Chapter 38: Diamond Brother on Golden Stage.
“…”
"Why be a savior?" Zhao Yan asked, even the ancients would not understand. "I don't have such grand ideals..."
He knows his own worth.
"Huh?"
"wrong?"
Zhao Yan realized it later. What did Brother Lan call him just now?
Is it Ana Shen?
Or Zhao Yan?
Zhao Yan's eyelashes trembled, and his gaze fell on Yong Shaolan's deep eyes. His heart began to pound non-stop. "What did you call me, Brother Lan?"
Yong Shaolan raised his eyes, his gaze fell on Zhao Yan's pupils, and said lightly: "Ash Chen, what's wrong?"
"Really...?" Zhao Yanfu immediately became intimidated as soon as he caught Yong Shaolan's eye. His palms were sweating with guilt. "No, it's okay."
Yong Shaolan's eyes darkened, and he suddenly added, "Do you want to kiss again?"
Zhao Yan looked at him suddenly: "Hmm?"
As soon as the man finished speaking, Zhao Yan's lips were pried open, and the tip of his tongue was hooked away again into a vacuum state and sucked a few times.
Yong Shaolan really likes to stick out his tongue.
Fortunately, the kiss was not too long. After less than five minutes, Yong Shaolan withdrew his tongue from his mouth.
Zhao Yan stuck out his tongue and lay on Yong Shaolan's shoulder, panting like a drowned puppy.
"Are you coming again?"
Zhao Yan waved his hand: "No, no, buddy, my tongue is numb from being sucked, let me slow down."
Yong Shaolan pinched Zhao Yan's jaw, his eyes fixed on the lips he had just bitten, and said calmly, "Let's go back to the room?"
The man's Adam's apple rolled slightly.
"Hmm..." Zhao Yan tilted his head, looking at Yong Shaolan's constantly moving Adam's apple and his fiery gaze. He suddenly felt that he was lustful: "Then, then let's go back?"
"I'll hold you."
When Zhao Yan finished washing up, Yong Shaolan had already dried his hair and was waiting by the couch. He walked over shyly. When Yong Shaolan saw Zhao Yan come in, he stood up and walked over to him, helping Zhao Yan dry his hair.
Yong Shaolan's eyesight had improved considerably over the past few days, and he was less sensitive to light. The room was now lit with a flurry of candles, their brightness enveloping both of them. Yong Shaolan's snow-white nightgown was loosely unbuttoned, its warm light falling vaguely on his delicate, shapely drapes. His loose trousers were pulled extremely low at the waist. Zhao Yan glanced at him from the corner of his eye, his body instantly stiffening.
I closed my eyes, relaxed for a while, and then opened them again, but I still felt uncomfortable.
No, why does he have so many muscles? !
As if sensing Zhao Yan's reaction, Yong Shaolan stopped what he was doing and asked, "Don't you like me getting so close?"
"No...no," Zhao Yan said somewhat reluctantly. Then he remembered that he had just promised Yong Shaolan not to lie, so he explained, "I'm just not used to it. The estrus period is over."
"Estrous?"
Zhao Yan explained: "Oh, I gave it to myself, for the days when I smelled fragrant."
Yong Shaolan: "...appropriate."
Yong Shaolan said, and wiped Zhao Yan's hair in silence, "Okay, go inside and sleep."
Zhao Yan climbed up and got into the quilt. Yong Shaolan put away the hand cloth and turned back.
"Brother Lan, were you trying to ask if we should... well, trick the Seventh Prince into becoming emperor?" Zhao Yan licked his lips. "But actually, I know my own limitations. I'm not capable of such a high position, and the Seventh Prince doesn't want to be emperor either. It's just that I witnessed the whole process and I feel uncomfortable."
Yong Shaolan's eyes darkened and fell on Zhao Yan's face with a sincere look on the bed.
Zhao Yan thought for a moment and continued, "That feeling is really uncomfortable. Although I sound a bit hypocritical when I say this, I know I can't change it, and I don't have the ability to change it, but when I see something like this, I feel uncomfortable in my heart. I am just an idiot with high expectations but low skills, a soft-hearted coward."
"I'll help you," Yong Shaolan leaned over and pinched Zhao Yan's chin: "Just think about it, do you want to do it?"
Yong Shaolan looked at him disdainfully: "The highest position among officials?"
Zhao Yan thought about it for a while, then shook his head: "No, I don't want to."
He cannot be a powerful official. If he wants to be the master of his own house, he can only be the emperor. The road to becoming an emperor is not easy. Please forgive his selfishness.
"Well," Yong Shaolan let go of Zhao Yan: "Then tomorrow, I will accompany you to the Northern Pacification Office."
Yong Shaolan said calmly, "The person should be gone, but perhaps the body can be found in the mass grave. This matter is not anyone's fault, so don't feel any psychological pressure."
"Those barbarians are but sacrifices of the two nations. Even if she survives today, she will surely die soon when His Majesty issues the decree to launch an expedition against the north."
"His Majesty favored her simply because he did something that made him feel happy, just like when you're hungry and there's a rare delicacy nearby, you just try it once."
"..." Zhao Yan looked at Yong Shaolan who had said so many words at once: "But you sound so cold-blooded when you say that. I'm not saying you are cold-blooded, I'm saying the imperial power is cold-blooded."
“Sitting in that position, who can guarantee that they are not cold-blooded? Killing is just a matter of a nod from the superior. Even if it is uncomfortable the first time, you will become numb after doing it many times.” After Yong Shaolan finished speaking, he thought for a while and then said, “Alan Chen, do you feel uncomfortable when I say this?”
Cold and arrogant.
A monster without emotions.
Zhao Yan raised his eyes, looked at Yong Shaolan, and replied seriously: "I kind of want to refute you and have a big fight with you, but I know that maybe what you say is right."
Yong Shaolan's eyes darkened: "Well, that's not entirely true. You can also go your own way - let's not talk about this."
"Want to do something pleasurable?"
"Ah?" Zhao Yan wanted to ask, but Yong Shaolan didn't give him a chance. He lifted his blanket and held his ankle with his warm hands: "Do, what?"
Yong Shaolan moved to the opposite side of Zhao Yan, lifted his feet and placed them on his thighs, and said solemnly, "Guess?"
"Hmm...?" His ankle felt like it was being licked by a wet tongue, and the area where it was held was itchy. Zhao Yan curled his toes and supported himself with his hands at his sides. "I have a bad feeling."
Zhao Yan looked at Yong Shaolan, whose eyes were fixed on his feet, and said in horror, "You're not going to lick my feet, are you?"
“…”
"I don't have that kind of fetish for now," Yong Shaolan said, smoothing his throat and looking up at the nervous Zhao Yan: "But if you want to, I can try."
"Don't...!" Zhao Yan shook his head like a rattle: "I don't have such a perverted habit...!"
Just as Zhao Yan finished speaking, he saw Yong Shaolan suddenly unbuckle his belt towards his feet.
The thin and delicate silk fell from the man's tight waist.
"Fuck!"
The boy's almond-shaped eyes widened, and after a while he recovered his reaction, he closed his eyes and covered them with his hands: "Ahhhhhhh what are you doing! What are you doing! My eyes are dirty!"
"You exhibitionist!"
"Close your eyes if you can't stand it," Yong Shaolan rubbed Zhao Yan's ankle with one hand and panted softly, "I estimate it will take half an hour."
Half an hour?
One hour?
Diamond brother?
ox.
The atmosphere in the bed curtains gradually became thick and ambiguous as the mist grew.
Zhao Yan silently counted the ducks in his mind, and when he counted to 2,656 ducks, Yong Shaolan pinched the boy's skin and panted softly, "Ash Yan."
They are all men, so Zhao Yan naturally knows which "stage" he is at now.
"Fuck you, don't call me."
"I'm really impressed!"
"When will you be good?"
After more than a minute, Yong Shaolan finally let out a sigh of relief and held his ankle in his palm. "Yeah, it's okay now."
An hour and a minute?
Zhao Yan kicked the man and simply lay down, looking at the top of the bed curtain with inferiority, helpless and furious: "Fuck, ah ah ah ah, is there anyone who can be kind enough to come for a minute ah ah ah!"
…
When Yong Shaolan came back after washing up, Zhao Yan was already half asleep in the quilt.
"Hmm..." Zhao Yan rubbed his sleepy eyelids: "Why are you so slow?"
Then he realized that this period of time was about the same as the time he had spent counting ducks just now. He immediately wilted and could no longer look directly at Yong Shaolan's usually cold appearance: "Brother Lan, when you are young, you still need to take good care of your body."
Zhao Yan said seriously: "Otherwise, when you get old, you will feel weak."
Yong Shaolan: “…”
"I don't need it. Even though I'm old, I can still satisfy you."
Zhao Yan: Shut up, Brother Diamond!
…
The next day at noon, Yong Shaolan took a rest. After the two of them had breakfast together, Zhao Yan suggested that Yong Shaolan go back to Zichen Palace with him first, and make a decision after he asked Zhao Cheng for the result.
Yong Shaolan agreed, "Then you go back first."
"Hmm?" Zhao Yan wiped his mouth and raised an eyebrow at Yong Shaolan: "Brother Lan, won't you come with me? It's fun over there too."
"No." Yong Shaolan poured Zhao Yan a cup of tea and said, "You and I shouldn't get too close in public."
"You are the Seventh Prince's man, the Crown Prince will be suspicious."
"...Okay," Zhao Yan didn't understand why, but Brother Lan must have a point. "Then I'll go to Wenhua Hall first, and then secretly come to find you and bring you the remaining antidote."
"good."
…
Zhao Yan left the palace and went straight to Wenhua Hall after entering the palace, but Zhao Cheng was not there. He could only wait by himself. Zhao Cheng did not return until around noon.
The eunuch from Wenhua Palace came in and announced, "Seventh Prince, the Crown Prince has returned and is in the tea room. Please come over."
"Sorry for the trouble." Zhao Yan got up and went to the tea room in Wenhua Hall.
Zhao Cheng knew why Zhao Yan came. "Brother went to the Imperial Prison yesterday. She is indeed not dead yet. I have arranged for a doctor to treat her injuries. However, whether she can recover depends on her fate."
"Really?" Zhao Yan was overjoyed. "Thank you, brother. I thought there was no hope. I'll go back and tell Mother later."
After all, Yingpin was punished for offending her mother. She knew that although her mother didn't say anything on the surface, she must be feeling uncomfortable in her heart. It's just that she has become accustomed to it, just like Brother Lan said, she has become numb.
"Well," Zhao Cheng made up an excuse, "but it was my father who stabbed that barbarian girl to death. Seeing that she was lucky enough to survive, my father had her thrown into the imperial prison. Even if she recovered, her end wouldn't be good."
It would be better to die and be done with it.
"Don't worry, brother. If she's not dead, Mother will definitely try her best to persuade Father. Then it will be fine if she can be kept in the palace."
Zhao Cheng: "Yeah."
For a slave, he risked being scolded by his father. Zhao Yan was really a freeloader, relying on his good family background to do whatever he wanted.
Unlike him and his mother, they would ponder over something in their minds for many days before saying it.
Zhao Cheng twirled his teacup and said, "Don't leave at noon. You're going to treat me to a meal."
Zhao Yan nodded, "Okay, I'll ask Xiao Zhouzi to pack it up right away."
I'll go talk to my mother about this in the afternoon.
Xiao Zhouzi was efficient and packed up the feast in less than an hour. Zhao Yan couldn't eat much, but he was greedy and wanted to try everything. Since it was a treat today, he ordered a lot of dishes.
Zhao Cheng couldn't eat much either, "Are you full?"
Zhao Yan touched his round belly and said, "I'm full."
"Someone, clear the table."
They used serving chopsticks to eat, and the remaining food was not touched by their mouths. Usually, Zhao Yan gave it to Xiao Zhouzi and the others. Seeing such a table full of delicious food, Zhao Yan blurted out: "Wait, it would be a waste to throw it away. Otherwise, let Ah Yan pack it up and eat it at home in the evening."
Zhao Cheng frowned: "...Okay."
"Then I'll be leaving first, brother." Zhao Yan drank the tea that Zhao Cheng pushed to him, "I'm a little sleepy, I'm going back to sleep."
"Hmm," Zhao Cheng suddenly remembered that Zhao Yan was Qilin'er. "By the way, Ah Yan, two months ago, I heard from my father that he was going to find a husband for you. I guess you haven't decided on anyone yet, right? After the ceremony the day after tomorrow, how about I go on a blind date with you?"
"Hmm...?" Zhao Yan was already tired, but when he heard what Zhao Cheng said, he immediately perked up: "Brother, you haven't appointed a Crown Princess yet, why should I be in such a hurry?"
Come on, he's only eighteen!
Okay, this is ancient times, please forgive me, Brother Zhao.
"Brother is about to choose a Crown Princess," Zhao Cheng said. "The Queen Mother has chosen my cousin from my uncle's family, who is about your age. It will be a formality after the Queen Mother's coronation ceremony is over."
"...cousin?" Zhao Yan frowned, and couldn't help but want to tell Zhao Cheng about the disadvantages of marrying close relatives, but this kind of thing was very common in ancient times.
"Yeah." Zhao Cheng no longer had any impression of the person, but his uncle's family was the one he wanted to support. Having a marriage relationship would make their relationship more stable. "What's wrong with that?"
Zhao Yan didn't know how to explain to Zhao Cheng the disadvantages of marrying close relatives, so he could only offer some advice in a roundabout way: "Just that, since you've watched someone grow up, will you feel uncomfortable in the bridal chamber?"
"No problem, I don't like her either. If you feel uncomfortable, I can take in a few more concubines." Zhao Cheng: "I don't care about the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. I only care about the ability of my future children."
"I'm talking about you. Why are you bringing the topic back to me?" Zhao Cheng lowered his eyes slightly, looked at Zhao Yan, and asked, "Do you have a crush on someone?"
Zhao Yan wanted to nod, but then he remembered what Brother Lan had said to him this morning and shook his head decisively: "No..."
Zhao Cheng's mouth twitched imperceptibly when he heard this.
fraud.
Last time, he asked someone to follow Zhao Yan's carriage and clearly saw him disguised as a servant and go to Prince Yong's Mansion.
The Queen Mother said that Prince Yong had rejected the marriage proposal with Zhao Yan, so the person Zhao Yan had a secret meeting with should be a guard from Prince Yong's mansion, otherwise Zhao Yan would not have harmed his body to please Prince Yong.
"Then I'll pick for you. Find all the handsome men in Yujing for A'yan," so that Zhao Yan wouldn't lower his status to have a secret meeting with a guard from a royal palace. Even if he was stupid, he was still a member of the Zhao family. When he got married in the future, the person he would marry could only be a royal relative, a child of destiny, and preferably someone from his mother's family.
Zhao Cheng: "When the time comes, I will build you a big house in Yujing, and you can live with me in Yujing."
This makes it easier for you to control it.
"Let's talk about it later, brother. I'm really not in a hurry." Zhao Yan didn't want to discuss this topic. Otherwise, Brother Lan would be unhappy if he knew. He would have to try to comfort him, and his tongue was about to be sucked off by him. "Let's not talk about this, brother. I'm really sleepy. I'll come to see you another day."
"Okay," Zhao Cheng chuckled and stopped forcing Zhao Yan.
Anyway, he is still young, so it’s okay for him to play with it first.
…
In the afternoon, Zhao Yan wanted to go to his mother to tell her about this, but his mother went to Taiji Palace. Zhao Yan had to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to get the medicine first, and then went directly to the palace to tell Yong Shaolan about it.
Zhao Yan: "I originally thought that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't do it."
Yong Shaolan frowned, "Really?"
Zhao Yan thought Yong Shaolan was jealous again, "Brother Lan, why do you look unhappy?"
"Could you be more generous?"
"Nothing," Yong Shaolan said calmly, "I have nothing to do today. I'll take you somewhere."
Zhao Yan smelled something wrong: "There's something wrong with you, Brother Lan."
Zhao Yan thought he had a pretty good idea of Yong Shaolan's personality. His tone just now clearly showed that he didn't believe what he had just said. "What's the matter?"
Yong Shaolan wiped the top of Zhao Yan's hair, stood up and said, "Let's go, you'll know when you get there."
Zhao Yan: "You are always mysterious."
Zhao Yan followed Yong Shaolan onto the carriage and after nearly an hour's journey, they arrived outside Yujing City.
Before leaving the palace, Yong Shaolan asked Wen Quan to go out early and find Yingpin's body.
Wen Quan followed Zhou Xiaoqi from the Northern Pacification Office all the way to the mass grave outside Yujing City. They grunted and threw a pile of corpses here before they found Yingpin, who had been collectively executed.
The bodies of those executed by the court would usually be collected by their families, but Yingpin was a slave paid as tribute by the Oirat Mongols, so naturally no one collected her body after her death. The bodies of the five major eunuchs in Yujing that were not dealt with were all buried here, so they came.
This place is a small barren hill with uneven terrain, and carriages cannot enter.
Zhao Yan got off the carriage and followed Yong Shaolan on the bumpy and narrow path. From time to time, rustling sounds came from the half-human-high weeds on the roadside.
Zhao Yan shrank his neck and saw Wen Quan and several young men in official robes not far away. "Brother Lan, why did you bring me here?"
"This place is so weird."
Yong Shaolan paused and held Zhao Yan's hand tightly: "Well, this is a mass grave."
Zhao Yan: "...Ah? Mass grave?"
Zhao Yan immediately reacted, "Brother Lan, you came here to look for Concubine Ying, right?"
Zhao Yan: "Is he dead?"
Yong Shaolan: "Yeah,"
“…” Zhao Yan frowned and said nothing.
Zhao Yan knew that Yong Shaolan would not lie to him, but this meant that Zhao Cheng had lied to him. This was something that was not easy to accomplish, and Zhao Yan could not imagine why Zhao Cheng would lie to him?
Zhao Yan tightly grasped Yong Shaolan's hand: "Um, Brother Lan, have you guessed that the prince lied to me?"
Yong Shaolan frowned and said nothing.
At this time, Wen Quan saw the two people coming and took the initiative to report: "Your Majesty, the person has been found!"
Wen Quan: "The death is a bit ugly. I've called the coroner to come and clean up. Would you like to take a look?"
Zhao Yan squinted his eyes and looked at the black patch on the ground from a distance, and then he recognized that the dress was the rose-red dress that Concubine Ying wore that day.
Zhao Yan felt like vomiting, so he helped Yong Shaolan turn his back and said, "No need to look, Brother Lan, let's go back."
The boy's rosy face turned pale.
Yong Shaolan cleared his throat and said with an unpleasant expression, "Hmm."
On the way back, Yong Shaolan didn't say anything. Zhao Yan paused for a moment and then took the initiative to ask, "Brother Lan, you already guessed the result, why didn't you tell me directly?"
"It's such a long, winding road."
"Sometimes what you see isn't necessarily the truth, let alone a statement." Yong Shaolan touched Zhao Yan's sweaty forehead and said, "No matter who said it, you should confirm it yourself before drawing any conclusions."
“Alan Shen, don’t trust anyone easily.”
"Hmm...? You really are a good boyfriend." Zhao Yan sighed and leaned on Yong Shaolan's shoulder. "Brother Lan, I suddenly feel very annoyed."
There could be many reasons why Zhao Cheng lied to him, like his subordinates weren't doing their job properly, or he didn't want to upset him, or he felt it was unnecessary to waste energy on this matter and so on... But the important thing wasn't that. It was that as someone who had lived for ten years and was at the core of politics, he didn't even know the basic common sense that this person would not survive in the Imperial Prison!?
Can a useless person like him survive without his mother and brother Lan?
Zhao Yan said discouragedly: "Brother Lan, please take good care of the body, even though it is already dead."
Zhao Yan turned into a droopy kitten: "I'm tired, let's go back, I want to be alone."
Zhao Yan always told himself that since he was here, he should make the best of it. This was a feudal society, and he should not think that he could change the world with his own ideas...!
He now reflects on himself, is it really possible to live such a simple life?
Maybe it is possible. Brother Lan and the entire Nangong family, what difficulty would it have in ensuring his safety for the rest of his life?
But he... didn't want this.
…
After returning from outside Yujing City, Zhao Yan went straight back to Zichen Palace. It was not until dinner time in the evening that he called Xiao Zhouzi to prepare the sedan chair. He planned to go to Jiaofang Palace to see his mother and talk about this matter.
As soon as they arrived at the Pepper Room, a young eunuch came out to announce, "Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine is still in the Taiji Hall. Why don't you go back first?"
"What time is it already?" Zhao Yan didn't like going to the Taiji Hall before. His father always told him things he didn't like to hear, such as who can be used, who should be killed if used to what extent, and so on and so forth, all kinds of profound principles that he could not use. But now he doesn't seem to be so averse to it.
Zhao Yan felt that he was a bit like a bird trapped in a golden cage. He enjoyed the safe life with peace of mind, but hated this sleepy situation. He lived in a dilemma for ten years!
"Then let's go to Taiji Hall," Zhao Yan's eyes darkened, "I'm going to see my father."
…
In the Taiji Hall, the doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau had been guarding Emperor Yuanwu's bed for a whole night. An epidemic had broken out in the palace a few days ago, and two young eunuchs had died. They thought it was handled well, but who would have thought that a young palace maid in the Taiji Hall would be infected.
The emperor had a high fever that wouldn't go away, so the imperial guards blocked the news and locked up all the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau.
When Zhao Yan arrived, the imperial guards were guarding the door. "Seventh Prince, His Majesty has important matters to attend to. He will not see anyone today."
"Ah?" Zhao Yan frowned. "I don't want to see him either? Why don't you go and inform him that I want to see the emperor."
Beijing Guards: "..."
Although he was very reluctant, he still risked being reprimanded and entered the Taiji Hall. After an incense stick of time, the imperial guards came out of the Taiji Hall and said with a fist, "Your Highness, please go in."
"trouble."
When Zhao Yan entered the room, Hu Fu was waiting for him in the outer hall. "Your Highness, please put this on and follow me."
The mask Hu Fu gave Zhao Yan was a common one used in the Imperial Hospital to prevent plague and influenza.
“Hmm…?” The rear hall of Taiji Hall is the bedroom of Emperor Yuanwu. It is sealed so tightly… Who has contracted the plague?
Zhao Yan understood immediately.
——Father is sick.
Zhao Yan carefully put on his face mask and followed Hu Fu to the back hall: "Eunuch Hu, is my father okay?"
Hu Fu sighed softly, "Your Majesty, good fortune is with you. You will definitely be better today. Please go in and take a look."
Zhao Yan murmured, "It really is my father..."
The two walked around the main hall for a while before they saw the inner hall covered with winter cotton curtains. Hu Fu lifted the curtain for the young man, and Zhao Yan saw Concubine Nangong sitting at the head of Emperor Yuanwu's bed. Her face was haggard, as if she had aged ten years overnight.
On one side of the dragon bed, several familiar old doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau lined up in a row, including Imperial Physician Sun, who secretly helped Zhao Yan develop the antidote.
"Mother..." Zhao Yan lifted his skirt and walked in, kneeling before Emperor Yuanwu's bed to take a look. The man who had dominated the world for half his life now lay as weak as a baby, the color drained from his face. "Father? Father, what's wrong with you?"
Concubine Nangong tugged at Zhao Yan's sleeve and said, "Ah Yan, don't bother your father."
As she spoke, Concubine Nangong asked the imperial physician to take the veil and pulled Zhao Yan to put another one on him. "A maid in your father's palace has been infected with the plague... Your father started having a high fever last night. The imperial physician said that whether he can wake up depends on today."
As soon as Concubine Nangong finished speaking, Emperor Yuanwu on the dragon bed suddenly gasped violently. The sharp-eyed Hu Fuxian saw it and said, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, His Majesty has woken up!"
Before Zhao Yan could finish, the imperial doctors gathered around him. Zhao Yan and Concubine Nangong moved to the side and watched the doctors busy themselves. After a while, Emperor Yuanwu coughed a few times and slowly regained consciousness: "Ah Yan, Qingqing, are you here?"
Concubine Nangong: "I am here."
Zhao Yan helped Concubine Nangong back to the dragon bed. Hu Fu helped Emperor Yuanwu to his feet. The imperial physicians retreated to the side. "Your Majesty is blessed by heaven. The fever has dissipated. You only need to take good care of yourself in the next few days and you will recover."
Emperor Yuanwu hummed calmly. Normally, his words were powerful and intimidating, but after a night of high fever, even his strength to speak had diminished by seven points. This couldn't help but make this great ruler somewhat irritable.
Zhao Yan walked over to Emperor Yuanwu's bed and knelt down, holding his hand. "Father, you scared me to death. Why didn't anyone go to my palace to report last night?"
Emperor Yuanwu patted Zhao Yan's hand and signaled Hu Fu to bring a chair for the young man: "As long as your mother is here, it will be fine."
Emperor Yuanwu glanced at the people in the inner hall after he finished speaking. Hu Fu moved a chair over and signaled the imperial physicians in the inner hall to leave, leaving only Imperial Physician Sun who was preparing the antidote for Zhao Yan.
Only Zhao Yan, Nangong Imperial Concubine, Emperor Yuanwu, and Imperial Physician Sun were left in the inner hall. Before Emperor Yuanwu could ask anything, Imperial Physician Sun knelt on the ground and said, "Seventh Prince, both His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine know that you prepared the antidote for Prince Yong."
Zhao Yan: “…”
He had guessed that he could not hide it from his father, but he did not expect it to happen so soon.
"Father, you still have the mind to care about others..." Zhao Yan grasped the two burning fingers of Emperor Yuanwu and said, "Why didn't you tell me about such a serious matter as you contracted the epidemic?"
As Zhao Yan spoke, his nose felt sore and tears began to fall unconsciously: "This son has not been by your side for ten years to show filial piety. Father, you are frightening me to death..."
"Alright," Emperor Yuanwu frowned, "I'm fine now. A little cold won't kill me, but you—"
Emperor Yuanwu had summoned Imperial Physician Sun last night out of a heaty mood. After taking his pulse, he revealed a major secret. If Imperial Physician Sun hadn't been so timid as to speak, he wouldn't have known the full story until Zhao Yan had bled himself dry.
"Foolish thing," Emperor Yuanwu said harshly to Zhao Yan for the first time. "Who the hell is Prince Yong to allow your precious son, Qilin, to bleed and make medicine? How stupid are you?"
Emperor Yuanwu was furious and asked, "If he has the poison removed, how can you guarantee that he won't harm you? How can you guarantee that he won't lead the Liaodong army to rebel?"
"My son."
Emperor Yuanwu became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his eyes turning red at the end: "Ten years ago, Father shouldn't have been soft-hearted and let you return to Jinling. I never imagined you would grow up to be so soft-hearted and soft-hearted as you are now—"
Concubine Nangong knelt in front of the dragon bed, clutching the corner of Emperor Yuanwu's quilt: "Your Majesty, it is all due to my failure to discipline him properly. Please do not let this silly child upset you."
"Qing, please get up." Emperor Yuanwu coughed a few times, took Concubine Nangong's hand, and asked her to sit at the head of his bed. "You are not to blame for this matter. I am not angry. I am worried about you and your son."
"I know your majesty's intention..."
"..." Zhao Yan was scolded and lowered his head, tears falling down his eyelashes onto his clothes: "Father, but mother also has a Jinling army under her command. Why isn't your father afraid of mother's rebellion..."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Nangong was so angry that she wanted to hit Zhao Yan: "What nonsense are you talking about, kid?"
"..." Emperor Yuanwu suddenly had an epiphany. His eyes darkened as he looked at Zhao Yan, who bowed her head and sobbed. "Your mother and I have been married for over ten years, and you have only known Yong Shaolan for a few months. How can you guarantee that he will respect and love you as much as I do your mother?"
Emperor Yuanwu said quietly, "You were born into an imperial family, how can you be so emotional?"
"I don't know..." Zhao Yan raised his sleeve to wipe away his tears and said seriously, "But I am willing to save him. He saved me before, and I don't want him to suffer from the poison."
Emperor Yuanwu: "..."
Looking at Zhao Yan like this, Emperor Yuanwu recalled the scene when he was opposed by his ministers when he wanted to divide Dayan into two and hand over the affairs of Jiangnan to the Nangong family.
Zhao Yan is a sentimental person, so let him be.
Emperor Yuanwu closed his eyes and said, "That's all."
He glanced at Doctor Sun who was kneeling on the ground and asked, "How is the antidote going?"
Doctor Sun was so frightened that he replied, "Your Majesty, we only need one more time to complete it."
"Okay, go down," Emperor Yuanwu said, looking at Zhao Yan, who was crying with his head down. "Then do it. Detoxify Prince Yong and bring him to see my father."
Zhao Yan looked up at Emperor Yuanwu. Although he knew his father would agree, seeing him compromise at this moment, his heart felt as painful as if it were stabbed by a sharp knife.
Zhao Yan lifted his clothes and prostrated himself on the ground: "Father, I will listen to you carefully from now on."
"Hmm..." Emperor Yuanwu was no longer angry. He looked at the top of the boy's head and sighed, "It's good that you understand now."
After Imperial Physician Sun left, the inner hall of the Taiji Palace could only accommodate a family of three. Emperor Yuanwu raised his hand to signal Concubine Nangong to take something from the secret compartment under the bed: "My dear, there is a letter in the secret compartment. Please take it and give it to Ah Yan."
"Yes," Empress Nangong followed Emperor Yuanwu's instructions, found a wax-sealed kraft paper letter, and handed it to Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan sniffed and looked up at Emperor Yuanwu: "Father, what is this?"
"This thing can save your life," Emperor Yuanwu sighed. "Keep it well... If you trust Prince Yong in the future and can entrust the lives of your mother's family to him, you can show it to him."
"Shao Lan is more like me. He understands the big picture and values relationships."
Zhao Yan looked at the letter in his hand and put it in his pocket obediently, "I understand, kid."
After saying that, Zhao Yan raised his eyes and looked at Emperor Yuanwu who was pursing his lips: "Father, are you still angry with me?"
"Father will never be angry with you," Emperor Yuanwu squeezed Concubine Nangong's hand tightly. "Alright, you go back, and Qingqing, you go back too. Hu Fu is here, so don't let my illness spread to you."
Concubine Nangong shook her head and said, "I am not afraid. I will stay here to guard Your Majesty and will not go anywhere."
Emperor Yuanwu raised the corner of his lip and said nothing more: "Then go back and keep the things well."
"...Your son also wants to accompany Father."
Emperor Yuanwu: "No, you must quickly prepare the antidote for Prince Yong."
"Go ahead."
"...Yes." Zhao Yan stood up and looked at his father and mother. "Mother, I have something else I want to tell you in private."
Concubine Nangong: "...Child, is there anything else that your father cannot bear to hear?"
"Forget it, the child is grown up now," Emperor Yuanwu waved his hand and said, "You can go."
Zhao Yan pulled Concubine Nangong out of the Taiji Hall and told her about Concubine Ying. Zhao Yan's original intention was to let his mother not feel too guilty, but he didn't expect that after Concubine Nangong heard about it, her already haggard face became even more worried.
At this moment, Concubine Nangong finally realized how much she had failed to educate Zhao Yan over the years: "Ah Yan, you are so soft-hearted, how can mother and father let you go in the future?"
Zhao Yan looked at Concubine Nangong and lowered his head in shame.
He knew that his mother thought he was... too weak.
Zhao Yan: "I'm sorry for making you worry..."
…
Zhao Yan returned to the Purple Palace in a daze and first put away the letter from Emperor Yuanwu.
Although he didn't know what it was, his father said it could save his life, so it must be something very precious. After packing up, Zhao Yan called Xiao Zhouzi and asked him to go to the Imperial Hospital to call Doctor Sun.
He must listen to his father and get the antidote as soon as possible.
Zhao Yan met Imperial Physician Sun in the tea room of the Purple Palace. As soon as he entered, he knelt on the ground and apologized: "Your Highness, I have an eighty-year-old mother to take care of, and a wife and children to take care of. I had no choice but to betray you—"
Zhao Yan: “…”
Zhao Yan didn't blame Doctor Sun at all, and it was he who had wronged Doctor Sun in the first place: "I have no intention of taking revenge on you."
Zhao Yan stood up from the chair and helped the man up. "I'm responsible for this matter. Fortunately, my father didn't blame me. I'm sorry."
Doctor Sun: "Ah...?"
Although he didn't know why the Seventh Prince apologized to a minor official like him, Imperial Physician Sun felt relieved. "Your Highness, I will never forget your great kindness. So, did you allow me to come here today?"
"Antidote?" Zhao Yan rolled up his sleeves. "Hurry, please go back and work overtime to develop the antidote for me. I won't let you work in vain."
After saying that, Zhao Yan gestured to Doctor Sun to see the fifty taels of gold he had prepared early in the morning: "This is for you."
After taking the medicine, Doctor Sun was ready to run away. Zhao Yan gave him gold, but he shook his head frantically and said he didn't dare to accept it. Zhao Yan had no choice but to force it on him: "Sorry for the trouble."
Before noon the next day, Imperial Physician Sun handed the final antidote to Zhao Yan and also brought a lot of tonics, saying that he must nourish his body well.
Zhao Yan threw the tonic to Xiao Zhouzi, and took the antidote for the last few days and went to Prince Yong's Mansion without stopping.
…
At that time, in Prince Yong's mansion.
Yong Shaolan met with the Minister of War in his study. After their meeting, Wen Quan entered with a letter from the palace: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Hu has written to Your Majesty that Your Majesty has contracted the plague."
"I'm afraid my time is numbered."
After saying that, Wen Quan closed the door of the study: "Your Highness, after returning to the capital, you started to interact with people from the six ministries, but in order to give the Seventh Prince——"
"The time is not yet ripe. What should we do now?"
Yong Shaolan glanced at the letter and threw it into the incense burner. "Write a letter to Xuanji and ask him to temporarily withdraw his troops from the border - evacuate the people in the city in advance."
The Liaodong Army is stationed on the border to block the barbarians in the Liaodong area. If the army is withdrawn from Liaodong, war will inevitably break out. At this time, no one can shake the military power of the Yong family.
However, the Liaodong Army was cultivated by his prince, whose surname was Yong. Even when there was no war, this army only obeyed the prince's orders.
Therefore, Wenquan was a little confused about his prince's intentions. Since he wanted to support the seventh prince, why didn't he just force the old emperor to appoint a new prince? Why did he go through so much trouble to protect a tiger talisman that didn't need to be protected? It didn't seem like the prince's decisive style.
Wenquan could only think of that.
——Etiquette and laws.
If the prince used the army for personal purposes, the historians would record it and both he and the Seventh Prince would be branded as "traitors".
"Yes," Wenquan understood, and then asked, "Prince, what about the Eastern Palace?"
"The prince might cause trouble."
Yong Shaolan closed his eyes and said, "Just wait and see what happens."
Wenquan: “…Yes.”
…
When Zhao Yan arrived at the palace, he happened to see Wen Quan leaving. He got off the carriage and called out to him, "Guard Wen Quan, is the prince here?"
Wen Quan scratched his head and said, "The prince is in the tea room, you can go in directly."
After saying that, Wenquan squeezed the horse's belly and slipped away.
Zhao Yan looked at the anxious man and muttered as he entered the palace of Prince Yong: "He slipped away so fast, like he was running fast."
After saying that, Zhao Yan clutched the antidote and headed straight for the palace's tea room. When he reached the backyard, he saw Yong Shaolan tending to the eggplants he had planted in the garden. "Huh? Brother Lan, you're not drinking tea."
"Well," Yong Shaolan rolled up his sleeves, knelt on one knee in the soft soil, and pinched off the extra sprouts: "Wait a moment, it will be ready soon."
"Okay," Zhao Yan lifted his robe and squatted at the edge of the flower garden, watching Yong Shaolan busy. He didn't know why, but Zhao Yan found Yong Shaolan's work quite interesting: "Brother Lan, why did you think of helping me farm?"
"..." Yong Shaolan raised his eyes and glanced at Zhao Yan: "After the buds sprouted, you only watered it once."
Zhao Yan licked his lips and said guiltily, "Hehe, I always forget... Fortunately, Brother Lan helps take care of me."
"Alright," Yong Shaolan pinched off the extra branches of the seedlings, washed his hands in a bucket nearby, and walked over to Zhao Yan. "Let's go. I made noodles for you today."
"Yeah," Zhao Yan nodded, stood up suddenly, and his eyes were spinning.
Then everything went dark, and he heard Yong Shaolan shout "Zhao Yan" and then he lost consciousness.
…
The doctor at the palace re-bandaged the young man's wound and gave him acupuncture. The man on the bed frowned, but he couldn't wake up. "This..."
The doctor looked at the prince with a frightening gloomy face and broke out in a sweat. "Logically speaking, people with Qi and blood deficiency should be cured by drinking brown sugar ginseng soup..."
Upon hearing this, Yong Shaolan's brows furrowed, and his eyes fell on Zhao Yan's pale wrist wrapped in bandages under his wrist guard.
At this moment, the young man on the couch suddenly sat up as if having a nightmare, and shouted loudly: "Dare to stab me! I will fight you!"
Zhao Yan had a nightmare. In the dream, he was arguing with Rong Mama. When he opened his eyes, he saw a strange face with a look of fear.
The old doctor, holding the silver needle with his sleeves, was also stunned for a moment, then reacted and crawled on the ground: "Sir, I didn't mean to prick you, I was treating you!"
Only then did Zhao Yan realize that he seemed to have gotten up too quickly and had hypoglycemia.
"I'm sorry," Zhao Yan sighed, "I just had a nightmare."
After saying that, Zhao Yan noticed the huge wall standing in front of the bed. He raised his hand and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Did I scare you, Brother Lan? It's okay, it's okay. I'm just a little malnourished."
After Zhao Yan finished speaking, seeing that Yong Shaolan's face was still as grim, Zhao Yan was actually a little touched: "It's really okay."
"Well," Yong Shaolan glanced at the doctor on the ground and said, "Go down."
The old doctor slipped out the door quickly.
At this time, the servant brought in the boiled medicine. Yong Shaolan placed the medicine on the small table on the bed and said, "It's still a little hot. Take it later."
"Yeah." Zhao Yan nodded, and threw back the quilt to get out of bed, but Yong Shaolan held the corner of the quilt and said, "You're weak, rest for a while."
"Yeah, yeah, okay." Zhao Yan felt warm in his heart and sat back down obediently. He raised his eyes and looked at Yong Shaolan, who had a sour face. "Brother Lan, are you worried about me?"
Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow: "Feeling sorry for me? Hmmmm? Really?"
Yong Shaolan pulled a chair and sat next to Zhao Yan, his eyes falling on his wrist: "How is the antidote made?"
"Ah...?" Zhao Yan's heart skipped a beat when he heard that, and then he noticed that his wristband had been removed. Under his loose long sleeves was the bandage that Xiao Zhouzi insisted on wrapping him around.
"..." Zhao Yan: "I said I accidentally hurt myself, do you believe me, Brother Lan?"
Yong Shaolan: “…”
He lowered his eyes, looked at Zhao Yan and said, "I believe everything you said."
"Brother Lan, you already know who I am, right?" Zhao Yan suddenly said, "I won't lie."
"Yes, but it's not that serious." Zhao Yan removed the bandage from his wrist. There were only five or six red spots on it where the silver needle had pricked it. "How is it, Brother Lan, are you touched?"
"Do you want to bow down at my feet?"
"Sing Conquer loudly!"
Yong Shaolan's eyes fell on Zhao Yan's slender wrist, rolling over the delicate skin and flesh, his expression becoming gloomier and gloomier.
"Don't be silent..." Zhao Yan covered himself with his sleeves, leaned lazily against the headboard, tilted his head and looked at the silent Yong Shaolan: "By the way, where is the antidote?"
"I've got it," Yong Shaolan brought the medicine to the boy, "It's almost done, I'll feed you."
"...Hmm," Zhao Yan moved outward and obediently opened his mouth to take the medicine, "It tastes so bad... It tastes like rust..."
Zhao Yan talked to himself, occasionally looking up to steal a glance at Yong Shaolan. The other person's expression looked better, but Zhao Yan seemed to be able to feel Yong Shaolan's emotions - when he looked at his wrist just now, his pupils suddenly constricted, and heartache was revealed in his eyes.
It turns out that being loved by others can be very bittersweet.
But I am also very happy, because there is so much love in Brother Lan's eyes.
…
After taking the medicine, Yong Shaolan asked the kitchen to cook the mutton noodles and bring them into the room. Zhao Yan got off the bed and slurped the noodles in front of the small table in the inner hall: "Brother Lan, your cooking skills are really getting better and better. I feel like I can have another bowl!"
Yong Shaolan made tea and looked at Zhao Yan's hand unconsciously: "Eat as much as you want."
"Hehe," Zhao Yan said, his eyes wide and his stomach small. He couldn't eat any more after just one bowl. Yong Shaolan added honey to the brewed tea, poured it into a crystal glass, and added ice cubes before handing it to the boy: "Alright."
Zhao Yan took a sip of the sweet tea: "Thank you, it's so sweet."
"I'm stuffed!"
Zhao Yan rubbed his round belly and looked at Yong Shaolan who was quietly making tea. "Brother Lan, remember to take the medicine. After you finish, I will take you to see the emperor -"
Zhao Yan tilted his head: "Do you remember that we agreed to make up for the wedding?"
"Yeah." Yong Shaolan raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Yan: "Have you solved all the problems?"
"Hmm?" Zhao Yanyi and Yong Shaolan met eyes, their minds automatically deciphering the other's meaning: "Do you know that the Emperor disapproves of us?"
"Oh my god..." Zhao Yan frowned and looked at Yong Shaolan, who seemed to understand everything. "No, Brother Lan, are you so smart that you're risking your life?"
"I'm not omniscient," Yong Shaolan pursed his lips and asked, "So, what will happen if my poison can't be cured?"
Everything Zhao Yan had been worried about had been settled, and the things he had previously thought were terrifying had now become jokes that he could blurt out.
Zhao Yan said: "I will make you a cripple and let you stay in Yujing and marry me."
Yong Shaolan: “…”
"Is that so?"
"Or else?" Zhao Yan approached Yong Shaolan, leaning over the coffee table and looking at him: "What do you think father will do?"
Yong Shaolan: "Cut the grass at its roots."
Zhao Yan: “……?”
"What?" Yong Shaolan: "Did I guess right?"
"Awesome," Zhao Yan gave Yong Shaolan a thumbs-up. "No wonder father said you and him look alike. Tsk, could you two be real father and son?"
Yong Shaolan: "You want to commit incest?"
"Pfft..." Zhao Yan almost lost his composure: "What nonsense!"
"If that's what you said, I can accept it." Yong Shaolan sighed and looked at the boy drinking tea quietly: "Tell me the truth."
Zhao Yan frowned. "That? Become a cripple and stay in Yujing as my princess?"
Yong Shaolan remained silent.
"But I don't want that," Zhao Yan said seriously, thinking for a while, "Brother Lan, you are a good person and you shouldn't be treated like that."
Yong Shaolan's eyes sank slightly when he heard this: "Yeah."
Just because he is a good person, he shouldn't be treated like this.
Yong Shaolan: "Want to drink tea?"
Zhao Yan shook his head: "My stomach is full, I can't eat anymore."
After saying this, Zhao Yan leaned against the small table, suddenly feeling more relaxed than ever before. Then he remembered that his father was still in bed, and his mind began to busy again: "Oh, right, my father said that when you get better, come with me to the Taiji Hall."
Yong Shaolan: "Okay."
Emperor Yuanwu was already over seventy years old, which was considered a long life. Any minor illness or disaster could cause a lot of trouble.
Zhao Yan couldn't help feeling a little melancholy when he thought about how his father had blocked the news before he fell into a coma.
"Brother Lan, I won't sleep at your place tonight," Zhao Yan climbed up. "I have something else to do. I might not be able to come over for the next few days. Please help me take care of my vegetables!"
Yong Shaolan: "Well, is Your Majesty feeling better?"
Zhao Yan's pupils shrank. "Hmm...? You also know about Father's illness? Oh my! Is there anything else you don't know?"
My father had clearly blocked the news completely, but Yong Shaolan already knew that my mother was going to be deposed, so it was normal for him to know that my father was ill.
Zhao Yan: "I woke up before I came, but I didn't look well. Mother was guarding in Taiji Palace, so I came here anxiously to bring you medicine."
Zhao Yan: "I want to go back and take a look at it tonight."
"Well, I'll take you back."
…
When Zhao Yan returned to the Taiji Hall, Concubine Nangong had gone back to the Pepper Room to rest. Zhao Yan stayed by Emperor Yuanwu's side until the hour of Hai. After the high fever subsided, Emperor Yuanwu began to shiver again. He huddled in his blankets, panting softly, "Don't worry, my son. If you can get through this, your father will be with you for another ten years."
Zhao Yan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, "Father, please stop talking and have a good rest."
"Well," Emperor Yuanwu frowned and held Zhao Yan's hand: "Thank you for your hard work, my son."
Not long after Emperor Yuanwu closed his eyes, he began to breathe heavily again. Zhao Yan frowned and looked at the man, feeling that something was wrong. He called the imperial physician beside him and asked, "Father, why do you still look so uncomfortable?"
The imperial physician wanted to explain to Zhao Yan: "Your Highness, Your Majesty..."
Before the imperial physician finished speaking, Hu Fu came in from the outer hall, "Your Majesty, the Queen and the Crown Prince are here."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu heaved a long sigh and opened his eyes again: "Bring me the elixir, I have something to say to the Crown Prince."
After Emperor Yuanwu finished speaking, the imperial physician who was waiting beside him took out a brown pill and gave it to Emperor Yuanwu to take. In a moment, Emperor Yuanwu, who had looked gloomy just now, immediately regained some of his vitality.
Zhao Yan frowned and looked at it, feeling uneasy in his heart: "Father, what kind of medicine did you take? It won't harm your body, right?"
Emperor Yuanwu sat up and patted Zhao Yan's hand: "Don't worry, my son. It's okay to eat once in a while. You all leave, and let the Queen leave as well. The Crown Prince will come in."
Zhao Yan licked his lips and stood up to leave without saying anything. However, Emperor Yuanwu grabbed his hand and said, "You stay. Father also has something to tell you."
After Emperor Yuanwu finished speaking, the imperial physicians and palace maids in Taiji Hall withdrew. Zhao Cheng then entered the inner hall alone. He glanced at the frail Emperor Yuanwu and Zhao Yan, then knelt down before Emperor Yuanwu's bed with a plop. His eyes reddened, "Father, your father is so seriously ill. Why did you tell me only now?"
Emperor Yuanwu pinched his brows, looked at Zhao Cheng, sighed, and reprimanded him, "I am old, and it is normal for me to be sick. As the crown prince, you must calm down and stabilize the government. It is inappropriate to cry and whine. Get up."
Zhao Cheng clenched his hands tightly under his sleeves, then nodded in agreement and stood up from the ground. "Father, the Queen Mother is worried about you. Let her come and see you."
"Why did you ask her to come?" Emperor Yuanwu was always stern with Zhao Cheng, never allowing him to argue. But at this moment, he reflected on himself and explained, "I'm tired. I just want to talk to you two brothers. She's not feeling well. Don't let her get sick."
Zhao Cheng lowered his eyes, said nothing, and went out to let Concubine Shu go back.
When he returned to the inner hall, he suddenly heard the conversation between Emperor Yuanwu and Zhao Yan: "My son, your marriage to Prince Yong must be arranged as soon as possible——"
Zhao Cheng thought he had heard wrongly.
Prince Yong, Prince Yong?
The person Zhao Yan secretly met at the palace was Yong Shaolan? Hadn't Yong Shaolan already refused this before? When did they become involved?
Prince Yong also holds the nominal title of Regent and controls the military power of Liaodong. The Nangong clan controls the land and military power south of Jinling, and now my father is promising Prince Yong to Zhao Yan.
Then what is the significance of what he, the prince, did?
Zhao Cheng felt as if a piece of red-hot charcoal was stuffed into his heart. He was angry, scared, nauseous and disgusted.
Why?
Why?
ha.
It’s so… disappointing.
…
In the inner hall, Emperor Yuanwu and Zhao Yan exchanged a few private words, mostly urging him to be cautious and go along with Yong Shaolan. Zhao Yan knew his father was worried that he would be deceived by Brother Lan and even lose the family fortune. "Father, don't worry about me. Father said Brother Lan looks like you. If you like someone, how could you be afraid that he would hurt me?"
Emperor Yuanwu smiled faintly, "Well, father understands Shao Lan, but father has done something wrong to him, father is afraid that he will take revenge on you... well, children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Now that things have come to this, father can only quickly arrange your wedding."
"Hmm." Zhao Yan looked at Emperor Yuanwu, who was struggling to breathe, "Father, please stop talking..."
At this time, Zhao Cheng came in from outside, his face looked a little bad, "Father, the Queen Mother has gone back."
Zhao Yan stood up and gave his seat to Zhao Cheng, "Brother, please sit down."
Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Yan and said, "Ayan, you should spend more time with your father."
"You are the Crown Prince, and he will only be a prince in the future. How can he say that he asked you to do so?" Emperor Yuanwu's tone softened a little: "Sit down, your father has many things to tell you."
Zhao Cheng nodded, walked over respectfully, and sat down in front of Emperor Yuanwu's couch: "Father."
Zhao Yan stood beside Zhao Cheng, listening quietly to what his father and Zhao Cheng were saying.
Most of the talk was about government affairs, which Zhao Yan did not understand. He waited obediently for two sticks of incense before Emperor Yuanwu finished speaking. "Also, the marriage between Ah Yan and Prince Yong—"
After Emperor Yuanwu finished speaking, the corners of Zhao Cheng's mouth twitched imperceptibly, and his eyes darkened a little, but his face remained calm: "Ayan and the Emperor's uncle?"
Zhao Cheng looked back, slightly surprised, and squinted at Zhao Yan, "Ah Yan, when did you become friends with the emperor's uncle?"
Zhao Yan could see that Zhao Cheng was unhappy.
Brother Lan has military power, and Zhao Cheng will be the emperor in the future. How can he not be afraid when he, a prince, marries a prince with military power?
Zhao Yan opened his robe, knelt before Zhao Cheng and Emperor Yuanwu, and explained, "Brother, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you about Brother Lan and I before because I did something that made Father unhappy, and I didn't dare to make it public."
Emperor Yuanwu said earnestly, "Father knows Ah Yan's character. Even if he marries Prince Yong, he will not pose a threat to you. Crown Prince, you should be more open-minded—"
"Ayan is a unicorn child, the one the people support. With him, we can ensure that the people of Dayan will always have a strong support."
Zhao Cheng said calmly, "Yes, I will remember your father's teachings."
After speaking with Zhao Cheng, Emperor Yuanwu turned the topic back to Zhao Yan: "Ah Yan, you will go to Hangzhou in a few months. You must govern Jiangnan well and assist your brother. Remember this?"
Emperor Yuanwu: "You two brothers have been friends since childhood. You should support each other in the future."
Emperor Yuanwu: "Especially Crown Prince, you must always remember that a Qilin child is a sign of good fortune in ancient times. Your future Crown Princess must be chosen from the Nangong family."
"That's to your advantage."
"I will remember this."
"Okay, it's late, and Father is tired. You all should go down and let Hu Fu come in to serve."
"yes."
…
Zhao Yan and Zhao Cheng left the Taiji Hall together and walked outside. The carriages from Wenhua Hall and Zichen Hall were all waiting outside. Zhao Cheng's face was not very good, and he didn't talk to Zhao Yan along the way. Zhao Yan noticed it, but didn't know how to tell Zhao Cheng.
Seeing Zhao Cheng about to get on the carriage and leave, Zhao Yan called out to the man, "Brother, I have something to tell you."
"Hmm?" Zhao Cheng lowered his eyes and raised his hand to signal the eunuchs to put down the sedan chair. "Anything else?"
"Let me take you back," Zhao Yan said, "The Taiji Hall is the closest to the Wenhua Hall, and it takes more than 20 minutes to walk. Let's talk while we walk."
Zhao Cheng: "Alright."
…
Zhao Yan probably understood some of what Emperor Yuanwu had just said.
The setting of the Qilin child in the original novel is very exaggerated. In feudal society, people believed in ghosts and gods. The emperor asked Zhao Cheng to marry a woman from the Nangong family, probably hoping to give birth to another Qilin child to maintain the rule of the Zhao royal family.
"Brother, weren't you unhappy just now?" Zhao Yan didn't want to lie to Zhao Cheng. Rather than saying polite words, he felt that only sincerity could reassure the other party. "Our Great Yan nation has been established for less than a hundred years, and the border should still be unstable. Otherwise, the emperor would not allow Brother Lan to command so many troops."
"When the Liaodong border is stabilized in the future, I am willing to help you regain the military power in Liaodong."
Zhao Cheng's brows had been furrowed since he came out of the Taiji Hall. When he heard Zhao Yan say this, he cast a puzzled gaze on the boy's innocent face: "Why?"
That's quite outspoken.
Zhao Cheng suddenly felt that telling the truth was quite refreshing, so he said directly: "Father asked you to marry Prince Yong, wasn't it to protect me?"
Zhao Cheng: "Aren't you afraid that I'll do something to you?"
Zhao Yan raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Cheng, "I'm afraid, so brother, will you kill me?"
Zhao Cheng: “…”
Zhao Cheng hesitated for a moment, then said calmly, "No."
There are many ways to make birds obedient.
"That's good," Zhao Yan said, "I also think that brother won't kill me. If brother wanted to hurt me, then brother wouldn't be saying these words to me now."
"Brother, you are a good person at heart, and you have been taught by our father himself. You will definitely be a good emperor in the future."
Zhao Cheng twitched his lips, "Really?"
"Yeah, I believe you."
Zhao Cheng withdrew his gaze from Zhao Yan and sneered in his heart, thinking that he was really stupid.
After entering the Wenhua Palace, Zhao Cheng watched Zhao Yan leave with his own eyes, and then ordered the eunuch beside him: "Go, summon the people from the Imperial Stables to see me."
My mother is right. My father has been on the throne for too long.
…
Zhao Yan sent Zhao Cheng back to Wenhua Palace. It was almost twelve o'clock when he returned to his bedroom. He was so tired that he fell asleep soon after lying on the bed.
The next morning, Zhao Yan was woken up by Xiao Zhouzi: "Your Highness, Your Highness, please don't sleep anymore. Something big has happened!"
Zhao Yan turned over and covered his head, "I'll sleep some more..."
Xiao Zhouzi: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took the Empress to the Taiji Palace early this morning. The Imperial Guards have surrounded the entire palace! Right now, all the civil and military officials are waiting outside!"
"Your Highness, you must rebel!"
"Ah..." Zhao Yan was stunned when he heard this, and he got up from the bed: "How could this happen?"
Little Zhouzi didn't know either. All these things were told to him by the servants in Prince Yong's palace. "The prince sent the news early this morning, saying that you should get up and go to the palace as soon as possible."
"Huh?" Zhao Yan felt like he had received a question that his brain couldn't handle. He hurriedly stood up and put on his clothes: "Quick, quick, get the car ready."
When Zhao Yan left the Purple Palace, everything around him seemed normal. It was not until the carriage arrived at the palace gate and he saw twice as many soldiers and horses as usual that he realized something was wrong.
The imperial guards stopped Zhao Yan's carriage without hesitation. Xiao Zhouzi got out of the carriage and stuffed some silver into his hand: "Please be flexible."
"Get lost." The Imperial Guards kicked Xiao Zhouzi far away, then lifted the curtain of Zhao Yan's carriage. "Seventh Prince, the Crown Prince ordered last night that an assassin had appeared in the palace. The Imperial Guards are searching all the palaces. No one is allowed to leave until the assassin is found. You should go back first."
Zhao Yan: “……?”
What does Zhao Cheng want to do?
Zhao Yan frowned, about to say something, when a group of men in black, accompanied by soldiers and horses, burst in. The Marquis of Jingwei immediately engaged them in a fight. Chaos ensued in front of the palace gates. Amidst the panic, a man in black scooped Zhao Yan up, threw him onto his horse, and galloped away from the palace.
Zhao Yan's eyes were full of stars from being thrown around. After about a quarter of an hour, the man in black finally stopped his horse and took off his hood. "Young prince, are you okay?"
"Guard Wenquan?" Zhao Yan slid off his horse and sat down in the grass. He asked dazedly, "What happened?"
"I don't know either. The prince is waiting for you at the palace. You will know when you arrive."
"Okay..." Zhao Yan paused for a moment, then followed Wen Quan onto the horse. As soon as they arrived at the palace, they discovered that the number of palace guards was several times greater than usual.
"Brother Lan!" Zhao Yan ran in hurriedly, only to see a large group of ministers in scarlet robes kneeling outside the pavilion in the backyard.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is in critical condition. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has surrounded Taiji Hall. Is this an attempt to usurp the throne?"
"Please, Your Majesty, send troops to rescue His Majesty—"
"If His Majesty is in trouble, the old prince will not be able to rest in peace in his grave!!!"
"Brother Lan, what's going on?" Zhao Yan ran towards Yong Shaolan, his clothes in hand. Seeing several ministers standing beside him, he asked, "Father, what's wrong with him?"
Yong Shaolan stood under the pavilion with one hand behind his back, signaling Wen Quan to bring another Liaodong army into the palace. "Everyone, the Liaodong army I brought back to the capital is only a few thousand men, and the Zhou family's capital guards have a full 50,000 men. I'm afraid it will be difficult to suppress the rebellion."
Zhao Yan stood aside, listening to these words stupidly, before he realized that in just a few hours, Zhao Cheng had actually rebelled.
Why?
A group of ministers wiped their tears and left the palace. Zhao Yan eagerly followed Yong Shaolan, "Brother Lan, is Zhao Cheng plotting a rebellion? Why? He was fine last night."
Yong Shaolan touched Zhao Yan's forehead and said, "I didn't expect him to lose control so quickly. It must have been a spur-of-the-moment decision."
Yong Shaolan held Zhao Yan's hand and asked, "Are you hurt?"
Zhao Yan shook his head: "No, no, that's right, it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out of the palace so easily..."
"But, if he dares to rebel, it means he has made preparations... Father is still ill, and Mother is also in the palace... What should I do, Brother Lan?"
Zhao Yan was so anxious that he turned around and around: "Brother Lan, I...what should I do?"
God damn it! God damn it!
He had such a heart-to-heart talk with Zhao Cheng last night!!!
"Even without Zhao Cheng, Your Majesty wouldn't have lasted many days. What happened today has already sown the seeds of disaster," Yong Shaolan told him seriously, "Zhao Yan, prepare to escape."
Zhao Yan looked up at Yong Shaolan and asked in confusion, "You're going to run away with me? What about Father and the others?"
"..." Yong Shaolan withdrew his hand and said calmly: "The Imperial Horse Supervisor is Zhao Cheng's man. The entire palace's military force is under his command. His Majesty is still in his hands. You can't save anyone."
"He is the crown prince. Even if the garrisons from various prefectures arrive, the situation cannot be reversed."
"I don't understand..." Zhao Yan only then realized how stupid he was. "Then what should I do? Should I just watch him force my father to death, ascend the throne, and then kill me?"
"I don't understand!" Zhao Yan held his head and spun around. "He's already the crown prince, so why would he rebel? Or does he want to get rid of me? Then why didn't he just kill me last night?"
"Do you think the Nangong clan of Jinling is just a decoration?" Yong Shaolan explained, "He won't kill you. At most, he wants to put you under house arrest and threaten your mother to hand over the military power of Jinling. At this time, you should calm down."
Zhao Yan squatted on the ground, feeling extremely panicked. "My mother is still in the palace..."
Why would such a complicated plot of power and intrigue happen to him, a prospective college student... His brain is simply not capable of handling all this in such a short period of time!
Zhao Yan's eyes turned red with anxiety. He looked up at Yong Shaolan and said, "Brother Lan, what should I do?"
Yong Shaolan's eyes fell on Zhao Yan's slightly red eyes, his brows furrowed, and he leaned over to help Zhao Yan up. "Stay here for a while and observe for two days. If there is no reinforcement, I will take you back to Liaodong and fight back."
"Then aren't we also committing treason?" Zhao Yan licked his lips, and suddenly a very stupid idea flashed through his mind... He thought about it and cried because of his own stupidity.
But Zhao Yan still asked: "Can't we negotiate with Zhao Cheng?"
Yong Shaolan: “…”
Yong Shaolan: "He's already planning to kill the king and his father. How can you persuade him? Why would he listen?"
"Fuck!!!" Zhao Yan didn't want to talk anymore and squatted on the ground with his head in his hands: "I give in!!! This damn feudal society! This damn power game!"
Yong Shaolan: “…”
…
At this time, inside the Taiji Hall, Zhao Cheng brought a group of Beijing guards and tied up all the eunuchs in the Taiji Hall.
Emperor Yuanwu and Concubine Nangong were watched in the inner hall by the young eunuch beside Zhao Cheng.
After Zhao Cheng dealt with the Divine Machine Guards around Emperor Yuanwu, he entered the inner hall of Taiji Palace carrying a long sword dripping with blood.
The young eunuch watched Zhao Cheng enter and quickly brought a chair, placing it in front of Emperor Yuanwu's dragon bed, a man's length away. "Your Highness, the imperial seal has been found, and the Ministry of Rites is already drafting the imperial edict."
Zhao Cheng wiped the blood stains off his face with the golden robe woven with gold thread: "Yeah."
After saying this, Zhao Cheng sat down in front of Emperor Yuanwu's bed with his sword in hand and dropped the sword on the ground with a clang: "Father."
Emperor Yuanwu was so angry that his whole body was shaking. He looked at Zhao Cheng with wide eyes and said, "Rebellious son, are you trying to kill the emperor and your father?!"
Zhao Cheng did not comment, but lowered his eyes and looked at Emperor Yuanwu quietly.
After a while, Zhao Cheng smiled bitterly and signaled the eunuch beside him to take Nangong away: "Watch her, don't let her die."
"His Majesty……!"
"Your Majesty!" Concubine Nangong struggled: "Your Highness, the throne will be yours sooner or later. Why do you want to do such a wrong thing that will be infamous for eternity——"
No matter how much Nangong begged, she was eventually dragged out of the Taiji Hall by several eunuchs.
Emperor Yuanwu was so angry that he vomited blood, but he no longer had the strength to resist: "Rebellious son, if you want to kill me, come at me——"
"Don't touch your brother."
Zhao Cheng stood up, opened his robe, and knelt before Emperor Yuanwu's bed.
Afterwards, Zhao Cheng stood up, walked to the side of Emperor Yuanwu, and said calmly, "I have obtained the imperial seal."
"By the way, I won't move Zhao Yan. I want to keep him in the palace and let the entire Nangong family serve me."
"Father, go on your journey with peace of mind."
…
When Yong Shaolan returned to the capital to report on his work, he brought 5,000 Liaodong troops to garrison outside the Yujing City. At this time, this army dispatched 3,000 people to accompany some old ministers into the palace to rescue Emperor Wu of Yuan.
Zhao Yan took an entire afternoon to calm down, and then he and Yong Shaolan waited in the tea room for news from Wen Quan.
That evening at midnight, Wen Quan returned to Prince Yong's mansion with the news. Bloodstained and exhausted, Wen Quan entered the tea room. Upon seeing Yong Shaolan, he clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness, His Highness... His Majesty is gone."
"Zhao Cheng has already drafted the succession edict."
"He controls all of Yujing's troops. I only managed to get as far as the Taiji Palace and find Eunuch Hu's informant."
"Everyone in Zichen Palace has been arrested. Zhao Cheng is looking for the Seventh Prince. Concubine Nangong is under house arrest in the Pepper Palace."
"That's all I've heard."
Zhao Yan had been on edge all day, and upon hearing these words, his ears buzzed and his mind went blank: "Fuck his ancestors!"
"He actually dared to attack my father—"
"Damn it! I'm going to kill him!"
Yong Shaolan pursed his lips and held the boy's hand: "Zhao Yan, calm down."
Wenquan lowered his eyes, not knowing what to say.
The atmosphere in the entire tea room dropped to freezing point.
Zhao Yan rolled up his sleeves angrily, but after being caught by Yong Shaolan, he squatted on the ground with his head in his hands, like a deflated ball.
Zhao Yan, idiot.
Zhao Yan, you are such an idiot!
You're such a fucking idiot!
The young man curled up into a ball, like a cat that had been irritated, clutching his hair tightly with both hands. "Mother... it's all my fault, it's all my fault..."
If he had not insisted on going to Jinling ten years ago, how could Zhao Cheng become the crown prince? If Zhao Cheng had not become the crown prince, how could his father give him such great power?
The root of everything lies in him.
He's just a selfish idiot.
Yong Shaolan's brow furrowed, he lowered his eyes and sighed, then said to Wen Quan, "Send someone to the palace to deliver a letter, saying that the prince wants to see him."
Wen Quan: "No, Your Highness! Our army is not in Yujing. If you enter the palace, it will be exactly what Zhao Cheng wants... It's still not too late to leave the capital now."
"Your Majesty, please think twice!"
"The person Zhao Cheng is looking for is me..." Zhao Yan sat paralyzed on the ground, thinking for a long time: "Brother Lan is right, I am the only one who poses a threat to Zhao Cheng now. He imprisoned my mother just to kill me..."
Before Zhao Yan finished speaking, a report from the Liaodong Army came from outside the teahouse: "Your Highness, someone has been sent from the palace."
"He's a little eunuch."
Yong Shaolan walked out of the tea room with his hands behind his back, "Bring it here."
Zhao Yan pursed his lips and followed Yong Shaolan out the door, only to see Xiao Zhouzi rushing towards them, holding a letter and trembling.
Little Zhouzi walked up to Zhao Yan, looked him up and down, and cried, "Your Highness...Your Highness, are you okay?"
"The prince has gone crazy! He, he, he has killed so many people in Taiji Palace... If I don't come to find you, he will keep killing people from Zichen Palace..."
Little Zhouzi recalled the scene just now and was so frightened that he couldn't speak clearly: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is trying to usurp the throne... Your Highness, please flee quickly. The Third and Fifth Princes are dead, and now you are the only one left..."
"The prince is looking for you!"
Zhao Yan opened the letter that Xiao Zhouzi had brought him. It contained a simple sentence, asking him to enter the palace in exchange for his mother's life: "As expected..."
Zhao Yan crumpled the letter viciously, looked at Yong Shaolan beside him, and said seriously: "Madman, Zhao Cheng is a madman, Brother Lan, I want to go into the palace and kill him!"
"He threatened me with my mother?" Zhao Yan was a little agitated. "Damn it, I didn't have a mother in my previous life. If anyone dares to touch my mother, I won't let him go even if I become a ghost!"
"I'm going with a dagger, and I'm going to kill him!"
"You can't kill him." Yong Shaolan placed his hands on Zhao Yan's shoulders, trying to calm him down: "Zhao Yan, calm down."
"Zhao Cheng can't kill your mother, he doesn't dare."
"Zhao Yan, calm down."
Zhao Yanxing's eyes widened, bloodshot creeping up her pupils like vines. "How can I stay calm? My brother suddenly went crazy. He killed my dad and is going to kill my mom now? Brother Lan, I can't stay calm at all!"
The boy is usually lazy and unfocused, like a bird that doesn't know the immensity of the world. Now he seems to have his wings broken.
How could he withstand such a blow?
Yong Shaolan tried his best to calm Zhao Yan down, but it was obvious that Zhao Yan could not listen to what he said at the moment. He signaled Wen Quan to take Xiao Zhouzi away.
Then, he forcibly carried Zhao Yan back to the bedroom and fed him a bowl of calming soup.
The bedroom fell silent. The young man on the bed struggled and broke out in a sweat. The corners of his eyes were red from stains. "I'm going to kill Zhao Cheng..."
…
Zhao Yan had a dream. In the dream, he went back to the time before he traveled through time. Before graduating from high school, he was deliberately ostracized by several roommates for several months because he did not bring lunch to his rich roommate.
After the college entrance exam, when Zhao Yan returned to school to get his bedding, he heard several roommates saying bad things about him on his bed: "Did you know that Zhao Yan has no mother? His father died in an accident on a construction site last year."
"Fuck, no wonder he always feels like he doesn't fit in."
"Also, I heard that he secretly drew those comics of men having homosexual relations. It's disgusting."
"Let's stay away from him. People like him who have no mother or father must be mentally ill."
Zhao Yan just doesn't like talking to people he doesn't like, but he's not a punching bag. He remembered that day when he went in and took on three of them alone, and beat up all three ugly idiots.
He wouldn't allow anyone to humiliate his parents.
The dream was just this short, very vague, a small fragment of memory.
But Zhao Yan remembered it very clearly because he really minded others discussing his family.
After struggling out of the dream, Zhao Zhaoyan suddenly opened his eyes, only to find that the surroundings were very cramped.
carriage?
Yong Shaolan stayed by Zhao Yan's side. Seeing him wake up, he wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and asked, "Are you still feeling uncomfortable?"
Zhao Yan paused, looking at the pink and white handkerchief in his hand, "Isn't this my mother's handkerchief?"
Zhao Yan looked around and found that he was indeed in the carriage: "Where are we going? Where is my mother? Where is Zhao Cheng?"
"Your mother has been sent back to Jinling," Yong Shaolan frowned, rubbing the boy's cheek. "I used the tiger talisman from Liaodong to exchange for your mother, but it's a fake. It won't be long before Zhao Cheng discovers it. By then, the Nangong family will have no choice but to protect themselves."
Yong Shaolan lowered his brows and held the boy's chin: "Zhao Yan, let me ask you again."
"Do you want to be emperor?"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: The transitional plot is too complicated. Although it is boring, it is not too ignorable, so I put it together. The rest is the daily life of the young couple.
Everyone, please remember to leave your paws in the comment section [kiss][kiss]
Rest early, good night [cat claw][cat claw]
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