Ch. 101 - Extra Chapter - Sickness

After the spring examination on the 9th, the Ministry of Rites was busy marking papers for another month. During this time, the discussion in the capital gradually changed from "Prince Ding must have been ambitious to stay in the palace" to "Your Majesty is wise to imprison Prince Ding in the palace", and then two days before the announcement of the results, it became "Who will be the top of the list?"

Anyway, the nobles in the capital always have endless gossip.

The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy have sorted out the results, and the notice was uploaded. It was first presented to Zhong Yansheng before the announcement of the results.

The Minister of Rites has been unlucky for no reason recently. When he was delayed for two days to deliver the documents, he stepped into the newly renovated Lanqing Palace and began to glare as soon as he entered the study room under the guidance of Feng Ji.

Prince Ding, who was untidy all day long, stayed beside the young Majesty like a peacock with its tail spread out. I don't know what he was thinking!

Xiao Nong moved a chair and sat behind Zhong Yansheng in a turquoise robe. His jet-black hair was tied up with a hairband. His elbows were against the armrests of the armchair, his palms resting on his cheeks, looking relaxed and untidy.

Hearing someone coming in, he only slightly raised his eyelids. Seeing that it was the Minister of Rites, his eyes showed a familiar smile, and his deep blue eyes were like a deep lake, making people dare not look at him. The Little Majesty is not yet nineteen years old, sitting in a neat and tidy posture, looking very well-behaved.

However, the momentum of Xiao Nong sitting there did not look like an imprisoned king of a different surname, but like a ferocious beast lying lazily beside its prey.

It is indeed a wolfish ambition! Fortunately, the little majesty trapped him in the palace!

Poor little majesty is alone, dealing with such a dangerous person...

The old face of the Minister of Rites became even tighter, and he saluted to Zhong Yansheng in a proper manner and presented the list of results sorted out by the Imperial Examination Hall.

Feng Ji brought up the list, and Zhong Yansheng opened it and saw Zhong Sidu's name at the top of the list.

He was immediately relieved, and exhaled a little.

After the re-examination is over and the palace examination is over next month, he will send Zhong Sidu out of the capital.

In the eyes of others, this may be an act of exile, but the place was carefully selected by Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Nong. With Zhong Sidu's talent, he will definitely be able to do something in a few years, and his transfer back to the capital is just around the corner - he was even tormented by the jealous Xiao Nong for two nights for this.

Xiao Nong held his cheek, raised his eyes and glanced at Zhong Sidu's name, and snorted and laughed: "Are you satisfied?"

Zhong Yansheng heard that his nasal tone seemed a bit heavy, turned around and blinked at him: "Did you catch a cold?"

It was late spring in March, and it was still cold. Xiao Nong's injury was almost healed. Relying on his good physique, he was lazy every day and didn't wear his clothes properly.

In contrast, Zhong Yansheng was very careful. He had a weak body when he was young, and he was prone to illness when he grew up. Especially during the transition between spring and summer, he would always get sick for a few days due to the evil wind. He was very careful with himself and wrapped himself in several layers.

Xiao Nong would strip him of his clothes at night, laughing at him for being a little bamboo shoot.

Xiao Nong looked normal: "How is that possible?"

Zhong Yansheng said "oh" and turned around to meet the distressed eyes of the Minister of Rites. He coughed and said seriously: "I have reviewed them all. Let's announce the results."

Among the two Ministers of Rites, Lord Chen was the most talkative. Zhong Yansheng's gesture for him to leave was very obvious, but the old man was still standing in the distance and nagging: "Your Majesty, after next year, you will be an adult. It's time to decide on your empress and concubines..."

Zhong Yansheng urged him to leave quickly because he was afraid that he would bring this up again. When she heard him bring it up again, her pretty face sank and she said in a rather imposing manner: "What? I just ascended the throne not long ago, and you guys are pointing fingers at me?"

This hat is too big, and the Minister of Rites immediately turned pale and knelt down: "This humble minister has overstepped his authority!"

Zhong Yansheng's face softened again, and his tone was soft: "In fact, I already have an idea of ​​the candidate for the queen. I can understand that Lord Chen is anxious, but don't be more anxious than me."

This little majesty is indeed not as soft as he looks. The Minister of Rites wiped his sweat and was about to speak again when he heard Xiao Nong seem to laugh.

Prince Ding's smile must be bad, and the Minister of Rites did not dare to stay any longer: "This humble minister will take his leave."

As soon as the people left, Zhong Yansheng had not turned around to complain to Xiao Nong about the troubles of this group of people, but heard Xiao Nong sneeze.

Zhong Yansheng blinked: "...Brother, are you really sick?"

Xiao Nong frowned, sat up straight, and said stubbornly: "How is it possible?"

Zhong Yansheng leaned over to touch his forehead: "Touch it for me."

Xiao Nong grabbed his hand very naturally, and put it on his chest and abdomen, and said generously: "Touch it."

"..."

Zhong Yansheng couldn't help but touch it, and touched the thin muscle outline underneath the spring shirt. As if it was burned, his fingertips shrank for a while, and he whispered firmly: "You are sick."

Xiao Nong changed the subject and raised his eyebrows: "I just heard your majesty say that you have a candidate for the throne in your mind?"

Zhong Yansheng was a little angry, but also found it funny: "Xiao Xianwei!"

Why is he like this!

When he woke up last month, he pretended to be sick even if he was not sick. He stuck to him all day and asked him to make up for it by eating black sesame dumplings, as if he wanted to eat him up.

When he really got sick, he insisted on pretending not to be sick.

What's wrong with him!

Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Nong stared at each other for a moment, and then Xiao Nong made a sound of "tsk", grabbed him and pressed him into his arms, rubbing him randomly: "Don't call a doctor."

Zhong Yansheng lay in his arms, raised his hand to touch his face, and wondered: "Why?"

After a while, Zhong Yansheng heard Xiao Nong spit out two words coldly: "Shame."

Zhong Yansheng: "..."

His Royal Highness Prince Ding is usually so shameless, but now he is really, too shameless.

Xiao Nong hugged the little beauty for a while, sniffed his hair with satisfaction, and then let go: "Don't worry, this king is in good health, I know what's going on, go do your own thing."

Zhong Yansheng was sceptical, and before sitting back, he asked Feng Ji to send someone to cook two nights of medicine to prevent colds, and forced Xiao Nong to drink it with him.

As a result, this bowl of medicine was not very useful.

When it was night, Taxue, who was staying in the bedroom, was not very stable. When Zhong Yansheng came back from taking a bath, Taxue whined and pushed him to the bed. Looking down, Xiao Nong leaned against the head of the bed, his eyebrows were frowned, and his face and body were very hot.

Zhong Yansheng reached out and touched it, and was frightened by the burn. He immediately called Zhan Rong who was guarding outside: "Zhan Rong, go and get Doctor Lou!"

Xiao Nong had a headache due to the fever. He was a step too slow and failed to catch Zhong Yansheng. He sighed helplessly and rubbed his aching head.

Zhong Yansheng wrung out a wet towel, ran back, and covered his forehead with it: "Brother, why are you so childish?"

Xiao Nong didn't know if he was confused by the fever. He smiled at him and said: "Yuan Yuan, I have a headache."

Zhong Yansheng wanted to hit him, but when he saw that particularly good-looking face, he lowered his head and kissed him on the lips.

By the time Lou Qingtang entered the palace, Xiao Nong had a very bad fever.

Lou Qingtang was greatly surprised: "Can our Prince Ding also be so seriously ill? How bizarre!"

Xiao Nong was delirious with fever, but he could still raise his eyes and hold down the sword hanging on the bedside, saying in a neutral tone: "Do you want me to show you something more bizarre?"

Lou Qingtang immediately put away his smile and honestly checked Xiao Nong's pulse. Fearing that Xiao Nong would chop off his hand, he quickly took it back: "It's okay, it's just that he just woke up from a serious injury and coma not long ago, and he is not as healthy as before. He needs some days to recover. I will prescribe a cold medicine for your highness, and add some tonic. Drink it in two days and you will be fine."

Zhong Yansheng felt relieved and thanked Lou Qingtang. After he left, he boldly stretched out his hand to poke Xiao Nong's face: "Look, a minor illness has become a big one."

Xiao Nong snorted lightly, but he was not angry. His eyes were half closed and his brows were knitted. He looked really... He felt uncomfortable and said in a low and hoarse voice: "I haven't been sick for more than ten years."

In the past, Xiao Nong always tolerated Zhong Yansheng, but this time the roles were reversed. Zhong Yansheng tolerated him instead: "I know, I know, you are not sick, but please help me drink the medicine, Your Highness Prince Ding."

After the medicine was boiled, Zhong Yansheng personally fed it to Xiao Nong. Xiao Nong was very sick, and after taking a sip, he frowned: "It's too hot."

Zhong Yansheng was very accommodating to Xiao Nong, letting him cool for a while, and then feeding him again. Xiao Nong frowned again: "It's cold."

Zhong Yansheng: "There is a jar of medicine warm in the kitchen, I'll ask someone to change another bowl."

Xiao Nong changed his direction: "It's too bitter."

Zhong Yansheng also found the medicine bitter, so he asked someone to prepare candied fruit at the same time. When he heard Xiao Nong's words, he turned around and brought the candied fruit plate over and stuffed a candied fruit seed into his mouth.

Xiao Nong chewed it and expressed his opinion again: "It's too sweet."

It was really too much.

Zhong Yansheng frowned and raised the medicine bowl: "Xiao Xianwei, I'm going to pour the medicine on your face!"

Xiao Nong couldn't tolerate his face being injured, so he drank two more sips of medicine reluctantly. His mouth began to taste bitter and he refused to open his mouth.

Zhong Yansheng was about to feed him another pill, but when he saw the tempting peach and apricot preserves on the plate, he couldn't help but feel greedy.

He couldn't eat much at the main meal, so he liked to eat some odds and ends, especially sweet snacks and candied fruits. When he was in the Marquis' Mansion, he was a headache for the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife.

But Xiao Nong didn't allow him to eat too much, especially at night, saying that he would have a toothache.

While Xiao Nong was not very clear-headed at the moment, Zhong Yansheng secretly glanced at him, quickly stuffed one into his mouth, and then picked up one to feed Xiao Nong.

It's fair, one for his brother and one for him!

As soon as the candied fruit touched Xiao Nong's lips, the drowsy Xiao Nong suddenly opened his eyes: "Yuan Yuan, are you eating it secretly?"

Zhong Yansheng's cheeks were still slightly bulging, and he froze when he heard the voice, and his voice was vague: "...No."

Xiao Nong stretched out his hot fingertips and pressed on his cheeks, and said coldly: "Spit it out."

Zhong Yansheng and him were in a stalemate for three breaths, and he spit out the candied fruit that he had just put into his mouth with grievance.

Xiao Nong then fell into a daze again with peace of mind.

Zhong Yansheng was about to doubt whether he was deliberately tormenting him.

When he came to his senses and lowered his head, Zhong Yansheng found that Taxue had come over at some point and ate the candied fruit he spit on the ground.

Zhong Yansheng's face suddenly became hot, and he was stunned for a moment. He put down the medicine bowl and tried to pick Taxue's mouth in shock: "Taxue, why do you eat everything? Can a kitten eat this? Xiao Xianwei, please take care of it!"

It was obvious that the half-conscious Prince Ding could not take care of his pet. When Taxue was picked up by Zhong Yansheng, he thought he wanted to get close to him. His gray-blue eyes narrowed and his head was nudged into his arms.

It was almost summer, and the big cat began to shed its hair again. Zhong Yansheng pushed him to the edge of the bed and struggled with his hands and feet. Finally, he rubbed Taxue's hair all over his body, and then he got rid of the clinging big cat. He continued to feed Xiao Nong medicine while mumbling.

In anger, he didn't give Xiao Nong the sweet candied fruit anymore. After a bowl of medicine was finally fed, Zhong Yansheng was sweating on his forehead. After turning around and putting down the medicine bowl, he sat at the table and secretly ate two candied fruits. He didn't notice that two pairs of blue eyes were staring at his back without blinking.

Xiao Nong's nose is like taxue, Zhong Yansheng finished eating and rinsed his mouth guiltily. He felt that it should be fine and he would not be discovered, so he returned to the bed.

Before he sat down, his wrist suddenly tightened. Before he could react, Xiao Nong pulled him to the bed and kissed him.

The bitter smell of medicine filled the air. Zhong Yansheng whimpered twice, but he could not push him away. Xiao Nong's tongue was also hot when he was sick. He licked and kissed him in his mouth. Zhong Yansheng trembled all over when he was bitten by him. He felt as if he was sick too. His head was buzzing and couldn't stop getting hot.

Xiao Nong released his lips, took a bite, and said in a low voice: "It's sweet in the mouth, little bastard."

Zhong Yansheng realised what he was doing, blushed and covered his mouth, and kicked him lightly guiltily: "I, I just tried to see if the candied fruit was sweet for you."

Xiao Nong pinched his face, seemed to be still uncomfortable, hugged him, frowned and closed his eyes.

Zhong Yansheng reached out and touched his slightly sweaty forehead: "Do you have a headache?"

Xiao Nong had been tortured by the poisonous insect for many years, and there were still some sequelae, and he was prone to headaches.

Xiao Nong hummed softly.

Zhong Yansheng rubbed his temples, and as he rubbed, he saw Xiao Nong open his eyes again, and his misty eyes looked at him with a gentle smile.

Zhong Yansheng rubbed his arms again: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Nong said after a while: "When I was young, I had a fever and sometimes a headache. My mother would cook sweet soup for me and rub my head. My father would also be rarely gentle and whisper to me. I was ignorant at that time, so I liked to catch a cold deliberately to make them pay more attention to me."

After the chaos in Mobei and seeing his relatives die in the war, his state of mind changed. He would no longer show his weak side in the eyes of others. The years when he was young and acted like a spoiled child in his parents' arms gradually faded and were sealed in the depths of his memory.

It was because he grew up, and it was also because he had no one to rely on.

Xiao Nong rarely mentioned the past. Zhong Yansheng felt sad when he heard that he had such a story when he was a child. He leaned over and kissed Xiao Nong on the lips: "What are your father and mother like?"

Xiao Nong recalled: "My father was a soldier with a bad temper and a donkey face all day long. I was naughty when I was a child, and I was punished by the family law for any mistakes I made."

"What about your mother?"

"My mother was laughing beside me."

"..."

Zhong Yansheng couldn't help laughing and was pinched by Xiao Nong.

Zhong Yansheng wanted to sleep, but Xiao Nong aroused his curiosity: "Are your mother's eyes also blue?"

Xiao Nong nodded and said lightly: "Before I was five years old in Beijing, those wealthy nobles secretly called me a bastard behind my back because of the color of my eyes."

The reason why King De first made enemies with him because he pointed at his eyes and laughed and called him a bastard.

Zhong Yansheng was suddenly distressed and angry. Seeing that his eyebrows were furrowed, Xiao Nong smiled and said, "Don't be angry. I've beaten them all. After that, they will run away when they see me."

Zhong Yansheng: "..."

No wonder those nobles in Beijing who are about the same age as Xiao Nong are afraid of Xiao Nong.

Zhong Yansheng continued to press his head: "Do you remember everything before you were five years old?"

Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows: "Of course, I am very vengeful. I remember that my father insisted on putting a knife in my hand when I drew lots when I was one year old. Haven't you heard that I will take revenge for any grudge?"

Zhong Yansheng couldn't help laughing and hit him lightly: "Nonsense."

After talking for a while, Zhong Yansheng was a little sleepy. He leaned on Xiao Nong's warm arms and fell asleep in a daze.

When he woke up the next day, Zhong Yansheng woke up earlier than Xiao Nong, who was still asleep due to the effects of the medicine.

Taxue had gotten on the bed at some point and slept on the other side. Zhong Yansheng was squeezed so hot that he climbed out of Xiao Nong's arms lightly.

Xiao Nong frowned and reached out to grab him uncomfortably. Zhong Yansheng was quick and put Taxue's big tail into his hands. Taxue whined in dissatisfaction.

Zhong Yansheng took the opportunity to jump off the bed briskly and whispered, "Let brother have a good rest, Taxue, don't make noise."

Taxue pulled back her tail aggrievedly, licked its fur, moved its ears, and obediently stopped barking.

There was no court meeting today, but Zhong Yansheng still got up very early because he had something to do. He wanted to sneak out of the palace and go to Ding mansion to ask Wang Bo some questions.

In the past, due to the influence of the Gu poison, Xiao Nong had a very shallow sleep. When he had a headache, he couldn't sleep all night and had little rest.

Now that there is no Gu poison, he is sleeping much more peacefully in the bed filled with the warm and soft scent of Zhong Yansheng.

He had been fighting outside for many years and seldom rested. It was not until the last tunnel collapsed that he was seriously injured and unconscious for a month that he had a good rest. This time, he took medicine and was coaxed by Zhong Yansheng before going to bed, so he slept deeply. It was almost noon when he woke up.

As soon as he opened his eyes, Xiao Nong smelled a sweet scent deep in his memory.

He paused, looked up, and saw Zhong Yansheng carefully holding a bowl of fermented glutinous rice sweet soup, a specialty of the northwest, and brought it into the house. Seeing that he woke up, his eyes sparkled: "Brother, come and try to see if it is the sweet soup you like!"

Xiao Nong leaned against the head of the bed, stunned for a long time, and then slowly smiled: "Yeah."

After saying goodbye to the old things for many years, now he can taste the taste of the past again.

Last year, they looked at each other on the wall, but who knew that the little ancestor who fell down would fall into his second half of life!

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