Ch. 51 - Zhong Yansheng: Yes, it contains intestinal poison

The next morning.

Zhong Yansheng woke up from a sweet dream. He had already turned half a circle on the bed. When he opened his eyes while lying on the bed, he saw two pairs of slippers under the bed.

His eyelids were still a little dry, and Zhong Yansheng closed his eyes and wanted to take a nap, but suddenly he felt something was wrong. He opened his eyes and stared at the two pairs of shoes under the bed, falling into a slight daze.

Two pairs of loafers, one of which was noticeably larger than his own.

The memory of last night slowly came back to him, and Zhong Yansheng suddenly felt as if he was stabbed by something and hurriedly crawled to the side of the bed.

How did he put Xiao Nong's shoes back on!

If Xiao Nong woke up and found that his shoes were missing, wouldn't he know that someone had entered his room last night? If he continued to investigate, he would find that he had crawled into his room in the middle of the night...

Zhong Yansheng's scalp tingled.

He couldn't possibly tell Xiao Nong the truth that he was very angry yesterday and was so mad that he climbed into his room through the window in the middle of the night and squatted beside his bed and scolded him, right?

This behavior sounds too strange!

Zhong Yansheng has been a well-behaved child since he was a child. The worst thing he has ever done was to go and scold Xiao Nong last night.

He hurriedly got up, put on his outer robe, walked to the door, opened it a crack, and called out softly, "Yuncheng!"

Yun Cheng knew that Zhong Yansheng was a picky eater. He had just gone to the kitchen to tell the cook to come back, and when he saw that Zhong Yansheng had already gotten up, he was very surprised: "Master, are you awake?"

Actually it wasn't early, it was almost noon, but Zhong Yansheng loved to stay in bed and was a bit grumpy. He would get angry if you woke him up too early.

Zhong Yansheng only showed half of his face, glanced towards Xiao Nong's cabin, and asked in a low voice: "Has His Royal Highness Prince Ding woke up?"

Yun Cheng nodded in confusion: "Your Highness Prince Ding got up at the hour of Mao."

[T/L NOTE:- Mao hour = 5 to 7 A.M.]

“…”

Zhong Yansheng closed the door and looked back at the pair of shoes. The boat was full of people at the moment, and if he took the shoes out and threw them away, he would definitely be discovered.

Zhong Yansheng had no choice but to go back and kick his shoes under the bed.

Anyway... even if Xiao Nong found out that someone had entered the cabin, it would be impossible for the assassin to be found in his cabin, right?

"Master?" Yun Cheng knocked on the door in confusion. "Do you want to sleep more? Breakfast is ready in the kitchen. Since you are up, eat something first. The weather is good today, how about eating outside?"

After a while, Zhong Yansheng responded slowly, came out of the house, changed his clothes, and sat down at the table outside with his messy black hair and droopy eyelids.

Zhong Yansheng was not very good at styling his hair. He would just tie it up randomly when he was in the palace or the royal residence. Anyway, his hair would still look good even if it was tied crookedly.

Yun Cheng had been serving Zhong Yansheng since he was a child. While waiting for breakfast to be delivered from the kitchen, he couldn't stay idle when he saw Zhong Yansheng's messy appearance. He found a comb and wanted to comb his hair: "Master, where is your hairband?"

Zhong Yansheng paused in rubbing his eyes.

Oh yeah, where's his headband?

His headband...

There was a loud thunderclap above Zhong Yansheng's head.

Did he, did he throw the hairband into Xiao Nong's room last night?

As soon as this thought popped up in his mind, Xiao Nong's figure appeared on the stairs not far away. His Royal Highness Prince Ding was wearing a navy blue narrow-sleeved robe today. It was not a very eye-catching color, but it was particularly eye-catching among the crowd. He noticed Zhong Yansheng's gaze and looked over.

Zhong Yansheng saw clearly immediately that today, His Royal Highness Prince Ding not only had a hair crown, but also a headband hanging from his hair. With the fluttering headband, he looked more like a leisurely nobleman than the foreign king who held a large army and was feared by everyone.

The issue is.

The headband on Xiao Nong's head was exactly the same as the one he lost last night.

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Does Xiao Nong know that he was cursing?

Originally, Zhong Yansheng was justified in his scolding, but since he had lost his hairband and had his shoes taken away, he felt a little guilty after showing his true colors so many times.

When he saw Zhong Yansheng, Xiao Nong curled the corners of his lips.

He was so brave last night, but today he is so timid and don't dare to look at him.

The young man tilted his head, letting his long hair fall over his shoulders. The morning sun shone on him, casting a soft golden edge on his black hair, making him look like a beautiful little bird with soft feathers.

Last night, Zhong Yansheng came over and scolded me, and the anger in my heart subsided by half. Today, looking at this child, the anger inexplicably dissipated a little.

Xiao Nong paused, raised his eyelids, and glanced at Yun Cheng who was holding Zhong Yansheng's hair and trying to comb it, as he went into the room to take out a hairpin.

Yun Cheng: “…”

Yun Cheng froze and retracted his finger.

The wind was strong in the early morning, and his uncombed hair felt itchy against his face. Zhong Yansheng pretended not to see Xiao Nong and turned around and said, "Yuncheng, hurry up."

After receiving the young master's order, Yun Cheng silently combed Zhong Yansheng's hair.

Xiao Nong let out a soft "tsk". If it weren't for the old emperor's people watching on the boat...

He sat opposite Zhong Yansheng, and several guards nearby immediately looked over with eager eyes. Xiao Nong didn't care much. Seeing that Zhong Yansheng still refused to turn around and look at him, he admired his handsome face and said, "When did the young prince go to bed last night?"

He looked normal, and his tone was not as cold as yesterday. Instead, it contained a hint of teasing that only the two of them understood when they were together in the past.

Zhong Yansheng's eyelashes fluttered: "The hour of Hai."

[Hour of Hai = 21 to 23 P.M.]

Xiao Nong nodded: "Then has your Highness heard any strange sounds?"

“…No.” Zhong Yansheng frowned, "I haven't gotten up since I fell asleep. I just woke up."

"Oh." Xiao Nong said, "How strange! It seems that Your Highness doesn't know that my cabin was robbed last night."

Zhan Rong sighed inwardly.

Yun Cheng also sighed in his heart.

Zhong Yansheng: “Ah——”

Xiao Nong's hands rested on the armrest of the chair, and he tapped the armrest lightly with his knuckles. His expression looked very stern**: "That little thief stole my shoes and left a hairband behind."**

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Didn't I leave half of the quilt for you, why notice my headband only?

Of course, Zhong Yansheng would never admit that he had done such a thing. It was too strange. If his teacher Mr. Zhou knew about it, he would probably punish him by making him copy the "Book of Rites".

If His Royal Highness Prince Ding was a grown-up girl, wouldn't he be like a flower thief in a storybook?

Zhong Yansheng said nonchalantly: "Is that so? I was sleeping so soundly that I really didn't hear any strange noises."

Xiao Nong saw his eyelashes trembling and could tell at a glance that he was guilty. He laughed in his heart but didn't show it on his face: "Zhan Rong."

Zhan Rong tried to keep a straight face and stood up: "Master, we haven't found the thief yet, but we guarded the third floor closely last night, so it's impossible for the thief to leave from the third floor."

"Hmm." Xiao Nong casually took the teacup that Yun Cheng had poured for Zhong Yansheng and took a sip. "Continue to investigate."

"Yes!"

Zhong Yansheng hesitated to speak, and still did not snatch his teacup back. He suggested in a low voice: "Since you only lost a pair of shoes, why don't you let him go, Uncle?"

Xiao Nong said calmly, "That won't do. The cabin between the prince and the little prince is so close, but the little prince didn't hear any sound. He is too unprepared. Forget about the prince, but what if the thief's target tonight is the little prince?"

“…”

Zhong Yansheng was sulking and thinking, who was caught off guard?

He scolded for a long time last night, but Xiao Nong was still sleeping so soundly. If he hadn't accidentally taken away his shoes and left his hairband behind, Xiao Nong wouldn't have noticed anything unusual!

Had he already guessed that he had been there last night, and was still pretending?

Xiao Nong is indeed a bastard!

Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows: "Are you cursing me in your heart?"

Zhong Yansheng panicked: "No, no."

Xiao Nong seemed to believe it. He stared at Zhong Yansheng's face for a moment, then suddenly tilted his head and coughed a few times.

Zhong Yansheng was stunned: "Uncle, what's wrong with you?"

"Last night, the thief didn't dare to assassinate me, but intended to make me sick, so he pulled open half of the quilt," Xiao Nong said in a genuine tone, "and when he left, he also opened the window, causing me to be exposed to the wind all night and catch a cold."

He spoke so loudly that it sounded like the truth. If the thief from last night was not Zhong Yansheng himself, he would not have believed it.

Zhong Yansheng secretly glanced at Xiao Nong but didn't dare to say a word.

Would Xiao Nong really catch a cold?

Yun Cheng listened to the conversation between the two and felt a strong sense of suspicion in his heart.

Although His Royal Highness Prince Ding looked very serious and his tone of voice was even as cold and indifferent as usual, why did he feel that His Royal Highness Prince Ding was bullying his young master?

He moved skillfully and in no time at all combed Zhong Yansheng's hair and pinned it up with a hairpin.

Coincidentally, breakfast was delivered from the kitchen. Xiao Nong was just about to tease Zhong Yansheng again when Zhan Rong came over and whispered something in his ear.

Xiao Nong gave up with regret: "Your Highness, I have something to do. I have to excuse myself."

He paused, his deep blue eyes seemed to contain a reassuring smile: "I have replaced the person, in charge of the kitchen, with the one I brought with me. I hope it will suit the taste of the young prince."

Zhong Yansheng was so upset and guilty that he didn't remember he was still angry until Xiao Nong left.

No, why should he feel guilty because Xiao Nong caught a cold.

Xiao Nong hasn't even apologized to him yet, he deserves to catch a cold!

Zhong Yansheng thought about it, took a sip of the delicious and tender fish porridge, turned his head and glanced at the person behind him.

The people brought by Huo Shuang had been guarding near his cabin. When Xiao Nong came over just now, these people, probably because they had suffered losses at the hands of Zhan Rong several times, did not come close. Now that Xiao Nong left, they came closer again.

It was a distance where even if he spoke to Yun Cheng in a low voice, they would still be heard.

Zhong Yansheng frowned and tried to get them away: "You are blocking the wind, move away."

Huo Shuang was not there. The leader was his deputy, a man named Wan Zhou. Unlike the taciturn Huo Shuang, he always looked gloomy. When he heard Zhong Yansheng's order, he did not move: "Your Highness the Eleventh Prince, I am ordered to protect your safety and I cannot leave my post without permission."

Zhong Yansheng felt uncomfortable. The people in Xiao Nong's mansion were all very sensible and would automatically walk away when it was time to do so, but this group of people always followed him and watched his every move.

He pursed his lips and said, "I just want you to stay away. There won't be any danger on the ship."

"This ship is currently under the control of Prince Ding." Wanzhou did not move, with a hint of contempt in his eyes, "Your Highness must not be careless."

Zhong Yansheng keenly sensed the contempt in his eyes. He looked at him for a few moments, and his face suddenly turned cold: "How insolent!"

His face was too beautiful, and his temper was gentle and soft, making him look easy to bully. But when he frowned, he actually had a bit of awe-inspiring aura: "His Majesty has appointed you as my subordinates, so you should obey my orders. I am commanding you, and you dare to disobey?!"

There was silence all around, and Yun Cheng's eyes widened in shock.

He had never seen this side of the young master.

Wan Zhou's face froze. After a moment, he lowered his head and listened to the order, and led his men to retreat a little: "Yes, I know I was wrong."

People dispersed a little, and Yun Cheng felt more at ease. He poured another cup of tea for Zhong Yansheng and sighed, "Master, you have changed a lot since you went to the palace. You look so majestic now!"

In the past, Zhong Yansheng was weak and seldom had the opportunity to go out. He also had a mild temper. The Marquis probably wanted the young master to live a safe and secure life, so he did not have too strict requirements on him. He was used to Zhong Yansheng's slowness, and this was the first time he saw him drinking.

Zhong Yansheng blushed at Yun Cheng's praise: "Don't say that, Yun Cheng!"

After being out there for a while, he had seen Xiao Nong intimidating people many times, and he had learned a little from him.

"Yuncheng, go find the doctor on the ship and ask him to prescribe some medicine for the cold."

Yun Cheng sighed, glanced at the direction where Xiao Nong left, and asked hesitantly: "Master, are you getting medicine for His Royal Highness Prince Ding?"

"Of course not." Zhong Yansheng said unhappily, "Can't I just drink it myself?"

…

No one would take medicine for no reason.

Although Xiao Nong had left the capital, he still kept in touch with the capital via carrier pigeons. Wang Boxian would send carrier pigeons to inform him of any developments in the capital.

What just came was a secret letter from the palace.

"There was a fire in the cold palace, and Concubine Zhuang passed away."

Xiao Nong unfolded the creed, read the brief message, and his eyes fell on the words "Concubine Zhuang".

If I remember correctly, on the day when Zhong Yansheng was brought back to the palace, Tian Xi said that the mother of the eleventh prince was Concubine Zhuang. Because her son was abducted, she became crazy and easily hurt people, so she was sent to Guanhua Palace.

Even though the eleventh prince was brought back to the palace, Concubine Zhuang was still locked up in the cold palace and her situation did not improve.

Concubine Zhuang couldn't speak clearly. Xiao Nong's people went to the cold palace several times, but they couldn't get any words out of her. But whenever they asked about the Eleventh Prince, this poor woman would go crazy and scratch people.

However, the old emperor had no intention of allowing Zhong Yansheng and Concubine Zhuang to meet as mother and son.

Xiao Nong was not surprised. The old emperor had a snake heart and was kind on the outside but cruel on the inside. No one knew him better than him.

A few days ago, Zhong Yansheng sneaked to the cold palace to see Concubine Zhuang, and when he came back he happened to run into the old emperor. Fortunately, Zhan Rong sneaked into the palace and covered for Zhong Yansheng.

It was dry weather these days, so it was not surprising that water leaks happened frequently. However, Xiao Nong still noticed something was wrong immediately.

Why didn't the fire break out earlier or later, but just on the night Zhong Yansheng left the capital?

Besides, there were not even candles or oil lamps in the cold palace, so the probability of a fire breaking out was extremely low. And it just so happened that the fire broke out in Concubine Zhuang's room.

Was it an accident, or did someone want to silence Concubine Zhuang to cover up something?

The clues to Zhong Yansheng's life experience have been erased all the time, and now they dare to be erased on the imperial concubine. The owner of that hand can only be the owner of the Forbidden City.

It was obvious that the old emperor was worried that someone would investigate Zhong Yansheng's background.

If Zhong Yansheng was indeed the eleventh prince, why would the old emperor do all these things?

Seeing that Xiao Nong didn't say anything and couldn't tell what his expression was, Zhan Rong asked in a low voice: "Master, do you want to check?"

"Investigate." After a long while, Xiao Nong replied calmly, "If you can't find Concubine Zhuang's pulse case and the imperial physician who handled it, then investigate all the servants who were related to the Imperial Hospital and Concubine Zhuang's palace. I don't believe that he can deal with everyone cleanly."

"Yes."

Xiao Nong played with the newspaper for a while, then leaned against the side of the boat and remained silent.

Everything is still just speculation. If Zhong Yansheng is the eleventh prince, then Concubine Zhuang is his biological mother.

The child cautiously ran to the cold palace late at night and saw her once, and never saw her again after that.

If he knew this news... he would cry.

Xiao Nong felt bad when he imagined those clear and bright eyes filled with tears.

"Block the news." He crushed the letter with a little force and sprinkled it into the sparkling river water. "Don't let him hear it."

Zhan Rong knew who Xiao Nong was talking about: "Yes."

Seeing that Xiao Nong had probably finished giving orders, Zhan Rong bowed and wanted to write a letter to pass on the order. He had just taken a few steps when Xiao Nong's voice sounded behind him again: "Prepare a few things for this king."

After hearing what Xiao Nong wanted, Zhan Rong was slightly stunned: "Master, what do you want these for?"

If you make someone angry, of course you should be prepared to apologize.

I couldn't help but tease the child again in the morning. By the time the child realizes what's going on, he might get even angrier.

Xiao Nong thought carelessly, his face darkened: "Do I need to inform you when I do something? Get lost."

Zhan Rong left in a hurry.

When Xiao Nong finished dealing with the other matters brought by the carrier pigeon and returned to the third floor, Zhong Yansheng was gone again. He said that he was asked to discuss the bandit suppression with several staff officers and deputy generals.

Xiao Nong followed immediately.

"Your Highness, this is the map sent by Baoqing Prefecture. The bandits are entrenched in these mountains."

Several staff officers pointed to the sheepskin map hanging on the wall and said to Zhong Yansheng: "There is a road here, and it is easy to set up an ambush on both sides. Merchants have to pass through this road. This group of evil bandits are entrenched here to rob and plunder. They are well-fed and have strong horses. I don't know where they robbed a batch of excellent knives. They dare to fight against the soldiers head-on, but if a large number of soldiers come to encircle them, they will retreat back into the woods one by one, and it will be difficult to catch them all in one fell swoop."

Zhong Yansheng looked at the map carefully: "Hmm."

Everyone in the room felt that His Majesty sent such a weak and inexperienced little prince, probably not expecting him to do anything, and they began to flatter him: "Those evil bandits are just occupying the terrain. When Your Highness comes in person and sees the majesty of the royal family, they will surely be scared to death!"

"If your Highness takes action, it will surely be easy to capture him."

Zhong Yansheng felt strange when he heard this flattery, and asked seriously: "If the evil bandits would be scared away by the majesty of the royal family, then what is the point of the border soldiers?"

“…”

Xiao Nong couldn't help but chuckled, walked into the room, and clapped his hands: "Your Highness is right. Since the royal majesty is so useful and the emperor's grace is so great, why not throw Prince De outside the Great Wall and see if he can make the barbarians piss and run away."

Why is this evil spirit here?

And he said such outrageous words as soon as he arrived!

The people surrounding Zhong Yansheng suddenly scattered like birds and beasts, not daring to approach.

Zhong Yansheng ignored Xiao Nong. He was very angry: "Huo Shuang, go on and tell me about the battles between the officers and soldiers of Baoqing Prefecture and those bandits."

Huo Shuang responded respectfully.

Xiao Nong sat next to Zhong Yansheng. A piece of sea blue next to him was very eye-catching, but Zhong Yansheng's gaze was still unbiased, and he didn't even glance at it.

Seeing that Zhong Yansheng still ignored him, Xiao Nong felt a little bit embarrassed.

He wasn't even that angry about being teased. Was he still angry after scolding him last night?

Are you really going to ignore him?

Covering his face with his wide sleeves, Xiao Nong stretched out his finger and hooked Zhong Yansheng's finger in front of more than a dozen people in the room without changing his expression.

Zhong Yansheng had long known that His Royal Highness Prince Ding was thick-skinned, but he didn't expect him to be so thick-skinned. He was so scared that he retracted his fingers.

Huo Shuang was talking halfway when he noticed that Zhong Yansheng seemed distracted: "Your Highness?"

Xiao Nong's hand suddenly reached out and firmly grasped Zhong Yansheng's fingertips.

Zhong Yansheng wanted to pull his hand away but couldn't. His neck had already started to turn red. Fortunately, the cabin wasn't particularly bright and no one noticed his neck: "... continue."

Huo Shuang glanced at Xiao Nong warily, wondering if he was bullying Zhong Yansheng.

But Xiao Nong sat in the chair calmly and steadily without moving. Apart from moving the chair closer to Zhong Yansheng, there was nothing unusual about him.

Huo Shuang withdrew his gaze and continued to point at the map and talk about several battles between officers and soldiers and bandits.

Xiao Nong slowly rubbed the slender fingers in his palm, stroking them with his thumb, with a hint of soothing that no one noticed, and sneered: "The monkey teased the dog."

Everyone in the room: "..."

Xiao Nong seemed to be scolding the officers and soldiers of Baoqing Prefecture for being useless, but also seemed to be implying something about them.

Is there anyone who can control this lawless Prince Ding? !

Zhong Yansheng's ears were almost red from being rubbed by Xiao Nong. He could no longer bear it, so he pretended to cough loudly and took the opportunity to pull out his fingertips and slap Xiao Nong on the back of his hand.

The force was neither too strong nor too weak, like being pecked by a bird, but Xiao Nong was still stunned for a moment.

The injuries sustained on the battlefield were not counted. In the past, his fights with Prince De were all one-sided crushing. Except for the time when he got into trouble as a child and was beaten by the old Prince Ding, Xiao Nong hadn't been beaten for a long time.

He was so angry, but Xiao Nong was still teasing him!

Zhong Yansheng moved a chair and distanced himself from Xiao Nong, ignoring the strange looks from everyone in the room: "Continue."

Until it was getting dark, Zhong Yansheng still had no intention of paying any attention to Xiao Nong.

Xiao Nong had an arrogant personality, and in the past he would have ignored him coldly, but this time he couldn't sit still.

When it was getting dark, Xiao Nong calculated the time and found that Zhong Yansheng had ignored him for more than three hours.

Zhan Rong came to deliver what Xiao Nong wanted. It was rare to see his master being humiliated, so he secretly laughed: "Master, this is what you ordered. When I came here just now, the light in the young master's room was still on, and he also had dinner in the room. It seems that he really doesn't want to pay attention to you?"

Xiao Nong glanced at him coldly: "It was me who ignored him."

"Oh, my words were out of place."

Xiao Nong thought for a moment, then stood up and pushed the door.

Zhan Rong saw that he was about to go out, and hurriedly followed him: "Master, where are you going?"

Xiao Nong ignored him, easily walked around the guards patrolling near Zhong Yansheng's cabin, and stood outside Zhong Yansheng's window.

Zhan Rong suddenly realized: "..."

Oh, today it's your turn to pry open the young master's window.

I don't understand the fun of these two people, but it's probably time for him to step down.

Unlike Zhong Yansheng who pried the window open with great noise and for a long time, Xiao Nong was experienced, and he took out a dagger and pried the window open with ease.

But when he climbed in through the window and entered the house, he found that the little beauty he was worried about was sitting upright on the bed, and he was not very surprised to see his sudden appearance.

After being teased by Xiao this morning, Zhong Yansheng quickly reacted.

I guessed it. Based on Xiao Nong's temper, he would probably come over in the evening.

So after taking a bath, he waited.

The moment he saw Xiao Nong appear, Zhong Yansheng felt that he was really smart.

He raised his chin, imitating Xiao Nong's usual smugness, pointed at the black medicine on the table, and said in a cold tone: "Drink it before talking to me."

Xiao Nong: “…”

There was dim candlelight in the room. As the saying goes, beauty is best seen under the light, and Zhong Yansheng was undoubtedly a beauty. His long hair was draped softly over one shoulder. He deliberately raised his head to reveal a slender neck. His black hair made his face look as white as snow. He had just finished a bath, so his face still had a rosy complexion, his eyebrows were washed very clean, and his lips were also rosy.

His bed must be soft, and he must be dressed in soft silk clothes, like a pretty and proud little tit in his own nest, thinking he is very intimidating, but so cute that people want to curl him into a ball.

Xiao Nong's gaze shifted to the medicine bowl on the table. He walked over, picked up the bowl, and sniffed it.

It is a very common medicine for treating wind-cold. For such a simple medicine, adding one more ingredient will make the effect very obvious.

Even though he was so angry, he still remembered the teasing words he said in the morning?

Xiao Nong raised the corner of his lips and said, "Your Highness, if there is poison in this, and I drink it, no one on this ship will survive, and I will also imprison you."

Zhong Yansheng asked Yun Cheng to watch over the people who were cooking the medicine, and he almost fell down when he heard this.

But he still reacted and tightened his face.

Not only did you not coax me, you even scared me!

Zhong Yansheng said unhappily, "Yes, it contains intestinal poison. Do you dare to drink it?"

After a while, he heard the man at the table chuckle, "Then I am happy with it."

After saying this, Xiao Nong picked up the medicine bowl and drank the medicine soup that had been deliberately boiled to be black.

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