Ch. 77 - Xiao Nong: The child seemed to have gone astray a little bit

Wei Ling acted steadily and quickly. After only three or four days, the imitation Wuxiang was delivered to the palace and then to Zhong Yansheng through Huo Shuang.

Zhong Yansheng sat in the study and poured out one to take a look.

The round dark brown honey ball fell into the snow-white palm, and a strange and sweet fragrance instantly filled the study.

With the help of Xiao Nong's subordinates, the shape, color and smell of these imitation Wuxiang pills were exactly the same as he remembered, especially the strong sweet smell.

Poisoning is easy to detect, so these Wuxiang pills are not poisonous. After being prepared by the subordinates, they have some cough and analgesic effects, but that's all.

Zhong Yansheng nodded with satisfaction, his eyes shining. He poured the Wuxiang pills back into the bottle and murmured, "I'll kill you with this medicine."

The thin and frail boy sat there, as pretty and clear as holding moonlight, but the words he uttered were completely the opposite.

Huo Shuang was heartbroken: "..."

My little prince, what have you learned from Prince Ding?

Zhong Yansheng didn't notice anything wrong at all. He handed the medicine bottle to Huo Shuang and asked impatiently, "When can I mix the pills in?"

Huo Shuang took it silently and said, "The secret agents that I helped Prince Ding to plant will take turns at the Yangxin Palace today and tomorrow. After these two days, we may have to wait another half a month."

If it weren't for the fact that Prince De was so slow and reluctant, the marriage proposal would have been a matter of urgency, and Zhong Yansheng wouldn't have had the patience to wait for half a month: "Then let's do it today."

"It's a bit difficult to go back to your Highness."

Huo Shuang had been under the old emperor's nose for many years. He was a serious person and never did anything risky. He explained the situation.

The rotation of the Yangxin Palace was randomly drawn, and this time only a secret agent was drawn. As autumn came and the weather was cold, the old emperor was feeling increasingly unwell and spent most of his time in his bedroom.

Even if he was not in the bedroom, there were strict guards outside the bedroom, and it would be difficult to succeed by one person alone.

So the old emperor had to be led out first, and then someone had to attract the guards' attention.

The latter is easy to deal with, as Huo Shuang can send someone to assist, but the former is not so easy to do. These past few days, the old emperor has not moved out of his bedroom.

If the old emperor doesn't come out, they will have no chance at all.

Zhong Yansheng thought seriously for a while: "Huo Shuang, did His Royal Highness Prince Ding ask Zhan Rong to give you a list two days ago?"

Huo Shuang: "Yes, I am pretending to get close to two of them, but I have not revealed my flaws in front of the emperor yet."

"Then you should reveal your flaws today." Zhong Yansheng pursed his lips, "...He will definitely call me over tomorrow."

Huo Shuang was a little confused, but he still lowered his head and did as he was told.

Based on his understanding of the old emperor's nature, Zhong Yansheng guessed very accurately. Early the next morning, news came from the Yangxin Palace that the old emperor wanted to see Zhong Yansheng.

Zhong Yansheng had made preparations last night, so he was not surprised to hear that the old emperor had summoned him. He asked Feng Ji to prepare a set of white clothes for him, checked his attire in the mirror, and then took Feng Ji with him.

The old emperor summoned Zhong Yansheng in his study.

When he stepped into the study, Zhong Yansheng immediately sensed that the old emperor's gaze was filled with a strange excitement, mixed with a bit of deep disgust, perhaps because he felt familiar with him.

It was not enough for him to personally wipe out the "Prince's remnants" in Baoqing Prefecture. After realizing that Huo Shuang was secretly contacting the rest of the "Prince's remnants", the old man immediately called him over impatiently.

Zhong Yansheng could totally guess what he wanted to do.

The old emperor always had a kind and loving face. Perhaps it was because he had taken too many Wuxiang Pills, or maybe he was able to play some of his old tricks again, but today, there was a strange distortion on his face that could not be concealed, which was completely contrary to his deliberately disguised kindness.

When Zhong Yansheng was stared at by him, he was reminded of the paper figures of the dead that he had seen when he was a child. The figures were painted so lifelike that they were clearly smiling, yet they still had a creepy ghostly aura, staring straight at him. He felt horrified when he saw them, and was so scared that he hid in the arms of the marquis' wife and cried. After crying, he was sick for a few days.

Now that he was being stared at by the old emperor, the chill on his back came back. Zhong Yansheng's scalp went numb, and he almost wanted to run away. He tried hard to suppress the fear and said, "Your Majesty."

A few months ago, Zhong Yansheng would never have thought that he would be so courageous as to take the initiative to confront the old emperor.

Fortunately, he is not so timid now and has been able to suppress his inner fear, although he still fails to do well and his palms can't stop sweating.

Father, Mother...

He prayed silently in his heart, hoping that their spirits in heaven would protect him and make everything go well.

The old emperor smiled and said, "Little Eleven, come and sit down next to me."

Zhong Yansheng walked over obediently and sat down next to the old emperor's desk, looking very well-behaved and quiet.

The old emperor looked at him with a smile, but didn't rush to speak. After waiting for a moment, two more people came to the study.

When he saw Xiao Nong, Zhong Yansheng couldn't help but shake his legs slightly under his clothes. A slight feeling of excitement just passed through his heart, but after seeing the Marquis of Huai'an behind Xiao Nong, his excitement suddenly dropped again. He immediately guessed the reason why the old emperor asked them to come.

The Xiao family had always had a close relationship with his father, and Xiao Nong was the marriage partner arranged for him by his father and the old Prince Ding.

The Marquis of Huai’an was favored by his father, but now he has been exposed in the eyes of the old emperor and is a blatant member of the prince's party.

He clenched his hands hidden in his sleeves and pursed his lips.

Xiao Nong looked normal. He bowed slightly to the old emperor and sat down. Marquis Huai’an who was standing behind him looked a little more haggard and tired than before. When he saw Zhong Yansheng was there, the Marquis' expression paused for a moment.

The old emperor seemed to appreciate this kind of drama, and the smile on his face deepened: "Ming Hu is here too, please sit down."

Xiao Nong leaned lazily on the back of the chair, looking over with a very disobedient look, most of his eyes were on Zhong Yansheng.

Zhong Yansheng noticed his bold gaze and couldn't help but look at him. The two gazes were like swimming fish, gently touching in the air and then separated silently.

Right in front of the old emperor, under the old emperor's nose, Xiao Nong was quite unscrupulous. He looked whenever he wanted, and his eyes were extremely aggressive. Zhong Yansheng felt as if he was hooked by him, and lowered his head in shame.

Xiao Xianwei...!

Xiao Nong raised the corner of his mouth and spoke slowly: "Your Majesty called us here early in the morning, with a very happy face. Is there any good news?"

The old emperor didn't care about his rude attitude and clapped his hands with a smile.

Huo Shuang dragged the two people over the threshold, his face looking unusually silent.

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

The old emperor really left no one behind, everyone who had anything to do with him was brought here.

The two people brought over by Huo Shuang were the ones on Xiao Nong's list.

Huo Shuang had just "secretly written two letters" and delivered them yesterday morning, but in the evening the old emperor sent someone with great malicious intent to capture the two ministers.

Neither of these two people is a good person. One of them used to be the Chancellor of the Chancellery, and his duty was to assist the crown prince. However, he immediately sold out his master for fame and fortune after the former crown prince lost power and betrayed the former crown prince. It was also he who revealed the details of the palace coup, which caused the crown princess to be frightened and give birth prematurely, and then she bled to death in the chaotic East Palace.

The other one had received favors from the old King Ding, but repaid the kindness with hatred. When the barbarians suddenly attacked, the old King Ding, his wife and younger brother all died in the battle after holding out for a month. When the people in the court were uneasy, this person jumped out and submitted three memorials in a row, saying that the fall of Mobei was all due to the arrogance of the Xiao family. The Xiao family was clearly not of royal blood, but was granted the title of prince of a different surname. Now that the old King Ding is dead, the Xiao family should not inherit the title.

These two people have been living smoothly over the years and should not have been suspected. However, with the precedent of Huai'an Marquis, and the old emperor being a suspicious and vicious person, he sent people to capture these two people and bring them back to the imperial prison, where they were severely tortured.

The methods used in the imperial prison were not something that ordinary people could endure. When the two were pulled out of their warm beds, they were still confused and had no idea what was going on. They were tortured by the Jinyiwei for a whole night, but they didn't know what they were told. They only cried out in tears, "Your Majesty, I am innocent" and "I really didn't know."

After listening to the report from the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the old emperor naturally became more and more certain that they were the prince's remnants - they had suffered so many tortures, but they were still so stubborn that they refused to reveal a single word.

For the first twenty years of his life, the crown prince lived in a dream carefully fabricated by the old emperor. He had no idea that he was being manipulated. He wholeheartedly admired and respected his father. It was only in the last five years that he began to live out his true self.

He lived for a short period of five years. Although the time was too short, and he did not have many people he could use, all of his subordinates were convinced and loyal to him and were willing to sacrifice their lives for him.

This is completely different from the old emperor who relied on constant lies, intimidation and inducement to win over the hearts of the people.

It was as if Prince Kangwen back then, even when he was seriously ill and bedridden, or even died, there were still supporters of Prince Kangwen inside and outside the court, who boldly and arrogantly scolded the new emperor for plotting against the prince and for coming to the throne in an illegitimate manner. It took many years to silence these voices.

The old emperor was extremely unhappy and ordered Tian Xi to have the tongues of the two men cut off.

At this moment, two people were brought up, covered with bruises. Their eyes were originally dull, but when they saw Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Nong, especially when they saw Zhong Yansheng's face, their expressions became terrified, their pupils dilated instantly, but they were unable to speak.

This reaction made the old emperor more certain of their identities, and he turned to Zhong Yansheng: "Xiao eleven, do you know the identities of these two people?"

Zhong Yansheng knew that they were the bad guys on Xiao Nong's list, but he really didn't know their names, and there was undisguised confusion in his eyes.

The old man's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction, and he smiled and said, "They are the remnants of the traitors, lurking in the court for many years."

Hearing this, the two people below became even more excited: "Woo! Woo woo woo!"

They looked like they wanted to say something but couldn't. In the old emperor's eyes, they looked like they were eager to tell Zhong Yansheng his true identity.

Huo Shuang tried hard to look sad.

Xiao Nong looked at the two men struggling to survive, a hint of cold satisfaction flashed across his eyes, and he smiled without saying a word.

Marquis Huai’an frowned, looking solemn.

...Are there these two people?

Everyone in the room had different thoughts. Even Tian Xi looked at Huo Shuang and Xiao Nong thoughtfully. The old emperor then asked gently, "Xiao eleven, how do you think we should deal with the traitors with evil intentions?"

Zhong Yansheng clenched his hands tightly under his sleeves.

As he expected, the old emperor had asked his father to personally convict everyone in his mother's family one by one, and now it was his turn.

This old pervert seems to particularly like this kind of drama.

When Zhong Yansheng was "ignorant" he asked him to eliminate his father's loyal subordinates.

If he and Xiao Nong really had a bad relationship, if he didn't know his own identity and didn't notice the vicious eyes under the old emperor's kind appearance, how would he deal with it when one day he suddenly knew his own life experience?

It’s chilling to think about it.

Zhong Yansheng said softly: "Treason is an unforgivable crime. According to the law, the person should be put to death by slow slicing."

His voice had the clear and vigorous voice of a young man, but also had a soft accent. He recited the laws so calmly, but to the two people below, it sounded like an evil ghost, making people feel cold down their spines.

The faces of the two men turned terribly pale in an instant. They knelt on the ground and kowtowed frantically for mercy, whimpering but unable to make a sound. Their faces were covered with tears and blood, and they looked both pitiful and terrifying.

Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows slightly: "Your Highness is so cruel."

Only Zhong Yansheng could tell that he was teasing. Zhong Yansheng was still angry about what happened a few days ago, so he started ignoring him.

Huai'an Hou's heart sank. He had personally experienced that incident and was well aware of the old emperor's methods. If these two were really the prince's men, then the old emperor was really full of malice. When Yuan Yuan knew the truth, how would she deal with it? !

The Marquis of Huai'an gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, whether Lord Chen and Lord Pan are traitors remains to be verified. It is better to hand them over to the Dali Temple for a thorough investigation before making any decisions. Severe punishments must not be taken lightly."

It would have been better if the Marquis of Huai'an had not spoken, as he was a living example. Once he opened his mouth, the two people below were instantly labeled as the prince's remnants by the old emperor.

The old emperor said calmly, "Whether it is true or not, I have made my own decision. Xiao Eleven is right. A country cannot exist without laws. Those who commit the crime of treason should be punished according to the law. Only in this way can we deter those who have ulterior motives and ensure the stability of the country for a long time."

Marquis Huai’an looked unhappy and could not refute.

Xiao Nong listened with a cold expression, seemingly without any interest. His slender fingers casually played with a Tian Huang stone seal tied to a red forehead band, as if he didn't hear the sounds around him.

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Still keeping it?

The way Xiao Nong played with the Tianhuang stone seal was almost like pinching him...

Zhong Yansheng really didn't have the courage to look at him. In addition, the two men below were covered in blood, and the ground was covered with blood. He couldn't stand the smell of blood, and his head was dizzy, his stomach was slightly churning, and his face was pale: "Your Majesty, I want to go out and get some fresh air."

The old emperor looked at him and asked with concern: "Little Eleven, can't you see blood?"

Zhong Yansheng nodded palely, and in order to satisfy the old emperor's twisted hobby, he paused and whispered: "I don't know why I can't stand seeing it after returning from the mountain village."

Hearing this, the wrinkles on the old emperor's face deepened slightly, and he seemed to smile, and said generously: "Go outside and get some fresh air."

Zhong Yansheng didn't even dare to look at the two people on the ground. When he passed by, the two people suddenly pounced on him and wanted to rush to Zhong Yansheng to beg him, but they were held down by the Jinyiwei behind them and failed.

Their faces were forced to the cold ground, watching the snow-white clothes brush past them. The young man with familiar eyes and eyebrows walked briskly, without even looking at them, and walked out of the study.

Both of them were a little dazed for a moment. After being tortured and interrogated all night, their brains finally became clear and they thought anxiously.

No more.

That bright, kind and benevolent Crown Prince had died eighteen years ago.

Finally getting away from the bloody smell in the house, Zhong Yansheng let out a breath, covered his still churning stomach, and looked towards the direction of the dormitory.

They are attracting attention here, and Xiao Nong's secret agents should have already infiltrated by now.

You must, you must succeed.

He stood in the corridor, praying silently in his heart, when a voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Your Highness."

Zhong Yansheng was frightened and turned around guiltily.

Tian Xi followed the direction he had just looked and glanced towards the dormitory.

When Zhong Yansheng saw Tian Xi's actions, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and his heart beat as fast as a drum: "...Eunuch Tian Xi?"

That day, the old emperor's cough suddenly worsened, and Pei Hong suddenly fell down. When Zhong Yansheng helped him up, he secretly glanced back very carefully. At least the old emperor who was still in pain from coughing and wheezing did not notice it, and neither did the other palace servants.

But it could not escape the eyes of Tian Xi, who had been in the palace for decades.

Tian Xi held a cup of hot tea in his hand and handed it to Zhong Yansheng with both hands: "This servant's tea-making skills are pretty good. Your Highness, have some tea to warm your stomach."

Zhong Yansheng took the teacup hesitantly and did not drink it immediately. He glanced at him again and mustered up the courage to ask, "Eunuch Tian Xi, what were you looking at just now?"

"Nothing." Tian Xi's smile lines were deep at the corners of his eyes, and he looked very happy and amiable. "Your Highness is like a little god. My eyes are dim and I misjudged you."

Zhong Yansheng blinked slowly.

He had been in the palace for so long that he naturally had some understanding of Tian Xi. Although Tian Xi was an old man around the old emperor and had a high status, he was a bit of a "coward" and had never done anything to abuse his power. He was always cautious and careful and never talked much.

Such people are used to the ups and downs in the palace and will not take sides casually, so Zhong Yansheng can understand why he won't say anything when asked.

Tian Xi must know Prince Kangwen and be familiar with his father. With this attitude, does it mean that he has noticed something but tacitly agreed to let him go?

After a while, Zhong Yansheng took a sip of hot tea. On that cold autumn day, the warm tea slid down his throat and rolled into his stomach, and the uncomfortable churning feeling was much relieved. "Thank you, Eunuch Tian Xi."

Tian Xi smiled and said, "Serving tea and water is my duty. Your Highness, there is no need to thank me."

Zhong Yansheng felt like he had something left to say, but he couldn't figure it out and blinked in confusion.

Tian Xi also winked at him.

Zhong Yansheng blinked again, and Tian Xi realized that the young prince didn't seem to understand what he meant. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he whispered to make his meaning clearer: "As long as the young prince is willing to help and take care of my unpromising godson, I will be very grateful."

Zhong Yansheng suddenly realized and nodded at him: "Don't worry, Eunuch Tian Xi."

Tian Xi then laughed again and turned back to the study.

Zhong Yansheng finished drinking a cup of tea outside when the two people inside were dragged out. There were traces of blood along the way, along with Huai'an Hou and Xiao Nong.

Seeing Zhong Yansheng, Huai'an Marquis seemed to have a lot to say, but couldn't. Zhong Yansheng guessed that Huai'an Marquis must be worried. Although there were people watching him, and it was inconvenient to speak, he took advantage of the fact that he was not under the old emperor's eyes and quickly blinked his left eye at Huai'an Marquis, and said politely and obediently: "My Lord, let's go fishing together again if there is a chance."

Huai'an Marquis: "..."

Marquis Huai’an understood what he meant.

The last time he took Zhong Yansheng to go fishing, he told Zhong Yansheng that he could trust Xiao Nong, and also vaguely revealed some reasons to Zhong Yansheng.

It seems… Yuan Yuan knows everything.

Marquis Huai’an felt extremely complicated at the moment, but now was not a good time to speak, so he just bowed calmly and retreated.

Xiao Nong also followed slowly behind, and when he passed by Zhong Yansheng, he imitated the way Zhong Yansheng winked at Huai'an Hou and blinked at him with his left eye.

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

Brother, don’t you know how old you are?

It's a strange old thing.

He stayed outside in the cool breeze for a while and felt his stomach wasn't so uncomfortable anymore. He turned around and went back to the study. The old emperor was still excited and looked as if he had taken Wuxiang Pills. His face was slightly flushed. He kept Zhong Yansheng in high spirits and asked him to talk more about his views on the law.

Zhong Yansheng only suspected the Marquis of Huai'an of corruption, so he took a cursory look at the laws of Dayong and didn't have any special insights. He gritted his teeth and talked to the old emperor for a long time. Fortunately, the old emperor didn't really want to hear his opinions, and after listening, his interest was satisfied and his excitement gradually faded away.

The old emperor is now old, and his emotions fluctuate greatly, so his body begins to feel tired. When the cool wind blows, he starts coughing again. After coughing a few times, not only does the cough not subside, but it becomes more serious.

When Tian Xi saw this, he gently patted the old emperor's back, bent down and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's time to take the medicine."

Zhong Yansheng knew very well what medicine he was taking.

The old emperor's throat was slurred, as if there was thick phlegm stuck in it. He coughed painfully for a long time, but the cough was neither going up nor down. His throat was in great pain and his breathing was rapid. After a long while, he recovered a little. He raised his hand and waved to Zhong Yansheng casually: "Little Eleven, go back. I need to rest."

Zhong Yansheng was eager to leave as soon as possible, so he responded and took Feng Ji out of the Yangxin Palace and returned to the Minghui Palace, wanting to find Huo Shuang to question him.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Xiao Nong, who was supposed to leave the palace, standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, waiting in the room.

Seeing the familiar tall and slender figure in the room, Zhong Yansheng's eyes lit up, and he walked as briskly as a bird or a young swallow returning to its nest, and quickly pounced behind Xiao Nong: "Brother!"

Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows, turned around and put his arms around him: "Are you so happy to see me?"

Zhong Yansheng was very attached to Xiao Nong, and he hadn't seen him for a few days. His temper came and went quickly, and he had coaxed himself halfway. He no longer cared about Xiao Nong's last time tormenting him and not wiping his legs clean. He asked hurriedly: "Brother, have you changed the Wuxiang Pills?"

Xiao ruffled his soft black hair and said, "Is this your first time following me to do something bad? You're so excited."

Zhong Yansheng looked up at him, eagerly waiting for an answer.

Xiao Nong smiled and said, "It's done."

Zhong Yansheng's eyes instantly sparkled. He pulled Xiao Nong to sit down, feeling nervous and excited. He asked Xiao Nong about the affairs of those small border countries against the Wuxiang, in order to make himself feel more at ease.

Xiao Nong had been on and outside the border for many years and was knowledgeable. He could talk about the affairs of those vassal states with ease. In addition to Wuxiang Pills, he also talked about some other interesting experiences.

After listening to this, Zhong Yansheng pondered for a while and said, "Brother, are those people outside the border also good at witchcraft?"

Xiao Nong thought he was starting to worry about the poison on the back of his neck again, and just as he was about to open his mouth to interrupt him, he heard Zhong Yansheng ask, "Will they stab someone?"

Xiao Nong: "Hmm... hm?"

Originally you were talking about witchcraft, why are you suddenly asking this?

Zhong Yansheng clenched his fists: "How about we give the old man another shot to be safe? You give him a shot, I give him a shot, you give him a shot, I give him a shot, you give him a shot..."

Xiao Nong: “…”

Xiao Nong was silent for a long time, and finally realized that under his leadership, the child seemed to have gone astray a little bit.

He only found out yesterday that Minghui Palace was where the former crown prince lived.

Thinking of this, His Royal Highness Prince Ding suddenly felt uneasy and felt a cool breeze blowing on his back.

Wouldn't his nephew and father-in-law be standing next to him, pointing at his nose and scolding him, with his niece-in-law and mother-in-law?

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