Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

Emperor Chengtian's eyes were piercing, his face was expressionless, and he stared at Rong Youtang closely, which was extremely intimidating and oppressive.

As the cool breeze blows in early autumn, thousands of flowers, leaves, plants and trees are dancing in the imperial garden, and the fragrance is tangy and fragrant.

Rong Youtang was dripping with cold sweat, his back was shivered by the cool autumn wind, and his face was bloodless - the cryptic warning from Emperor Chengtian just now was like several invisible slaps, which made his face burn, and he gritted his teeth to bear it.

"Huh?" Emperor Chengtian raised his voice at the end, his face darkened, and asked forcefully, "Could it be that Rong Qing has other ideas?"

The power of the sky is unpredictable, the emperor holds the power of life and death, and has been with the emperor like a tiger since ancient times.

Rong Youtang shook his head knowingly, and said against his will: "Your Majesty's words are very true, and I thank you for the admonishment." After speaking, he resolutely knelt down on his knees, knowing well that the emperor was using flowers to beat himself.

Seeing the other party knelt down honestly with interest, Emperor Chengtian's face softened a little, and he asked earnestly: "Do you remember?"

"My minister will remember it in my heart." Rong Youtang stood on his knees and quietly added: But I'm sorry, my heart has long been involuntary.

Emperor Chengtian nodded, turned his face away, waved his hands, and turned away the left and right attendants. The imperial guards stepped back two or three feet lightly, surrounded by a distance.

The emperor didn't call Pingshen, Rong Youtang could only kneel all the time, his eyes watched his nose, but his nose couldn't watch his heart.At this moment, my heart is surging, I can't rest for a while, and I am nervous and alert.

Emperor Chengtian stood a few feet away, leisurely wandering, continued to admire flowers of different shapes, was silent for a while, suddenly broke into a smile, turned his head and looked down at the handsome champion man who was kneeling upright, and said regretfully: "If you were born as a woman, you don't care about your style. If my son wants to be a concubine or a side concubine, I will allow him to do what he wants. But you are a man, and you are the number one scholar I hand-picked. You are quite talented and resourceful, and worthy of cultivation. Given time, you may become a pillar of the imperial court."

Concubine?Concubine?

Rong Youtang's whole body was cold, like falling into an ice cave, but his face was hot, his self-esteem was extremely frustrated, and he was extremely humiliated.But the imperial court should not make mistakes, otherwise he might be punished on the spot, he took a slow and deep breath, and reluctantly said: "This humble minister has failed His Majesty's kindness and high hopes, and he deserves death."

"It's not worth the crime to die, so there's no need to be so afraid." Emperor Chengtian said casually.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Rong Youtang kowtowed, not daring to be rude at all, with a rigid look, like a wooden man.

Emperor Chengtian leaned over with his hands behind his back, and bent down to smell a golden chrysanthemum that was half the height of a person. The flower was as big as a bowl, and the slightly bitter fragrance was overflowing. He stretched out his hand to support the flower and watched it carefully. "You're too young, you haven't got a family yet, so let's say you're young and ignorant. King Qing is really outstanding, and he has a domineering temper. He's good at bluffing people by saying what he says." Hmph, that bad-tempered bastard!

Rong Youtang didn't understand what he meant, he was upset and unable to think calmly, so he didn't answer.

"I believe that I love talents. I hope you will take care of yourself, correct your attitude, and follow the right path. In the future, you will never experience any unhappiness that could have been avoided." pressing.

"...The minister complies with the order." Standing under the eaves, Rong Youtang felt that his head weighed a thousand catties, so he nodded a little.

Emperor Chengtian clapped his hands, satisfied with the fearful and apprehensive performance of the handsome champion, and finally said: "Let's get down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Rong Youtang got up slowly, depressed, and couldn't be brisk in a short time.

Emperor Chengtian saw that the young man was downcast, and his sadness could not be concealed. He judged that it was an expression of true feelings. He wanted to love his son deeply, and he was inexplicably angry and funny. , earnestly do your job well, and when you have a family, a wife and children, you will naturally let it go!"

No, it's impossible to let go...

Rong Youtang was so uncomfortable that he couldn't speak, he had to face up to this problem until today: If His Majesty takes action to stop him, who has the ability to resist?

"That's all, you just got into a dead end for a while." Emperor Chengtian criticized with a sneer, but to be honest, he didn't have much anger.

——When he first learned that King Qing had the habit of breaking his sleeves, the emperor was more shocked than angry, and he secretly sent people to investigate with suspicion. The army fought wars, which delayed starting a family; in addition to the bitter cold and poverty in the north, the girls on the border are generally outgoing and aggressive, so they must not be able to catch my son's eyes.People are born with seven emotions and six desires. Although Long Yang has a bad reputation, he can't completely blame the children. The objective environment is indeed worse; Both talented and talented, not just a foxy girl who clings to the powerful, she has a good vision... Sigh, forget it!The two young people were confused for a while, and after they got married, they separated.

"Your Majesty is magnanimous, and I am grateful." Rong Youtang said and wanted to kneel again.While feeling sad, he was secretly surprised by the emperor's forgiveness: His Majesty didn't mean to punish me?

"Excuse me." Emperor Chengtian stopped him in advance.

——As a matter of fact, whenever the prince or male favorite is changed, the emperor will only be enraged, and he will definitely take thunderous measures to punish him severely.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Chengtian turned around to admire the flowers, said nothing more, and waved his hands as if chasing guests away.

Rong Youtang seemed to be pardoned, and took advantage of the situation: "If Your Majesty has no other orders, I will retire first and go back to the household department to check the field files."

"Go down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After a while, Rong Youtang left, and only the emperor and his party remained in the huge imperial garden.

Li Deying always has a three-point smile on his face, he is courteous and kind, very lovable.He held a small tea tray with one hand. Although he was slightly fat, his steps were light and steady. When he was about five feet away from the emperor's side, he said, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

Emperor Chengtian stretched out his hand casually, took the small tea clock, took two sips and handed it back.He spent more time with Li Deying than any concubine in the harem, including his first wife, Empress Yang.After playing with a few flowers, he asked leisurely, "What do you think of Rong Youtang?"

"Your Excellency Rong is an official ordered by the imperial court, this old servant dare not speak in vain."

"I told you to just say it, what are you doing? You can even cut off your head!" Emperor Chengtian flicked his sleeves angrily.

Li Deying's complexion did not change, he bowed to follow, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty Rong is the number one scholar handpicked by His Majesty, and his literary talent and thinking are of the highest quality."

"This is natural. Otherwise, how can you convince the public?"

"The old slave once heard His Highness the Ninth Highness mention that Mr. Rong was the only disciple of Mr. Jijiu under the Imperial College Jijiu. He must be a man with both ability and political integrity." Li Deying replied calmly and steadily.

"Well."

Emperor Chengtian treats his loyal old servant who has followed him for most of his life very well and with great favor.He walked slowly, stopping to admire the flowers from time to time, frowning and sighing: "Ze Yong is 26 this year, and he hasn't married yet."

"His Highness Prince Qing is loyal, filial, upright, and dignified. He is a well-deserved young talent. As long as His Majesty speaks, the choice of Princess Qing may be confusing." Li Deying sincerely praised.He boasted that the prince has always started from the aspects of loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, filial piety and friendship, never involving sensitive words such as governing the country and the country, he is very smooth and sophisticated.

"Hehehe." Emperor Chengtian couldn't hide his joy and pride, laughed happily, and cursed with feigned anger: "You old man! You still praised him. That kid is good everywhere, but his temper is a bit stubborn and tough. A little bit, born with a stubborn temper, don't know how to be soft." When facing Junfu, he can't say nice things, he is as rigid as a wooden stake, and dares to contradict him when he is impatient.

Li Deying had kind eyebrows and kind eyes, just smiled and didn't answer, he understood that the emperor was just talking, not asking.

Sure enough, after complaining a few words with a smile on his face, Emperor Chengtian changed his voice and said majesticly: "Now it's time to choose Princess Qing. You go tell the queen and order her to invite the old Mrs. Dingbeihou into the palace so that we can have a chat." , to see if there is a suitable candidate, don't be in a hurry, if there is a suitable one, I have to make a decision. Marriage is a big event, you must try your best to do it properly, so that the family will be harmonious and everything will be prosperous in the future."

Li Deying listened intently, nodded frequently, and finally bowed and said: "Observe the decree. This old slave must truthfully publicize the oral order to the empress."

Evening

Rong Youtang came off duty, walked out of the government office with a lot of thoughts, stopped in the bustling street, and blew the cool breeze for a while.

The passers-by were in a hurry, each running for their own livelihoods. When they passed by, they looked at the lonely and handsome young man curiously, and then left without stopping.

"Brother Rong!" Qi Zhiyang shouted from a distance as he left the office of the Ministry of Punishment.

Rong Youtang hurriedly suppressed his emotions, raised a smile, and asked after greetings: "Brother Qi, Shangfeng asked me to go back to the household department to deal with urgent matters in the past two days. I wonder if there is any progress in the trial of the case?"

"Hey, don't mention it soon!" Qi Zhiyang waved his hand helplessly, frowning.

"what happened?"

"Go! Talk while walking."

The two stayed away from the government offices of various ministries and colleagues on casual duty, and went to the stables in the nearby courtyard to lead the horses.

"The first trial will start today. You Guanying, Ji Ping and Gan Hongxin are still biting each other, but He Shuo is very happy, especially for Guanying's many capital crimes." Qi Zhiyang informed softly, paused, he looked around, She revealed: "But when we were discussing and finalizing the decision in the afternoon, the adults above had another fight, and there was almost no fight!"

Rong Youtang looked stern, and asked: "Is there still no consensus within the Ministry of Punishment and the Supervision Department?"

"Ugh!"

Qi Zhiyang had a great headache, and while tidying up the reins, he said: "If the case is not closed for a day, we will have to spend time with you. What a waste of time! It is obvious that corruption and chaotic parties collect huge amounts of money from the people. Know how to make connections, as long as you follow the trend, you may be able to find a lot of criminals. Jiang Shangshu of the Ministry of punishment strongly advocates a thorough investigation, but his subordinate, the right servant, Mr. Fei, stands aside with the Supervision Department, thinking that the Youdang is purely slandering, biting, and killing Those who are at the end of the day are advocating a conviction based on the evidence we have collected."

"Only people with ghosts in their hearts will be afraid, and they will do everything possible to obstruct the thorough investigation." Rong Youtang said disdainfully.He patted the horse's neck, stepped on the stirrup and jumped onto the horse's back.

Qi Zhiyang also jumped up, turned his horse's head, and said with a wry smile: "The capital is not Guanzhou, we can't talk, let's see who wins."

"This is a big matter, and this case involves a lot." Rong Youtang put his legs on the horse's belly lightly, and said helplessly: "If a string of Beijing officials who took bribes are really found out, Your Majesty will also..." He stopped.

With mutual understanding, Qi Zhiyang laughed at himself: "Hey, it's useless to be anxious. The Ministry of Criminal Justice has its own regulations for adjudicating cases. I can only assist as much as possible."

Bit humble!

Rong Youtang asked with concern: "Brother Qi, is You Guanying still yelling about face saints? Since he was imprisoned in the dungeon of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, he can no longer visit him."

Qi Zhiyang glanced around vigilantly, leaned closer and said in a low voice: "I only saw him when he was in court. I had been clamoring to see His Majesty, but for some reason, I suddenly shut up this morning and stood trial honestly."

"Oh?" Rong Youtang was thoughtful, and couldn't help thinking about it.

The warriors were highly vigilant, Qi Zhiyang looked around frequently, frowned and said: "You Guanying is obviously abnormal, but no one asked, as if he didn't find out, our status as an imperial envoy is embarrassing, so it's not good to show off."

Rong Youtang held the reins of the horse, walked slowly, and calmly reminded: "The corruption case has been investigated to such an extent that we are no longer in our control."

"Hey, forget it! Anyway, I have done my best, and I have a clear conscience." Qi Zhiyang said bluntly.

Two horses with bridles side by side walked through side streets and alleys.

"The case of the first trial and the second trial has been tried countless times. I don't know how long it will be delayed." Rong Youtang couldn't help muttering.

"Qiu Hou Wen Zhan must be too late. I hope the case can be closed before the year." Qi Zhiyang said distressedly.He was caught between the two factions, walking on thin ice, and he was cautious in his words and deeds every day in the Ministry of Punishment, not daring to speak casually.At this time, he was finally able to tell the truth: "Tsk, this is an iron case with solid evidence. If you have no clue, how long will it be delayed?"

Rong Youtang couldn't help laughing, and said with relief: "Be patient, I guess the case should be closed before the end of the year. At the end of the year, the various ministries of the imperial court have to report on their duties. It is not beautiful to have a backlog of important cases."

"Oh." Qi Zhiyang sighed.

The two avoided the crowded main street, entered the side street through familiar paths, and rode in bridles, talking in low voices.But when they parted, the worried Qi Zhiyang hesitated to speak, and asked hesitantly, "Brother Rong, cough cough, that, I want to ask."

"What's the matter?" Rong Youtang turned his head in doubt.

Qi Zhiyang approached sideways, and asked in a low voice, "Does His Highness Prince Qing have any instructions regarding the thorough investigation of whether the Party has bribed officials in Beijing? He has been busy recruiting soldiers recently, and I have been to the palace several times but have not seen anyone, so I have no idea."

His Highness King Qing...

Rong Youtang bowed his head, dazed in a daze, and remained silent for a while.

"Brother Rong?"

"Oh!" Rong Youtang was awakened suddenly, cheered up, and said seriously: "No. His Highness has no other instructions, he just asked us to assist the Ministry of Punishment according to the sacred order."

"Okay. I know what to do." Qi Zhiyang breathed a sigh of relief and bid farewell: "In that case, let's all go home. By the way, Jiang Shangshu tomorrow morning at three o'clock, please be careful not to be late, Beware of becoming their punching bag."

"Thank you for reminding me." Rong Youtang forced a smile.

"Let's go!"

"Brother Qi, go slowly."

Qi Zhiyang smiled and trotted into the opposite alley.

As soon as the other party turned around, Rong Youtang's smiling face disappeared without a trace, and he rode home listlessly.

The horse is spiritual and seems to be able to understand the frustration of its owner. "Da Da" walked very smoothly and honestly all the way.

Not long after, when he returned to the door of the house, Rong Youtang dismounted, managed to adjust his mood, and knocked on the door slowly.

"Which one?" Old Zhangtou quickly came out to answer the door.

"Uncle Zhang, I'm back."

The door opened quickly with a "creak", but the old Zhangtou's smiling face froze. He quickly sensed something was wrong, quickly took the reins, and asked with concern: "Master, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

Rong Youtang frowned in surprise, and asked softly, "Do I look bad?"

"Hey, in the past, you could hear the sound of horseshoes stomping on the ground from a long distance. Did you come back today? Even the tone of your voice is wrong! What's wrong with you? Come in and sit down, I'll tell the master." He hurriedly led the horse to the stable, he was very familiar with the young master, and concluded that something must happen today.

Half an hour later, the sky was dark and the evening wind was cold.

"Tang'er, what happened?" Rong Kaiji sat on the edge of the bed and asked worriedly.

"It's okay, I just didn't rest at noon, I'm a little tired, I'll be fine after a night of sleep." Rong Youtang lay on his stomach, his head resting on his arms, motionless.

"Headache? Dizziness?" Rong Kaiji questioned, stretching out his hand to pull up the thin quilt.

Li Shun, the housekeeper, guessed: "Could it be that I have a heatstroke? I'd better go and hire a doctor?"

"No, I'm fine, just sleepy." Rong Youtang raised his head, dissuading him nonchalantly, not wanting his family to worry.

Rong Kaiji frowned, and quickly said: "Old Li, go ask Mama Zhang to make a potion of her usual heat-relieving tea, and then make some light and appetizing porridge soup."

"Hey, okay, I'll go right away." Li Shun led the order to go out to make arrangements, but just as he stepped out of the threshold, he bumped into King Qing and Guo Da and his party head-on!

"Qing, Cao Min kowtowed to Your Highness." Li Shun twisted his tongue and hurriedly saluted.

"Exemption." Zhao Zeyong didn't stop, walking with wind, striding across the threshold.

Li Shun vaguely had some guesses, but he never dared to ask Rong Kaiji for confirmation, he held it tightly in his heart, he turned his head and said, "Caomin has seen Mr. Guo."

Guo Da, who was wearing light armor, nodded and said with a smile: "There is no need to be polite. How is your young master?"

"Uh, very, very good. They said they didn't take a nap at noon and were resting. Please sit in the living room, my lord, please." Li Shun bowed and raised his hand, saying vaguely.

Guo Da peeped at the door for a few moments, made a decisive decision, turned around and walked towards the main hall in a familiar way, while the rest of the guards dispersed the guards according to their duties.

In the bedroom, after hearing the salute and greeting, Rong Youtang got up with a grunt, and just after putting on a shoe, King Qing had strode into the room.

Rong Kaiji hastily greeted him, and was about to salute, but King Qing held his arm firmly: "Excuse me."

"Your Highness came to the humble house, why not?" Rong Kaiji asked doubtfully.

"Ask him a few words." Zhao Zeyong said, he had just returned home from Beiying, and came to visit immediately after receiving the news, carefully scrutinizing the person sitting on the edge of the bed wearing shoes, focusing on his knees.

"Your Highness, please go and sit outside, I'll be ready soon." Rong Youtang put on his shoes without raising his head, and Rong's father took the outer robe and put it on his son, urging softly: "Hurry up, don't make Your Highness wait too long."

Zhao Zeyong stood still, patiently, and whispered: "Don't rush, don't rush him."

Father Rong could hear the tenderness and love in King Qing's tone, and he felt mixed feelings in his heart, hesitating to speak, secretly anxious.

In an instant, Rong Youtang fastened his belt in twos and twos, asked King Qing to go outside, and asked, "Is there anything urgent?"

"Have."

Father Rong wanted to invite King Qing to sit down in the main hall and drink tea, but the other party spontaneously sat in the outer study!He was a step too late to speak, so he had to swallow his words angrily. In the past, he would go to buy tea and snacks in person, but in recent months, because of some unspeakable fears, he chose to sit with him, walked to the door and called out: "Mother Zhang? "

"Hey! What's the master's order?"

"Come and make some tea."

"Yes."

Zhao Zeyong frowned slightly, turned his head to look at Father Rong, but didn't say anything, and asked straight to the point: "Did Emperor Father embarrass you today?"

what? !

Father Rong was taken aback, his eyes widened immediately, and he blurted out to ask: "Tang'er, have you been punished by His Majesty for your mistakes?"

Rong Youtang was inevitably embarrassed, and explained vaguely: "No, I just asked a few words."

"What are you asking?" Zhao Zeyong asked again, his eyes were very focused, there was only one person in his mind, and he seemed to be fighting it out, regardless of the presence of Rong's father.

Rong Youtang subconsciously looked at his adoptive father, squeaked, and said lightly: "It's about the Hanlin Academy mentioned by His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince."

Is it about court affairs?

As a result, it would be difficult for Rong Kaiji to chat with him, he is still very reasonable in this respect, so he stood up and said: "You talk about business, I will entertain Mr. Guo."

Zhao Zeyong nodded politely.

"Okay." Rong Youtang didn't look directly into his adoptive father's eyes.

After a while, the door closed.

"Your Highness, I—ah!" Before Rong Youtang finished speaking, Zhao Zeyong couldn't bear it anymore, got up suddenly, hugged him back to the inner room without any explanation, and gently placed him on the bed, his movements were urgent and slightly rough.

"Your Highness?" Rong Youtang was puzzled and pushed the other party.

Zhao Zeyong didn't say a word, pushed the person to sit on the edge of the bed, without saying a word, took off the other person's shoes, rolled up the trouser legs three or two times, and pushed the trousers above the knees, rubbed the knees with warm and thick palms, and asked in a low voice : "Today in the imperial garden, how long have you been kneeling?"

The palms of martial arts practitioners have rough skin and calluses all over their fingertips. When they gently touch their knees and knee bends, they feel a strange numbness, which makes Rong Youtang gasp: "Hiss~"

"Pain?" Zhao Zeyong raised his head.

Rong Youtang shook his head: "It doesn't hurt, it's itching. How do you know?"

"This king has his own news channel."

"Your Majesty didn't punish me. He was actually very polite and reserved. I just knelt down for a while." Rong Youtang told the truth.

"I'm sorry." Zhao Zeyong said in a low voice.He bowed his head and kissed the other party's left knee.

"Don't!" Rong Youtang was startled, struggled hard, tried to break the opponent's palm, but unfortunately he had no strength to resist, and watched as the opponent kissed his right knee again.

What is the system?It's so ugly!

In an instant, a sentence that King Qing often taught popped out of Rong Youtang's mind.

"I've made you feel wronged for no reason, I'm sorry." Prince Qing's eyes were dark, his expression was firm, and he carefully said his words: "Father, I—"

"You must not be impulsive!" Rong Youtang interrupted immediately, with a rare force, and said softly: "Your Majesty is a generation of wise emperor, generous and kind, I am indeed overstepping the rules."

"Exceeding the rules?" Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows, his ending sound raised, and his face was solemn.

Rong Youtang carefully looked at the other party's expression, and after a while, he sincerely sighed: "Actually, you are very similar to Your Majesty."

"Really? But he once reprimanded me for being stubborn and disobedient. Among all the princes, I was the only one who sent me to the northwest." Zhao Zeyong said with a blank expression.

"If His Majesty hadn't sent you to the Northwest, how could you gain military exploits and become a prince?" Rong Youtang retorted solemnly.

"Humph" Zhao Zeyong put down the opponent's trousers.

"Get up, you're really breaking me like this." Rong Youtang tugged.

Zhao Zeyong stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. The two sides were close to each other, shoulder to shoulder. He sat upright, his legs were a bit higher than the other's, and he was a circle bigger, with a strange sense of fit.

"What did the emperor say?"

"Your Majesty let me take care of myself, and he praised you for being outstanding." Rong Youtang smiled, like breaking a can, and took the initiative to take the opponent's hand, with ten fingers facing each other, comparing the length of the knuckles, and then earnestly counted the cocoons.