Chapter 238 Extra if line: Childhood sweethearts
When Qi Yunshen was young, he followed the Duke of Zhenguo to Fuzhou. Emperor Jingming wanted to train the navy, so he transferred the Duke of Zhenguo, who had just returned from the north, directly to the coast.
Before leaving, the Duke of Zhenguo took his eldest son Qi Yunshen with him.
The mature young master sat in the carriage with a serious expression. He had spent almost the entire twenty-day journey studying.
Because of traveling all night, Qi Yunshen caught a cold. The Duke of Zhenguo had to stay in Yangzhou for one night and immediately sent someone to call a doctor.
Seeing his son lying in bed with a high fever and unconscious, the Duke of Zhenguo frowned. Since his son was born, he had been as healthy as a cow. But he had only traveled for a few days, so it shouldn't be that serious...
Qi Yunshen was ill for two days before waking up. The Duke of Zhenguo did not dare to be careless and decided to wait in Yangzhou until Qi Yunshen recovered before leaving.
The Yangzhou prefect somehow got wind of the Duke of Zhenguo and sent people over several times, finally inviting him to a banquet that night.
Qi Yunshen was almost recovered, and Liu Cheng, the deputy general of the Duke of Zhenguo, stayed at the post station.
Liu Cheng asked, "Now that the prince is awake, how about going for a walk in the city today?"
Go out for a walk and get rid of the bad energy.
The weather outside was just right, and Qi Yunshen nodded.
It was evening when they went out.
Street vendors on both sides of Yangzhou were hawking their wares. Qi Yunshen bought a small clay figurine for his little sister who was just learning to speak.
On the opposite bank of the river was the famous red-light district of Yangzhou City. The guards behind him subconsciously stopped Qi Yunshen.
"Sir, let's go back."
Qi Yunshen naturally knew what was on the other side, and for some unknown reason, he just wanted to go over and take a look.
He glanced at the guard and said calmly, "What's the harm in taking a look?"
The guards looked at each other. If the Duke knew that they took the young prince to a brothel, he would break their legs.
In the blink of an eye, Qi Yunshen had already walked onto the bridge.
It is not entirely true that the opposite side is full of brothels. There are also some restaurants and teahouses on both sides.
It was really strange to see a young man with guards walking in such a place. Even the madam at the door of the brothel paused, and her hand that was raising the handkerchief froze.
Just as I finished walking this way, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from deep in the alley.
Qi Yunshen paused and saw a little girl running out from the corner of the alley.
The little girl was covered in dirt, with messy hair and blood on her legs. She was not wearing shoes. She rushed forward with all her strength and widened her eyes when she saw Qi Yunshen standing at the entrance of the alley.
It was already dark and the streets outside were crowded with people.
If Xu Jingyang ran out onto the street, she would be caught quickly because of her small size.
She bit her lip and looked at Qi Yunshen and others for a long time, and said in a crying voice: "Brother, don't tell them."
Qi Yunshen just looked at her.
After Xu Jingyang finished speaking, he went in through a hidden door at the entrance of the alley, where there were several empty bamboo baskets.
Soon, there was a noise coming from deep in the alley.
Several pimps ran out from the backyard of the brothel.
"Where are the people?"
"That damn girl ran pretty fast."
Someone bravely asked Qi Yunshen's guards.
"May I ask if this brave man has ever seen a little girl?"
Qi Yunshen glanced at it lightly.
The guard said, "He ran to the front."
"Thank you!"
"All brothers, chase them!"
"This will be the top star in our building from now on. We must find him."
After the crowd dispersed, Qi Yunshen came to the small door. He opened the bamboo basket, revealing a face that looked like a crying little cat.
His big eyes were wet and looked pitiful.
Qi Yunshen brushed her burnt hair and asked, "What's your name?"
The little girl's voice choked with sobs: "Jingyang, Xu Jingyang."
Qi Yunshen smiled: "Do you want to come with me?"
"Who are you?"
Qi Yunshen: "You just called me brother."
The little girl murmured, "Brother?"
She asked again: "Will you hit me?"
Qi Yunshen: "No, no one will dare to bully you in the future."
Xu Jingyang bit his lip and said nothing. At this moment, a drunk passed by in the alley and glanced at Xu Jingyang with a greasy look.
Xu Jingyang shuddered and dodged inside.
Qi Yunshen pulled the man up directly.
"Let's go home."
…
From Yangzhou to Fuzhou, and then back to the capital, the prince of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was always followed by a little tail.
The Duke of Zhenguo told others that Xu Jingyang was a cousin from a distant relative, and gave her an identity. Everyone below her called her Miss Xu.
At first, the eldest princess had some complaints about Xu Jingyang, thinking that she was an illegitimate daughter that the Duke had taken advantage of to bring back. The Duke of Zhenguo complained bitterly, saying that this was brought back by his son, and called Qi Yunshen to the eldest princess.
Three years later, Qi Yunshen had grown taller and his posture was as straight as a green bamboo.
"My son brought her back."
The eldest princess: "Oh? Because I already have a younger sister at home."
Qi Yunshen: "There's no reason, I just want to bring her back."
Princess Yude sneered. The little girl was indeed likable and good-looking. She looked at her eldest son for a moment, and after confirming that there was no unnecessary expression on his face, she stopped asking questions.
Xu Jingyang was young, so he did whatever his brother said. However, since his brother returned to Beijing, he had to start studying at the Imperial College and could only have a day off every six days.
The eldest princess asked her if she wanted to go with her, but the little girl shook her head. Rather than learning those things, she wanted to learn medical skills from Doctor Luo in the mansion, and the eldest princess also hired a very good private tutor for her.
The eldest princess touched the little girl's head and said, "This child is quite smart."
In the Imperial College, apart from the princes, most of the people are young men from noble families in the capital. Once someone takes a fancy to Xu Jingyang's beauty and starts to dig into Xu Jingyang's background, it will not be a good thing for her.
However, Xu Jingyang didn't think so much. Another reason why she refused to go to the Imperial College was that she couldn't get up in the morning.
She, Princess Xingrui, and the third son of the second house all had difficulty getting out of bed.
The three of them attended classes in the mansion every day. Xu Jingyang was in the east wing, while Qi Yanyu and Qi Yunzhou, who were of the same age, were both taught in the west wing.
After school every day, Xu Jingyang would do his homework first, then go to see Doctor Luo, calculate the time when Qi Yunshen would be back, and then go to Luoyaju.
When Qi Yunshen takes a day off, the eldest princess will take her brothers and sisters to a villa outside the city for a visit.
Xu Jingyang still dreams of the memory of being locked up in a brothel sometimes, even though her brother asked her not to tell anyone else. She vaguely remembered that she was kidnapped at a lantern festival... As for the rest, Xu Jingyang couldn't remember it.
Once bitten by a snake, Xu Jingyang directly turned into the well rope.
Xu Jingyang would only go out if she was accompanied by her brother or someone else. The outside world was nothing new to her.
Time passed and Xu Jingyang was fifteen years old.
The housekeeper of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is extremely strict. Even though some servants are curious about Xu Jingyang's life experience, they dare not gossip about her in private. Even though she is a cousin, Xu Jingyang has never been treated lightly in the Qi family.
In the hot summer, Xu Jingyang often stayed in the bamboo forest near Luoyaju. It was a shady place, quiet and undisturbed. Every day, she would read medical books in the pavilion before waiting for Qi Yunshen to return home.
The bamboo leaves made a rustling sound when blown.
The girl's hair hanging on her back was blown by the wind, and she lay on the stone table to take a nap.
After a while, a figure appeared in the pavilion.
He stared at the girl's sleeping face, his eyes difficult to read.
At this moment, Xu Jingyang suddenly opened his eyes and saw his brother standing by the table.
Xu Jingyang rubbed his eyes and asked, "Why didn't my brother call me?"
Qi Yunshen lowered his eyes, "Just arrived."
"Your Majesty came to the Imperial College today, so he returned a little late."
On the way back, Qi Yunshen urged the carriage to go faster, but it still took a quarter of an hour.
Xu Jingyang's eyebrows curved slightly: "It's okay, let's go to the study first."
Xu Jingyang grinds ink for Qi Yunshen every day. This is a habit she started when she first came to live with her brother.
If her brother hadn't saved her, she wouldn't know where she was.
As Xu Jingyang stood up, her legs felt numb and she leaned against the table with a hiss.
Qi Yunshen chuckled: "Are your feet numb?"
Xu Jingyang glared at him: "Brother, you're laughing at me."
Qi Yunshen bent down and said, "Let's go. I'll carry you over."
Xu Jingyang stood still and muttered, "I've grown up."
It can't be the same as before.
Qi Yunshen's smile froze. He stared at Xu Jingyang, half-smiled, "When I grow up, I won't be your brother anymore."
Xu Jingyang: "That's not what I meant."
Qi Yunshen: "Since I am your brother, I can carry you for the rest of my life."
Xu Jingyang couldn't argue with him, so when he saw that there was no one around, he lay on his back.
The soft body pressed against Qi Yunshen's back, and the girl's sweet fragrance drifted to his nose. He paused, hooked Xu Jingyang's legs as if nothing had happened, and returned to the study in Luoyaju.
The two guards at the door seemed not to notice.
Tea and pastries were prepared in the study room in advance, and Qi Yunshen placed her on the bamboo couch.
Suddenly, Qi Yunshen's eyes paused. He held Xu Jingyang's wrist and asked, "What's wrong with your hand?"
Xu Jingyang pulled back her hand, hiding the small wound on it. She smiled and said, "They are all minor injuries. I accidentally hurt myself while cutting herbs. I have applied medicine."
Qi Yunshen frowned: "Let the medicine boy do it next time."
Xu Jingyang hummed softly: "Brother, go read a book."
Qi Yunshen looked at her deeply.
Xu Jingyang ate a piece of cake and waited until his legs and feet felt better before going to the desk.
Qi Yunshen was reading a book, Zizhi Tongjian.
Xu Jingyang was not very interested. She pinched her sleeve with one hand and began to grind ink with the other. The fragrance of ink mixed with the faint fragrance of a woman swirled around Qi Yunshen.
Xu Jingyang exclaimed, "Brother, is this page difficult?"
Qi Yunshen coughed lightly and turned a page.
At night, Qi Yunshen had a dream.
In the dream, Xu Jingyang was like a pure and spiritual demon, lingering around Qi Yunshen, calling him brother softly...
elder brother……
Qi Yunshen opened his eyes, glanced at his lower body, and his expression was indescribable.
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