The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

Normally, the food in the house is good, but how can it compare to today's abundance?

Everyone also ate and drank freely.

"Old Zhao, I can't drink too much today. You lead them to drink later, and everyone should enjoy it." Li Fu said: "Let someone go to the warehouse to move a few jars of new wine, and let everyone taste it."

Don't be stingy with the new wine that you can't drink at ordinary times. Although the quantity is not large, it is still possible for one person to drink a few sips and taste the taste.

It's good for everyone to be happy. During the New Year, this lively atmosphere is what we want.

"Okay, my dear, I will ask someone to move it later. Let's drink the wine that has been taken out first." Old Zhao said.

"Yes." Li Fu nodded.

The lights in the hall flickered, and after a banquet, everyone was full of food and wine.

Just like last year, after eating and drinking, you have to find some fun for yourself.

The room was big enough, and Lao Zhao had people put a number of small square tables under the wall so that people could play mahjong or other games together.

Look, the table was full of people now, and they had two strings of copper coins that had just been given to them.

There was always some jackpot to make it more fun, and the money was ready-made, so even if they lost it all, it was just a reward, which was considered as extra income.

What if they won? Maybe they could win enough for the wine for the whole year.

Most people sat at the table with a fluke mentality.

And Li Fu didn't care about them. Anyway, no matter what happened today, the main thing was to have fun. The reward money was given to them, and how to use it was up to them.

Late at night, the hall was still bustling with people playing cards, chatting, shaking dice, and playing chess.

Around the small square tables, they were passionate, laughing loudly, or regretting.

Xiao Tao brought a thin quilt and came to Li Fu.

"My dear, it's late at night. Do you want to take a rest here? You have to go to the palace to attend the grand court meeting early in the morning. You will stay in the palace for a whole morning and can only come back in the afternoon. I am afraid you can't stand it." Xiao Tao said: "After attending the grand court meeting, coupled with the banquet afterwards, you won't be able to find a break when you want to rest."

Li Fu nodded.

"That's right. The most tiring day of the year is the first day of the lunar year." Li Fu smiled helplessly.

Or how do you say that if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight? The grand court meeting on the first day of the lunar year is the most torturous.

It is mainly about singing praises and listening to good things reported from all over the country.

The emperor likes to listen to this, and the ministers also like to listen to it.

But the process is complicated. Who can stand listening to it for a whole morning?

People are tired after more than half an hour, but they can't sleep in front of all the civil and military officials.

Especially Li Fu, who was an insignificant official last year, and whose position was not that high, so it was okay for him to hide in a corner and take a nap.

This year is different, as the Prince's tutor, whose position is quite high, he cannot even take a nap. If he really falls asleep, he may not be in trouble at the moment, but after the day off, the censors will come out to report him.

How can the Prince of Jingyang, who lost his manners at the court meeting, be the Prince's teacher? Wouldn't he teach His Royal Highness the Prince bad things?

Resigning from his post is not a shameful thing, but he was fired after only a few months as the Prince's tutor. How can he save face?

So, no, he has to cheer up.

"Okay, I'll find a secluded place and take a nap." Li Fu said.

Anyway, he can't sleep for long, and he has to get up and clean up at four or five o'clock in the morning.

The whole hall was covered with soft carpets. Li Fu found a corner. Xiao Tao laid out a pillow and quilt for him. Li Fu hid in the corner to sleep. Xiao Tao did not sleep. She sat on the side with Lao Zhao to guard Li Fu.

Wu Liangye and other guards were still drinking.

In daily martial arts competitions, everyone stopped at a certain point. Brothers could not fight to the death to decide the winner, but drinking was different.

It was obvious who was weak and who was capable.

"This year is much better than last year." Lao Zhao sighed.

"Who said it was not? Although I haven't seen the account book, it is visible to the naked eye that life in the house is getting better and better. A large amount of money has been spent, and the warehouse is not empty. Our husband has really made a good business for the family." Xiao Tao smiled and said: "Now I have adapted to it. The poor days before are really over. It's great."

Lao Zhao also nodded in agreement.

"Thanks to my husband." Lao Zhao said, "From the time my husband was injured and in critical condition to now, three years have passed in a blink of an eye. When I think back, time has passed so quickly."

"But I don't really feel that way on weekdays." Xiao Tao said."Because too many things happened." Old Zhao smiled.

The two stayed by Li Fu's side, chatting casually.

It was almost five o'clock in the morning when Xiao Tao woke Li Fu up.

"My dear, it's time to get up." Xiao Tao said softly.

"Well?" Li Fu replied in a daze.

Sleeping here, he was a light sleeper. After hearing Xiao Tao's voice, Li Fu woke up quickly. After all, he had serious things to do on New Year's Day. Thinking about this, he didn't dare to sleep boldly. Even if he knew someone would wake him up, he couldn't sleep deeply.

The people in the hall played all night and were still sitting at the card table. They didn't look tired at all.

Seeing that they were having fun, Li Fu didn't say anything. He just got up, walked to the door, took the cloak from Xiao Tao's hand, and left.

Xiao Tao also followed Li Fu out.

Back to the courtyard where he lived, he had prepared the official uniform for the grand court meeting yesterday. He just washed and dressed here and changed into clothes.

Lao Zhao drove the carriage himself and waited for Li Fu at the gate.

It was still dark, and the lanterns in the courtyard were bright red, emitting enough light to illuminate the courtyard. The candles on the stone lanterns on both sides of the stone road had burned down to only a short section.

After Li Fu changed his clothes, he walked out of the door. Walking in the courtyard, he didn't even need to light a lantern, and he could see the road clearly.

Out of the gate.

"Xiao Tao, you go back first, Lao Zhao will take me. After the meeting in the hall, let everyone go to rest." Li Fu urged.

"Okay." Xiao Tao nodded in response.

Li Fu got on the carriage, and Lao Zhao whipped the horse whip and drove the carriage to the palace.

When they arrived at the gate of the palace, the sky was slightly bright, and Li Fu got off at the gate of the palace.

"Okay, you go back. I'll ask His Majesty for a carriage after the palace banquet is over and come back. You all go back and rest." Li Fu said, "You don't have to wait to take care of me."

"Okay, I'll go back and rest right away. I'll wake up in the afternoon." Lao Zhao said.