Chapter 45 The Crown Prince wants me to stay in his bedroom to rest? ...
“Ah Yao”.
Cui Yao stared at him without blinking.
Ji Chengnin rubbed his itchy throat and cleared it. "It's a bit stuffy. Could you open the window for me?"
Cui Yao: "...Okay."
Cui Yao got up to open the window, and when she turned back, Ji Chengning had already shrunk himself into the quilt, wrapped up tightly, looking like a cocoon.
But she was afraid of the heat, so half of her face was exposed. From Cui Yao's angle, a section of her snow-white neck was faintly visible, with prominent bone structure.
Cui Yao stepped forward, and as if possessed, extended two fingers and touched the protruding knuckle.
Ji Chengning shuddered, and the neck bone seemed to melt like snow. "What are you doing?" He threw off the blanket and buried himself in it.
“Hmm,” Cui Yao said with a smile, “there’s a snake.”
Ji Chengnin turned his head and gave Cui Yao a reproachful look.
He knew he wasn't exceptionally intelligent, but he wasn't stupid either.
Where did he get a snake from in his bedroom?!
Yu Guang glanced at Cui Yao. No, there was one, but it wasn't an ordinary snake; it was a spirit disguised as the most exquisite and beautiful woman.
“Ah Yao,” he saw that Cui Yao’s eyes were red, “you got up so early and stayed with me for so long, go and get some rest.”
Cui Yao remained unmoved. "Since I promised Uncle Ji...," he nearly bit his tongue, "I cannot break my promise." He stared at Ji Chengnin's face and asked with a gentle smile, "Or perhaps, Your Highness wishes to have me rest in the bedroom?"
Ji Chengnin said, "Okay."
Cui Yao was taken aback. "What?"
A tremor ran through my heart, but I knew it was a truth.
“There is another room inside,” Ji Chengnin said seriously, “with a soft couch inside, if my cousin doesn’t mind.”
The commotion subsided, and Cui Yao's face remained expressionless, even showing a fleeting hint of annoyance. Fortunately, Ji Chengnin had his back to him the whole time. "Could it be that we still can't see the Crown Prince?"
Ji Chengning was puzzled.
Thinking her cousin was just being overly concerned, she said, "Then, let them move the soft couch here. What do you think, A-Yao?"
Cui Yao: "No need, thank you, Your Highness. I'm not tired yet."
As he spoke, he tapped Ji Chengning on the back of the neck with his finger through the blanket, "Go to sleep."
...
During his recovery, Young Master Ji truly enjoyed a period of peace and quiet.
No one bothered him, and he didn't have to deal with messy chores. He didn't have to get up earlier than the chickens every morning to train. He could sleep all day and then get up to eat. If he really couldn't sleep, he would have A Luo read him a storybook. His cousin and second uncle often came over, and when they saw him move slightly, they were as nervous as if they had seen someone hanging the Imperial Seal of the State on a shaky tower.
Ji Chengnin is a restless person; after only two days of lying down, he felt his whole body going numb.
“If you get any fatter, I’ll tell the cook we don’t need to slaughter a pig for New Year’s Eve this year,” Ji Chengning said, pinching his lower abdomen between two fingers, the fine white flesh squeezing out from between them. “I’ll just stew you.”
As A Luo looked over, his lines remained sharp and smooth, without an ounce of excess fat.
It's obvious he couldn't stay in bed any longer and was looking for an excuse to go out and have fun!
Alo said, "No."
Ji Chengning said sullenly, "I haven't even done anything yet, A Luo, you're so heartless."
A Luo repeated, "Second Master said no."
Ji Chengnin, whose eyes were easily moved, shed tears even faster than they came. He suddenly seized on the loophole in his words, "Do you listen to my second uncle or me?" Before he could refute, "Are you my man or my second uncle's man?"
A Luo couldn't argue with him, so she just stared at Ji Chengning in silence.
Ji Chengnin lay sprawled out, his light undergarments disheveled and almost melting on the bed. "If I don't go out soon, I'm going to suffocate. A-Luo, can you really bear to see me tossing and turning in bed?"
Alo said, "Your leg is not suitable for going out."
Ji Chengnin's eyes lit up.
In his view, this statement was tantamount to giving in.
“There’s a wheelchair in the warehouse,” he thought quickly. “Alo, just push me outside to get some sun, nothing will happen.”
Besides, he only suffered minor injuries, not serious ones. If it weren't for the numerous eyes watching him every day, he would have slipped out long ago.
Alo looked at him.
Ji Chengnin clasped his hands together and looked at him expectantly, as if praying to a god.
Alo remained silent for a few moments, then said, "You can only go out for half an hour."
Ji Chengnin nodded vigorously, "Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say."
"I'll do whatever you say?"
A voice suddenly cut in.
Ji Chengnin's body stiffened.
He slowly turned his head and, sure enough, saw his cousin standing by the window, looking at him with a tender smile.
Why is Ah Yao walking so quietly!
“Cousin,” Ji Chengning looked pitifully at Cui Yao through the window, “you must not be able to bear seeing me trapped in the mansion like a caged bird, right?”
Cui Yao smiled slightly, "No."
Ji Chengning was on the verge of tears.
One hour later.
Inside the Dazhao Temple.
Zhong Duzai carefully examined Ji Chengning from head to toe, from the top of his head to his slightly round, rosy face. His gaze slid, and he grabbed Ji Chengning's sleeve and shook it. He then squatted down, and just as he was about to touch Ji Chengning's calf, Cui Yao grabbed his restless hand.
Zhong Du looked embarrassed.
"I'm just a little flattered that the young marquis hasn't been here for so long," he said, eagerly leading Ji Chengnin to the tea room. "What brings the young marquis here today?"
Cui Yao glanced at Zhong Du.
"What's the point of worrying about worldly affairs?" Ji Chengnin replied nonchalantly as he sat down.
There were more than just them in the tea room. With the imperial examinations approaching, the number of people coming to the Dazhao Temple to pray for divine guidance was several times higher than usual. Most of them were elders from their families, rather than the students themselves.
There is no inner room in the tea room; only a screen is used to enclose the tea table, creating a square space.
The tea room was extremely lively.
As soon as Ji Chengnin and the others sat down, they heard the people at the next table shaking lots. The clattering sound of the lots mingled with the laughter and conversation of the people, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Cui Yao naturally went to pour tea for Ji Chengning.
Zhong Du still remembered the Miss Cui who had "caught" him and Ji Chengning in their secret rendezvous. Although she was dressed as a man today, her outstanding appearance made her unforgettable. Zhong Du recognized Cui Yao at a glance and awkwardly touched his nose.
Cui Yao glanced in his direction out of the corner of her eye.
As far as Cui Yao was concerned, he could not discern whether Zhong Du's appearance was good or bad. However, even though Cui Yao did not have a good impression of him, he had to admit that the most special quality about Master Zhong was that when he sat down quietly, he truly had the ethereal and otherworldly air of a transcendent immortal.
Ji Chengnin accepted the tea and thanked him with a light smile.
"Smack."
It sounded like a fortune slip falling onto the table.
Sure enough, the next second, a girl's smiling voice came from next door, "Grandma, this is the best fortune slip from the Gengji divination of Emperor Wenchang." The girl covered her mouth and laughed, "The slip reads: It is said that this year, good fortune will come to your door and joy will come to both ends. Even the gods say that good luck will come one after another and double happiness will come to your door. Brother Huai will surely pass the imperial examination. You can just wait to become a noble lady in the future."
Her voice was sweet and endearing, which made Ji Chengnin laugh.
The old lady was so flattered that her eyes narrowed, and she gently pinched the soft flesh on the girl's cheek, laughing, "You little smooth talker."
"Ouch!" the girl cried out in pain.
The old lady quickly let go, "Mianmian, my little darling, does it hurt?"
Mianmian then smiled and stuck out her tongue, "It hurts, it hurts so much that my cheeks feel like they're going to fall off. Grandma needs to buy two pounds of osmanthus sugar to stick them back on."
Upon hearing this, Ji Chengnin couldn't help but chuckle.
After being cooped up in his room for two days, hearing the girl joking with her elders made him feel as if the gloom around him had instantly dissipated, and he felt much more energetic.
The old woman clasped her hands together and said, "Amitabha, Amitabha, it's good that it doesn't hurt. Let alone two pounds of candy, if it could stick the girl's little mouth shut, I would be happy to eat twenty pounds of it." Then she smiled at the girl and said, "Give the girl another pound of Jishunzhai candy."
Mianmian smiled and snuggled into the old lady's arms.
"Grandma, this is a Taoist temple, why are you praying to Buddha?" someone joked from the side.
"I'm so happy I've gone mad." The old lady lovingly stroked the girl's hand. "It's all my fault for teasing this clever little girl."
The grandfather and grandson's words amused the pilgrims who were chatting idly all around.
Seeing that Cui Yao was staring at him, Ji Chengning teased him, "Why are you looking at me, Yao? Do you want to eat osmanthus too..."
"Splash, splash—"
The curtains in the tea room were suddenly lifted, the noise making everyone feel uneasy. Ji Chengnin paused, looking out with some displeasure.
Zhong Du looked puzzled and got up to go and see.
A young man dressed as a servant rushed in from outside, his eyes quickly scanning the tea room. When his gaze landed on the grandmother and grandson, he rushed forward as if seeing a savior, saying in a panic, "Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened!"
The lively atmosphere in the tea room suddenly froze.
The old lady's smile hadn't faded yet, and she didn't react for a moment.
The girl named Mianmian, however, was quick-witted. "What's wrong? Tell me quickly!"
The old woman's gray hair trembled. "Yes, what's wrong?"
The servant, his face drained of color, gasped for breath. "Young Master Huai, Young Master Huai has been arrested by the authorities!"
Ji Chengnin paused, his hand holding the teacup still.
The students who participated in the imperial examinations were arrested by the government. He and Cui Yao exchanged glances, both seeing the same understanding in each other's eyes.
Zhong Du scratched his head blankly.
“Impossible! My second brother has been studying with his classmates at Prajna Temple for the past two months. He hasn’t even entered the city. How could he have broken the law and been arrested?” Mianmian scolded while serving the old lady tea to calm her down. “My second brother is the most cautious and prudent person. He won’t get into trouble. Maybe it’s just someone with the same name. Grandma, don’t worry, let’s go home first.”
The servant was on the verge of tears. "Miss, I didn't mishear. Young Master Huai has gathered a crowd to cause trouble and blocked the examination hall. The officials are all crowding the entrance. Madam, please go back and take a look!"
The old lady's face turned pale, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Mianmian wanted nothing more than to rush up and slap that idiot twice.
I felt my grandmother's hand touch a soft, loose piece of ice.
The old lady's vision went black, and she suddenly fell backward.
"Grandma, Grandma!"
At Ji Chengning's signal, A Luo immediately stood up.
Cui Yao remained silent for a moment, then followed closely behind.
They were the closest and quickly helped the old lady up.
Zhong Du quickly placed two fingers on her wrist and felt her pulse become stiff. "She's old and has been suffering from a heart attack due to anger. Quickly, carry her to her quarters."
As he gave the instructions, he said to Mianmian, "Don't be afraid, young lady, come with me."
The crowd hurriedly carried the old lady into her room. There was a female Taoist priest in the temple who was skilled in medicine. She and Mianmian loosened the old lady's clothes and ordered a young Taoist priest to boil water and decoct medicine for her to take quickly.
The men all left, leaving only a few women inside.
A short while later, the old lady called out weakly, "Mianmian."
With tears streaming down her face, she stepped forward and grasped the old lady's hand.
Outside the dormitory, people were talking animatedly.
"Those who can participate in the spring examination all have official titles and ranks. What could they have done to warrant soldiers coming to their homes to arrest them?"
“You haven’t even heard about this? The exam questions were leaked three days ago, and they said even the rankings were predetermined. Tsk tsk tsk, the sixth son of Lord Pingjun’s family is the top scholar. The students were furious and surrounded the examination hall,” he gestured towards the room, “He must be the one who led the trouble!”
Some praised, "When injustice is inflicted, people cry out; they are truly a group of proud and upright men!"
Before he could finish speaking, he was immediately ridiculed, "How do you know that the so-called leak of the policy documents isn't just hearsay and alarmist talk?"
"How many exam questions have been leaked in recent years?" the person who spoke earlier said disdainfully. "Didn't they... tsk tsk tsk, they even killed the chief examiner to quell the controversy before?"
“What a pity,” a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar shook his head and sighed. “I saw that the girl was still very young, and her brother should have just come of age. They are both young talents. Now, not only will they be stripped of their academic honors, but they will also face imprisonment.”
Ji Chengning slowly exhaled.
The two of them were already in the inner courtyard. The noisy voices outside disappeared into the woods, faint and indistinct.
A gentle breeze blows by.
The lush green bamboo leaves rustled in front of me, interspersed with diseased bamboo, their mottled yellow leaves drifting down in the wind.
Ji Chengning pressed his temples and said softly, "There is no pure land in this world."
Yeah?
Cui Yao thought.
He felt very quiet.
The sound of cicadas can be heard deep in the forest.
He tilted his head.
Ji Chengning leaned back in his wheelchair, unaware that his brow was furrowed and his expression was listless.
“Yes,” Cui Yao bowed and reached out to smooth out Ji Chengnin’s sleeve, “The young master has no desire to leave the world.”
Ji Chengning remained silent for a long while before saying, "I didn't expect the spring breeze to be so cold. A-Yao, let's go back."
They remained silent the entire way.
Upon returning to the manor, Ji Chengning was not greeted by his second uncle's ambiguous smile, but by Qin Min's obsequious face, as if he were seeing his ancestor reincarnated.
Ji Chengning was gently placed into the wheelchair by A Luo.
"Why is Eunuch Qin here?" Ji Chengnin asked with a smile.
Qin Min glanced at Cui Yao and A Luo, his expression somewhat troubled.
After the young marquis dismissed everyone, Eunuch Qin personally pushed the wheelchair.
Ji Chengnin pressed down on Qin Min's hand, "How could I trouble Eunuch Qin?"
Qin Min was taken aback.
Ji Chengnin's hand was extremely strong, and for a moment he couldn't break free.
Ji Chengning let go.
Qin Min slowly moved her hand away, lowered her head and smiled, "Young Marquis, you flatter me by saying that."
Ji Chengning's eyes curved upwards.
The fact that someone who had angered the emperor and whose future was uncertain remained so calm was far beyond Qin Min's expectations.
He thought that even if Ji Chengnin wasn't afraid, he should at least show signs of anxiety.
In fact, no.
Ji Chengnin looked at him calmly, even with a smile in his eyes.
The person who was at a loss for what to do has ironically become the emperor's envoy.
His previous plan to give Ji Chengnin a high-handed reprimand and then invoke His Majesty's decree to make Ji Chengnin grateful, so that he could then take the opportunity to order Ji Chengnin to deal with the troublesome tribute students, was no longer feasible.
Qin Min lowered his voice, almost fawning, "Young Marquis, you have truly misunderstood His Majesty."
Ji Chengnin suddenly looked up. "Oh?"
Qin Min put on a sad expression, “How could His Majesty not know the harm caused by the spring rain? The reason why His Majesty values Qu Fengzhi is precisely because the spring rain has been extinct in our dynasty for more than ten years. Qu Fengzhi was able to bring it back, which shows that he has a close relationship with the traitors. If we can strike at the heart of the enemy and wipe out the overseas traitors, wouldn’t our people no longer be bothered by the spring rain? This matter was originally top secret, but I didn’t expect it to cause the young marquis to have a rift with His Majesty. His Majesty favors and values the marquis, so he asked me to tell you the truth.”
Ji Chengning's mind went blank for a moment.
Qin Min wanted exactly what Ji Chengnin had no time to think about. She took out the fish tally from her sleeve and respectfully presented it to Ji Chengnin. "This is indeed the young marquis's fish tally. After His Majesty took it away, he stroked the fish tally at night and sighed several times. Young marquis, everyone knows how His Majesty has treated you all these years. There is no need for this servant to say more. How could the young marquis, with his keen mind, not understand His Majesty's intentions?"
The fish-shaped talisman had been accidentally dropped to the ground by Ji Chengning, breaking off a corner.
The emperor then ordered skilled craftsmen to inlay gold into the fish-shaped tally, making it covered in golden scales that shimmered and gleamed, like a koi carp leaping over a gate.
Ji Chengning stared blankly at Qin Min.
Qin Min meant that the emperor's actions were intended to wipe out all the thieves who produced and sold Spring Rain.
Why? Ji Chengnin suddenly felt an urge to burst out laughing—maybe!
If Ji Chengnin hadn't seen the old documents from the Ministry of Justice, if he hadn't known that the emperor had tacitly approved the generals using spring rain for training, he might have actually believed Qin Min's earnest and patient persuasion.
However, however...
Each and every single thing is clearly distinguished as black and white.
How utterly hypocritical!
Seeing that he seemed to have a change of heart, Qin Min quickly pressed on, "Besides, there's also His Highness."
He sighed deeply, "Just think about how difficult it must be for His Highness because of your matter."
-----------------------
The author's note: 1. This is from Wang Wei's "Drinking Wine with Pei Di": "The affairs of the world are fleeting and not worth asking about; it is better to lie down and have a good meal."
2. Fortune Telling Poem
Goodnight, my wife.
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