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Note: A cup of fine wine can bring the blood of a thousand people, and several bowls of fat soup can bring thousands of surnames. ——Poem written by the emperor in the seventh year of Jiaqing period to criticize court officials
Yuncheng originally wanted to catch the little vixen, but he was so bored staying alone in the carriage that he fell asleep while waiting.
He was woken up by Zhong Yansheng.
Not being able to see the vixen, who sent the young prince out, Yuncheng was very depressed.
The two of them returned to the city much earlier today. After Yuncheng sent the carriage to the inn to store it, they no longer had to run back to the Hou Mansion with smoke coming from their feet.
The teahouses and restaurants on the long street were busy at that time. Zhong Yansheng was still thinking about the travel book. When he passed a tea stall and heard the storyteller inside telling a story, he became interested and went inside.
Yuncheng sighed a few times and followed helplessly.
The storyteller's throat was dry from talking, and he was drinking tea to moisten it. The people sitting below were getting bored when they saw a handsome and dashing young man come in. They couldn't help but secretly look at him, and the buzzing voices around them became a little quieter.
Zhong Yansheng rarely went out in the past, but now, because he wanted to get closer to Master Zhen, he ran out every day.
When he goes out, he is often stared at by people, which makes him look inexplicably. His back feels hairy, and he often wonders if someone has painted a turtle on his face, because they are looking at him.
He avoided those eyes, ordered a pot of tea and sat down. Yuncheng turned sideways to block the eyes of others, poured tea for Zhong Yansheng, and muttered unhappily: "How can our noble prince be worthy of you ordinary people?"
Because Zhong Yansheng came in, the surrounding whispers became quieter, and the voices from the next table became particularly loud.
Several scholars gathered at the table, intoxicated in the gossip they shared with each other, completely unaware that someone had entered.
At first, they were chatting about some gossip about the wealthy families in the capital. As they were chatting, someone changed the topic and mentioned a familiar word:
"Have you heard about it? The one from Huai'an Marquis' Mansion..."
"I heard, why is it so mysterious? Doesn't it mean that the Marquis of Huai'an took the wrong child and raised him for more than ten years, and the current little prince is fake."
"Fake prince, this is incredible, tsk tsk tsk."
The most nervous thing in his heart was revealed unexpectedly in public. Zhong Yansheng's mind went blank. His hand shook, and the tea cup fell to the ground, splashing tea all over the floor.
Yuncheng's first reaction was to feel funny. He thought those people were mentally ill. When he saw Zhong Yansheng's expression, he immediately darkened his face. He raised his hand and wanted to slam the table and scold those people, but Zhong Yansheng stopped him.
Zhong Yansheng's face turned pale slightly, and he lowered his voice: "Yuncheng, let's go back."
After leaving the tea stall, Yuncheng suppressed his anger and cursed: "These poor scholars usually have no ability, so they gossip and spread rumors. Young master, don't pay attention to those rumors. Can Mrs. Hou admit that her child is wrong? Besides you, the prince of Huai'an, who else can be the little prince?"
Zhong Yansheng listened to his ramblings silently, and smiled reluctantly without making a sound.
Yuncheng was kind-hearted to comfort him, but the bad thing was that he was indeed not the child of the Marquis of Huai'an.
The words in the dream didn't say whose child he was. He didn't know who his biological father and mother were.
Since such gossip can be heard even in tea stalls, the rumor about the fake prince of the Huai'an Marquis's Mansion must have spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.
Zhong Yansheng clenched her fists, guessing that the Marquis of Huai'an or Mrs. Marquis would come to talk to him soon.
Sure enough, that night, the Marquis of Huai'an, who was returning home from duty, came to Chunwu Courtyard in person, dismissed all his servants, and called Zhong Yansheng to the small study.
The Marquis of Huai'an had always been taciturn and played the role of a strict father in front of Zhong Yansheng. If his wife had not been emotionally unstable and was suitable to come forward, he would not have come.
The father and son sat opposite each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.
After a long while, the Marquis of Huai'an spoke with a solemn expression: "Yuan'er, dad has something to say to you."
Zhong Yansheng's expression was also very serious: "Dad, I also have something to say to you."
The Marquis of Huai'an has been an official for many years and has seen many big storms. However, he treated Zhong Yansheng very carefully. Hearing the words, he said: "Okay, you say it first."
Zhong Yansheng asked slowly: "Dad, are you hiding something from me?"
As soon as these words came out, Marquis Huai'an's face froze, and countless thoughts went through his mind.
Sure enough.
Zhong Yansheng secretly looked at his face, sighed in his heart, took the hand of the Marquis of Huai'an, and looked at him firmly: "Dad, be an upright official!"
Marquis of Huai'an: "..."
What?
Today, news of the fake prince suddenly came out. The Marquis of Huai'an had some guesses as to who had released it.
Zhong Yansheng had been in poor health since he was a child, and was restricted from going out by him. Probably because he was raised in a deep house, this child has a clear and innocent mind, and is so weak and well-behaved that it makes people worry.
Before coming here, he anticipated that Zhong Yansheng might be frightened and anxious, and would ask him many questions in order to reassure himself. He thought about how he should answer them one by one.
But he had never expected that Zhong Yansheng would say just these words, which caught Huai'an Marquis off guard and confused him.
The Marquis of Huai'an, who was an upright official and was even excluded from the capital for many years because of his upright temper, was silent for ten breaths, then took a breath and said with a dark face: "I..."
"Dad!" Zhong Yansheng did not tolerate quibbles and gave sincere advice, supplemented by persuasive guidance. "Next time if you encounter something... that shakes your resolve, just think of my mother."
Marquis Huai'an's face turned even darker: "You..."
"Think again of Grandma."
The Marquis of Huai'an couldn't bear it anymore and slapped the little prince on his head, but when his hand fell on the soft black hair, his hand involuntarily became much lighter: "What are you questioning your father!"
Zhong Yansheng covered his head and looked at the Marquis of Huai'an with deep and reserved eyes.
Sure enough, his father felt guilty when this was mentioned, and now he was furious.
The Marquis of Huai'an was looked at by him with clear distrust. He didn't know why this kid suddenly decided that he was corrupt. He was depressed and annoyed: "You still don't know whether your father is an upright official?"
Zhong Yansheng saw through it but didn't say anything.
He also wanted to believe it, but the priceless calligraphy and paintings, paper, ink, and rare treasures in the study of Changliu Villa could not all be passed down from generation to generation by the Marquis of Huai'an. Moreover, if the private residence that was close to the standards of a prince was reported, it would be a big deal.
After returning home, he specially read the laws of Dayong.
The Marquis of Huai'an was solemn and silent. His son has suspected him of corruption for no reason, and his voice could not help but get louder: "Who said such nonsense to you?!"
"There's nothing, I didn't say anything. Dad, don't get excited, calm down."
Zhong Yansheng quickly poured a cup of chrysanthemum tea that had been prepared in advance and handed it over respectfully. While comforting the Marquis of Huai'an, he persisted in admonishing: "It's just that I read a storybook today about a corrupt official and secretly bought it. That large house housed countless rare and invaluable treasures that were coveted. In the end, everything was confiscated, and the whole family was executed, which affected wife and children. I was very sad and felt this..."
The Marquis of Huai'an laughed angrily: "Little bastard, what do you think of your father?"
Zhong Yansheng blinked and looked at him innocently.
His eyes are different from those of the Marquis of Huai'an and Mrs. Hou. They are expressive, bright and dark, and are very pure and clean. When looking at someone longingly, it is easy for people to become soft-hearted.
After being stared at again and again by him, Marquis Huai’an finally gave up the idea of beating the child.
Anyway, even if he really dared to take action, the lady would have rushed over with a broom before the ruler was brought over.
Marquis Huai’an choked violently and drank the chrysanthemum tea in one gulp, but a nameless anger was still burning in his chest and he couldn't spit it out.
Zhong Yansheng was very filial. Seeing that the Marquis of Huai'an had finished his drink, he quickly refilled a glass for him. After finishing what he wanted to say, he asked curiously: "By the way, Dad, do you have anything to tell me when you come here?"
The words I had been brewing before I came here can no longer be said.
What's more, this little kid's mood seems to be very stable.
The Marquis of Huai'an was relieved, then looked at him angrily, and lectured him with a fierce face: "Read less leisure books on weekdays, and read more serious and useful books. I will check your homework another day."
After saying that, he got up and left with a sullen face.
Before I even stepped out of the study room, I heard the little brat behind me sighing and reciting a poem: "A cup of fine wine will bring the blood of a thousand people, and a few bowls of fat will bring thousands of surnames."
Marquis of Huai'an: "..."
Zhong Yansheng scratched his head, not knowing whether his advice tonight would be useful.
Yuncheng waited for the Marquis of Huai'an to leave with a dark face, and then he cautiously opened the study door and poked his head in: "Master, why did you make the Marquis so angry? Did the Marquis test your homework?"
Zhong Yansheng sat calmly: "No, I don't know why daddy was so angry suddenly."
"Then why did the Marquis come here in person?"
Yuncheng got into the study, poured him a cup of chrysanthemum tea, and wondered: "Are you talking about school? Mr. Zhou is old and didn't come to Beijing with us. You haven't listened to me for a long time. I'm getting anxious. Mr. Zhou asked me to supervise you before leaving."
Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a moment. He had been busy lately and had forgotten about this.
When he was a child, he never went to school. He was taught by the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife. After arriving in Gusu, the Marquis of Huai'an invited an old gentleman who had been an official in the court and retired to Gusu to teach him.
Probably because he was in poor health at the time, the Marquis of Huai'an had a very ambivalent attitude towards studying.
He clearly invited the best gentleman to come, but he also controlled Zhong Yansheng and did not allow him to read idle books on weekdays. However, he told Zhong Yansheng that he should learn as much as he could, and he was not demanding anything, nor did he want him to obtain any honors.
It's a long way back to Beijing, and it's impossible for the elderly gentleman to follow.
Most of the children of aristocratic families who were around the same age as him in the capital were studying in Taixue, except for some of the playboys whose families were particularly doting on them and who lived in sensuality all day long.
But the Marquis of Huai'an didn't seem to have any intention of letting him go to Taixue to study. It had been almost a month since he returned to the capital, and he hadn't even mentioned it.
However, Zhong Yansheng didn't think too much. Going to Taixue would delay him from saving the Hou Mansion. The most urgent task at the moment was to establish a good relationship with Master Zhen and change the fate of the Hou Mansion family.
He didn't dare to mention the Tian Huang stone seal he had given him before. Zhong Yansheng thought for a moment and moved his eyes to the desk: "Yuncheng, help me grind the ink."
Yuncheng came over and asked curiously: "Master, it's so late, what do you want to draw?"
Zhong Yansheng rolled up his sleeves and said nothing.
It is impossible to finish a painting in one night. Zhong Yansheng was still slow when painting. He worked on it until midnight and woke up the next day, feeling sleepy and unsteady.
But he still tried to get up, shook Yun Cheng who was sleeping soundly, and yawned while shouting: "Yun Cheng, wake up, don't sleep, get up quickly."
Yun Cheng stood up with eyes wide open, his eyes blurred: "..."
He must see clearly today which vixen is bewitching the young prince!
As a result, when they arrived at Changliu Courtyard, Zhong Yansheng got off the carriage. Yun Cheng watched with bright eyes a man in black taking Zhong Yansheng in. He couldn't resist the sleepiness and fell asleep in the carriage.
Zhong Yansheng was carrying the cakes he had ordered the kitchen to make. He was thinking about the travel notes that he had not finished reading yesterday. He was afraid that he would be taken to another place today. Fortunately, we still met in the study today.
As soon as he stepped into the study and looked up, Zhong Yansheng was shocked.
Today, Xiao Nong changed into a blue robe, but it was different from the low-key dark blue when he first saw it. It was a very eye-catching sapphire blue with Lianyun Shouwen embroidered on it. The sunshine outside poured in through the window, bright and dazzling, making the blue color of his body even more eye-catching and radiant.
With such an eye-catching color, ordinary people would inevitably be pushed back, but he was firmly suppressing it, making people feel that it is the person who wears the clothes, rather than the clothes that match the person, and the eyes could not help but stay on his face.
His hair is no longer hanging around casually. It is tied up with a white jade crown, which is neat and tidy. The white gauze still covers his eyes. The bridge of his nose is high, and his lip line is straight. He is extremely handsome and very noble.
Zhong Yansheng couldn't help but take another look as he wanted to say "Brother, I'm here" but failed to do so.
He took another sneak peek.
As the legitimate son of a Marquis, his aura is naturally stronger than others. No wonder, he could destroy the Marquis' mansion.
Seeing Xiao Nong sitting there like a blue peacock, the corner of Zhanrong's mouth twitched.
The master hasn't dressed properly during the time he has been resting in Changliu Villa. What is he doing today?
Seeing that Xiao Nong was concentrating on something again, Zhong Yansheng didn't bother him. He put down the box of pastries and turned to look for the travel journal from yesterday.
As a result, he searched around the study for a long time but couldn't find it.
Zhong Yansheng was embarrassed to ask Xiao Nong and scratched his head in annoyance. He didn't notice that Xiao Nong, who was sitting in front of the desk, had raised his head at some point, resting his elbow on his chin and watching him move around with interest.
The beautiful boy's steps were light, like a bird jumping between the branches.
After seeing enough, he said: "Are you looking for this?"
Zhong Yansheng turned around and saw that Xiao Nong slowly picked up the book from his hand. It was the travel notes he had been searching for for a long time. His eyes suddenly lit up: "Brother, it's here with you!"
He was so focused on the book that he wasn't thinking about how to seduce him.
Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows in displeasure: "Want to see it?"
This travelogue was so interesting that Zhong Yansheng nodded his head.
Xiao Nong casually pushed the letter and newspaper in his hand, took the book and pushed the wheelchair to the couch. Zhong Yansheng was like a fish that had bitten the hook. Without saying anything, he followed him obediently.
Xiao Nong got on the couch easily and threw the book towards Zhong Yansheng.
The result was the same as the last time the medicine bottle was thrown. Zhong Yansheng didn't react and was hit on the arm by a book.
He felt the pain and let out a low cry. He rubbed his arms and looked at Xiao Nong in confusion, as if he didn't understand why he threw things and hit himself. He hunched his shoulders and silently picked up the book, his long eyelashes drooping, as if he had suffered some great grievance.
Xiao Nong: "..."
It seems that I can't throw things at him next time, I have to handle him with care.
Seeing Zhong Yansheng pursing his lips in displeasure and not saying anything, Xiao Nong raised the corner of his mouth and glanced at the box on the table: "What did you bring?"
Mentioning this, Zhong Yansheng put his grievances behind him and smiled again, with a bright smile: "The pine nut lily cake last time was cold, so I brought some fresh ones."
As he spoke, he turned around to get the pastry box and placed it eagerly on the small table next to the couch, with anticipation in his eyes.
Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows, remembering that Zhong Yansheng had indeed said, "Bring something hot next time."
"Next time" in other people's mouths is just like "another day" and "there's a chance". They are just empty and tacit polite words. I didn't expect this child to be so practical...or rather obedient. It's too much. He said he would bring it next time, and he actually brought it.
Xiao Nong would not eat anything he hadn't tested before. He narrowed his eyes slightly, took a piece out of the box, and put it in front of Zhong Yansheng's mouth: "Open your mouth."
Zhong Yansheng didn't expect that Xiao Nong was going to feed him. He was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt that the other person was quite nice, so he opened his mouth slightly to receive it.
His lips were very beautifully shaped, with a lip bead in the middle, and the entire lips were glowing as thinly and shallowly as a spring flower, making them look particularly soft and moist.
Xiao Nong pinched the pastry, and for a moment he felt that he had no idea how to start. He was silent for a moment, feeling a subtle regret.
Zhong Yansheng's mouth was a little tired, and he said "ah" in confusion.
Xiao Nong paused, then stuffed the entire pastry into his mouth. He accidentally used too much force, and his fingertips inadvertently brushed against the corners of his lips, feeling smooth.
As if his heart was suddenly touched by the softest feathers of a bird, he subconsciously rubbed the pads of his thumbs, his eyes slid over the lips, and his eyes darkened.
Zhong Yansheng was roughly stuffed with a whole piece of lily cake, and almost choked. He had difficulty swallowing the pastry, and immediately searched the room for tea. He raised his head and drank a cup of tea before swallowing the piece of lily cake. He felt alive again.
Well, it seems that my brother is not very good at taking care of others.
Zhong Yansheng comforted himself, took the teapot and teacup to the small case, and coughed twice: "Thank you, brother, the lily cake tastes very good, do you want to try it?"
His eyes were like a puddle of water under the sun, soft and bright, without any haze.
Facing those bright eyes, Xiao Nong still took a piece, took a bite, put it down again, and uttered two words: "Too sweet."
"Is it sweet?" Zhong Yansheng also picked up a piece and tasted it, "I think it's pretty good."
It's so sweet that it's almost choking.
Xiao Nong leaned back and saw Zhong Yansheng lowering his head, revealing the little swirls on top of his soft hair. He was holding the book in his hand and opened it to where he left yesterday, and wanted to continue reading while sitting in front of the couch. He completely ignored his appearance, which made him click his tongue softly.
Didn't this kid notice that he changed his clothes today?
This idea popped into Xiao Nong's mind, and he pressed it down immediately. He felt like he was mentally ill. What did it have to do with him changing his clothes?
He didn't even understand why he had to change his clothes today. This little bird came to see him every day and didn't wear anything nice and was always dressed in gray.
The corners of his mouth that were still smiling just now suddenly flattened, and Xiao Nong said calmly: "Read."
What a quick change of attitude!
Zhong Yansheng was no longer afraid of Xiao Nong's moodiness. He felt amazed in his heart and nodded obediently: "Okay."
In his low and shallow recitation, Xiao Nong's tense nerves relaxed, and he slowly fell asleep again.
Zhong Yansheng was halfway through reading when he realized that Xiao Nong had fallen asleep again.
He opened his eyes wide and stared at Xiao Nong who was sleeping peacefully, suspecting that Xiao Nong was using the sound of him reading as a hypnotic song to take a nap.
What kind of quirk is it that you have to listen to other people reading before you can take a nap?
Or are you teasing him on purpose?
Zhong Yansheng couldn't understand it, and his mouth was sore from reading it, so he simply shrank to the side of the couch, eating pastries while continuing to read, and slowly finished the box of pastries, just like yesterday.
Xiao Nong's behavior confirmed Zhong Yansheng's suspicion.
For several days in a row, when Zhong Yansheng came over every day, he was caught beside the couch and read to Xiao Nong to hypnotize him. He didn't know the way and didn't even have a chance to find Uncle Wang.
Zhong Yansheng read until his voice became slightly hoarse, but he was so guilty that he could not refuse any request from Master Zhen, so he could only continue to read to him honestly.
After reading the first travelogue, Xiao Nong seemed to have noticed his preference and pulled out another more interesting travelogue from the bookshelf.
Zhong Yansheng struggled with it for a few days, but he also happily cooperated thinking: this would make my brother happy, and I could also read some leisurely books that I liked to read and would easily get scolded when I read them at home.
He felt that his relationship with Master Zhen was becoming more and more harmonious. The only thing he was depressed about was that after he brought the flower seeds home, he couldn't run into Mrs. Hou. Every time he sent someone to ask about her, she was either on her way to the Jinfu Temple to worship Buddha or staying overnight in the temple.
Zhong Yansheng had no choice but to put aside the idea of sending flower seeds for the time being, and planned to give the Marquis of Huai'an some hints next time, reminding his father that his mother seemed to have some tendencies to transcend the mundane world.
While Zhong Yansheng was busy running to Changliu Courtyard every day, the rumors in the capital became more and more intense.
Although the Marquis of Huai'an tried to curb the rumors about the fake prince in the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, he could not stop the rumors at all, as he suppressed one rumor today and they would spread from another street tomorrow.
In just a few days, countless versions have been circulated, but no matter how outrageous the contents of those versions are, there are three contents that remain unchanged.
Firstly, the current youngest son of the Marquis of Huai'an is fake, secondly, the real heir apparent has returned, and finally, the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife refuse to recognize their biological son.
The noise outside was so chaotic that even the servants of the Hou Mansion would be questioned by people who recognized them when they went out to buy things.
Originally, the servants in the Marquis' Mansion did not care about the rumors outside, but in such an atmosphere, they were somewhat shaken. Even some maids and servants in Chunwu Courtyard could not help but show a strange look when they saw Zhong Yansheng, hoping that the young master could say a few words.
However, every time they showed some strange look and approached, they would be driven away by Yun Cheng.
After Zhong Yansheng fell into the water, the atmosphere in the Hou Mansion became extremely weird again.
The news that Zhong Yansheng was the fake prince also spread to the ears and eyes of all the major noble families in the capital.
Two days later, Zhong Yansheng suddenly received an invitation from Meng Qiping, the third young master of Duke Pei's palace.