Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

The sound of the jade tablet shattering hit the hearts of both of them at the same time.

"Ah!" Rong Youtang hurriedly squatted down to pick it up, hurriedly untied the ice-blue silk bag, and poured it in the palm of his hand to see: the jade plaque had been split into two pieces.

The roots and leaves of the vivid bamboo poster of Ping'an are separated, and the vigorous and powerful "Qiu" character is also split diagonally.This suet jade was originally white and flawless, warm and delicate, exquisitely carved, exquisite and full of charm.

Unfortunately, it was broken.

——The material for the jade plaque was selected by King Qing when he went into the warehouse, and the bamboo newspaper safety pattern and the word "Qiu" were calligraphy and painting by himself. At that time, he only lamented that he did not know jade carving skills.

Zhao Zeyong was expressionless, his eyes were deep, he was really sad.

"Oh! This, this..." Rong Youtang was at a loss, feeling extremely distressed, and tried hard to splice it together.But broken jade is hard to recover, the crack is particularly glaring, and it cannot be restored to its original state no matter what.

"Your Highness, I didn't do it on purpose." Rong Youtang got up slowly, stood uneasy, squeezed the silk bag and broken jade tightly, and apologized: "I'm sorry, such a precious jade—"

"Is it just a precious jade?" Zhao Zeyong's tone was flat, but he was actually depressed.Having grown up so big, except for a few close relatives, he has never treated anyone with such extreme care, no matter what, he will choose the best.

Rong Youtang shook his head: "This is not just a precious jade."

"Then what is it?"

"It's His Highness's wish."

Zhao Zeyong felt a little better, but then he became even more displeased, and asked angrily: "Why did you return it?" You hate my king's intentions?

Rong Youtang came out of the nine-day exam in the Gongyuan. After taking a bath, he didn't know whether he had a cold or a heart attack. He had a high fever, his cheeks were flushed, he was dizzy, and his thoughts were confused.He suppressed the feeling of dizziness and confusion, and said anxiously: "Your Highness, calm down, I am not simply refunding."

"The butler said you returned all the rewards, didn't you?" Zhao Zeyong clenched his hands into fists, one on the table and the other on the armrest.

Rong Youtang tried to explain: "Your Highness loves to support you, but I have ulterior motives, concealed it until now, and used the opportunity to secretly suppress the enemy. I don't deserve your—"

"Speak! Are you unwilling?" Zhao Zeyong couldn't bear to interrupt and asked, his eyes were so bright that it was impossible to look at each other.

This king is actually wishful thinking?

No wonder, except for that drunken night when he wasn't so sober, he always resisted and flinched every time they were intimate.

Rong Youtang's mouth was dry and his throat was swollen and sore. He licked his chapped lips, swallowed his saliva with difficulty, supported the side coffee table to stand firm, and asked in a daze, "What, what? What did you just say?"

Zhao Zeyong couldn't ask a second time.

Everyone has self-esteem, especially in terms of affection.

When King Qing asked just now, he felt humiliated and felt very embarrassed and ridiculous: maybe he was not happy from the beginning to the end, he is a dutiful son who bears the burden of humiliation to avenge his mother, but this king is a persecutor.

The two were silent.

stalemate for a long time

"Your Highness, I, I—" Rong Youtang gradually realized that he couldn't even swallow his saliva, his throat was so swollen and sore that it seemed to be blocked, he was holding the broken jade and silk bag with his left hand, and the coffee table with his right.Before he knew it, his trust in Prince Qing had penetrated into his bone marrow. At this moment, he was extremely uncomfortable, so he subconsciously called for help, and said hoarsely, "Your Highness, I'm thirsty."

"Thirsty to drink water, why did the Palace ever ask you to eat and drink?" Zhao Zeyong, who was lowering his head to calm down, replied stiffly, but when he looked up, he saw Rong Youtang staggering, he got up immediately, his body was ahead of his thoughts, He hurried over to help him, frowned and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm thirsty." Rong Youtang repeated in a low voice, he quietly grabbed the robe of King Qing who had finally stepped down from the high platform, his eyes suddenly became hot.

Zhao Zeyong turned around and took a sip of warm tea that he hadn't touched, handed it over and said, "Drink."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Rong Youtang burst into tears of gratitude, truly grateful.He hurriedly put the broken jade and silk bag on the tea table beside him, took it with both hands cherishingly, held the teacup, just took a sip, but found that he couldn't swallow, his throat swelled and hurt at a terrible speed.

Rong Youtang raised his neck, with a pained expression, took a mouthful of water, and swallowed it with all his might, tears glistened in pain.

Although Zhao Zeyong was expressionless and stood upright with his hands behind his back, his eyes kept covering the people around him, his brows were tightly frowned, and there were countless things he wanted to ask, but he couldn't bear to force a confession, sighed helplessly, and raised his voice, "Come here. "

Guo Da, who was wandering worriedly outside the study, hurriedly entered, and hurriedly asked, "Cousin, what's the matter?"

Zhao Zeyong ordered: "Take him down to see a doctor."

Guo Da didn't ask about the result of the interrogation, and called in two guards to help.

"Your Highness, I—" Rong Youtang took a step closer to Zhao Zeyong.

"Go down." This matter is not over yet, and the king will interrogate himself after he recovers from his illness!

Zhao Zeyong has a straight body, broad shoulders and long legs, tall, strong and majestic. When he does not bow his head, everyone present can only look up and feel awe.

I made a mistake first, and I took it upon myself, His Highness didn't apologize on the spot, it was already magnanimous, what more could I ask for?

Rong Youtang bowed his head sadly: "Yes."

But when he turned around to leave, he found the broken jade and silk bag on the coffee table, so he naturally wanted to pick it up——

Unexpectedly, King Qing had quick eyesight and quick hands, so he picked it up. When he saw the jade plaque, he was furious. He looked around and threw it into the vase displayed in the corner of the study!

With a sound of "dang", the broken jade and the silk bag disappeared without a trace.

Rong Youtang couldn't stop him in time, and he didn't dare to stop him, he hesitated to speak, he suppressed his grief and panic, his brain was so burned that he was confused, and only then did he suddenly realize: Oops!It was wrong to return it in one fell swoop, His Highness may have misunderstood.

really

Zhao Zeyong threw the ground and said loudly: "This king rewards meritorious deeds, and there is absolutely no reason to take back the reward. If you don't like it, you can throw it away!" After speaking, he walked away quickly.

Rong Youtang watched King Qing walk away, annoyed and remorseful, took a deep breath, but couldn't say a word.

"You, you... What are you doing?" Guo Da watched for a long time, dumbfounded, and persuaded him earnestly: "If you have something to say, don't be angry. Cousin is soft and not hard."

The other two personal guards, Mingzhe, bowed their heads and made up their minds to "turn a blind eye and listen but not hear".

Rong Youtang said helplessly, "Thank you, Mr. Guo, for your reminder. I know I'm guilty, and I'm waiting to be punished. How dare I take it easy?" I just hope that His Highness will recover as soon as possible, and don't be too affected by me.

Guo Da scratched his head, unable to do anything, so he could only urge the guards: "Take him to see a doctor quickly, don't delay."

"Yes."

Rong Youtang bowed to leave, and couldn't help but keep looking at the big vase in the corner, wanting to take it out.

A while later, Rong Youtang stepped into the familiar guest bedroom, where two doctors were already waiting, and immediately began to diagnose the pulse and prescribe medicine.Rong Kaiji and others were also there, they were anxious and frightened, and when they saw Rong Youtang retreating completely, they surrounded and surrounded him.

Grabbing the medicine and decocting it, it was already late at night when they were lying on the couch, and the housekeeper of the palace meticulously and thoughtfully arranged for the Rong family to rest.

"Cousin, do we really want to stay?" Rong Yu obeyed his uncle's order, kept silent and kept his mouth shut, feeling very uncomfortable, until after the outsiders dispersed, he couldn't wait to go to the bed to ask.

Rong Youtang pointed at his throat with a wry smile, then nodded, and mouthed: "Stay here."

"I actually met the legendary Prince Qing! He is so young and full of vigor. I only glanced at him a few times at the beginning, for fear of offending the nobleman." Rong Xing couldn't hide his excitement, but at the same time he was quite restrained, and lowered his voice. He asked nervously, "Cousin, are we under house arrest? Will Prince Qing let us go?"

Rong Youtang was drowsy after drinking the medicine, and answered patiently with his mouth: "No, Your Highness clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments. If you want to punish, you will only punish me, and you will not be angered by others."

"That's good." Rong Yu's eyes lit up, and he blurted out like a ghost: "Cousin, I think King Qing is really kind to you, hey, he seems reluctant to punish you—"

"Cough cough!" Rong Zhengqing coughed seriously from outside, he urged: "Come out, Xing'er, don't disturb your cousin's rest, he is still sick."

"Oh." Rong Yu didn't think too much, smiled apologetically, reluctantly bid farewell to the cousin he just met, and went out to find his uncle.

Rong Youtang was left alone in the room.

This is his bedroom in the palace.At the beginning, it was just an ordinary guest bedroom. Later, the housekeeper was keenly aware of King Qing’s love, so he changed the guest bedroom again and again, replacing all the furniture with high-quality ones, and gradually adding more cultural and play furnishings. What it looks like today.

Rong Youtang sighed, pulled Gaoliang to close his eyes, the effect of the medicine kicked in, and fell into a deep sleep.

Outer room

Rong Yu refilled the tea for the two elders respectfully, not daring to interrupt.

Rong Kaiji was so worried that he fell silent.

Rong Zhengqing looked dignified, and tried to lower his voice: "Brother, it's not that I'm careless, it's really a bit weird. It's not related to me, why does His Royal Highness Prince Qing help Tang'er like that? He took him to suppress the bandits, and sent him to the Imperial College , was brought into the North Camp again, and now he has committed the crime of deception, His Highness is very angry, but upon closer inspection, His Highness's eyes... something is not quite right!"

King Qing actually reveals his affection?Hurt in disappointment?I wish I was wrong.

Rong Kaiji was anxious, and said wryly, "Why haven't I ever been suspicious? It's just that Tang'er has always been sensible and motivated, mature and steady, and very popular. No matter in the business field or in Xueli, Wangfuli, Beiyingli, friends often come to the house Xun is always humble and courteous, I, I am used to it. He met His Royal Highness King Qing by chance. At that time, the butler Lao Li followed him. He came back and told him in detail. There was nothing wrong with it. Tang'er was actually His Highness Ninth Prince's from the beginning. Playmate, I told you a lot of interesting things about getting along with the little prince, and there was nothing wrong with that, later, later—”

Rong Kaiji frowned as he recalled, and was startled when he realized it!

"Since we are the playmates of His Royal Highness the Ninth Prince, why are we so close to His Royal Highness King Qing?" Rong Zhengqing was worried, and asked in disbelief, "You said that your Highnesses often condescend to come to the house for tea and dinner?"

Rong Kaiji became more and more panicked as he thought about it, clasped his hands tightly, and explained eagerly: "The number of times is not many, His Highness Ninth Prince has only been here twice, and he and Tang'er really had a good time, His Highness King Qing has always talked less, he is a human being. He is upright, behaves in accordance with royal etiquette, and has no vulgarity or arrogance..." Gradually, he couldn't continue.

The adoptive father and uncle looked at each other, and there was a terrible silence.

Rong Xing involuntarily turned his head to look inside: Isn't it?Could it be that my cousin and King Qing...? !

After a long time, Rong Kaiji made up his mind and said: "In short, I believe that Tang'er is a filial and sensible boy, we will discuss everything after he recovers from illness."

"I respect your will." Rong Zhengqing said modestly: "I don't know my nephew at all, and I can only rely on you to teach him to become a talent."

the next afternoon

In the study room, several people sat around, the sandalwood box presented by Rong Youtang was opened, and the secret letters were spread out on the round table one by one.

"It turns out that Shi Xuelin belongs to His Highness the Second Highness."

Guo Da shook his secret letter, curled his lips in contempt: "Tsk, I can't see it at all, they didn't even say a few words on the stage."

Wu Sipeng was full of interest, opened and read them one by one, deliberated and studied them repeatedly, and sighed: "Shi Xuelin was the second-ranked scholar in the past, was selected into the Imperial Academy, and after teaching, he was sent to Guangdong and Guangxi to serve as officials. How come he was recruited by the Second Highness? Isn’t his mentor in the Imperial Academy a member of Taifu Han’s family?”

Guo Yuan said succinctly: "Deceive the master and destroy the ancestors, and betray the faith."

Zhao Zeyong can't hear certain words now, he didn't read the secret letter, but sat and sipped tea, his peripheral vision drifted to the door from time to time.

"Hahaha~" Guo Da couldn't hold back his joy, flicked the wooden box with his fingers, shook his head and said with a smile: "It's not easy to get these, if the Second Highness finds out, I will definitely hunt them down!"

Paper can't contain fire.At this time, the cronies around King Qing had been roughly informed of Rong Youtang's identity and needed to advise him.

"I really didn't expect Brother Rong to encounter such a rough situation." Wu Sipeng sighed.

"Before he was in the dark, and the Zhou family was in the light, so he won a few rounds." Guo Yuan shook his head, disapproving, "But he was too risky. He dared to send part of the secret letter to Taifu Han, and designed a counter-examination between His Royal Highness and Zhou Mingjie. , once exposed, the three parties will join forces to fight back."

"The younger generation is awesome." Wu Sipeng admired it quite a lot, or he knew that King Qing appreciated it, so he smiled and said: "He planned carefully and successfully used the suspicion between the Second Highness and the First Highness to quietly fan the flames and ignite the Second Highness. His anger burned on Zhou Mingjie, and he retreated unscathed."

That's right, that bastard thing is the best at judging the situation and is used to taking advantage of it!

Zhao Zeyong ate the tea cup lightly, and said in a flat tone: "He is lawless, ignorant and fearless. If he repeats his old tricks, he will definitely arouse the suspicion of his elder brother and second brother. We will see how he ends up."

Guo Da sternly persuaded: "Your Highness, calm down, it has been found out: Brother Rong never harmed our relationship, but instead took the initiative to submit these good things. He is indeed young and ignorant, and made mistakes in a moment of confusion. He wants to be diligent in his usual work For the sake of being a first-time offender, please give him a chance to reform himself."

King Qing needs steps.His anger did not lie in "Rong Youtang is the son of Zhou Renlin, and he was born into the second prince's party", but in "Rong Youtang deceived and used this king", which even Guo Da could see.

Wu Sipeng was even more blunt: "Your Highness, as long as Brother Rong is not a spy sent by the Zhou family, it is not a serious crime of treason."

"A spy?" Zhao Zeyong said coldly: "If that bastard is capable, the Zhou family would have been destroyed long ago!"

Guo Da couldn't help laughing: "According to the report from Anbu's overnight investigation, Brother Rong has caused a lot of trouble to Zhou's family. Zhou Minghong and Zhou Mingjie will not talk about it. Cousin, do you remember? When the oiran entered Zhou's house, that brat squeezed Watching the excitement in the crowd, my eyes are shining hahaha~"

Zhao Zeyong had no choice but to put on a straight face, and said solemnly:

"Filial piety is the first thing to do. One 'unfilial' is enough to make him reviled by the world."

Guo Yuan nodded in agreement: "Even if the father kills his children in the name of 'unfilial', he will not be punished."

"Hey, I've always found it strange that there is a saying called 'the parents of everything in the world' - how is this possible? Even a sage admits that he will make mistakes and advocates 'three provinces a day'!" Guo Da lay on his stomach incomprehensibly. On the table, I continued to read the secret letter with great interest.

"Little Er, be careful." Guo Yuan warned seriously: "Based on what you said just now, someone with a heart can already label you an 'unfilial madman'."

Guo Da resentfully said: "I know, I will talk about it in private."

"What good strategy do you guys have?" Zhao Zeyong asked seriously.Although he was angry and thought of many ways to teach Rong Youtang a lesson, he never thought of throwing it away.

"This..." Wu Sipeng twisted his beard in embarrassment, frowning in thought.

"He was born as the son of Zhou Renlin, no one can change him." Guo Yuan pointed out calmly.

"The Zhou family did a great job, and Brother Rong also took revenge mercilessly. He made his brother and sister miserable and broke up completely. He really can't go back to the Zhou family in his life." Guo Da tapped his fingers on the table, helpless , distressed: "cousin, what good advice can you have?"

Zhao Zeyong pondered for a while, and said slowly: "The exam is about to publish a list, and those who make the list will then go to the Golden Palace to deal with it. They have studied hard for many years, and it is not easy for every candidate." Especially this bastard.

"Looking at Brother Rong's attitude, I'm afraid he won't go back to the Zhou family if he is beaten to death." Guo Da smiled wryly: "If he wants to become an official, he must have no problem with his background. Unbelievable."

Wu Sipeng was also in a dilemma: "His Royal Highness is extremely worried: filial piety is the first priority. The identity can be hidden for a while, but it can't be hidden for a lifetime. It will be exposed sooner or later. There is almost no solution."

Zhao Zeyong felt quite a headache, in fact, he didn't want Rong Youtang to go back to Zhou's house at all: Then wait for the wolf den, why go back?

After discussing for a long time without any results, Zhao Zeyong had no choice but to let his cronies go back to have dinner.

After the crowd dispersed, Zhao Zeyong sat alone and meditated. After a while, the steward asked for an interview and said, "Your Highness, Mr. Rong has improved a lot. May I ask if you can bring your relatives home."

"What about people?"

"Waiting outside."

Zhao Zeyong subconsciously wanted to call the other party in, but he held back his thoughts and said indifferently: "Allow him to go home. In addition——"

The butler listened attentively for a long while.

Zhao Zeyong didn't say "other" in the end, but waved his hand and said, "Okay."

"Yes." The butler was well-trained, never saying a word, and turned around to carry out the order.

"Wait!".

"What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Zhao Zeyong frowned, thoughtfully, and called back to the butler, but he didn't say anything, and whispered: "Go."

"Yes."

Zhao Zeyong got up, pacing back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, his heart was quite upset, and he was faintly looking forward to it.

Not long after, the housekeeper asked to see him again, and Zhao Zeyong immediately agreed, and asked solemnly, "What's the matter?"

"His Royal Highness: Mr. Rong's family has gone back." The housekeeper said respectfully.

Sure enough, as expected by the king, he slipped away very fast!Zhao Zeyong was expressionless.

"In addition, Mr. Rong asked the villain to tell His Highness that the reward was delivered by mistake last night because he was ill and confused. Now that he is awake, he brought it back as it was. It is still stored in the warehouse, hung with three copper locks, and treasured as a family heirloom."

What an eloquent bastard!

"Hmph." Zhao Zeyong inexplicably improved his mood, and said indifferently: "It's just an ordinary reward, and it's also worthy of being treasured as a family heirloom?"

The butler wisely didn't answer.

"Understood, let's go down." Zhao Zeyong's voice finally stopped being cold.

in a few days

Juneday, baby face, change as soon as you say it.

In the afternoon, the sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds, the sky was dark, the wind was strong, and the big raindrops were dripping down immediately.

After he recovered from his illness, Rong Youtang still returned to Beiying, with a mentality of redemption, and worked redoubledly in his work. Holding a stack of paperwork, he hurried to the main account.

The curtain door was hung, and Zhao Zeyong, who was scrutinizing the Beiying survey plan, turned around after hearing the news, and happened to see Rong Youtang running in in embarrassment——

The moment the four eyes met, Rong Youtang immediately looked away, the rain wet his hair, flowed down his forehead, and condensed on his chin. He stood cautiously at the door of the curtain, not daring to be as unrestrained as before.

looking pitiful...

"Your Highness, I have something to ask to see you."

"Come in." Zhao Zeyong put down his pen and walked towards the desk.

"Yes." After getting permission, Rong Youtang stepped into the temporarily laid bluestone floor tiles of the main tent, held his breath and concentrated on placing the document in the corner of the desk, with both hands hanging down neatly.

Zhao Zeyong is a seldom talker, but recently he cherishes words like gold and is serious.After sitting down, he habitually reached for the teacup, but the cup was empty, so he put it down.

Rong Youtang, who was watching his words and expressions, immediately turned around and was busy, silently refilling King Qing's tea.

Zhao Zeyong picked it up in satisfaction, skimmed off the foam slowly, but said nothing.

In the past few days, they have been getting along in such a strange way: one is worried and anxious; the other is gritting his teeth and enduring hard.

After talking about the official business, Zhao Zeyong said with a straight look:

"The list will be released in three days."

"Yes." Rong Youtang was cautious in his words and deeds, lest he would make another mistake.

"What is it?" Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows in displeasure, and secretly said: Yes yes yes!You don't have anything else to say but 'yes'?

what is what?

Rong Youtang hurriedly and quietly observed King Qing's face, thought for a while, and said clearly and firmly: "No matter what the result is, I will report it in time!"

"Well." Zhao Zeyong was very satisfied, and said slowly: "This king already knows the result."

"Ah?" Rong Youtang was taken aback, and immediately asked: "Your Highness, is I on the list?"

Zhao Zeyong picked up the teacup, sipped the tea seriously, and concentrated on reading the documents.

"Your Highness, is I on the list?" Rong Youtang asked nervously.The release of the rankings is a major event that every candidate fears, anxiety and looks forward to.

"Your Highness, is there me?"

"Your Highness, is there me?"

"Your Highness?"

……

Zhao Zeyong was wearing the summer prince's uniform, sandalwood color embroidered gold thread auspicious animal totem, silver gray trim, extraordinary appearance, imposing manner.He continued to read the documents, and let Rong Youtang ask left and right. After a long while, he didn't raise his head and said, "So what if I have you? Do you dare to enter the palace to countermeasures?"

Rong Youtang supported the back of the grand teacher's chair where King Qing was sitting, feeling depressed, hesitantly said: "My uncle works in the Ministry of Industry, I, I..." Well, good luck tricks people, mother said that her grandfather's family has been scholarly for generations. The ancestral precept of becoming an official is now being stimulated by Zhou Renlin to strive for the imperial examination!

"You can't explain it with your face alone."

Rong Youtang complained endlessly: "In the past ten years or so, I have never met relatives of my grandfather's family, and I thought they eloped because of my mother... I thought my kindness was broken."

"Does Zhou Renlin know you?"

Rong Youtang immediately frowned in disgust, sighed sadly, and said in a daze: "I'm so vulgar. I study and take the exam because I want to stand out and let my family enjoy glory and wealth. Now it seems that it's hard to stay in the capital—"

"You want to go?" Zhao Zeyong interrupted, got up suddenly, approached with sharp eyes.

Rong Youtang took a few steps back, leaned against the pillar, and explained in a naive manner: "I don't want to leave. But if the Zhou family finds out, my family's safety will be in danger, and you will be implicated. They must think that you are secretly helping me avenge—"

"So what? This king has a countermeasure, and he will definitely teach Zhou Renlin a lesson he will never forget!"

Zhao Zeyong raised his head stubbornly and said, "Come here."