Ch. 30 - Lou Qingtang: He has a high fever

Watching Zhong Yansheng being carried away from before his eyes, Xiao Wenlan stood there in tears, his eyes following his movements: "Brother?"Why did his brother take Young Master Zhong away?

Pei Hong's expression changed instantly, and he stood up to stop him: "Put him down! What is Uncle Ding going to do?"

[T/L NOTE: In a chapter you would have read the incident of Prince De, where it was explained that Xiao Nong is actually from the previous generation -can be considered the current emperor's nominal brother - that's why, if those princes called him as uncle, don't be surprised and say that it was translation mistake.]

Among the quails shivering in the cold, Xiao Nong, who rode in the rain, looked particularly tall and straight. Another thunderbolt and lightning struck from the dark sky, just illuminating the look in Xiao Nong's eyes at that moment.

High and mighty, cold and indifferent, without a trace of emotion.

There was not even any hint of disdain to explain, it was as if he was looking at a pebble on the roadside.

Pei Hong's movements froze and his expression slowly darkened.

The group of people squatting at the back noticed Xiao Nong's expression and dared not even breathe, and just looked at each other in bewilderment.

What's going on between this fake young master of the Huai'an Marquis's Mansion and His Royal Highness Prince Ding?

But I have never heard that His Royal Highness Prince Ding would be so special to anyone. He just carried the child away without even glancing at his cousin next to him.

Especially those people who had previously called Zhong Yansheng a jinx out of fear and terror, became completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at Xiao Nong as he left with the person in his arms.

It was Xiao Wenlan who stepped forward trembling and crying, "Brother, our horses have all run away, and there are still people on the mountain—"

Xiao Nong didn't even raise his head: "Zhan Rong."

Zhan Rong followed silently and bowed his head to receive the order. Then he took a step forward and blew a whistle: "Half of them will go to find people, and the rest will stay and escort the masters and the young master down the mountain."

The guards were well-trained and all responded in unison: "Yes!"

Zhan Rong helped the tearful Xiao Wenlan up, his face cold and calm: "We have found a way to go down the mountain, the second young master will mount the horse first. The rest of the young masters, if you are injured, please mount the horse, and the rest of you please follow us."

His Royal Highness Prince Ding was naturally terrifying, but it was also terrifying to stay on this mountain in the cold wind and rain.

Everyone looked at each other, hesitant and reluctant. They let the servants beside them help them up. They didn't dare to ride the fierce horse brought by Prince Ding, which had a very bad temper. They followed with one foot deep and one foot shallow.

Zhong Yansheng felt hot all over.

He felt that he might have a serious fever.

The hands holding him were steady and strong, and the embrace was solid and cold. His face was hot, and he wanted to get closer to something cold, so he unconsciously rubbed his face against Xiao Nong's shoulder.

Then he was shaken gently and let out an "ah". The momentary feeling of weightlessness made his drowsy consciousness a little clearer.

Zhong Yansheng opened his eyes dazedly and quietly pulled down the outer robe covering his face a little bit, revealing his eyes and looking up secretly. He happened to meet the deep blue eyes that were looking down at him, like the deepest icy pond.

Zhong Yansheng froze.

"Don't move."

The lower back was patted.

Zhong Yansheng trembled all over. He didn't have time to feel aggrieved for being beaten. He touched the handkerchief covering his face in panic. It was still there and hadn't fallen off.

He tried very hard to remain calm: "Your Highness Prince Ding, why are you here?"

Even after it was burned like this, he still wanted to cheat people.

Xiao Nong was a little angry, and said indifferently: "Come and hunt tits."

[Tits = A bird -it was used again and again so I thought to let my readers know about it, least they would go astray]

Oh……

Zhong Yansheng thought dizzily, it turned out that His Royal Highness Prince Ding was also here hunting, what a coincidence! It seemed that His Royal Highness Prince Jing was not only unlucky, but also as unreliable as Xiao Wenlan.

He was so exhausted from the fever that his throat was sore and hoarse. His voice was so soft that he didn't even know what he was saying: "Did you catch anything?"

When he reached the steed, Xiao Nong put the man in his arms onto the horse, then jumped on the horse and steadily let him lean against his arms again, with a look of indifference: "I got the prey."

Zhong Yansheng's mind was wandering, and after a while he said, "Well, congratulations?"

Burned silly.

Xiao Nong thought to himself, he is not that smart to begin with.

Xiao Nong had been speeding all the way here to look for someone. Now that he had found someone, he was afraid of breaking this delicate little ancestor to pieces, so he slowed down a little. He looked into his misty and slightly red eyes, and then glanced at his mask that was about to fall off. With a cold face, he lifted his robe and covered half of his face again: "Yeah."

Xiao Nong rode the horse very steadily. His tall stature allowed him to be completely covered in his arms, as if isolating him from everything. The sound of the heavy rain suddenly became very far away.

The clearest sound in my ears was the sound of Xiao Nong's steady and powerful heartbeat.

Although the person nearby was cold and stiff, Zhong Yansheng didn't feel that cold anymore. He closed his eyes sleepily and smelled the raindrops hitting the ground, the fishy smell of water and soil that filled the woods, and the green and fragrant scent of leaves and grass.

There was also a cold breath that was so close, mixed with a hint of bitter medicinal smell that was not very obvious and could only be smelled when you got close.

It's Xiao Nong's breath.

Zhong Yansheng was vaguely reminded of the descriptions in poetry of the falling snow in the desert, the cold light of a single blade, and the silver whiteness for thousands of miles.

Was he recognized?

In a trance, this thought slowly popped up in Zhong Yansheng's mind.

But if he recognized him, why would His Royal Highness Prince Ding have such an attitude... Shouldn't he be very angry and want to hang him up?

If you didn't recognize it, why would you do this?

Zhong Yansheng was delirious with fever and his brain ached. The more he thought, the more confused he became. He couldn't help but stick his hairy head out from under the outer robe that covered him. His black hair was wet and stuck to his pale and flushed cheeks in clumps. His thin lips were also very red.

He looked like that day when he was drugged, but even more pitiful.

He had no idea that the veil covering his face had slipped off. He stared at the prominent Adam's apple in front of him for a long time, feeling inexplicably shy. He raised his head again, staring at Xiao Nong's smooth and sharp jawline, and whispered, "Your Highness Prince Ding."

Xiao Nong usually has no patience for nonsense, and he may not even respond to one of Xiao Wenlan's ten sentences.

But he still lowered his eyes: "Yeah."

Zhong Yansheng almost blurted out, "Did you recognize me?" But when the words came to his lips, he reluctantly changed his words: "Do you know me?"

……Recognize me?

Xiao Nong said nothing: "I know you."

Zhong Yansheng was startled and stammered: "Then, then who am I?"

Are you so burned that you even forgot your name?

Xiao Nong pinched his outer robe with two fingers and covered his hot little face under the robe again to prevent it from being wet by the cold rain: "Zhong Yansheng."

Zhong Yansheng felt relieved.

That's great. His Royal Highness Prince Ding said he was Zhong Yansheng, not Yuan Yuan.

He closed his eyes half asleep and was quiet for a while.

Less than half a minute later, the robe in his arms rustled again. Xiao Nong lowered his head, and that pretty little face secretly appeared again. Her eyelids were slightly red, and he was so sleepy that he couldn't open his eyes. His voice was hoarse as if he had swallowed a handful of sand, but he still insisted on mumbling, "Your Highness Prince Ding..."

Xiao Nong: "…"

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Zhong Yansheng was in a trance for a moment before he remembered what he wanted to ask. He tried his best to maintain his consciousness and asked, "Where are the others?"

Xiao Wenlan, His Royal Highness Prince Jing, and the others, were they all rescued?

He is in this state now, and still worries so much.

Xiao Nong glanced at the group of people who were left far behind and said, "Following us."

Zhong Yansheng was completely relieved.

After getting answers to the two things he was most worried about, he closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully. His thick, curled eyelashes were wet by the rain, like two butterfly wings covered with dew. When they trembled slightly unconsciously, the drops of water looked like tears.

Xiao Nong looked at him for a while, then lifted his robe to cover his face again.

This time, until they went down the mountain, the little head lay quietly on his chest and did not stick out again.

The terrain in Yannan Mountain is complex, with uneven heights. Many of the sons of nobles and royals, who followed King Jing out today, were afraid of danger due to a sudden rainstorm. Those who stayed at the foot of the mountain immediately passed the news to the capital. Every family was very nervous and sent people over, and some families even went over there personally.

Because there was also His Royal Highness Prince Jing in the mountain, even His Majesty was alarmed and sent his subordinate Eunuch Tian Xi.

At this time, the road leading into the mountain was crowded with people discussing how to go up the mountain to rescue people. It was a spectacular and lively scene.

"The rain is so heavy, there may be flash floods. The gentlemen are trapped in the mountains, and there may be accidents!"

"We have explored five routes up the mountain, but all of them are blocked by streams. The water is deep enough to cover half a horse's leg. I'm afraid the horses we brought with us can't make it through."

"What should I do? My son is still in the mountains, my son..."

When the eunuch Tian Xi who had just arrived got off the carriage, everyone paused and greeted him: "Eunuch Tian Xi is here too."

Tian Xi entered the palace after being castrated at a young age and has been with His Majesty for decades. Now he is the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department and is in charge of the palace. Even the elders of the cabinet have to call him "Eunuch" when they see him.

In addition, Tian Xi was not like ordinary eunuchs who became mean and eccentric when they gained power. Instead, he had a generous character. When court officials offended the emperor and were punished to kneel, he would find ways to say a few words to help them, thus gaining some face for both the emperor and his subordinates.

Behind Tian Xi were two young eunuchs holding umbrellas. They looked particularly calm and kind among the worried and panicked crowd. "Your Majesty heard that His Royal Highness Prince Jing was trapped in Yannan Mountain, so he sent us to check on him."

His eyes quickly fell on one of the people in the crowd, and he was surprised: "My Lord."

Among a group of panicked people, Huai'an Marquis had a solemn expression on his face. Behind him was a young man with gentle features, who was looking at the distant mountains with a frown on his face. When he heard Tian Xi's voice, Huai'an Marquis tilted his head and raised his hand to signal Zhong Sidu behind him to step back.

Zhong Sidu paused, looked towards the forest unwillingly again, then lowered his head and retreated.

The Marquis of Huai'an then turned around and bowed to Tian Xi: "Eunuch Tian Xi."

Tian Xi carefully lifted the slightly long hem of his skirt, walked to the side of the Marquis of Huai'an, and smiled: "My Lord, you are a noble man, this kind of place is not suitable for you to be there in person."

Huai'an Marquis let out a deep breath: "Eunuch Tian Xi, you are joking. As a parent, how can we not worry about our children?"

"Hasn't your real son already gone back?"

Tian Xi glanced at the direction where Zhong Sidu left, and smiled kindly: "My Lord is so worried about a child who was taken away by mistake. I am really moved. When I left the palace, His Majesty was still talking to me about whether the Marquis of Huai'an is as kind-hearted as before."

The expression of Marquis Huai'an changed slightly, but only for a moment, and then returned to normal: "After raising a cat or a dog for more than ten years, you will have some feelings for them, not to mention a person... But what you said is right, the real one has been found, so there is no need to care about the fake one. Thank you for your advice."

Tian Xi shook his head: "I haven't seen you for more than ten years. I am very happy to see that you are still as graceful as before. Why should you thank me?"

The two of them talked in low voices for a long time. The others watched in fear but did not dare to interrupt. After they had finally finished reminiscing about the past, someone asked anxiously, "Eunuch Tian Xi, the rain is too heavy and the water is rushing fast. Our horses can't get through. I'm afraid only the war horses of the three nearby camps can..."

"Oh, no hurry."

Tian Xi waved his whisk calmly, and his leisurely demeanor made those around him, who were extremely anxious, even more furious. In their hearts, they began to curse the eunuch for being childless.

After everyone finished complaining, Tian Xi smiled and said, "When I came here, I heard that His Royal Highness Prince Ding had already led a team of guards up the mountain - look, isn't he coming down?"

When they heard the name Prince Ding, everyone was stunned. Only then did they vaguely remember that the second son of the Xiao family, Xiao Wenlan, had also followed them into the mountains today.

It is said that His Royal Highness Prince Ding is usually cold and disdainful towards this cousin, but after all, he is the only remaining bloodline of the Xiao family, so it is normal for him to go up the mountain to save people for Xiao Wenlan.

But given Prince Ding's temper, wouldn't he just bring Xiao Wenlan down with him, regardless of the lives of others?

Everyone was worried and looked in the direction that Eunuch Tian Xi pointed. Sure enough, they saw a team of black cavalrymen galloping over, cutting through the rain curtain like a long sword breaking through the night, calmly flowing through the water blocking everyone and coming towards this side.

[Cavalrymen = Soldiers in an army who fight in tank]

The first person was none other than His Royal Highness Prince Ding, whom everyone usually avoided. For some reason, he took off his outer robe and covered the person in front of him.

No one knew how courageous that person was, leaning in Prince Ding's arms like that, making people tremble with fear, and they all speculated, could it be... the second young master Xiao Wenlan?

But this speculation was soon broken.

There were a dozen horses following Prince Ding's mount, and each of them had two or three hanging on it, so His Royal Highness Prince Jing and Xiao Wenlan, who were treated very well, were particularly eye-catching. They rode alone with others and escaped the fate of being piled on the horse or carried by others.

…

So who is with Prince Ding?

This question popped up in everyone's mind, including Tian Xi and Huai'an Marquis.

The mountain path at the foot of Yannan Mountain was not wide to begin with, and it was crowded with such a large group of people, making it impossible to pass even on horseback.

Especially when he saw that Marquis Huai'an was there too, Xiao Nong's eyebrows raised slightly.

It seems that I won't be able to bring the little bird in my arms home today.

Xiao Nong reined in his horse and stopped outside the crowd, then nodded coldly towards Tian Xi and Huai'an Marquis who were standing together.

Huai'an Marquis was still confused, but suddenly, he remembered Xiao Nong's inexplicable behavior and questions when he came to the Dali Temple last time, and the time when Xiao Nong almost turned the capital upside down to find a person named "Yuan Yuan"

He suddenly realized something, his eyes fell on the small body in his arms, and his expression suddenly became extremely wonderful.

But before Huai'an Marquis could speak, the others who had been anxiously waiting for a long time rushed over: "My son, my son!"

The young men who were either piled on the horses or being carried turned their heads with difficulty and saw the people waiting at the foot of the mountain. They also cried and shouted: "Dad, Mom! I, I am so scared... Hey, big brother, put me down, my stomach is hurt..."

Xiao Nong only brought back a small batch, and there were two other batches that were separated from Zhong Yansheng and were not brought down together.

Seeing that other people's children had all returned, but their own children were still nowhere to be seen, the already anxious group of people suppressed their fear and gathered around Xiao Nong's horse. They raised their heads and asked the man on the horse very tactfully, "Did Your Highness Prince Ding meet anyone else when he went up the mountain?"

Xiao Nong lowered his eyes and glanced at the person who came up to ask questions.

The other party shrank back with a chill all over his body after being swept away, and his words got stuck in his throat.

Zhan Rong dismounted and helped the shivering Xiao Wenlan down. He strode over and bowed, "Don't be nervous, everyone. His Highness has sent the remaining guards to search for them in the mountains."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and expressed gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ding!"

Xiao Nong's personal guards have been to the battlefield with him countless times and have experience in dealing with all kinds of situations. They are the elite among the elite. Such elite soldiers and good horses are much more reliable than asking Your Majesty to transfer troops from the three camps.

They didn't dare to surround Xiao Nong's horse all the time, and when they heard the good news, they quickly retreated.

Tian Xi saw Pei Hong and hurried forward to help him get off the horse: "Hey, our Prince Jing, are you frightened?"

Pei Hong was abnormally not smiling like usual, looking indifferent. He just nodded at Tian Xi and turned his gaze back to Xiao Nong, his eyes full of complexity.

Tian Xi supported him and looked in the direction he was looking. He saw that after Prince Ding got off the horse, he carried the person he had protected all the way down from the horse. His movements were careful and gentle, as if he was holding some fragile porcelain. He was very cautious.

Tian Xi also watched Xiao Nong grow up, but he had never seen this hot-tempered man treat anyone like this. He winked at the young eunuch following behind him, indicating him to hold an umbrella for His Royal Highness Prince Jing, and then walked over there.

Just then, I saw His Royal Highness Prince Ding holding someone and walking under the umbrella of Marquis Huai'an. He pushed aside the robe that was covering the face of the person in his arms, revealing a pale face with a flush. His soft black hair was wet and stuck to his face and neck, revealing a breathtakingly delicate and fragile look, so beautiful that people could not take their eyes away.

Tian Xi paused.

Finally seeing who was in Xiao Nong's arms, Marquis Huai'an managed to squeeze out a few words from between his teeth: "Your Highness Prince Ding, thank you for taking care of the child."

Xiao Nong remained calm: "It is what I should do."

The veins on Marquis Huai'an's forehead jumped, and he couldn't help but say, "The carriage of Marquis Huai'an's mansion is right next to us, and the doctor is waiting inside. Your Highness, please put the child down."

"There is also a doctor waiting in my carriage."

Xiao Nong took off his outer robe and wrapped Zhong Yansheng in it, leaving him in a narrow-sleeved round-collared robe, which made him look even taller and longer-legged. Not only did he not put Zhong Yansheng down, but he walked past him and headed towards the carriage of the palace: "Don't worry, I am not an unreasonable person, I will send Yuan Yuan back to the Marquis's Mansion."

When Marquis Huai'an heard how Xiao Nong addressed Zhong Yansheng, his heart died.

He couldn't figure it out.

Yuan'er is so well-behaved and sensible, how could he be involved with Xiao Nong?

Zhong Sidu had been paying attention to the situation outside. Seeing this, he finally couldn't stand it anymore, got off the carriage and walked over quickly, saying with a somewhat anxious tone: "Dad!"

Marquis Huai'an held him down and shook his head.

Given the unpredictable temper of His Royal Highness Prince Ding, not bringing Zhong Yansheng back to the palace directly was probably giving him some face.

If he insisted on getting the person back and made Xiao Nong impatient, he might just take the person away.

Xiao Wenlan had been tossed about by the horse all the way, but now that he had recovered, he was about to catch up with Xiao Nong's carriage when the coachman cracked his whip -

The carriage passed him mercilessly and went straight away.

Xiao Wenlan: "…"

Xiao Wenlan gradually became confused.

Did his brother come to Yannan Mountain to save him or to save Young Master Zhong?

In the spacious carriage of Prince Ding's mansion, there was indeed a doctor waiting there, eating melon seeds out of boredom.

When Xiao Nong, dripping wet, carried the equally wet Zhong Yansheng into the carriage, Lou Qingtang quickly moved aside to avoid getting wet himself. He peeked at that familiar, wet, beautiful face and said, "That young master Zhong who's in love with you? It's him."

Xiao Nong ignored him and put Zhong Yansheng on the small couch in the carriage. Then he pulled the quilt next to him and wrapped him tightly: "Come and take a look."

Suddenly being wrapped like a dumpling, Zhong Yansheng struggled a few times uncomfortably but failed to break free. His eyelashes trembled a few times, and he gave up with grievance.

Lou Qingtang came along to watch the fun. Upon hearing the noise, he came over immediately. He placed his hands on Zhong Yansheng's only exposed wrist for a long while, then pulled out a few small medicine bottles from his sleeve pocket and pointed at each one. "He has a high fever. You need to reduce it quickly. Here are the new pills I made. Take one each."

Xiao Nong took the medicine, nodded, and said indifferently: "You can go out now."

Lou Qingtang had never seen someone so quickly cross a river and then demolish a bridge in his life. He was stunned for a few seconds, then met Xiao Nong's impatient glance and angrily grabbed a handful of melon seeds: "Xiao Xianwei, you'd better pray that you don't have the time to beg me!"

[T/L NOTE: I have mentioned before that Xiao Nong is also called Xiao Xianwei.]

He sounded very confident, but he was actually a coward. He just said what he wanted and quickly lifted the car curtain and got out.

Zhong Yansheng was soaked by the cold rain, like the poor little bird with wet wings that was fished out of the river that day.

Xiao Nong took out the pills, pinched his jaw, asked him to open his lips slightly, and wanted to feed him the medicine first.

But the man had fallen into a coma, and when he smelled the medicine, he wrinkled his nose, shut his mouth and turned his head away unhappily, refusing to eat.

Xiao Nong narrowed his eyes.

Zhong Yansheng lay quietly in front of him, with a very deceptive face, soft black hair, and looked very obedient.

But in fact, he is not obedient at all.

"Yuan Yuan." Xiao Nong's fingertips brushed away the strands of hair on his forehead, "Don't you want to take medicine?"

Zhong Yansheng had already passed out due to fever. His usually rosy lips looked dry and pale from the fever. He pursed his lips stubbornly and refused to take medicine.

Xiao Nong's fingertips slowly slid from the forehead to the lips. They were as soft as flower petals, just as he remembered. With a gentle rub, they turned as red as lip balm, making the sickly face even more eye-catching.

He is deeply in love with me, and I also... think he is quite interesting.

Xiao Nong thought slowly, his dark blue eyes rippled slightly, and he thought naturally, this king is not being a hooligan.

Besides, naughty children should be punished.

After thinking about it, Xiao Nong held the pill in his mouth, slid his hand to Zhong Yansheng's jaw, and used a little force to force him to open his lips. He glanced at the dazzling red lips and white teeth, and covered those lips without any hesitation.

Scalding hot and overly soft.

Xiao Nong paused, his eyes getting heavier with his breathing, and he opened his already unsteady lips and teeth and pushed the medicine in.

In his sleep, Zhong Yansheng felt like he was being eaten. He whimpered and tried to struggle, but his head was completely controlled. The hand holding his jaw became stronger and stronger, forcing his lips to open wide and his tongue tip to be hooked, accepting this strong and deep kiss.