What are you imagining?" Wei Zhenyuan gave a dissatisfied glance to Yong Ge. "I only have you and Lin'er as descendants. Both of you are always going against my wishes. If I were to deal with Cheng Duo, would you still respect me?"
Indeed, his father, although still energetic, had no intention of having other women or children besides Yong Ge and Lin'er.
When they were in the northwest, not only did Wei Zhenyuan officially acknowledge Yong Ge's mother as his lawful wife, but he also frequently visited her, sometimes spending an entire day with her. His father had even instructed that if anything were to happen to him, he wanted to be buried beside her so he could find her in the afterlife.
Yong Ge recalled that his father asked about children before continuing with the rest of his words. Did his father want Cheng Duo to take that position?
He couldn't believe it. His father was always acting tough towards Cheng Duo, always blowing his beard and glaring at him. Could it be that deep down, he actually admired Cheng Duo?
Wei Zhenyuan wouldn't admit it. He put on a bold face and said, "Giving the position to him is just a temporary measure. I will definitely leave the best things for my precious grandson. If he dares to have children with someone else and take away what belongs to Lin'er, I won't let him get away with it!"
Yong Ge shook his head disapprovingly. Even if his father was just saying that, he still felt uncomfortable. "Father, you know what kind of person Cheng Duo is. He has treated me well all these years. Don't you believe in him?"
"I believe him," Wei Zhenyuan sighed. "But, Yong Ge, you should know that people can change…"
Yong Ge was firm in his response. He wanted to say that Cheng Duo had never hidden anything from him, but it didn't feel appropriate. Cheng Duo's origins were too mysterious, and his abilities were extraordinary. Revealing these things to his father would only raise doubts and serve no purpose.
After thinking for a moment, he tactfully reassured his father that Cheng Duo would not have any more children apart from Lin'er. This confirmed what Wei Zhenyuan had said earlier, and Yong Ge believed that his father would prefer to hear this rather than empty promises and grand speeches.
Yong Ge had his own motives. Cheng Duo was capable of anything; what position couldn't he handle? He believed in Cheng Duo's capabilities and didn't want to see him suffer. He knew Cheng Duo would never disappoint him.
"Are you sure?" Wei Zhenyuan asked.
"Absolutely."
"Alright, I got it." Wei Zhenyuan's gaze brushed over the mole on his son's forehead, and he felt both relieved and annoyed. "If I didn't bring up this reason, were you planning to hide it from me for the rest of your life?"
Yong Ge looked embarrassed. "We already have Lin'er, and it's not a big deal…"
Wei Zhenyuan gave him a stern look. Who said they were prepared to have no children? But now it wasn't a big deal anymore?
As they watched their little grandson waving his wooden sword in the distance, causing a commotion in the courtyard, Wei Zhenyuan had a contemplative expression. While he couldn't do anything about his own son, he was certain that there was still hope for his little grandson!
From now on, he wouldn't need to lead troops into battle every day. Instead, he would spend his days with his little grandson, and he didn't believe that Lin'er wouldn't come to favor him more!
Wei Zhenyuan acted swiftly. After Yong Ge admitted that it wasn't his issue, a few days later, the imperial physician came to the mansion to examine him.
Yong Ge was somewhat helpless about this, but to reassure his father, he cooperated with the physician's examination.
The examination results confirmed that Yong Ge was in good health. Despite the hardships he endured in his early years, he had been well taken care of for the past seven or eight years. The military doctor, who came monthly to treat Wei Zhenyuan's grandparents, also prescribed some gentle tonics for Yong Ge. After Lin'er was born, Cheng Duo even sought out various medicinal recipes, and he felt that his health had improved significantly.
The physician cautiously said, "The young master's body is in good condition. If you're anxious for an heir, I can prescribe some medicine to try. However, to achieve results, the medication's properties are…"
"No need." Wei Zhenyuan interrupted before the physician could finish. He only wanted to confirm the situation.
The physician heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that this young master was General Wei's only son and the husband of General Cheng. If anything went wrong, he couldn't bear the responsibility.
The physician was about to take his leave when Cheng Duo, who had left early in the morning, unexpectedly returned.
Seeing the physician examining Yong Ge, Cheng Duo's expression changed. He walked into the courtyard and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Yong Ge smiled to comfort him, "It's nothing. Just a regular checkup for a peaceful pulse."
Cheng Duo glanced at Wei Zhenyuan beside them, somewhat skeptical. However, seeing Yong Ge's rosy complexion and no signs of illness, except for some fatigue, he felt relieved after touching his forehead.
Wei Zhenyuan initially wanted to suggest that Cheng Duo also get checked, but before he could speak, his son gently kicked him.
Wei Zhenyuan froze, thinking that if the physician had indeed found something, he wouldn't dare to speak of it. Moreover, Cheng Duo might lose face. He decided to drop the idea.
Cheng Duo didn't know what father and son were up to, but that didn't stop him from interrogating his little wife privately later in the evening. "Tell me, what did my father-in-law want the physician for?"
Yong Ge lay on the bed, with Cheng Duo supporting himself with his hands pressed down on either side. He showed no sign of nervousness, blinking his eyes. "I already told you, it was just a regular check for a peaceful pulse. Do I look like something is wrong?"
"Not at all," Cheng Duo carefully observed his expression. Then, leaning closer, he whispered, "Is it because you've been tired lately, and my father-in-law noticed?"
Yong Ge's face turned warm. "No, I'm not that tired…"
Cheng Duo didn't believe him. His Yong Ge had always been obedient to him, even if he was feeling unwell from being pushed around, he wouldn't tell the truth.
"Forget it, let's sleep early tonight." Cheng Duo tried to get up, but in the next moment, Yong Ge wrapped his arms around Cheng Duo's neck and his legs around his thighs.
"What are you doing? Don't want to come down?" Cheng Duo chuckled and leaned down, giving him a kiss.
"Um," Yong Ge pouted playfully.
"Alright, then don't come down." Cheng Duo gently lifted him up with one hand. There was hot water on the rack, and he held his little wife, using a hand to wring the cloth and help him wash his hands and face.
Yong Ge hung on him like a child, and now, he was even being washed by Cheng Duo. Unable to bear it, he jumped down and said, "I'll do it myself."
Cheng Duo released him with a smile that seemed like a joke. "You can't stand it already? I haven't washed your feet yet."
Yong Ge turned to the basin, avoiding Cheng Duo's teasing gaze, and muttered with a flushed face, "I'm not Lin'er…"
Cheng Duo leaned over and whispered, "Lin'er isn't as clingy as you are."
"…" Yong Ge became annoyed and embarrassed, so he ignored Cheng Duo altogether.
Due to the complex web of aristocratic families, even the Empress Dowager didn't dare to easily meddle in the court's officials during the previous Xia dynasty. However, Cheng Duo didn't care about that. He executed those who deserved it and exiled others. After all, they held the most crucial military power.
Dealing with those toxic aristocratic families was the first task of the new dynasty.
Initially, Cheng Duo would consult Wei Zhenyuan before giving orders, but every time, Wei Zhenyuan would let him decide on his own. Later, using the excuse of recuperation, Wei Zhenyuan left everything to Cheng Duo.
Whenever Cheng Duo needed to consult him, he would find Wei Zhenyuan playing with Lin'er, flying kites, catching crickets, or fishing with his father. Sometimes, Yong Ge would join in, helping as a judge during cricket fights or building a rack by the lake to help roast fish.
Looking at the memorials in his hand, Cheng Duo suddenly felt like going on strike!
He hadn't spent much time with his husband and son, let alone himself. Originally, Lin'er would wait for him to return home every day, but now, it seemed that Lin'er couldn't be separated from his grandfather!
"Cheng Duo you're back. I grilled some fish. Do you want some?" Yong Ge stood by the barbecue rack, looking up and his eyes suddenly brightened when he saw Cheng Duo, smiling brightly.
Cheng Duo wiped his face. "Yes."
He couldn't refuse the food made by his wife!
As he approached, Yong Ge handed him a string of fish, sizzling and crispy, dripping with oil. "Try it and see if it's enough. If not, I can add more."
Considering Lin'er was still young and his father was injured, Yong Ge prepared the seasoning to be mild, afraid that Cheng Duo wouldn't be used to it.
Cheng Duo took a bite and found it delicious, with a perfect balance of saltiness and freshness. He handed it back to Yong Ge, saying, "You should also try."
Yong Ge trusted him, so he followed Cheng Duo's hand and took a bite. After finishing, he pushed it back to him, saying, "You have it. I still have plenty here."
After speaking, he went to check the remaining fish on the rack to avoid overcooking them.
Wei Zhenyuan wasn't in a hurry to eat the fish. When he heard the sound, he turned his head and found that Cheng Duo had already started eating. He quickly brought Lin'er and rushed over to grab some fish, reproaching Cheng Duo, "This was caught by me and Lin'er; you should catch your own."
Cheng Duo had been tearing fish meat to feed his son when he replied with a touch of annoyance, "I actually wanted to fish myself. Let's see when your father-in-law will go back to handling affairs. Since you can fish, you must be able to handle court matters by yourself, right?"
"Who said that? My injury hasn't healed yet!" Wei Zhenyuan held a skewer in his left hand and ate the fish with a non-convincing appearance.
"You only injured your shoulder. Even if you can't write, you can have a eunuch nearby to take dictation."
"I'm injured. Just looking at the characters in the memorials gives me a headache." He glared at Cheng Duo, "As my son-in-law, it's your duty to share my worries. How come you can't handle it after being busy for a couple of days?"
"…" Facing his father-in-law's unreasonable nagging, Cheng Duo didn't know how to remind him. If he continued to be busy, the new dynasty might not be surnamed Wei anymore, but Cheng!
The Wei family's generals had followed him as their commander, and most of the officials in the court were appointed by him. Every day, he went to the palace, but Wei Zhenyuan was nowhere to be found. Observant people were speculating about what he had done to his father-in-law.
Cheng Duo took a deep breath, "Alright, you can leave other matters aside. Shouldn't the list of rewards for the Wei family's generals be drawn up by you?"
"The rewards for the Wei family's generals, don't you know which one should be awarded? You're always with them; don't you know them well?" Since Wei Zhenyuan had decided to delegate power, there was no reason to interfere at this time. However, to Cheng Duo, it sounded like Wei Zhenyuan was just making trouble for the sake of it.
"It's not a matter of whether I know or not…"
"Since you know, why are you asking me?"
The two men confronted each other, neither giving in. Shanzi, who was called over to play with the little one, glanced at Yong Ge and silently lowered his head to eat the grilled fish.
Yong Ge held back his laughter and pretended not to know.
Cheng Duo really didn't know Wei Zhenyuan had the idea of abdicating. After all, he was just the son-in-law, and no one could rest assured about handing the imperial throne to an outsider.
Privately, he asked Yong Ge to persuade his father to take charge of the court. There were some things he couldn't discuss with Wei Zhenyuan directly, but he had no problem discussing them with Yong Ge.
Yong Ge listened to Cheng Duo's analysis of the court situation and the urgency of his father going to the palace. He was deeply touched and agreed to persuade him. However, he immediately told his father what Cheng Duo had said.
"Dad, you see, I told you Cheng Duo didn't have such an idea."
Wei Zhenyuan snorted unkindly, "I know, he clearly has the ability, but he's thinking about handing the court to me, his father-in-law!"
He remembered that Wei Ling had invited Cheng Duo to join the army long ago, but he didn't expect that Cheng Duo lacked ambition and only wanted to be a hunter!
In fact, his confidants noticed that something was amiss and tried to persuade him, but Wei Zhenyuan had dismissed them. If it weren't for Cheng Duo, they wouldn't be where they were today. Since Yong Ge said he believed in Cheng Duo, Wei Zhenyuan was willing to take the gamble!
Two days before the coronation, Cheng Duo saw the dragon robe sent from the palace and suddenly realized he had been fooled, "Yong Ge, what's going on…"
Yong Ge stuttered, "It's just as you saw. Dad finds it troublesome and doesn't want to be the emperor. He said that sooner or later, he'll give the position to Lin'er, so it's better to give it to you."
Cheng Duo chuckled in exasperation, "You knew all along and didn't remind me?"
Yong Ge pursed his lips and whispered, "Even if he's my father, I don't want you to kneel before him when you meet in the future."
Cheng Duo was a tall and upright man, and since they were destined not to return to the past, Yong Ge didn't want to see him being humbled.
As for his father, when Yong Ge became a duke, he wouldn't have to kneel either.
"Yong Ge…" Cheng Duo was taken aback. He didn't expect Yong Ge to think this way.
"Besides, I also want to experience what it feels like to go from a village boy to an emperor's consort. Are you willing to make that happen for me?" Yong Ge asked.
Cheng Duo embraced him and said after a long pause, "Of course, besides you, who else do I have?"
Since Yong Ge wanted to be an emperor's consort, they would enter the palace together!
"And me, and me, Dad, Lin'er wants a hug too!" The little one walked in on his short legs, saw his father and mommy hugging, and heard the last sentence, so he hurriedly called out.
The two husbands exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat helpless.
Cheng Duo turned and picked up the little one, letting him sit on his arm, "Are you satisfied now?"
"Wow, so high!" The little one sat on his dad's arm, wiggling his short legs, feeling even taller than mommy, and got excited.
Yong Ge pulled his face playfully, "You little clever one!"
"Mm, Dad, Mommy pulled Lin'er's face again…"
Cheng Duo watched his husband and son playing around, feeling content in his heart. Looking back now, he felt like everything in the apocalypse was just a dream.
If all the hardships he had endured were for them, he thought those ten years were worth it. He was already fulfilled.
In the quaint and tranquil small courtyard, a pear tree was in full bloom with blossoms, and two cute little sparrows flew over from nowhere, chirping and singing happily on the branches.
On a small table by the window, there lay a slim and tall figure, holding a book in his hand. His light-colored pupils were staring blankly, clearly lost in thought.
"Yulou, come and try on the spring garment Mother had someone make for you. She specially had it made in crow-blue color, so it'll be perfect to wear to the Xichun Garden in a few days." Mother Tan entered from outside with the accompanying head maid, looking radiant.
Since they came to the capital, she felt that everything had been going smoothly. Her husband and son had been promoted, and her younger and elder nieces and nephews had been left in their hometown to establish the New Capital City.
Now that spring had arrived, the new emperor held a flower appreciation event in the Xichun Garden outside the city to reward the generals who had fought together with him. In reality, it was to allow the unmarried senior generals to select their favored brides.
This news caused a huge sensation in the capital. Not to mention the generals who were eagerly looking forward to it, even the civil officials urged their wives to tailor new clothes for their daughters and sons, hoping to find a good match for their family.
Compared to civil officials like them who had little relationship with the new emperor, these generals were his close confidants. They had fought alongside the new emperor before he ascended the throne and were considered as his trusted aides.
Before the new emperor ascended the throne, he executed a large number of imperial relatives and corrupt officials, which frightened everyone. Although they managed to keep their lives and continue as officials, no one knew when the new emperor might act again. Therefore, they sought a backer for themselves, hoping that someone would intercede for them in case of any incident.
Due to the need to rebuild the country, the new emperor placed greater emphasis on practical talents. Those aristocrats from the previous dynasty who only knew how to enjoy life and those white-faced scholars who mourned the fleeting seasons were not as popular as they were in the past.
Although their daughters and sons were charming, after experiencing the fear and trembling when the capital was attacked, many people felt that the tall and heroic generals gave a greater sense of security.
Among these generals, the most powerful one was undoubtedly Marquis Xuanwei, Wei Ling. He was the eldest grandson of the Duke of Wei, the nephew of the Duke of Zhenguo, the cousin of the current empress, and the prince's uncle. With so many identities combined, whoever married into his family would secure a prosperous and wealthy future.
Although Marquis Xuanwei was a bit older, it was said that his backyard was clean, and he had no offspring. Coupled with his handsome and bright appearance, many young ladies and gers secretly wanted to become his consort.
Yes, gers, because the current empress was a ger, and because of the new emperor's doting, no one dared to openly criticize his ger. Even emulating his example, many aristocratic families began to marry their gers as primary wives.
Marquis Xuanwei had never stated whether he preferred young ladies or gers in public, so whenever he went out, eight out of ten times, he would encounter shy girls throwing handkerchiefs or pretty gers pretending to stumble and fall into his arms…
Tan Yulou was also thinking about this. Wei Ling was the only heir of the Wei family. This flower appreciation event in Xichun Garden, although seemingly organized by the new emperor, was actually a way for the Empress Wei to urge his cousin to marry.
"Mother, you can leave it there. I'll try it on later." Tan Yulou came back to his senses and subconsciously declined.
"Ah, my child, do you know how difficult it is to find skilled embroiderers nowadays? If it weren't for your father's influence, I wouldn't even be able to have this garment made for you! Listen to me, come and try it on. Me and Qing Mama will take a look, and if there's anything that doesn't fit, we can still make adjustments."
Tan Yulou had no choice but to get up and try on the clothes. Apart from being stubborn about his identity, his mother was quite reasonable in other aspects, and this robe was made to his liking. The understated crow-blue robe with trimmings, overlaid with the same color embroidered golden gauze, a jade belt, a tiger head jade pendant with a lapis lazuli bead, everything was complete.
After Tan Yulou put on the robe and came out, his mother came forward, tugging at his shoulder and patting his back. "Look, my son looks so majestic in this robe! Yulou, you can't make excuses this time. With all the young ladies from prominent families in the capital, I refuse to believe that you can't find a satisfactory one."
Tan Yulou sighed helplessly and then smiled bitterly in his heart. Even if he had a thousand reasons, now that everything had settled… why not just go along with his mother's wishes?
But before that, could he be a little selfish and fulfill his own humble little wish?
Qing Mama had watched Tan Yulou grow up, and although she felt sorry for Young Master, she couldn't persuade Madam, or rather, she didn't dare to. So, she pretended not to see the gloominess in Young Master's eyes.
Oh, what a mess…
On the day of the flower appreciation event, because Madam Tan was anxious, the Tan family's carriage arrived early.
Xichun Garden was divided into the East Garden and the West Garden, but they were not completely separated. There was not only a beautiful lake for lakeside viewing but also a blooming peach blossom forest that provided concealment for both parties to meet.
This time, the male guests were in the East Garden, and the female guests were in the West Garden.
Before parting, Madam Tan instructed Tan Yulou, "Don't run around. If I find a girl I like, I'll send someone to find you."
Tan Yulou didn't respond. Anyway, none of them were to his liking. If they could win his mother's favor, that would be enough.
Entering the garden, Tan Yulou saw many familiar colleagues. After exchanging greetings, he sat alone in a corner and sipped tea.
"Yulou, why are you drinking tea alone here?" A clear male voice came, and Tan Yulou looked up along the clean official boots. First, he saw a purple brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, golden silk jade pendants, and the waist was cinched with a narrow jade belt, accentuating his broad shoulders and back, which made him look like a jade tree.
Wei Ling noticed Tan Yulou's gaze and felt somewhat uncomfortable, so he tugged at his waistband. "Is it strange? Yong Ge insisted I wear this, saying that if I don't, he'll marry me off."
Wei Ling was not afraid of Yong Ge. He was just saying it for fun, but he didn't want to waste Yong Ge's thoughtfulness, so he still wore it.
Tan Yulou looked at his clean and handsome face, feeling his heart beating a little faster. Although those were the familiar eyes, he didn't dare to meet his gaze and lowered his eyelids. "No, it looks good."
From Wei Ling's perspective, he caught Tan Yulou's pupils suddenly shrinking and his cute eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Wei Ling's fingers moved, but he still didn't dare to reach out. He coughed lightly and said, "Yulou, you're also wearing a new robe. The crow-blue color suits you well."
After saying that, he felt a bit sour in his heart. He had never seen Tan Yulou dress up so meticulously for the flower appreciation event before.
Tan Yulou was also feeling the same awkwardness, so he poured a cup of tea for Wei Ling. "Do you want some tea?"
"Sure." Wei Ling sat down.
"You've been in the capital for a few months now, are you getting used to it?" Tan Yulou asked with a hint of amusement.
"You forgot, didn't we meet every day at the Ministry of War? If I'm getting used to it or not, you should know," Tan Yulou replied jokingly.
Before this, when he mentioned the North Wind making his face dry, Wei Ling had specially sent him a face oil made specifically for the palace and also the rewards from the Empress. He was also one of the people who received the gifts.
Wei Ling scratched his head awkwardly, "I just took three days off, and you've changed so much. It feels like it's been a long time since we last met…"
Tan Yulou's eyelids twitched, and his heart rate unconsciously increased. He hadn't thought about how to respond when some of Wei Ling's fellow military officers came over to talk to him, "Young General, you're the protagonist today. What are you doing here?"
"Still calling him Young General, it should be Marquis now."
"Oh, right, right, Young Marquis, come over here. There's a beautiful girl playing the zither across the lake. She plays so well!"
Without giving Wei Ling a chance to reply, the group of young officers pulled him away. Wei Ling wanted to turn around and call to Tan Yulou, "Yulou…"
Tan Yulou smiled, "Marquis, go ahead. I'll join you after finishing this cup of tea."
Wei Ling: "…That's not what I meant. I wanted you to help me out. I don't understand those sweet and cloying tunes they play!"
A group of military officers enjoyed the view by the lake for a while but found it hazy, so someone suggested going to the pavilion above the peach blossom forest. This proposal received a unanimous response.
Wei Ling glanced at Tan Yulou, not intending to go at first, but for some unknown reason, he decided to follow along.
Due to the crowd, Tan Yulou didn't notice. It was only when the voices around him gradually decreased that he realized many of his colleagues had left. The people who remained were either already engaged or married.
After drinking tea, Tan Yulou felt a bit urgent and asked a servant boy for directions to the restroom. On his way back, he unexpectedly saw the little crown prince with his rosy lips and white teeth. He was looking around, seemingly searching for something.
"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" Tan Yulou was a bit surprised. The crown prince was all alone, so he couldn't have lost his way, right?
"Looking for you…" The little crown prince, Cheng Jinlin, blurted out, then realized he misspoke and quickly corrected himself, "No, I mean, I lost my jade pendant, so I came out to search for it."
"This… Why don't I escort Your Highness back first? It's not safe for you to be alone here."
"No, this jade pendant was a gift from my father. It represents my identity. If I lose it, it'll be troublesome." The little crown prince said seriously, and with his fair and plump face, he looked especially pinchable.
Seeing that Tan Yulou's expression was off, the little crown prince asked warily, "Why is General Tan looking at me like that?"
Every time his brother pinched his face, he would look at him with the same expression as this person in front of him. If he didn't consider his identity as the crown prince, the little guy would have instinctively covered his face.
"It's nothing." Tan Yulou clenched his fist and coughed lightly. "If Your Highness agrees, how about I accompany you in the search?"
This suggestion was exactly what the little crown prince had in mind. He immediately agreed and took the lead, saying, "Let's go over there and look."
Tan Yulou found it a bit strange. If the crown prince knew that his jade pendant wasn't here, why did he look for it here just now?
However, he thought that perhaps the nearby area had already been searched, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
The little crown prince was only a little over five years old. Although he was clever and intelligent for his age, it was understandable for children to do things without much order or logic. Tan Yulou couldn't apply adult reasoning to him…
The Xichun Garden was in full bloom, with large clusters of flowers and lush shrubs decorating the paths, leading to hidden and winding trails. Tan Yulou was already unfamiliar with the route, and with the little crown prince leading him in all directions, he felt like he was getting lost.
"Crown Prince, please wait, don't run so fast," Tan Yulou called after him, relieved when the little crown prince finally stopped ahead.
Approaching him, Tan Yulou asked, "Crown Prince…"
Before he could finish speaking, he saw the little crown prince raise his finger to his lips, signaling for silence.
Amused, Tan Yulou followed suit, lowering himself and asking in a hushed voice, "Your Highness?"
"It's Uncle," the little crown prince blurted out, realizing his mistake, and quickly corrected himself, "No, I meant my eldest Uncle."
Tan Yulou followed the direction of the little crown prince's finger and was surprised by what he saw through the bamboo thicket. There were two figures, one tall and one short, standing close together. The shorter one seemed to be leaning against the taller one's chest, with a slight limp in his step. The tall one supported him, as if the shorter person had sprained his foot.
Tan Yulou's pupils constricted when he recognized the tall figure in a purple robe as Wei Ling, whom he had just seen earlier. Who else could it be?
As for the person being supported by Wei Ling, judging from his exquisite moon-white silk robe, the golden tassels at his waist, and his somewhat delicate figure, he was clearly from a well-off family.
While they were secretly observing, Wei Ling had already led the person to a nearby octagonal pavilion. Inside the pavilion, there was a phoenix-headed zither and a small copper stove with water vapor rising from it. Obviously, someone had just been sitting there.
Except for the young man being supported by Wei Ling, no one else sat there.
Tan Yulou's speculation was soon confirmed when the charming and handsome young man sat down and said, "I have troubled Marquis again. Without you, I wouldn't know what to do when I got lost and sprained my foot."
"It's just a small favor, Gongzi Lin doesn't need to be so polite," Wei Ling politely replied, taking two steps back with his hands behind his back, seemingly inspecting the pavilion's decorations while secretly glancing towards the bamboo thicket.
(T/N: Gongzi is a respectful way of addressing.)
He noticed a navy blue robe draped there and immediately felt relieved.
"About the gratitude, half a month ago, Marquis helped drive away those thugs. I haven't properly thanked you yet!" Gongzi Lin hurriedly stood up, fearing that Marquis Xuanwei would leave him like before.
This time, to be on the safe side, he sent away all his servants, not believing that Marquis Xuanwei would abandon him, a weak scholar, in such a secluded place!
"Hiss—" Gongzi Lin seemed to have stood up too quickly and accidentally touched his injured ankle. He let out a soft gasp, his brows furrowing. However, his clear eyes glanced towards the person beside him, hoping that he would come over and help him, so he could lean on him naturally.
Although it looked like he was leaning against the other person's chest earlier, in fact, the other person firmly held his arm, perhaps even turning it blue!
It was no wonder that Marquis Xuanwei was a military general with no attendants in his backyard. No wonder he was so straightforward that he didn't even notice his deliberate attempts to seduce him.
And so, this further strengthened Lin Qingyi's determination to take control of the Marquis's mansion. His grandfather was once the Duke of Anguo during the previous dynasty, living a lavish and indulgent life thanks to his noble title and the continuous tribute from his subordinates.
However, the new emperor did not recognize titles from the previous dynasty, and although there were still family members holding official positions, their lives were not as affluent as before. Lin Qingyi relied on his handsome appearance and spent quite a bit of money to inquire about Marquis Xuanwei's whereabouts. Last time, he finally managed to strike up a conversation with him, but to his dismay, the other person didn't pay much attention to him and left quickly.
This time, everything seemed to be going so smoothly that Lin Qingyi couldn't believe his good fortune and naturally wanted to keep pushing forward.
Unfortunately, this time, Wei Ling only pretended to make a move; his hand came close but didn't touch him. If Lin Qingyi hadn't acted quickly and held onto the table, he might have fallen to the ground.
Lin Qingyi raised his eyes in bewilderment, and his pupils quickly filled with grievance. "Marquis, why did you…?"
"Apologies, I was a bit slow," Wei Ling's gaze was sincere, though he didn't really mean it. To others, it seemed genuine, and he kindly reminded, "Gongzi Lin, you should sit down to avoid twisting your foot again. Such an injury can be serious if it affects the tendons and bones."
Lin Qingyi felt relieved, "Yes, thank you for your concern, Marquis."
With Wei Ling acting this way, he felt that he still had a good chance with him!
Wei Ling noticed that nothing had happened yet and tried to find something to talk about. "Cough, Gongzi Lin seems to have a refined taste, enjoying tea and playing the zither alone in this bamboo grove. However, why don't you have any attendants around? Although Xichun Garden is part of the imperial estate, if you encounter any ill-intentioned people…"
He changed the topic, "Gongzi Lin, you had a mishap last time, why would you venture alone again this time?"
Lin Qingyi hesitated for a moment and then replied a bit awkwardly, "I felt a bit cold just now, so I sent the servant to fetch a cloak."
After speaking, he looked up expectantly at Wei Ling, hoping that he would take off his outer robe and put it on him.
However, Wei Ling seemed oblivious and unromantic, not even glancing in his direction. It was as if he was making eyes at a blind man.
Lin Qingyi had to change his approach, "The water in the copper stove is still hot. Shall I make some tea for you, Marquis?"
"Mm," Wei Ling absentmindedly sat down.
In his plan, Yulou would see him being pestered by someone else and come over to take him away. Yet, he had troubled the little crown prince, and there was no response from Yulou at all…
Wei Ling was very disappointed, and so he didn't notice that Lin Qingyi had secretly put something in the tea.
However, the little crown prince, who was peeping from beneath the bamboo thicket, noticed it. He widened his eyes in confusion and said, "What did he put in the tea? Is he trying to drug Big Uncle?"
He was about to come out to stop it; after all, his Big Uncle's plan was only to bring his future little aunt here and didn't involve any further developments.
Indeed, the young crown prince was clever beyond his years; he even knew how to use drugs…
Tan Yulou's thoughts flickered, and he suddenly raised his hand to stop the little crown prince, saying, "Your Highness, you misunderstood. Gongzi Lin just added some sugar to the tea. It's a custom in the capital that you might not be familiar with."
"Is that so?" The little crown prince was skeptical.
Tan Yulou's face flushed a bit, "It's true, I saw it clearly. It was indeed sugar."
He knew that Gongzi Lin wouldn't dare to harm Wei Ling. Considering his previous behavior and words, it was most likely a type of drug…
"But… but General Tan, don't you want to go out and stop them?" The little crown prince asked hesitantly.
"Why should I stop them?" Tan Yulou's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively asked.
The little crown prince recalled his big uncle's instructions, hesitated for a moment, and then stammered, "Because… because I feel like he always sticks to Big Uncle and acts like he has no backbone. I don't like him. General Tan, don't you feel the same?"
In his anxiety, he forgot to refer to himself as "this prince."
Tan Yulou felt a little nervous but quickly came up with an idea to placate the little crown prince. He rubbed his nose somewhat uneasily and said, "Since Your Highness doesn't like him, how about we split up and draw them away? We can go to that courtyard filled with parasol trees on our way here. Does Your Highness remember it?"
"I remember."
"Your Highness, you go there and wait, and I will bring the Marquis there shortly."
After a moment of apparent contemplation, the little crown prince shrugged. "Fine."
This way, he had completed the task his big uncle entrusted to him.
The little crown prince walked out of the bamboo grove with his short legs. As soon as he turned a corner, a familiar figure caught him.
The little crown prince was startled, "Mother?"
How could his motger be here!
Yong Ge's smile was ambiguous, "Do you think you can hide your little tricks with your big uncle from me and your father?"
As he spoke, he pinched the little guy's arm, "Come with me."
"Uhm… no, my big uncle asked me to wait for him here…"
"I'll have someone pass along a message for you." The following scene was not suitable for the little crown prince to watch.
After Yong Ge finished speaking, he nodded to Lin Qingyi's servant, instructing him to act accordingly. Ever since his eldest cousin saved Lin Qingyi half a month ago and then secretly investigated him, Cheng Ge received the information.
They planned accordingly and had someone placed by Lin Qingyi's side. As expected, his eldest cousin was too upright and only used such trivial means to provoke people. At this rate, it would take forever for him to marry.
Tan Yulou used the excuse of the little crown prince's disappearance to call Wei Ling away. As soon as Wei Ling heard the news, he became anxious, stood up abruptly, and asked, "What? How did Lin'er disappear?"
As the words fell, he felt a surge of heat throughout his body, his mind in a daze, subconsciously touching his forehead.
Tan Yulou grabbed him and said urgently, "Let's talk while we walk!"
Wei Ling trusted him and followed Tan Yulou, descending the steps quickly.
Lin Qingyi was dumbfounded but ignored his pretended sprained ankle, forcefully stood up, and rushed after them, calling out, "Marquis—"
How could this happen? Even a cooked duck can fly!
But as Lin Qingyi ran just a few steps, he was stopped by a servant who appeared out of nowhere. "Young Master, where are you going?"
Lin Qingyi was anxious and quickly signaled to the servant with his eyes, "The Crown Prince is missing. Let's hurry and help search for him!"
Although he was inspired by the servant's idea to add the drug, he couldn't possibly reveal the entire plan to a servant. The servant only knew his intention was to target Marquis Wei. By saying this now, he was indirectly hinting that they should approach the two of them together and separate them.
However, the servant "misunderstood." He deliberately stalled Lin Qingyi and said loudly, "Ah, what do you mean the Crown Prince is missing? He's not missing! I just came from the back path and clearly saw the Empress take the Crown Prince away."
The servant's words didn't stop the two individuals who were walking quickly ahead. The drug's effect had already taken hold of Wei Ling. He was burning with a high fever, and his gaze turned blankly as he turned to the supporting Tan Yulou, asking, "Why did he say Lin'er is not missing?"
Tan Yulou, feeling at a loss, said, "Maybe… maybe I made a mistake."
Hearing about the Empress's arrival and taking the Crown Prince away, he didn't know if he should continue with the rest of the plan…
Just when he was hesitating, Wei Ling leaned over, his scorching breath hitting Tan Yulou's neck. "It's okay, you just made a mistake… if Lin'er is not missing, that's good… Yulou, I'm glad."
Whatever the reason, Yulou intervened and took him away.
Tan Yulou's heart skipped a beat, then throbbed intensely. His neck, where Wei Ling's breath had brushed, turned red. The tingling sensation seemed contagious, quickly spreading throughout his entire body.
Tan Yulou gritted his teeth: It doesn't matter anymore. Wei Ling has come over here, and he even deceived the little crown prince for this. He couldn't let this opportunity go to waste!
In reality, Wei Ling wasn't lost due to the drug's effect. He knew clearly who brought him into the room and could even smell the familiar scent of pine when the person awkwardly leaned in to kiss him.
That person rummaged around in his mouth for a while, making him feel a surge of heat. Just as he was about to respond, the person suddenly retreated, trembling hands moving to undo Wei Ling's belt.
Wei Ling felt both distressed and amused, reaching out to stop him, his voice hoarse, "I can do it myself…"
The person seemed frightened and quickly rolled away from him, standing cautiously by the bed, "Marquis? Wei… Wei Ling?"
Does he even know who I am?
Wei Ling ignored him, busy struggling with his own belt. The room was dimly lit, and he could only see it was still daytime from the tightly closed windows. But Wei Ling didn't care about that now; he felt like he was about to explode. Seeing the figure standing in the dark motionless, he abandoned his belt and hugged the person's waist, turning him around and pressing him down, "What are you standing there for? Do you want to run? It's too late…"
"…" He never wanted to run.
Tan Yulou's heart pounded like a drum, but he didn't dare to utter a sound.
The guy with the medicine couldn't endure it any longer and let out a muffled groan. He rubbed against Tan Yulou, muttering, "Yulou…"
Tan Yulou closed his eyes…
Meanwhile, Cheng Duo, still in the palace, received the message sent back by the hidden guards and suddenly smiled. He turned to the two people in front of him and said, "Today, there's a flower-viewing event at Xichun Garden. Duke Guo and General Tan, why don't you accompany me to take a look?"
As the current Duke Guo, Wei Zhenyuan had no idea what riddle Cheng Duo was playing, but he thought that the flower-viewing event was hosted in the name of Prince Yong, and his nephew and great-nephew must have already gone there. Moreover, his eldest nephew's major life event hadn't been resolved yet, so, as the uncle, he naturally had to show concern…
General Tan had the same thoughts, and he even flattered Cheng Duo with a big smile, saying, "Empress, this flower-viewing event is truly a great help for me. As you know, I only have one son, Yulou, who's not young anymore. If everything goes well this time, I will definitely have to ask His Majesty for the imperial decree to marry."
Cheng Duo nodded with a smile. The imperial decree for the marriage was certainly going to be granted, but he wondered if General Tan would be happy when the time comes…
The imperial carriage arrived at Xichun Garden in the afternoon. Prince Yong and his entourage came out to welcome them, and Cheng Duo gently grabbed Yong Ge's hand, showing concern, "You've been busy all morning. Are you tired?"
Yong Ge chuckled, "I just gave orders and let others handle everything. How could I be tired?"
While saying this, he allowed Cheng Duo to secretly massage his waist under the cover of his clothes, and he quite enjoyed it, squinting his eyes slightly.
"Where's our little crown prince?" Cheng Duo asked again.
"Having played enough, he's still asleep," Yong replied. Thinking of the other two people, he felt a bit uncertain and exchanged a glance with Cheng Duo, seeking answers in his eyes.
Cheng Duo pinched his little finger, looking like he was wrapped around Prince Yong, and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, everything is fine."
The Emperor and the Empress were whispering to each other intimately as soon as they arrived, and everyone didn't dare to look at them. Only Wei Zhenyuan, who was being ignored, felt sour. His son didn't even spare him a glance!
Prince Yong seemed to have just remembered him and awkwardly called out, "Father…"
"Hmm." Wei Zhenyuan finally softened his expression and nodded.
Although Prince Yong had the title of Empress, as soon as he entered the imperial family, he should prioritize the Emperor over others. However, Wei Zhenyuan had joined the family halfway through and still felt like he hadn't heard enough. Since Cheng Duo didn't remind him either, he decided to play dumb.
As Prince Yong was standing a little away from the crowd, only Cheng Duo and General Tan, who was following behind him, heard him call Wei Zhenyuan "father."
General Tan instinctively glanced at the Emperor and saw him with a stern face and expressionless. His heart skipped a beat. He felt that Wei Zhenyuan's attitude was not good. Although the Wei family's military played a significant role in building the empire, Prince Yong was the Empress of the Wei family. Everyone knew that loyalty might not necessarily be rewarded. Moreover, the Emperor had already promoted and incorporated many of the Wei family's generals into the Cheng family's ranks. They were probably no longer surnamed "Wei" but "Cheng" by now.
General Tan's speculation was soon confirmed because, right when Duke Guo wanted to ask the Empress something, the Emperor pulled him away. Afterward, inside Xichun Garden, palace attendants arranged for famous talents of the capital to perform in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This was an atmosphere that hinted at selecting candidates for the imperial harem.
Prince Yong sat beside Cheng Duo and looked down the first row, seeing his father's upset expression. He wanted to laugh. To prevent his father from inquiring about his eldest cousin's whereabouts, he and Cheng Duo had put in a lot of effort…
However, the performance of talents might be a camouflage, but there were still ambitious girls and boys in the crowd who tried to gain the favor of the higher-ups.
After tasting it, Prince Yong turned to Cheng Duo unhappily but found that Cheng Duo wasn't even looking at those people. He simply placed several snacks that he liked in front of him and even fed him with one of the fruits using a fork… It was no different from when they were alone in the palace.
Prince Yong felt a bit embarrassed in front of everyone and reached out to take the snack, but Cheng Duo stopped him, "No, you might get your hands dirty."
Prince Yong: "…"
Alright, showing off affection in public could indeed deter those fluttering butterflies…
On the other side, Madam Tan looked around but couldn't find Tan Yulou. The servant she had sent to find him also said they didn't see him. She felt that something had happened and wanted to inform General Tan but was hesitant due to the inappropriate occasion.
It wasn't until the end of the banquet, as people started to leave, that she finally found her husband. Anxiously, she said, "Yulou is missing!"
General Tan seemed a little impatient with her appearance and scolded her, "What are you panicking for? Yulou is a grown man. Can he get lost?"
While he was talking, a palace attendant came to invite General Tan, saying that the Emperor wanted to discuss matters with him.
General Tan didn't suspect anything and readily agreed. Then he turned to dismiss his wife, "You go back first."
To avoid embarrassing him in public!
"But Yulou…" Madam Tan hesitated to speak.
With a palace attendant standing by, General Tan couldn't act too harshly. He could only perfunctorily say, "I'll find him and bring him back when I see him, okay?"
Madam Tan walked away feeling uneasy.
Meanwhile, at the Wutong Courtyard, Tan Yulou had already awakened. He didn't dare to wake up Wei Ling and endured the discomfort in his body while quietly putting on his clothes and grabbing his shoes, intending to leave.
However, when he tried to open the door latch and pulled it, the door didn't budge. He thought he didn't use enough force, so he tried again, and the door creaked open but immediately bounced back into place, making a loud noise.
Tan Yulou was startled. Had the door been locked from the outside? Who did that? When they entered, there was no one around. Could it be that someone had noticed them inside and intentionally locked the door to trap them?
"Um… Yulou, are you leaving? Why didn't you wake me up?" Wei Ling, disturbed by the noise, sat up from the bed, holding his forehead and sounding a little confused.
"…" Tan Yulou couldn't care about anything else and quickly walked back to the bedside, picking up the clothes from the floor and trying to put them on Wei Ling, "Quick, put on your clothes. The door has been locked from the outside, and someone might break in at any time!"
"What? The door is locked?" Wei Ling was momentarily bewildered, feeling a bit embarrassed as Tan Yulou pulled back the blanket. But soon, he understood the seriousness of the situation from Tan Yulou's urgent tone and hurriedly cooperated, putting on his clothes.
Seeing Tan Yulou helping him put on the inner robe and reaching for the pants, Wei Ling stopped him, "I'll do this myself!"
Although they had done everything together, letting Yulou help him put on pants so quickly was still hard for him to accept.
Tan Yulou was almost desperate, "Hurry up, stop talking nonsense, lift your leg!"
Wei Ling: "…"
Wei Ling adjusted the hem of his inner robe, feeling embarrassed, but when footsteps came from the courtyard outside, the high-pitched voice of a child was especially clear, "Mother, why are you covering my eyes? I can't see anything!"
The two of them glanced at each other and paid no attention to anything else, hurriedly putting on their pants. Just as Wei Ling finished putting on his pants, the palace guards had already broken open the door.
The guard who broke in didn't dare to look too much, lowered his head, and retreated. Leaving behind the disheveled couple on the bed and several people led by Cheng Duo standing at the doorway, staring at each other.
General Tan was in shock, "Yulou! You, you…"
Tan Yulou felt chills all over his body, looking lifeless. With his current status, he had countless excuses to make up, but he couldn't utter a word in panic!
Wei Ling was more composed. He held Tan Yulou's hand and said calmly, "Yulou, it's okay, leave it to me…"
But before he could finish, Cheng Duo interrupted, "General Tan, there's no need to be too angry. Marquis Wei and Young General Tan Yulou were accidentally drugged, which led to this fortunate event. Since it has already happened, why not grant them a marriage? Let them live together privately as a couple."
"But, Your, Your Majesty, they are both men!" General Tan was dumbfounded and, after speaking, secretly looked at Duke Guo, who stood beside him in silence, hoping he would say something.
Duke Guo remain silent because he didn't know what to say. In fact, when he saw the palace guard breaking open the door and revealing the "caught in the act" scene inside, he was already exasperated!
However, he always maintained his composure, presenting his usual deep and serene expression without showing any signs of surprise.
General Tan noticed his expression and felt a sinking feeling in his heart. He had sympathized with Duke Guo before, thinking that offending the Emperor would lead to trouble sooner or later.
But he never expected that the trouble would not only befall the Wei family but also implicate their Tan family!
This situation was undoubtedly a deliberate arrangement by the Emperor. Just think about it, Yulou was the only son of their Tan family, and Wei Ling was the only heir of the Wei family! By forcing the two of them to get married, the Emperor wanted to make sure they had no offspring!
General Tan's face turned ugly, and Cheng Duo asked Wei Ling, "What does Marquis Wei think about this?"
Wei Ling glanced at Cheng Duo and then at the little nephew in his arms, who blinked at him. How could he not understand what was going on?
He quickly responded, pretending to hesitate, "I… I'm willing."
"Duke Guo?"
Duke Guo remained expressionless, "As long as Wei Ling is willing, that's fine. As an uncle, I shouldn't interfere too much."
Cheng Duo asked Tan Yulou, "And Young General Tan Yulou, what do you think?"
Tan Yulou didn't dare to voice any objections, looking at his father's disoriented expression. He quickly responded, pretending to be hesitant, "I… I'm willing."
"General Tan, it seems everyone is in agreement. So, you and your son won't object either, right?"
General Tan didn't dare to object and could only close his eyes and pretend not to see his son's pitiful look. He replied, "I… I have no objections!"
"Then it's settled. Marquis Wei and Young General Tan Yulou will stay at the Xichun Garden for a few more days, and when the time is right, they can officially marry before returning."
General Tan: "…"
The Emperor was clearly preventing him from letting Yulou escape!
Feeling dejected, General Tan returned home alone. As soon as he entered, he ran into Madam Tan, who had been waiting for a long time. She hadn't seen her son and asked anxiously, "Husband, where's Yulou?"
General Tan covered his face with pain and said, "The Emperor has granted him marriage to Marquis Wei!"
Madam Tan turned pale and said, "Husband, do you already know? Yulou, he…"
"Duke Guo has already acknowledged it. What can I do?" General Tan suddenly looked up and warned, "This matter is known to you and me. Don't let anyone else find out, or our Tan family will be in great trouble!"
"But why? Yulou…"
"Let's just endure it for a while. When the situation calms down, I'll secretly arrange for a woman to give birth to a child for him. Then we can say the child was adopted from our family."
Madam Tan was completely bewildered at first, but as General Tan explained, she gradually realized that her husband didn't know that Yulou was a ger!
Indeed, she had disguised it so well. When Yulou was born, her husband was away fighting, so she pretended that the child had contracted chickenpox and removed his birthmark when he was just born. The child was young, and the wound healed quickly, leaving no scar behind.
Since her husband didn't know, the Emperor must also be unaware. But for the sake of dealing with the Wei family, Yulou was now also implicated!
What could she do? Tell her husband that Yulou was a ger? Not only would the Emperor be furious, but her husband would probably go mad as well. He might even divorce her…
Madam Tan couldn't say anything. When she saw her son later, she could only repeatedly warn him not to reveal his true identity. As for Marquis Wei, they had to avoid him if possible.
Yulou thought, "It's too late; Wei Ling already knew!"
The Emperor and the Empress were also aware; they had helped him when he was injured. The play at the Xichun Garden must have been arranged by them. It was strange that they didn't know!
But it was for the best. He concealed his identity as a ger, allowing him to continue going to court. With his parents both harboring ulterior motives, they couldn't oppose him, and his father couldn't blame his mother…
With this in mind, Yulou felt even more grateful to Cheng Duo and Yong Ge.
Wei Ling and Tan Yulou received the imperial decree for marriage and had a low-key wedding. Although they couldn't make a big fuss about it, both of them were very content.
Aside from Madam Tan, who was nervous, and General Tan, who was forcing a smile, the others were actually quite happy about the wedding.
In the second year of their marriage, Tan Yulou became pregnant. General Tan didn't forget his plan and took advantage of Wei Ling's absence from the capital to secretly call him to a private residence, saying, "Yulou, your father has prepared a surprise for you."
As Yulou got off the carriage, his father's "surprise" seemed nothing compared to his, as his face changed abruptly. "Yulou, your belly…"
Why was it so big!
Having understood the truth, an annoyed General Tan brought Yulou to the palace and complained to Cheng Duo, "Emperor, were you all aware of this and kept it from me?"
Cheng Duo was playing chess with Yong Ge, who touched his nose and said, "According to Doctor Hu, my sister-in-law is pregnant with twins. How about General Tan and the Wei family discuss it and let the younger one take the Tan surname?"
General Tan: Can we even do that?
Upon careful consideration, the Tan family actually gained an advantage! Yulou's younger son would be both the Crown Prince's cousin and the future Marquis Wei's own brother. With such a child inheriting the Tan family, as long as he wasn't foolish, he wouldn't oppose it.
General Tan finally realized that it had been three years since the Emperor ascended the throne, and the Empress Wei was still residing in his Zhanqian Hall. Not to mention selecting concubines, the Emperor wouldn't even spare a glance at maids and court ladies!
Last year, when some ministers suggested selecting concubines, they were immediately rebuked by the imperial censors, accusing them of seizing others' ancestral homes and causing villagers' deaths. Behind this, there must have been the Marquis's involvement, and perhaps even the Emperor's interference.
His previous speculation about the fall of the Wei family was just wishful thinking. The Emperor and Marquis Wei were protecting them, securing the Empress Wei's position. Besides the Crown Prince, the Emperor didn't have any other children. When the Crown Prince grew up, the Wei family would thrive for at least several more decades!
Wei Ling was probably as stubborn as the Emperor… With this in mind, General Tan had no complaints about his wife giving birth to a ger.
After all, he was getting old and couldn't have any more children, so he might as well start nurturing his grandson!
After the two left, Cheng Duo looked at Yong Ge and said, "It seems like the identity of Young General Tan might have been exposed. Now is the right time; we can gradually promote women and gers to leave the inner palace and even serve as officials…"
Yong Ge smiled slyly, "The academies I founded already have several girls and gers as principals. Sooner or later, they will cultivate enough scholars eligible for the imperial examination."
"Are you that confident?"
"Of course! Just look at who's guiding me from behind!" Yong Ge chuckled and leaned on Cheng Duo's shoulder, whispering, "Cheng Duo, we will make this country better and better."
Cheng Duo pretended to sigh, "Yes, we can't leave a mess for our Lin'er… He's not as talented as I am."
"Cheng Duo, Lin'er is behind you."
"…"
"He heard you criticizing him."
"…"