Ch. 54 - Zhong Yansheng: Now it seems that Xiao Nong might really want to sleep with him?
Reborn: I Found The Wrong BrotherThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Although Zhong Yansheng was a powerless little prince, his identity was unusual, let alone the other one. No local officials could afford to offend him. Perhaps because they were afraid that the two of them would have some conflicts on the way to the posthouse, Governor Wei thoughtfully prepared two identical, spacious and luxurious carriages.
"Your Highnesses have been exhausted on the journey. Please take a good rest at the inn first," said Governor Wei, smiling and respectfully inviting Zhong Yansheng to the carriage in front. "I will hold a welcoming banquet for you tomorrow night. Please, Your Highness..."
Zhong Yansheng followed him to the carriage and turned his head in confusion: "Shouldn't we discuss how to suppress the bandits first?"
Why does it sound like Governor Wei is not in a hurry at all?
Governor Wei kept smiling and looked at Xiao Nong secretly: "This..."
This little prince looks delicate and noble. It's okay for His Majesty to send him south to enjoy the scenery, but if he really goes to the battlefield to suppress bandits, he can't be relied on, right? The right to speak probably belongs to Prince Ding.
Xiao Nong casually flicked the reins and rode towards this side, his voice cold and indifferent: "Of course I will listen to your Highness."
Is this being sarcastic?
Governor Wei was unsure for a moment, and he looked secretly at the Governor of Guiguang beside him, trying to figure out what His Royal Highness Prince Ding meant.
While thinking carefully, Zhong Yansheng got into the carriage by himself on a small stool without asking for help. Xiao Nong turned over and got off the horse, then lifted his leg and stepped into the carriage.
Governor Wei was so frightened that he pinched his beard and said, "Your Highness Prince Ding! This carriage..."
Xiao Nong raised his eyelids: "Why? Can't I ride in this carriage?"
His Highness the Eleventh Prince is in this carriage!
Don't you always hate him?
Governor Wei's beard trembled, and with his cold deep blue eyes, he forced a smile, saying in the most tactful way: "Baoqing Prefecture is a poor and remote place, not as prosperous as the capital. I have gathered the efforts of everyone, but the carriage I prepared is not as good as the one for the prince's palace. I am afraid that Your Highness will dislike the simplicity and narrowness, so I prepared two carriages..."
Xiao Nong: “Oh.”
Everyone: “…”
Oh.
Oh???
Without even looking at the blindfolded people, Xiao Nong opened the carriage curtain and raised his eyes to see Zhong Yansheng, who was peeking in from inside. Zhong Yansheng hid in a corner as soon as he met his gaze. He raised his lips slightly and said, "There is no need for a welcoming banquet. The eleventh prince and I are not here to travel."
He also wanted to use two carriages to separate him and Zhong Yansheng.
Xiao Nong was unhappy and said indifferently, "I saw that Governor Wei was very idle, so he reported the situation to me on the way. Others sent people to summon all the generals who had fought against the bandits and gathered at the post station for a meeting."
After saying this, he opened the curtain and got into the carriage.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Huo Shuang saw Xiao Nong get into Zhong Yansheng's carriage and subconsciously tried to follow him. However, Zhan Rong blocked his way and spoke in the same tone as his master, which made people grit their teeth: "This is the carriage of the two masters. What do you want to do? What are you thinking?"
If there weren't local officials from Baoqing Prefecture watching them eagerly, Huo Shuang would have been so angry that he almost started a quarrel with Zhan Rong again.
What is he thinking? It's obvious that Prince Ding has bad intentions!
He swallowed his breath, waved his hand with a sullen face, and signaled the others to disperse and guard the carriage. Zhan Rong also leisurely followed beside him on horseback, accompanied by his personal guards who had disembarked earlier.
The two teams stood on the left and right, looking at each other unfriendly and murderous. It was obvious that their relationship was indeed very bad.
Yes, when the Xiao family fell into such a situation, how could the Xiao family members live in harmony with the royal family?
Why send him to help suppress the bandits? Why send this evil god? He fought tough battles in Mobei, so why would he be willing to come south to suppress the bandits?
Governor Wei was very puzzled and did not dare to squeeze into the carriage. He had to ride on his horse and stay between the palace guards and the black-armored guards, carefully not leaning to the left or the right.
If you move towards the palace guards, you might be spotted by Prince Ding. Those blue eyes staring at you are really creepy.
If he leaned towards the Black Armor Guards, what if someone reported him as trying to curry favor with Prince Ding?
It's really bad luck.
While Governor Wei was choosing his words, Xiao Nong had already dug out Zhong Yansheng who was locked in the corner.
The carriage started to move slowly. Outside, there were voices and the sound of horses' hooves. Zhong Yansheng was extremely nervous, fearing that someone would lift the curtain and see them so close. He also felt guilty, so he dodged and didn't dare to look Xiao Nong in the eye.
"Hide from me?"
Xiao Nong didn't care at all, holding onto his wrist tightly, with a slight smile in his deep blue eyes: "What have you been doing secretly in the cabin these days?"
Zhong Yansheng said softly: "I didn't do anything..."
His lips are thin, with a round lip bead on the upper lip. The rosy red lip peaks are slightly upturned, round and full, and look soft and kissable.
Xiao Nong's gaze fell on his lips, and he half-squinted his eyes, thinking about the things that were almost ready.
Why are you so unhappy... Can you cheer up a little? If you can't cheer up, I'll give you another kiss. It's not too much.
Xiao Nong's gaze was very noticeable, scorching hot, with a hint of aggression in his bones, as if he was a leopard staring at its prey, ready to bite it to death in one bite at any time.
Although Zhong Yansheng was a slow-witted person, he could guess what Xiao Nong was thinking as he stared at his lips.
There were so many people outside, and he was afraid that Xiao Nong would go crazy again without caring about anything, so he moved to the side cautiously, thinking with mixed feelings that Xiao Nong really looked like he wanted to sleep with him.
The voice of Governor Wei came from outside: "To be honest with you, Your Highnesses, those bandits appeared again the day before yesterday."
Xiao Nong: “Oh?”
"Just the other day, a team of escorts was escorting a merchant caravan, carrying thousands of pieces of brocade and other goods, passing through Baoqing Prefecture, and was robbed by that group of bandits."
Xiao Nong's fingers slowly stroked the thin wrist bones in his hand, and with his other hand, he pinched Zhong Yansheng's face, which was hiding from him, and raised his voice slightly: "Oh? Caravan?"
"Yes, he is a famous wealthy businessman. He traveled all over the country and was generous. There were many floods and epidemics in the south. He helped the people in several disasters and opened his warehouse to distribute porridge. At the beginning of the year, Baoqing Prefecture was hit by frost and rain, and countless people died from freezing. The people had no food. When I was in a desperate situation, this businessman also helped..."
After a pause, governor Wei added a bit of helplessness in his voice: "Now he is staying in the post house. I want the government to give an explanation and make a decision for him. I sent people to pursue him, but the bandits were too familiar with the secret path in the forest. They chased him deep into the forest and almost got caught. I am really incompetent, but fortunately, His Royal Highness Prince Ding and the Eleventh Prince are here."
Zhong Yansheng listened with some curiosity. He struggled out of Xiao Nong's big hand, leaned over to the car window, and stretched out his hand to lift the car curtain: "That's a chivalrous businessman. What's his name?"
Before he could finish his words, Xiao Nong covered his mouth with his hand and pressed them back.
Zhong Yansheng was forced to sit on Xiao Nong's thighs. Due to his slim figure, Xiao Nong held him in his arms effortlessly. He was buried in the icy atmosphere. His whole body was stiff, and he dared not move.
He had a pointed chin and a small face. Xiao Nong covered his mouth, which also covered most of his face, leaving only a pair of round eyes exposed.
At the same time, Zhong Yansheng heard Governor Wei outside say, "Lou Qingtang."
If Xiao Nong hadn't covered his mouth, Zhong Yansheng almost cried out. He turned his head in shock and looked at Xiao Nong.
Xiao Nong had anticipated his reaction, so he laughed and whispered "hush" in his ear.
Zhong Yansheng remembered Lou Qingtang. This surname was not common, so it was very likely that they were the same person. But wasn't Lou Qingtang a doctor in Prince Ding's mansion?
Facing Zhong Yansheng's puzzled look, Xiao Nong let go of his hand: "Curious?"
Zhong Yansheng nodded, forgetting for a moment that he was sitting on Xiao Nong's lap. His eyes were clear and sincere, making it hard to refuse. When he looked up, his thin neck was exposed without any vigilance, as white as ice and snow.
How can you be so cute?
Xiao Nong once again felt the urge to bite his neck and taste his blood to see if it was sweet.
His eyes had darkened without him noticing. He licked the tip of his fangs and whispered as if he was telling a secret, "If you want to know my secret, what should you call me?"
The warm breath swept across his ear, Zhong Yansheng blushed, and thought for a moment: "Brother?"
It seemed that His Royal Highness Prince Ding did not like being called Uncle Prince or Uncle.
Xiao Nong was slightly satisfied and answered him, "He was not my doctor in the first place. He just took advantage of my convenience to do business everywhere."
Zhong Yansheng suddenly realized: "Then is he yours?"
"Uh-huh."
"Brother, you said that businessmen are profit-oriented and often heartless." Zhong Yansheng's eyes were bright, as if he had discovered something, and he almost couldn't hold back his voice, "Then he provided porridge to the victims and helped the government build dams, so this must be brother's intentions!"
Xiao Nong paused. Lou Qingtang was considered half his subordinate. Over the years, he helped Lou Qingtang to facilitate his trade with foreign tribes. In return, Lou Qingtang would give him 30% of the profits and add more food and fodder to feed the army.
Many of the things Lou Qingtang did were indeed instructed by him.
I just didn't expect that the kid would think of this all of a sudden.
Do you think so highly of him?
Xiao Nong raised his eyebrows, but didn't answer. He put his arm around his waist, turned him around, and pinched his jaw viciously, not allowing him to dodge: "You think I'm a good person?"
Zhong Yansheng was forced to look into those beautiful indigo eyes and felt that he really was like a bad dog.
His eyelashes trembled, and his breath was warm as he spoke, bringing a soft orchid fragrance: "Brother, do you care about my opinion and evaluation of you?"
The relaxed smile on Xiao Nong's lips froze.
To the common people, Xiao Nong was indeed a good man. Without him, those barbarians might have already conquered the border and marched south to kill their way here. There would be no peaceful days like today.
Zhong Yansheng thought about it and said seriously: "I feel like you always want me to think you are bad."
Those foreigners were barbaric and brutal, and massacred every city they entered.
But Xiao Nong, who had such a cruel reputation, had never massacred anyone in the city... He was a good person, but a little mean to him.
But Xiao Nong bullied him and was also very nice to him.
Zhong Yansheng moved his lips and wanted to speak again, but Xiao Nong's hand ruthlessly covered his mouth again.
The bad-tempered Prince Ding's face darkened again, and he didn't say anything, but covered his mouth to stop him from speaking.
Only people with a guilty conscience would do this.
Zhong Yansheng thought quietly in his heart, trying to break free from this dangerous position of sitting face to face with legs apart in Xiao Nong's arms, but he just moved a little and was pressed back tightly again.
All right.
Zhong Yansheng was not as strong as him. He had just got off the big boat and his head was still dizzy. He simply lay quietly in his arms and did not move.
Xiao Nong frowned and covered that soft and sweet mouth, and finally understood what Tian Xi was being asked every day.
No wonder old man Tian Xi became mute in front of this little thing.
What a great question.
After the Wei governor outside reported the movements of the bandits in the forest, he talked about the accommodation arrangements for the two people in the post house. After a long time, he did not hear the voices of the two ancestors inside, and hesitantly asked: "Your Highnesses? Is there anything wrong?"
Xiao Nong didn't pay any attention to what he just said, and responded casually: "Yeah."
Seeing that Zhong Yansheng stopped struggling and seemed to have calmed down, Xiao Nong just let go, but when he saw the lips move, he immediately covered them again.
Zhong Yansheng hummed and got angry.
How could the dignified Prince Ding be even more awkward than him!
Huo Shuang, who was outside, heard the movement in the carriage and came over vigilantly: "Young Prince, what's wrong?"
Xiao Nong glanced coldly in the direction of the carriage window: "Nothing, he just bumped his head."
Upon hearing Xiao Nong's voice, Huo Shuang became even more alert: "Young Prince?"
After a while, he heard the little prince's voice coming from inside, muffled: "Hmm."
Huo Shuang had no choice but to retreat.
The hand covering his mouth was put down again. Just as Zhong Yansheng was about to speak, he saw the man in front of him narrow his eyes and said coldly: "If you open your mouth again, I will kiss you."
Zhong Yansheng: “…”
He was really sure that Xiao Nong really wanted to sleep with him.
Zhong Yansheng remained silent, but Xiao Nong wanted to get him to talk again. Like a mean dog, he pinched his face and asked, "Why aren't you talking?"
Let's put things one way and the other way around. He needs to apologize for deceiving Xiao Nong, and he can't stop being angry about being bullied.
Zhong Yansheng pursed his lips, glared at him in silent condemnation, then lowered his eyes and ignored him.
Not many people dare to glare at Xiao Nong.
Xiao Nong was glared at, but he didn't get angry. He calmly held the little beauty who hadn't been seen for a few days in his arms and closed his eyes.
Other people talk very noisily, but Zhong Yansheng is different. It doesn't matter whether he talks or not.
The two men inside were silent, and Governor Wei also fell silent. He felt relieved that Xiao Nong couldn't speak.
Until they arrived at the inn, neither of them spoke again.
When they arrived at the inn, the people Xiao Nong had asked to find had already arrived and were waiting outside the inn.
Xiao Nong held him in his arms all the way. When he got off the carriage, Zhong Yansheng felt that his body was stained with Xiao Nong's scent, and he couldn't help but lower his head to sniff his collar.
It seemed to be mixed with a bitter and cold atmosphere.
Xiao Nong was walking in front. He noticed his movements out of the corner of his eye. His Adam's apple rolled, and he couldn't help but grind his teeth again.
Hooking him up in front of so many people?
Zhong Yansheng was puzzled by his heavy look. Before he could study it carefully, the people waiting in front of him knelt down in unison: "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Ding and His Royal Highness the Eleventh Prince."
Zhong Yansheng wanted to ask them to get up, but Xiao Nong didn't even look at him. He walked straight into the inn, his sleeves fluttering as he walked by, looking very cold and indifferent.
Zhong Yansheng pondered Governor Wei's attitude towards him and realized that he should not act too easy to talk to, so he followed Xiao Nong's example and put on a stern face as he crossed the post station.
Xiao Nong's lips curled up slightly.
The main hall of the inn had been cleaned up. Xiao Nong walked into the hall with quick steps and sat in the main seat on the left.
Zhong Yansheng followed him like a little tail and sat on the right.
After the two ancestors from the capital sat down, then the others dared to move. Several local officials also sat down on both sides. They looked at each other, not knowing how to start. Xiao Nong first said, "A bunch of trash."
The voice was cold and carried with it the oppressive feeling of having been in charge of commanding troops and holding a high position for a long time.
General Gui Guang and several of the summoned generals were so frightened that they knelt down immediately: "Your subordinate is incompetent!"
"Incompetent indeed." Xiao Nong said calmly, "Tell me, what kind of gangsters played you around like monkeys?"
Several generals who had fought with the bandits in the forest stood up and responded. No one wanted to be blamed and scolded: "Your Highness, there have been cases of unruly people gathering in the mountains to become bandits in the past, but this time is different."
"This group of bandits only had 40 or 50 people at first. When they went out to rob, they covered their faces and were extremely alert and ferocious. They appeared and disappeared in the forest like loaches, and were really hard to catch! Now they have grown to several hundred people..."
"Your Highness, you may not know this, but I have a feeling that they are well-trained and have an advantageous position, so they are extremely difficult to deal with."
"When ordinary people start a rebellion, it's a big deal if they can just pick up a hoe. Most of them use local materials to carve some wooden spears. They have no chance of winning against the government. But this group of bandits all carry knives. They are well-made and seem to be made of fine iron. I don't know where they were bought from..."
Xiao Nong tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, his expression revealing no emotion.
Zhong Yansheng sat on the other side, took the teacup handed to him by Yun Cheng, took a sip to moisten his lips, and then said seriously: "You have been dealing with them for half a year, have you found out where their lair is?"
This statement hits the nail on the head.
The group of people who had just tried to shirk their responsibilities and make excuses all hung their heads in shame.
It was not appropriate, but Xiao Nong couldn't help but laugh.
Does this kid ask questions like this to anyone?
He put his fist to his lips and coughed softly. Zhan Rong was very perceptive and immediately handed him the freshly brewed hot tea.
Xiao Nong concealed the smile on his lips by sipping his tea, and when he looked up again, his expression was still grim.
"I just heard from Lord Wei that someone was robbed the day before yesterday and is still staying in the inn?"
“Yes…” Everyone felt even more ashamed.
The bandits are so rampant that it really seems that they are incompetent in just sitting around doing nothing.
"Bring the person here."
Governor Wei immediately signaled to his subordinates, "Go and bring Mr. Lou over here."
While waiting for Lou Qingtang to come over, some people below became slightly agitated.
I heard that His Royal Highness Prince Ding has a strange temper, sometimes sunny and sometimes gloomy, but he is tall and powerful, and if you can please Prince Ding, there will be many benefits.
Zhong Yansheng took two more sips of tea and carefully reviewed the descriptions of the bandits by others along the way. Suddenly, he noticed something strange that no one had mentioned: "When those bandits robbed the passing merchants, did they kill people?"
General Gui Guang was stunned, and replied hesitantly: "Your Highness, if the people being robbed cooperate, they will not kill anyone, but if they resist, someone will still get hurt."
Does that mean no one was killed?
Zhong Yansheng felt a little surprised. Along the way, everyone else described the bandits as unforgivable and vicious, but this group of people had never killed anyone!
He had another suspicion, staring into the eyes of General Gui Guang and asking, "They only robbed caravans? Didn't they rob ordinary people?"
This question made everyone look at each other again, and no one spoke for a while.
Xiao Nong knocked the teacup onto the table with a thud, which was as heavy as a thousand pounds. The group of people immediately became nervous and sweaty, and quickly replied, "No, but the narrow road occupied by the bandits is the most important trade road between Guiguang and Guangxi. It is far outside the city, and few ordinary people usually pass by there."
Zhong Yansheng understood.
These bandits neither kill nor rob ordinary people.
He stroked his chin, his thoughts wandering. Isn't this just like the bandits described in the storybooks?
People like to write this kind of storybook about robbing the rich to help the poor, and Zhong Yansheng also likes to read it.
Thinking of this, Zhong Yansheng choked up and felt a little sad.
When he read the storybooks, he imagined himself as the hero in the story, but in fact, he was the one who fought the hero.
Seeing that Zhong Yansheng's two questions silenced all the agitated people, Xiao Nong smiled silently and took another sip of tea.
This kid, who is so slow about some things, is very smart about these things.
Xiao Nong behaves in an arrogant manner, as if he doesn't take anyone seriously, so many people think he is really arrogant. But if he really has this attitude, he would have died a thousand times on the battlefield long ago.
Contrary to his arrogant appearance, Xiao Nong would not fight a battle without preparation. Before arriving at Baoqing Prefecture, he sent people to investigate in advance and knew more than Zhong Yansheng.
The government hated those forest bandits to bits, but they had a good reputation in Baoqing Prefecture.
At the beginning of the year, there was a severe cold weather in Baoqing Prefecture. Many people froze to death due to lack of food and clothes. The government was slow to open the granaries to release grain. The first target of this group of bandits' looting was the government's granary.
Therefore, every time the government sent out soldiers and tried to suppress bandits with great fanfare, there would be complaints and opposition from the people.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the government has been unable to successfully suppress the bandits.
However, we still need to meet those bandits face-to-face to find out what they are like.
After waiting for a while, Lou Qingtang was brought in.
No one knew that this well-traveled boss Lou was actually an old acquaintance of His Royal Highness Prince Ding. As soon as he was brought over, Lou Qingtang knelt down with a plop, his face full of grief, acting as if it were real: "Your Highness Prince Ding, please help me! My goods were supposed to go to Annan, but now they are lost, and I have several million taels of silver... Oh, I am so worried that I can't even eat a meal!"
Zhong Yansheng secretly glanced at Lou Qingtang and felt that he looked better than him, so he must have eaten three times a day.
Listening to Lou Qingtang's tearful narration, Zhong Yansheng suddenly realized something.
Lou Qingtang was Xiao Nong's man. Xiao Nong sent him here ahead of time, probably to investigate the details of the gang. Although he didn't understand why Lou Qingtang had to come in person...
The point is that it was looted the day before.
Even if Lou Qingtang rode as fast as he could and outrun the ship, he would still have to set out at least three or four days earlier than them to reach Baoqing Prefecture so early and make arrangements for the people.
That most likely happened before they left Beijing.
So, after Xiao Nong learned the truth from Yun Cheng, he arranged for Lou Qingtang to go south first to prepare?
When Lou Qingtang was sent south, that should have been the time when Xiao Nong was the most angry.
Zhong Yansheng's heartbeat quickened, and he couldn't help but glance at Xiao Nong again. The profile of His Royal Highness Prince Ding was extremely handsome, yet also extremely cold, seeming very inhuman.
He misunderstood Xiao Nong.
He used to think that Xiao Nong just wanted to sleep with him casually.
Now it seems that Xiao Nong might really want to sleep with him?
The drawing of the little man is almost done, so how about... sneaking out to look for Xiao Nong tonight?