Ch. 45 - Feng Ji: I heard a big secret

With the old emperor's permission, Zhong Yansheng hurriedly escaped from the study.

He stayed in the room for a while, and when he left the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, there was actually someone outside.

The ministers and several princes naturally withdrew with great tact, and the one who stayed was Xiao Nong, who was used to being undisciplined.

To be precise, it was Xiao Nong who was being scolded by several imperial censors.

Censors often gathered together and would kneel in the Yangxin Palace whenever they had the chance, begging His Majesty to severely punish the lawless Prince Ding. However, the old emperor had always been magnanimous and protective of Xiao Nong, and this had never happened.

Although the imperial censors did not see His Majesty this time, they were very excited when they saw Xiao Nong.

Xiao Nong lazily folded his hands, leaned against the palace gate, and listened with interest: "Are you changing to a new word? What else? Come and listen."

Several imperial censors were so angry at his nonchalant and rogue look that they said, "You—you have evil intentions!"

Xiao Nong let out a long "Oh": "Repeated."

"You are so arrogant and presumptuous!"

"Nothing new." A familiar shadow flashed in his peripheral vision, and Xiao Nong straightened up and waved his hand casually, "Go back and think of some new words, my ears are about to get calluses from hearing them again and again."

Zhong Yansheng paused and listened to them scolding in silence, frowning in confusion.

If it weren't for my brother leading the troops to recapture Liaodong, pacify Mobei, and guard the border for many years, how could Dayong have been stable for so many years? These people don't even think about how they can stay leisurely in the capital. It's okay if they are ungrateful, but they are still cursing here?

Xiao Nong's attitude was almost like watching a group of monkeys performing a show.

The censors were going crazy.

Even His Majesty the Emperor would be frightened by words and would always try to appease the censors. But His Royal Highness Prince Ding's reputation was probably terrible enough, so he seemed to think that too much trouble would not be a burden, and it didn't matter to him anymore.

Most of these censors were young and full of enthusiasm. When led by an old censor, they would jump up one after another, ready to use the tactics of threatening to die to persuade the enemy.

The old censor was the first to jump up. Zhong Yansheng happened to walk over angrily. He turned his eyes and saw Zhong Yansheng.

For a moment, the old censor was stunned.

Feng Ji's eyelids twitched wildly as he watched the farce here. When he saw His Royal Highness Prince Ding looking over with his hands folded, he felt a chill down his spine. He just wanted to quickly take Zhong Yansheng out of the Yangxin Palace and go back to the Minghui Palace to rest. He quickly cleared his throat and said, "My Lords, please make way. His Royal Highness the Eleventh Prince is not feeling well and needs to go back to rest."

When they heard the name "Eleventh Prince", the imperial censors, whose faces turned red with anger, frowned, thinking of the rumors of the past two days, and secretly looked up at the handsome young man in gorgeous clothes in front of them.

Because of the incident involving the late crown prince, the entire capital was in chaos for quite a while and was blocked for several months. Not only was the Eastern Palace massacred in blood, but the court was also purged. Almost all those who had any connection with the crown prince had a bad ending, except for the Huai'an Marquis' Mansion which had distanced itself from the incident long before.

During that period, not only were the common people in a state of panic, but even the officials were always in fear. Every day, several familiar colleagues would disappear from the court.

The whole capital city was filled with a strong smell of blood.

Under such circumstances, naturally no one would pay attention to the little prince born by a concubine in the harem.

After the news that His Majesty had found the eleventh prince spread, the few old ministers who had survived that storm vaguely remembered that a little prince seemed to have been born that year.

They just didn't hear about the little prince's situation. Later they learned that he seemed to have died young but how he died was not clear. All they knew was that the little prince's mother was so devastated by the pain of losing her son that she became a little crazy.

Unexpectedly, the eleventh prince who was said to have died young was abducted by the remnants of the former crown prince, and by some strange coincidence was taken back to the Huai'an Marquis' Mansion to be raised as the young master Zhong.

As soon as the real young master came back, the fake young master became a joke and was ridiculed by the children of various noble families. But before everyone could laugh for a few days, Zhong Yansheng suddenly transformed himself into the lost eleventh prince.

This life story is as tortuous as a drama, and is now being talked about with great relish in the capital.

The young censors were all secretly observing Zhong Yansheng's appearance, but the old censor's pupils shrank. He paused for a moment, retracted his gaze, and snorted coldly, "Your Highness Prince Ding, be careful that you will be killed if you do too much evil."

Xiao Nong said casually: "Then I sincerely hope that this sentence will come true soon."

The old censor looked at Zhong Yansheng again, waved his sleeves, and glared at the group of young censors who were looking at Zhong Yansheng behind him: "Go back to the Censorate."

People dispersed in twos and threes. This group of people always wouldn't give in once they caught someone, but today they left so easily. Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows and half-closed his eyes, noticing something strange.

But his attention was quickly drawn away by the people around him.

The orchid fragrance that he hadn't smelled for two days brushed past his nose softly, rich and hazy, attracting his gaze downward.

The child had a sullen face and looked unhappy.

Zhong Yansheng didn't know whether he was unhappy because Xiao Nong wrote a note calling him "stupid", or because he saw those censors scolding Xiao Nong, or because of the old emperor - maybe all of them, but he didn't have a strong ability to distinguish emotions, so he couldn't figure out which reason was at work.

He stood at the threshold of the palace gate and spent a few moments quietly with Xiao Nong who was standing outside the threshold.

Feng Ji began to sweat.

When the young prince was still the young master of Huai'an Marquis' Mansion, it seems that he had offended Prince Ding and was captured by Prince Ding and tortured in the palace?

This, this, this... What should I do? My godfather never taught me.

The familiar deep blue eyes enveloped him, and Zhong Yansheng almost called out "brother". However, when he saw the guards patrolling nearby and the Jinyiwei on duty, he swallowed his words in grievance.

He didn't feel so aggrieved even when he was scolded by Prince De in the study just now. He sniffed, his eyes were red and misty in his pupils.

Feng Ji became even more anxious.

Oh my god!

His Royal Highness Prince Ding's eyes were so fierce that the little prince was almost scared to tears!

He pinched his throat, remembering his godfather's instructions to take good care of the little prince. He was about to speak, trembling, and saw Xiao Nong frowning.

Feng Ji's words were choked in his throat with fear.

Why did this evil spirit suddenly frown? He wouldn't dare to hit the little prince in the palace, would he?

No, no, I heard that this guy dared to beat His Royal Highness Prince De in front of everyone in the palace, he might really dare to do it.

Feng Ji's legs went weak. He had just known Zhong Yansheng for two days and was not yet loyal enough to protect his master till death. He wanted to take a few steps back when he saw the young prince suddenly lower his head and walk over the threshold.

But he couldn't get past Xiao Nong.

His wrist tightened, and he was grabbed by Xiao Nong.

In front of the guards passing by, Xiao Nong lowered his eyes and frowned at Zhong Yansheng. Outsiders looking at his expression probably thought that he looked scary and impatient.

Zhong Yansheng's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He looked at him in panic and pulled his hand away hard.

The old emperor's men are watching from the side!

The wrist is so thin that it can be completely encircled with one hand.

Xiao Nong held his wrist, feeling increasingly unhappy.

If you don't know how to raise it, why not just return it to him?

[T/L NOTE:- He is referring to the old emperor.]

He didn't even have to exert any strength to easily hold Zhong Yansheng. Looking closely at his misty eyes, it seemed as if tears would hang on his eyelashes at the next moment. He was not sure whether to cry or not. The tip of his nose was red. He looked so beautiful and fragile, which was very lovable.

Xiao Nong's Adam's apple rolled. If there weren't many things that he hadn't figured out and the poison had not penetrated deep into his bones, at this moment he would have wanted to take Zhong Yansheng back and lock him up, so that no one else would have the opportunity to take him away.

"Why are you crying?"

After a while, Xiao Nong finally spoke. His voice was not loud. When he was not pretending, his voice was beautiful and cold. It sounded cold to the ears: "Are you so unhappy to see me?"

No one felt that there was a trace of kindness in Xiao Nong's words. The surrounding guards and patrolling Jinyiwei glanced at this side vaguely, but no one came out to stop Xiao Nong's "evil deeds".

Xiao Nong was wearing the prince's dragon robe, which was wide and had big sleeves. When the cuffs hung down, they covered his and Zhong Yansheng's hands.

As he spoke, he gently rubbed the hand on Zhong Yansheng's wrist. In public, being stared at by a group of people, with Feng Ji even standing behind him, Zhong Yansheng was panicked and embarrassed, his ears turned red, afraid of being discovered, he pursed his lips and tried to squeeze out two words: "Let go."

He tried his best to keep his tone calm, but the two words he said sounded stiff and his tone was not very good.

Feng Ji was terrified.

It's over, it's over. It seems that the relationship between them is awful. Should he go back to the study immediately and ask His Majesty or his godfather to come and help?

As soon as this thought popped up in his mind, Xiao Nong seemed to have noticed it and glanced at him coldly. He felt a chill in his bones and became stiff, not daring to move.

Xiao Nong slowly felt the tender skin, his exotic blue eyes narrowed slightly, and he lowered his head closer to Zhong Yansheng: "I won't let go, what would you do?"

Zhong Yansheng: “…”

It's already this time, and you're still teasing him!

Is my brother angry or not?

But judging from the looks of it, at least his brother doesn't hate him, right?

Zhong Yansheng's heartfelt steady for a while, but then it felt tense again. He couldn't help but glance into the Yangxin Palace, fearing that the old emperor would suddenly appear. He whispered, "You, you let me go quickly. If His Majesty comes out and sees me..."

"So what if His Majesty sees it?" Xiao Nong stared at the dark circles under his eyes, "Did you not sleep well last night?"

The area around his wrist was rubbed red by Xiao Nong's fingers, which had a few thin calluses on them.

Another team of Jinyiwei passed by. Zhong Yansheng's heart beat so fast that he almost passed out. He turned his head away, not daring to look into Xiao Nong's eyes: "Slept very well."

"There is a doctor in my palace." Xiao Nong stopped stroking his hand, circled his hand, felt the pulse beating strongly under the thin skin, and said slowly, "He is good at making soul-soothing incense with medicinal herbs. The prepared herbs are placed in a sachet and placed next to the pillow to help you sleep. If you need it, this prince will ask him to make one for you."

Is this the function of the sachet?

The sachet can't just appear out of nowhere. Did my brother prepare the sachet last night?

Zhong Yansheng's heart was beating fast and hard. He blinked twice with his long eyelashes trembling violently: "...No need. Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ding."

After sniffing the faint orchid fragrance for a while, the anger in his heart dissipated a little. Xiao Nong withdrew his hand with a calm expression, and said in a neutral tone: "Your Highness, please take care of yourself in the palace, and don't make me worry."

To the ears of other people around, it sounded like something sarcastic.

The poor Eleventh Prince was so angry that his face turned red, he was speechless, and he lowered his head without saying a word.

Feng Ji felt that the little prince was extremely pitiful. He let out a sigh of relief when Xiao Nong finally walked away. He hurried over to help Zhong Yansheng: "Little Prince, are you okay? Ouch... your wrist is red!"

Zhong Yansheng has fair, delicate and tender skin, which easily leaves marks.

Xiao Nong didn't use much force, just rubbed it slightly for a while, and a mark was left.

The reassuring bitter and cold atmosphere faded away. Zhong Yansheng stared at his wrist for a while, then slowly put his hand back into his sleeve: "It's okay."

Feng Ji was ashamed of his retreat and said, "Your Highness Prince Ding is really going too far! My young Highness, I will accompany you back to the Yangxin Palace to file a complaint!"

Zhong Yansheng shook his head, looking like a soft-tempered man who was easy to bully: "No need, let's go back to Minghui Palace."

The "conflict" between Zhong Yansheng and Xiao Nong quickly spread to all parts of the capital and was exaggerated. Everyone in the capital knew that His Royal Highness Prince Ding really hated the Eleventh Prince and blocked him at the door of the Yangxin Palace and bullied him until the little prince's eyes were filled with tears.

Naturally, it also fell into the ears of the old emperor.

The next day, when Zhong Yansheng was called to the study again, the old emperor comforted him: "Prince Ding has been indifferent and aggressive since he was young. He never restrains himself in front of me. No one can control him. Is Little Eleven wronged?"

Zhong Yansheng nodded gently.

Last night he had a rare good sleep holding his clay xun and sachet.

But his skin was pale and the dark circles under his eyes were not easy to fade, and he still looked very haggard, as if he had had a nightmare all night.

The old emperor smiled and comforted him a few more times, then clapped his hands. A young man came out and knelt down to salute respectfully: "Your humble servant greets your majesty and your highness the eleventh prince."

Zhong Yansheng looked over in the direction of the voice, his eyes widened slightly.

He knows this person.

This person was the one who bumped into him when he was coming back from buying paint a few days ago!

At that time, Zhong Yansheng felt that he looked weird and his behavior was suspicious, but he didn't think too much about it.

Now seeing him in the old emperor's study, he immediately understood.

The old emperor sent people to keep an eye on him... and probably after confirming the birthmark on his body, he sent Tian Xi to bring him into the palace.

But he couldn't understand.

Why did the old emperor confirm that he was the eleventh prince based solely on his birthmark?

The Marquis of Huai'an and his wife recognized Zhong Sidu not only based on the token of trust, but also because Zhong Sidu's appearance was exactly the combination of the two of them, which was obvious at first glance.

Could it be that he looks a lot like Concubine Zhuang?

Thinking of this, Zhong Yansheng wanted to meet Concubine Zhuang even more, but there were always guards outside Minghui Palace. In addition to Feng Ji, there were many palace servants inside and outside, and he would be watched whenever he went in and out.

The palace was completely different from the marquis' mansion and the prince's mansion. He was completely unfamiliar with it and had not yet thought of a way to sneak into Guanhua Palace where Concubine Zhuang was recuperating.

Just as he was in a daze, the old emperor's voice rang out again: "This is Huo Shuang, a good talent I picked out from the Jinyiwei. I ordered him to lead a team of people to work for me. He is very useful."

Zhong Yansheng suddenly came to his senses: "Huh?"

"I'm giving him to you now. From now on, he's yours." The old emperor looked kind, like an old father who favors his youngest son. "Now that you have someone under your command, you won't be wronged in the future."

The young man below also kowtowed quickly: "I obey your command, and I am willing to protect your Highness with my death!"

Zhong Yansheng didn't say anything immediately.

...If they really didn't want to see him "suffering injustice", why didn't the guards guarding outside the palace and the patrolling Jinyiwei stop him and report to the study when they saw Xiao Nong catching him?

Zhong Yansheng knew that Xiao Nong would not hurt him, but in the eyes of outsiders, His Royal Highness Prince Ding was like a demon, and every word he said was malicious.

He felt something was weird intuitively.

From the time he entered the palace until now, the old emperor's so-called compensation for his "fatherly love"... has always given him a very awkward feeling.

Zhong Yansheng glanced at the people kneeling below. He didn't really want the old emperor's people to follow him, but when he met the old emperor's smiling eyes, he keenly realized that this was not something he could refuse.

Instead of resisting and making the old emperor dissatisfied with him or even wary of him, it is better to go along with him and see what he wants to do.

Zhong Yansheng thought about it, then nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing his obedient appearance, the old emperor relaxed his brows and said, "The memorials drafted by the cabinet are all here. Xiao Shiyi, follow me today and learn how to read the memorials."

This is obviously something that those princes who are fighting openly and secretly should learn.

Zhong Yansheng thought quietly in his heart and followed along: "Yes, Your Majesty."

For the next few days, Zhong Yansheng was kept by the old emperor's side every day to read memorials together.

The news spread from the palace to outside the palace, and everyone immediately knew that His Majesty liked the newly found Eleventh Prince very much, much more than he loved Prince De.

Prince De immediately became restless.

Among the princes who were ordered to return to the capital, Prince An was capable, but his mother was just a palace maid, and he was low-key and had a weak sense of presence. Prince Jing was unruly and unlearned, and all he did all day was drink and have fun with a group of playboys, and he didn't have any skills.

The one who has the greatest hope of ascending the throne is Prince De, whose mother's family is powerful and who is also quite favored.

In other words, in the eyes of Prince De, this position is definitely his!

As long as he makes some achievements in politics, the old emperor will be able to make him the crown prince with full legitimacy.

Then suddenly a Zhong Yansheng appeared' whose past was unknown how he was alive or how he was declared dead at that time. He looked so much like an old thorn in his side, which aroused the shadow in his heart.

The old man still dotes on him so much that he keeps him in the palace, lets him live in Minghui Palace which is very close to Yangxin Palace, and even lets him go to the study to accompany him every day!

Even when Prince De was at the height of his favor, he didn't receive this kind of treatment.

If he had not been persuaded by his staff in the palace, Prince De would have almost been unable to resist the urge to break into the palace again. With a gloomy face, he listened to his staff and wrote letters every day to ask His Majesty to send him to suppress the bandits.

No matter what else, the most important thing is to get results first.

As Prince De kept submitting petitions every day, the old emperor seemed to be moved and his heart shifted a little. He called Prince De to the palace for a few days in a row to discuss the issue of suppressing bandits, as if he was going to put the important task on Prince De.

While the two were talking and discussing, Zhong Yansheng was "left out".

Prince De regained the confidence he had lost a few days ago, and couldn't help but look at Zhong Yansheng with pride.

How dare a young boy like you, who is still naive and incompetent, compete with him for the throne?

But Zhong Yansheng didn't even look at him.

He is so arrogant!

Zhong Yansheng didn't pay attention to what they were saying, nor did he look at them.

He stared blankly at the birds jumping around on the branches outside the window, and gradually understood the joy of Taxue watching birds when he usually lay under the window. After being glared at several times, he turned his head slowly and looked at King De in confusion.

Previously at the flower-duel banquet, I didn't realize whether Prince De had an eye disease or a mouth disease. Why did he always twitch whenever I saw him?

"Okay." The old emperor talked to Prince De for a while about his son. His old face gradually lost its fatigue. He coughed a few times, took the medicinal tea handed to him by Tian Xi and took a sip. "Let's do it this way for now. I'm sending you to Baoqing Prefecture this time, so you can't do whatever you want."

Prince De naturally responded, "This Prince understands."

The old emperor would drink medicinal tea at noon every day and sleep soundly until the evening. Zhong Yansheng stayed by the old emperor's side for a few days and gradually figured out the routine. He stood up and said obediently, "I will leave first. Your Majesty, have a good rest and take care of your health."

After drinking the medicinal tea, fatigue came over him. The old emperor raised his finger, signaling them to leave together.

Tian Xi carefully helped him up and prepared to help the old emperor return to his bedroom to rest.

Zhong Yansheng didn't want to look at Prince De's weird face, so after getting permission, he left without caring about Prince De's affectionate son role.

He has been in the palace for several days and has always been honest and well-behaved. Today, he took advantage of the old emperor's nap to walk around, just to show his curiosity about the palace. It shouldn't arouse suspicion, right?

Zhong Yansheng planned to find out the way to Guanhua Palace today.

In order to avoid being followed by Feng Ji, he specially gave Feng Ji a day off today.

However, Huo Shuang, who was 'given' to him by the old emperor that day, must have followed him secretly.

If you can get rid of one, then get one.

Zhong Yansheng was completely unfamiliar with the roads in the palace. In the past few days, he had only been going back and forth between Minghui Palace and Yangxin Palace. Once he left the palace, he didn't know which way to go. He didn't dare to ask anyone for directions, for fear of being unfaithful and exposing his target.

I had no choice but to walk around aimlessly. If I got lost, I could just shout and someone would come out to show me the way.

As he was walking around, he didn't know what secluded corner he ended up in.

There are many narrow passages in the palace, which are deep and winding, and there are few people in the quiet corners. According to Zhong Yansheng's experience of reading storybooks, such places are suitable for killing people and burying bodies, and are a bit dangerous.

He was silent for a moment, not wanting to call out the person who was following him secretly.

He was still angry. If Huo Shuang had not reported the birthmark on his neck to the old emperor, he might have been able to stay in the palace for a few more days.

Just as he was hesitating whether to call for help, Zhong Yansheng suddenly heard a very vague scream for mercy, accompanied by the sound of something being pushed into the water and up and down.

The voice was vague and somewhat familiar.

Zhong Yansheng's heart tightened, and he immediately walked towards the direction where the sound came from. Through the broken courtyard gate, he saw a familiar figure.

It was Prince De, and his subordinates who entered the palace with him.

At this moment, Prince De's men were grabbing a man and pressing his head into the pool.

Prince De sneered, "You want to run away after hearing what I have said?"

The person who was pressed into the pool struggled frantically, trying to raise his head and scream: "Your Highness... Your Highness, spare my life! I really, really didn't hear anything! I just happened to pass by... For the sake of my godfather..."

Prince De said, "Who the hell is your godfather? You are just a eunuch, and you are not worthy of asking for a face from me. I have disliked you for a long time. Deal with it quickly."

Zhong Yansheng's pupils shrank.

It's Feng Ji!

He didn't hesitate any more and turned back to shout, "Huo Shuang! Go save Feng Ji!"

Huo Shuang, who had been following in secret, actually obeyed the order. He immediately climbed over the wall, hit the elbow of De Wang's subordinate with one palm, and pulled Feng Ji, who was almost drowned, into his hands.

Prince De's face changed: "Who the hell are you?!"

Huo Shuang held Feng Ji in his arms and bowed his head, saying, "Your Highness, Prince De, this subject is the Emperor's slave."

Zhong Yansheng was prepared for Prince De to continue glaring at him and wanted to push open the gate to go in, but when he heard Huo Shuang's words, he blinked and stopped.

Sure enough, upon hearing that Huo Shuang was the old emperor's man, Prince De's expression suddenly became hideous. He glanced at the dying Feng Ji a few times, glared at him coldly, and thought that the eunuch was at a distance and must not have heard the conversation between him and his men, so he snorted, waved his sleeves, and left through another gate.

As soon as Prince De left, Zhong Yansheng pushed the gate of the courtyard, wanting to go in to see how Feng Ji was doing.

He pushed it twice, but it didn't open.

Zhong Yansheng thought about it and prepared to climb the wall, a job he was familiar with.

Before he could do anything, Huo Shuang jumped back over the wall carrying Feng Ji and placed him in front of him: "Your Highness, the person has been rescued."

Zhong Yansheng was stunned for a moment, then retracted his hands and feet: "Oh...thank you."

He squatted down and looked at Feng Ji, who was still breathing hard, with concern: "Feng Ji, are you okay?"

Feng Ji didn't know who saved him at this moment. His eyes were hot and he almost cried. He was on the verge of death. He wiped his eyes and regretted not protecting Zhong Yansheng in the past few days. He choked up and said, "Thank you for your kindness, young prince. You saved my life."

Zhong Yansheng waved his hands quickly: "It wasn't me, it was Lord Huo who saved you, you should thank him."

Huo Shuang folded his hands and said nothing.

Feng Ji understood clearly, his eyes turned redder: "If it wasn't for the young prince's order, this lord wouldn't have rescued this slave."

Feng Ji was not very old, and seeing him crying with tears in his eyes, Zhong Yansheng had no choice but to take out a handkerchief from his sleeve pocket and hand it to him, saying softly, "It's okay."

As soon as he stretched out his hand, the red mark that Xiao Nong had left on his hand a few days ago appeared, and it had not disappeared yet.

On the thin, white wrist, there was a faint red mark, like a mark of possession, which had an erotic connotation against the jade-like skin.

Huo Shuang's eyes moved.

When Feng Ji saw the mark that represented ‘shame’, he cried even harder, feeling extremely guilty: "I have a lot of medicine in my room that my godfather gave me... I will apply the medicine on the little prince later. If it is applied for a while, the red mark will disappear!"

Zhong Yansheng shrank his fingertips upon hearing this: "No need."

It was completely different from the last time on the pleasure boat when his wrists were tied up and left red marks. He was too embarrassed to see anyone and was so panicked and anxious that he applied medicine every day, hoping that the marks on his wrists would disappear as soon as possible.

This time... he wanted this mark to stay with him a little longer.

This is the amulet Xiao Nong left for him.

Zhong Yansheng was too embarrassed to bring this up, so he rolled his sleeves down again and squatted down to wipe the water off the silly Feng Ji's face: "What's going on between Pei Yong and you? Why did he suddenly want to attack you?"

Feng Ji didn't expect that the noble little prince would help him wipe the water off seriously. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable and embarrassed. He wiped his face with a handkerchief in a hurry and rolled his eyes left and right quickly.

Zhong Yansheng realized it, secretly glanced at Huo Shuang, and leaned over to whisper to him: "What?"

Feng Ji lowered his voice and said, "I heard a big secret."

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