Ch. 31 - Zhong Yansheng: Dad! Help me, I can't catch it anymore!

Zhong Yansheng had a dream.

He dreamed that he was discovered by Xiao Nong.

Just as he worried, Xiao Nong grabbed him and tied him up, stripped him clean and threw him into the bathtub to wash him clean. He struggled to escape, but Xiao Nong was much taller than him and his arms were much stronger than his. He stood in front of him, picked him up and threw him gently.

Zhong Yansheng felt dizzy and fell into something soft. He didn't have time to panic. The pair of pupils as deep blue as the night had already approached him. The tall nose was pressed against his nose tip and rubbed gently. The tone was cold: "This king said that I will eat you if I catch you."

Zhong Yansheng's eyes turned red with fear, and he looked at him timidly: "Can you not eat..."

"Can't."

Xiao Nong rejected him, raised his chin, looked at him for a moment, then lowered his head, with a hint of ethereal laughter in his voice: "Start eating from here."

There was a numbness and pain on my lips, and the tip of my tongue was licked and bitten forcefully.

Zhong Yansheng was forced to open his mouth wide. The big hand on the back of his head held him up, preventing him from retreating. His slender neck was tense, and he almost suffocated as he thought, if he was to be eaten, he would be the food of His Royal Highness Prince Ding.

But His Royal Highness Prince Ding is now playing with food.

Xiao Nong has no respect for food.

When Zhong Yansheng woke up in a trance with this thought in mind, the first thing he saw was the familiar headboard of the bed.

There is also a bulging gauze tent filled with things.

After being silent for a long time, he finally heard Yun Cheng's surprised voice: "Master! Are you awake? I'll go get the medicine!"

Zhong Yansheng's lips seemed to still feel numb and painful. He unconsciously reached out to touch his lips, and breathed a sigh of relief when he found that his lips were still there.

Not being eaten... must have just been a dream.

His mind was a mess, and he couldn't tell whether he was dreaming or not. Another sound of footsteps approached quickly and Zhong Sidu's face appeared in his sight. He leaned over and reached out to touch his forehead.

Zhong Yansheng's eyelashes twitched, and he subconsciously stepped back.

Zhong Sidu frowned slightly: "Don't hide, let me see if the fever has subsided."

As he spoke, he pressed down Zhong Yansheng's dodging shoulder, put his palm on his forehead, and his expression softened: "It is okay."

Zhong Yansheng didn't understand what was going on when Yun Cheng rushed in again, noisily carrying a medicine bowl, followed by a bunch of maids and servants, some carrying food trays, some holding hot water basins, and some holding hot towels. The room suddenly became very lively, and a group of people gathered around the bed: "How is the young master?"

"Master, take medicine!"

"You've sweated a lot, Yuncheng. Hurry up and get a hot towel to wipe the young master off."

They squeezed together at the head of the bed and bumped into the gauze curtain. Zhong Yansheng watched helplessly as the place where he hid his things shook and seemed to be about to fall. The voice of the Marquis' wife came from the door again, gentle but stern: "What are you all doing gathered at the head of the bed? Go do your own thing and don't disturb Yuan'er."

The people who had just gathered at the bedside were startled and scattered like birds and beasts: "Yes, ma'am."

The gauze curtain used to hide things was shaky and was barely holding on.

Zhong Sidu was sitting right below that place.

Zhong Yansheng secretly glanced at that place, his eyelids twitched, and he hesitated to speak: "Can you please sit closer..."

Zhong Sidu originally had a gloomy look on his face, and no one knew what he was thinking. He was stunned for a moment when he heard the words, and there was even a moment of blankness on his handsome face.

Then he quickly sat next to Zhong Yansheng.

Zhong Yansheng's shoulders had just relaxed, and he hadn't finished exhaling when the Marquis' wife came and sat down where Zhong Sidu had sat. Her eyes were red and there was a hint of sadness between her eyebrows. "Is Yuan'er feeling better? My Yuan'er, you've suffered so much since returning to Beijing."

Zhong Yansheng was touched and scared, and quickly acted like a spoiled child: "Mom, can you come closer? I want to see you."

Zhong Sidu pursed his lips and stood up to make room for her.

The youngest son was clingy, so the Marquis' wife naturally would not refuse. She sat down next to Zhong Yansheng and sighed sadly: "He fell into the water some time ago and was unconscious for so long. This time he was unconscious for two days again..."

Zhong Yansheng let her touch his head, took the time to glance at the gauze curtain, and breathed a sigh of relief.

So far so good.

If that place can't hold up, the worst thing would be things falling down.

The most terrifying thing is that it falls and hits someone.

The medicine given by His Royal Highness Prince Ding, the letter from His Royal Highness Prince Ding, the jade token from His Royal Highness Prince Ding...

Madam Hou brushed away Zhong Yansheng's messy hair with pity: "Yuan'er, don't run so far next time. Mother is really worried."

Zhong Yansheng nodded obediently.

In the past, when Zhong Sidu saw how much the Marquis' wife cared for and loved Zhong Yansheng, he must have felt very bad, aggrieved and angry.

But things are different now.

Although he was still in a bad mood.

Zhong Sidu stood silently behind, his eyes sweeping across the wrist revealed when Zhong Yansheng raised his sleeve—a thin and slender wrist, with snow-white and smooth skin, without any marks.

But he still remembered the red marks of the binding that Zhong Yansheng carefully hid under his sleeves when he first met him, and the intriguing purple marks of pinching that spread deeper into his sleeves.

Previously, he thought that the person who left those marks on Zhong Yansheng was Xiao Wenlan.

But at the foot of Yannan Mountain, he suddenly realized that the man was not Xiao Wenlan.

It's Xiao Nong.

Prince Ding Xiao Nong holds military power, is cold and sinister, and is countless times more powerful, terrifying, and troublesome than Xiao Wenlan.

Some time ago, Xiao Nong made a lot of noise in the capital, looking for an enemy named "Yuan Yuan".

There was a hint of sarcasm in Zhong Sidu's eyes.

When Zhong Yansheng was carried off the horse that day, Prince Ding looked at him with such care and compassion, not like he was looking at an enemy.

Seeing Xiao Nong's gaze, Zhong Sidu guessed the truth in a flash - he was really looking for Yuan Yuan, and the rumor was a bit false. Xiao Nong did things based on his mood and had made too many enemies. He probably did this to prevent Zhong Yansheng from being used as a handle and threatened.

Once you guess this, the rest is easy to guess.

I'm afraid Xiao Nong didn't want to make such a big fuss at the beginning, but for some reason, Xiao Nong went to the Anping Marquis' Mansion first as soon as he returned to Beijing, and spread the news that he was looking for someone named "Yuan Yuan", and simply spread the name of his enemy.

The dignified Prince Ding would actually do such a thing.

After being comforted by the Marquis' wife for a while, Zhong Yansheng gradually recovered his memory before he fell asleep.

He caught a cold due to the heavy rain in the mountains and forests, and developed a fever, which led to him losing consciousness.

In such a heavy and dense rain, when he could hardly breathe, with his blurred vision...

The black cavalry were like black blades, descending from the sky like divine soldiers, breaking through all obstacles and appearing in front of them.

Xiao Nong carried him onto the horse.

With his face covered, what did he say to Xiao Nong?

His mind was a mess at that time, and he didn't even know what he was saying. Zhong Yansheng tried hard to recall for a while, but his mind was blank.

But he was sure that he must have said something funny and confusing.

Because he clearly remembered that when Xiao Nong lowered his eyes and looked at him, a clear smile flashed across his eyes.

Zhong Yansheng bit his lip, feeling panicky.

Although he was reluctant to admit it, he felt as if he had been exposed.

But Xiao Nong's attitude was ambiguous, as if he knew it, but also as if he didn't know it.

Seeing that Zhong Yansheng suddenly became dazed while talking, the Marquis' wife stopped talking. Thinking of what the Marquis of Huai'an said the day before, the sadness in her eyes became even stronger.

She had discussed a lot with Huai'an Marquis in the past two days, and some decisions had to be made, but she was helpless and reluctant.

Eunuch Tian Xi is a kind man who remembers favors. He reminds them to be careful. The Huai'an Marquis Mansion has come under attention again.

Prince Ding... How did Yuan'er offend Prince Ding? Between the two of them...

Madam Hou sighed softly again, turned around and took the medicine bowl from Zhong Sidu, suppressed her sadness, smiled, and fed the medicine to Zhong Yansheng: "Yuan'er, the medicine has been warmed up, mother will feed you the medicine."

Zhong Yansheng likes to eat sweet things and doesn't like to drink bitter medicine. He feels nauseous at the smell of it.

But he still opened his mouth and drank it obediently.

After feeding her the medicine mouthful by mouthful, Madam Hou said in a gentle voice, "Rest well, you just woke up. You don't need to study hard these days. Are you hungry? Mother will go and see what's prepared in the small kitchen."

Zhong Yansheng's voice was hoarse, and his tone was soft: "Okay, thank you mother."

That day, Xiao Nong picked him up in front of many people.

Zhong Yansheng was originally worried that the Marquis' wife would ask about him and Xiao Nong, but when he saw that she didn't mention it at all, he secretly wiped his sweat.

It seems that no one is talkative. I guess Yun Cheng took him back home after they went down the mountain, and he didn't attract anyone's attention, right?

The Marquis' wife gave Zhong Sidu some instructions, asked him to talk to Zhong Yansheng for a while, and then left the room.

As soon as she left, the room became quiet, Zhong Sidu remained silent, and the atmosphere grew cold.

The relationship between the two of them had eased a few days ago, but Zhong Yansheng felt that it was not yet time for Zhong Sidu to stay by his bed. It was too embarrassing. He quickly glanced at the veil where the things were hidden and coughed: "Zhong Sidu, you can go back. I don't need anyone to accompany me. Just ask Yuncheng to come in."

However, Zhong Sidu's reaction was the opposite of what he expected.

Zhong Sidu not only did not leave, but sat down instead, his expression as warm and gentle as ever: "Are you chasing me away?"

Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a moment, not knowing how he came to this conclusion, and could not help but glance at the veil again.

Zhong Sidu's tone when speaking was very similar to that of the Marquis' wife, soft and gentle: "Or do you want to hide something and dare not tell me?"

Zhong Yansheng was instantly sweating from guilt and didn't dare to look over there again. His bright black eyes widened, and he said softly, "No, don't wrongly accuse an innocent person."

His guilty expression was too obvious. He didn't dare look people in the eye. His long, thick eyelashes kept blinking, making the word "guilty" look like it was written all over his face.

He is really not good at lying.

Zhong Sidu's mood became even more complicated - why did he feel that Zhong Yansheng was so scheming in the first place?

It's obvious that he is a person who has been sold but is still stupid enough to help others count money.

He really wanted to tell Zhong Yansheng that he knew everything, but seeing his expression, he strangely softened his heart.

Zhong Yansheng definitely didn't do it voluntarily.

Otherwise, how could there be signs of being tied up? And he had been hiding for so long, not wanting to be discovered by Xiao Nong.

Thinking of this, Zhong Sidu felt a little better.

So what if it was Prince Ding... Zhong Yansheng didn't want to.

Suddenly, there was a slight noise coming from the gauze curtain, as if something was falling.

Zhong Sidu came back to his senses and turned his head to look around warily: "What's that sound?"

Zhong Yansheng was really sweating. He pushed Zhong Sidu, but his hands were weak. "I feel uncomfortable and want to take a bath. Go ask Yuncheng to prepare a bathtub."

Zhong Sidu didn't want to leave at first, but when his eyes accidentally swept across Zhong Yansheng, he found that the collar of his shirt was loose, revealing a delicate collarbone. The ends of his black hair were slightly wet and stuck there, a dazzling piece of snow.

His eyes froze for a moment, and he immediately stood up: "Yeah."

As soon as Zhong Sidu left, Zhong Yansheng quickly got up, stuffed the half-open envelope back in tightly to make sure it wouldn't fall out again, and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

I'll have to find another place to hide next time.

After waking up, Zhong Yansheng stayed in Chunwuyuan for a few days to recuperate.

Many people outside brought tonics. Counting on fingers, they were all people I met on the hunting day, including Xiao Wenlan, Pei Hong... and Xiao Nong.

There were ten large boxes of tonic medicine in Prince Ding's mansion, each of which was stuffed very heavily. The servants carried them into the warehouse with great effort. At first glance, it looked like they were coming to offer a betrothal gift.

When he was sent into the yard, Marquis Huai'an happened to be on leave and came to see Zhong Yansheng. The father and son were sitting in the yard. Seeing this scene, Marquis Huai'an's face darkened.

Zhong Yansheng sat nearby, not daring to breathe, feeling extremely guilty.

He really couldn't figure out the treacherous mind of Prince Ding and what he was thinking at the moment.

But the strange thing was that Huai'an Marquis didn't say much. He just lowered his head and took a sip of the chrysanthemum tea that Zhong Yansheng specially pushed over to him, and said in a very nonchalant tone: "Yuan'er has made a lot of friends."

Zhong Yansheng's scalp tingled: "Yes, yes."

The Marquis of Huai'an looked at the loads of tonic medicine that were delivered and said, "Yuan'er has been resting at home for a few days. Do you know what's going on outside now?"

Zhong Yansheng sent Yun Cheng out to inquire about the news, so he was not completely ignorant of the outside world.

For example, a few days ago, dozens of young men from noble families were trapped in Yannan Mountain by heavy rain. It was the personal guards of His Royal Highness Prince Ding who searched everywhere and dragged them out one by one.

This made everyone in the capital feel even more complicated about His Royal Highness Prince Ding, with fear, disgust, and gratitude.

After returning from Yannan Mountain, His Royal Highness Prince Jing was again confined by His Majesty, and the wedding date was set. If nothing unexpected happens, the wedding will take place in two months.

The rumors about Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Nong did not spread. No one knew whether they did not spread or were suppressed by someone.

As for Xiao Nong...

Yuncheng didn't find out.

Zhong Yansheng thought anxiously that Xiao Nong might be stuck with something, otherwise he would probably appear in front of him.

Zhong Yansheng looked at Huai'an Marquis quietly, wanting to ask but not daring to.

Huai'an Marquis took another sip of chrysanthemum tea, and calmly took the initiative to speak, calling out the famous name: "Xiao Nong is facing the wall to reflect on his mistakes."

Zhong Yansheng suddenly turned his head to look at him, his eyes widened: "Facing the wall and reflecting on your mistakes?"

Who dares to let Prince Ding reflect on his mistakes in front of the wall in the palace?

As if he had heard Zhong Yansheng's thoughts, Marquis Huai'an glanced at him and immediately replied, "Your Majesty."

That day, Xiao Nong sent Zhong Yansheng to the outside of Huai'an Marquis' Mansion as promised. Eunuch Tian Xi also followed and said with a smile that the emperor had ordered Xiao Nong to accompany him to the palace, and the documents from the Dali Temple had been delivered to the emperor.

Judging from His Majesty's attitude before, Marquis Huai'an had already made some speculations.

Sure enough, Xiao Nong entered the palace to meet His Majesty, who then gave orders to sentence Xiao Nong to confine himself in the palace for a few days to reflect on his mistakes, and then express his gratitude to the Duke of Pei's Mansion. Yesterday, Prince Ding's Mansion sent a thousand-year-old ginseng to Meng Qiping for his conditioning - it was not even one-tenth as valuable as the one sent to the Marquis of Huai'an's Mansion today.

Your Majesty's blatant favoritism not only caused dissatisfaction among Prince De, Prince An and others, but even the court officials were in turmoil.

Last year, several princes were summoned to the capital, and Xiao Nong returned to the capital frequently. Now he even resides in the capital permanently. Everyone can see that the mind of His Royal Highness Prince Ding is not simple.

He had been on the march for many years, and the army under his command was large enough to tear the capital apart.

Is your majesty old and confused or sick? Instead of taking the opportunity to crack down on him and reduce his military power, he still protects him.

Huai'an Marquis drank cup after cup of chrysanthemum tea, and almost finished it. He still felt the fire in his heart was hard to quench, so he simply rubbed Zhong Yansheng's soft hair and pondered for a moment: "It's a rare day off, how about going fishing with Dad?"

Zhong Yansheng blinked: "Just us? Why not call my brother?"

Huai'an Marquis shook his head: "Dad has something to say to you alone."

Huai'an Marquis was an upright official, and his only hobby was fishing. When he was in Gusu, his official duties were not so busy, so he would go fishing by the river whenever he had time. The fish he caught made an especially thick, white and delicious soup.

After packing up his fishing rod, bait and other items, Zhong Yansheng followed the Marquis of Huai'an and got on a carriage to the fishing spot he often went to when he was in the capital.

The Marquis of Huai'an took off his official uniform and put on a blue casual uniform. He looked less serious and upright than before, and his features also looked much younger. However, his back was still straight as he sat in the carriage. He lifted the curtain and looked out, saying, "After so many years, the capital remains the same. It has never changed."

Zhong Yansheng keenly felt that after returning from Yannan Mountain, Marquis Huai'an and his wife seemed to be very worried.

It was a heavy burden that he couldn't help them resolve...it even seemed that their burdens were related to him.

Is it his existence that has put the Marquis' Mansion in trouble?

This thought crossed Zhong Yansheng's mind. He thought quietly while sitting opposite him. He asked curiously, "I heard that when daddy won the third place in the imperial examination and rode his horse through the streets, many daughters of officials waved at him from upstairs. You saw mom at first sight."

Huai'an Marquis stroked his beard, and a rare smile appeared on his face: "Yeah."

Zhong Yansheng smiled, feeling complicated.

The Marquis of Huai'an and his wife have a very good relationship. They have been in love for so many years and must have loved their children very much. But now that he is in the Marquis' Mansion, their care has to be divided into two.

Both of them were worried and did not speak on the way. When they reached the river, Yun Cheng and the others put down their things and retreated to the carriage, leaving only the two of them by the river.

Huai'an Marquis put the bait on the rod expertly and handed it to Zhong Yansheng: "When fishing, you need to be calm and composed. It's normal even if there is no movement for a few hours. Don't be anxious."

Zhong Yansheng, wearing a straw hat, sat on a small stool, holding the fishing rod and saying "Oh", wondering if he should continue talking about His Royal Highness Prince Ding.

Marquis Huai'an also sat down holding the fishing rod, looked at his pretty little son beside him, then looked at the calm water. He seemed to have noticed that Zhong Yansheng was particularly concerned about Xiao Nong's news, and slowly continued the topic they had discussed in the mansion.

"Prince Ding's Mansion was once as prosperous as a blooming flower, but then it quickly withered, leaving only two bloodlines. Now that His Majesty is in great favor, it seems to be as powerful as before. Xiao Nong is not a fool, so he should be able to escape unscathed. Yuan'er, what do you think of him?"

Zhong Yansheng was listening attentively, but he didn't react when he was suddenly asked: "What do you mean?"

Huai'an Marquis' eyes were on him: "Xiao Nong."

Zhong Yansheng didn't know why Huai'an Marquis suddenly asked him how Xiao Nong was. Just as he was about to answer, the fishing rod in his hand suddenly moved violently.

There were ripples on the river surface, and Zhong Yansheng's eyes lit up: "Dad, the fish is hooked!"

Huai'an Marquis frowned and taught him: "It's just luck, don't be arrogant or impatient."

After lifting the hooked fish and putting it in the bucket, the father and son continued fishing and talking.

Zhong Yansheng pondered over the Marquis of Huai'an's question and answered with gritted teeth: "Your Highness Prince Ding, he is a good person?"

Huai'an Marquis: "Okay? Yuan'er, you are still young and don't know much about the world..."

The fishing rod in Zhong Yansheng's hand moved again: "Dad! The fish is hooked again!"

Huai'an Marquis glanced at his motionless fishing rod and said, "Yeah."

After catching the fish with the help of Marquis Huai'an, Zhong Yansheng gestured and became even more excited, his eyes sparkling: "Dad, this one is bigger than the previous one! Let the kitchen make crispy fish tonight? The other one can be stewed in soup, Mom likes it."

"...Yeah. Don't show your happiness on your face."

Zhong Yansheng obediently restrained his smile, put the fish into the bucket, and sat down again: "Dad, where were we talking about?"

Huai'an Marquis paused for a moment and said, "Xiao Nong is not as arbitrary as outsiders say. He is very scheming and not easy to get along with. If you get along with him in the future, you must be vigilant..."

"Dad, the fishing rod is moving again!"

Marquis Huai'an held the motionless fishing rod tightly.

I can't talk about this any longer.

Zhong Yansheng noticed that Huai'an Marquis looked different, and was a little confused: "Dad, didn't you say that fishing requires a calm mind and concentration?"

Marquis Huai'an was silent for a moment, his face stern, and he squeezed out a few words: "Xiao Nong is older than you, he is not a good person. Be careful when dealing with him."

Zhong Yansheng wondered why he wanted to get along with him, but after looking at the expression on Huai'an Marquis' face, he nodded obediently: "Okay, I will be careful."

Seeing that Zhong Yansheng's fishing rod had finally calmed down, Marquis Huai'an calmed down a bit. He glanced at his own fishing rod which was still motionless and said in a deep voice, "In half a month, it will be your and Sidu's birthdays. Yesterday I asked His Majesty to hold a banquet on that day so that Sidu can recognize his ancestry and be crowned as the Heir of Marquis of Huai'an again."

As for Zhong Yansheng's status as the crown prince, it was naturally invalidated.

The young master of a marquisate was unexpectedly picked up by mistake, and a fake young master was raised for more than ten years. There were many people in the capital waiting to watch the fun, and there were also many people who made comments and ridicules about Zhong Yansheng and Zhong Sidu without even knowing them.

Zhong Yansheng's brows were calm, and he just smiled faintly: "Okay."

"Yuan'er." Huai'an Marquis' eyes were complicated, and he sighed deeply, "If your parents do anything in the future, it will be because they have no choice."

Zhong Yansheng understood the helplessness of the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife. He just nodded when the fishing rod in his hand started to move violently again. This time the movement was particularly loud and he almost lost the fish. He stood up and cried out, "Dad! Help me, I can't catch it anymore!"

"…………"

On the way back from fishing at the river, Marquis Huai'an was in a very low mood.

Zhong Yansheng guessed that he was indeed in a difficult situation for himself.

Probably because His Royal Highness Prince Ding was punished with house arrest, the capital had been peaceful for a few days. When the officials went to court, they no longer had to see those deep blue eyes that were always smiling, and their steps became much lighter.

Zhong Yansheng recovered from his illness and no longer had to get up to study every day. He even asked Yun Cheng to secretly buy two books for him to read, and he was in a very good mood.

After a few days of peace and tranquility, two invitations were delivered from Prince Jing's Mansion to the desks of Zhong Yansheng and Zhong Sidu.

King Jing's house arrest was lifted, and he planned to hold a private banquet before the wedding to entertain Zhong Yansheng.

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