his deathbed that your father's surname is also Lu."
Lu Yuan looked at her suspiciously, "You don't think that..."
Meng Qianqian raised her eyebrows, "It's the identity of Jian Junwang that inspired me. The truth doesn't matter; what's important is convincing others. If the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion can find him a son, why can't we?"
Hahahahaha
(End of Chapter)
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