Chapter 10

The juggler is amazing. He can breathe fire, drill through hoops, and crush rocks with his chest.

It was different from what I saw on TV. Standing outside the crowd, it was more realistic and thrilling, especially the part about breaking the big rocks. Xuan Fu was a little scared and hugged his father's neck and asked, "Dad, are your internal organs injured?"

So dangerous.

"This is how they make a living. They have been practicing since childhood and have strong bodies and skin. Ordinary people don't dare to do this," said Xu Xiaoman.

Ordinary people have their own ways and abilities to make a living.

Xu Xiaoman was full of admiration. He held the baby in one hand and took the purse from his waist with the other hand and handed it to Duoduo, "You come and pay later."

"Okay." Xuanyu Fu nodded, holding the heavy purse.

The finale of the chest-breaking stone performance was over. The leader of the circus troupe bowed to the crowd, said some auspicious words, and the little apprentice who followed him started to ask for money with a gong. People standing in the front row who were close to the troupe gave them money, all in copper coins, more or less.

There are also stingy people who leave as soon as the show is over.

This is something that is done voluntarily and the class owner is not surprised by it.

The young apprentice was about twelve or thirteen years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a clever look. He had spotted the young master in a red robe being carried a little behind in the crowd early on. There were more than a dozen copper coins scattered in the gong. When he came to the young master, he stretched out his arms and raised the gong high.

"Thank you, thank you for the reward."

Xuan Fu had already opened his father's purse and asked how much his father would give him. Xu Xiaoman spoiled the child and said, "It's up to you. I'll give you as much as you want." He also said that the money had been changed into copper coins, so he could give it boldly and confidently.

So when the gong arrived, Xuanyuefu grabbed a handful of copper coins and put them into the gong. However, because he was in a hurry and his hands were small, they were full and a few copper coins fell out and scattered on the ground.

"Oh my dad fell out, put me down."

Xu Xiaoman put the baby down and knew what Duoduo wanted to do.

Xuan Fu was squatting there picking up the money. The young apprentice holding the gong had never seen anything like this. The young master had really given him a lot of money, and he even came down to help pick it up when it fell. He was in a panic and said, "It's okay, sir, I'll pick it up." The boss next to him bent over and smiled, wanting to say something to apologize.

There were many people picking up money on the ground and giving it to the little apprentice.

"Actually, I should come down and give it to you." Xuanyufu carefully put the money in the gong and said with a smile, "You performed really well. You really have talent."

Xu Xiaoman, who was standing, nodded with a smile.

The boss didn't even say his original words of apology.

This father and son were not the kind of people who would be flattered if they were paid, so there was no need for them to apologize.

After giving the tip, Xu Xiaoman took the purse and casually put it in his chest, then continued shopping with his son. No matter what kind of sugar or dough figurines, as long as Duo Xinfu took a closer look, Jiu Qiansui would have only one word: buy.

So the father and son stood in front of the candy man stall.

"Old man, I want to make a sugar man in the shape of a tiger." Xu Xiaoman gave him two more copper coins, "Give me more tiger material, and make it look more majestic."

The stall owner was so happy that his gapped teeth could be seen from his smile.

"I have been making sugar figures for decades. Don't worry about my craftsmanship. The tiger is majestic and can ward off evil spirits. It will keep the young master safe."

Xuanyu Fu: I love dad so much!

Soon, Xuanfu had a majestic big sugar tiger in his hand. He held the sugar tiger to his father's mouth and said with sparkling eyes, "Dad, eat first. May the tiger bless us both to turn misfortune into fortune and live in peace."

Xu Xiaoman: Woo woo woo.

Ah, take a big gulp.

The father and son were biting the tiger candy man on the street, feeling very sweet.

There are many things to visit in Baifu Street, including antiques, most of which are fake, tea stalls, storytellers, flowers, birds, fish, children's toys, finished cloth shops, rouge, powder, jewelry, etc. The main street leads to small alleys and houses, and you can see hairdressers and beard shaving services under the trees when you stand at the entrance of the alley.

Men in the Sheng Dynasty all had long hair, and they would trim it. Some particular people would not only trim their hair short, but also trim their hairline, eyebrows, stubble, etc.

The atmosphere of life is particularly strong.

It was past noon and Xuanyufu was hungry, so the father and son got on a carriage on the way to Tianshuifang. They could still hear katydids chirping in the carriage, so Xuanyufu held a small straw cage containing katydids and looked at them.

"I didn't expect there are katydids at this time, but the sound seems to be weaker now. Wait until next spring, Dad will take you to catch them in the fields. You can take them back and keep them until early summer. They will chirp loudly." Xu Xiaoman said, wanting to show off to his son, "I used to be very good at catching these, and I would catch one every time."

Xuanyifu looked at his father with shining eyes, "I know, Dad is the best!"

In the novel, Xu Xiaoman was sold into the palace by his family at the age of seven. His family was poor and their situation was not very good, and the children were often hungry. However, Xu Xiaoman was an energetic and wild little boy who would find food everywhere, not only for himself but also for his younger brothers and sisters.

They cook roasted grasshoppers, cicadas, and frogs, and they also catch snakes in the mountains.

Very courageous.

Xu Xiaoman puffed out her chest when she was looked at by the boy with admiring eyes. Hehehe. Zhong Yun was not so lucky!

Tianshuifang is an area where various streets are interwoven into a checkerboard pattern.

As soon as you enter the alley, you can smell the aroma of food. There is a large and luxurious restaurant with a carriage parked at the door. It is obviously a high-end place where money can be spent. There are also small food shops.

Xuanyuefu thought he was going to a snack shop with his father, but unexpectedly his father took him to a restaurant.

“This restaurant’s roast duck is delicious.”

"Roast duck!" Xuan Fu was craving for it.

Seeing the baby's appearance, Xu Xiaoman couldn't help but reach out and pinch the baby's hair. His baby became more lively after recovering from the illness. Livelier is good, and he looks more like him!

Being like Zhong Yun is boring.

The waiter at the door of the Roast Duck Restaurant obviously recognized Jiu Qian Sui and came out to greet him, saying, "Master Xu, are you sitting upstairs or downstairs?"

Xu Xiaoman usually sits in the lobby, but today he brought his son out, "Let's go to the second floor."

It was past noontime and there were not many people in the restaurant, just a few sitting here and there. The waiter led Lord Xu and the young master to the second floor. Xu Xiaoman did not sit in a private room, but chose a seat by the window and ordered some dishes.

The waiter stepped back.

The driver, Wang Yuanyuan's other father-in-law, and Zhuyue sat at the next table. Zhuyue was a little nervous at first, but Wang Yuanyuan was used to it. "Outside, the governor and the young master don't need us to serve them when they eat, really."

Zhuyue tilted her head to look over.

The young master was pouring tea for the governor, and she wanted to get up with great fear, but she saw that the young master was very happy and reached out to pinch the governor's arm. The governor also smiled happily.

The father and son are having a great time.

It seemed that she was indeed not needed.

"Dad, let me massage your arm."

"Okay, you go ahead and pinch it." Xu Xiaoman sank for a second and asked in a show-off way, "Did you pinch anything?"

Xuanyuefu exclaimed, "Dad, your arms are hard and muscular."

"What chicken? You want to eat chicken?"

"No, it's just that Daddy's arms are so strong and powerful."

"That's tendon meat." Xu Xiaoman was proud, "You can't see it with clothes on."

"Dad is so powerful and strong. He held me for a long time just now."

“Hehehe.”

"I want to be like my father in the future."

Xu Xiaoman's silly and happy smile froze for a moment. She looked at the baby and thought it was not good for him to look like him. If he looked like him - not to mention her father-in-law, what man would give birth to a baby? Although this showed that he was a rare genius picked out of a million, she still didn't want him.

"Just be as healthy as your father."

When the roast duck comes, you can eat a lot of food. The roast duck in Shengchao is well sliced, and the staple food also has pancakes, but they are not thin spring pancakes, but pancakes made of unleavened dough. The pancakes are palm-sized, crispy and tough, and can be folded to eat with meat.

There is also a sauce, which is very Peking duck-like with a hint of spiciness.

People in Shengdu love spicy food and cannot live without it. There are fried chili rings on the small plate, which are fried crispy. Some people like to throw a few chilies into the meat when eating.

Xu Xiaoman really likes spicy food. He was going to throw some into the pancake, but when he thought about going to sleep with his wife tonight, he paused and turned to look at his son, "Duoduo, eat this."

The kid can eat spicy food.

"Okay, thank you, Dad." Xuan Duofu is so happy. Dad is so good to him.

The duck is deboned and the bones are used as the base soup. Two bowls of duck soup are served, which contain duck meat, sweet potato starch, shredded pickled cabbage, and duck blood tofu. A sip of the soup is salty, fragrant, comfortable and warm.

A bite of the meat in the pancake is very delicious. The duck skin is roasted and the meat is tender and spicy. There is no fishy smell of duck at all. It is very delicious. Then have a sip of the soup, which is delicious.

After several years of being a primary school student again, Duo Xuanfu had obviously forgotten his appetite. After he ate a sandwich, he couldn't finish the soup. Xu Xiaoman knew what he was doing and asked, "Did Dad drink it?"

"Dad, I've got the rest."

Xu Xiaoman didn't care at all. He was born in a poor family. Although he was now Lord Xu, the leftovers were not from outsiders. Outsiders would be glared at him coldly. What was the leftovers from his own children? So he finished two bowls, paid the bill, strolled around, and bought something else to take back.

After eating and drinking, the father and son left the restaurant.

Only the diners on the first and second floors of the restaurant dared to gossip, especially those sitting on the second floor. Someone said, "Was that a eunuch just now?"

"From the East Factory, I heard the waiter calling Master Xu, so he must be the Nine Thousand Years Old."

"She doesn't look like a man at all."

"That's right. The child sitting next to him is clean and well-dressed. He wears gold and jade and looks more like a young master than the young master of an official's family. However, he doesn't look very impressive."

"The adopted son of the Nine Thousand Year Old Man, I heard that he is studying in the palace and has been summoned by the Emperor. Isn't he more prestigious than some young master?"

"I heard that Lord Xu from the East Factory arrested someone—"

"We caught a corrupt official. He deserved it. Well done, Mr. Xu."

"Don't say that Lord Xu is really different from ordinary eunuchs. I think the rumors that were spread before are not true. I guess those officials look down on eunuchs and say that."

"It doesn't matter if he's a eunuch or a scholar, as long as he's a good official."

"How can we ordinary people know what happens in the court? But I think Lord Xu is really approachable, just like ordinary people like us. He just ate up all the leftovers from his kid without complaining."

"Then I won't eat my kid's leftovers. They're as messy as a dog's."

…

In the evening, before the palace gates were locked, Xuanyunfu and his father returned home, bringing a lot of things with them. His father bought some snacks, which were especially delicious when freshly baked. He bought several flavors, but he packed them all up and took them with him, and only opened one package for him to eat.

Duo Nuofu looked at his father leaning against the wall of the car with a smile on his face.

He must be missing his father, the emperor!

Playing also consumes energy. After a day of strolling, Duo Fu was now exhausted and sat on a chair. Zhuyue took off his hair and changed him into light clothes. A eunuch took over the crickets brought back by the young master and made sure they were well taken care of.

It's getting dark.

Xuan Fu had washed up and was already fast asleep in bed.

Zzzzzz~

He was sleeping so soundly that he didn't notice that he had kicked the quilt aside, revealing his red bellyband and the same style of shorts underneath. His cock was facing -

Xu Xiaoman covered the baby with a quilt and whispered to Zhuixing, "Keep an eye on him at night, be careful that he doesn't catch a cold in his stomach." He would not come over tonight.

"Yes, I understand."

I am tired of chasing stars and staying up all night tonight, and following the moon out of the palace during the day.

After Xu Xiaoman finished explaining things, he was happy to see the child sleeping with a rosy face. Seeing that Duoduo was feeling better both physically and mentally, that was good and he felt relieved.

So the Ninth Thousand Years Old Eunuch Xu personally carried a few bags of snacks and went to the Zichen Palace in the dark to accompany his son and his wife at night.

Xu Xiaoman is proud: a real man.jpg

Emperor Ningwu has been quite diligent since he ascended the throne. Starting at 1 a.m., he would first go to the martial arts training ground to practice for half an hour, then return to the palace to wash and have breakfast, and before 7 a.m. he would go to the Xuanzheng Hall to handle government affairs.

Translation of Xuanyu Fu: I practiced boxing from 5:15 in the morning to 6:15, then went back to the palace to take a shower and have breakfast. At 7 o'clock I sat in the Xuanzheng Hall to start working.

Not to mention, Emperor Ningwu often did not fall asleep until 11 p.m.

Go to bed at 11pm.

Essential elements for successful people: vigorous energy, little sleep, and strong concentration. In the novel, Zhong Yun is just like that. He only needs to sleep four or five hours a day. Not only is he energetic, but he is also very strong in that aspect.

Today, in the study in the side hall of Xuanzheng Palace, Emperor Ningwu looked out the window at the setting sun and asked Zhao Erxi when it would end. Zhao Erxi told him the time, and Emperor Ningwu put down the memorial and returned to the palace.

The eunuch chief Zhao Erxi was not surprised and just thought to himself: Here it comes.

Emperor Ningwu's "also considered diligent" means "also considered" to be the Nine Thousand Year Old Man.

The emperor has an empty harem, and on weekdays, apart from boxing and sword practice to keep fit, he reads books, reviews memorials, and plays chess. The only special surprise is the Ninth Prince.

"Is Governor Xu back?" Zhong Yun asked.

Zhao Erxi bowed his head and replied, "The palace gates were just locked, and Lord Xu brought the young master back a moment ago."

Zhong Yun said nothing.

After arriving at the Zichen Palace, Zhong Yun first had his meal, then changed his clothes and sat on the soft couch by the window in the warm room to play chess. He had no opponent and was playing chess alone.

Zhao Erxi, with his rich experience, retreated to the outer room and waited.

Since His Majesty is like this, I believe that the Nine Thousand Year Old Man will come tonight.

The sun sets, candles are lit in the warm room, the chessboard has not moved for a long time, Emperor Ningwu has a book in his hand to read, Zhao Erxi has changed the hot tea for the emperor, he has done this several times, why hasn't Lord Xu come yet, he won't come tonight... is he?

The candles burned brighter and brighter.

Zhao Erxi sent a young eunuch to replace a batch of candlesticks. The candles burned to the back and the flames were burning brightly, which made the light flicker easily...

The warm room was silent. Zhao Erxi didn't dare to breathe, and secretly glanced at the emperor. The emperor's expression was cold and his posture remained unchanged, but it seemed that the book in his hand had not been turned for a long time.

"Master Xu is here." Xiao Luzi had been guarding the palace road for a long time. He wiped the sweat off his face and ran in to tell his master, "He's coming soon. It looks like Master Xu."

Zhao Erxi was delighted and breathed a sigh of relief.

Who else besides Xu Xiaoman could come into Luoxia Gate late at night?

"Okay, just proceed as usual."

Thank God it's finally here.

The Ninth Prince carried a few bags of snacks from outside the palace, sneaked around avoiding the Jinwu Guards, and went straight to the emperor's bedroom. He met Zhao Erxi at the door.

"The emperor is in the warm room."

"Got it." Xu Xiaoman lowered his head to look at the snack in his hand, then raised his head and chuckled: "I won't give you any snacks from Lao Xiangzhai. If you want to eat them, you can queue up and buy them yourself."

Zhao Erxi: “…”

Who would dare to ask for this?

"My brother, bro, come in quickly."

Xu Xiaoman was suspicious, "You are so enthusiastic, did you make any mistakes? I won't care about small mistakes, you just take a few scoldings."

Zhao Erxi wanted to ask what mistakes he made, but he was curious about what Xu Xiaoman said and couldn't help asking, "What about the big mistakes? Do you care?"

Xu Xiaoman was joking at first, but he suddenly became serious. "If it's a serious mistake, I can't do anything about it. Zhao Erxi, what serious mistake did you make? Did you embezzle money and collude with others, or did you bully the eunuchs and palace maids, or -"

"No, I haven't done anything wrong. Sir Xu, please come in." Zhao Erxi wiped his sweat: he knew he shouldn't have asked out of curiosity.

Even so, Xu Xiaoman was still worried and stared at Zhao Erxi for a while. Zhao Erxi begged for mercy from this ancestor in his heart and almost raised three fingers to swear to the sky.

"Really not."

"That's good." Xu Xiaoman was finally relieved. After thinking for a while, he opened the package of snacks and stuffed them into Zhao Erxi's hand. "I'll treat you to it. As long as you do a good job and are loyal to the emperor, the emperor will not treat you unfairly."

After saying that, he went in.

Zhao Erxi was holding a bag of snacks, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he was touched. Xu Xiaoman was just that kind of person, straightforward and kind. If it were someone else, he would definitely be hypocritical when he said those brotherly words. Anyway, it was just talk, and he would not admit it when the real disaster came.

Xu Xiaoman is not like that. He says whatever he wants. As long as you are loyal to His Majesty, he will really save you if it is a matter of life and death. But - Zhao Erxi stared at the snacks in his hand. Damn it, he should take a day off tomorrow, so he should arrange Xiao Luzi to serve His Majesty.

The warm room was quiet, and the candlelight was slightly dim.

As soon as Xu Xiaoman entered, he was attracted by the silhouette by the window and couldn't move his legs.

Zhong Yun was wearing a plain crescent-colored cross-collared, open-sleeved robe. He was leaning sideways on the couch. His collar was slightly open, revealing his neck. He had black hair in a simple bun and was wearing nothing.

Xu Xiaoman, who had little education, could not refrain from expressing his praise.

Zhong Yun always liked to wear plain colors. When he was in Wuzhou, he was thinner than he is now, and his clothes were loose and big on him, just like a god in heaven.

Xu Xiaoman would be distracted every time he looked at it.

It’s so, so beautiful.

This is his 'wife'.

When Xu Xiaoman thought of this, he hurried forward, put the snacks on the table, and diligently and proactively served snacks to his wife, while reporting to her what had happened today.

"Have you eaten yet? If you have, then have some snacks. I waited in line for a while to get some from Lao Xiang Zhai. They are delicious. They can't compare to the imperial kitchen in the palace, but they taste good outside."

"Don't read after dark. It hurts your eyes. The light is so dim."

Zhong Yun hummed, put down the book, and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Xu Xiaoman took a look and immediately stretched out his dog hands to come over, "I'll do it, I'll rub it for you." Why is it so beautiful, even when tired, it's still beautiful.

"We went to Baifu Street first. There was a circus troupe there that performed fire breathing, hooping, and breaking rocks with the chest. Duoduo had never seen it before and was very happy. After noon, we went to Tianshuifang to eat roast duck."

"Next time I have a day off, I promised to make him a kite. An ordinary kite is not good. It's too ordinary. Please help me think of something more unique."

Without waiting for Emperor Ningwu to answer, Jiu Qiansui looked over and said, "Don't let your mind wander to random things. This is going to be put up in the sky for Duoduo to play with. Forget it, I'll figure it out myself."

Zhong Jue:......

I think you want to draw a dragon's root.

And you blame me for imagining things.

"Xu Xiaoman, what kind of kite do you have in mind?"

"Hey, I've already told you, don't keep thinking about it." Xu Xiaoman glared at Zhong Yun awkwardly and changed the subject. "Today we had roast duck and soup, and Duoduo couldn't finish it, so his face was wasted. I drank the rest, and he was still embarrassed. Duoduo is really a good boy."

Emperor Ningwu was jealous and said calmly, "Why, Nine Thousand Years Old, who do you want to eat your leftovers? Forget about your leftovers. There is no part of your body that I haven't eaten."

"!" Xu Xiaoman's ears turned red, his mouth was dry, he picked up Zhong Yun's teacup and drank it all, "Well, let's go to sleep."

His wife is good in every way except that she likes to be capricious, jealous, and competitive. She also demands more in bed, but who can blame him for being the majestic Ninth Prince?

He can do it!

An hour later, the Nine Thousand Years Old Man's groaning became softer. He couldn't take it any longer. It was too late. His waist was going to break.

Emperor Ningwu hugged the man's waist and turned over, "Your Highness can't sit still anymore, so let me do it." He liked to see Lengzi being stubborn and calling him wife, and liked to kiss every part of his eunuch's body, watching Lengzi curl up his toes comfortably, with a dazed look in his eyes, and devoted to him alone.

It was late at night and Emperor Ningwu did not ask for water.

Xu Xiaoman hung exhausted on Zhong Yun, mumbling in his sleep: "... Wife, you are jealous of your own son... Ouch, my waist..."

This fool has something on his mind and he tells everything even when he falls asleep in front of him.

Zhong Yun placed his big hand on Xiaoman's slender waist and rubbed it slowly. That year, Xiaoman came back to him with a baby in her arms. He was jealous. Seeing Xiaoman, whose heart and eyes were filled with him before, now serving a baby's eating, drinking, defecating and urinating, all he talked about was Duoduo.

King Wuzhou relied on his reason to find a good family to raise the baby.

I really don’t have any dark thoughts: throw it away and feed it to the dogs.

The author has something to say:

Duozi: ??? My biological father?