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Chapter 20 - Xiao Wenlan: Young Master Zhong, do you want me to help you?
As soon as he returned to the courtyard, someone grabbed Zhong Yansheng's shoulders, and then a strong force easily dragged him over.
He hadn't reacted yet and was still dazed when he was brought in front of King Jing.
He didn't know where Pei Hong came from, and reached out to lift his veil: "How come you've become a grown-up girl after not seeing you for a while, hiding yourself? Hiss, you smell so bad, who gave you the perfume powder... Let me see, are you well?"
Zhong Yansheng was startled, and quickly pushed his hand away, jumping back: "Your Highness Prince Jing! I, I have a rash on my face, it's ugly, don't lift it."
As he spoke, he looked around guiltily.
Xiao Nong is still nearby.
"Hmm? Can't you show it to me? It's okay if it's ugly, I won't dislike you." Pei Hong grumbled, and seeing his firm attitude, he put down his hand regretfully and gestured, "You've been sick for so long, have you lost a lot of weight... Hmm, have you gained weight?"
Zhong Yansheng deliberately stuffed many layers of clothes into his clothes, which indeed made him look more bloated than usual.
When he lied, the tips of his ears would turn red, but luckily he was wearing a veil so no one could see: "Hmm!"
"It's good that you've gained weight. You were so skinny before, which made me worried."
Pei Hong took back his words in a timely manner and sighed, "I haven't had time to apologize to you yet. It's my fault that I didn't keep an eye on you that day, so you fell into the water. Fortunately, you are fine, otherwise I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life. In the past, I refused to obey my father's punishment of confinement, but this time I deserve it."
Zhong Yansheng listened to his serious words and tried to comfort him: "Your Highness, don't say that. It wasn't you who pushed me. Why should you feel guilty? I should thank you for jumping into the pool and saving my life."
Every time he got serious, Pei Hong wanted to laugh: "Why thank me? You saved my life once."
Pei Hong was talking about the time when they first met as children.
It seems a bit forced to say that Zhong Yansheng and Pei Hong are childhood friends, and they are not particularly familiar with each other.
Not long after Pei Hong was born, there was a month-long drought in the capital. The emperor prayed for rain in vain, so he sought out a Taoist priest to calculate his fortune. The Taoist priest said that Pei Hong's fate was marked by fire, and the drought was caused by him. He needed to be raised outside until he was eighteen years old before he could be brought back to the palace. The emperor also named the little prince "Hong".
Emperors of all dynasties were superstitious about these things, not to mention that Pei Hong was born at this time.
Soon Pei Hong was sent out of the palace and kept in a garden outside the capital.
The unfavored little prince would not receive any good treatment even in the palace, let alone being raised outside the palace.
Several palace servants who were put into the garden to take care of Pei Hong were lazy and slack. They thought that it was because of Pei Hong that they were put into that desolate place. Naturally, they treated him very badly, and it was common for them to scold and starve him.
Once, Pei Hong finally couldn't stand it anymore and ran out of the garden.
It was a cold month in midwinter, and the weather outside the capital was freezing cold. He was wearing little and had not eaten enough, so he fell into the snow dizzy and could not get up. Zhong Yansheng's carriage passed by and rescued him.
At that time, Zhong Yansheng was not yet seven years old. His condition had improved a little and he could walk.
The Marquis' wife, who had been depressed for many years, was extremely happy and went to Jinfu Temple to fulfill her wish. Zhong Yansheng waited at home for a long time, but his mother didn't come back. Curious about the heavy snow outside, he ran to the study of the Marquis of Huai'an and acted coquettishly, wanting to pick up the marquis' wife.
The Marquis of Huai'an refused immediately, but afterward, wherever he went, Zhong Yansheng was like a little pendant to him, clinging to his thighs and trying to please him. He was so small and pitiful that the Marquis of Huai'an finally couldn't stand it anymore and reluctantly gave in. He sent a group of people to escort Zhong Yansheng and take a carriage to pick up the Marquis' wife.
On the way out of Beijing, he met Pei Hong who had fainted in the snow.
Pei Hong was carried into the carriage. Zhong Yansheng wrapped his small fox fur coat around him and watched nervously as someone fed him hot tea. When Pei Hong woke up, he saw Zhong Yansheng holding his face and looking at him worriedly. The little child had jade-like eyebrows and eyes, and was pale and pretty like a little Bodhisattva. When he saw that he woke up, his eyes were bright, and he gave him a soft smile.
Pei Hong felt the warm soft fox fur on his body and thought he was about to die when he saw this scene.
Zhong Yansheng felt sorry for Pei Hong and thought he was a little beggar, so he took him home.
After raising him for three days, people from the palace came looking for him, and Marquis Huai'an learned that his youngest son had picked up the runaway eighth prince.
Pei Hong was forcibly taken away by two eunuchs. When he left, he tried to look back and made an appointment with Zhong Yansheng to meet later.
Zhong Yansheng's first friend was taken away like this, and he was sad for a long time.
On that occasion, Huai'an Marquis got angry with Zhong Yansheng for a rare occasion, and warned him not to pick up random people on the street and no longer allow Zhong Yansheng to go out at will. Until he received a transfer away from Beijing and went to Gusu, he and Pei Hong never met again after many years.
Although they had spent a short time together and were not very familiar with each other, Zhong Yansheng was still very happy when Pei Hong came to see him after returning to Beijing.
Marquis Huai'an did not quite agree with Zhong Yansheng being friends with King Jing, but King Jing had a special status, and he could not stop it directly, so he could only acquiesce.
"Just seeing you recover."
Pei Hong opened his fan and covered half of his face with it, lowering his voice: "But I was only locked up for a month. How come there was such a commotion outside when I got out? What are those rumors about your family? Who was the person who came with you?"
Zhong Yansheng said nothing.
Pei Hong vaguely understood something. He looked at Zhong Sidu who was surrounded by the crowd and patted Zhong Yansheng on the shoulder**. "Xiao Sheng, don't be sad. If someone bullies you, tell me. Although I'm useless, I can still protect you as a royal signboard. If you feel bored, you can always come to me for a drink."**
Zhong Yansheng said sullenly**, "I don't drink."**
Pei Hong was happy: "Okay, let's not drink alcohol, let's drink tea to relieve our worries."
Zhong Yansheng muttered**: "I'm not worried either."**
Compared to the sorrow brought about by his own change of identity, Xiao Nong's transformation from a foster brother to His Royal Highness Prince Ding was more worrying to him.
"I heard that Prince Ding took your flowers away."
Seeing that he was not willing to talk about it, Pei Hong kindly changed the subject and handed him the lily of the valley flowers he brought, coaxing him like a child: "Here, I'll give you mine."
His Royal Highness Prince Jing is well-known in the capital for being confused. When other princes returned to the capital, they were busy fighting for power, but after he came back, he was busy eating, drinking and having fun. Now, the flowers that were brought to the flower-drinking banquet are even given to him.
Zhong Yansheng blushed and pushed the flower back: "I don't want it, Your Highness, keep the flower for your sweetheart, why are you giving it to me?"
Pei Hong took the lily of the valley back with regret and glanced to the side: "Xiao Wenlan is here. He must have been taught a lesson by Prince Ding. I have to go to Prince De now. You stay with Xiao Wenlan. No one dares to say anything to you."
To be honest, Xiao Wenlan's backer is much more powerful than Pei Hong's.
After all, no matter how much Prince Ding despised Xiao Wenlan as a waste, Xiao Wenlan was still the biological son of his second uncle and his last blood relative in the world.
So under normal circumstances, no one would come and provoke Xiao Wenlan.
Zhong Yansheng nodded obediently: "Okay."
Pei Hong could imagine his well-behaved look, and his hands were itching to pinch his face. He gave Zhong Yansheng a few more instructions before leaving romantically, fanning himself.
Yun Cheng listened for a long time and couldn't help but say, "His Royal Highness Prince Jing is still a good person."
Even after learning that the young master was not the real young master of the Marquis' Mansion, he did not show the slightest strange look. Seeing that the young master did not want to mention it, he did not mention those things, but he was still very concerned about the young master.
Not at all like those who curry favor with the powerful.
Xiao Wenlan was finally scolded by Xiao Nong. He was very depressed. He walked to Zhong Yansheng with a long sigh. Just when he was about to speak, his nose twitched. He turned his head and sneezed loudly. He rubbed his nose and wondered, "Young Master Zhong, why is your perfume powder so... ah!... choking?"
Zhong Yansheng thought about the books he had read before and wisely chose not to answer but asked, "Second Young Master Xiao, does it smell good?"
Xiao Wenlan's expression was indescribable for a while, but when he thought of the beautiful face under the veil, he gritted his teeth and nodded, "It smells good!"
He's good-looking and everything he says is right.
Zhong Yansheng nodded happily, having almost forgotten how nervous he was in front of Xiao Nong just now, and was laughing to himself.
"When I came here just now, His Royal Highness Prince Jing and I had already heard about it." Xiao Wenlan rubbed his nose and comforted Zhong Yansheng with a nasal voice, "Don't pay attention to those gossipers. They have more free time than me every day. Even if you are not the young master of Huai'an Marquis Mansion, you are the friend that I, Xiao Wenlan, have recognized!"
Zhong Yansheng blinked in confusion.
Including the meeting in the small garden just now, this was only the third time he and Xiao Wenlan had met. How did they become friends?
"Did Meng Qiping bring people to block you? He's just like that, mentally ill! When I went out with him before, I didn't really want to play with him. When I was around, he didn't dare to be too presumptuous. Hey, you don't know how perverted he is in private."
Xiao Wenlan didn't realize there was anything wrong with what he said, and kept on talking: "He deserved to have his fingers chopped off by my cousin. It was my cousin's kindness that he didn't cut off his things! Don't be afraid, Young Master Zhong. If he dares to bother you again, just tell me and I'll get you help!"
When he talked about "calling for help", his face looked quite proud.
Who else could Xiao Wenlan call for help? Zhong Yansheng didn't dare to confront Xiao Nong again. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Thank you?"
"Oh, right." Xiao Wenlan looked around and lowered his voice, "Did you accidentally offend my cousin? He just asked me about you."
Zhong Yansheng's heart skipped a beat, and he stuttered, "Ah, ah? His Highness Prince Ding, what does he want to know about me?"
"He asked me what you look like." Xiao Wenlan touched his chin, "I said you are very beautiful, the most beautiful boy in the capital, and that you are well nurtured and kind."
Zhong Yansheng had lived for eighteen years, and for the first time he felt choked: "..."
"By the way, I also told my cousin your nickname."
Zhong Yansheng's heart suddenly hung in the air again, and his eyelashes trembled slightly.
The nickname "Yuan Yuan" was given to him by his teacher after he went to Gusu. Except for the Marquis of Huai'an and his wife, no one else would call him that on weekdays. The only people who knew about this nickname were a few servants serving the two elders, and they would not say anything outside.
But it is not impossible for it to spread.
"Last time you were playing in Qinxin Garden, I heard from others afterward that your nickname is Yan Yan, right? I told my cousin, is it okay?"
Zhong Yansheng was thinking hard about what kind of nonsense he should make up about his nickname in order to save his life if Xiao Nong came looking for him. He was stunned for a few moments when he heard this. He never expected that the cute nickname that Meng Qiping gave him could actually play such a role.
After a while, he nodded sincerely: "No problem, of course no problem, thank you so much, Second Young Master Xiao - did His Royal Highness Prince Ding say anything?"
"No, my cousin is a busy man. He has something else to do, so he left after asking." Xiao Wenlan patted his chest with lingering fear and bumped Zhong Yansheng with his shoulder. "It's not that I'm scared, it's that my cousin is more unfathomable... Young Master Zhong, you know, right?"
Zhong Yansheng responded sincerely: "I understand, I understand."
It was just that this name sounded awkward, and he couldn't help but say, "Second Young Master Xiao, you don't have to call me Young Master Zhong."
Xiao Wenlan laughed: "Sorry, sorry, it just comes out of my mouth. Then I'll call you Yan Yan?"
"...Thank you, but no." Zhong Yansheng was a little resistant to this title.
Xiao Wenlan had a very good temper: "....Then, Young Master Zhong?"
Zhong Yansheng was embarrassed and nodded.
Xiao Wenlan clearly knew many people, but he did not go over to talk to them. Instead, he squatted in a corner with Zhong Yansheng and chatted leisurely.
Although Zhong Yansheng secretly felt that the Second Young Master Xiao was unreliable, it was still very interesting to chat with him.
He couldn't help but think of Xiao Nong.
There is a huge gap between Xiao Nong and Xiao Wenlan, whether in ability, personality, or even appearance, they are completely different. It is hard to believe that they are cousins.
Xiao Wenlan feared Xiao Nong more than anyone else, but he also admired Xiao Nong more than anyone else. He was secretly proud of his cousin. When he talked about Xiao Nong, his expression became quite pious: "So don't worry, when my cousin asked me just now, there was no murderous look on his face. People outside have spread rumors about my cousin. In fact, my cousin's killings are all justified. If you don't offend him, he won't kill innocent people indiscriminately."
Zhong Yansheng: “…”
Thank you for your comfort. I am even more scared now.
Is there any offense more terrible than raping Prince Ding?
Although he was drugged that day, he had no choice but to make Prince Ding sit under him... to solve the problem.
So he could understand why Xiao got angry that night and tied him up.
When Zhong Yansheng thought of these things, his ears turned red. Fortunately, he was wearing a veil, so Xiao Wenlan couldn't see his expression. Hearing that he didn't say anything, he thought his consolation was effective, so he changed the subject: "I almost forgot, I have an appointment with a few friends to go out the day after tomorrow to see something good. Do you want to go with us, young master Zhong?"
Zhong Yansheng subconsciously wanted to decline.
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Wenlan said enthusiastically: "It's very interesting. I'm going to show you something good that ordinary people can't see! I can't stand those people ignoring you. Let them see what deep love means. Even if you are a beggar, you are still my friend!"
Zhong Yansheng had no idea how they had reached the point of having such a deep friendship.
But Xiao Wenlan's expression was so sincere and full of kindness, like a puppy wagging its tail. Zhong Yansheng was too embarrassed to refuse, so he considered it carefully.
Xiao Wenlan is so afraid of Xiao Nong, so Xiao Nong will definitely not be there at the meeting place, so that place should be far away from Prince Ding and very safe, so it doesn't hurt to go there.
After thinking about it, Zhong Yansheng shyly responded to this enthusiastic new friend: "Okay."
After getting the answer, Xiao Wenlan was very excited: "That's fine! I'll pick you up at Huai'an Marquis Mansion at noon the day after tomorrow. I promise that you won't be disappointed with that good thing!"
The two of them were sitting in the corner chatting, and they didn't notice that a pair of eyes would occasionally scan over, linger on Zhong Yansheng for a moment, and then quickly turn away.
It was getting darker without them noticing.
Don't know if it was because Meng Qiping broke a finger, or because of Xiao Nong's appearance, or maybe both, but the flower-fighting banquet ended in a hurry, omitting almost half of the process. There was no flower fighting, and the banquet ended before 5:55 in the evening.
Everyone in the garden had heard about Xiao Nong's incident and had no mood to stay. But when they heard that the banquet was over, they were relieved and left Jinghua Garden in a hurry, preparing to go back home to tell their family about what happened today.
Zhong Yansheng also returned to the carriage with Yun Cheng and waved to Xiao Wenlan: "Second Young Master Xiao, see you tomorrow."
Zhong Sidu came over from behind, glanced at Xiao Wenlan coldly, and then returned his gaze to Zhong Yansheng.
Today he should have focused on making friends with other powerful young men in the capital, but his eyes would always unconsciously drift to Zhong Yansheng, watching him hanging out with that famous idiot in the capital, chatting and laughing.
Is this the person who left those marks on Zhong Yansheng?
If it weren't for the Xiao family's status, who would look at a waste like Xiao Wenlan in the eye?
Zhong Yansheng would rather have a good chat with this kind of person than come to him.
Well, save myself the trouble.
Zhong Sidu still maintained a decent smile, but his eyes were cold. He glanced at Zhong Yansheng, moved like the wind, brushed past his shoulder, and got on the carriage first.
Zhong Yansheng was cut off from the way, but he was not angry. He gave way obediently and waited for him to get on the carriage before getting on.
After going up, Zhong Yansheng found that Zhong Sidu was sitting in the corner where he had huddled before, so he chose a seat near the door of the carriage and sat down quietly.
Zhong Sidu could no longer suppress his anger: "Do you really like hanging out with people like Xiao Wenlan?"
Hearing Zhong Sidu's angry words, Zhong Yansheng, who was trying to reduce his presence, was puzzled: "What's wrong with Second Young Master Xiao? He's a nice guy."
Zhong Sidu said coldly: "He's a nice person? Do you mean he's idle all day, fighting cocks and running errands?"
Zhong Yansheng didn't understand why he was so angry. Zhong Sidu could scold him however he wanted, but he didn't want his new friend to be implicated. He pursed his lips, his voice was hoarse, but the tone was very calm, neither high nor low: "The teacher said, 'Literature is based on behavior, and sincerity comes first'. I don't know the rest, but Xiao Ershao treats people sincerely, I don't think there is anything wrong with that."
Zhong Sidu was stunned for a moment, frowning and staring at Zhong Yansheng for a while. He never expected to hear such words from him, and couldn't understand why he said those two sentences just now.
But he couldn't help but sneer again: "Then you should just be friends with him."
Zhong Yansheng seemed not to understand his tone, and his tone remained soft: "Hmm."
Zhong Sidu was so angry that he choked up and didn't say anything after that.
What happened in Jinghua Garden spread in the afternoon. Xiao Nong appeared at the flower-fighting banquet, cut off the fingers of the third young master of the Meng family, and snatched the flowers from Zhong Yansheng.
When the Marquis' wife came back from copying Buddhist scriptures in the Buddhist hall, she was so shocked when she heard about this that she could hardly sit still: "Yuan Yuan must be frightened. I'm going to go get Yuan'er back!"
Huai'an Marquis quickly held his wife down and said, "It's okay, Madam, don't worry."
"We shouldn't have let Yuan'er go!"
"Under the current situation, we can only adopt this attitude." Huai'an Marquis paused, and spoke in a low and slow tone, so that only they could understand, "...we can only let Yuan'er down."
Madam Hou's eyes gradually turned red: "Sidu has been wronged, and now Yuan'er is being wronged. What have these two children done wrong? Why do they always have to suffer injustice?"
The Marquis of Huai'an could not answer, and his wife also knew the answer. She wiped away her tears and quickly calmed down: "I understand."
The couple talked in the room for a while, and then someone knocked on the door and announced, "My Lord, Madam, the two young masters are back."
The Marquis's wife stood up quickly.
Zhong Yansheng took off his veil after entering the second door and gave it to Yun Cheng to put back in the house. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw the Marquis’ wife who had hurried over. As soon as he called out “Mom”, the Marquis' wife rushed over and checked him carefully. After confirming that he was safe and not even a hair had fallen out, she felt relieved and touched his slightly hot forehead: “What's wrong, Yuan'er, did you catch a cold?”
"No," Zhong Yansheng cleared his throat and smiled, "It's a bit hot outside, so I'm wearing more clothes."
Madam Hou felt the temperature of his face again and felt that it was still a little hot: "Mother asked someone to prepare some medicine to prevent colds. Yuan'er, be good and drink it before going to bed."
Zhong Yansheng didn't like taking medicine, but nodded obediently: "Okay."
Madam Hou touched his soft black hair, looked hesitantly at Zhong Sidu who was watching them quietly, withdrew her hand, and asked carefully and gently**: "Yuan'er, how is today's flower-fighting banquet?"**
Maybe what she wanted to ask was "How was your relationship with your brother today?"
Zhong Yansheng could sense her subtle nervousness. He glanced at Zhong Sidu, whose complexion had returned to a gentle and soft state, and lied considerately, "Very well, my brother also takes good care of me."
He really didn't know how to get along with Zhong Sidu, nor did he know how to please him, so he could only cooperate with him.
When he heard Zhong Yansheng calling him "brother", Zhong Sidu glanced at him inconspicuously, and suddenly remembered the finger that poked his lower back when he got off the carriage outside Jinghua Garden.
A strange tingling sensation creeped up my spine again.
After hearing Zhong Yansheng's reply, Madam Hou felt relieved: "That's good, that's good."
The expression of Marquis Huai'an next to him was not much better. He looked at Zhong Sidu sternly and said slowly, "Yuan'er is not feeling well and has been out tired. Go back and rest early. Sidu, come with me to the study. I have something to tell you."
Zhong Sidu seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say, and there was a layer of indifference between his drooping eyebrows: "Yes, father."
Zhong Yansheng was indeed tired and was not curious about what they were going to say. He had been frightened several times during his outing today, and now he was as wilted as a dehydrated radish. He just wanted to take his medicine and go to sleep quickly.
Probably because he ran outside even though he had caught a cold, Zhong Yansheng had a fever at night. He took some medicine and slept soundly all day. When he thought about his promise to Xiao Wenlan to go out the next day, he began to feel tired.
He no longer really wanted to accept the appointment. He just wanted to curl up on his favorite big recliner and take a nap, secretly praying in his heart that Xiao Wenlan would break the appointment.
As a result, at noon that day, Xiao Wenlan came to pick up Zhong Yansheng very punctually.
When he heard the message from below, Zhong Yansheng felt very desperate. He looked at the dazzling sunlight outside the window and wanted to shrink back into the room and stay in the cool and shady little mushroom.
He thought for a while, and finally wrapped something around his waist a few times, then sat down in front of the dressing table and fiddled with the bottles and jars on the table.
Those who are good at painting are naturally very proficient in certain techniques.
After applying makeup in front of the mirror for a long time, Zhong Yansheng looked around, nodded with satisfaction, and then put on the veil, just in case.
He had already vaguely grasped Xiao Wenlan's character, and he was indeed not very reliable.
What if the "rare and precious thing" he was talking about was specifically for His Royal Highness the King Ding?
When he was ready to walk out of Chunwuyuan, Zhong Yansheng bumped into Zhong Sidu.
The latter seemed to have just returned. It was unknown what he talked about with Huai'an Marquis the night before, and the look in his eyes when he looked at him became even colder.
Zhong Yansheng was puzzled, but he was used to Zhong Sidu's attitude, so he greeted him politely and left.
Yun Cheng was inseparable from him, but unfortunately he also caught a cold and was unable to get up. Zhong Yansheng didn't want to bring anyone else, so he had to go to the appointment alone.
The white figure walked slowly, taking a look at everything he saw, as if he didn't want to go out.
After a long while, Zhong Sidu realized that he had been looking in the direction where Zhong Yansheng left for a long time. His expression turned ugly, and he turned back to Mingxueyuan with a cold face.
Xiao Wenlan waited outside the gate for a while, and then saw Zhong Yansheng wearing a veiled hat and getting on the carriage.
The boy's body was still filled with the strong, pungent scent of perfumed powder. The smell was rampant in the closed carriage, and there was no escape. It was simply terrifying. Xiao Wenlan suffocated for a moment, his nose twitched, and he sneezed again: "Young Master Zhong... Ah, choo! I think you smell pretty good, why do you have to put on perfumed powder?"
"I think this perfumed powder smells good." Zhong Yansheng asked faintly, "Do you think it smells bad?"
Xiao Wenlan stared at him blankly for three breaths. Whatever good-looking people say is right. He decided to respect Zhong Yansheng's preference and gritted his teeth: "...It smells good!"
Zhong Yansheng was satisfied, and what the book taught was indeed useful.
When someone asks you a question that is difficult to answer, it is very effective to use a counter-question.
The road to the "very interesting place" that Xiao Wenlan mentioned seemed quite far.
Ever since meeting Xiao Nong the day before yesterday, Zhong Yansheng hadn't had a good rest in the past two days. In the swaying carriage, he took a nap without realizing it.
When he woke up, the carriage just stopped.
Xiao Wenlan was helped out of the carriage and stood outside, holding out his hand: "Young Master Zhong, do you want me to help you?"
Zhong Yansheng was still a little sleepy. He yawned, declined his kindness, lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage.
As soon as he stepped on the stool, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
The rustling sound of bamboo leaves all around seemed vaguely familiar.
Zhong Yansheng suddenly had a very bad premonition and raised his head numbly.
On the familiar plaque of the gate of the villa not far away, four large characters are written in a flamboyant style.
Changliu Villa.
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