“Nuo Nuo! Nuo Nuo!”
A moment later, the palace attendants and guards of the Crown Prince’s mansion saw Xiao Junwang running behind Xiao Huangsun like a bug.
Xiao Jiang Nuo was still dressed in a snow robe, with a pair of cute buns on his head, and walked ahead with his little hands on his back. Seeing his annoying cousin chasing him relentlessly, he stopped and hummed, “What are you doing?”
Sui Zhang looked at the swinging bells on Xiao Jiang Nuo’s buns and couldn’t help but say, “Nuo Nuo, you look really good.”
“I also want my grandmother to hang such a small bells for me too, but she refuses.”
“Why?”
“Because my grandmother said I am dark, hanging the bells will make me look even darker and be compared to you. Sigh. Do you think she is old and blind? I won’t look as good as you even if I don’t wear a bell.”
Sui Zhang chattered on and then, like offering a treasure, took out a delicate small porcelain box with a beautiful picture of a beautiful woman from his bosom, stood in front of the little dumpling, straightened his chest, and loudly said, “Nuo Nuo, I formally apologize to you for what happened last time. You forgive me, we are still good friends, alright?”
“No!”
Xiao Jiang Nuo proudly turned his head and continued walking forward.
“You’re not curious, what’s inside this box?”
Sui Zhang followed suit step by step.
“Not curious.”
“You go, I don’t like you.”
“Don’t, Nuo Nuo, I’m really here to apologize to you. I’m telling you, what’s in this box is a miracle cure for prickly heat.”
Xiao Jiang Nuo did stop in his tracks.
How did his ugly cousin know he had prickly heat?
Sui Zhang had already opened the box and held it out in front of the little dumpling. “If you don’t believe it, then smell it. It’s also fragrant. This was my grandmother’s treasure. I had a hard time getting it for you.”
“If you forgive me, I’ll apply some on your body right away, alright?”
Xiao Jiang Nuo was a bit tempted.
Although yesterday’s stinky father’s method was very effective, and this morning some of the prickly heat has dissipated, his back and armpits are still very itchy. And because of the prickly heat, his father doesn’t even let him drink elk antler soup.
“Really, smell it!”
Sui Zhang stretched the box forward a bit more.
Xiao Jiang Nuo lowered his head and sniffed it. It was indeed fragrant, and his eyelashes flickered. He asked, “What is this?”
“Pearl powder, it is very expensive. My grandmother smears a lot on her face every day. This box is newly made.”
“Pearl powder?”
Xiao Jiang Nuo recited these three words.
With a blink of an eye, he asked, “Can it really get rid of prickly heat and itching?”
“Of course! All of those spots and wrinkles that are on my grandmother’s face depend on it. Even wrinkles can be removed, so prickly heat shouldn’t be a problem.”
“But I have already applied powder.”
“What powder?”
“It was brought by the Imperial Medical’s grandpa.”
“That’s definitely not as good as mine. Mine is very precious and rare. If you don’t believe me, I’ll apply it to you right now. How about that?”
The two little dumplings went inside together.
The palace attendants and the nannies followed closely behind, and Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang, impatiently said, “You all go out and don’t disturb this county king and Nuo Nuo’s conversation.”
Sui Heng and Jiang Yun happened to pass by the corridor and saw this scene from afar. Sui Heng’s forehead veins jumped as a reflex. Jiang Yun asked, “Do you need to go and take a look?”
“No need.” Sui Heng folded his arms and said with a relaxed expression, “Let the children handle their own affairs. It’s not like that little thing is going to suffer.”
In this regard, Jiang Yun was not as experienced as him, so he nodded.
As they walked forward together, Sui Heng suddenly said, “By the way, I heard from Ji An that you didn’t eat that much breakfast today. Is your stomach uncomfortable again?”
Jiang Yun shook his head. “It’s probably because it’s too hot, I don’t have an appetite.”
Although he said that, Sui Heng understood that, with Jiang Yun’s temperament, even if he was truly affected by a stomach disease, he would not tell him the truth. He can only observe these things more carefully by himself.
Thinking of this, Sui Heng frowned.
The Tonghe egg thing has to be sped up.
He needs to find a way to make the two Tonghe cranes in the backyard stop fighting and voluntary mate as soon as possible.
If he hadn’t been busy with the Reclamation Order lately, he would have had to personally sit in the backyard and keep an eye on those two cannot be domesticated red-haired animals.
With this thought in mind, he said, “Tomorrow, I’ll bring another cook from the palace to make some delicious Jiangnan snacks for you.”
“Don’t bother.”
“How can this be called bother? Taking care of you is Gu’s top priority. Hey, don’t move.”
Sui Heng suddenly said fervently.
Jiang Yun stopped and raised his eyelashes lightly, looking at the hand that he had reached out and asking, “What’s wrong?”
“There’s something.”
As soon as Sui Heng reached halfway, his hand was blocked by another finger.
That was a very fair and beautiful finger, and Sui Heng raised his eyebrows and asked, “What are you doing?”
Jiang Yun looked at him with a smile. “Let me guess, this time, is it leaves, feathers, or small insects?”
The two of them folded their fingers together, and in an instant, they made a few moves.
Sui Heng tsked and said, “Rongyu, there are some things that, if you talk about them clearly, it won’t be fun anymore.”
As he spoke, he suddenly turned to one side and quickly leaned over while Jiang Yun was not paying attention, stole a kiss, and then laughed heartily before running away.
“Your Highness.”
Shi Fang had been consciously standing in the distance, waiting for his shameless Highness to walk away. He approached and gave Jiang Yun a light bow, saying, “Divine Physician Meng has come from Muyun Pass and is now resting in the inn.”
Jiang Yun nodded and said he knew. He asked Shi Fang to invite Meng Hui into the mansion in an hour, while he himself headed south to the conference hall. Shi Fang said yes and busily followed up.
Inside, the two little dumplings were already pounding the powder, and the pearl powder in the box was scattered everywhere.
Xiao Jiang Nuo took off his robe and waved his lotus-like arms, wiping his back and armpits. Soon, his entire upper body was covered in a thick layer of white powder, as if he had just crawled out of a pile of flour. Pearl powder is icy cold and comfortable when applied to the skin, especially since it is not an ordinary pearl but a high-quality pearl powder purchased by Lan Guifei at a great cost. Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang’s face and arms were also covered in pearl powder, it’s rather comical to look at.
The palace attendants and nannies were startled upon discovering it and wanted to stop them. The two little dumplings, holding the remaining powder in their palms, ran around the room, scattering powder and playing around. The three nannies chased after, panting heavily, but were unable to stop Xiao Huangsun.
When Lan Guifei discovered the truth, a box of priceless pearl powder had already been squandered clean by the two little dumplings.
Naturally, it’s not good for Lan Guifei to make a fuss over a box of pearl powder and go to Emperor Sui to complain about it. However, she couldn’t swallow this and could only cover her heart. She brought Xiao Junwang over to teach him a lesson. Xiao Junwang held the latest mechanism bird in his hand and looked at Lan Guifei with a runny nose and tears. He straightened himself out and said, “Grandmother, how can you be so stingy?”
Stingy?
Lan Guifei’s hands froze as she wiped her tears, and her face almost cracked, saying, “Who do you call stingy?”
“Grandma is stingy!”
Xiao Junwang looked at the beam with a slanted eye and snorted.
The Second Prince was also brought over by Lan Guifei because she couldn’t bear to scold her grandson. Lan Guifei then cursed her son with resentment, “Look what a bastard you’ve given birth to. Do you insist on pissing Bengong to death, right?”
The Second Prince looked at his mother consort as if she were a tigress and whispered.
“In fact, it’s not a bad thing for Zhang Er to walk around the Crown Prince Mansion more often.”
“If it is not a bad thing, then is it a good thing? Zhang Er has almost disowned you as his father and this Bengong as his grandmother.”
The Second Prince touched his nose and continued to murmur, “If the Crown Prince Mansion is willing to accept Zhang Er, that would also be good…”
Unlike his mother consort, who is competitive and insists on competing with the Crown Prince Mansion, the Second Prince only wants to live a peaceful life and become a wealthy and idle prince. Originally, the matter of his son being adopted at the Crown Prince Mansion was halfway done. Unexpectedly, the heavens brought good luck, and the Crown Prince Mansion suddenly had a legitimate heir. The Second Prince had always thought it was pity.
“You—”
Lan Guifei’s face turned green, and she picked up the feather duster on one side and fiercely whipped her son twice, saying, “Do you have any backbone left? What kind of father are you?”
The Second Prince complained while hiding, “Mother, you’re not gentle or beautiful anymore.”
“Look at all the wrinkles coming out of your face.”
In the first half of the sentence, Lan Guifei remained calm, but upon hearing the second half, she was immediately frightened and dropped the feather duster. She sat back in front of the bronze mirror, nervously holding the mirror and taking a look at herself.
“There is? Bengong has been using caviar oil and pearl powder all along ah.”
“You all come here quickly and help Bengong take a look.”
The Second Prince took the opportunity to escape, and Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang, also ran out of the palace, calling for friends and leading a large group of accompanying readers towards the direction of the Crown Prince’s mansion. The accompanying young master was curious and asked, “Has Xiao Huangsun forgiven Xiao Junwang?”
“Of course!”
Xiao Junwang once again sat proudly on the jujube red horse and said, “Nuo Nuo promised me that this afternoon, I can go and see the Tonghe for two hours!
“Junwang, Junwang, then can we also go?”
“Of course, you all are this county king’s accompanying readers, so naturally you guys can follow along.”
“Will the Little Crown Prince find us too noisy and noisy?”
“He won’t, even if Nuo Nuo finds you guys noisy, for the sake of this county king’s face, he will still agree.”
The young masters cheered unison.
When Lan Guifei discovered that she had been deceived, there was another sharp pain in her heart.
Her confidant could only advise Lan Guifei to take it easy, and it would be fine once Xiao Junwang is enrolled in the academy in the spring of next year. Children from ordinary families usually start their education at the age of five to seven, but aristocratic children usually start early, they start their apprenticeship at the age of four. According to tradition, Xiao Junwang will attend a specialized aristocratic academy and study together with other children of the same age next year.
“You’re right. When Zhang Er attends the academy, there will be a master to restrain him, so he won’t be able to act so recklessly anymore.
The momo said, “In my humble opinion, instead of being anxious about this small matter at the moment, it would be better for Niangniang to find a way to beg in front of His Majesty to find a good master for Xiao Junwang.”
Speaking of this matter, another hint of sadness appeared on Lan Guifei’s face.
“Do you think Bengong doesn’t want to? Currently, the world is peaceful. What kind of future is there for someone like Zhang Er, who spends his days playing with swords and sticks? If you want to be successful, you still have to be a scholar, know how to write and draft, and capture the hearts of those famous scholars and public officials. But Bengong has mentioned it openly and secretly several times, but it has been rejected by His Majesty on the grounds that Zhang Er’s age is too young, and Bengong cannot keep saying it.”
The momo smiled and said, “That was before. When Xiao Junwang reaches the age of enlightenment next spring, Niangniang just goes to His Majesty and says it again, His Majesty has no reason to refuse Niangniang anymore.”
“You are right.”
Lan Guifei is able to live in the deep palace like a fish in water. In addition to being able to give birth, she also has some ability to observe expressions.
She nodded lightly. “Previously, Bengong was too anxious. This time, Bengong has to calm down and wait for the most suitable time. By the way, the few rare books that Bengong asked my elder brother to search for before are still there?”
“Don’t worry, Niangniang. They are all being cherished in the Treasure Pavilion. Does Niangniang want it?”
“Isn’t it almost time for the peace negotiation? Find an opportunity and have Lan Feng and his team send them to the Left Prime Minister’s mansion.”
The momo was surprised. “Does Niangniang wants Xiao Junwang to worship the Left Prime Minister as his master?”
Lan Guifei nodded and said, “Of course. If Zhang Er had to worship a master, he naturally had to worship the most famous master. In terms of knowledge, there is no better person than Jimo Qingyu in the world. Being able to be the Left Minister’s disciple, this honor alone is enough for Zhang’er to win at the starting point. Bengong aims to make Zhang Er the first skilled writer in Jiangbei in the future!”
The image of Xiao Junwang punching three guards suddenly appeared in the momo’s mind, and she silently swallowed her words and said, “But the maid heard that this Left Prime Minister has a solitary and arrogant temper and has extremely strict standards for accepting disciples. He no longer recruits new disciples. I’m afraid this will not be easy.”
Lan Guifei has her own plan.
“The rules are for outsiders. Even if the Left Prime Minister is arrogant and doesn’t give face to Bengong, he also can’t make His Majesty lose face, right? Bengong heard that the little thing from the Crown Prince Mansion is even stronger and more capable of fighting than Zhang Er. He probably can’t concentrate on learning. If Zhang Er puts in more effort and studies hard, he can surely learn better than that little thing.”
Sui Heng knew about Meng Hui’s coming over and purposely ended the proceedings half an hour early. Upon returning to the main courtyard, he saw that Jiang Yun had already sat upright in the water pavilion, with Meng Hui sitting opposite him.
During Jiang Yun’s stay in the Sui capital, Meng Hui came almost every month to regularly check his pulse and regulate his old illnesses. Meng Hui not only brought a newly developed bone injury ointment but also crane foods that could help with Tonghe eggs.
To be precise, the main purpose of Meng Hui’s trip is to see the two ancestors in the backyard.
In the past six months, although Meng Hui has gradually found some medical prescriptions for treating stomach diseases from ancient books, the effect is negligible compared to the sacred Tonghe egg.
So it was said that Sui Heng had brought back two Tonghe from the former site of Shahu. Meng Hui immediately rushed to the Sui capital, first to see the legendary crane and second to increase the production of Tonghe eggs by starting with food.
Crane foods are all air-dried and made by Meng Hui using a variety of rare medicinal herbs mixed with roots, fish, and frogs that Tonghe loves to eat. It has a wonderful taste and is loved by the two ancestors.
After Sui Heng entered the water pavilion, he didn’t let the palace attendants make a sound, he just stood behind with his arms folded and stared at Meng Hui, checking the pulse. After about a cup of tea, Meng Hui withdrew his hand.
This pulse checking took much longer than usual. Sui Heng immediately put down his hand and asked, “How is it? But what’s the problem?”
Meng Hui said, “There’s nothing wrong with the stomach disease, but… has Your Highness been feeling any other discomfort lately?”
This is obviously asking Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun thought for a moment and shook his head.
“There is none.”
Meng Hui pondered silently.
Jiang Yun and Sui Heng looked at each other, both finding it somewhat strange.
Sui Heng also sat down on one side and said, “If Divine Physician has anything to say, you may as well say it.”
Meng Hui then said, “Does Your Highness feel symptoms such as drowsiness and anorexia?”
The atmosphere suddenly became strange.
Sui Heng was stunned and said, “Recently, his appetite has been a bit small… What does this mean?”
His Highness the Crown Prince’s heart rarely jumps rapidly.
Meng Hui hesitated, as if he were still somewhat unsure.
This time, Jiang Yun asked, “What exactly does the Divine Physician mean?”
Meng Hui said cautiously, “If the humble is not mistaken, Your Highness may have another strand of fetal breath in your abdomen.”
Jiang Yun was taken aback.
Sui Heng’s hands shook violently, and the tea bowl in his hand almost dropped.
Meng Hui hurriedly said, “Of course, this is just a preliminary inference from the humble, and there may be a possibility of misdiagnosis. Next, Your Highness should observe more.”
Just as Meng Hui followed the palace attendant to the backyard to see Tonghe, Jiang Yun and Sui Heng were still sitting face to face.
After Sui Heng’s initial shock, for a moment he still didn’t know how to deal with this matter. He sat directly next to Jiang Yun, his throat slightly dry, and cautiously asked, “Do you… feel anything?”
Jiang Yun shook his head.
After carefully feeling it, he said, “Could it be a misdiagnosis?”
“Impossible. With Divine Physician Meng’s superb medical skills, how could he even make such a mistake?”
“But I really don’t feel it.”
“How about Gu help you up and take a walk?”
Jiang Yun said there was no need.
After feeling it for a while, he said, “Unlikely.”
“What is unlikely?”
“It’s nothing like before, not even a bit.”
In the following days, Sui Heng carefully observed Jiang Yun’s diet and sleep. Jiang Yun remained as usual, except for a smaller appetite, he had no drowsiness, and there was not much change in his dietary tastes.
Now even Sui Heng is a bit skeptical. “Can it be that it’s really a mistake?”
Due to the experimental crane food effect, Meng Hui stayed in the Sui capital for a full half month. Before leaving, he once again examined Jiang Yun’s pulse. After the diagnosis, the renowned doctor from both the south and north of the Yangtze River rarely showed a puzzled expression: “It seems like it has really disappeared.”
This kind of thing, such as being misdiagnosed, is understandable, but given Jiang Yun’s special physique, Meng Hui dared not be careless and stayed for an additional period of time. After confirming that Jiang Yun had no other abnormal reactions, he prepared to leave.
But Meng Hui ultimately did not succeed because another piece of news came.
After half a year of hard work, the brothers Lu Jishi and Lu Anmin finally found an undiscovered dense forest, Zilong Gu, in a deep mountain in the north of the Yangtze River. The number was not small, and the age was also ancient. Meng Hui was overjoyed and immediately brought several witch physicians from the Qi capital to the mountain to dig together. Because there were purple-spotted snakes guarding Zilong Gu, Sui Heng even sent a team of elite members from the Qinglang Battalion to accompany them.
It’s early winter in the blink of an eye.
Meng Hui and his delegation returned smoothly, and most of the new capital of Muyun Pass had been completed. The Sui Empire also welcomed its annual grand court meeting.
