Ch. 36 - Xiao Nong: It's not dislike, it's disgust

The moment he heard the voice outside, Zhong Yansheng subconsciously looked at the notebook in his hand.

...If Xiao Wenlan saw something like this, how would His Royal Highness Prince Ding put his face?

Xiao Wenlan's footsteps had already reached the study door, and he was about to enter the room the next moment. It was too late for him to get up and hide.

Zhong Yansheng's gaze fell on Xiao Nong who was lying on the couch.

His Royal Highness Prince Ding seemed to be dressed very casually at home. After bathing to wash off the bloody smell, he changed into a turquoise robe, a very fresh and crisp color. Fortunately, he had an excellent appearance and outstanding temperament, so he could handle such a bright color.

It's loose and suitable for hiding things.

In an instant, Zhong Yansheng didn't know what was going on in his mind. He was so bold as to reach out to pull Xiao Nong's robe and stuff the notebook into his arms.

Xiao Nong was looking at the door of the study room with a bad face. He felt his clothes being pulled. He pressed down Zhong Yansheng's hand and raised his long eyebrows slightly: "What are you doing? Do you want to see me again?"

It was obvious that he was making fun of what happened yesterday afternoon when Zhong Yansheng woke up drunk and dazedly took off his clothes to look at him.

Zhong Yansheng was too guilty to respond, so he stuffed the notebook into his arms. Just as he was about to pull his hand back, Xiao Nong grabbed his hand and pressed it into his arms, with a smile in his deep blue eyes: "Am I the kind of person who can be touched by anyone?"

The low, magnetic voice was beautiful, and when it fell into the ears, it was like a small hook, making the ears numb.

Zhong Yansheng was originally full of righteousness and devoted to collecting books, but when he heard his voice, he felt uneasy for no reason, his face turned red, and he pulled his hand away in panic: "I don't mean to touch you... Let me go!"

Xiao Nong: "No."

While the two were arguing, Xiao Wenlan had already rushed into the house, still yelling, "Brother! Young Master Zhong is really not the person you are looking for, so don't make things difficult for..."

Seeing the scene in the study room clearly, Xiao Wenlan was stunned for a moment, and stupidly uttered the last syllable: "....him."

Is he blind?

Why is the weak, beautiful, pitiful and helpless Young Master Zhong stripping his brother's clothes?

Hearing Xiao Wenlan's voice behind him, Zhong Yansheng got completely scared. He abruptly pulled his hand back and glared at Xiao Nong angrily.

For whose face was he carefully hiding the books for?

It was really fun to tease this little bird. Xiao Nong smiled and admired the angry little beauty. When he raised his head again, the smile on his face had disappeared in the blink of an eye. He looked at Xiao Wenlan who broke into the study with an expressionless face.

Xiao Wenlan was too familiar with his brother's expression. He shuddered violently, and the momentum he had when he broke into the study room just now completely disappeared. He was like a puppy with its neck pressed. He visibly sagged, and his voice became weaker: "Brother..."

Zhong Yansheng was a little touched.

Although the Second Young Master Xiao was very unreliable, he was very loyal. He was so afraid of his cousin that he even dared to come to Prince Ding's mansion and break into his study to save him!

Xiao Nong pulled the corner of his mouth, revealing a chilly arc: "You are so brave, you dare to break into my study."

Zhong Yansheng saw that the second young master Xiao was about to turn into a quail on the spot, looking even more pitiful than Xiao Nong. He couldn't help but stretch out his finger and quietly tugged at Xiao Nong's sleeve.

Noticing his furtive little movements, Xiao Nong paused, lowered his eyes to look at the slender white fingers that were furtively hooking around him, and felt as if the tip of his heart was being tickled by the soft tips of a little bird's feathers.

It's really annoying.

Xiao Nong thought about it, and his expression relaxed a little. He lay on the couch, his head supported by his hands, and raised the tail of his long eyes. He glanced at his useless cousin and said, "Sit down."

Xiao Wenlan thought he was going to be scolded, and maybe even beaten. When he heard Xiao Nong ask him to sit down, he was unable to react for a moment and felt flattered.

In all his years, he had never received such a polite "sit down" from his brother, so he obediently pulled a chair and sat down.

At the same time, he secretly glanced at Zhong Yansheng who was sitting on a small stool.

He was beaten by Xiao Nong a few days ago, so he did not attend King Jing's private banquet yesterday. Unexpectedly, he heard rumors in the afternoon that Young Master Zhong was kidnapped in public by his brother and was said to have been brought back to the mansion and lynched.

Xiao Wenlan subconsciously felt that his brother would not do this, but with his brother's iron-blooded manner, even if he did not use torture, Young Master Zhong would probably be frightened and haggard under all these means.

He tossed and turned, struggling all night, and finally mustered up the courage to rush over.

...But it was not quite the same as he had expected. In his expectation, Young Master Zhong, who must have lived a very miserable, pale, pitiful and ragged life in the palace, not only had his hands and feet intact and a ruddy complexion, but was also wearing the finest Shu brocade, with a radiant complexion and an appearance of being served extremely attentively.

His brother didn't look like the devil who wanted to eat Young Master Zhong alive.

It looked more like he was going to be eaten alive.

Xiao Wenlan shrank his neck and cursed in his heart.

Those rumors in the capital really can't be trusted! Who is spreading the rumor that Young Master Zhong is being tortured in Prince Ding's mansion? Does this look like he is being tortured?

There was a moment of silence in the study. Taxue yawned out of boredom and moved quietly to get closer to Zhong Yansheng.

Xiao Nong's tone was very calm: "What did you shout outside the study just now? I didn't hear it clearly. Say it again."

Xiao Wenlan's scalp went numb, and his words were so roundabout that they could circle the capital three times: "Um... cousin, it's not convenient for you to let Young Master Zhong stay with you for so long, right? It just so happens that I have to go to the Huai'an Marquis' Mansion today, so I'll take him with me, and you won't have to bother me..."

He couldn't utter the rest of the words in the face of his brother's increasingly cold eyes.

Young Master Xiao is such a good person.

Zhong Yansheng leaned over to block Xiao Nong's gaze and smiled at Xiao Wenlan: "Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao. Actually, His Royal Highness Prince Ding only took me back to Prince Ding's mansion to be his guest for a few days."

Xiao Wenlan grumbled to himself, wondering why he didn't know his brother was so hospitable.

But he didn't hear Xiao Nong's rebuttal. Xiao Wenlan was suspicious for a while, nodded doubtfully, and sighed: "Young Master Zhong, you don't know what the rumors are outside. They say that you are locked up in the mansion and tortured by my cousin."

His Royal Highness Prince Ding's reputation outside is really... not good.

Zhong Yansheng felt very embarrassed because he had occupied Xiao Nong's room last night.

But he didn't know how to tell Xiao Wenlan about Xiao Nong's way of entertaining guests... Although he thought sleep was very important, he also asked the guards in the mansion to change the bed and the floor, but it felt weird to talk about it.

Fortunately, Xiao Wenlan didn't need Zhong Yansheng to respond, and he could chatter on his own: "I also heard that in a few days, the Huai'an Marquis' Mansion will introduce Zhong Sidu to various noble families in Beijing, and the invitations have been sent out everywhere. You are here with my brother, and your family can actually do these things with peace of mind!"

Seeing his indignation, Zhong Yansheng was moved and helpless. He moved a small stool over and explained seriously: "Second Young Master Xiao, I am not suitable to stay in the Marquis' Mansion forever. You should understand."

Xiao Wenlan met his clear and pure eyes, paused his chattering mouth, and scratched his head.

He is not very promising, but he has lived in the capital since he was a child and is accustomed to the secrets of various families. He naturally understands how embarrassing it would be for Zhong Yansheng, as a fake young master, to stay in the marquis' mansion.

If it were any other noble family, they would probably have sent the child who was reported wrongly back to the countryside after the incident.

"Besides, His Royal Highness Prince Ding treats me very well." Zhong Yansheng smiled and said, "My family also knows about it, so they didn't come to see me. You don't have to worry about me."

Xiao Nong maintained his original posture, staring lazily at the back of Zhong Yansheng's furry head. Hearing what this little bird said, he felt a little better.

Since you know how good he is, you still don't behave yourself and just keep thinking about running away all day long.

Zhong Yansheng spoke softly with a slight accent, always slowly and sincerely.

Xiao Wenlan nodded without thinking: "Okay!"

Seeing that these two people looked like they were going to become close friends and have a good chat, Xiao Nong felt a subtle desire for exclusivity and wanted to chase them away.

He stood up and tried to catch Zhong Yansheng back. As soon as he sat up, the notebook that Zhong Yansheng had tried hard to stuff into his arms fell to the ground, revealing a few big words on the cover - "Record of Golden Wind and Jade Dew".

Xiao Wenlan was talking to Zhong Yansheng, but his brother's presence was so strong that even Taxue, who seemed to be dozing off, opened his eyes at some point and stared at him fiercely. There was no way to ignore him at all.

So the moment the voice came, Xiao Wenlan subconsciously shuddered, his eyes looked over, and he saw those words clearly.

Xiao Wenlan murmured along, "Golden Wind and Jade Dew Record? Is it... that Golden Wind and Jade Dew... Record?"

Zhong Yansheng: "…"

He tried his best, it was His Royal Highness Prince Ding who made the move.

Xiao Wenlan's expression gradually became distorted with fear.

This storybook has been circulating very hotly in the capital recently. After all, everyone likes to see something new and exciting. But it doesn't matter who the book appears in his possession, but it would be a big problem if it fell out of his brother's arms.

Would he and Young Master Zhong be silenced by his brother? !

Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Wenlan were both speechless, not daring to say a word. Their eyes were wide open, nervously watching Xiao Nong's reaction.

Under the gaze of the two, His Highness Prince Ding had a calm expression. He picked up the book that had fallen to the ground very naturally and calmly, put it on the couch, and raised his eyelids: "What are you doing? If you want to read it, buy it yourself."

Zhong Yansheng blinked and wanted to poke Xiao Nong's face to see how thick his face was.

Xiao Wenlan breathed a sigh of relief - it looked like he wouldn't be silenced!

Xiao Wenlan couldn't help but look at the book again.

So his brother likes to watch this kind of thing?

Xiao Wenlan always tried his best to please his brother, even though he failed most of the time, it did not stop him from trying again and again.

He glanced again and again, rubbed his hands, and tried to speak: "Brother, do you like reading this kind of storybook?"

Xiao Nong looked at him with a smile.

Xiao Wenlan usually gets scolded for doing stupid things, so he was lucky to get a good look from Xiao Nong. Therefore, he didn't immediately see the problem from Xiao Nong's seemingly kind face. He patted his chest and said, "Brother, I have a lot of treasures. You can take a look when you have time!"

Xiao Nong tapped the book lightly with his knuckles and suddenly understood. How did he get an erotic storybook when he asked Yuan'er to read it to him in Changliu Villa?

Xiao Nong has only returned to the capital more frequently in the past two years. In the past, it was considered good if he could come back once or twice a year.

When he was away, Xiao Wenlan would either go to Changliu Villa to stay for a few days, or come to Ding Mansion for a stroll, under the pretext of maintaining popularity so that the house would not feel empty when Xiao Nong came back.

You don't know whether a person is unpopular or not, but it is true that he is unpopular.

Presumably, Xiao Wenlan didn't have the courage to put his things in the study of Prince Ding's Mansion, so he placed them in Changliu Villa.

Xiao Nong thought it through in a blink of an eye, and then he stared at Xiao Wenlan with narrowed eyes. Between beating him up and letting him go, he remembered the day when Zhong Yansheng was so ashamed that he was forced to say those dirty words by him...

It's not that we can't let Xiao Wenlan go.

Zhong Yansheng looked at Xiao Wenlan and then at Xiao Nong in confusion, not understanding the point.

I just feel that these two brothers are worthy of being cousins. Not only are they strangely cautious, but they also have similar hobbies that are hard to describe.

Xiao Nong rubbed the book at hand with his fingertips. He couldn't wait to see Zhong Yansheng shyly reading to him. He glanced at the annoying Xiao Wenlan and gestured to the window, signaling Zhan Rong to come and take Xiao Wenlan away.

Considering that Xiao Wenlan had helped him unintentionally, he added a hint - be a little gentler and don't drag him away directly.

So as not to scare the timid little birds.

Zhan Rong moved very quickly. After a few breaths, he flashed into the study and bowed to Xiao Wenlan: "Second Young Master, the pink big-bellied bottle you gave to the master was accidentally stained yesterday, but it has been cleaned. Would you like to take a look?"

Upon hearing that the bottle he had bought at a high price, loved very much, and finally reluctantly gave to Xiao Nong as a birthday gift was dirty, Xiao Wenlan immediately jumped up and screamed: "What? My bottle!"

He had no time to recommend his collection to Xiao Nong, and he also forgot that he was here to rescue Zhong Yansheng from Prince Ding's Mansion. He followed Zhan Rong out of the study room while howling.

Zhong Yansheng: "…"

After Xiao Wenlan left the study, Zhong Yansheng broke into a sweat and said, "Your Highness, that vase...was it given to you by Second Young Master Xiao?"

Xiao Nong looked at his guilty look with a smile: "Yeah."

"Is it expensive?"

Xiao Nong said casually: "It's not bad, it's only thirty thousand taels of silver."

Zhong Yansheng: "…"

He soiled a bottle worth thirty thousand taels.

Zhong Yansheng counted the remaining money in his own treasury and realized that he couldn't afford to pay for the bottle. He was struggling with this when his eyes went dark and his jaw was suddenly lifted. Xiao Nong walked silently as if he was walking on snow. He didn't know when he got off the bed and came over. He pinched his jaw and turned it around to see his expression: "I just comforted you, but you're frowning again? It's just a bottle, it's not like it's not clean."

Zhong Yansheng choked up and whispered, "I just feel that I have profaned thirty thousand taels of silver."

Xiao Nong doesn't know why, but he wanted to laugh when he looked at him. He had never laughed so much in the past ten years that he laughed in front of Zhong Yansheng. "Well, why think about these things? I made some money yesterday, so I asked Zhan Rong to give 30,000 taels of silver to Xiao Wenlan."

Zhong Yansheng said seriously: "How can I ask you to pay for it?"

"What do you mean by compensation?" Xiao Nong deliberately raised his eyebrows and asked, "Xiao Wenlan is my cousin, isn't it normal for me to give him money to spend?"

Zhong Yansheng couldn't argue with him again.

"Don't think too much about those people." Xiao Nong took Zhong Yansheng back to the couch, "This time you should read it to me."

No matter how embarrassed Zhong Yansheng was, he could not refuse. He took the book and opened it, reading with a grumble: "... He saw the prince's state, and while touching the scar, tears welled up in his eyes, and he was speechless for a moment..."

Xiao Nong closed his eyes with satisfaction, listening to the familiar soft tone and smelling the faint orchid fragrance coming from his body. The pain in his head slowly subsided, and his whole body calmed down, and sleepiness rose.

Zhong Yansheng recited a few sentences and looked at Xiao Nong. As he recited, he saw that Xiao Nong's breathing gradually became even. It was obvious that he had fallen asleep again while listening to his reading. He felt a little puzzled.

Does His Royal Highness Prince Ding really like to fall asleep while listening to people reading?

He put the book aside, held his face and observed the sleeping Xiao Nong.

His Royal Highness Prince Ding, who was feared by everyone outside and was said to be like a demon, was usually so oppressive and aggressive, but he looked unexpectedly peaceful after falling asleep. There was a faint dark blue in his eyes, and he seemed to be exhausted, and his cold features were softened a lot.

Although His Royal Highness Prince Ding has strange hobbies and is moody, his face is indeed very handsome.

Zhong Yansheng stared at it in a daze for a while, then felt something warm around him. It was Taxue.

Seeing that Xiao Nong fell asleep, the sneaky Taxue finally dared to come over and rubbed against Zhong Yansheng.

After such a while, Zhong Yansheng's anger had subsided. He stroked Taxue's back, made a "hush" gesture, stood up quietly, and walked out with Taxue.

His stomach was still uncomfortable in the morning, and he was given a bowl of medicine. He only ate a little bit. Now he was hungry and wanted to find something to eat.

Just after he took a step, his sleeve was pulled. Zhong Yansheng thought he had woken Xiao Nong up, but when he turned around, he found that Xiao Nong was still asleep. But somehow, he reached out and pulled the sleeve of his robe.

Is it cold?

Zhong Yansheng was still wearing a tight lining inside. He took off his outer robe generously and put it on Xiao Nong.

Smelling the faint orchid fragrance on his outer robe, Xiao Nong's frown relaxed a little.

Zhong Yansheng took Taxue out of the study with confidence.

It was not time for dinner yet, and he did not know if there was anything to eat in the kitchen. Zhong Yansheng rubbed Taxue's ears, which felt very good: "Taxue, do you know where the kitchen is?"

Taxue tilted his head, picked up the hem of Zhong Yansheng's mouth and led him away.

Seeing that he really understood what he said, Zhong Yansheng negotiated with him as he followed him: "Don't pounce on me or lick me casually in the future, okay?"

The big cat's ears twitched, as if it heard nothing.

Zhong Yansheng was silent for a moment, incredulous: "You understood it, right? You've been pretending!"

Taxue responded with a whimper, as if in rebuttal.

Zhong Yansheng and Taxue started quarreling in a low voice. Every time he said something, Taxue would whimper in rebuttal, being very rebellious.

The secret guards following behind: "..."

As expected, he is the one chosen by the master. He is not afraid of the master at all and can even quarrel with Taxue!

The man and the beast were walking together when Zhong Yansheng suddenly heard someone calling him, "Xiao Yuan?"

Zhong Yansheng turned his head and looked into the garden, his face lit up with joy: "Uncle Wang! I haven't seen you for a long time."

The person in the garden turned out to be Uncle Wang whom he had not seen for a long time. Zhong Yansheng had asked the old man for flower seeds before, but after discovering Xiao Nong's identity, he never dared to take them out again. They are still stuffed deep in the folded bed curtains at the head of his bed.

Wang Boxian still looked like a kind old man, smiling: "I went out of the capital to do some business, and just when I returned home, I heard that the master brought back a young master, and it turned out to be you."

Zhong Yansheng ran over and said, "Well! Are you tired after returning to Beijing?"

The secret guards at the back popped their heads out in shock again.

Young Master Yuan Yuan can actually talk to Uncle Wang!

The old steward of the palace was not always kind to everyone in the past. Even his master had to give him some face. When he accidentally broke his flowers, his expression was much more terrifying than his master's.

Zhong Yansheng was pretty and well-behaved, with clear eyes and sweet words. He was always loved by the elders. Uncle Wang smiled and chatted with him for a few words. He looked at Taxue who was rolling around beside him because he was waiting impatiently, and his expression became more loving: "Where are you going, Yuan Yuan?"

Zhong Yansheng was a little embarrassed: "I'm a little hungry, I want to go to the kitchen to find something to eat."

Uncle Wang stroked his beard and said, "How can we eat what they cook? Come with me."

In front of Uncle Wang, Taxue behaved much more obediently. He hung his head and followed Zhong Yansheng, with the piece of cloth in his mouth.

Zhong Yansheng tried to pull it secretly but failed, so he could only let Taxue bite it.

Uncle Wang brought Zhong Yansheng to the small kitchen, and his expression became more smug: "I can cook a lot of dishes from all over the world. What do you want to eat, Xiao Yuan? Uncle will make it for you."

The secret guard leaned on the window: "..."

This old man actually gave special treatment to the young master!

Seeing that Uncle Wang was quite interested, Zhong Yansheng felt embarrassed to refuse and suggested two simple side dishes.

Uncle Wang was right in his boasting, and soon a fragrant aroma came from the pot.

While being fed, Zhong Yansheng did not forget to feed Taxue and said sweetly, "Thank you, uncle!"

Uncle Wang smiled proudly: "Uncle will show you his skills again and bring out his favorite dish."

"Good!"

Seeing Zhong Yansheng eating obediently, Uncle Wang sat down and asked with a smile: "Xiao Yuan, what do you think of your uncle?"

Zhong Yansheng nodded: "Very good!"

"So what do you think of Prince Ding's Mansion?"

Zhong Yansheng nodded again: "Very good."

Wang Boxian's smile became more benevolent: "What do you think of our prince?"

Zhong Yansheng hesitated for a while before whispering, "Your Highness is also...very good."

Uncle Wang smiled and nodded, then turned his back and pondered.

After working for so long, I finally got a reply saying, "Very good." What are you busying about, young master?

[Here Uncle Wang refers young master to Xiao Nong as he finally managed to get Yuan Yuan's ascent, but he was not here to listen]

After the old man finished cooking his favorite dish, he wiped his hands and sat down, chatting with Zhong Yansheng about family matters: "Master was also picky when he was young, and could only eat the food cooked by his uncle. It was only after he was taken to Mobei by the master that he got better."

Zhong Yansheng was surprised but also felt that it made sense: "Your Highness Prince Ding is picky?"

"Ah," Wang Bo seemed to be recalling something long ago, and after a while he slowly talked about some past events, "When the ancestors of the Xiao family were conferred the title of prince, they swore that the Xiao family would guard the border for the royal family forever. Three generations of people have been guarding the border in Mobei and Liaodong. The eldest young master stayed in the capital until he was five years old, and then he was taken to Mobei. No matter how picky his problem is, it can be cured by growing up in a place where people eat sand."

Zhong Yansheng thought about the five-year-old child being taken to such a difficult place, and felt a little sorry: "Why do we have to take him there at the age of five?"

Wang Boxian smiled and said, "If he is not taken to Mobei when he is five years old, he will be taken into the palace by His Majesty."

Zhong Yansheng blinked and vaguely understood what Uncle Wang meant.

It seems that the royal family and the Xiao family are not as close as brothers as rumored?

After chatting with Uncle Wang for a while, Zhong Yansheng suddenly felt a chill on his back. Thinking it was because he had taken off his outer robe, he turned around and tried to close the door.

When he turned around, he saw Xiao Nong.

His Royal Highness Prince Ding had his long hair loosely draped, and he leaned against the door in a sinister manner. He was tall and had long legs, which gave off an extremely oppressive vibe.

Seeing Zhong Yansheng turn around, Xiao Nong walked over without any expression, draped the outer robe in his hand over him, grabbed his waist with one hand, picked up the confused Zhong Yansheng, and turned away.

Seeing this, Uncle Wang finally realized what the young master was busying himself for: "Hey... Young master, please be gentle, be gentle!"

Taxue also quickly gave up the food in his mouth and followed in three or two steps.

Zhong Yansheng was carried back to the study room in a daze. Xiao Nong's face was still a little gloomy. Without saying a word, he put Zhong Yansheng on the Arhat couch and lay down on him, protecting him inside like some kind of ferocious beast protecting its food.

There was only a small space on the couch. Zhong Yansheng was pressed inside. The space was very narrow. He was almost pressed against Xiao Nong. Every breath he took was filled with Xiao Nong's scent. He didn't dare to breathe hard. His dark eyes looked at Xiao Nong nervously: "Your Highness?"

As soon as he opened his eyes, the person disappeared. Xiao Nong looked around for him with a stern face. He was in a bad mood. He closed his eyes and said calmly: "If you have any questions about this king, you can ask directly. There is no need to ask others."

It seems that it is more convenient to ask the person himself...but I don't dare to ask.

But Xiao Nong had already spoken, Zhong Yansheng thought about what Wang Boxian said and asked softly: "Do you hate people from the royal family?"

Xiao Nong opened his eyes, his deep blue pupils were backlit, as dark as the night: "No."

Zhong Yansheng felt relieved for some reason, and then he heard Xiao Nong say coldly: "It's not disliking, it's disgust."

Zhong Yansheng stared at the pair of blue eyes for a long time in shock, then nodded slowly: "Oh..."

Disgust, that's even more disgusting than hate.

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