Prince Peng
Chapter 44: Prince Peng
There is a sacred temple outside the city. It is not only effective in granting children, but also has countless people praying for blessings and peace.
Peng Zuoyuan walked up the stairs alone, lit three incense sticks skillfully, put his hands together, bent down and lowered his head, and made a sincere wish.
Inserting the incense ash into the base of the candle, he silently said, "I only hope that my wife will have a smooth and peaceful delivery with minimal pain."
Yi Huan was about to give birth, and Peng Zuoyang had been worried for the past half month. Even though he had made all the necessary preparations, he was still afraid that something irreparable would go wrong.
The incense in the temple was too strong, so he bathed before entering the inner room.
Yi Huan was a light sleeper to begin with, and her sense of smell was even more sensitive due to her pregnancy. The faint smell of incense lingered all over her body, making her feel very uncomfortable.
"Go every few days. If you like, you can just shave your head and become a monk."
Peng Zuoyan chuckled twice, reached out and touched her hand, and said, "Of course not. I still want to be your pillow. What's the point of being a monk?"
"I'm going here as always, begging you for a smooth birth and hoping I can also do good deeds and become a virtuous person."
Yi Huan couldn't stop laughing after hearing the last four words, "Since that's what you asked for, why don't you be named Peng Jide when you're born? Hahahaha."
"Isn't it too childish to name it like this?"
Yi Huan suddenly stopped laughing, his serious face appearing solemn in the dark night. He asked sincerely, "Although you have spent half your life serving your country, you also overthrew the dynasty with your own hands, doing evil things without any shame. We are siblings with the same father. Do you think you will give birth to a deformed baby this time?"
"Ah Huan. Don't curse him like that."
"You love him so much, why don't you give birth to him yourself? Wouldn't it be better if I didn't have to worry about it?"
Peng Zuoyuan tucked the corner of the quilt for him and said with a smile: "You are his biological mother. It took our combined efforts to give birth to him. If I can give birth to him, I will bear the pain of childbirth."
The room was quiet for a while. Peng Zuoyan leaned over and asked, "Ah Huan, have you thought of a name for your child?"
"casual."
"The word 'casual' is too common. I thought of something else. Peng Yu, what do you think?"
Yi Huan subconsciously thought of the name of his dynasty and said in surprise: "Yu, you dare to use the name of your country."
"You and I, my son, want this world, so what?"
Just like the arrogance and contempt in his words, Peng Zuoyuan's expression was even worse. The late crown prince's posthumous child had just learned to run and couldn't even speak a few complete sentences. Even if he really wanted something else, who could compare with his own son?
"If you really become the Peng family, be careful not to abuse your power and harm yourself."
Peng Zuoyan blew a breath and said a little, "Since I had the courage to overturn that chair, I naturally have some means of protection. Ah Huan, just rest assured. You and our child will both be noble and respected people in this world."
In April, the spring was in full bloom, and Peng Zuoyuan's delivery date arrived as scheduled according to the date calculated by the midwife and the imperial physician.
Late at night, a crying little boy was carried out of the delivery room.
Peng Zuoyuan glanced at him and waved his hand, then walked into the room and said, "Take him away and take good care of him."
The mess in the house had been cleaned up long ago. The person sleeping with his eyes closed was lying quietly in the quilt. The window was not open and the room was a little stuffy.
Peng Zuoyan sat on the edge of the bed, wiping the sweat off Yi Huan with a handkerchief. Her sweat-soaked hair was dark and shiny, her forehead was smooth and her cheeks were rosy. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, cherishing her deeply.
"Wake up, Huan. You've worked hard. Thank you."
The dim light in front of him was just right. Yi Huan lay there for a few seconds before coming to his senses. The strength given by the ginseng tonic was competing with the other pain. When he thought of the tearing pain, his head also started to hurt.
"Ah Huan, lie down first. The midwife said that it's difficult for you to move around. If you want to drink some water or go to the toilet, I'll help you."
Yi Huan took out the medicine bottle he had prepared long ago from the compartment under the bed and said, "Take this elixir-killing pill, or I will kill that evil creature myself."
"Okay, I'll eat. You lie down and rest first."
Only after seeing him swallow the food with his own eyes did Yi Huan lie back down with peace of mind.
"Ah Huan, I'm not taking this medicine because of him. I don't want you to suffer the pain of childbirth anymore. I will drink it for you."
"Whatever you say."
After the child was born, Yi Huan did not take care of him personally. When the child was one month old, Yi Huan was tired of the child crying and making noise day and night, so she asked to send the child out of the house to be raised, and did not say when to send him back.
Peng Zuoyan had already learned how to hold a child without him crying. He didn't say anything to refuse, but instead hugged him and asked, "When will you bring him back? Will you go see him?"
Yi Huan's eyes were calm as he said perfunctorily, "We'll talk about it later."
"Okay, I'll send Yu'er away. You can bring him back whenever you miss him."
It was not until two years later that Peng Zuoyuan tentatively mentioned it and the prince returned.
The child who was sent back was sleeping soundly. Peng Zuoyan passed by that yard on his way to look for Yi Huan, and turned a corner to take a look.
Unexpectedly, Yi Huan was there too.
Under the dark robe was a skinny body. The protruding wrist bones were placed on the child's rough neck. The five fingers slowly retracted, exerting force but not force, as if testing the bottom line.
Yi Huan had murderous intentions towards Peng Yu, and this was the first time Peng Zuoyuan felt it so clearly.
He thought it was just dislike. He overestimated the status of his mother in Yi Huan's eyes and underestimated Yi Huan's hatred for him.
She has always hated everyone in her family.
In the past, Peng Zuoyang had never put himself in other people's shoes. He had never thought about how he would treat his enemies and how he would maintain the hatred in his heart if he were Yi Huan, imprisoned and misunderstood for decades.
Peng Zuoyuan stood there without saying a word, leaving the power of life and death to Yi Huan.
Yi Huan thought about it for a long time, and when the sudden impulse faded away, he gave up.
Glancing at the people standing behind her, she gently touched the sleeping face of the child and asked frivolously, "Why, are you afraid that I will kill him?"
"You gave him his life. If you want to take it back, I won't stop you."
"Isn't he your son too? Are you willing for me to kill your child?"
Unlike her casual attitude, Peng Zuoyan approached and said seriously, "It doesn't matter whether I'm happy or not. I still say the same thing: I'll follow your advice."
"This is your eldest son, Peng Zuoyan. This is our child. I will raise him. Don't worry."
The more she acted like this, the more worried he became, but Peng Zuoyan said nothing. The more he felt indebted, the more he obeyed. Peng Zuoyan didn't give her what she wanted, so he could only tacitly obey whatever Yi Huan wanted.
Peng Yu started to learn at the age of four. He lived in the yard next to Yi Huan and was very dependent on his biological mother.
In the early morning, a carriage stopped on the official road to the academy. When the little man, as tall as a human leg, came down the steps and turned around, he said respectfully and reliantly, "Mother, I will listen carefully to the lectures in the academy and learn my skills."
"Well, go in."
Peng Zuoyuan came back from court, changed into casual clothes and waited at the courtyard gate as usual. He waited there specifically today because he had something to say.
Although Peng Yu is young, he knows that his family is different. Besides being precocious, he also comes into contact with some people and things. Yi Huan also participates in it and secretly builds up his power.
Yi Huan didn't even glance at him, walked past him into the yard and sat down.
"Ah Huan, are you crippling him?"
Yi Huan asked back, "Did I interfere with his food, clothing, housing and transportation? Did I interfere with you taking him out to the military camp to practice martial arts? I didn't teach him anything."
"You're secretly influencing him spiritually. Although I haven't personally experienced or taught him, I've sensed it, and my investigations have revealed that children need to remain dormant in front of their father. Ah Huan, is this your plan?"
Peng Zuoyan vaguely sensed her purpose, but was unwilling to think about it too much.
"I'm plotting? Do you know what I'm plotting? If you know, go call Peng Yu and ask him what mediocre things I taught him and how I taught him to fight you. Then you can crush my plot with your own words."
"The owner of the blacksmith shop has confessed everything. He damaged my grain transport team and lost half of his own treasure. Ah Huan, is it worth it?"
Yi Huan chuckled, wiped his hands and admitted, "It's been five years, and you just realized it?"
Her private power was based on Peng Zuoyan's influence and was carried out under the name of Peng Yu, but the mastermind behind the scenes was Yi Huan, and everything was obviously directed at him.
She looks like a woman from the harem, but she works hard to build up her power, not for self-protection, not for Peng Yu. What is her purpose? The truth is heartbreaking.
Peng Zuoyan's face was filled with pain, and he asked pleadingly, "Ah Huan, do you really want to destroy our family?"
"What are you talking about? If there really comes a day when father and son come to blows, will I force you with a sword? It's your weak mind, what does it have to do with me?"
"If you want, just say the word and he will kill me for you."
Peng Zuoyuan has always believed that if Peng Yu grows up and becomes capable, the young master will definitely take action with just a thought or a word from Yi Huan.
The young child longs for his mother's affection, and doesn't know why his mother doesn't smile as gently as other mothers. He can only try to get her to change by being overly sensible, well-behaved and careful.
"Would it please you if we fought? Or would it please you if I killed myself?"
"Will you do it if I tell you to? No." Yi Huan shook his head and said, "I hate you, you know that. If you can commit suicide, I will look upon you with a higher regard. If you can't do it, don't make promises lightly."
Peng Zuoyan smiled lightly and said affectionately, "Ah Huan, you know what I can't bear to give up. Even if you hate and spit on me, I can't give up on you. Just think of it as me being greedy for life and not daring to let go and die."
"If you can't do it, then don't say anything. It's hypocritical."
There was a horse farm in the backyard of the Peng Mansion. Peng Yu had just started learning horse riding, so he would always go there to ride a few laps after school every day.
"Mother, you're here?"
Yi Huan stood outside the wooden fence, listened to his shout, stretched out his arms and waved.
During the second lap, the horse's hoof hit a sharp stone, and the horse howled in pain with its head raised to the sky. Peng Yu immediately reined in the horse to stop, but unexpectedly the horse sped up and seemed to be out of control.
"Stop! Stop now!"
"Mom, please get out of the way!"
The servants were too panicked to move forward. Yi Huan stepped into the stables, shouting as he ran, "Hit the haystack! Fell into the haystack!"
The horse could change lanes at any time, and her heart was beating faster than usual. She was not completely sure that Peng Yu would be able to land safely.
But there is danger ahead, so we have no choice but to give it a try.
Peng Yu remained calm, twisted his horse's head, kicked it hard, and ordered, "Go!"
The haystack was smashed into pieces. Yi Huan hugged Peng Yu, who was about to fall, with his arms and rolled to the left to avoid the horse that was temporarily motionless.
"Mother, your hand. Mother!"
Yi hugged him to cushion her body, and the right arm she was holding was exactly the right hand she had amputated.
The stinging pain made her lose her energy and she fainted.
At dawn, in the quiet main house, the person sitting on the footstool had not slept all night. His hands under the quilt were loosely holding her left hand, and his haggard eyes, which were tired from staying up late, stared at the person lying on the bed without blinking.
Peng Zuoyan was frightened by yesterday's news.
Yi Huan was unconscious, his face and arms covered in blood, his broken wrist was hanging loosely, and the skin on his forearm was black and blue from being pressed. Just one look at him made him feel heartbroken.
The palm of his hand moved quietly, and Peng Zuoyuan leaned forward to look. She was opening her eyes with trembling eyelashes.
"Ah Huan, are you awake? Where does it hurt? Does your right hand hurt?"
Yi Huan opened his mouth to speak, but his throat was too hoarse and no sound came out.
Peng Zuoyuan carefully brought the warm tea and handed it to him, saying, "Have a sip of tea to moisten your throat."
“It’s too dark.”
Before daybreak, Peng Zuoyang called a maid to light a candle, and another maid came forward with a medicine that was kept warm.
Peng Zuoyang took a sip to test the temperature, then fed the medicine himself, saying, "Drink it first. The imperial physician said it has analgesic properties."
"Madam, the young master knows that you have woken up, and he asked to see you in the courtyard, saying that he has something to tell you."
"If you don't want to see him, just let him keep kneeling."
Yi Huan chewed some candied fruit to moisten his mouth. Since he had come to the rescue, he wouldn't take his anger out on a child. He said, "Call him in."
Peng Yu's outer robe, soaked with cold dew, became damp when it was heated, and the ends of his hair stuck to his back. Only when he saw Yi Huan had woken up did he dare to cry. He felt extremely regretful and guilty and said, "I'm sorry, mother. I will never ride a horse again. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been hurt. It's my fault. Please forgive me."
"I don't blame you, and you don't have to blame yourself."
Peng Zuoyuan took the medicine bowl and sat on the edge of the bed, watching quietly. Peng Yu knelt on his knees, his dark eyes filled with tears, and he raised his head in self-blame and regret.
He told him to stand up and said, "No need to kneel, stand up and answer."
"Yes, father."
"Accidents happen all the time, and they're even more likely to happen when you're young. If you abandon these things because of one accident, then your life would be extremely boring."
Peng Yu pouted, "But I hurt you. I shouldn't play around like that."
"Since you know your shortcomings, you must overcome them. This way, you can protect the people you want to protect. When something like this happens again, you can take action. You won't be waiting in vain for others to protect you, and you won't feel bad afterwards."
Yi Huan stood up slightly and taught calmly: "Ayu, if you can keep trying despite setbacks, it will be worth it for me to get hurt to save you."
Peng Yu's heart was shocked, and he realized the deep meaning of these words. He bowed and said seriously, "Okay, okay, I will listen to you."
"Now that you've finished talking, keep kneeling."
"Yes. Father, please take good care of mother for me."
Peng Zuoyang glanced at him and said, "I will do it myself. No need for you to tell me."
Yi Huan said that she did not regret or blame anyone, but Peng Zuoyan could not do the same as her. She said that she would take Peng Yu to the military camp for training. He trained for a full six months before being sent back. Naturally, he was covered in injuries, but he was also tempered a lot.
At the palace gate, Yi Huan came out to greet him and said, "You've grown taller and thinner. You've changed a lot."
"Mom, my son has become stronger and more mature in the past six months." "Yeah, he's taller and more stylish now."
A prince living in a pile of gold and jade does not need to be very strong in martial arts, as he has his own subordinates who will fight for him. But it is different for a general who is a general and holds power. Only those who have fought hard can last long.
"Mother, my son wants to join the army and become a general."
The two walked side by side into the courtyard, and Yi Huan asked, "Why?"
In the past, Peng Yu had a gentle personality, was intelligent and wise, and was more suitable to be a civil official and gentleman.
Peng Yu said firmly: "Mother, I want to learn skills to protect myself and my family."
When he looked up at her while talking about his family, Yi Huan pulled his lips together with a forced smile and said casually, "Ayu has grown up."
"But being a general is very tiring. If you become a prince, he will pave the way for you. Ah Yu, winning people's hearts, escaping death, and assessing the situation, this road is not as easy as you think. If you want to follow in your father's footsteps, you must learn to persevere on this path."
"The child wants more than just to catch up with his father."
Peng Yu added firmly: "Because I want to fight for something, for you and for my son himself."
Yi Huan remained silent, knowing what he wanted to fight for. When Peng Zuoyuan was not around, she had instilled her education in him both overtly and covertly. Now it seemed that Peng Yu had listened to it all and stood on her side.
Without saying anything to refuse, she just touched his hair.
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