Do you know: I am Qi Heng

In the winter of the second year of Tianyou in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

As night fell and snowflakes drifted down, a vermilion carriage emerged from the side gate of the palace and disappeared into the snowstorm.

Inside the carriage, the stove was burning brightly, making it very warm.

A noblewoman dressed in a deep purple jacket leaned against the carriage and sighed softly.

"A few days ago, Heng'er caught a cold and fell into a coma. I stayed by his bedside and don't know how I got through it."

The noblewoman frowned and said, "Although this little prince was not born to the First Lady, she has raised him for more than a year. The First Lady is also feeling bad, and she has to suffer from rumors."

The old woman kneeling beside her, holding a cloak in her arms, said with some worry, "Madam, do you think the Emperor will be influenced by those rumors and blame you?"

The noblewoman thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "It's unlikely. The Empress Dowager has no children of her own; she would never harm the young prince. The Emperor is kind and benevolent, and has a deep affection for the Empress Dowager. He wouldn't blame her for those rumors!"

"That's good." The old woman nodded.

His eldest daughter-in-law was raised in the palace since childhood. The eldest daughter-in-law had no children, so he treated her like his own daughter.

The death of an official's only son is a major event for the entire nation. But she, a servant, wouldn't care about such things; she only cared about whether it would affect her master.

A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of a grand house, and the coachman's voice came from outside.

"Madam, we've arrived."

Upon hearing this, the nanny quickly draped a thick cloak over the noblewoman, got out of the carriage first, and reached out to help the noblewoman out of the carriage.

The noblewoman stepped off the carriage on a stool. A gust of cold wind, mixed with snowflakes, swept over her. She couldn't help but tighten her cloak and quickly entered the mansion.

"Squeak~"

The doorman waited until the noblewoman entered and left before closing the gate.

The lanterns hanging at the entrance swayed back and forth in the wind and snow, their faint light illuminating the plaque above the gate, where four gilded characters were written: "The Duke of Qi's Mansion".

Princess Pingning arrived at the main hall, where Duke Qi Xuan, who was sitting upright holding a cup of hot tea, quickly put down his teacup and stood up when he saw his wife return.

"Madam, is Her Majesty alright?"

"It's nothing serious, he just needs to rest for a while."

Princess Pingning and her maids took off their cloaks, sat down at the head of the table, and took a couple of sips of tea from the teacup her husband had just put down.

"It's cold outside, and burning charcoal makes the air so dry it's unbearable."

Princess Pingning put down her teacup and asked, "How is Heng'er? Has he rested?"

The Duke of Qi had just sat down when he heard this, his face stiffened, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "They've already retired for the night."

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Princess Pingning knew her husband well. Seeing that he looked unnatural, she frowned slightly and asked.

"About an incense stick's time ago, Heng'er took Buwei out through the side door," Qi Xuan said helplessly, revealing the truth.

"What?"

Princess Pingning angrily retorted, "Heng'er just recovered from a cold a few days ago, and it's snowing outside now, yet you still let him go out?"

"I only found out because the doorman reported it; it was too late to send someone to chase after them!"

Princess Pingning angrily said, "Go, have someone beat the gatekeeper at the side gate to death. Heng'er has just recovered from a serious illness, and they didn't even stop him from going out so late. What use are they?"

"lady!"

Qi Xuan advised, "They are servants after all. If Heng'er insists on going out, how dare they stop her?"

These are turbulent times; a minor punishment will suffice as a warning.

"snort!"

Princess Pingning sneered upon hearing this, "Then give them thirty lashes. Whether they live or die depends on their fate!"

…………

Although it was already dark, the Jingmingfang area outside Donghua Gate was brightly lit.

This is the most bustling area in the eastern part of the inner city, home to many restaurants and entertainment venues.

Fanlou, known as the number one restaurant in Bianjing, is located here.

Fanlou covers an area of ​​nearly 20 acres and consists of five three-story pavilions connected by flying bridges and railings.

Although it has only three floors, it is nearly ten zhang tall because it is built on a double-layered platform.

Standing on the third floor of the West Tower, one could even overlook parts of the Imperial Palace and Forbidden Gardens. Later, the court ordered the closure of the windows facing the Imperial Palace.

Inside the building, "beaded curtains and embroidered lintels, flickering lamps and candles," and lotus lanterns were placed in the eaves and tiled roof, which looked like golden dragons soaring into the sky from a distance.

As the premier restaurant in Bianjing (Kaifeng), Fanlou was open day and night, year-round, with its lights always on, regardless of wind, rain, heat, or cold.

The guests coming and going were all high-ranking officials and dignitaries, and they came in an endless stream.

It's just that it's a bit quiet lately because of the death of the young prince.

At this moment, in the Yijian Pavilion on the second floor of Fanlou East, the copper pot on the table was bubbling and steaming.

Qi Heng used chopsticks to cook meat in the pot, sweating as he ate.

"No, add some more meat."

"yes!"

Not only did he pick up the plate of lamb rolls, but he also ate half of it.

"Put everything in; you have to eat the meat in big bites to really enjoy it."

Qi Heng said, "You keep eating too!"

"Young master, I'm full, please continue eating."

Not because of the young master's unrestrained eating style and straightforward speech.

If it weren't for the fact that he looked the same and could recognize the Duke and the Princess, he would have suspected that someone was an imposter.

My young master received a good education from a young age. He may not be eloquent, but he is not utterly nonsensical either.

"You practice martial arts, yet you don't eat as much as I do."

Qi Heng said, "I told you not to be shy, just eat. I can't possibly serve you food, can I?"

"Young master, it's getting late. Let's head back soon. If the mistress finds out, I'll be punished!" Buwei said worriedly.

"You went back before Mother returned to the manor, so she wouldn't know?"

Qi Heng raised his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, saying, "You'll be punished anyway when you get back, so why don't you let me have a good meal?"

I've been eating nothing but bland food for the past few days, I'm practically starving!

Seeing Qi Heng wiping his sweat and hearing his somewhat rude words, Bu Wei hesitated and asked, "Young Master, have you gotten yourself into trouble with something unclean?"

A hint of unease flashed across Qi Heng's face, but fortunately, he wasn't sitting opposite him and the air was thick with heat, so he didn't see it clearly.

"I've already died once, and it was only during that brush with death that I understood the true meaning of life. I was living too hard before."

"Enjoy life while you can, and I want your son to live a more carefree life from now on!"

Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that the eldest daughter-in-law is indeed strict with the young master.

But the young master's change is too drastic. Could he have been driven crazy?

Thinking of this, he looked at Qi Heng with some worry.

"What kind of look is that?"

Qi Heng felt uneasy under her gaze and said, "You don't necessarily resent me because you think I don't care whether you live or die, do you?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Without a serious expression, he replied, "Young Master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; I would gladly die for you!"

"Ugh!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng paused, putting down his chopsticks and saying, "Don't worry, I won't give you that chance this time!"

He knew perfectly well that Wei was truly willing to die for him, not just saying nice things.

Because of the future, I will not die for "him".

Buwei was so moved by what he heard that she didn't notice the problem in Qi Heng's words.

"Alright, I've almost finished eating. You can put the meat in and eat it all, then we'll head back."

Qi Heng picked up a handkerchief from the table and wiped his mouth.