“Is it really alright for us to leave like this?”
The carriage ran on the bluestone ground, grinding through a thin layer of snow and leaving two deep rut marks. Sui Heng looked at the entrance of the Left Prime Minister’s mansion, which was gradually disappearing from his sight, and asked with some uncertainty.
“Don’t worry.”
Jiang Yun has a clear answer.
Sui Heng said, “When we just left, Lord Prime Minister’s expression was not very good. Can that Senior Brother of yours really handle it?”
“Senior Brother Zhao has been learning from the Master since childhood, and his relationship with him is far stronger than anyone else’s. Although Master is usually strict with Senior Brother Zhao, he actually values him as a senior disciple in his heart. So rest assured.”
Jiang Yun was very confident.
Zhao Yan was clearly not as confident as his own junior brother expected him to be.
At this moment, sitting behind the table and just looking at his master’s face, a cold sweat had already flowed down his back. He was thinking about how to admit his mistake later in order to have a better death posture.
“You want to become an official?”
Jimo Qingyu spoke first, his tone and expression were plain. It can’t be told whether he was happy or angry.
Zhao Yan was greatly surprised, pale in shock, and almost immediately stood up from the seat. “Master…”
“Sit down.”
Jimo Qingyu said.
“…Yes.”
Zhao Yan sat back as he was told, his heart was already as nervous as a drum, and he almost didn’t dare look directly into Jimo Qingyu’s eyes.
Jimo Qingyu looked at this eldest disciple, who had always been circumspect and lively, for a while before saying, “From now on, you can come and go freely.”
Zhao Yan pales, and he immediately leaves the table. He kneeled down and said, “Master, calm down. The disciple… doesn’t want to be an official, and the disciple won’t be an official in his life. It was just momentarily confusing. If Master wants to hit or scold, the disciple will never resist. The disciple begged Master, please don’t drive the disciple out.”
“Words are insincere.”
Jimo Qingyu snorted coldly.
Zhao Yan’s complexion faded with a swish, and he felt both fear and regret in his heart. He walked over on his knees and was about to continue pleading when he heard Jimo Qingyu continue, “If you want to become an official, do it well. Be a good official who cares for the world and the people. Don’t lose I, Jimo Qingyu’s face. Shrink in fear, look forward and backward, what kind of behavior is this?”
Zhao Yan suddenly looked up, incredulously looking at Jimo Qingyu.
“Master, you…”
“This old man won’t interfere in this matter, and the Left Prime Minister Mansion won’t provide you with special assistance. If you want to do it, just rely on your own abilities.”
Zhao Yan quickly asked in a low voice, “Then what if the disciple wants to return to the Left Prime Minister Mansion in the future?”
“Your legs are on you, can this old man still manage your legs?” Jimo Qingyu said with a stern expression.
Zhao Yan was overjoyed, and until this moment, only then did he unload a huge rock from his heart. He kowtowed heavily and said, “The disciple will get the wine for Master.”
After finishing speaking, he got up and walked outside. Halfway through, he heard the person behind him say, “Stop.”
Zhao Yan took an emergency stop and thought to himself, ‘It probably can’t be something good.’ He turned around and was about to listen to the lecture when he saw Jimo Qingyu take something from the drawer under his desk and place it on the desk. “This proposal is well written.” He said.
“But there are still many places where the writing doesn’t work and needs to be modified!”
Jimo Qingyu calmly scolded.
Zhao Yan was momentarily stunned and stiffened and had been holding back all this time. At this moment, his eyes suddenly turned red, and two lines of tears slowly rolled out.
After taking care of Lord Left Minister, the matter of worshipping the master was much easier.
Jiang Yun chose an auspicious day and directly invited Zhao Yan to the mansion to hold a grand and formal apprenticeship ceremony for the two little boys. Early in the morning, Xiao Jiang Nuo was dressed up by the palace attendants, dressed in a Confucian robe in a proper manner. At a young age, his crow-like feathers eyebrows flew diagonally, and his eyes were bright and confident, perfectly blending the strengths of the two Crown Princes in the south and north of the Yangtze River. Although he was still a little dumpling at the moment, it can already be seen what a scourge he will be in the future. However, Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang, still wore majestic armor with his purple and golden leather boots, walking with an aura of 1.8 meters. He was energetic, and his performance was as stable as ever, looking more like he came to fight rather than being a disciple.
Sui Heng couldn’t bear to watch, so he directly lifted him up. Regardless of Xiao Junwang stirring his arms and legs wailing, he stripped off his ugly nephew’s unsuitable clothes in a few strokes and asked the attendants in the Crown Prince’s mansion to change him into a Confucian robe.
The palace guards who followed over from the Second Prince’s mansion were once again grateful.
We should know that Xiao Junwang was born with divine power and a fierce temper. He fought invincibly in the Second Prince’s mansion, even his own father and mother would avoid him. The only person in the entire Sui capital that could be considered feared by him was His Highness the Crown Prince, whose reputation was even worse. This morning, the Second Prince and his wife, along with his grandmother, Lan Guifei, coaxed them three to four times. They almost kneeled down to the little ancestor, but they were unable to make Xiao Junwang take off his military uniform and change into a robe. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was able to handle it with just two steps.
The apprenticeship ceremony proceeded smoothly, with Sui Heng personally taking the lead. The two lively and aggressive young boys, one more fierce than the other, dared not act recklessly and obediently followed the guidance of the ceremonial officials to perform the apprenticeship ceremony. Emperor Sui was very satisfied and felt that there was no better way to make his two obedient grandchildren shake hands and make friends than to “go to school together”, “do homework together”, and “accept the teacher’s beating together”. He was sincerely proud that he could think of such a method and immediately sent officials to come over and award some rewards. Zhao Yan felt a bit embarrassed about it.
The only one with dissatisfaction was Lan Guifei.
For this reason, Lan Guifei once again caused a scene in front of Emperor Sui. She thought Sui Heng wanted to invite great scholars from the common people, at least at the level of a well-known master who had already gained fame all over the world. Unexpectedly, he was just a disciple of the Left Prime Minister. With an age of around twenty-five or six and a white body. Although he has some reputation among the folk, how can he be compared with those who have gray hair and beards?
Lan Guifei even suspected that Sui Heng was intentionally causing trouble and delaying her precious grandson’s studies.
Emperor Sui became impatient and said, “Nuo Nuo and Zhang Er are enlightened and apprenticed together. According to you, the Crown Prince is so obsessed that he doesn’t even care about his own son’s studies in order to make you unhappy? The level of knowledge does not depend on age or whose hair is whiter. Zhen believes that the Crown Prince’s actions have his own reasons. But it’s you who has a short vision, using a woman’s perspective. Don’t bring up this matter again in the future.”
Emperor Sui used the young son of the Crown Prince’s mansion to speak up and blocked Lan Guifei’s mouth tightly. It was difficult for Lan Guifei to say anything anymore.
“Moreover, Zhen personally agreed to this matter. Is Guifei questioning Zhen’s decision?”
Emperor Sui added a sentence in a deep voice.
Lan Guifei’s face turned pale with fear, and she immediately kneeled down to apologize, saying she dares not.
However, Lan Guifei did not give up. In order to verify the too-young grand tutor, Zhao Yan’s ability, she sent a number of trusted subordinates to follow Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang every day in the name of taking care of Xiao Junwang’s clothing and fooding, but actually to supervise Zhao Yan’s teaching level. When she learned that Zhao Yan only taught two hours of classes a day and the rest of the time was spent squatting in the field with the two most prestigious young children of the Great Sui, pulling grass and catching mud satin and crickets, Lan Guifei had a complete heart attack.
She knew that Crown Prince Sui Heng’s method was dark and his heart was even darker. This was to take advantage of the enlightenment opportunity to completely cultivate her obedient grandson into an illiterate and uneducated playboy.
Besides, the world is peaceful now, and even dandies are not interested in going to the mud to catch crickets anymore.
Lan Guifei had already gone to complain in front of Emperor Sui, and it was not good to do so twice in a short period of time. So she called the Second Prince over and gave him an order. Who would have thought that the Second Prince would hear his own mother had eaten a bear’s heart and a leopard’s guts1Pluck up courage. and asked him to go and report the Crown Prince’s blackening? At that moment, he covered his stomach, said he had abdominal pain, and disappeared in a puff of smoke. When Lan Guifei arrived at the Second Prince’s mansion in a fierce manner, the Second Prince’s mansion reported that His Highness was feeling unwell and had already taken his two or three little concubines to the outskirts of the city to rest overnight, with an uncertain return date.
Lan Guifei was infuriated by her useless son and felt a wave of depression.
Fortunately, her confidant was comforting her on the side. There were as many loaches and crickets to be caught, and the Little Crown Prince of the Crown Prince’s mansion’s results of catching were even more abundant than that of those Xiao Junwang’s. If the Crown Prince really wants to use this method to diminish Xiao Junwang’s ambition, then the Little Crown Prince in the Crown Prince’s mansion will definitely give up his ambition faster and cleaner than Xiao Junwang’s.
Lan Guifei’s heart attack symptoms were only slightly relieved.
But after sleeping all night, Lan Guifei still felt uneasy in her heart. Lan Guifei whimpered and cried for the second time before Emperor Sui. Upon hearing this, Emperor Sui frowned slightly and immediately summoned Zhao Yan for an audience.
Emperor Sui thought that although he was not such a pedantic old parent, he could not watch his two grandsons roll in the mud all day long either.
When the news reached the Crown Prince’s mansion, Jiang Yun was sitting behind the table, responding to several important official matters submitted by Fan Zhou and Yun Huai. Sui Heng untied his cloak and entered the hall, briefly describing the incident. He said, “Do you want Gu to go to the palace and circle around a little?”
Jiang Yun dipped his brush in ink and calmly said that it was unnecessary.
Sui Heng dragged a chair over and sat down on the side, unexpectedly saying, “Gu even thought you were worried about your Senior Brother’s safety.”
Although Emperor Sui was not a violent and unreasonable ruler; but after all, he had the power of a ruler, and all civil and military officials were in awe of Zhao Yan, an ordinary literati who had not entered the court. Sui Heng was worried that his response might not be smooth and comprehensive enough.
Jiang Yun looked up at him and smiled. “That’s because you don’t know my Senior Brother.”
“How to say it?”
Jiang Yun: “Although Senior Brother Zhao did not hold any official position in the court or have any experience in meeting the Emperor, but the diet and living matter of the many disciples under the Left Prime Minister’s mansion, including interpersonal relationships and affairs of the Left Prime Minister’s mansion, were almost managed by Senior Brother Zhao. The disciples came from different places, had different temperaments and lifestyles, and had a lot of friction. However, Senior Brother Zhao was able to take care of everyone comprehensively and, as a Senior Brother, perfectly reconcile the conflicts between his brothers, making them all convinced. Such a person, even if inexperienced, would not exceed their words and actions, causing themselves to get into trouble. Besides, even if there’s trouble, won’t you be there to cover it?”
The last sentence was quite comforting. Sui Heng didn’t really want to make another trip, so upon hearing Jiang Yun’s words, he was completely relieved.
He has more important things to do now.
“Did that little thing bother you today?”
He stared at his little wife’s abdomen and asked with concern. Jiang Yun made an exception and let him touch it during non-rest time, saying, “He only made a fuss for a while, and when he heard your voice, he immediately fell silent.”
Sui Heng: “.…..”
Sui Heng felt that this was not a compliment to him. “Is Gu that scary?”
Jiang Yun’s eyes curled and he smiled, saying, “I’m lying to you. The little one really likes you. Every time he hears your footsteps, he jumps happily.”
“Really?”
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince immediately breathed a deep sigh of relief.
He has already been defeated by the eldest child once, he cannot afford to be defeated here by the second child again.
“En.”
*
Jiang Yun pushed the inkstone over.
Sui Heng understood and immediately picked up the grinding tool, diligently grinding open the ink that had already dried and solidified inside. He has strong arms, and the ink he has grinded is suitable in color, smooth, and delicate, which has been very favored by Jiang Yun recently.
Of course, the bath bean bubbles that were scrubbed out were also very much to the liking of his own child. So much so that as soon as it was time to take a bath, the little boy would come dadada2It’s the sound of the dumpling’s running btw to him with a bathtub and towel. Three hundred stars could literally come out of his eyes.
Sui Heng never expected it, even in his dreams. In vain, he followed that old mother advice of Xu Qiao’s and spent a lot of money on buying a bunch of baby and toddler toys. In the end, it was through this method that he captured the little boy’s heart and established a close father-son relationship with him.
When Xu Qiao heard about this, he burst into laughter and was punished by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to practice military skills in Mount Li for three months with a darkened face. It is a later story.
Jiang Yun wrote and suddenly said, “Today I went to the private courtyard.”
Sui Heng nodded and asked, “Why don’t you wait for Gu?”
Jiang Yun continued to write as usual, “It’s not a big deal. Luo Fengjun has been working on new songs lately and needs to refer to some ancient music scores. I remember you mentioning that you had collected several volumes in the private courtyard, so I went to look for them.”
Sui Heng’s heart suddenly tightened.
“You… found it?”
“En.”
Sui Heng’s hand was unsteady, the ink spindle slipped, and a lot of ink splashed out from the inkstone.
Jiang Yun looked up at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Cough, nothing.”
Sui Heng quickly returned to normal and asked calmly, “Gu’s study is disorderly and disorganized. It hasn’t been cleaned up much on weekdays. You should have… put in a lot of effort, right?”
Jiang Yun said it was alright.
“It was alright.”
“I happened to be idle and had nothing to do, so I took care of the study for you. The books on the bookshelf were also sorted and rearranged. You may not believe it, but those two volumes of music dropped by themselves.”
Sui Heng almost inhaled cold air, and in his heart, he wished he could cut Luo Fengjun, this hardworking Prince of Music, a hundred times. He decided to issue a ban tomorrow, prohibiting Luo Fengjun from entering the capital city of Sui for half a year.
As for why it was half a year, according to the frequency with which Luo Fengjun came to seek advice from Jiang Yun on the zither skills, if it was too long, Jiang Yun would definitely discover the clues.
Jiang Yun was about to dip his ink and bring his brush over. When he saw that Sui Heng had stopped, he said, “If you have anything else to do, I can do it by myself.”
“No, no.”
Sui Heng quickly continued to move, grinding the ink and personally serving his wife to dip the brush into ink. He then touched his nose, pretending to casually say, “There’s nothing inappropriate about that study of Gu’s, isn’t there?”
Jiang Yun cast him a strange gaze.
Sui Heng hurriedly said, “Don’t get any wrong ideas. Gu was just afraid that Gu might leave some swords and other things there that might hurt you.”
Jiang Yun said that he did indeed find a heavy sword hidden under the bookshelf, but it had rusted and accumulated dust, and the blade had multiple notches. He guessed it was an old item, so he did not move it.
“It’s indeed an old thing.”
This brings up another part of Sui Heng’s thoughts.
“It was a sword that Gu used when Gu was trapped in the snowy mountains in the north. It was with it that Gu finally made it out of the snowy mountains.”
Jiang Yun immediately understood that a chipped sword like this is almost as bad as a ruined sword. According to the normal procedure, he should get a craftsman to repair it or recast it. Sui Heng did not repair or recast it, but instead hid it on a bookshelf. Most likely, this sword carried some unforgettable and tragic memories. He did not want to constantly recall it, but he did not want to forget it either. Therefore, he kept the sword intact in a place that was usually not easy to see as a warning and commemoration.
Perhaps this sword still carries a lot of weight.
There are always some inhumane thoughts and secrets in everyone’s growth process and long life. Including him, he would never tell Sui Heng all the details of his experiences during those three years filled with darkness and bloodshed. They have all been tormented by nightmares, so they can understand each other better than anyone else in the world.
Jiang Yun put down his brush and reached out to embrace Sui Heng, saying, “Tomorrow, I’ll give you a better one.”
Sui Heng was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes were filled with smiles, and he joked, “You, the Crown Prince who writes all day, even know how to forge swords?”
“Didn’t you also give me the most precious Ziyu brush in the world? Besides, although I don’t know much about forging swords, there are many swordsmen who are good at forging swords under my command.”
In the afternoon, Shi Fang sent word that Zhao Yan had left the palace without incident. After being summoned by Emperor Sui, not knowing what kind of confrontation was going on between the king and him. Emperor Sui not only did not blame Zhao Yan but was also greatly pleased with his appearance and rewarded him with a lot of things. At present, Zhao Yan has continued to take the two young children to the fields.
Sui Heng said, “It seems that Gu really underestimated this Senior Brother Zhao of yours.”
“However, this Lan family is so disrespectful, it seems that Gu still gave them too much face before.”
Sui Heng called Shi Fang over and calmly instructed him. Shi Fang sympathized with the head of the Lan family in his heart and said, “It was said that His Majesty has also harshly reprimanded Lan Guifei and said that in the future, Xiao Junwang will be taught under the Crown Prince’s mansion. Lan Guifei is not allowed to interfere in Xiao Junwang’s daily life anymore.”
Sui Heng said, “It seems that Emperor Father is not stupid.”
Sui Heng discovered some of Jiang Yun’s small habits, such as cravings for one flavor of food.
In order to make Jiang Yun eat more, Sui Heng, in the spirit of sharing weal and woe, asked the kitchen to prepare the same meals for the two of them and work out all sorts of little punishments that reek of ambiguity.
For example, Jiang Yun doesn’t like black chicken and rice porridge very much today.
Not only does the color make him lose his appetite, but the medicinal taste is also strong.
But as he watched Sui Heng eat two large bowls alone and threatened to impose severe punishment, Jiang Yun finally picked up a spoon and slowly ate half of the bowl.
Meng Hui affirmed and praised Sui Heng’s achievements in this regard.
In order to make his pregnant little wife happy, Sui Heng specially instructed the steward of the Treasure Animal Garden to regularly bring those that can sing and dance, such as peacocks, monkeys, and lions, to the Crown Prince’s mansion for performances.
Jiang Yun really watched with great interest.
Because he was in the Royal Palace of Jiang when he was young, the diligent and hardworking Crown Prince of Jiang rarely had the opportunity to engage in activities that were close to “playing with things and losing one’s ambition.” Sui Heng, for the first time, summoned his generals and the nobles and warriors of various countries to hold a grand cuju competition in winter, allowing Jiang Yun to watch and broaden his mood. Occasionally, he also takes Jiang Yun to the streets to visit temple fairs, watch acrobatic performances, and eat various delicious snacks. Once, in search of a folk delicacy, the two of them ran more than ten kilometers and stayed at a farm in the suburbs overnight. On the way back, Jiang Yun couldn’t help but lie on Sui Heng’s shoulder and gently bite him.
He said, “I feel like I’ve been neglecting my duties lately, you’re the one who brought it all.”
Sui Heng didn’t take it seriously and said sternly, “If that’s the case, then my goal has been achieved.”
“What goal?”
“To make you happy every day, without any worries, and to enjoy life.”
Of course, the next day after Sui Heng returned to the capital, he was called into the palace by Empress Yan and severely flogged twice.
“Running to the outskirts, running to the farm, and even running for more than ten kilometers, why don’t you fly up to the sky? Why don’t you look at your wife’s current situation? What should we do in case something bad happens? It seems to Bengong that your brain has been kicked by a donkey!”
Days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, spring arrived. Sui Heng was in an extremely anxious state because, according to Meng Hui, the second baby could be born at any time.
At present, everything has to be done in secrecy, unlike at Muyun Pass. Sui Heng handed over the people of the Crown Prince Mansion to Meng Hui for mobilization, including himself.
The entire Crown Prince’s mansion was influenced by His Highness himself, and everyone was emotionally nervous and trembling. This nervousness reached its peak when Meng Hui made a list and asked Sui Heng to search for about ten precious hemostatic herbs.
“Stop bleeding? Why do you need so much? How much blood will be bled? Is it very dangerous? Divine Physician, you haven’t told Gu about this before!”
“Backup, it’s just for backup!”
“Backup means it may be useful, which means it could be extremely dangerous!”
Meng Hui helplessly said, “Men have different constitutions than women, and there is nothing we can do about it. However, Your Highness, rest assured that the humble physician will try his best to minimize the danger.”
“Minimize? So there’s still danger? No, Gu won’t allow it. You’re a Divine Physician, and you can completely eliminate the danger. As long as you can keep him safe, no matter how precious the medicinal herbs are, Gu will bring them to you.”
Meng Hui became increasingly helpless and said, “This has nothing to do with medicinal herbs…”
“That-what’s that related to?”
Because of manpower constraints, no medical officer can guarantee that he or she will be able to make a miraculous recovery and cure the disease when diagnosing and treating the sick. But Meng Hui couldn’t say this to the Crown Prince, who was already on the brink of anxiety.
Sui Heng had a nightmare all night. The next morning, he ran straight to Meng Hui’s room and said with a solemn face, “Gu has thought it through. If there is really danger, if necessary, you can give up the small ones.”
Meng Hui was taken aback for a moment, but suddenly showed some emotion and said, “Your Highness, rest assured that the humble physician will do his best.”
“It’s not about trying your best, it’s about being certain.”
At this moment, Sui Heng realized that he was really a jerk.
He shouldn’t have given that strand of fetal breath a chance to grow and take shape from the beginning. Even if Jiang Yun was willing to keep it, he should have made a decisive decision and found a way to eliminate that strand of fetal breath!
Upon hearing Sui Heng’s terrifying thoughts, Xu Qiao realized how worried he had become. He immediately advised with great caution, “Your Highness, there’s no need to worry too much. On that day at Muyun Pass, His Highness Rongyu was alone, and didn’t it go smoothly? This time, with Your Highness’s attentive care, I don’t know how much better his dietary mood is than at that time, and it will definitely be smoother.”
Sui Heng shook his head.
“It’s not like that.”
At that time, Jiang Yun did not take his life and death too seriously, nor did he have special expectations for people and things in the world. More often than not, he lived for the Crown Prince’s identity and the responsibilities on his shoulders. Therefore, when he learned that the stillbirth could not be resolved, he was able to handle this matter calmly and decisively with the Crown Prince’s calmness.
“At that time… did he also know that he might face dangerous situations?”
Sui Heng asked Meng Hui.
Meng Hui nodded and sighed again.
In the past two days, because of Sui Heng’s visit, Lord Divine Physician felt that he had sighed more frequently.
“His Highness said, ‘Life and death are predetermined, wealth and honor are in heaven’. And just asked the humble physician do his best.”
“If there is really an accident, he has already prepared the arrangements in advance. He just instructed the humble physician not to reveal the truth. If it really comes to that, just say that there is a poisonous ulcer that needs to be treated by scraping the intestines and cutting the abdomen. He also left a personal letter to Lord Fan Zhou.”
Sui Heng could almost imagine the tone in which Jiang Yun explained these things.
Perhaps just before facing various uncertain dangers, he could still hold the book in his hand, calmly reading the book while comforting the little one in his belly.
Sui Heng suddenly calmed down.
From this day on, he began to arrange various matters in an orderly manner, including delivery rooms, experienced delivery physicians, and even going to the western county to pay homage to bandits.
In theory, it was not Sui Heng’s turn to personally take action against such large-scale banditry, but Xu Qiao and his trusted subordinates knew that for His Highness, suppressing bandits was just a matter of convenience. The main purpose was to go to the local mountain to collect a hemostatic herb.
Xu Qiao found that the herb was not a very hit-and-miss one and was at the bottom of the list of alternatives. And Sui Heng, in order to collect medicine, took a team of his personal guards and climbed up the cliff for three days and three nights, and his arm was even slightly injured.
Xu Qiao didn’t quite understand.
“Since it’s not a very important medicine, why is Your Highness risking your life like this?”
In the latter half of the sentence, General Xu is too embarrassed to say that if we lose out on small things, it will not be worth the loss ah. Your Highness, don’t forget that you are a Crown Prince!
Sui Heng said, “Gu must ensure everything is comprehensive and eliminate all uncertainties. Since Meng Hui listed this medicine, it must have its own uniqueness. In the case of a critical moment, it is precisely this medicine that can play a crucial role.”
Xu Qiao cannot refute, and he dares not.
And he was also moved by his own Highness’s deep affection.
Sui Heng’s actions also received rewards… the right to live in a study.
That’s right, after learning the news, Jiang Yun did not express any opinion and directly asked people to throw Sui Heng’s bedding into the study, prohibiting him from going back to his bedroom to sleep.
This time, it’s real.
Right now is the critical moment of his little wife’s labor. How can Sui Heng sleep? On the first night of entering the study, he tried to follow the previous method by flipping through the window to enter.
This time, Jiang Yun showed no mercy and locked the doors and windows tightly. Sui Heng had to work hard to pry open a corner and quietly fly in. A snow-white little dumpling appeared behind the window.
The little dumpling was wearing his nightgown and looked like he was keeping watch.
“Shhhh.”
Sui Heng made a silent gesture and gestured with his mouth, “Let Gu in.”
The little dumpling glanced at his cheap father, shook his head selflessly, and picked up a box from the couch, passing it through the window to Sui Heng. He then slammed the window shut.
“Tsk.”
Sui Heng pushed again, and the window had once again been locked from the inside.
Sui Heng lowered his head to look at the box in his hand, feeling somewhat familiar. As he opened it, his face immediately paled.
It turned out to be a broken-in-half plum branch with burnt marks on it.
He knew it!
Sui Heng thumped up the window.
“Rongyu! Rongyu!”
The palace guards originally heard the commotion and thought there were assassins around. When they rushed over, they saw that their Crown Prince was squatting on the window with a strange expression. They were frightened, and they quickly retreated.
Not long after, the window opened again from inside.
This time, Jiang Yun appeared. Jiang Yun had already changed into a moon-white woven gold sleeping robe, with his black hair loosely tied up. He was leaning against the window sill with one hand to support his cheeks, leisurely eating plums.
Sui Heng gave a smile that was even uglier than crying and said, “Rongyu, listen to my explanation.”
Jiang Yun’s eyes curled and he said, “Your Highness, you don’t need to explain. I know that even if you knew my true identity back then, Your Highness would have tolerated with no resentment or blame. On the contrary, I, with a small tolerance, narrow vision, and a petty heart, intended to keep Your Highness, father, and son from recognizing each other. It was actually my fault.”
It was worse than slapping him in the face.
Sui Heng’s heart thumped, and he immediately reached out to push open the window to get in but was blocked by Jiang Yun’s arm.
“As the saying goes, ‘Those who are close to vermilion are red, and those who are close to ink are black’. Your Highness is such a noble and upright person, it is better not to enter my room so as not to be led astray by me.’”
“Ugh.”
Jiang Yun lowered his eyes and looked at the plums in his hand.
“How could I be such a narrow-minded person?”
Sui Heng immediately said in a serious tone, “Rongyu, this is really just an accident. Please listen to Gu speak slowly!”
“Is it?”
Jiang Yun reached out the window and snatched the plum branch from Sui Heng’s hand. He looked up and down and said, “Let me guess first. There are many fine knife marks on the head of this plum branch, which should have been cut off bit by bit with a dagger or a long sword in a state of restlessness. Your Highness, who is a hero of the world and a Commander of 300,000 troops, naturally wouldn’t use a small and petty thing like a dagger. It must be a thoughtful sword. It would have taken a lot of effort to cut such a small, v-shaped plum branch with such a heavy and sharp sword, right?”
Sui Heng: “……”
Jiang Yun flipped over and said slowly, “Most of the sword marks on this branch have already been burned to a burnt black surface. It can be seen that halfway through, Your Highness’s mood underwent a sharp change. Suddenly, from irritability to anger, he threw this branch directly into the brazier in a fit of anger. He wanted to completely destroy this branch.”
“However, it was too cheap to burn it directly into ashes, so after a moment of contemplation, Your Highness took this branch from the brazier and broke it into two pieces. Therefore, although the whole body was burned black, the fracture in the middle of this plum branch was the original wood color.”
“Ai, what can this little plum branch do for it to be able to stir the heart of the honorable Crown Prince of Jiangbei? It must be the person behind this plum branch, who doesn’t know what’s good for him, and has committed heinous crimes, and angered Your Highness.”
After speaking, Jiang Yun raised his eyes and asked, “Your Highness, what do you think of my speculation?”
If all emotional factors were excluded, Sui Heng would simply praise him for delving into the details and perfectly restoring the full picture of the event.
But at this moment, emotional factors have completely enveloped His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
“There’s no such thing! Don’t think recklessly! This-this is purely an accident. Gu saw some branches withering and looking really ugly, so Gu had nothing to do and trimmed them with a sword. Aren’t those famous scholars and officials often chop their own plum trees in the mansion? This is elegantly fun! Gu was just practicing when Xu Qiao came to report an urgent matter, so Gu accidentally dropped the plum branch into the brazier. Gu was so anxious that Gu reached and took it out with my bare hand, but the branch was stained with charcoal and it was too hot. Xu Qiao and his companions were unaware of the situation and rushed over, then accidentally stepped on the plum branch. So it’s broken!”
Sui Heng spoke without changing his expression and showing great righteousness.
Xu Qiao, who was sleeping soundly at home, couldn’t help but sneeze heavily.
“Since that’s the case, why are you so afraid that I’ll discover this thing?”
“When was Gu afraid?”
“If you’re not afraid, then why are you so nervous about me going into the study to find music scores? And you even cornered me and tried to probe and ask.”
“The bookshelf is so high, the study is so messy, and you’ve worked so hard for Gu with that body. How can Gu not worry?”
The bright moon entered the room, and Jiang Yun held a plum branch in his hand, wearing a white robe and jade belt. He smiled and looked at Sui Heng, arguing loudly. After Sui Heng finished speaking, he hadn’t heard Jiang Yun continue questioning for a long time. Strangely enough, he saw a smile that was even more gentle than the clear moon and breeze.
“You…”
Jiang Yun leaned out on the windowsill, wrapped his arms around his neck, and gently kissed him on the forehead.
How could he not know his intentions?
The plum branch that he had casually broken off when he left was treated like a treasure by him, properly placed in a box, and kept. Judging from its ravaged appearance, it was possible that he even carried it close to him and brought it to the military camp. It’s the kind that he would hold even when he slept at night.
That year of separation.
He sits facing the river every day, planning their future with the most negative attitude, and he never fails to suffer.
Perhaps, it was more bitter than he thought.
He would like to thank the chaotic sword marks and the irreparable black burn marks for recording those past traces.
This kiss is icy cold and even more touching than moonlight.
Sui Heng’s mind is still reeling for a moment, and he was stunned. His adam apple rolled, and he said, “Rongyu, are you alright?”
“It seems that some things are not quite alright.”
Jiang Yun suddenly frowned and said.
“What?”
Sui Heng noticed that Jiang Yun’s hands around his neck suddenly tightened and he immediately asked nervously.
Jiang Yun paused and said, “Abdominal pain.”
“Abdominal…”
Sui Heng paled. At this critical moment, what abdominal pain meant was obvious. Sui Heng loudly called for Ji An to fetch a cloak, picked the person up, and ran towards the place where Meng Hui lived.
In order to cope with this sudden situation, Sui Heng specially asked someone to tidy up a courtyard next to the main courtyard for Meng Hui to live in. Despite this, the distance between these courtyards also seemed particularly long at this moment.
Sui Heng ran halfway, and Jiang Yun hurriedly said, “Stop for a moment.”
“What?”
Sui Heng was sweating profusely, and his voice was trembling with nervousness.
Jiang Yun was wrapped in his cloak in his arms, his fingers clutched tightly, and he also broke out in a cold sweat. His lips were particularly pale, obviously enduring the pain.
He said, “It seems like it’s about to come out.”
“What comes out?”
“Our little one.”
Sui Heng was shocked and lost his composure.
No one expected that, after so much preparation, the second son of the Crown Prince Mansion would be born in such an unexpected way.
When the little one came out, it was still wrapped in a transparent film. According to Divine Physician Meng Hui’s research afterward, this could be a protective film formed by the Tonghe egg outside the baby’s body.
Thanks to the protection of the Tonghe egg, the little one shrank into a small ball when it croaked and landed, almost the size of a fist sized ball. When the outer layer of that protective film broke open, he stretched out his arms and legs, slowly becoming the size of a normal infant.
Meng Hui had never seen such a magical thing before. He was originally worried about the little one’s health issues. Later, he saw the little one with a rosy complexion, black eyes, and a divine presence, even more beautiful than the stars in the sky. Shortly after landing, he let out a loud cry, which completely relieved him.
Jiang Yun slept all night and woke up early the next morning.
Except for last night’s abdominal pain, a cold sweat, and some weakness, there was nothing unusual about anything else. Sui Heng stayed up all night when he saw the person finally wake up. He first fed Jiang Yun some water and then tightly held him in his arms.
Although there was no danger last night, but he was still very scared.
Sui Heng said, “Gu has already asked Divine Physician Meng, as long as Gu takes the medicine on time before having s*x, it is possible to put an end to this matter.” Jiang Yun didn’t have much strength, so he lowered his gaze and quietly lay on his shoulder, deliberately asking, “Is there such a magical medicine in the world?”
“Of course.”
“Then isn’t that too unfair to you? I heard that taking that medicine may have some negative effects on your body.”
“Cough, don’t daydream, what impact could it have?” Jiang Yun acted mischievously and kicked him.
Sui Heng: “……”
Sui Heng’s adam apple rolled.
“What are you doing? It’s only been one day, and you have already started seducing Gu.”
Jiang Yun lay on his shoulder and laughed softly.
Sui Heng hummed, “Gu has sacrificed so much for you, and you still have the nerve to laugh.”
Jiang Yun laughed for a moment before whispering, “Don’t worry, it won’t happen again in the future.”
“What won’t?”
“We won’t have more children.”
Sui Heng’s heart tightened, thinking that something was wrong with Jiang Yun’s body, so he busily checking.
Jiang Yun explained, “It’s my father’s family. Men can only conceive two children at most, and some even have only one. This is something that goes against the laws of nature, and naturally, it is different from women.”
“So it is like this.”
“Yes, so Your Highness doesn’t have to feel aggrieved and take that medicine.”
Sui Heng finally realized later, “You knew it long ago and deliberately didn’t expose it. Watching Gu make a fool of himself, see how Gu gonna deal with you.”
After playing for a while, they heard that Emperor Sui and Empress Yan had arrived from Ji An outside.
If it weren’t for learning the news too late last night and the palace gate having already been locked, Empress Yan would have rushed over last night.
He is a quiet and shy baby boy. Although it didn’t fulfill Empress Yan’s wish to hold her granddaughter, but her two obedient grandchildren are also good. Moreover, unlike her eldest grandson, who’s smart and witty, her young grandson has dark eyes, thick feathered eyelashes, and snowy skin, exuding a fairy-like aura. Both in appearance and temperament, he clearly took after Jiang Yun more.
No matter who he saw, his eyes were crescent-shaped.
The two were resting, while Xiao Jiang Nuo stood by the baby bed without leaving. He had a friendly conversation with his younger brother, who still couldn’t speak, and patted his chest, promising, “From now on, Brother will take care of you.”
Causing Emperor Sui, Empress Yan, and a group of palace attendants to burst into laughter.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang also wanted to come and see his new little brother, but was forcefully driven away by Xiao Jiang Nuo.
“Why can’t I see?”
Xiao Junwang asked angrily, dissatisfied.
He heard that the new younger brother was very beautiful. Now, in Xiao Junwang’s eyes, the new brother has become even rarer than the Tonghe in the backyard of the Crown Prince’s mansion. Xiao Jiang Nuo snorted softly and crossed his waist, saying, “You will scare him.”
“And that’s my brother, not your brother.”
“If you have the ability, ask your father to give birth to one for you as well.”
Xiao Jiang Nuo is young, just a little dumpling. But in terms of speech, he is far ahead of his cousin, who has been eating salt for an extra year and a half longer than him.
On the same day, Xiao Junwang returned to the Second Prince’s mansion and caused a big scene, throwing things and bowls and insisting on his own mother and the Second Prince’s consort to add him a beautiful younger brother.
The Second Prince’s consort has not produced anything for many years, and according to the rules, she can only be considered as legitimate mother.
Lan Guifei had already looked down on this daughter-in-law because of this matter, and after she heard Xiao Junwang’s words, her heart attack increase.
Finally, Emperor Sui intervened and made his two grandsons shake hands and make peace. Only then did Xiao Junwang obtain a brief visitation right to see his new little brother. From then on, the daily activities of the two little boys changed from watching Tonghe together to guarding their new little brother together.
Spring has passed, and autumn has arrived. In just one year, the new capital has begun to take shape.
Jiang Yun and Sui Heng went to Muyun Pass together, and Emperor Sui and Emperor Jiang also intended to retire early, moving the political and cultural centers of the two countries north-south and promoting the unification of the north and south. The Sui capital conducted its first division of subjects to select scholars, a new talent assessment and selection method.
On the day of the completion of the new capital, in addition to the recent attempt to collude with a group of bandits on the river, attempting to cause chaos, and ultimately being executed for plotting rebellion, Jiang Yuping, the Guozhu of the Jiang Kingdom, and the Guozhu of various kingdoms voluntarily handed over the military power of their own country’s military seals. As for why Jiang Yuping’s mind twitched and insisted on forcibly seeking death when the unification of the north and south had become a major trend, no one dared to talk too much or ponder deeply. It was Wei Lian, the Guozhu of the Wei Kingdom, who was meritorious in reporting Jiang Yuping’s act of seeking death. He also stood up from his illness and, together with the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu, took the lead in surrendering military seals. Wei Lian publicly petitioned Sui Heng to appoint his nephew Wei Yun as the Crown Prince of the Wei Kingdom. Wei Lian had three sons, but in the end, he passed the throne to his nephew. Because he was noble and upright and received a lot of praise.
Luo Fengjun also came with the zither and invited Jiang Yun to play a new song on the city gate tower.
“This time, you won’t say that your hand injury hasn’t healed, will you?”
Luo Fengjun’s white clothes fluttered, and he still stood out from the rest of the world in an independent manner.
Jiang Yun smiled. “It’s the Prince of Music’s invitation, Gu dares not refuse.”
The two of them each carried a zither and climbed onto the towering city gate of the new capital. Facing the spring sky, they played a spring prayer song in front of the flowing river and the melting willows.
Sui Heng folded his arms and stood at the bottom of the city gate, gazing at the tall building. With a gentle smile, he could only feel the passage of time, silently flowing. The past was like a dream, and in the future, they would work hand in hand, experiencing more ups and downs and leaving behind more true and false legends for future generations to judge.
That night, Jiang Yun and Sui Heng sat by the river drinking until they were drunk before returning.
Rongyu, meeting you is the luckiest thing in Gu’s life.
Sui Heng turned his head to look at the figure nestled next to him, smiled silently, and said it in his heart.
