Ch. 27 - Xiao Nong: Where are my flowers?

When he withdrew the fingers that were resting on his chin, a cold breath mixed with a faint smell of medicine brushed against his nose.

There was still a lingering feeling of being gently pinched and caressed on his lower jaw. Realizing that it was the smell of Xiao Nong, Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a moment. His ears suddenly felt burning, and his face was inexplicably hot.

When he blushed, it was easy for his face to burn from his ears to his neck. He was afraid that Xiao Nong would notice it, so he quickly lowered his head and spoke with difficulty: "Thank you, Your Highness, for the medicine... It's very effective."

This is a response to the phrase "many disasters".

There seemed to be a low laugh in his ear, not very obvious. Zhong Yansheng was not sure if he had heard it wrong, but his heartbeat began to speed up.

After a while, there was a slight rustling sound of clothes rubbing against each other. Xiao Nong, who was half-kneeling in front of him, seemed to stand up and looked at the top of his head: "Can you get up? Or I'll carry you?"

What?

After hearing the last sentence, Zhong Yansheng almost jumped up: "No need! Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

After sitting on the ground for a while, he suddenly jumped up. Due to lack of energy and blood, his eyes suddenly went dark, his legs went limp, he staggered, and crashed into Xiao Nong's arms.

Like a little bird flapping its wings, when its thin and flexible body hit him, the subtle fragrance hidden under the choking perfume powder also softly brushed past his nose.

Xiao Nong narrowed his eyes and considered for a moment whether he should hug her or not. Zhong Yansheng, who had recovered from his shock, took three steps back like a frightened bird.

Zhong Yansheng had heard a lot about Xiao Nong from other people recently, such as peeling off the skin of his enemies and making a kite, or the dancer who intended to assassinate him was chopped into pieces before she even got close to him, or the fact that Prince Ding hated being approached by anyone the most, or the last person who tried to seduce him and fell into his arms, the grass on his grave was already three feet high.

All in all, His Royal Highness Prince Ding really hates having people get close to him.

Zhong Yansheng stammered, "I, I felt dizzy for a moment. It was not intentional. I apologize for any offense, Your Highness."

Xiao Nong had a lot of chores these days. Meng Qiping woke up after being unconscious for two days and found that he had broken a finger. He cried and screamed. The Duke of Pei had calmed down a little when he saw Xiao Nong being investigated by the Dali Temple, but when his grandson started crying, he went to see the old emperor every day again. Even Meng Qiping's aunt was in tears.

Although Xiao Nong didn't care, these people were in the way, and it was not easy to kill them all, so it was a bit troublesome. Today he had time to lure Zhong Yansheng over.

However, in the past two days he asked someone to buy some romantic books and read them.

Yuan Yuan's reactions were almost exactly the same as the shy expressions of the beauties in the stories about talented men and beautiful women.

Are you shy?

So cute.

Xiao Nong curled the corners of his mouth.

Just as Lou Qingtang guessed, this little bird was indeed secretly in love with him.

Lou Qingtang also inquired about whether it was a child marriage or not.

Even if the former prince's child is still alive, so what? It is not even a bit as important as Yuan Yuan.

Not hearing Xiao Nong's reply, Zhong Yansheng secretly glanced behind him.

The gate of Prince Ding's Mansion had been closed, but Xiao Wenlan was still nowhere to be seen.

That bastard had obviously run away leaving him on his own.

It was too dangerous to face Xiao Nong alone. Zhong Yansheng was timid and quietly took a step back, wanting to escape: "Your Highness is busy with affairs, so I will not disturb you. I will take my leave first."

Xiao Nong watched his little movements and took a step forward calmly: "Young Master Zhong, it seems that you haven't told me yet, what are you doing in this palace today?"

His tone was natural, and Zhong Yansheng subconsciously said**, "Apologize."**

Xiao Nong said "Oh" softly: "Apologize?"

Zhong Yansheng quickly apologized**: "I'm sorry, I trespassed into your highness's private residence a few days ago. It was not my intention. I hope your highness will forgive me."**

Xiao Nong seemed to find it very interesting and said "Oh" again, dragging out his tone: "Where is the gift?"

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Gift... When he was almost at Prince Ding's Mansion, he realized that he had been kidnapped by Xiao Wenlan and came here empty-handed, so how could he get any gift?

Zhong Yansheng was speechless.

Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows slightly: "It's not polite to apologize. You met me, apologized and left. Is this the sincerity of the young master Zhong?"

Zhong Yansheng was not very good at talking to begin with, and he was left dumbfounded and speechless. He wanted to explain but couldn't. He felt a little aggrieved in his heart and looked up at Xiao Nong.

He had been dodging and avoiding until now he saw Xiao Nong's appearance clearly.

At first glance, he realized that the clothes Xiao Nong was wearing looked very familiar.

It was the outer garment he had seen in the other courtyard, and the thin blanket he had used for his nap after falling asleep. It was an extremely bright and eye-catching royal blue color. Standing under the sunlight, he looked extremely dignified and noble, but Xiao Nong exuded a sharp aggressiveness from his eyebrows to his bones. No matter how gorgeous and dazzling the clothes were, they could not cover up his handsome face. Instead, he looked flamboyant and gorgeous.

Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a few moments, while Xiao Nong crossed his arms and let him watch in a good mood.

It was not until Zhong Yansheng's eyes lowered and noticed the ornament around Xiao Nong's waist.

It was a thin red forehead band with a translucent Tian Huang stone seal tied to it.

Zhong Yansheng's eyes widened immediately.

It was his headband, and the seal he had sent by mistake.

...Your Highness Prince Ding has a warehouse full of treasures, why does he only focus on wearing these two things!

In the past few days, Xiao Nong would not have been using this headband that had been tied to him, and tying this wrongly delivered seal to him, to go to the court to meet officials, and run around after the court, right?

Zhong Yansheng was shocked and ashamed. This time his neck was really hot, and he felt like he was about to faint.

His lips moved, and he wanted to ask for it back, but he didn't dare.

Seeing that Zhong Yansheng's gaze seemed to linger on the ornaments around his waist, Xiao Nong felt even better.

Yuan'er must be very happy to see him carrying his things with him.

Having just made Zhong Yansheng speechless, Xiao Nong restrained himself a little to avoid bullying him too much: "Come here."

Zhong Yansheng looked at Xiao Nong in a daze. The shock he received after entering Prince Ding's Mansion was too much, and his little brain was unable to react for a while.

"Young master Zhong's apology is neither sincere nor gift-giving," Xiao Nong pretended to be displeased, "Can't I ask you to accompany me for a moment?"

Zhong Yansheng felt that what he said made sense and walked over hesitantly.

Taxue, who had been lying beside Xiao Nong's legs, suddenly became excited, and his tail began to wag wildly again. His gray-blue eyes stared straight at Zhong Yansheng, as if he really wanted him to touch him.

Xiao Nong casually tapped Taxue's head with his fingers as a warning.

This man and this beast were too eye-catching. Standing together, it was hard to tell who looked more like whom. The deep blue eyes and the gray-blue eyes looked at him at the same time. The slight strange feeling in Zhong Yansheng's heart was thrown behind him. He was dazzled for a moment, feeling overwhelmed by the overwhelming sense of confusion.

He doesn't know whether to look at the beautiful big cat or the handsome and tall His Royal Highness Prince Ding.

Xiao Nong saw that Zhong Yansheng's eyes were wandering around, and suddenly felt a little unhappy. He moved sideways to block his sight: "Follow me."

Zhong Yansheng said "oh" and followed obediently.

It was not until he followed Xiao Nong into the corridor that Zhong Yansheng slowly realized that something was wrong.

He just followed Xiao Wenlan and others into the private residence of His Royal Highness Prince Ding, and he did not commit any serious crime.

And why didn't anyone else come to apologize, but he did?

But since he had already entered the inner courtyard of Prince Ding's Mansion with Xiao Nong, it would be inappropriate for him to leave immediately.

Zhong Yansheng couldn't figure out Xiao Nong's attitude, so he quietly pulled at the gauze curtain of his veil. After thinking about it, he felt that if Xiao Nong had discovered his identity, he would definitely not be like he is now.

The disguise he put on last time was still perfect.

After glancing at the seal on Xiao Nong's waist that was swaying slightly with his steps and tightly tied by the forehead strap, Zhong Yansheng quickly retracted his gaze.

Well, just play dumb!

Prince Ding's Mansion was indeed very large, at least twice as large as the Marquis' Mansion.

After walking for a while, Zhong Yansheng began to feel tired and could not keep up with Xiao Nong. Xiao Nong noticed this and slowed down his pace. He asked casually, "I heard that the young master Zhong has had poor health since he was a child. He rarely goes out after returning to the capital?"

Zhong Yansheng's back tightened when he asked this question: "...Yes."

Fearing that Xiao Nong might suspect something, he added seriously, "I can't walk too far. I have to take a carriage when I go out. My parents are afraid that I will be bullied when I go out, so they don't allow me to go out casually, and they don't let the coachman in the mansion take me."

How can we go to Changliu Villa in the suburbs of Beijing without a carriage?

At this moment, Zhong Yansheng was very impressed with his foresight.

He did not use the carriage in the mansion, but asked Yun Cheng to rent a carriage secretly. Even if Xiao Nong sent people to check the carriage expenses of Huai'an Marquis Mansion, he would not be able to find out.

Xiao Nong smiled faintly.

Doesn't this kid know that he's not good at lying? He's almost got the words "the more you try to cover up, the more obvious it becomes" written all over him.

Just as he was about to continue teasing Zhong Yansheng, he heard Zhong Yansheng suddenly exclaim "Ah".

Xiao Nong didn't think twice and stretched out his arm to pull the young man beside him into his arms. He quickly glanced around and found nothing unusual. Then he lowered his eyes to look at Taxue who was following behind Zhong Yansheng.

"What's wrong?"

Zhong Yansheng blushed deeply and stuttered: "It, it licked me."

Taxue had been following them silently just now. Don't know if he was impatient, but suddenly he came up and licked Zhong Yansheng. The back of his hand was suddenly licked by the warm and rough tongue, which scared Zhong Yansheng so much that he couldn't suppress his hoarse voice and cried out.

The big cat behind blinked its gray-blue eyes innocently.

It turns out that it was a thief who robbed his Yuan Yuan.

Xiao Nong's face turned cold, and he said coldly: "Get lost."

Taxue was obviously unhappy and hissed at him.

Xiao Nong protected Zhong Yansheng with one hand and put his other hand on the hilt of the sword, impatiently asking, "Do you want to be stewed?"

Taxue was frightened by the coercion and lay on the ground humming softly. Its furry round ears drooped, and its long tail coiled around it, looking pitiful.

Zhong Yansheng came back to his senses and realized that he had not concealed his voice just now. He suddenly became nervous. He didn't care that he was half-pressed in Xiao Nong's arms and secretly glanced at his face.

His Royal Highness Prince Ding didn't seem to notice?

Great, he thought he was exposed.

The distance was too close, and the cold fragrance of Xiao Nong's body could not help but approach his nose. Zhong Yansheng blushed and withdrew from his protection range. Seeing Taxue whimpering pitifully, Xiao Nong was ready to draw his sword and stew Taxue. He could not help but gently tug on Xiao Nong's sleeve and whispered, "He just licked me and didn't do anything. Your Highness, please don't scare him."

The light in the corridor was dim, Xiao Nong's eyes were dark blue, no emotion could be seen, his gaze drooped heavily, and he said, "It's not a big deal if he licks you?"

Zhong Yansheng's heart sank for some reason, but looking at Taxue's expression, he gritted his teeth and said, "It's just a lick."

Xiao Nong stared at him for a few moments, then slowly released his hand from the sword, and smiled: "Okay."

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

I had the illusion that he had said something extraordinary.

Xiao Nong grabbed Taxue's neck and brought it to his side before continuing to walk forward.

Seeing that Xiao Nong had no other reaction, Zhong Yansheng felt that it must have been an illusion. After a moment of silence, he looked at Taxue's big tail and couldn't help but ask boldly: "Your Highness, I heard from Second Young Master Xiao that Taxue was picked up by you in Xifan?"

Xiao Nong felt that his pet was flirting with the little bird with its tail, so he kicked it calmly and explained patiently, "Well, two years ago, there was a riot at the Xifan Guard Station, and I picked him up on my way back from suppressing the riot."

I thought it was a tabby cat that was almost frozen to death, so I just picked it up and gave it something to eat.

Unexpectedly, as he raised it, it grew bigger and bigger, and Xiao Nong realized that what he picked up was a rare mugwort leopard in the Western Regions. At first, Xiao Nong wanted to let it go, but the little mugwort leopard probably realized that the free food from His Royal Highness Prince Ding was particularly delicious, and refused to leave. Even if he threw it back into the mountains, it would run back overnight.

I have no choice but to keep it.

Taxue is usually very lazy. He ignores others when they talk to him and only listens to Xiao Nong.

If Xiao Nong hadn't planned to return to Beijing and live there for a long period of time, he wouldn't have brought it back.

I just don't know where this little beast got his hooligan habits from recently. He smells the good scent of a beautiful boy and takes every opportunity to act like a hooligan.

When Zhong Yansheng heard Xiao Nong's words with disgust, he couldn't help but pursed his lips and smiled secretly. The tense feeling he had felt along the way was relieved a lot.

I didn't expect that His Royal Highness Prince Ding, who was like a living devil in everyone's eyes, had such a kind heart. He accidentally picked up a baby animal and raised it even though he despised it.

Xiao Nong saw that he lowered his head and guessed that he must be smiling.

Yuan Yuan looks very beautiful when he smiles, quiet and shy, like a pool of spring water, slightly wrinkled by the wind and waves.

Xiao Nong felt an inexplicable itch in his heart. If he wasn't afraid of scaring the timid Yuan'er, he would have almost wanted to lift his veil and take a look at the face he hadn't seen for a long time.

A moment later, the two of them stepped into the moon-shaped door and entered a courtyard. Xiao Nong did not stop and took Zhong Yansheng straight into the study on the left.

Zhong Yansheng felt a little traumatized by the study room, and didn't quite understand why Xiao Nong brought him to such a place.

Forget about the study room in Changliu Villa, which is just a place for rest and leisure. The study in Prince Ding's Mansion must be a place with a lot of confidential information. Is it a place that he, an outsider, can enter?

Zhong Yansheng stood at the door and hesitated for a moment, then heard Xiao Nong's voice from inside: "Come in."

Taxue was also there to support Zhong Yansheng.

Zhong Yansheng was too traumatized by Taxue and quickly stepped into the study.

Compared with the study in Changliu Villa, the study in Prince Ding's Mansion is much simpler. It does not contain so many priceless items, but more densely packed books and files.

Zhong Yansheng walked towards Xiao Nong, who was standing by the wall with his hands behind his back, with a trace of awe in his heart: "Your Highness, you asked me to come to the study..."

Zhong Yansheng fell silent.

Xiao Nong turned around and raised an eyebrow: "Why are you not talking?"

Zhong Yansheng stared blankly at the three paintings hanging on the wall, unable to speak a word.

From left to right, they are respectively the Birds Perched on Plum Blossoms that he painted some time ago, and the Tide Viewing and Flowers that were purchased by a wealthy businessman two years ago.

"How is it?" Xiao Nong said leisurely, "This king really likes the paintings of 'Mr. Chunsong', so he asked someone to collect his other two paintings."

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Xiao Nong smiled and said, "It has not been long since this painting of plum blossoms and birds was completed. Mr. Chunsong should have come to the capital. I want to see him."

Zhong Yansheng was so panicked: "No, that's not good!"

If Xiao Nong wanted to find out the whereabouts of Mr. Chunsong, he would be able to find it soon!

Xiao Nong walked up to him and looked down at him, his eyes flickering with light: "Why?"

"Mr. Chunsong... he is old and his waist and legs are not in good condition, so it is definitely inconvenient for him to go out."

Xiao Nong's eyes wandered over Zhong Yansheng's narrow waist twice, and he seemed to understand something: "The old man's waist and legs are not in good condition... Then I will pay him a visit."

"That's even worse!" Zhong Yansheng's ears turned red, and he simply closed his eyes and made up a story, "If you come to visit, the old man will probably be scared."

Xiao Nong smiled slightly: "How does the young master Zhong know so much?"

Zhong Yansheng felt that the lie was getting bigger and bigger, and hesitantly said, "Actually... I know Mr. Chunsong."

"Oh..." Xiao Nong nodded, "I see."

Seeing that Xiao Nong didn't continue talking, Zhong Yansheng breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly heard another sentence in his ear: "Then I'll ask the young master Zhong to tell Mr. Chunsong, that I like his paintings, for me."

Zhong Yansheng didn't expect Xiao Nong to like his paintings so much. He couldn't tell whether he was more worried or more ashamed and happy. He responded with a small sound: "Oh."

Mr. Chunsong heard it.

Xiao Nong smiled as he turned back and looked at the three paintings hanging on the wall. He said, "A few days ago, the young master commented that the old gentleman's brushwork was immature. I think his brushwork is agile and full of spirit. It seems that looking at a painting is like looking at a person. You can't just look at the appearance. Although the old gentleman is old, he is very young inside."

Zhong Yansheng was sweating: "...Yes, yes."

Zhong Yansheng didn't dare to speak. He pretended to look at the painting seriously. His eyes fell back on his own painting. Only then did he notice that there was an extra seal on the painting of winter plums and birds.

He couldn't help but move closer and take a closer look.

It's a casual seal.

Peaceful And Clear Night.

A bad premonition suddenly came to his mind.

……No way.

Zhong Yansheng stared at the four words for a moment, then turned his head and looked at the other two paintings.

Sure enough, this seal was also printed on the other two paintings.

He took a step back in shock, and his back bumped into a cold, solid chest. Xiao Nong's voice was low and gorgeous, and his laugh was particularly attractive, and it made his ears tingle. "Are you reading this seal?"

Zhong Yansheng was trapped between the painting and the man, unable to move forward or backward. Just as he was at a loss, his elbow was gently lifted by a strong hand, and then his palm sank slightly, and something cold fell into it.

It is the seal that Xiao Nong tied around his waist.

"It was left behind by the little bird that fell into my yard a few days ago." Xiao Nong lowered his voice, as if to coax him, "I have been carrying it with me all the time."

Zhong Yansheng slowly lowered his head and took a look.

On the bottom of the Tian Huang stone seal, "Peaceful and Clear Night" are clearly engraved.

Zhong Yansheng**: “…………”**

Wrong! Send!

It was all the shop clerk's fault. He pronounced "red" and "yellow" unclearly, and he was in such a hurry to get back to the city that he didn't look carefully!

Xiao Nong stood behind him, his voice very soft: "This king has been entangled in worldly affairs for many years, and this meaning is very much liked by this king."

Zhong Yansheng listened to Xiao Nong's words and stared at the seal. He couldn't dare to think about what would happen if Xiao Nong discovered his identity and then found out that the seal was not given to him, and even the beautiful meaning was given to the wrong person...

Zhong Yansheng finally couldn't help it and whispered: "Your Highness, if you find that little bird, what will you do?"

Xiao Nong deliberately lowered his voice to scare him: "Of course I will eat him."

Finished!

His Royal Highness Prince Ding really knows how to eat people.

Zhong Yansheng's eyelashes twitched, and he stuffed the seal back. He quietly lowered his body, and used his thin body to get out from the side, feeling uneasy: "Your Highness, now that I have finished looking at the painting, I will go back first... Contact Mr. Chunsong and let him know your appreciation for him."

Ah, I overdid it.

Like he's about to explode.

Xiao Nong suppressed the unruly curve of his mouth and said very naturally: "Okay."

As he spoke, he handed a letter on the desk to Zhong Yansheng as if he had expected it, "Then I'll trouble you, young master Zhong, to convey my wishes to Mr. Chunsong."

Zhong Yansheng reached out to take the letter.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Xiao Nong's fingertips rubbed against his fingers.

It was cold, with a few calluses, and when it rubbed against Zhong Yansheng's index finger, half of his body went numb. His fingertips trembled for a moment before he managed to catch the letter.

His Royal Highness Prince Ding…although he wasn't very fierce, but his eyes, tone, and even his actions were all too aggressive.

Zhong Yansheng really felt like he was going to be eaten. He blushed more times than in the past month. He quickly put the letter away, lowered his head, said goodbye sullenly, and turned away in a panic.

Xiao Nong added leisurely, "By the way, my pet offended the young master Zhong a few days ago. Today, the prince came to visit and apologize. Next time, it will be my turn to go to the Marquis' Mansion to apologize."

Stepping on the snow, he made a low whistle in coordination.

Zhong Yansheng was so frightened that he walked even faster: "No need! Thank you, Your Highness!"

Looking at Zhong Yansheng's back as he almost fled in panic, Xiao Nong finally couldn't help but laugh softly. He had only been with Zhong Yansheng for an hour, and even the dull headache seemed to have subsided.

How can you be so cute?

He hasn't been in such a good mood for a long time.

He casually patted the furry head that was still looking out reluctantly in the snow, then turned around and looked at the painting behind him.

The other two paintings were brought back from Gusu by Zhan Rong with money given by Lou Qingtang. Zhan Rong traveled for several days and returned to the palace with the paintings in the morning. He then took a leave and went back to his room to catch up on some sleep.

Xiao Nong's gaze moved from the picture of birds perching on plum blossoms to the picture of watching the tide, and then to the picture of a hundred flowers, and then his gaze paused.

In the painting of hundreds of flowers, peach and plum flowers are competing for beauty, and among them a bunch of pomegranate flowers are particularly colorful and eye-catching.

Pomegranate flowers.

At the flower-fighting banquet, the pomegranate flowers that were picked from the Yuan Yuan veil's represent love...

Xiao Nong's face suddenly turned dark.

Having just woken up from a beautiful dream of playing Cuju with Taxue, Zhan Rong stretched himself, closed his eyes and prepared to sleep in for a while, when he was suddenly awakened by the sound of a door being pushed open.

Zhan Rong opened his eyes in horror, and saw his wise and powerful master step into the room, his steps as urgent as the wind, and walk towards him with a sullen face: "Where are my flowers?"

"Huh?"

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