[…]
[…]
[…]
Rong Juan already had enough of a headache and couldn’t help asking the System to stop: “Don’t pop ellipses in my brain.”
An ellipsis with six dots; he couldn’t stand seeing anything with the number six right now.
Rong Juan thought he had prepared himself mentally, but he was still underprepared.
Underprepared by four.
…My birth situation was extremely special.
The gold content behind Song Mingzhi’s words was only now fully revealed.
Rong Juan’s throat moved: “No wonder your strict parents couldn’t bear to do it.”
This workload was a bit too terrifying.
The System was also still in shock. It turned out they were facing a gang!
Two vs. a team—this game was too dirty.
[The development of medical skills in this era truly has gold content.]
The medicinal bath prepared by Xue Ren had already overturned the System’s prejudice against historical medicine.
It felt there was still much to learn. For example, how the midwife at that time managed to keep both mother and children safe under extreme circumstances, giving birth to true “hexagon warriors” (all-rounders).
Rong Juan frowned slightly and asked: “Are similar situations common in your clan?”
One point was strange: the probability of multiple births occurring and surviving in this era was low. Why would a clan specifically formulate rules for this?
[Little Rong, is there something wrong with their clan?]
The System’s AI processed it and had the same view.
[I checked the database. Disposal of twins includes abandonment, adoption, holding ceremonies, etc., and sending the second son to a temple as a ‘child acolyte.’ Only very few clans have the patriarch discard one to preserve the clan’s fortune.]
[But these are mostly recorded in tales of the strange. Almost none are actually written into clan rules.]
Who writes a diary when doing bad things?
So dishonorable.
Song Mingzhi lowered his eyes, pinching the tea cup, and spoke after a while.
“In my childhood, I heard my father mention that there was an incident where a younger brother stole his older brother’s wife in our ancestry. Later, an older brother failed in business and killed his younger brother to replace him.”
He casually cited a few ancestral past events: “Therefore, the clan believes twins will damage fortune.”
Rong Juan silently drank a sip of tea.
There haven’t been many good people in your clan, have there?
“Later, my parents tried to make it public, but unfortunately, it soon became unnecessary.”
Regarding the miserable state of Tongyuan City, Rong Juan had already glimpsed a few things in the paintings the envoy had brought last time. He didn’t know what to say.
“Your parents…”
Referring to old past events, Song Mingzhi’s tone was extremely calm, only occasionally flashing a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.
“On the way to escape, we lacked food and water. My father died of an illness. My mother barely managed to support us for a while, and later we were saved by Master.”
Rong Juan tactfully stopped, not pressing further about his mother’s whereabouts, but could not resist one last question: “Does Gu Wen know?”
Song Mingzhi shook his head.
Rong Juan: “…”
“This junior brother of mine never invests concern in people without value.”
Rong Juan found it a bit incredible. Getting along day and night, it wasn’t easy to hide from a shrewd character like Gu Wen.
“People only see the most superficial surface,” Song Mingzhi said. “Usually, just cover the mole on the brow and make a slight disguise.”
And the status of servants was lower than that of page boys; how would ordinary people really pay attention to them?
Rong Juan had to admit that when he first met Song Mingzhi, the deepest impression was the somewhat Buddhist mole on his brow.
Next, after quite a bit of communication, Rong Juan finally clarified the relationship between the characters and each person’s corresponding abilities.
He stood up, holding the cracked fan, and made a long story short: “Two choices. Lurk in the Prime Minister’s manor, maintain the original state, and declare the literary duel a draw to the outside world.”
The other was undoubtedly changing allegiance and going back with him.
Rong Juan wasn’t prepared to keep one and take a few; either leave none or go all in.
The five Song sons all looked at one person. As the eldest brother, Song Mingzhi was undoubtedly the backbone of this group.
Song Mingzhi sat in place, looking at Rong Juan quietly.
The other party didn’t use the secret of their identity to force them to turn against the Prime Minister completely, which truly surprised him.
Considering his own interests, maintaining the status quo was naturally better. Protecting themselves wisely would also give them time to plan for the future.
Most importantly… recalling his contact with Rong Juan—good at endurance, talented, understanding how to treat worthy men with courtesy—people with these qualities usually had great ambitions and shouldn’t be involved too deeply.
So even if moved, Song Mingzhi preferred to maintain the status quo.
But several times when he was about to speak, he surprisingly hesitated.
The silence lying between the two sides was a bit long.
After an unknown amount of time, while Song Mingzhi was contemplating silently, a gust of hot wind suddenly blew from outside the railing.
The papers on the table rustled in the wind. The gold-inlaid literary duel invitation, the weightiest among them, was still dazzling. The scrawled “Second Visit” on it crashed into his eyes again.
Song Mingzhi, who was already wavering a bit, suddenly had wandering thoughts.
If the one discovering their secret today was the Right Prime Minister, he would probably have used this as a threat long ago, first forcing out the specific location of his junior brother’s family, then controlling the few of them, and finally, there was a high probability he wouldn’t even let their master go.
But Rong Hengsong chose to let the opportunity slip through his fingers, asking for his will first.
On impulse, a single thought made the difference: “Willing to devote myself entirely to my Lord until death.”
Realizing what he said, the corners of Song Mingzhi’s mouth stiffened.
It was too late to take it back now.
In the next instant, Rong Juan knocked on the table: “Devote entirely once—”
Song Mingzhi looked up abruptly.
Just like during the competition, Rong Juan repeated in a lazy tone: “Devote entirely twice—”
The tone was very draggy, giving plenty of opportunity to take it back. For a moment, not to mention Song Mingzhi, even the other Song sons, after their initial astonishment, suddenly felt inexplicably amused.
You can never guess what this person will do in the next second.
Song Mingzhi gazed at him for a long while, truly no longer hesitating, and bowed deeply.
“Devote entirely thrice. Alright, then it’s settled.” Rong Juan waved his hand: “Let’s hit the road.”
“…”
Downstairs was crowded with scholars. Never had a literary duel lasted so long; it seemed something unexpected had happened.
If not for the scruples about the Prince Consort specifically saying before leaving that excessive noise was strictly prohibited in Guanyue Tower, everyone would have swarmed up long ago.
“The second literary duel is canceled.”
Under those doubtful gazes, Song Mingzhi walked out of the tower calmly. Only before getting into the carriage did he pause slightly and say, “Today’s literary duel, I lost.”
With the last two words, everyone froze in place.
After a long time, when the scholars finally absorbed the shocking news, a flood of disbelief erupted like a dam breaking, and the scene exploded.
Meanwhile, Song Mingzhi and Rong Juan’s carriage had long since left this place that was almost blocked by water (impenetrable crowd).
At the General’s Manor.
The solemn and majestic gate opened slowly.
The steward went out to look—several carriages!
He trembled as he questioned the Tao brothers: “Why rob so many back this time?”
Did you go to stock up?
“…”
Outsiders were not allowed to enter the General’s Manor without authorization, except those forcibly robbed back.
Knowing Xie Yanzhou had returned from the drill ground, Rong Juan immediately took the spoils of war to see him.
Entering straight from the main gate, passing through the front courtyard and the martial arts field, seeing no one stop Rong Juan along the way, Song Mingzhi became thoughtful. This General Xie seemed to treat his political enemy’s son exceptionally well.
Xie Yanzhou usually stayed in the study when discussing matters. Today was an exception; he was in the Ansi Hall handling government affairs.
Rong Juan understood the reason for the change as soon as he arrived: there were many people.
Besides the main seat, five military generals sat on chairs, each upright and robust. Hearing scattered footsteps, stern gazes pressed over almost simultaneously.
A general in his forties recognized Rong Juan. The vigilance in his tiger-like eyes dispersed, and he reached out to pat his shoulder.
“Good lad, you’re the one who called for donations? Not bad! Much better than your bastard dad.”
Martial artists didn’t know their own strength. Xie Yanzhou intervened in time to unload his force; otherwise, Rong Juan’s shoulder would have been bruised.
Today’s discussion was cut short. The generals left. They were not often in the capital and didn’t know Song Mingzhi beside Rong Juan, but Xie Yanzhou’s brow twitched slightly.
“I remember you said you were going for a literary duel today.”
“Won.” Rong Juan’s tone was casual.
Before he continued speaking, Xie Yanzhou glanced at the steward.
Before long, the gate was closed, and the surrounding servants were ordered not to approach, eliminating eavesdropping.
Rong Juan sat wherever he went, half leaning on the back of the chair, before starting to talk about today’s competition. Hearing him playing the pipa randomly, the corner of Xie Yanzhou’s mouth couldn’t help but hook up slightly.
“The Mr. Songs have agreed to serve me from now on.”
He spoke weakly, but didn’t stutter.
Xie Yanzhou’s smile faded slightly: “Mr. Songs… plural?”
Rong Juan nodded, holding up the teacup and drinking it in one gulp, ready to get to the point.
Song Mingzhi stood quietly aside, showing no intention of stopping him.
To ensure safety, he would live in the General’s Manor for a long time. The General’s Manor had close dealings with Xue Ren, known as the Ghost Doctor in the Superintendent Bureau. Basic disguise techniques couldn’t hide from Xue Ren’s eyes.
He glanced at his second brother.
Starting with zero frames (instantly), Song Zhizhi wiped off his disguise without warning in front of Xie Yanzhou.
Xie Yanzhou’s face changed slightly. Before he could react much, the six Song sons repeated their names.
“Song Zhizhi.”
“Song Weizhi.”
“Song…”
Rong Juan waved his hand to interrupt, introducing them in detail personally: “Standing in front of you now is Song Mingzhi, Big Brother, the brain.”
“Next to him is Song Zhizhi, Second Brother, full of romantic sentiments. Some highly acclaimed storybooks among the people were written by him under a pseudonym.”
“Third Brother Song Weizhi, proficient in pharmacology. Fourth Brother Song Buzhi, skilled in riding and archery, is a first-class cook. Fifth Brother Song Shizhi, highly skilled in martial arts, understands creation, knows how to modify water conservancy projects, and other appliances. Youngest son Song Yezhi, skilled in music and qinggong.”
After finishing the character profiles, Rong Juan stood at the very front.
“Song (I/We), with the six sons of the Song clan, offer our greetings.”
From now on, we will all eat for free in the General’s Manor.
Xie Yanzhou: “…”
He didn’t make any statement, just sat there.
Rong Juan was sure he saw a change in that face that wouldn’t change color even if Mount Tai collapsed before it.
He felt comfortable.
Even Xie Yanzhou was like this; his own momentary loss of composure in the restaurant earlier was completely understandable.
A normal person wouldn’t be calm learning this news, okay?!
Rong Juan coughed lightly, letting Song Mingzhi explain the cause and effect of the sextuplets himself.
Xie Yanzhou was silent for a long time: “So, Gu Wen has six senior brothers?”
Rong Juan nodded heavily: “Scare him to death.”
Song Mingzhi: “…”
Is this the main point?
Gu Wen didn’t learn about the five extra senior brothers in the end; Rong Juan never blabbed about others’ business.
However, just Song Mingzhi’s willingness to serve made Gu Wen extremely surprised, unable to read books for a time.
On the other side, the news of Song Mingzhi changing sides exploded like thunder into the muddy waters of the capital on the same day.
Learning the news, the Right Prime Minister failed to control his emotions for the first time. He sent people to verify the truth twice in a row.
Confirming that Song Mingzhi’s carriage actively followed Rong Juan to the General’s Manor, his favorite porcelain shattered all over the floor with a wave of his sleeve.
In the wine shops of the capital, storytellers with glib tongues, after finishing “Spitting Three Liters of Blood for a Vendor,” started a new compilation of retainer stories.
There were four or five versions in total.
One claimed that Song Mingzhi was captivated by Rong Juan’s talent.
The second speculated that when Rong Juan was in the Prime Minister’s manor, he had already reached an agreement with Song Mingzhi, and with Song Mingzhi’s help, played the pig to eat the tiger, enduring under his stepmother.
The most widely circulated version was “Grace of a Meal.” The year Song Mingzhi first arrived in the capital as a refugee, the young son of the Prime Minister gave him a bowl of rice, forging an indissoluble bond between the two.
The matter became so big that Princess Zeyang personally asked the Prince Consort what exactly had happened.
The Prince Consort only said: “The Right Prime Minister gave birth to a good son, naturally gifted in music.”
“Besides the Prince Consort, I heard Master Zhu and others also personally invited Rong Hengsong to the academy for exchange.”
On the other side, Bu San was also reporting in the Superintendent Bureau: “I also listened to that ‘Ambush from Ten Sides.’ Truly a good piece! Wonder who created it.”
The Chief Superintendent just returned from the palace. Hearing this, he pondered: “The Prince Consort never meddles, yet he actually spoke for him.”
Bu San was also surprised by this.
The Prince Consort’s words invisibly shifted the public’s attention to music, weakening the shock brought by Rong Hengsong’s talent.
Otherwise, winning against Song Mingzhi completely would probably make even His Majesty wary.
Although the world was shocked now, they mostly felt that there was specialization in art, and the victory of the entire literary duel had elements of trickery.
The Chief Superintendent’s next sentence cheered everyone in the hall up.
“His Majesty intends to appoint another Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards.”
Last night, the Emperor was awakened by a nightmare and found Han Kui guarding the door improperly, actually secretly falling asleep, and threw a huge tantrum for this.
Finally waiting for this day, their arrangements were not in vain.
Bu San hurriedly said: “The General has already contacted several military generals and will strive for it with all their might.”
These generals deliberately started fierce arguments with Xie Yanzhou in front of everyone. Especially one who charged while injured but was demoted due to disability; no one didn’t know this, and court officials even impeached Xie Yanzhou for it.
The Imperial Guards were the last line of defense for the Emperor’s safety. A demoted general who didn’t get along with Xie Yanzhou or the Right Prime Minister was definitely the object of the Emperor’s priority consideration.
The Chief Superintendent nodded slightly: “Pity there is only seventy percent certainty.”
The position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards was crucial. The Right Prime Minister would spare no cost to pursue it for his own people.
An older official of the branch bureau suddenly stepped forward and said: “Planning lies with man. Perhaps we can ask Song Mingzhi’s opinion. This extremely talented person might have some other ‘brilliant ideas’.”
His tone revealed a hint of unkindness.
Back then, this branch official was ordered to recruit Song Mingzhi, but the man turned around and chose the Right Prime Minister. After so many years, he still hadn’t swallowed this breath.
The Chief Superintendent glanced at him.
The official instantly tensed all over, having to brace himself and say: “This way we can also distinguish whether this person is sincerely surrendering or sent by the Right Prime Minister as an undercover agent.”
Hearing this, the Chief Superintendent only smiled, saying neither yes nor no.
…
Night. As the oil lamp’s wick burned, it occasionally made a soft sound.
Inside the General’s Manor, all the wing rooms were very close together.
During the day, Gu Wen tried to see Song Mingzhi multiple times but was turned away.
At this moment, the six Song sons sat around a table. Their shadows were elongated by the candlelight.
On the table lay the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” that Rong Juan had specially left when he visited the Prime Minister’s manor last time. The fold on the “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage” page was still there.
“Seeing Xie Yanzhou gathering generals today, it’s likely the palace is changing Door Gods.”
Just based on the scene he saw in the afternoon, Song Mingzhi predicted a major change within the Imperial Guards.
“I have a candidate. If he ascends, it can greatly benefit the Young Master.”
The “Young Master” in Song Mingzhi’s mouth referred to Rong Juan.
The six exchanged glances and smiled slightly at the same time.
Now, everyone was curious about the process of the literary duel and shocked by the result, but not many paid attention to the reason for this literary duel.
On the way back, Rong Juan mentioned the bet with Gu Wen, but in their view, this reason was too thin.
It should be noted that in everyone’s view, that was the case. Just to make Gu Wen submit, agreeing to such a difficult and unfair bet was problematic no matter how you looked at it.
Six gazes intertwined and fell on the story of Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.
The answer was probably therein.
Three visits to Longzhong, treating worthy men with courtesy—what the protagonist in the story truly plotted for was the world.
…
“Achoo.”
After dinner, Rong Juan went to sleep early.
The night wind drilled through the window cracks.
He sneezed and rubbed his nose groggily.
Why the sudden palpitations? Did I catch a cold?
Author’s Note:
Song Mingzhi’s one reading comprehension was exchanged for Rong Juan’s lifelong introversion.
Unofficial History:
When the Song son first left the Prime Minister’s manor, he encountered the Emperor. He tried his best but couldn’t win.
…
Note: Twins… child acolyte… preserving clan advantage excerpts from “Yijian Zhi” and “Minshu”.