The Song estate’s front doors have been tightly closed since madam Song went insane.
Just how exactly madam Song went crazy, Song Guogong understood clearly in his heart. He’s always been a timid and cautious person. It’s only with the help of haughty and pompous madam Song jumping beside him that his position rose into prestige. Now that madam Song had been tossed out by the empress, he knew that he no longer had support from the Crown Prince.
At the moment his thoughts were in complete disarray. Song Ge was still recuperating this entire time. Upon hearing news of Song Song’s pregnancy, Song Guogong suddenly realized something and hurriedly walked towards Song Ge’s courtyard. When he saw the other’s figure sitting in a wooden wheelchair, he paused for a moment before stepping forward to ask: “Ge-er, did you hear this thing about Song-er? He’s pregnant!”
Song Ge’s eyelashes lifted up, his eyes tainted with a gloomy color: “How did they explain it?”
“They said they were bestowed with a miracle after praying at the Holy temple… this clearly was fabricated! Ge-er, this thing, should we tell the empress….”
“What do you want to say?” Song Ge said: “Do you want to let everyone know that we forcibly changed his body’s constitution in order to gain favor and climb the social ladder?”
“But the empress started betting against imperial tutor Zhao. If she knew afterwards what we did… “
“To give Song Song to Li Xiao was originally mother’s idea, because she hated Song Song. As for how he’s able to become pregnant… How are we supposed to know?” Song Ge reached out his fingers and caught a falling plum blossom. He said dully: “She doesn’t even want mother anymore. Why would she still care about us in the future?”
“Then we should just stand by and watch as she loses all her fortune?”
Song Ge laughed lightly: “The stage is all set, we just have to watch the play.”
He just finished when madam Song’s happy voice popped up behind him: “Play? I want to hear a play! Where’s the play at?”
Song Guogong took a look at her messy long hair and dirt covered face and furrowed his brows deeply.
Because the prime minister’s estate also got involved, in just one night, everyone in the capital knew about the ‘miracle.’
Also because of this, the King’s estate suddenly became much more lively. The number of people who came brazenly, and secretly, to scout out information were countless. Some of them were terrified of Li Xiao, so they only sent people to loiter around outside the estate, waiting for a chance to question the servants entering and exiting. However, all of the servants voiced that they firmly believed this rumor to be true, without a doubt. They even praised Song Song to the ends of heaven and earth, making people feel even more uncertain about the truth of this matter.
At the same time, the empress also received news. It was suddenly discovered that Li Xiao had a woman outside and she was secretly brought back into the estate just recently. With this news, she was even more certain that her guess was correct. A day later, the prime minister’s estate increased their bet to a total of 5 thousand gold ingots.
Zhao Yin walked into the king’s estate with a frown, his expression urgent. Upon running into Li Xiao, he immediately reached out and grabbed him: “The empress’s side raised the stakes again. Xiao-er, give your uncle a sign here ah. If we keep going like this, we’ll lose all our life savings!”
“This kind of thing, why would I trick uncle?”
“It’s not that I think you’re lying to me. It’s only… it’s only that the imperial tutor’s estate has no money again!” Zhao Yin was very confident in this nephew of his. He knew that when Li Xiao was clear-headed, he acted very responsibly. But with the empress continually increasing the bet, the imperial tutor’s estate was really hard pressed financially. Li Xiao heard and said: “No problem. Song-er has money. Later someone will deliver it to you.”
Zhao Yin sighed and said: “Then.. if you guys get news, let me know as soon as possible.”
“I will remember.”
Zhao Yin left out the door with a frown and got on his horse looking miserable.
When this news reached the empress’s ears, she instantly burst into laughter: “Since they want to put on an act, then they should at least act well.”
“There’s news from the imperial tutor’s estate saying they didn’t have much left in the house.”
“Go check how much money I have currently and send it all to the prime minister’s estate.” The empress finished instructing and asked: “How is the situation now?”
“At the start, commander Zhao looked full of jubilation, but in the last two days, he’s been running to the king’s estate more frequently, his expression looking worse and worse every time he left. Our people have been doing a little pushing behind the scenes. The majority of citizens on the streets no longer believe in the so-called miracle anymore.” The momo said smiling: “Many people have been switching to our side.”
“This news has been out for a few days. Are there any movements from the King’s estate?”
“Nothing new since that suspected woman of Li Xiao’s was brought into the estate from outside. It seems like wangfei hasn’t even gone out the door for several days now. Even that hot pot shop of his, which is supposed to open soon, has no movements.”
The empress laughed again: “With the situation growing this dire, wangfei is probably so worried he can’t even sleep. Where would he find the energy to care about some hot pot shop.”
At the moment, the supposedly insomniac Song Song was calmly wrapped up in warm blankets reading a book. Everything happening outside seemed completely unrelated to him. He didn’t need to go out, didn’t need to manage anything, as if he cut himself off from the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, there were people who really didn’t want to let him have his peace and quiet. Around noon, steward Qi suddenly ran in: “Wangfei, people started a fight in Fuxiang restaurant.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Xfcfgji Hlc’r 2cv rbc jcv Jbwwjcvfg Itjb’r sbecufra.”
“Hlc Tl jcv Itjb Tbe?” Ycf lr atf qglwf wlclrafg’r ugjcvrbc. Ktf batfg lr atf lwqfglji aeabg’r ugjcvrbc. Vffwfv ilxf atf ubnfgcwfca boolmljir kbeivc’a yf jyif ab tjcvif atlr bcf, atja’r kts atlr lrref kjr gfqbgafv ab tlw. Vbcu Vbcu mbeiv bcis ufa vgfrrfv, yecvif tlwrfio eq ecvfg wjcs ijsfgr. Cr tf kjixfv bea, tf jrxfv: “Qts vlv atfs rajga olutalcu?”
On the road, Song Song got familiar with the situation.
Apparently it still involved the situation at the gambling hall. When the prime minister’s bet reached 5 thousand gold pieces, the imperial tutor’s estate suddenly began to hesitate, eventually only upping the bet by 100 more gold pieces. They looked like they were starting to regret this entire thing and could be giving up any moment. With this kind of behavior, a group of people quickly followed the prime minister’s steps and continuously increased their bet on the other side.
This was when Qin Yi started ridiculing loudly and without restraint at Fuxiang restaurant, saying the Zhao family was poor to the point they’re going to have to eat wild grass outside. That the 100 gold pieces were squeezed out between the gap of their teeth. What he said was coincidentally heard by Zhao family’s young master. No child wants to hear their own family belittled. He couldn’t bear it and, without a word, flipped a table on the spot and started to beat Qin Yi up.
The two kids both learned martial arts from their fathers at a young age. They fought from upstairs to downstairs. When the government officials arrived and saw it was these two people causing trouble, they almost kneeled. The most important issue was that neither of them wanted to deal with the authorities. No matter what, they insisted on calling Song Song, the involved party, to come and clarify if this so-called miracle was true.
Song Song rode forth in his carriage when he was suddenly stopped. The carriage swung a bit. He stuck his head outside to look and discovered that the person blocking the road was actually Li Xiao: “Wangye.”
“This king will deal with this issue. You can return to the estate.”
Song Song said: “They specifically summoned me. Zhao You trusts me that much, if I don’t go, wouldn’t it make it hard for the kid?”
In the end, Zhao You was his cousin-in-law. Song Song was quite biased towards his own family.
Li Xiao said unconcerned: “Why does a little kid need to save face? They caused such a mess in Fuxiang restaurant. It’s more important to make them pay up for the repairs.”
“But… “
“Be good. I will return later.”
Song Song could only order the carriage to return home.
At this moment, the outside of Fuxiang restaurant was crowded and full of people. As soon as people heard that the two kids were going to invite Song Song over, they all got curious. This ‘miracle’ has been the hottest topic these last few days, the suspense making people’s hearts itch. They couldn’t wait to hear the main person involved say something about its credibility.
Faces full of injuries, the two 16 year olds sat in chairs on seperate sides of the room, eyes glaring daggers at each other.
Qin Yi said hatefully: “This thing clearly is fake! Your imperial tutor estate will definitely lose the bet! Otherwise, why would your family be scared to bet more?!”
Zhao You replied angrily: “My dad definitely did it on purpose. In military tactics, this is called revealing one’s belly to attract the enemy, then mounting a surprise attack!”
Qin Yi laughed nonstop: “This whole thing is extremely ridiculous from the start. Your imperial tutor estate is working together with wangfei to scam people. I already heard. Ping Wang has a woman outside who was just brought into the estate. Wangfei is just planning to use her stomach and pretend he gave birth himself!”
Zhao You’s facial color looked worse and worse. The people watching nearby began pointing and whispering: “Is this thing true or not?”
“I can’t believe I bet on the imperial tutor’s side. My friend already switched to the prime minister’s side.”
“I didn’t believe in that miracle for a moment. Man giving birth to children, who would believe such a fantastical story. What a joke.”
“What this Qin gongzi said is pretty reasonable…. If wangfei didn’t have a guilty conscience, then why hasn’t he left the estate recently?”
… …
Hearing the faint whispers in the surroundings, Zhao You squeezed his fingers tight into a fist. Qin Yi’s lips were raised and his face radiated with glee. Suddenly Zhao You hopped up and said menacingly: “Who cares if it’s real or fake, today I will still beat you to death!!”
Qin Yi instantly got into position to fight back, however, outside abruptly erupted with activity: “The mad… Ping wang is here!”
“What about wangfei?”
“Wangfei isn’t here!”
As soon as someone said this, everyone surrounding Fuxiang restaurant instantly backed away, leaving a wide spacious road to allow Li Xiao to enter the door.
Without the wangfei, the mad king was like a collarless Tibetan mastiff, who knows if he’ll suddenly attack people.
Qin Yi’s face color turned pale. Even Zhao You quickly threw away his attitude and looked towards Li Xiao somewhat nervously: “Co…cousin… “
Li Xiao examined the damaged restaurant for a moment and said: “How do you plan to fix this?”
Zhao You hastily replied: “I’ll pay!”
Qin Yi’s eyes glared so hard it’s amazing they didn’t fall out: “You dare to spit at him?!”
Zhao You shot him a fierce look. Afraid to be mistaken by Li Xiao, he replied angrily: “I said I will pay money!”
Li Xiao nodded, then looked towards Qin Yi. Qin Yi hastily said : “I, I will also pay.”
He turned and grabbed his money bag from a servant and threw it straight at the shopkeeper. Then he backed away from Li Xiao and headed towards the door, trembling. At the entrance, he still didn’t forget to leave Zhao You a parting message: “Unlike you, I can pay right now! Penniless!”
Zhao You got angry again, but Qin Yi already scurried away in an instant. Li Xiao held out his hand. Zhao You looked at him gloomily and said: “Can I send someone later to bring it to the king’s estate?”
“No need.” Li Xiao said: “Just send it to the restaurant.”
He turned to leave, then saw Zhao You didn’t follow him and said: “Come. I’ll take you back.”
“No, no need to bother cousin. I will return myself.”
Originally if Song Song came, he would have definitely asked him about the miracle thing. However, now that the person who came was Li Xiao, if he stayed by the other’s side for too long, he’ll start feeling goosebumps even on his scalp.
After Song Song returned, he sat next to the heater again flipping through his book. Actually in his previous life, he even learned a little needlework. Afterall, being locked up in one place without anyone else, if he didn’t find something to do, the time would pass extremely slowly.
But this life wasn’t the same. He had many things he could do. That kind of thing that injured the eyes, Li Xiao didn’t allow him to touch.
At the thought of Li Xiao, his heart surged with a feeling of warmth. He looked towards the door, wondering when the other man would return, and dazed off without realizing.
Outside the snow pretty much melted. But because of the spring frost and chilly wind, the weather was still very cold. He remembered that when Li Xiao left today, it looked like he dressed somewhat lightly, who knew if he was cold or not.
He remembered Li Xiao’s personal name. It was called Chang Ji. Chang Ji. A nice sounding name with an extremely good meaning. It represented the emperor’s inner wish. (Note: Chang Ji means everlasting hope.)
Song Song thought, if the emperor knew that Li Xiao planned to become the future emperor, what would he think? Would he feel that a mad man like Li Xiao might destroy his family’s dynasty? He probably will, right? No matter how much he loved Li Xiao, his family’s dynasty must be more important to him.
That’s why he chose the crown prince in the end.
Just as Song Song was drowsily about to fall asleep, he finally heard footsteps. He sat up and asked: “How did everything go?”
“Dropped off Zhao You along the way so I came back a little late.”
Out of habit, Song Song helped Li Xiao take off his cloak and grabbed a soft inner robe for him to switch into: “Did you see your uncle?”
“No, but he definitely already heard about what happened.”
Song Song took the stew off the stove and ladled out some soup to help him warm the body. Li Xiao refused to accept the bowl with his hands so Song Song could only feed him directly: “After this fight with Qin estate’s little master, your uncle can now increase the bet unrestrained. Although, no need to act too crazy, just enough is fine.”
“En…” Li Xiao nodded: “He is well aware. This culinary skill of yours is getting better and better. What kind of soup is this today?”
Song Song smiled and said: “It’s fish soup. How come you can never recognize the taste?”
“Isn’t it all because you keep switching up the flavors? If you made the same kind of soup for me everyday, I would definitely remember.”
“I have nothing to do these days, so I can only think up of different ways to serve you comfortably.”
Li Xiao’s eyes flashed. He suddenly reached out and pulled Song Song onto his lap. Song Song was startled for a moment. He held the bowl steady and said: “Good thing you drank most of this soup or else I would have spilled it everywhere.”
“If it spilled then just let the servants clean it up.” Li Xiao replied while holding him around the waist: “I haven’t drank enough. Pour some more.”
“How am I supposed to pour more with you hugging me?”
Li Xiao reached out and carried over the small pot for him, then returned his arm around his waist: “Like this.”
Song Song grudgingly poured while saying: “You should eat a fish head. It’s good for your body.”
“I only want to drink the soup.” Li Xiao replied: “Song-er should eat more.”
Song Song picked up the fish head to feed him: “Just take one bite.”
“The fish head is only that big. If I take one bite and it’ll be gone.”
“Just eat one biiite…. Chang Ji!”
He suddenly yelled Li Xiao’s other name. When he finished, he abruptly froze: “I, I wasn’t thinking… “
“Say it again.”
Song Song met his pitch black eyes, pressed his lips together, and said: “This name, the emperor gave it to you?”
“En.” Li Xiao said warmly: “But he uses it very little. Maybe because he thinks I failed to live up to its meaning.”
“How could that be? Your highness is extremely fortunate and your life in the future will get better and better. The emperor’s hope… will definitely come true.”
Li Xiao embraced him tight and said: “Say it again and I’ll eat the fish head, meat and all.”
“Chang Ji.” Song Song followed up and placed the fish head next to his mouth: “Hurry up and eat it.”
Li Xiao opened his mouth and put the fish head inside. Immediately he frowned. He was still unable to get used to the strange taste and feel in his tongue. Song Song stared at him without blinking: “Not allowed to spit it out. Swallow it all! I spent a lot of time boiling it.”
“… …” Li Xiao’s throat moved. He swallowed that thing down. Instantly Song Song smiled and said: “Here, there’s more soup.”
“I’m done drinking.”
“Then eat some meat.” Song Song reached out to pick up the meat, but the chopsticks in his hand were suddenly stolen. “Not eating this kind of meat.”
“Then what do you want…” Song Song didn’t finish, because his body was suddenly picked up. He instantly understood what kind of ‘meat’ Li Xiao wanted to eat.
Face turning red, he said hesitantly: “But Doctor Ji said…. “
“It’s okay if we do it less vigorously.” Li Xiao stopped in front of the bed, looked down and said faintly: “After living together for so long, Song-er should know that this king respects you and loves you. If Song-er doesn’t want to…. “
Song Song hugged him around the neck reflexively and declared: “I want to!”
He only knew that before when his behavior was fickle, it seemed to have made Li Xiao unhappy. He never really figured out clearly why the other became unhappy. All he knew right now was that he didn’t want to make Li Xiao unhappy again.
For some inexplicable reason, he wanted to see Li Xiao happy and pleased always, and never again with furrowed brows.
After his urgent yet serious declaration, he saw Li Xiao smiling in response. Abruptly, Song Song withdrew his line of sight and his hands.
Li Xiao bent down to place him on the bed. Song Song flipped himself over and rolled inside. He covered his mouth, faked a yawn, and said in a small small voice: “…. I’m sleeping now.”
The writer has something to say:
Next chapter the empress dowager continues to dote on Song Song’s little baby~ (send money for powdered milk)
Thank You for the chapter ٩(*ゝڡ◕๑)۶♥
Hehe it really was tactical! They’ll all be eating their words soon enough!
The baby’s going to pay for the new barracks just by existing!
+1
The empress will lose a lot of money hahaha but this peace is a bit worrying. Why is ny.song back? Is it really her or is it someone who can disguise it
Wuuuu, +1 for the worry. I also keep thinking about the mingxuan guy, if he’s gonna play a big role or if he’s just some red herring.
i can’t wait for another enormous face-slapping!!