The weather in the capital was humid in winter, the continuous rain spread a hazy mist that lingered on people's faces, the cold wind could remove a layer of skin off a person.
It was a chill to the bones and made people feel that it was colder than the winters in Yudu.
This coldness has been experienced by Prince Zang Xu for four years.
After Chu Lan sent troops to the east, four years passed before the entirety of Xia was conquered and became unified as the largest territory in history. The Xia regime was destroyed and Chu Lan created a new dynasty and changed its name to the Lan.
As "Lan" moved the capital, he cleaned up the previous corruption and set up a new official system. After a year of organization, he reopened the imperial examinations. Both Xia and Barbarians could participate. The taxes on the people were reduced and the barbarians were severely punished for the act of plundering, so the whole country gradually calmed down and the people have been living in peace.
After all, for ordinary people, it didn't matter who was the Emperor as long as their lives were better, there was no difference.
The population of the capital was large, ten times more than the original Yudu. Even at night, there were still many people coming and going on the streets. Some businessmen set up stalls on the roadside, and the fonts written on the flags were varied. Among them, the flags of one shop weren't clean and there were many stains on it, it could be seen that it had been on business for a long time.
The boss was working under the unclean flags. There was a big pot on the stove and there were steaming dumplings rolling in the pot, the soup bubbled and boiled.
The dumplings exuded a unique fragrance, eating a bowl this winter night wouldn't only warm the stomach, but also warm the heart. Zang Xu had been staring at this stall for a long time. Of course, he wasn't looking at the delicious food.
The teenager didn't come to eat dumplings, his attention was focused on one of the tables. On that table sat three men, and in front of them, there was a bowl of steaming dumplings.
The three men looked different, and one was even completely Barbarian-looking, but the one thing they had in common was that they all sat upright. They were obviously just chatting and eating in private but their movements were very clean and didn't look sloppy. If a person with sharp eyes sees them, they would be bound to guess their identity. This could only be men who had lived in the barracks.
Zang Xu's gaze kept sticking at the man sitting on the left. The man really didn't look like a soldier, he was too handsome and not tall enough, he was thinner than most men and his skin was fair.
His pair of lips probably passed through spicy food, they soon became very red and moist. Zang Xu couldn't help but swallow.
The little guard next to him had already noticed that there was something wrong with him, he couldn't help but whisper: "His Royal Highness, if you're hungry, the young one can buy you a bowl of dumplings? Or are you going to eat with the Princess?" Zang Xu blinked his eyes and stared at the picture of those ruddy lips biting a dumpling in half and chewing slowly, he then swallowed fiercely and said: "I'm not hungry."
The little guard couldn't understand him. Seeing his anxious fingers picking at the sawdust on the wall of the carriage, he couldn't help but say: "The Princess has been eating for almost half an hour?"
Zang Xu finally retracted his gaze this time, he looked a little lost and replied, "No, he finally got together with his former subordinates, don't disturb him."
"He looked over again, he also laughed twice. Although his smile is shallow, he looks happier than when he's with me. "
The little guard dared not speak.
The dumplings in the bowl were finally empty and the two other soldiers stood up first, they saluted Xia Chun and then left together.
Zang Xu was overjoyed when he saw this, but then he saw Xia Chun not returning but instead saying something to the owner of the shop, and then standing by and waiting again. His heart sunk.
He felt a little sad, is it possible that he'll want to treat all his subordinates to supper?
His Royal Highness was a little unable to sit still, but he didn't dare to lift the curtain to get off the car, so he could only continue to wait.
He saw the boss handing Xia Chun a package of dumplings, Xia Chun paid the money, walked slowly over the street. Zang Xu quickly said to the little guard: "Quick, no, slow down, slowly drive the carriage over."
The little guard knew that he was going to pretend to meet by chance, he obediently raised his whip and gently slapped it on the horse's ass. The not-so-luxurious wagon wheel was pulled up, and after a dozen or so laps, they happened to stop besides Xia Chun. His Royal Highness lifted the curtain and pretended to be surprised: "Brother, we've met by chance, are you going back? I'll send you back.
Xia Chun stopped and raised his head slightly to meet Zang Xu's gaze. His eyes were indifferent. His Royal Highness watched nervously, worried that he would refuse. Just when he was about to smile more brilliantly, Xia Chun had already lifted his foot and skillfully got into the carriage.
Zang Xu breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back inside, leaving the best spot for Xia Chun, he then took out a handkerchief and handed it over, saying bluntly, "Brother, you're a bit soaked in the rain, please dry yourself quickly, otherwise, the cold wind will enter your body and cause you to get sick." Xia Chun didn't pick it up, he passed the things on hand to Zang Xu. Zang Xu quickly became surprised, "Brother, you bought this for me? "
His face was red and there was a sense of shyness from being exposed, his voice was low. "It turns out that my brother knew that I have been waiting."
He took the box of dumplings preciously. The dumplings were well wrapped in oiled paper, there was no liquor in the soup, and tendrils of steam smoked out. Zang Xu took the chopsticks and picked one out, he put it into his mouth regardless of the heat.
He took a bite and the soup splashed out. He swallowed twice and soon looked like he was on the verge of tears. Xia Chun frowned slightly and said: "No one's robbing His Royal Highness of food."
Zang Xu finally ate the entire dumpling, his hot tongue was blistering and there were tears in his eyes, but he laughed again and said, "I certainly want to taste the things my brother gave faster. . It's delicious, especially delicious."
He didn't feel as impatient when he ate another one. He ate very happily. When the carriage arrived at the gate of the General's Mansion, he even drank the soup.
It was titled the General's mansion, but the house wasn't very luxurious, even much smaller and inconspicuous than the mansion next to it. After all, this "General" had an identity other than "General".
Xia Chun made great contributions in the Eastern Expedition, even the last Emperor of the Xia Dynasty was captured by him. His reward wasn't the greatest, but it could be said to be the most surprising. This was because soon after that Chu Lan told the world that he was going to marry His Royal Highness, Due to this edict, the former General's mansion suddenly became deserted.
Which man would still dare to keep in touch with the future Queen of the prospective Prince despite being close brothers on the battlefield? It was imperative to stay away as soon as possible and not worry about it. One shouldn't blindly seek death and provoke the King and the Crown Prince. What's more, this great General wasn't good at friendship. He was a master who didn't bend under force, and he didn't have a smile on his person. He was ruthless and unforgiving, truly a flower of Gaoling¹.
Most of the people who wanted to establish friendship with him were daughters or young ladies who wanted to be married into the family. They dreamed of being together with the General and enjoying a stable social standing and career.
The General didn't seem to be interested in women at all, it turned out to be because he was already with His Royal Highness.
After Chu Lan issued the edict, Xia Chun served as a real general for a few years and also had an army in his hands. By now, his position had mostly become a false title. After all, in one month, he'll be married.
The General of the mansion would soon become the Crown Prince's spouse.
Zang Xu felt itchy in his heart whenever he thought of this, he wished that time would go faster and reach the twenty-second of the twelfth lunar month soon.
Now, he felt that time was passing too fast, a little annoyed that the little guard drove the car and annoyed at the speed at which he ate the dumplings. He couldn't eat faster and didn't even exchange a few words with Xia Chun.
He was reluctant to part with Xia Chun. Seeing that he was about to get out of the car, he couldn't help but stretch out his hand to catch his wrist, but he shifted a bit midway and changed his target to his sleeve.
Xia Chun glanced at him with a calm expression and asked, "What's the matter?" Zang Xu's face was red, but his eyes were very bright, he said shyly: "My Ama specifically asked my father to allow me to not have any classes this month, saying I could accompany my brother more. If brother wants to go somewhere, can I accompany you? Right, do you want to go somewhere? "
Xia Chun pursed his lips, his tone a little harder, "Wasting studies and indulging in fun is a taboo for ordinary people, let alone His Royal Highness."
He gently retracted his sleeve and said with a serious face: "I don't have anywhere to go, you don't have to accompany me. "
His Royal Highness became a little frightened by his criticism and quickly said: "I- I didn't think about delays. Although I don't go to class, I read books and practice martial arts, I'll never leave it unattended. I just... want to accompany my brother more."
He was very emotional. He loved to laugh when he was happy, one couldn't stop him from smiling. Once he feels uncomfortable, he would want to cry. He couldn't restrain himself, the rims of his eyes would become red first and then gradually become filled with a layer of tears. When the Prince was growing up, his bones and lips were similar to his mother. Whenever the rims of his eyes became red, the corners of his mouth pointed downwards. He looked very wronged and very lovable. Xia Chun saw his reddened eyes and abruptly said goodbye.
He opened his mouth and said: "Then you come in the afternoons and bring your sword, I'll spar with you." Hearing this, Zang Xu was overjoyed, his face brightened again and he nodded, "Right! Right! I'll come tomorrow!"
Xia Chun got out of the car and he caught up with him again. He grew tall, although still young.
He was less than seventeen years old but his height was almost equal to that of his father's, he was more than a head taller than Xia Chun.
But Xia Chun's upright posture contained power in his body. even when he was just walking around. No one dared to underestimate him. Zang Xu followed behind him, like a big friendly dog wagging its tail.
The place where the carriage stopped was a few steps away from the door, after a few moments they've arrived at the destination. Zang Xu was flustered and began to look for topics, "Brother, today you saw some subordinates from the past. Are they leaving the capital to return to Yudu? Are they planning to be a soldier disarmed and won't return to the field?"
Xia Chun let out an "um" and said: "They're sick and no longer suitable for staying in the barracks."
When Zang Xu heard him explaining this to himself, he became happy in his heart and said quickly: "It turns out that they came to say goodbye to you. Then why eat on the streets instead of going to a restaurant?"
Xia Chun stood at the door and said, "The porridge and rice were horribly sandy in the past, we'll naturally eat dumplings on the streets today."
Zang Xu laughed, "Of course, my brother's the most approachable and the most incorruptible."
After he finished speaking, he realized what he had said, neither of these two words seemed appropriate so he was a little nervous, he looked at him nervously and said with a dry smile: "I- I should go back, it's cold, brother you should go inside too and rest early."
His gaze followed Xia Chun's face and fell on his hand. After all, he couldn't hold back the urge, he stretched out his hand and tried to hold it. Xia Chun avoided him and said, "It's not appropriate."
His Royal Highness was taken aback, he quickly understood and scratched his head shyly, "It's inappropriate, we're still not married, it's instead not suitable for this now."
Xia Chun said nothing, he reached out and knocked on the door.
Zang Xu suddenly couldn't help asking: "Brother, do you really want to marry me?"
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Notes:
1- Flower of the high mountains, means someone who is lofty, usually cold, and seemingly unreachable.