good season

Chapter 183 Flowing Water (Two chapters combined)

The next day, Xiao Zhen came to Tianjing Hutong and handed Zhen Wuduo a silver note with a value of 30,000 taels: "I'll pay back the rest slowly."

Zhen Wuduo stared at him, his eyes wide: "The son spends his father's money, he doesn't need to pay it back!"

Xiao Zhen: ...

Seeing Xiao Zhen's discomfiture, the old man secretly rejoiced: Little brat, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? Give me back the money, and you won't owe me anything anymore. Then you'll sever our father-son relationship. You don't even dare to show your true face, yet you want to steal my cabbage. Dream on, you can have anything in your dreams.

"If you've returned it, then accept it." Xiao Zhen said in a muffled voice.

The old man rolled his eyes, stuffed the silver note into his pocket, and felt quite pleased that someone was giving him money to spend.

"Consider this your way of showing filial piety as the son. Get out of here before my eldest granddaughter returns!"

Xiao Zhen: ...

Xiao Zhen rolled away smoothly.

Looking at that tall, somewhat forlorn figure, Zhen Wuduo stroked his beard and smiled.

He was very satisfied with Xiao Zhen becoming his son, and even somewhat proud of it.

But Xiao Zhen is far from being his grandson-in-law. I don't expect you to be rich and powerful, or to own a house and land, but at the very least, you need to have a real identity and a real face.

Of course, he wouldn't tell his beloved granddaughter.

Xiao Zhen came out of Tianjing Hutong and sat alone in the carriage for a long time. Having been the old man's godson for so long, he could guess at least six or seven parts of what the old man was thinking. He knew he had to hurry.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shiqing, along with Yan Jiu, Yan Shiyi, and Yan Shier, were going to see the chest-breaking boulder in a grand procession.

But Zhao Tingluo was nowhere to be seen.

Yan Jiu: "He said he hasn't been going out lately. He said it's not just him, everyone in the imperial clan with a brain has been staying indoors lately."

With major changes looming in the court, the members of the imperial family certainly didn't want to get in the way at this crucial time.

Zhao Shiqing felt the same way. Before leaving home today, she sent Mudfish to the Liang Prince's residence to deliver a letter to Zhao Tingxuan, asking him to ask for leave and not to attend classes at the Imperial Academy for the time being.

With their return to Liangdi imminent, Zhao Shiqing didn't want him to cause any more trouble.

A group of people walked down the street. Although it was a street they had visited countless times, everything still seemed new and exciting.

As I walked, I arrived at the place where I had met the two little brothers last time.

Believe it or not, the stall where those two guys broke rocks on their chests is far more popular than their grilled fish; at least it's still there.

Zhao Shiqing asked excitedly, "This is it! Aren't they very young and very capable?"

Then, she noticed that the four little ones were staring blankly at their little brother who was performing the chest-breaking exercise, looking constipated.

Zhao Shiqing waved her hand in front of them: "What's wrong? What's going on with you guys?"

Yan Shiyi pointed at the young prince who was swinging a large iron hammer, ready to smash something: "That's Zhao Tinggang from the Prince Lu's mansion."

He then pointed to the little brother lying below: "That's Zhao Tinggang's younger brother, Zhao Tingwei."

Zhao Shiqing.
These two are actually from the Prince Lu's mansion?
She knew Prince Lu, the old prince who only ever said "Your Majesty is wise," who was considered on par with Prince Fu as the "Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Chicks."

"Why are they here?" Zhao Shiqing asked in a low voice.

Yan Jiu: "We don't know either. I saw them at the Imperial Academy a couple of days ago. They probably just wanted to earn some extra money since they were idle anyway."

Zhao Shiqing: "Do they often earn this kind of extra money?"

Yan Jiu: "They went to build a heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove) for a family, and they almost suffocated them. It was exactly what they said. The family's child crawled out of the house to ask for help, and the neighbors saw it, which saved the family from disaster."

When the family couldn't find them, they reported it to the authorities. The yamen (government office) drew up a portrait based on the victim's description. My elder brother happened to be in the capital on business and recognized them immediately. The Prince Lu's mansion compensated them with 2,500 taels of silver—500 taels per person for the five family members. The family was extremely grateful and said that if their young master wanted a new kang (heated brick bed) next time, he should definitely come to their house again.

Zhao Shiqing's lips twitched. She only realized after arriving in the capital that she was actually a good girl.

Yan Jiu continued, "You've just arrived in the capital, so you probably don't know that Zhao Tingluo's family lost a little brother. It was because of this incident that these two rascals got their inspiration. But they're too old for kidnappers to take them, so they sold themselves. Zhao Tinggang pretended to be dead, and Zhao Tingwei knelt on the ground and sold himself to bury his brother. Hahaha."

Zhao Shiqing:
"Hey, you said Zhao Tingluo's younger brother is missing? Zhao Tingluo is only ten years old, how old was her brother when he went missing?"

Yan Jiu: "He was lost as a baby. His family has a concubine. Oh dear, which grandson hit your grandfather?"

Turning around, he saw Zhao Tinggang holding a broken money bowl, glaring at him angrily: "I heard someone talking about me from afar, and it turns out to be you, you bastard! Give me the money!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tingwei also ran over: "Holy crap (grass is a type of plant), did we fall into a swallow's nest? A whole bunch of swallows' grandsons have suddenly appeared!"

The three Yan family members weren't angry: "Grandson, hurry up, do a few more somersaults for your grandpas, and we'll give you the money."

Zhao Tinggang: "Fine, grandsons, you're not going to school today. I'll tell your father, and he'll beat you up."

Yan Ba: "You grandson, you don't even go to school yourself, yet you care whether your grandpa goes to school or not? Get the hell out of here."

Zhao Shiqing stepped back a few paces, letting the group continue discussing the issue of grandfather and grandson.

Finally, the discussion ended, and the group put their arms around each other's shoulders. Zhao Tinggang, holding the broken bowl, said to Zhao Shiqing, "Brother, I've made some money! Come on, it's my treat, let's go!"

Zhao Shiqing looked at the few copper coins clinking in the broken bowl; those few coins weren't even enough to buy a sesame seed cake.

However, she was quite interested in befriending the two brothers from the Prince Lu's residence.

She pulled a ten-tael silver note from her bosom and put it into the broken bowl: "Breaking a boulder on your chest, well done, impressive, not a waste of time to watch, take it!"

Zhao Tingwei grabbed the silver note, unfolded it, and waved it around, shouting to everyone, "Ten taels! Ten taels! Let's go to Zhuangyuanlou!"

So Zhao Shiqing followed them to Zhuangyuanlou. The Steel Mast Brothers walked in front. When the waiter of Zhuangyuanlou saw that they were dressed in dirty coarse clothes, he reached out to stop them. The Steel Mast Brothers were used to this. They took out a sign from their waist and waved it in front of the waiter. The waiter took a step back and hurriedly said, "Please come in, sirs."

After they went inside, Xiao Er Yi hurriedly asked, "What brand is that?"

Xiao Erjia: "Oh dear, your eyesight is even worse than mine. Those are the two little darlings of the Prince Lu's mansion."

After the meal, Zhao Shiqing became sworn brothers with them. However, she did not tell them yet that she was a woman disguised as a man. If it were only the three Yan brothers, it would be fine, but she was not familiar with the Gangwei brothers yet. After thinking about it, Zhao Shiqing decided that she did not want to be completely close to them for the time being.

However, Zhao Shiqing liked all the new children she met very much. Whether it was the unpredictable Steel Mast Brothers, the quirky Zhao Tingluo, or the little ones from the Yan family, they all suited her taste.

As they parted, the Steel Mast Brothers said with regret, "This is the last time we'll set up our stall here. We don't know when we'll be able to come out again. You must remember your brother and never forget him."

Well, it was just a meal, but these two started referring to themselves as grandfathers and then as brothers.

Zhao Shiqing reacted quickly and asked, "Is it about that matter in the palace?"

The Steel Mast Brothers looked pained: "What does it matter to us who becomes the crown prince? Isn't this just collateral damage? What bad luck! Next time we'll be more careful about who we reincarnate into, lest we accidentally end up in the imperial family again."

Everyone understood that these two unconventional brothers, like Zhao Tingluo, had also received instructions from their families not to go out recently. After a reluctant farewell, Zhao Shiqing asked the youngest member of the Yan family, "What about you? Are you also not allowed to go out?"

"We won't. Our family doesn't care who becomes the crown prince. It's not like we're going to be emperors."

When Zhao Shiqing returned home, Xiao Zhen had already left. She moved a small stool and sat down next to Zhen Wuduo: "Grandpa, why didn't you go out to walk the birds today?"

Zhen Wuduo: "With such a big incident, you should stay home as much as possible, including yourself."

Zhao Shiqing quickly said, "Grandpa, guess who I had dinner with today?"

She told him about meeting the Steel Mast Brothers, and Zhen Wuduo was amazed. He had never heard of such hardworking and ambitious members of the royal family before.

In the following days, Zhao Shiqing really rarely went out. The only time she went was in disguise to visit the Liang Prince's Mansion and meet with Zhao Tingxuan.

After the New Year, Zhao Tingxuan was about to return to Liangdi, and Zhao Shiqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. She was always worried about him in the capital, who knew what trouble he might cause one day.

"Have you received any mail from home recently?" Zhao Shiqing asked.

Zhao Tingxuan was speechless. He had received Nie's letter, which was full of smugness. When he met Zhao Shiqing last time, Zhao Tingxuan was still half-believing and half-doubting, but after receiving this letter, he had no choice but to believe it.

When my sister came to the capital, it wasn't to get married; it was clearly to be his hostage. And in all of this, Madam Nie played a decisive role.

Zhao Shiqing, observing his expression, guessed that he must have received Nie's letter, and said in an annoyed tone, "Keep happy about it. When you get back to Liang, you probably won't be so happy anymore."

It should be noted that the true mistress of the Liang Prince's Mansion is no longer Madam Nie, but Meng Xiaotang.

Meng Xiaotang is capable and resourceful, and she also enjoys the favor of her elder brother Zhao Tinghan. The whiny and coquettish Nie Shi is no match for her.

Now, Madam Nie is waiting for Zhao Tingxuan to return and support her. Zhao Tingxuan is weak-willed, and facing his powerful elder brother and resourceful sister-in-law, as well as a troublesome and sabotaging mother, he probably won't have a peaceful life.

Thinking about it this way, it's not a bad thing for my sister to marry into the capital. At least, she can stay away from the Nie family.

There's no way to use the same methods on others as on the Nie family.

She was, after all, her own mother.

However, thinking of the Yan family, Zhao Shiqing smiled and thought that her sister's future days would probably be lively and bustling every day.

After meeting Zhao Tingxuan, Zhao Shiqing truly lived the life of a well-bred young lady for a few days. Every day, she would do handicrafts with Wan Ruyi, chat with the old man, or squat outside the kitchen waiting for Aunt Ji to cook delicious food.

Happy times are always short-lived. A few days later, when she woke up one morning, she saw Little Demon and Big Fatty sitting upright at the head of her bed, like two guardian deities, looking at her with disdain.

Zhao Shiqing found it strange. When she first met Da Pang, his eyes were clear but foolish. After spending a year with Xiao Yao, he learned to despise and look down on her. If he stayed with her for a while longer, he would probably even learn Xiao Yao's death stare.

"Good morning, gentlemen!"

The cat's back, aren't you getting up to greet it?

Zhao Shiqing: "Greetings, both of you. Where have you come from?"

The cat went to the big yard where you don't take it.

Zhao Shiqing immediately sat up; she knew where the large courtyard the little demon was talking about was.

The palace!

"Greetings, my lords. Quickly tell Xiao Qingzi what you heard in the courtyard."

The prince drank soup and then vomited blood!

After spitting out blood, the crown prince said he was willing to write a memorial to resign.

Zhao Shiqing: "Is the Crown Prince dead?"

[He's not dead, he's still alive, but he's coughing up blood.]

Zhao Shiqing instantly understood. Just as Xiao Zhen had said, Princess Huiming's matter could not be discussed in court. Therefore, the Crown Prince had to resign voluntarily. If he refused, then they would scare him.

That bowl of soup could make him vomit blood, and of course, it could also take his life.

These were things Emperor Yongjia didn't need to think about himself; someone would read his mind and do them for him. All Emperor Yongjia wanted was the Crown Prince's resignation memorial.

Zhao Shiqing thought for a moment and said to Xiao Yao and Da Pang, "There might be cats in the Feng residence too, would you like to go and have a look?"

The little demon looked at Zhao Shiqing with eyes full of pity for someone with intellectual disabilities: [The cat already went.]

Big Fatty: [The cats there aren't the masters; they can only sleep in the kitchen.]

Zhao Shiqing understood. The cats in the palace were kept by the masters of each palace and courtyard, and lived the lives of masters. However, the cats in the Feng family were kept in the kitchen to catch mice and were not allowed to enter the masters' rooms.

Seeing that these two looked too lazy to go again, Zhao Shiqing sighed inwardly. Cats also have social classes. When did her two become so materialistic and snobbish?
Zhao Shiqing reflected.

Fortunately, the two cats went to the Feng residence reluctantly that day and returned before dinner, telling Zhao Shiqing: "They're having a happy occasion at home. Third Aunt gave gifts to the servants in the kitchen, and the cats got some too."

Third Aunt, Feng Yalan's biological mother.

Feng Yalan was a concubine's daughter in the Feng family. Her marriage to Yang Shengqiu, the newly appointed top scholar, was undoubtedly a good match. For the third concubine, Yang Shengqiu was a son-in-law that was hard to find even with a lantern. This was a great joy.

Zhao Shiqing was speechless when she thought of Feng Yalan's fate in that life. She really didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

However, in that life, even after Yang Shengqiu and Feng Yalan got married, the Fifth Prince was still the Third Prince's follower.

But in this life, it was clear from that day in front of the palace gates that the brothers were already estranged in spirit.

Xiao Zhen deserves much credit for causing these two good brothers to drift apart prematurely.

In this life, Yang Shengqiu has become the top scholar in the imperial examination and has also caught the emperor's attention, so he will no longer go to the Ministry of Works.

If Tongzhou were to still suffer from floods in this lifetime, and the Third Prince wanted to place his men around the Fifth Prince, it wouldn't be Yang Shengqiu. The Fifth Prince would also be prepared and wouldn't let the Third Prince's men frame him again, which might actually save the local people.

Xiao Zhen said that in that lifetime, tens of thousands of people died or were injured in the four regions of Tongzhou. He thought that this lifetime would not be the case.

The next day, Zhao Shiqing heard the news at home: the Crown Prince, in front of all the officials, asked the Emperor for his resignation, saying that he was seriously ill and unable to fulfill his responsibilities as Crown Prince.

The Imperial Medical Academy also confirmed that the Crown Prince had been coughing up blood for several days and urgently needed to rest and recuperate.

Emperor Yongjia granted his request to decline, and Crown Prince Zhao Jun was instead granted the title of Prince Jing.

The courtiers proposed that the third prince be made crown prince, but the third prince refused on the spot, saying that his abilities were not as good as his brothers' and that he was not worthy of the position of crown prince.

Emperor Yongjia then said, "The matter of the Crown Prince will be discussed another day."

Zhao Shiqing asked Zhen Wuduo, "Is it really going to be discussed again?"

Zhen Wuduo: "Normally, it takes three requests to establish a new crown prince. This is only the first time. There are still two more to go. After the second time, an imperial edict will be issued to establish a new crown prince."