Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

When I left three years ago in the early morning, New Year’s Eve was approaching, the sky was cloudy, horseshoes were snowing, and fireworks, firecrackers and peach charms were being sold in the streets and alleys of the capital. Resolutely, he raised his whip and urged the horse without looking sideways.

Gritting his teeth in Xizhou for three years, it can be described as painstaking, and now he is finally able to return to Beijing to report on his work.

It was mid-November after entering the city, and the sky was clear and bright today in mid-November.

"The weather is really nice today!" Zhang Dong laughed all the way, he was refreshed on happy occasions, and he didn't show any signs of fatigue.

Rong Youtang readily agreed: "Yes."

"Time is like an arrow, it's been three years since I left the capital." Wei Jie repeatedly said with emotion, "Among all the brothers, only my family members have lived in Xizhou for a few months, but you have not returned home after a long absence."

Rong Youtang shook his head and said, "Didn't you go home to visit your relatives? We are all the same."

"Hey, I don't know why, but I feel very nervous." Wei Jie revealed in a low voice.

When they arrived at the main intersection in the city, Rong Youtang was very considerate and could understand his companion's eagerness to return home, so he tightened the reins, stroked the horse's neck soothingly, glanced at his companion, and said seriously: "Our relatives and friends have been worried for a long time, and we should go first Go home to report that you are safe, and clean up the dust. Of course, if you are in a hurry to report on your work, please feel free, and we will have a drink together on another day, how about it?"

"it is good!"

"Thank you sir!"

……

Rong Youtang waved his hand neatly, and urged: "Be careful on the road, go your own way, I won't stay here in vain."

"My lord, take my leave."

"Everyone, see you later."

"Let's meet again some other day."

The guards said goodbye in a hurry, turned their horses around one after another, without hesitation, and rushed to Prince Qing's mansion to return to their orders - they could be so straightforward, but the rest could not.

Only the Rong family, Zhuo Kai and Wei Jie remained in place.

Rong Youtang watched the guard cavalry go away, then turned to discuss with his friends: "Brother Wei, Brother Kai, we are ordered to return to Beijing, we should have entered the palace to meet His Majesty first, but you should avoid dirty appearance in front of the imperial court, in the afternoon, it is better to go back first Let's take a rest at home, and meet at the gate of the palace at three quarters, and face the Holy Spirit together, how about it?"

"Excellent! I just have a companion." Wei Jie nodded readily.

Afterwards, Rong Youtang naturally looked at Zhuo Kai, but found that he was deep in thought, seemingly restless, so he approached curiously and asked, "Brother Kai? Meet at the gate of the palace in three quarters, okay?"

Zhuo Kai woke up like a dream, wiped his face vigorously, cheered up and said: "Okay! Then we will meet at the gate of the palace in three quarters."

A group of people discussed a few words hastily, divided into three groups and dispersed.

Rong Youtang led his own servants, more than ten horses, and two carriages full of Xizhou rituals, and drove back to his home in Dongcheng.

"It's inconvenient for me to invite other people, but you must go home and have a sit down first, drink tea and eat, rest for a while, and the annual vacation will start tomorrow! Remember, go back and serve your elders well, and be filial." Rong Youtang solemnly told .

"Thank you sir!"

"Thank you, young master." The servants rushed to thank each other, and they were very happy. They knew in their hearts: first go to the host's mansion to greet the master, and they will definitely prepare high-quality noodles, eat and drink, and then receive generous rewards and gifts, and go home to spend a good year !

Rong Youtang observed the familiar and unfamiliar market with relish, dazzled, and said at the same time: "Thank you? You have suffered a lot with me, I will always remember it in my heart, and I will never treat you badly."

Right now

The door of Rong’s Cloth Store on Dongda Street was open, and it was neatly tidied up inside and out. The stewards and shop assistants frequently looked at the street corner with longing eyes; while the Rong’s Mansion in Dongsi Alley was full of banquets and delicious wines and delicacies. , just waiting for the wanderer to return home.

"Old Li?" Rong Kaiji raised his voice.

"Hey, here we come!" The butler Li Shun trotted from the banquet hall into the living room, sweating from the heat, took out his handkerchief and wiped it carelessly, busy arranging the reception banquet.

"Why isn't brother home yet?" Rong Kaiji asked countless times, impatiently.

"Don't worry, the men who were sent to meet Shili Pavilion outside the city will come back first and report to each other, saying that they have been received smoothly, and they should have entered the city by now." Li Shun reported happily.

Rong Zhengqing, who came here on purpose, was also anxious, and said with relief: "Brother, sit down, let's drink tea, the child has many friends with him, so we may have to chat for a while when we part."

"That's right." Rong Kaiji was persuaded.Fast-forward three years, his temples were gray, his back was hunched, and he sat down slowly with his hands propped on the armrests of the chair—but before his butt touched the chair, he suddenly heard Rong Xun shouting joyfully outside:

"Fourth Uncle, Uncle, Brother Tang is back!"

"Is that so?" Rong Kaiji's eyes lit up, he immediately got up, smiled from ear to ear, and walked quickly towards the door.

"Brother, slow down." Rong Zhengqing hurriedly stepped forward to help, and followed the opportunity to greet him, smiling happily.

At this time, Rong Youtang was standing at the gate of the courtyard, directing the servants and the guys to unload the carriage, and said: "Hurry up, the alley is narrow, don't block the road."

"Don't worry, even if you hit the box on the ground, you won't be afraid of falling. It's just Xizhou native objects inside."

Rong Youtang was wearing a half-worn moon white silk robe and black boots with white soles. His figure was upright and as beautiful as a crown of jade. From the corner of his eye, he glanced: Many neighbors gathered in the alleys and alleys, they were a little far away, whispering to each other. talk.

Since I became an official, the neighbors treat my family with more respect and alienation.

Rong Youtang smiled easy-goingly. If it was not necessary, he never bothered to put on airs. He still treated his relatives, friends and neighbors as before. He patiently greeted the few neighbors who boldly stepped forward. After chatting for a few words, he heard his adoptive father shouting from behind:

"Youtang?"

Rong Youtang turned around abruptly, seeing his adoptive father, uncle, and cousin at a glance, his heart was so hot that he couldn't care about anything at once, he rushed forward, knelt down on his knees, and said excitedly: "Boy, pay your respects to the two elders!"

"Get up, the ground is full of pebbles." Rong Zhengqing quickly reached out to help.

"Get up quickly, I hurt my knee carefully." Rong Kaiji burst into tears, weeping with joy, bent over to support his son, squatted down without thinking, and wiped the hem of his robe that was soiled on the kneeling ground with his own hands.

Rong Youtang dodged in a hurry, and said guiltily: "I've broken my heart! Father, the child is not filial, and has not served your knees in recent years." He insisted on kneeling and kowtowed.

The father and son supported each other, smiling with tears, then the uncle and nephew held hands to greet each other, and then the cousins ​​greeted each other affectionately, Rong Youtang slapped his cousin's arm heavily, and said with emotion: "Brother Xun, wow, you are almost taller than me !"

"Where, at least one inch is missing. Brother, you have been exhausted all the way, so go into the house and rest." Rong Xing talked gracefully, his cheeks were flushed with joy, he was tall and thin, wearing a scholar's robe, and he was personable-after the fight case back then , Zhou Minghong died. He dropped out of school to avoid the limelight for more than a year, and cultivated himself. Then his elders rushed to ask him to send him to another academy in a low-key manner. He studied very hard on weekdays.

Rong Youtang encouraged: "You are much more sensible, and you are not in vain of your uncle's painstaking teaching."

On the other side, Zhang Dong, who was going to Xizhou together, stepped forward and saluted Rong Kaiji respectfully: "Little Zhang Dong, kowtow to the master."

"Okay, okay! Get up, everyone, thank you for your hard work." Rong Kaiji helped Zhang Dong up, smiling happily.

There is no need to elaborate on the excitement and joy of reuniting relatives and friends after a long absence. After a long while in the courtyard, everyone moved to the living room.

"My son has always been filial and sensible, and his relatives, friends and neighbors can see it for all." Rong Kaiji naturally took the seat of honor, pleased and proud, and said reasonablely: "It is even more rare that you can share the worries of the court, be the master of the people, and make great achievements to shine on the family! Don't worry, Your uncle and I are in good health, everything at home is fine, and the letter never coaxed you."

Rong Youtang sat down with him, and said helplessly: "When I was in Xizhou, I was always worried about my family, but it is true that there are so many things, and I have not been able to take time to visit Beijing. It is really inappropriate."

"You have managed Xizhou well. In the past two years, the Ministry of Industry has considered that the ironware produced by Mugui Mine is excellent, which shows how busy you are." Rong Zhengqing, the current doctor of the Ministry of Industry, praised.

"Really?" Rong Kaiji was overjoyed, and couldn't let go of the corners of his mouth.

Rong Youtang hurriedly said: "I don't dare to do it. In fact, it's all because I am young and inexperienced, so I take care of one thing and lose another, so I'm not worth mentioning, alas."

Sitting for a while, drinking a cup of tea, Rong Youtang estimated the time, and apologized: "I have a mission, I have to enter the palace as soon as possible to face the saint, when I parted, I made an appointment with two friends to meet at three o'clock, how about we Let's have a seat?"

"Oh? Then we can't delay." Rong Zhengqing immediately stopped talking and laughing.

Rong Kaiji got up immediately, stretched out his hand and said: "In that case, brother Zhengqing, please go to the table."

"Brother, please."

Rong Youtang was thoughtful and meticulous, supported an old man with one hand, and greeted warmly: "Seniors, please. Brother Yu, come, let's have dinner!"

The Second Moment of Shenshi·Imperial Palace

No matter when, Qianming Palace is always peaceful and quiet, and the eunuchs and maids who come and go on errands lower their eyebrows and stay silent.

"How long have they been waiting?" Cheng Tiandi asked slowly.He opened his arms, raised his face, and let the eunuchs wait and dress him.

"Return to Your Majesty: Lord Rong has been waiting for half an hour." Li Deying replied.

"Well, go and have a look." Emperor Chengtian's beard and hair were all white, silver light shone in the shaking, his back was bent, his shoulder blades were thin and protruding, and his movements were slow.

The emperor has aged a lot.

"Yes." Li Deying and his deputy supported the emperor together.Although it is not obvious on the surface, everyone in the Qianming Palace is extremely anxious, anxiously guessing who will succeed the crown prince—who will the throne be passed on to?After the new emperor ascends the throne, will he treat us kindly?

Rong Youtang was wearing a scarlet fourth-rank official uniform, and he was calm; Zhuo Kai and Weijie were wearing light armor, showing a heroic air.

After waiting in silence for a long time, he was finally summoned.

"Weichen see Your Majesty."

"The last general kowtows to His Majesty." The three of them knelt down and bowed together.

Cheng Tiandi's old voice said indifferently: "Pingshen."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Come here, give me a seat." Emperor Chengtian ordered.

After thanking Rong Youtang, he sat down, his back straightened, his hands clasped his knees, and he bowed his head intently.

On the first page there was the sound of turning over the report report, mixed with the sound of "嗤啦" flipping the page, Emperor Chengtian said calmly: "As usual, I don't need to listen to the report of the generals, but Wei Jie and Zhuo Kai, you are an exception. You have contributed a lot to the completion of the Qinghe Camp in Xizhou, and you deserve to be commended."

Wei Jie and Zhuo Kai hurriedly left their seats and stood up.

Wei Jie said humbly: "The last general is terrified. He should have served the imperial court and dare not take credit for it."

Kneeling here back then, I was almost given to death... Zhuo Kai had mixed feelings in his heart, and he tried to calm down and said: "Thanks to His Majesty's appointment, the general will be grateful and willing to devote himself to Dacheng!"

"You are all talents of the imperial court, I am very relieved."

Emperor Chengtian frowned slightly, looked at Zhuo Kai for a while, and couldn't help muttering in secret, but as time passed, he also figured it out, and said majesticly: "As far as I know, among the three of you, only Wei Jie has married. Ma'am, how are you?"

If a man makes great achievements and seals his wife and son, if he can earn a royal order for his mother, it will be even more glorious!

Wei Jie was overjoyed immediately, knelt down immediately, and kowtowed gratefully: "Thank you, Your Majesty! The last general will thank His Majesty's grace on behalf of my mother, long live my emperor!"

Emperor Chengtian smiled, he was in good spirits, and said leisurely: "Let's get down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wei Jie stood up as he said.

Oops!

What does His Majesty want?

Rong Youtang's heart skipped a beat, his intuition was not good, and he was extremely nervous, so he listened attentively:

"Zhuo Kai, you're not young, but you haven't married yet, what's wrong with you?" Emperor Chengtian scolded earnestly.

"I will know my mistake at the end." Zhuo Kai was a little at a loss.

"It's hard for you to forget your personal interests because of business." Emperor Chengtian was calm and calm, and said slowly: "The second daughter of the Di family, the servant of the Ministry of Rites, is dignified and virtuous, and she is a perfect match for you. I will give you a marriage."

This kind of marriage is considered a good match, and the emperor bestowed the marriage with a great reputation.

But caught off guard, Zhuo Kai was unprepared and stunned!

Rong Youtang was secretly worried, and changed his sitting posture without showing any signs, his robes rustled, waking up his companions.

Zhuo Kai came back to his senses suddenly, he had no choice but to accept, and said in a shy voice: "The final general would like to thank Your Majesty Long En."

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian was reluctantly satisfied, waved his hand and said, "You go down to receive the reward, and Rong Qing stays here."

"I will retire at the end."

after a while

Rong Youtang's scalp was numb, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, he held his breath and waited.

"I vaguely remember that you once said that the divination of the gods and spirits shows that you should not start a family early, right?" Emperor Chengtian couldn't take his eyes off it.

Rong Youtang replied respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise."

Emperor Chengtian smiled, and asked in a flat tone: "Three years have passed now, and you are about to reach the crown, what instructions does the god have?"

Rong Youtang had made up his mind, he gritted his teeth and said apologetically, "It's the same as before."

"I--"

Emperor Chengtian was rarely speechless, frowned and murmured, carefully looked at the tall and handsome young man, and said coldly: "Being a king is a capital offense."

"My humble minister absolutely dare not." Rong Youtang knelt obediently.

"Ten years of hard study and many years of hard work in the official career, it's not easy to get ahead." Emperor Chengtian sighed meaningfully, and warned indifferently: "Rong Youtang, I will give you one last chance: before the Longevity Festival, you should think carefully. There will be no room for repentance! Don’t disappoint my love of talent.”

Could it be that His Majesty did not want me to be criticized because of my personal morality from beginning to end?

Rong Youtang's heart was shocked, he kowtowed his head upright, bowed his head deeply, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty's heart is so benevolent, this humble minister is extremely ashamed——"

"You think it over carefully." Cheng Tiandi waved his hand and began to close his eyes to rest.

"Yes, Wei Chen retire."

After leaving the palace, Rong Youtang couldn't help himself. He temporarily put aside all worries and was burning with anxiety. He solemnly invited: "You two, shall we go to Prince Qing's Mansion? After a few years, we should visit His Highness."

"Go by yourself, we've already been there." Wei Jie replied with a smile.

Rong Youtang was stunned: "What?"

"After lunch, we went out early and stopped by Prince Qing's mansion to kowtow." Zhuo Kai was considerate and never mentioned anything else.

Wei Jie urged bluntly: "Go quickly, we won't bother you anymore."

"Okay." Rong Youtang pretended not to understand, thinking wildly all the way, extremely nervous, he didn't know how he rode to the palace, how he got off his horse and walked to the gate of the courtyard.

"Your Highness, please allow your lord to see you." The steward announced loudly, smiling all over his face.

"Biography." There was no emotion in King Qing's voice.

The butler walked quickly, and said with a spring breeze on his face, "Master Rong, please!"

"Okay." Rong Youtang's heart was beating like a drum, and he was inexplicably anxious. When he walked steadily to the door of the study, he suddenly stopped, raised his hand and grabbed the door frame, and shouted softly:

"Your Highness?"

Zhao Zeyong stood a foot away from the threshold, his eyes met, and he asked in a low voice, "Can't you walk anymore?"

The author has something to say:

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Zhao Zeyong asked in a low voice: "Can't walk anymore? Do you need me to help you?"

Rong Youtang: "I—"