Chapter 27 Unspoken

  Xiu Wang was a qinwang (first-rank prince), but his son could only inherit the title of guogong (duke).

  The King of Jin'an Commandery was a special title conferred by the Emperor, and although they were all brothers and sisters, his status was higher than others.

  The King of Jin'an Prefecture hastily took a few steps forward, knelt down in the middle, first paid respects to his superior, the queen, and then returned the courtesy to his brothers and sisters.

  "All right, let's just stay in as a family and not see anyone else." Princess Xiu finally said, stretching out her hand.

  The children in the house then sat down one after another.

  "Ts'ung-lang, I heard that you sat up all night again at your father's memorial hall last night." said Hsiu Wang-fei, looking at the young man with tears in her eyes. "Don't do this anymore, you rushed here from afar and cried for three days, exhausting yourself, how can you face the Emperor?"

  "The kindness of parents is something that cannot be repaid even if one tries their best, it's really hard to bear in my heart." King Wang of Jin'an said with a hoarse voice.

  The beautiful queen wiped away her tears.

  "Get up quickly, and don't say such things again," she said.

  On the other side, a brother made way for one seat, and after Jin An, the king of Guang, paid his respects, he returned to his seat.

  The room is quiet and solemn.

  "The king is no more, but we can't abandon our duties." said Queen Xiu.

  The children all responded in unison.

  The Empress Dowager said a few more words, nothing but trivial daily matters were handed over.

  Just as he was speaking, another voice came from outside the door.

  "Mother."

  With a sound, a gust of wind swept in a young man, also dressed in mourning attire, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a face resembling that of the King of Jin'an.

  Seeing him come in, the elegant Princess Hsiu on the throne smiled and stretched out her hand.

  The young man did not salute, but walked straight up to the queen and sat down in front of her.

  "Huang Lang, where have you been? You're back so late?" Empress Xiu stroked his shoulder with her hand, asking with unconcealed affection.

  "Mother, I'm going to the warehouse to find that painting Father King gave me." The young man said with a gloomy face. "Before, I was lazy and Father King used calligraphy and painting to warn me, so I deliberately hid it away. Now that Father King is no longer here, I..."

  He said this, his eyes turned red, and he choked with emotion, unable to speak.

  The queen's tears had already fallen.

  "Good child, your father knows what's on your mind, don't be sad anymore." She said hastily.

  The young man nodded slightly and looked into the house, revealing a smile towards Prince Jin'an.

  "Brother," he said, rising and bowing.

  The King of Jin'an Commandery smiled and returned the courtesy.

  Then they laughed and joked for a while, and King Jin'an of Guangling got up and bid farewell.

  "You go ahead and rest early," said Xiū Wáng Fēi, adding another sentence, "Don't be too formal at home."

  The Prince of Jin'an bowed his head in gratitude and bid farewell to his brothers and sisters before rising to leave.

  The door was closed, blocking out the view inside, but the sound of laughter and chatter grew louder.

  "Mom, you should rest more too..."

  "...Brother, did you see who took away my jade staff yesterday..."

  The conversation between brothers and sisters is lively, sweeping away the dullness and stiffness of the past.

  The King of Jin'an stood with his back to the main room, his footsteps paused for a moment without moving.

  "Prince of a commandery?" The woman asked in a low voice from under the eaves.

  The King of Jin turned his head, revealing a smiling face, and again bowed low to the room before turning around and striding away.

  He strode along with big steps, head held high and pace wide, the attendants waiting outside the princess's residence could hardly keep up.

  Keep walking and walking, seemingly unaware of where to go, yet continuing on without any fear.

  The attendants behind him did not dare to make a sound, and followed in silence until King Jin'an himself stopped first.

  "Huh." He looked around for a moment, "Where is the place I live?"

  He smiled again, revealing his white teeth, which shone brightly against the white lanterns by the roadside.

  "I was too young when I left, although everything at home hasn't changed, but I don't remember anything." He said with a smile.

  The attendants were busy but smiled and led the way while they worked.

  A crowd of people turned their heads and went in one direction.

  The night was deep and dark, the Xiu Wang Fu became quiet, the white lanterns were like stars twinkling, and inexplicably brought a few degrees of chill.

  A strange and mournful cry came from a corner of the Xiu Wang Fu, sounding like an owl's hooting, yet also like human wailing, but as soon as one turned to listen, it was gone, without attracting anyone's attention.

  A servant lifted his foot and kicked him, and the man on the ground rolled over.

  The indoor lamp is dim, and everything is hazy.

  "Your mouth is quite hard, Duke, still won't say." He turned around and said in a low voice.

  The King of Jin'an walked out from the black shadow by the wall, still wearing that white mourning attire, only with a white silk handkerchief added in his hand, which was now covering his mouth.

  "However, he is a loyal and chivalrous man." He said slowly, putting away his handkerchief, with his usual bright smile on his face, looking at the person lying motionless on the ground.

  The servant lifted his foot and kicked the person on the ground, who rolled over but didn't wake up.

  The Prince of Jin'an looked at the person on the ground, the dim lamp making his face alternate between light and dark.

  "It doesn't matter whether you say it or not, what's the difference? I don't need to know who wants to harm me, I just need to know that someone wants to kill me." He said slowly, and then waved his hand, "No need to ask him anymore, you can play as you like, anyway, it's better to fulfill his loyalty."

  The attendant smiled and responded accordingly.

  Immediately, two or three more came out, and with a kick of their feet, the man flipped over again. Under the faint light of the bean lamp, it shone on the man's legs, where white bones were exposed, with some blood-stained skin hanging from them, looking as if they had been scraped off alive.

  With this kick and punch, the person suddenly woke up, opened his mouth to shout, and a servant immediately covered his mouth with one hand while revealing a cold light in the other.

  "Liao Ye, don't worry, the Duke said you don't have to answer anymore." The attendant said with a low chuckle.

  That person seemed to know something, struggling desperately, looking at the white-clothed young man in front of him, his eyes full of fear.

  But it was too late, and the attendant cut off his tongue with one stroke of his knife.

  Blood splattered all over the ground. The Princess of Jin'an took a step back, using her handkerchief to gently wave it away, as if trying to dispel the bloody smell.

  Liao Guanshi fainted and fell to the ground.

  The Prince of Jin'an glanced over and left.

  The wind howled through on a winter's night, blowing the lanterns under the eaves with a whoosh.

  The young man looked up at the night sky, a crescent moon hung crookedly, and in the flickering light, his face as pale as jade had no smile on it. He stood there silently for a moment, then turned around and walked slowly along the corridor, under the white lights, his bright figure seemed exceptionally slender and desolate.

  When the sky was bright, Chen Shao had already left the palace gate and arrived at the foot of the imperial city.

  Along the way, the numerous civil and military officials who had been scattered in the morning all gave way.

  This is the first day that Xiǎo Mù, who has been away from court for nearly two months, has returned to his position as Minister of Personnel. From all sides, countless eyes are upon him, some filled with joy and others with jealousy.

  Just now, after the meeting in the Moon Palace was dismissed, the Crown Prince of Dai Zheng personally stopped Chen Shao and said that the Emperor wanted to see him.

  This shows that Chen Shao is still the most reliable person in the emperor's eyes. Originally, the only chance to replace him was when his father mourned for three years, but now this opportunity has also been lost.

  Even a disease that had left even the great physician Hua Tuo helpless was actually cured.

  This Chen Shao really is too lucky.

  As for these gazes, Chen Shao didn't mind them; his heart was still thinking about the matter of meeting the emperor just now.

  The emperor dismissed the grand prince and discussed state affairs with him alone. The two of them had a very pleasant conversation, which showed that although the emperor was ill, his spirit was good, and also indicated that the emperor relied heavily on him.

  He became famous in his youth, fortunately without sinking, and was ranked as a jinshi. Under the emperor's intentional cultivation, he was trained and just when he was about to be entrusted with important tasks after his death, his mother fell ill. Although it was possible to seize power, for the sake of his reputation, the emperor did not do so, but instead allowed him to mourn for three years. Unexpectedly, when he was again entrusted with important tasks, his father...

  What a relief! What a relief!

  It can be seen that the emperor also breathed a sigh of relief, otherwise he wouldn't have made such a joke.

  "It's said that the whole city is rushing to get rid of the sparrows, just for the sake of the Chen family." The emperor smiled and said, "Remember to send some over so I can also taste this good sparrow dish from the Chen family."

  Chen Shao couldn't help but smile.

  He was famous in the imperial court and the countryside for his literary name, but unexpectedly he also became famous among the common people in the capital for his eating habits.

  It won't be long before Chen Shao becomes known as Chen Huangque among the common people.

  Chen Shentong turned into Chen Huangque, and suddenly went from being a refined and elegant person to a rough and unrefined one, the difference was too great.

  How did it suddenly become like this?

  Since that woman entered our home, Father's illness has improved. And this canary was originally meant to be eaten by her, otherwise the cook wouldn't have made it.

  This village's humble and unassuming dish is surprisingly delicious.

  The commonplace is often elegant.

  This woman is really quirky and interesting.

  Chen Shao entered the house, changed into casual clothes, and immediately walked towards his father's courtyard. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw the old and young sitting opposite each other in the open doorway of the house.

  Although frail, the white-haired old man sat with his legs crossed, his spirit sharp. Across from him was a young girl in a plain robe with large sleeves and black hair, kneeling upright. Next to the chessboard, a little girl in a bright red dress wandered back and forth, supporting her head with her hand.

  Chen Shao suddenly stopped in his tracks, as if unwilling to break this early winter scene.

  "Daughter, don't you know how to play chess?" Old Mr. Chen asked.

  Jiang Nang had been staring at the chessboard for a good while.

  "I don't remember," she said.

  Can't remember? Will it be? Or won't it be?

  Mr. Chen was puzzled for a moment.

  "I'll play Go with Grandpa and Sister," said Dan Niang, interrupting the conversation between the two.

  An old man picked up a black piece and fell, after a moment, he picked up a white piece, it turned out that one person was playing alone.

  "Father." Dan Niang's eyes landed on her father at the doorway and she excitedly shouted out.

  Chen Shaojin knelt down and paid his respects, asking after his father's well-being, and also expressed his gratitude to Cheng Jiaoniang.

  Jiangniang returned the courtesy.

  "Although it's much better now, for the time being, please don't walk too much," she said to Old Master Chen. "Haste makes waste, if you fall ill again at this time, no amount of money can help."

  Mr. Chen laughed and patted his thigh, the temptation of being able to walk was just too great.

  "After another injection in five days, it will be fine, and I can recover just by taking medicine." said Cheng Jiaoniang.

  The father and son were overjoyed. Firstly, they no longer had to endure that kind of suffering, and secondly, it meant that the day of recovery was getting closer and closer.

  "Really thank you so much." Chen Shao Su again expressed his gratitude.

  As they spoke, Cheng Jiaoniang stood up and bid farewell, with Dan Niang naturally following suit.

  "Third Sister, don't quarrel with your daughter-in-law." Chen Shao hastily instructed.

  Dan Niang walked out happily with her sleeves held high.

  The weather has turned much colder.

  "In three to five days, it will snow," said Cheng Jiaoniang, looking up at the sky.

  "Really? That's great! Then we can go to the mountain to enjoy the snow." Dan Niang said happily.

  Not far from where they had walked, the sound of women's laughter and chatter came towards them, and then four or five gorgeously dressed women appeared, walking in their direction. When they saw Cheng Jiaoniang and Chen Dan Niang, they stopped in their tracks.

  Tomorrow will resume double updates, cough, actually just a thousand more words.

  Also thank you to Taiwanese book friends, the number of thank-you messages has exceeded 100, thank you thank you. rs