03, Yeting

May heaven bless the grandson of Wang!

Xu Guanghan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, saying, "I only get a chance to return home every ten days or half a month; when have I ever had the time to raise the children?" Yet, despite these words, he did not stop his steps and continued to play and frolic with Liu Bingyi.

Xu Guanghan quietly lifted the child onto the bed, gazing at the sleeping face that still bore a smile in dreams, and couldn't help but exclaim: "I originally feared that the Emperor's great-grandson would have an eccentric temperament, making him difficult to approach; it seems now that Zhang Ling's past concerns were unfounded."

Xu Guanghan shouted loudly, turned around, and ran away, while Liu Bingyi, filled with excitement, screamed and chased after him. The two figures, one large and one small, circled around the not-so-spacious room in a chaotic manner. Xu Guanghan was panting heavily, dodging the wooden sword in the small Bingyi's hand, and shouted to Zhang He in a mournful voice: "Zhang Ling, please spare Guanghan, I still have a wife and daughter to support at home"

He became increasingly excited as he spoke, as if he were transported back to those brilliant years, immersed in the splendid Bo Wang Garden with jade steps and golden pavements, where Prince Wei sat majestically, his joy evident on his face, while guests and aides exchanged compliments and congratulations... That day was the fifth day of the fifth month, a time for honoring the deities. The prince took a precious mirror from the Kingdom of India and handed it to Shi Liangdi, who then tied it with a long-lasting thread made of delicate silk, personally fastening it to her grandson's tender, fair arm.

Xu Guanghan was being dragged by him, pulled all the way into the room. Liu Bingyi excitedly rummaged through his bundle and pulled out a small wooden sword, pointing it directly at his opponent, "Now you are the villain, and I am the hero! Let's play!" Before Xu Guanghan could react, with a whoosh, the wooden sword was already thrusting straight towards his chest.

Perhaps... it is merely a rumor, not to be taken seriously..." he murmured in defense, "General Jin is one of the regents appointed by the late emperor, in the prime of his life...

Liu Bingyi was sweating profusely from playing, and Zhang He had prepared some food for him. Once he was tired from playing, he had a meal with Xu Guanghan. Liu Bingyi had a very good appetite, eating one and a half sesame cakes alone. Zhang He was worried about him overeating and did not dare to let him eat more, which made Liu Bingyi somewhat displeased. After enduring until dark, Liu Bingyi, exhausted from a day of activities, could no longer resist his drowsiness. He wrapped his arms around Xu Guanghan's waist and curled up, falling into a deep sleep in his embrace.

Zhang Ling! Outside the door stood a young man who appeared thin, with fair skin and an air of refinement. Liu Bingyi was hiding behind Zhang He, curiously peeking out. The man originally had something to report, but upon seeing Liu Bingyi, he was taken aback and after a long pause, he hesitantly asked, "Is this person... could it be..."

Zhang He smiled and said, "Having a child around is also a good thing. My room is larger, so let's switch with the one you are staying in. From now on, you can stay here with your illness."

Xu Guanghan was well aware of what he was concerned about, as Liu Bingyi was able to restore his royal status and re-enter the inner court, relying entirely on the merits of the General of Chariots and Cavalry

Zhang Hewen felt his whole body stiffen upon hearing this, and it took him a long time to relax. The autumn cicadas outside seemed to have reached the end of their endurance, suddenly cutting off with a chirp, leaving no sound. A slight cool breeze flowed in through the window, and the moonlight was hazy, resembling disturbed water.

It is not allowed, Wang Zengsun can simply call me Zhang He

Liu Bingyi's breathing was faint, his petite body curled up, and his honey-colored skin glistened with a thin layer of sweat. Zhang He took the plain fan from the bed and waved it gently. Liu Bingyi pouted his rosy lips, murmured, turned over, and lay on the mat, deeply immersed in his dreams

Wang Zengsun... Zhang He choked back tears as he wiped his face, finally managing a smile. Seeing the child with dark eyes and black pupils, though his skin was dark, his features still exuded a certain elegance, he couldn't help but joyfully ask, "Does Wang Zengsun still remember me?" He desperately searched for any trace of his former master in this young child, even the slightest hint would suffice.

Zhang He recognized that the voice belonged to the Minister of the Yeting, so he tidied his appearance slightly and got up to open the door

Zhang He leaned against the door, smiling as he watched the two chase each other, and replied leisurely: "It is precisely because your daughter is of a similar age to the illness that it would be most appropriate for you to take care of the little child in the courtyard, wouldn't it?"

Liu Bingyi tilted his head to examine Xu Guanghan, noticing that he was of a similar age to his cousins. Xu's kind demeanor and expression bore some resemblance to Shi, so Liu easily accepted him, smiling and saying, "Great!" He stepped forward and took Xu Guanghan's hand, saying, "Let's play together!"

Upon receiving the news, Zhang He stood at the studio door early in the morning, braving the scorching sun to welcome him. As the ox cart arrived at the entrance, before Liu Bingyi could jump down from the vehicle, Zhang He had already embraced him tightly in his arms.

Zhang He nodded slightly, "I hope..." He squatted down, kneeling at the head of the bed, reaching out to gently stroke the child's sunburned, peeling face.

Liu Bingyi reached out to touch his cheek, only to find it smooth to the touch, unlike the prickly beards of several uncles. "Don't cry, I promise to be good, not to cause trouble, not to be mischievous, and not to give you any trouble. Please stop crying, okay?"

After entering the room and closing the door, Zhang He set him down on the floor, and then collapsed onto the ground himself. Liu Bingyi looked at the man in front of him, who was in his forties, and suddenly felt at a loss. Zhang He's behavior was quite strange; he knelt on the ground, supporting Bingyi with both hands, his head drooping. After a while, a sharp, thin sob unexpectedly escaped from his throat—Zhang He was crying

Zhang He inhaled deeply, staggered to his feet, and took his small hand to lead him to sit on the mat in the main room. "Not only do I recognize you, but when you were born, the Crown Prince was extremely delighted. When the full moon was celebrated and you were brought to us to see, you were so fair and delicate, truly a sight to behold. I even held you at that time."

Uncle! Liu Bingyi has awakened Zhang He, forcing him to withdraw from the illusion. Zhang He, in a daze, stared blankly for a long while before finally letting out a long sigh

The former splendor and glory have already become a thing of the past

After completing his duties, he drove away on his own. Zhang He, holding the sick child, entered the Weiyang Palace from the studio. As soon as he returned to the Shaofu office, he encountered some colleagues, who all greeted Zhang He with curiosity. Zhang He, however, did not have time for pleasantries and hurriedly responded before taking the emperor's great-grandson back to his residence within the Shaofu office.

Zhang He dragged Liu Bingyi out and pushed him to the front, smiling as he said: "This is the illness of the great-grandson of the late emperor!"

Xu Guanghan was so surprised that his mouth fell open, wanting to say something, but ultimately helplessly swallowed his words. Zhang He observed this and, assuming ignorance, continued to watch Liu Bingyi's reaction with a smile.

Zhang He sighed behind him, "What was the purpose of your visit to me earlier?"

Xu Guanghan shuddered, hunching his shoulders as he climbed down from the bed, and said in a low voice: "I just heard a rumor that the General of Cavalry is likely not going to make it..."

Although Liu Bingyi was still young and naive, he had already gained some understanding of human affairs. He did not directly call Zhang He by name, nor did he refer to him as Uncle, but merely smiled at him and said, "Someone is calling at the door."

Halfway through the ceremony, he was stopped by Zhang He, who said, "Don't scare the child!" Squatting down, he pointed at the person and said to Liu Bingyi, "His surname is Xu, and his given name is Guanghan. From now on, you will live together with him..."

Zhang He listened attentively and indeed heard someone knocking on the door while shouting: "Zhang Ling! Zhang Ling!"

Upon hearing this, the man straightened his posture and deeply bowed to Liu Bingyi, saying, "The Minister of the Inner Court, Guanghan, pays his respects to the Emperor's great-grandson"

How could this happen? He gazed at the innocent face peacefully sleeping on the bed, murmuring in confusion, as if questioning himself, and yet as if questioning his subordinate

Liu Bingyi shook his head in confusion, "Uncle, do you recognize me?"