Traveling through an ancient military camp: Bao'er's survival song

Peng Zizheng began to harbor conspiracy theories about his "assassination attempt." He knew that the Han Kingdom definitely had spies from the Qiang Kingdom or even the Sui Kingdom, but the massacre of the Luo family clearly involved collusion between Han and Qiang spies. Now, those who had tricked him might be connected to the government, and he had been ambushed by the Qiang while rushing after that familiar wine gourd—could all of this be part of a larger conspiracy…?

Grand Tutor Wu Peng'en's suspicions were largely cleared. The scroll Emperor Liu Xu gave him clearly recorded that afternoon, after separating from Consort Chen, Wu Peng'en received the emperor's decree, ordering him to immediately leave the palace for the establishment of the imperial farms, to accompany the late emperor and Liu Xu, who was then the crown prince. Wu Peng'en remained there for two consecutive days and nights, making it impossible for him to have appeared outside the Luoyang residence that night to command the Qiang people in their attempt to silence witnesses.

Who else could it be? This person must have considerable power, otherwise they wouldn't have dared to chase Luo Binghe down in the palace.

Peng Zizheng grew increasingly agitated. Ten years had passed, and these people seemed to have vanished without a trace after committing the massacre of the Luo family, leaving him with no clue whatsoever in the past decade. Just as his violent temper was about to break free again, a soldier entered, saying that the Prince of Donglai had sent an invitation, inviting General Guide to attend the Prince's housewarming banquet in three days.

Peng Zizheng was completely bewildered. What King of Donglai? Where did this King of Donglai come from? What the hell is this King of Donglai?

The steward of the Donglai Prince's Mansion, who had come in with him, carefully reminded Peng Zizheng that the Donglai Prince was none other than the Eighth Prince, Liu Shu. After His Majesty the Emperor conferred upon him the title of Prince, he also granted him a territory, the Donglai Prefecture, which was far to the east. Because Liu Shu had not yet been granted a title, he was temporarily referred to as the Donglai Prince.

Peng Zizheng pursed his lips, indicating that he would definitely go to offer his congratulations, and then sent Liu Shu's steward away.

Zheng Xi asked from the side, "Are you really going?"

“Go ahead,” Peng Zizheng said nonchalantly. “Anyway, we’re just killing time. Let’s call all the brothers over. We can’t just give gifts for nothing. Everyone, eat up and enjoy the food.”

……

The Jin family of the Ministry of Works.

Holding the invitation in her hand, Madam Jin asked Lord Jin, "Will you be going, sir?"

Lord Jin, engrossed in reading "The Pile of Brocade Ashes," replied without turning his head, "I'm not going. If you want to go, take the third brother with you."

Madam Jin pursed her lips, turned around and left. She came to the courtyard of Jin Hai, the eldest son of the Jin family, and saw her good son practicing his archery skills in the courtyard.

After admiring her diligent and ambitious eldest son's heroic figure for a while, Madam Jin stepped forward and said, "Hai-ge'er, on the nineteenth of this month, the Eighth Prince will be holding a housewarming banquet. I originally planned to take the third son with me, but then I thought that the third son is also grown up, and it would not be appropriate for me to take him to the women's banquet. Why don't you take the third son to the men's table that day?"

Jin Hai rubbed his slightly sore arms and asked, "Father, aren't you going? I'm on duty on the 19th, so I'm afraid I won't have time."

Madam Jin said nonchalantly, "Just exchange shifts with your colleagues. You know your father, that old-fashioned man, has never liked these kinds of occasions. He recently got a copy of 'Jin Hui Dui' and is currently engrossed in those rubbings of roof tiles. Besides, that mischievous third son, I doubt only you can control him."

Jin Hai smiled helplessly, then respectfully agreed to his mother's request.

Madam Jin gave Jin Hai's maids a warning, telling them to stay away from the young master and that she would sell them all if he became unwell. Then she left happily with her maids and servants.