Rebirth, guarding the mute at the tip of my heart

The people in the palace were ordered to come and escort Yao Jingtong and Nan Yuanbai back. Xie Ze picked up the drunk and dazed man, glanced at Jiang Liangcai who was still standing there motionless, and almost had the words "expel" written on his face.

Jiang Liangcai was startled, and quickly stood up and said seriously: "It's getting late, Your Highness, please take care of my brother. I'm still sober, and I'll go back now."

As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for Xie Ze to say any more nonsense, Jiang Liangcai jumped up swiftly and followed the other two out of the house.

Xie Ze: "..." In terms of knowledge and interest, few people can compare to Ashin's younger brother...

*

After coming out for a while in the fresh air, the drunken feeling I had felt at first soon dissipated.

Jiang Liangcai didn't ask anyone to follow him, and he walked back to the Jiang Mansion alone.

Just as I was about to enter the door, I heard a strange voice behind me: "Mr. Jiang, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Jiang Liangcai was stunned when he heard this, turned around and looked at the person who came, frowned and said warily: "You are..."

The man was thin, wearing a bamboo hat and lowering his head so that his features could not be seen clearly. He deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Our master wants to see you. Please move, Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Liangcai: “…”?

Jiang Liangcai is a bastard's son in the family. He has had no status since he was a child. He thinks that his knowledge, character and status are all mediocre. Moreover, now that the Jiang family has collapsed, he really can't think of who would come to him specifically.

Moreover, this person is very secretive and hesitant in speaking. It's obvious that he is very suspicious even with your toes.

However, before he could refuse, several strong men suddenly came out from behind this strange guy and surrounded him.

"..." It was already late at night, and there were not many people around. The servants in the house had been sent away long ago. Jiang Liangcai was frightened when he saw the situation. He was about to shout for help when a strong man covered his mouth and half-dragged him away.

"Mm! Mmmm!" Jiang Liangcai was dragged all the way to a remote alley and was pushed directly into an open door.

His whole body suddenly relaxed, his mouth no longer restrained, Jiang Liangcai immediately raised his head, and yelled in shock and anger: "Who are you?! How dare you commit murder and kidnapping in the street under the feet of the emperor? Are you crazy?! Do you know who my elder brother is..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Jiang Liangcai took a breath of cold air after seeing the face of the person in front of him clearly: "Two, two..."

"Your humble servant pays homage to His Majesty the Second Prince!" Jiang Liangcai knelt down with a layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

How could this be the Second Prince? Why would such a distinguished person come to me? Could it be because of the relationship between the Fourth Prince and his family?

But there was no need. His father had gone to the frontier, his younger sister had long since fallen out of favor, and he had barely even met the Fourth Prince. Whether the Second Prince wanted to win him over or to deal with him, it was all unnecessary. Or...

The Second Prince was quite satisfied with Jiang Liangcai's respectful and fearful reaction. He stood in front of him with his hands behind his back and said with a faint smile, "Have you ever met this prince?"

Jiang Liangcai thought that the other party's tone was quite kind, and thought that it should not be the worst situation. Thinking of this, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile:

"Last year, I followed my second brother to attend the Ningguo Mansion's poetry banquet and met the Second Prince from afar. I also went to the flower-viewing banquet at Wei Daxueshi's Mansion this year.

The Second Prince may not remember me, but at the Ningguo Duke Poetry Banquet, the Second Prince's poem "Sunset" overwhelmed all the noble families present at the time, and I still remember it vividly."

As he spoke, Jiang Liangcai couldn't help but blush, scratched his head and said awkwardly: "To be honest with you, Second Prince, I failed the college entrance examination many times, and it was because of poetry. The Second Prince's literary talent is outstanding, which really makes me admire him."

"Hahahaha!" The Second Prince was delighted when he heard this. He found Jiang Liangcai more and more pleasing to his eyes. He nodded and encouraged him in the tone of an experienced person:

"Although poetry requires talent, the questions in the college exam are not that difficult. Hard work can make up for lack of talent. I believe that as long as you practice more, you will be able to achieve your wish in the future."

Jiang Liangcai was immediately flattered, and kowtowed again, saying gratefully: "Thank you for your encouragement, Your Highness. I will not let Your Highness down in the next college exam."

"Yes." The second prince nodded. Seeing the man's servile appearance, he did not make things difficult for him and said directly, "Okay, get up. I am not a person who is too formal."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiang Liang smiled and stood up obediently.

Fortunately, in order to curry favor with the powerful, he had collected information on the personalities and hobbies of many important figures, including that of the second prince.

Although the Second Prince's literary talent was average, he was quite fond of showing off his literary talent. As he was a prince, he did not have to take the imperial examinations, so he often attended banquets hosted by scholars in the capital, and every time he would leave his masterpieces for people to appreciate.

Also, because he is a prince, except for those who are particularly inconsiderate, no one would dare to criticize the second prince's poems in public.

Therefore, over the years, the second prince has always had a mysterious confidence in his literary talent, and he also loves to hear others praise his outstanding poetry.

I have to say that Jiang Liangcai's ability to flatter is quite good.

"...Ahem, Your Highness." Yuan Jiangze, who had been standing in the corner without saying anything, couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but remind him.

The Second Prince was interrupted by Yuan Jiangze and was a little unhappy, but he still restrained himself a little, put on a gentle and polite attitude, and said to Jiang Liangcai: "I have heard that the brothers of the Jiang family are outstanding in ability and have a great reputation. I wonder if the Third Young Master Jiang is willing to follow me and work for me?"

Jiang Liangcai was stunned, and looked at the Second Prince in surprise. He even asked uncertainly, "Your Highness, do you want to recruit me, a commoner?"

The second prince smiled slightly: "That's right."

Jiang Liangcai: “…”

Among the three brothers of the Jiang family, except for his eldest brother who has some abilities and developed colored glaze and now has improved weapons, he and his second brother can't be said to have outstanding abilities, right?

His second brother is indeed quite famous now, but even he himself probably doesn't want this fame.

As for him, he didn't get a chance to be selected by either the good or bad candidates, and he couldn't even pass the college entrance examination, so how could he talk about his outstanding abilities?

I have to say, the Second Prince's ability to lie with open eyes is almost as good as his.

Jiang Liang only then realized his own worth. Although he didn't know what misunderstanding the other party had, he still said tactfully: "I am a commoner with little knowledge. How can I be favored by His Highness..."

"Hey!" The second prince waved his hand and said meaningfully, "Young Master Jiang, please do not underestimate yourself. I believe that with Young Master Jiang's ability, you will be like your eldest brother, and sooner or later you will have a day...to stand out from the crowd."

Jiang Liangcai lowered his head slightly and said nothing. He was not like the other person, who would be at a loss after being praised a few times. Being used to being cautious, it was inevitable that he would overthink and worry.

The Second Prince has been mentioning the eldest brother and his brothers. He should know that the eldest brother improved the weapons of the weapons battalion and was commended by His Majesty.

But this is the eldest brother's ability. The Second Prince doesn't think that his eldest brother can make colored glaze and improve weapons, so he can do the same, right?

Or does the Second Prince just want to win him over to get closer to the eldest brother and win him over?

Seeing that Jiang Liangcai didn't say anything, the Second Prince didn't force him too much. Instead, he smiled and said:

“I believe that Master Jiang does not want to be an unknown person for the rest of his life, but the imperial examination is not that easy. After the academy examination, there is the provincial examination, and after the provincial examination, there is the metropolitan examination. It is not easy to stand on the throne.

If the Third Young Master trusts me, I will not treat him unfairly."

Jiang Liangcai's heart moved, and he realized that the road to heaven that he had been looking forward to for a long time might have been placed in front of him.

As long as he agrees to the Second Prince, when the Second Prince ascends the throne to become emperor in the future, he will be considered as a successor.

Moreover, the Second Prince is the Emperor's legitimate son, and the power behind him is no less than that of the Fourth Prince, so the possibility of him ascending to the throne can be said to be extremely high.

That is, if he wanted to use me to win over the big brother...

"Your Highness, can you give me a few days to think about it?" Jiang Liangcai finally did not let himself be completely carried away, and said carefully: "Today... it was a little sudden, and I also drank some wine, so my mind is a little unclear."

As he said this, as if he was afraid that the Second Prince would not believe him, Jiang Liangcai opened his mouth and exhaled.

"..." The second prince fanned his fan in disdain and said unhappily, "In that case, I will give you three days. After three days, I will come again. By then, I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer."

After saying that, he frowned, waved his hand, and had someone send him out again.

"Your Highness, you shouldn't let him go back like this." Seeing the man leave like this, Yuan Jiangze couldn't help but frown and preach.

"He reeks of alcohol and even breathed at me!" The Second Prince was already somewhat dissatisfied with Yuan Jiangze, and now he was too lazy to give him face. He said coldly: "He is just a drunkard. Even if he agrees to us today, he will say he is drunk and forgets it tomorrow. Isn't it a waste of effort?"

Yuan Jiang choked. Seeing that the Second Prince was angry, he quickly softened his tone and said awkwardly, "Your Highness is right. It was I who was impatient."

"Humph."

……

Finally being released, Jiang Liangcai didn't dare to stay any longer. He trotted back home and only breathed a sigh of relief after locking the door.

"Liangcai, what's wrong?" Jiang Liangcai's mother Mei Niang walked over with a candle. When she saw her son's appearance, she asked worriedly.

"No, it's okay, I just left in a hurry." Jiang Liangcai turned around and helped his mother into the house. He calmed his breath a little and then said, "Mom, why haven't you rested yet so late?"

"How can I sleep if you don't come back?" Mei Niang shook her head helplessly, and then asked with concern: "You went to visit your eldest brother, is he okay?"

"Well, His Majesty was not angry, and he even rewarded him with a big house. I came back a little late today just to celebrate my elder brother's housewarming." Jiang Liangcai helped Mei Niang sit down and simply told his mother what happened today.

Mei Niang was surprised for a moment, then she stood up and went to find her dressing box. She took out two sachets from it and gave them to Jiang Liangcai. She couldn't help but remind him, "This is a sachet I made by myself. It is embroidered with the Five Auspicious Symbols of Heaven, which means to drive away evil and avoid disasters. One is for you, and the other...

Go back some other day and give it to your elder brother, and tell him it’s a token of my love to congratulate him on his new home.”

In the Dali Dynasty, when the younger generation moved into a new house, the elders had to give something as a token of their appreciation to the younger generation, but the master was now... Mei Niang didn't dare to shamelessly call herself an elder. She was just grateful to Jiang Xin for indirectly helping them and their son, so she always wanted to give something back.

"Also, you have to make up for it with a gift. This is your intention as a younger brother. Your elder brother has helped us so much, and we must never forget his kindness."

Jiang Liangcai looked at the purse in his hand, then looked at his mother, who was less than 40 years old but already had white hair. He then curved his eyes and said with a smile, "Don't worry, mother. I know."

What was he thinking? Wasn't he trying so hard to climb up the ladder just to give his mother a good life?

Now that he had finally achieved his goal, why would he get involved in the dispute over the throne? Even if he failed to pass the imperial examination and become an official, he had a house and two shops, so why would he be afraid of starving to death?

The second prince is not so easy to surrender to, and it is obvious that the other party has ulterior motives. His target is the eldest brother, and he is just a by-product.

Although he didn't know what the Second Prince was going to do, he still found a time to remind his elder brother and the virtuous king...

*

Jiang Xin and Xie Ze, who were being missed by Jiang Liangcai, had not gone to bed yet.

Perhaps because of the alcohol, Jiang Xin was even drunker than before. He didn't want to sleep and was dazed and having a bad temper.

Although he has a bad temper, he really does have one. He doesn't yell or make any moves, but he doesn't cooperate when Xie Ze presses him down to sleep.

Xie Ze undressed Jiang Xin and just as he pushed him onto the bed, Jiang Xin sat up straight and just stared at Xie Ze in a daze.

Xie Ze pushed him down again, and he sat up skillfully again and looked at his highness.

Xie Ze had no choice but to coax him in a low voice: "Ah Xin, don't you want to sleep?"

"Yeah." Jiang Xin nodded, still looking at his highness.

"Still want to drink?" Xie Ze had already planned to ask the kitchen to cook some sweet soup and pretend it was alcohol to appease people.

However, Jiang Xin shook his head this time and refused directly: "No, I won't drink anymore, Your Highness, I'm not allowed to drink too much."

Xie Ze breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling a little soft-hearted. His Ah Xin was so obedient and restrained even when he was drunk.

Xie Ze rubbed Jiang Xin's hair and said gently, "What does Ashin want?"

As soon as he finished speaking, before Xie Ze could even react, he saw Ah Xin, who had been staring at him obediently, suddenly grab his collar, lean forward slightly, and kiss his lips.

Xie Ze: “…”

After touching His Highness, Jiang Xin quickly stepped back, licked his lips, looked at Xie Ze innocently, and said obediently: "I want to kiss Your Highness."