In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

Chapter 117 Discovering a Time Traveler

Mr. Wu couldn't help but chuckle: "I know a little about basic physics and astronomy—but kid, it's more appropriate to call it 'investigating things' now."

"Investigate things?" Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up. "Then can you teach me how to make waterwheels and windmills? I want to build a garden of ingenuity in the West Garden!"

"Zhao'er!" Empress Zhang scolded softly, "You mustn't be impolite."

"It's alright." Zhu Youcheng waved his hand. "Children are eager to learn, and this is the time when they can be taught."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Song Xiaoyi stepped forward and whispered to Zhu Youtang, "Your Majesty, it is getting dark, and the two elders have been away from the residence for a long time. If they do not return in time, their family may call the police, causing unnecessary trouble."

Zhu You's expression hardened, and he immediately said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, these two gentlemen are reclusive scholars and it is not appropriate for them to stay in the palace for long. Today the snow is heavy and the roads are slippery, so I have ordered the Imperial Guards to prepare a carriage to escort them out of the palace."

Empress Zhang looked slightly surprised: "So soon?"

"Lofty scholars are like cranes in the clouds, not lingering in this mortal world for long." Zhu Youcheng's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Moreover, the way of learning values ​​gradual progress. It's not too late to summon him again tomorrow."

Huai En also spoke up at the opportune moment: "This old servant observes that both gentlemen look weary, and it is indeed advisable for them to return home and rest as soon as possible. The study of science and technology cannot be taught in a day; the key lies in perseverance."

Mu Bin immediately understood and bowed, saying, "Your subject has prepared a carriage, sufficient to withstand the wind and snow."

Old Master Shan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up: "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty and Empress. To have met the true Son of Heaven and the virtuous Empress and Crown Prince today is truly fulfilling!"

Old Wu also cupped his hands in greeting: "If you do not mind, you may come to teach again tomorrow. Your Majesty only needs to send someone to the Song residence to pick us up."

"Of course." Zhu Youcheng nodded, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes. "Since the two gentlemen are temporarily staying at the Song residence in the capital, I will order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to protect them secretly."

Zhu Houzhao, however, persisted, tugging lightly at the old man's sleeve: "Sir, you must come tomorrow! I want to ask you if the Earth is round! And, can humans fly?"

Old Shan was both amused and exasperated: "Yes, but we need to build hot air balloons first."

"A hot air balloon?!" Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up. "What's that?"

"Zhao'er!" Empress Zhang had already roughly guessed where the two came from, and shook her head helplessly, "Don't bother the master."

By this time, the sky outside the window had turned a bluish-gray, and dusk was falling. "It's time to go," Song Xiaoyi urged in a low voice.

Zhu Youcheng personally escorted him to the palace gate, then suddenly whispered, "Xiao Yi, do not act rashly regarding the matter of the Marquis of Nanhe's residence. I have already ordered Mu Bin to secretly investigate those entering and leaving the residence; if any unusual signs are found, report them immediately."

"Xiao Yi understands." Song Xiao Yi was stunned for a moment. He had only asked a few more questions, and Mu Bin had already told Brother Zhu? When was it reported!

Just before boarding the carriage, Huai En was pushed down the steps by Mu Bin, and he raised his hand tremblingly: "Gentlemen, this old servant has a word to offer—"

The Book of Changes says: "Observe the heavens to discern the changes of time; observe human affairs to transform the world." May the knowledge you possess, sir, not be used for frivolous skills, but rather as a tool for saving the world.

Elder Shan and Elder Wu bowed deeply: "We will keep in mind the teachings of our predecessors."

The carriage rumbled out of Donghua Gate, the salt stains on the road still visible, the wheels creaking under them. Inside, Old Wu let out a long sigh: "My God—the way the Empress looked at me just now, I thought she realized I'd traveled through time."

"Of course she saw it," Song Xiaoyi said with a wry smile. "But Brother Zhu kept the situation under control. During the Hongzhi reign, the empress dowager did not interfere in politics, and although Empress Zhang was intelligent, she was extremely strict in observing etiquette."

As the palace gates receded into the distance, Old Man Shan murmured, "Do you think—we can really come back tomorrow?"

"Yes." Song Xiaoyi looked at the palace gate. "As long as the passage is still there, as long as Zhu Youcheng is still here, this Ming Dynasty will always keep a door open for us."

The carriage turned the corner, its silhouette disappearing into the snow. Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youcheng stood on the steps, watching it depart into the distance.

Huai En whispered beside him, "Your Majesty, that Nanhe Marquis's mansion, I fear—"

Zhu Youcheng's eyes turned slightly cold: "I want to see just where this spendthrift comes from."

Empress Zhang, accompanying Zhu You, watched the carriage disappear into the snowstorm before cautiously inquiring, "Your Majesty, they..."

'

"The young man is Song Xiaoyi, whom I told you about a few days ago. The other two elders are my teachers."

My teacher from a past life.

"They actually managed to get here!" Empress Zhang cautiously probed again. "Song Xiaoyi possesses such a divine artifact; if he harbors ill intentions..."

'

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have the skill to judge people. Xiao Yi is kind-hearted and not a bad person. Besides, his grandfather and parents all served as officials in our Great Ming Dynasty, and they were all diligent and conscientious."

In fact, Zhu Youmo's system has the ability to identify people; it can provide clues whether someone is treacherous or evil!

"Since Your Majesty is so certain, I will not offer any further comments."

"All three are rare and learned men, and are indeed good teachers for Zhao'er."

Although Zhu Youcheng had great ambitions, the system forbade him from leaving the palace.

"Wait! Call the system! Wasn't it said that I was forbidden from leaving the palace? If I were to pass through waterways while leaving the palace, I would inevitably fall into the water! Why didn't I fall into the water this time?!"

You encountered no water on your journey out of the palace.

"The moat... Oh! The moat is frozen!"

"I understand!!"

This greatly expands our activity area!

"Commander Mou!"

After Song Xiaoyi, Wu Lao, and Shan Lao returned to the Song residence, Song Xiaoyi asked the two to change their clothes first. Song Xiaoyi himself went back to the modern world first, used his internal energy to sense his surroundings, and found nothing unusual. Then he called the two to go through the passage.

The two elderly people returned to the modern world and immediately grabbed their phones. Both phones were indeed nearly dead from all the calls. They quickly returned the calls according to their urgency, explaining that they had been chatting with Mr. Wu (Mr. Shan) over tea at a teahouse outside the Donghua Gate of the museum, and had gotten so engrossed in their conversation that they forgot to check their phones...

"Let's quickly find another place..."

'

The three of them slipped out of the courtyard house. Old Shan led the other two to the teahouse, where they found a private room and sat down.

"Mr. Wu, Mr. Shan, let's discuss this and sort things out."

"Hmm, the amount of information today... is just too much, it feels like a dream. I need to sort it out first."

"The first thing we need to consider is this issue."

"What's wrong with the door? Is there a time limit? Or a limit on the number of times it can be used?"

"There's no limit to the number of times you can use it, but there is a time limit. If I remove this door and want to install it somewhere else, there will be a 30-day cooling-off period."

"Why demolish it? Just leave it there. Nobody lives in that courtyard house anyway, so it won't get in the way."

"Mr. Shan, think about it. This courtyard house is right here on the bustling Beichizi Street. You saw it when we went out. There were at least dozens of eyes watching us come out."

"It's fine if it happens occasionally, but if we come and go here frequently, and you and Mr. Wu are both minor celebrities in the industry, it's highly likely that we'll be recognized by acquaintances, right?"

"What would happen if someone we know saw us go inside and then knocked on the door for a long time without getting a response?"

"Also, the property rights of this courtyard house don't ultimately belong to us. What if one day your niece can't contact you and happens to be in Beijing, and she brings people to look at the house or wants to stay for a few days? What then?"

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