Ch. 85 - Lou Qingtang: How come Mobei is even messier than my second uncle's toilet
Reborn: I Found The Wrong BrotherThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
During the autumn and winter of each year, the barbarians who made a living by herding would lack food, so they would go south to plunder for military pay, commonly known as raiding for grass.
The years after the chaos in Mobei were particularly serious. Villages in the border areas were attacked every year, burned, killed and looted. It was not until Xiao Nong incorporated the old subordinates of King Ding and expelled the barbarians that peace returned to the border areas.
In recent years, Xiao Nong has been stationed in Mobei most of the time. The barbarians have suffered enough losses at the hands of the Black Armor Army and dared not invade when he was around. But this year, Xiao Nong returned to Beijing, and the barbarians began to make small moves again.
This matter was of great importance. Half an hour later, several cabinet ministers and more than a dozen ministers from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War came to the Wuying Palace and discussed in low voices.
The barbarian spies must have discovered the situation in the capital, so they gathered several tribes and wanted to break through the defense line of Mobei - after all, His Majesty is now "seriously ill in bed", and Prince Ding has disappeared for several days with an unclear attitude.
But no matter whether Prince Ding wants to sit on the throne himself or support a puppet, as long as he wants to be in power, he will not choose to leave the capital and return to Mobei when the situation has not yet stabilized.
The garrison commander currently stationed in Mobei is Xiao Nong's subordinate.
If Xiao Nong refuses to return to Mobei, can Mobei be defended?
Half of the ministers in the hall were over fifty years old, and half were young. Most of the young ones looked sad, while a few old ministers seemed to be more concerned about something and kept looking outside.
Several young court officials could not help but ask, "Don't you usually take a detour when you see Prince Ding? Why are you looking forward to it today?"
"Hush." An old minister motioned him to shut up, "Waiting to see the other one."
The "Eleventh Prince" who has never been seen is said to be the posthumous crown prince's son.
Marquis Huai’an also came to Wuying Palace, but he was usually serious and kept his mouth shut, so no one could pry open his mouth. Everyone didn't dare to ask too many questions, but they couldn't resist their curiosity and kept stealing glances at him.
That person grew up in the Huai'an Marquis Mansion.
The old ministers who had experienced the bloody storm back then were unconsciously moved when they heard the rumors from the outside world these days.
The former crown prince was gentle, kind and polite, of bright and noble character, highly praised by his contemporaries and loved by all officials. The court officials were full of expectations for the crown prince, until later when the crown prince's mother was imprisoned and he gradually lost power.
It was at that time that the Huai'an Marquisate gradually "abandoned" the Crown Prince.
Later, the crown prince forced the emperor to abdicate, the East Palace was burned, and all the ministers who had a close relationship with the crown prince died. The Xiao family was especially tragic... Everything was too strange, and no one dared to explore or tell the truth.
These days, the old emperor's shameful past has been dug up and exposed, and there seems to be a hidden story behind the crown prince's forcing the emperor to abdicate. The court officials who have experienced the incident with the previous crown prince are extremely curious about Zhong Yansheng.
After waiting for a while, two figures, one tall and one short, finally appeared in sight.
The tallest one was naturally Xiao Nong. As soon as Xiao Nong showed up, the hall, which had been a little noisy just now, suddenly became silent. Everyone's eyes fell on the slightly shorter boy next to him, and there was a low gasp at once.
So similar!
If the late crown prince were still alive, this young man and the late crown prince standing together would be recognizable as father and son at a glance.
It had been such a long time, but it was the first time that Zhong Yansheng had seen so many court officials. Being stared at by a group of people, he almost hid behind Xiao Nong again.
He was feeling anxious and tried to keep calm, but his fingers unconsciously grabbed Xiao Nong's sleeves.
Sensing Zhong Yansheng's nervousness, Xiao Nong moved sideways to block everyone's overly enthusiastic gazes and raised his eyelids: "Am I good-looking? Why are you all staring at me?"
Everyone: “…”
How can you say such horrible words!
All those gazes shrank back in an instant.
Zhong Yansheng breathed a sigh of relief and followed Xiao Nong to the main seat and sat down. Because there was a group of ministers below, he couldn't help but sit more straight, with his hands in front of him, looking particularly well-behaved.
Xiao Nong's face was originally chilly, but when he saw his expression, his heart softened and his tone became a little calmer. He no longer looked like he wanted to kill someone**: "I think everyone has received the news."**
When this matter was mentioned, everyone's attention was drawn to Zhong Yansheng, and they returned to the topic. They tried to guess Xiao Nong's expression and spoke tentatively, "The barbarians are really abominable! Do they think that there is no one in Dayong?"
"The Mobei defense line is extremely important. It has only been restored for a few years. If it falls into war again..."
"More than ten tribes, both large and small, have gathered here. The barbarian cavalry is very fierce. How can we deal with them?"
Zhong Yansheng listened to their discussion, lowered his eyelashes and pursed his lips.
Half an hour ago, when Zhan Rong told him the bad news, he regretted letting Zhan Rong speak.
But the facts are before our eyes. Even if Zhan Rong doesn't say anything today, Xiao Nong will take action tomorrow.
The barbarians have assembled a large army, probably not only to attack Mobei, but also to test the current situation in Dayong. If the border defense line collapses, the cavalry will march towards the capital in no time, and the people's peaceful days will be over.
He had seen all the wounds on Xiao Nong's body. He didn't want Xiao Nong to get new injuries on the battlefield, but he couldn't be so selfish.
After Zhan Rong finished speaking, he disappointed a little.
Zhong Yansheng looked at Xiao Nong for a long time with red eyes, which made Xiao Nong feel soft and sour. He hugged him, kissed and rubbed him for a long time. Zhong Yansheng put his head on his neck, grabbed his collar, and asked sullenly: "What should I do if you have a headache?"
He was so obedient, and obviously so reluctant to let go, and he didn't force Xiao Nong to stay. After a long time, he asked with a tearful look. Xiao Nong was immediately defeated, and he sighed deeply, sucking on his tongue and kissing him gently: "It's okay, it won't hurt."
Zhong Yansheng punched Xiao Nong twice before asking someone to summon the court officials to follow him to Wuying Palace.
The people below were still testing Xiao Nong's attitude. Xiao Nong had already made up his mind, but he just watched them discuss calmly without saying a word.
Seeing this, most people felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
Although they were afraid, no general except Xiao Nong dared to guarantee that they would be able to repel the barbarian cavalry if they went to Mobei.
Could it be that Prince Ding is really reluctant to let go of the capital and is unwilling to go to Mobei?
Zhong Yansheng knew what Xiao Nong meant.
Xiao Nong wanted to play a trick with him and let him "persuade" Xiao Nong to go to Mobei and win the favor of the ministers so that he could take power smoothly.
After all, a palace turmoil had just occurred not long ago. It would definitely not be appropriate to let the cabinet exercise power at this time. There must be a person in charge in the capital that Xiao Nong could trust, so as to avoid being attacked from all sides.
Zhong Yansheng is the only one who can gain the trust of Xiao Nong and the Black Armor Army.
He had to stay in the capital.
Zhong Yansheng took a deep breath. The tip of his tongue that was bitten by Xiao Nong was still slightly numb, and the familiar cold and bitter smell lingered around him. He encouraged himself in his heart with the familiar smell and said, "Your Highness Prince Ding."
Xiao Nong sat lazily, leaning his elbow on his chin and looking over. There was a smile in his deep blue eyes that only Zhong Yansheng could detect. He waited for Zhong Yansheng to continue his conversation, and said in a low voice, "Hmm?"
As soon as Zhong Yansheng opened his mouth, several cabinet ministers and ministers from various departments shut up, looked at him, and became inexplicably nervous.
The old Prince Ding had a very good relationship with the late Crown Prince, but that didn't mean Prince Ding would be able to get along well with the late Crown Prince's descendants. Now that the palace is under the control of Prince Ding, no one knows what the young prince's situation is like.
Looking at Prince Ding's appearance, it is really terrifying.
Marquis Huai’an was the only one who sat there calmly without saying a word, quietly watching Xiao Nong acting like a big shot.
According to what they had just discussed, they should have a fierce quarrel with Xiao Nong now.
But Zhong Yansheng never quarrels with anyone.
He speaks slowly, can't argue with others, and when he's angry he just keeps silent and ignores people.
With a choke in his throat, Zhong Yansheng was at a loss as to how to start the quarrel and looked to Xiao Nong for help.
Xiao Nong suppressed the smile on his face and said in a neutral tone, "Why are you silent? Do you look down on me?"
Zhong Yansheng pondered for a moment, followed his words, and continued seriously: "The situation in Mobei is urgent, and it concerns the overall situation. His Royal Highness Prince Ding is still so dismissive. I grew up listening to rumors about His Royal Highness Prince Ding, and I am a little disappointed."
Xiao Nong: “…”
This time, the smile on Xiao Nong's lips really disappeared.
He has some foreign blood, and his facial features are deeper, sharper and more aggressive than those of most people in the Central Plains. No matter how handsome he is, no one dares to look at him too much. Once the expression on his face disappears, he becomes even more terrifying.
His Royal Highness Prince Ding had such an incredible prestige that the people below were immediately startled and almost suspected that he was going to draw his sword and kill someone.
After a moment, they saw Xiao Nong slowly nodded: "Then what do you think the king should do?"
Zhong Yansheng felt that Xiao Nong really wanted to take a bite of him, so he quietly moved to the side, away from Xiao Nong, and said with a straight face: "No one is more familiar with the situation in Mobei and the barbarian cavalry than you. You should understand better than anyone else that the lips and teeth are interdependent."
(("If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" = This is a Chinese proverb meaning that if one of two interdependent things falls, the other will be in danger. This "lips and teeth relationship" is a relationship of interdependence. = Here if Mobei falls then the imperial city would also fall.))
There was a dead silence in the Wuying Palace. Everyone held their breath, watching in shock as Zhong Yansheng "audaciously" confronted Xiao Nong.
You are really not afraid of death!
Xiao Nong even dared to touch His Majesty, so what else would he not dare to do?
If it was King De in front of him, he would probably have been chopped to pieces... Oh, King De is gone.
Xiao Nong narrowed his eyes and stared at Zhong Yansheng for a long time, as if he had considered his words: "There is some truth in what you said."
He was actually persuaded? Is Prince Ding so easy to talk to?
However, Prince Ding has been at the border for so many years, he is certainly not a fool and knows what is more important.
The worried group of people below breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from their foreheads.
But even though they knew that Prince Ding was not the kind of person who could not distinguish the importance of things, no one dared to speak loudly in front of Xiao Nong, except for that group of fearless censors.
This young prince was not as weak as he looked. He was very brave, with clear eyes, and he did not flinch when looking into the eyes of Prince Ding.
As expected...the descendant of that highness.
Marquis Huai’an spoke at the right time**: "Your Highness's words are concise and profound. I hope Your Highness Prince Ding will consider them carefully."**
Other people who were assessing the situation also spoke up**: "I hope His Royal Highness Prince Ding will consider this as soon as possible."**
Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows, leaned back in his chair in an unsteady sitting position, and did not respond. But with Xiao Nong's usual temper, no one could force him to do something he didn't want to do. Since he didn't refute, it must mean that he was really considering the consequences.
Several cabinet ministers who knew that he didn't like to listen to nonsense wiped their sweat again.
Fortunately, fortunately, thanks to the young prince, he persuaded Prince Ding. If they had spoken up, they might have been treated with sarcasm and scolded.
Everyone struck while the iron was hot and discussed the situation in Mobei. Shangshu Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue, who had been stingy in the past, was quite generous this time and was very happy to discuss military expenses.
In the past, when they discussed things, you talked, and they talked, and it would take days to finish. But today, their efficiency was very high.
Zhong Yansheng listened attentively, occasionally interjecting. Xiao Nong didn't say much the whole time, and only spoke when he saw that Zhong Yansheng was stuck, as if to give a casual reminder.
By the time it got dark, it was almost done.
It was beyond the others' expectation that it could go so smoothly. The situation was urgent, so the people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue bowed and left first. When the others were about to leave, Zhong Yansheng suddenly spoke again: "Please stay, Dali Shaoqing."
Marquis Huai’an paused, looked up and met Zhong Yansheng's gaze.
Zhong Yansheng stood up, his tone slow, but every word clear: "I have a few old cases and would like to ask you to review them."
Wei Ling has already led people to dig out those dusty files.
The files of his grandmother's family, and his father's.
The Marquis of Huai'an's face turned stern, and he raised his hand and bowed: "I obey your command."
These two short sentences frightened the court officials who knew some of the circumstances of that year.
The old emperor took great pains to sit on the throne, and never dared to close his eyes in peace during the decades in power. I am afraid that even he himself did not expect that in his old age, he would drive away the old people around him, drive his other son crazy, and finally give Xiao Nong the opportunity.
What happened back then will eventually be overturned.
After everyone left, Zhong Yansheng still felt a buzz in his ears. He rubbed the tips of his ears, raised his eyes to see Xiao Nong staring at him without saying a word, and blinked: "Brother?"
Xiao Nong spoke slowly: "You grew up listening to my stories?"
Zhong Yansheng: “…”
You are such an old man, why are you so narrow-minded?
Xiao Nong looked at him, leaned back in the wide chair and patted his legs.
There was a group of people below just now, and Zhong Yansheng felt embarrassed. He hesitated for a while before he sat down on Xiao Nong's lap with red ears.
Xiao Nong buried his head in his arms and took a deep breath.
Zhong Yansheng's ears turned even redder because of his actions: "Okay, okay, stop!"
Not only did Xiao Nong not let him go, but he tightened his waist and hugged him even harder, with his tall and slightly cool nose pressed against his neck, sniffing like a big dog, "I'm going to Mobei in two days, and you won't even let me hold you? You have no conscience."
Of course, he could hug him, but in this hall where ministers usually hold meetings, Zhong Yansheng felt guilty: "Okay... Let's go back first."
You can go back and hold me for as long as you want.
Xiao Nong still didn't let him go, and said in a serious tone: "Don't move, this is a treatment."
Zhong Yansheng: “Ah…ah?”
"This is the prescription that Lou Qingtang prescribed." Xiao Nong's lips brushed against his neck, his breath slightly cool and smiling, "What if my headache breaks out if I leave you?"
After hearing what he said, Zhong Yansheng stopped struggling immediately. His dark eyelashes trembled. He pulled down his high collar, revealing a neck covered with scars.
"Then... kiss me more."
Zhong Yansheng hugged his neck back, met Xiao Nong's dark eyes, and his soft lips fell to the corner of his mouth.
"Let my scent stay on you for a little longer."
Because of these two sentences, Zhong Yansheng couldn't get out of bed a few days before Xiao Nong left.
The night before Xiao Nong left, the floor heating in the house was extremely hot. The newly replaced wool blanket on the floor was soft and thick. Zhong Yansheng was sweating all over and feeling groggy. He didn't know how long he had been kneeling. His knees were rubbed red. He wanted to crawl to the door in a daze to breathe some cool air.
Xiao Nong watched him crawl away before he grabbed his thin ankle and dragged him back. He looked at him deeply and lowered his head to his room.
After a long while, Zhong Yansheng lay limply on the wool blanket, tears falling one after another. When he suspected that Xiao Nong wanted to kill him before leaving, Xiao Nong raised his head, his Adam's apple rolled, and he hugged him into his arms, wrapping him in a soft silk quilt: "Do you still think this prince is too old?"
“…”
Xiao Nong pecked his lips gently for a rare moment, sniffed his breath, and said with satisfaction: "It's full of the scent of Yuan Yuan."
Yuan Yuan __was also filled with his scent.
Zhong Yansheng's mind was already scattered, but he still remembered to avoid him, and tried to raise his hand to push his head away: "...Don't kiss me."
Xiao Nong carried him to the hot spring pool and said jokingly: "Why do you dislike yourself again?"
Zhong Yansheng hid his head in the quilt, revealing only a pair of red eyes. It took him a long time to remember what he wanted to ask, and he said hoarsely, "I asked Wei Ling to make some medicine, remember to drink it."
While Xiao Nong was talking to Zhan Rong, he secretly cut his fingertip and took some blood, and boiled the recipe that Lou Qingtang wrote last time.
Xiao Nong tormented him for half the night because he discovered the cut on his hand.
Zhong Yansheng was put into the hot spring pool. He was extremely tired and sleepy. He knew that Xiao Nong might disappear when he opened his eyes. He desperately grabbed his hand and said, "Brother, please come back soon."
Xiao Nong also went down to the hot spring pool. In the hazy mist, her face looked much softer. He coaxed him and promised, "If I don't come back within two months, I'll let you see Taxue do a backflip."
Zhong Yansheng muttered, "...please let Taxue go."
How can a big cat do this? It’s not easy to fool him.
Xiao Nong laughed softly: "Yuan Yuan has really become smarter."
Zhong Yansheng didn't think this was a compliment.
To say that he has become smarter is the same as saying that he was stupid before.
So he rubbed Xiao Nong with his knee, and the force was filtered through the water, making it soft and gentle, not like a hit, but more like a hook.
After being tossed around in the hot spring pool for a while, Zhong Yansheng was so tired that he fell asleep before he could even dry himself. When he fell asleep, he vaguely heard Xiao Nong instructing him to stay in the palace and wait for him to come back.
When he woke up the next day, it was already bright outside. The strong arms that had been holding him for the past few days were gone. The other side of the big bed was empty, with only a few familiar cold scents left.
Zhong Yansheng's heart skipped a beat, and he got out of bed in his pajamas with weak legs. He stumbled a few times before he reached the door with the support of something, opened the door and called out, "Wei Ling?"
Wei Ling, who was guarding outside the house, responded: "What do you want, young master?"
Zhong Yansheng asked: "Has my brother left?"
Wei Ling saw how sad and depressed he was, and sighed inwardly**: "He left at the hour of Mao."**
Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a moment, feeling that everything was empty, just like the first night he entered the palace. His eyes were swollen: "Oh..."
Xiao Nong left quietly, only kissing him in the center of the eyebrows without waking up Zhong Yansheng.
But the mood was different from when he was sixteen and led people to the dangerous Mobei. There were a few more soft concerns lingering in his heart now.
Xiao Nong's departure made the atmosphere in the capital somewhat subtle.
However, before he left the capital, Zhong Yansheng had already shown his face in front of all the ministers. With the secret help of the prince's former subordinates summoned by Wei Ling, Marquis Huai’an and several old friends, as well as the tacit approval of some old ministers in the court, he managed to calm the situation with some difficulty. With the assistance of the cabinet, he was able to take over the power.
Fortunately, Zhong Yansheng had read memorials to the old emperor many times before, and he had been watching Xiao Nong handle it and learned how to annotate it. He got the hang of it quickly and was not too overwhelmed.
Seeing that the frail Zhong Yansheng slowly stood firm, some eyes with ulterior motives in the capital had to look away again.
More than half a month later, the news that the two old cases were overturned turned the capital upside down.
The first was the unjust case of the late queen’s mother’s family. Because of a few members of the family, the entire family was implicated. Even the old tutor who had resigned from office and retired was arrested and taken back to prison. He lost his integrity in his later years and died in humiliation.
The second is the old case of the late Crown Prince Pei Xi.
Zhong Yansheng knew very well that his father had indeed harbored the intention of rebellion and had carried it out, and had almost succeeded.
According to the law, it is indeed a crime of treason, but if the king is not like a king, then how can the minister not be a minister?
The old emperor rewrote so many things, it's time for him to rewrite it too.
When the two old cases were uncovered, Zhong Yansheng took out the edict of confession of guilt and the imperial edict that he had forced the old emperor to dictate when he was having an affair. With the edict in which the old emperor reflected on his crimes, he completely overturned the case.
The name of the late crown prince is no longer a taboo, and he is not the eleventh prince.
Those dusty spirit tablets can finally have their ashes wiped off, names engraved on them, and be worshiped openly.
Zhong Yansheng personally carried his parents' spirit tablets back to the ancestral temple, kowtowed and burned incense earnestly.
Wei Ling and his old subordinates also burned incense for the late prince. When they looked up and saw the prince's name, they were still a little dazed.
Over the years, they have been traitors hunted by the imperial court, trapped in the fire in the East Palace day and night, never expecting that one day they would be able to walk out of the fire.
After overturning the case and working for several days, Zhong Yansheng finally received Xiao Nong's letter.
The situation in Mobei is urgent and military affairs are heavy. This is the first letter sent by Xiao Nong. When the familiar handwriting comes into view, Zhong Yansheng feels his nose sour, and he holds it up to read it carefully.
"While on the march, we suddenly heard the chirping of a round ball of wool, pitiful and lovely. We thought it was Yuan Yuan, but it turned out to be a small bird."
Zhong Yansheng: “…”
This bad dog, he is not even in the capital, but still says he looks like a bird.
There were few serious words in Xiao Nong's letter. He wanted to tease Zhong Yansheng even though they were thousands of miles apart. Finally, he mentioned the situation in Mobei casually, saying that everything was normal and very peaceful.
After reading the letter, Zhong Yansheng discovered that there was a tuft of grayish-white hair stuck in it, which must have accidentally fallen because of Taxue.
It must have been when Xiao Nong was writing a letter in his robe at night, Taxue was lying beside him, swinging his big fluffy tail, and both pairs of blue eyes were looking at the letter on the table.
Xiao Nong is sometimes very similar to Taxue, and Taxue is sometimes very similar to Xiao Nong.
When Zhong Yansheng thought of that scene, his heart felt warm, and he carefully put away the letter.
I don't know how Xiao Nong's headache is... Before he left, he was covered in his scent and drank medicine, so nothing should go wrong, right?
That afternoon, another letter was delivered to the desk.
Zhong Yansheng thought it was another letter from Xiao Nong, so he hurriedly took it and took a look, only to find out that it was from Lou Qingtang.
After estimating the time when Lou Qingtang last wrote to me, he should have rushed from Xishu to Mobei by now.
Zhong Yansheng opened the letter, and a few frantic large characters instantly twisted and crawled into his eyes, expressing Lou Qingtang's heartfelt sigh.
"Oh my god! How come Mobei is even messier than my second uncle's toilet which hasn't been cleaned in 30 years!!!"
Zhong Yansheng: “…………”