Zhuang Li leaned on the car window and looked out.
I saw the coachman running to the door of the Zhuang Mansion, knocking a few times, and when the concierge stuck his head out of the small corner door with an impatient face, he took out a token from his arms and lit up.
The doorman suddenly opened his eyes wide, as if he was frightened.
Not long after, the two servants hurriedly opened the red-painted main door, hung two huge lanterns on both sides of the doorpost, knelt down several meters apart, and banged their heads a few times.
Looking in from the open door, the servants were busy coming and going, some were cleaning, some were hanging small lanterns on the eaves, and some were cleaning the slate in front of the door with a rag.
The sound of chickens crowing, occasionally mixed with a few barks, completely broke the silence of the night.
It was already midnight, and the master and servants of the Zhuang Mansion were almost asleep, but they were all awakened by the arrival of one person, and they started the grand welcome work.
Zhuang Li pointed to the bright Zhuang Mansion, and then pointed to the dragon jade pendant that the man was wearing around his waist, pretending to be suddenly enlightened, and said, "Are you Feng Yi's uncle?"
Feng Yi is the fat boy. He was originally the prince of Prince Ping's mansion, and Prince Ping was the cousin of the current saint.
The fact that a man and Feng Yi are uncle and nephew means that he is either a prince or the ruler of this dynasty.
But the prince of this dynasty has already been deprived of all power by the current sage, and he is just a group of idlers who have been kept in captivity.
So Zhuang Li pointed to the sky, further implying the identity of a man. Now he already knew that his lover was called Feng Ming in this life.
Feng Yi covered his forehead and groaned inaudibly. Cousin, since you have already guessed it, why ask? Can't you hide in the corner and pack quail? Why are you so blind?
Zhuang Xiaohui's fingertips twitched slightly, not because of fear, but because of the uncontrollable urge to beat her brother.
How did you get the throne today, who does not know about Dayan? In the face of such a master who does not recognize his six relatives, why does my brother not know how to be afraid?
"You guessed it right." The man's low voice added a bit of heaviness to the night.
He stared at the boy intently, waiting for his next reaction, whether to kneel down and kowtow in fear, or cover his mouth in silence?
However, he disliked both of these reactions.
The man frowned, his face cold and solemn, and he looked even more terrifying.
The cold sweat on Feng Yi's forehead had already condensed into drops of water the size of a bean, but he didn't even dare to wipe it.
Zhuang Xiaohui lowered her head and grabbed the skirt tightly.
Zhuang Li's eyes widened and he was stunned for a few seconds. Then he rolled up his sleeves to reveal his thin arms, and asked, "Do you think I am thin or not?"
The man stared at the dazzlingly white arm and gave a low hum.
Zhuang Li patted his thin chest again, and continued, "How many beatings can I take with my small body?"
The man's cold and solemn expression froze slightly, and he didn't expect him to ask such a strange question.
Feng Yi and Zhuang Xiaohui held their foreheads while covering their faces, and their already extremely unstable emotions were on the verge of collapse. Knowing that he is the emperor, can't you say a few words less? Even if you resist a few beatings, you will lose your life if the two boards go down!
The two originally thought that the emperor would definitely be annoyed by Zhuang Li's series of strange questions, but something even more strange happened. The emperor looked at him seriously, shook his head and said, "Don't worry, I won't let you be beaten."
Huh? What does it mean? What nonsense are the two playing? Feng Yi and Zhuang Xiaohui were completely stunned.
However, Zhuang Li breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and raised his eyebrows, poked the hibiscus flower that the man was holding in his palm with his fingertips, and said lightly, "I knew you were a good person."
There seemed to be a little smile in the dark eyes of the man, but it quickly disappeared. He had long forgotten what pleasure was like.
As soon as the conversation between the two ended, Zhuang Ai brought his wife and a pair of children and hurried out to greet him.
"Go down." The man ordered in a deep voice.
Zhuang Xiaohui and Feng Yi had no choice but to climb out of the carriage resignedly, and stood aside timidly.
Zhuang Li also wanted to climb down, but was wrapped around his waist by the man's strong arms. In the end, he was taken down. The man placed him lightly on the ground, as if caring for a fragile item.
This is the gentleness that men never show to the outside world.
Zhuang Ai led the whole family to kneel down and gave a big salute. After being allowed to stand up, she raised her eyes cautiously, looked at the saint, and then showed a stunned expression.
"Why are you here?" He pointed at Zhuang Li and Zhuang Xiaohui, then looked at his wife, as if he understood something.
Mrs. Zhuang Hu's expression was a little flustered.
So Zhuang Ai immediately retracted his gaze, unable to bear to reveal his doubts about his wife in front of others.
Just now he instructed his wife to call Zhuang Li and Zhuang Xiaohui to come out to greet them, but his wife said that the two of them slept so deeply that they could not wake up. He also lost his temper at that time, and threatened to teach the brothers and sisters a good lesson when he sent the saint away. There was no one there at all.
The wife doesn't want the two brothers and sisters to show their faces in front of the emperor, right? As a mother, she will inevitably think a little more about her own children. Without the brothers and sisters spoiling the situation, Yu Qing and Yun Zhu might be able to win the sage's favor.
Zhuang Ai understood his wife's thoughts, but she didn't feel angry. Compared to Zhuang Li and Zhuang Xiaohui, the pair of unpromising things, his heart naturally favored the eldest son and the young daughter.
He cupped his hands and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, why are my sons and daughters with you? Wei Chen didn't even know that they ran out in the middle of the night."
Although he didn't know what happened, he had already removed his responsibility first. This is by no means a father who loves his children.
Feng Ming raised his chin and said coldly, "Go in and talk."
"It was Wei Chen who was negligent. Your Majesty, please." Zhuang Ai immediately bent over and invited someone into the door.
Zhuang Li followed Feng Ming step by step, enjoying Zhuang Ai's attentive service. When passing the door, some people slapped the curtains, when turning, some people carried lanterns, and when going up the steps, some people stretched their arms and shouted respectfully: "Please be careful with your feet."
It doesn't feel too honorable.
He also put his hands behind his back and surreptitiously hooked his index fingers at Feng Yi and Zhuang Xiaohui, signaling them to follow closely.
Feng Yi and Zhuang Xiaohui had to bite the bullet and keep up, their faces turned pale and red, and they were hurt by the sharp eyes of Zhuang Ai and Hu Shi.
On weekdays, they often heard people talk about how Zhuang Li was generous and how cheeky, but they didn't feel much in their hearts. They would even argue with these people in a hurry, saying that Zhuang Li was not as bad as they described.
But today, they found out that those people outside really did not wrong Zhuang Li. Speaking of boldness and thick skin, he is definitely the first in this imperial city! The future crown prince, Feng Yu, did not have his calmness in front of the emperor.
The two walked tremblingly, but Zhuang Li suddenly stumbled.
Feng Ming immediately stretched out his arms to hug him and said in a low voice, "Take a good look at the road."
"I can't see at night." Zhuang Li hugged his arm tightly, and there was a trace of nervousness in his voice.
The lights in the flower building were bright and Zhuang Xiaohui dragged him all the way, but he didn't realize that this body was suffering from night blindness. This is a disease caused by severe lack of nutrition. It seems that the original owner's physical condition is worse than he expected.
Feng Ming also knew very well what this disease was about.
He held the slender hand of the young man, and his tone was much softer than before: "Then I will hold you."
He obviously slowed down his pace. Every time he encountered a corner, step, or threshold, he would always remind him in advance. Although there was no expression on his face, his attitude was extremely gentle and patient.
The servant who carried the lantern for them also felt that the candle was too dark and wanted to change to a bright one, but when the emperor waved his hand, he refused.
Zhuang Ai, who was next to him, did not show his face, but his heart was full of shock and doubt. He has been operating in the DPRK for many years, and he has a good grasp of the emperor's temperament. The emperor is far more cold-blooded and ruthless than the outside world. The care and patience he showed to Zhuang Li was absolutely unprecedented.
but why? Is there anything about Zhuang Li that deserves the emperor's attention?
Zhuang Ai couldn't figure this out even if he wanted to break his head.
At the same time, Feng Ming, who was on the move, turned his head and looked at Zhuang Yuqing and Zhuang Yunzhu, who were not obstructed at all even though they were walking in the dark. A cold look flashed across his eyes.
He knew better than anyone how such a family would treat the four children differently. He had also come here in the early years.
A group of people walked into the main courtyard and into the inner hall. Fruits, snacks, and tea are already dazzlingly placed on the table.
Zhuang Li, who could finally see his surroundings clearly, breathed a sigh of relief. It really doesn't feel good to be blind every night.
Feng Ming let go of his hand, but he couldn't help twitching his fingers. The delicate and soft touch was something he had never experienced before.
Zhuang Ai toasted with a cup of hot tea.
Feng Ming didn't pick it up, his tone was very cold: "Leave it."
A drop of cold sweat slowly fell on Zhuang Ai's forehead, thinking about what she didn't do properly enough to annoy the emperor. Even if he was a first-rank official, he would still be trembling and walking on thin ice in front of the emperor.
Zhuang Li was lying on the table and muttered, "I'm thirsty."
His cheeks were dyed two blushing red, his eyes were still wet, his body was soft and boneless, and he looked completely drunk.
Zhuang Ai turned her back to the emperor and glared at him, then waved her hand, "Pour a cup of hot tea for the second young master."
If he didn't order, the servants in the room didn't even think that Zhuang Li was the master who needed to be served.
Feng Ming's eyes were so dark that no trace of light could be revealed. Through these small details, it is not difficult for him to guess what kind of life the teenager lived in the dealer.
A maid picked up a teapot and poured water.
However, Feng Ming waved his hand to send the other party back, and then picked up the hot tea Zhuang Ai prepared for himself, took a sip to test the temperature, felt a little hot, then blew lightly, and then fed it to Zhuang Li's lips.
"It's a little hot, drink it slowly." He whispered.
Zhuang Li took a few sips slowly, then lay down again.
"Don't drink if you don't know how to drink." Feng Ming reprimanded in a slightly stern tone.
Zhuang Li was lying on the table with his head half tilted, but now he covered his entire face with his arms, as if he was impatient to listen to these nagging.
Seeing his reckless actions, Feng Yi and Zhuang Xiaohui's mood gradually changed from fear to numbness, while the others were horrified.