During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Prince Tong's Mansion in Beijing City
If Prince Tong was mentioned in the capital…few people knew about Tong Shan's background these days. After all, there were so many relatives of the imperial family living in the capital. Who would pay special attention to a young prince who had no status in the imperial court and had an empty reputation?
However, if time was reversed thirty years ago, he would be a well-known figure in the capital.
At that time, he was just an ordinary person from an ordinary family who taught martial arts for a living. When he was twenty-five years old, he was chosen as a royal guard because of his martial arts skills. Perhaps it was because he had burned incense in his previous life. He had entered the palace for more than five months. One day, many assassins of unknown origins appeared out of nowhere and attacked the emperor when he was out on patrol. At that time, he happened to be beside the emperor and used his body to save the emperor's life in a critical situation. He took a knife for the emperor. Although the emperor was safe and sound after the incident, However, he had to recuperate for half a year before he could get out of bed and walk because of the injury.
This strike had greatly damaged his vitality, and he could no longer use a knife or a spear to do his old profession. However, he did not need to go back to his old profession. Because he had protected the Emperor, the Emperor not only gave him a mansion but also rewarded him with ten million taels of silver. He also ignored the opposition of others and made him a Han King. His good luck also made him a well-known lucky man in Beijing at that time, because it was not easy for a Han Chinese to become a prince of the Qing Dynasty.
Tong Shan had lived a good life for thirty years. Now, he was fifty-five years old and had no hair on his head. His face was full of wrinkles. Other than his relatives and friends, no one in Beijing remembered his heroic deeds of risking his life to save the world. He only had the title of a prince now, but he had no place in the court. The Emperor might have long forgotten about him. Even so, Tong Shan, who had always lived a wealthy life, did not complain much. He felt that this was quite good. He could live a carefree life and also eat and wear warm clothes. At his age, he had nothing to ask for, except for two things.
One was that his only son had left home more than three years ago, and there was still no news of him. The other thing that bothered him was that he was already eighteen years old, but his only daughter did not look like a lady from a noble family.
"Look at yourself! A girl who only knows how to run out all day, making herself look like a ghost. If your mother was still alive, she would definitely be angered to death by you when she saw you like this!”In Prince Tong's manor, Tong Shan held his chest, looking like he was about to faint from anger.
"I don't look like a ghost. It's just that my hair is a little messy and my clothes are a little dirty.”Tong Zhen played with the braids on her chest in boredom. Every time she came back from outside, Ma always said the same thing. She was tired of hearing him say it.
"Are you saying that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill?" Tong Shan rubbed his chest in disbelief. After taking a deep breath, he pointed at Tong Zhen and scolded,"You unfilial girl, you won't be satisfied if you don't anger me to death, right? Tell me, where did you go today?”
"I didn't go anywhere! They only went out to the streets and tea houses.”Tong Zhen raised her eyebrows.
When Tong Shan heard this, he couldn't take it anymore and cursed,""That's all? Who do you think you are? Besides being a virgin, you're also a Gege! Do you think there is any Ge Ge in Beijing who goes out and shows her face all day like you? You're already eighteen years old, yet you still don't know how to reflect on yourself. Look at your dirty appearance. Did you fight with someone again today?”
"Yes, yes!" Tong Zhen stammered. "I did fight, but I didn't take the initiative to find trouble. Who taught those shameless men to look down on me and bully me because I was a girl who deliberately blocked my way? At first, I swallowed my anger and asked them to move away.”
She, Tong Zhen, was not like other girls who knew everything about the family. She did not know anything. She only knew a few hands and was considered a passable martial arts. She felt that learning this was useful. What was the use of knowing embroidery and playing the piano? Instead of locking herself up at home every day to learn those useless things, she might as well learn a few more martial arts. At least she could use them to defend herself and protect herself from being bullied.
Seeing Tong Zhen speak so confidently, without blushing or panting, as if fooling around outside was the right thing to do, Tong Shan really didn't know what to say.
He fell into the chair as if he had lost his parents and said in a choked voice,"What sin did I, Tong Shan, commit in my previous life? The heavens actually want to punish me like this! It had been almost four years since his son left. There was no news of him at all. My only daughter likes to go against me. Other people's daughters are gentle and dignified, but what about you? I'm not asking you to compare yourself to any other family's daughter, but I'm begging you to at least look like a girl. Can you be merciful and pity an old man like me? Wu…"
Tong Zhen's eyes widened as she looked at Tong Shan's sorrowful expression. In the past, she had been through so many big and small disasters, but she had never seen Ah Ma like this. This time, he seemed to be on the verge of crying. Things shouldn't be so serious, right? She only had a small fight, and no one died. Half a year ago, she beat up a hooligan who teased a good woman, but she didn't see Ma cry. He was making a mountain out of a molehill this time!
"Ama, what are you sad about? I didn't do anything bad, and I think I look like a girl.”Tong Zhen spun around in front of Tong Shan, trying her best to comfort him. "Ama, look at me, I'm combing my hair like a girl, wearing clothes like a girl, and even my shoes are like a girl. This is enough to be a girl, isn't it?”
Tong Shan almost fainted when he heard that. "Do you think you're speaking like a human? If a man wanted to, he could wear a girl's clothes. Even a monkey could wear a girl's clothes! Do you think you look like a girl just because you're dressed like this? Do you look like Gege?”
"What else do you want? Please tell me about it!”Tong Zhen pouted unwillingly.
"At the very least, you have to be obedient and virtuous. This is the most basic.”Tong Shan said seriously.
Tong Zhen glared at Tong Shan. She was tired of hearing these words again.
"It's the three obedience, four virtues, seven obedience, and eight virtues again…"
"This is passed down from our ancestors. What does a child like you know?”Tong Yong lectured Tong Zhen,"Let's not talk about the four virtues. You can't even do the first of the three. Let me ask you, what is the first?”
Tong Zhen puffed up her cheeks and mumbled,"I'm at home with my father!"
Tong Shan shook his head. "What is it? It's too soft. I can't hear you."
It would be strange if he couldn't hear it! Tong Zhen said unwillingly,"I'll follow my father at home, great Ama.”
"Hmph, you know that too!" He tilted his mouth and revealed an incredulous expression.
Nonsense, you've been chanting something about virtue in my ear from time to time. It's strange that I don't know.
Tong Shan looked at her and shook his head and sighed. "Then tell me if you couldn't do it the first time. You even said that you look like a girl. You should do it at home first before talking about anything else!”
"I, I have already listened to Ama's words very much. It's just that a small part of me didn't listen.”Tong Zhen said indignantly.
"What kind of stepfather is this? Not enough. I have to listen to everything."
"Why should I listen to Ama? I'm not Ama's yes-man. I'm Ama's daughter!”
"It's because you're my daughter that I want you to listen to me. Everything Ma did was for your own good.”Prince Tong really regretted spoiling Tong Zhen too much. He pitied her too much after losing her mother when she was young. Every time she made a mistake, he couldn't bear to scold her. That was why she became like this. He really felt sorry for Tong Zhen's mother. It was all his fault for not teaching his daughter well.
Seeing that Tong Shan's eyes seemed to be filled with tears, Tong Zhen sighed in her heart.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with not wanting to stay at home, but she admitted that it was her fault for making Ama so sad. She knew that she was not a good daughter. She couldn't meet Ama's standards. She really couldn't do it.
Even so, she shouldn't have made Ama sad. She was no longer a good daughter and definitely couldn't be an unfilial daughter.
Tong Zhen walked in front of Tong Shan with a smile on her face and said in a gentle tone,"Ama, I understand. I will listen to you in the future. I will try my best to be at home and follow my father.”
"Is what you said true?" He couldn't believe that what he heard was the truth. Could it be that the heavens had finally stopped torturing him?
"Yes." Tong Zhen nodded.
At this moment, someone came in and reported,""Reporting to your highness, the eldest young master has returned!”
This short sentence made Tong Zhen's body sway. Her originally rosy face suddenly turned pale.
When Tong Shan heard that his beloved son had finally returned, his face was filled with surprise. "You're back? This unfilial son finally knew that he was coming back! Quick, go and call this unfilial son in.”
"Yes, Your Highness."
Although Tong Shan was grumbling, his wrinkled face was full of smiles. "Hehe, we're finally back! At least this kid had a conscience. The tired bird still knew to return to its nest. Zhen 'er, you must really want to see your big brother, right? That's for sure, because he loves you the most, hehe…"
Tong Zhen's face was still pale. She looked at Tong Shan, who was laughing non-stop, with her eyes that had lost their luster. Then, she said in a stiff voice,"Ama, I want to go back to my room." After saying that, she turned around and left.
"Zhen 'er, don't you want to see your big brother?”Tong Shan, who could not summon Tong Zhen back, muttered to himself,"This girl left so quickly. Strange, why doesn't she want to see Chen 'er? Didn't she have a good relationship with her brother?”
Tong Zhen's heart almost jumped out of her body!
Tong Chen was back, he was back!
Was she dreaming? The person she had been longing for day and night had finally returned. The big brother who had once loved her more than anyone else had returned?
Three years, seven months, and fourteen days. She had waited for this day for three years, seven months, and fourteen days.
She was so, so eager to see him, but when her dream finally came true, she ran away!
She didn't know what to do. She wanted to see him, she missed him, but she also hated him and blamed him.
She hated him for being so cruel. She blamed him for leaving her alone. She was only fourteen years old that year. She did not understand why her brother, who had always loved her, would leave just like that. Therefore, she spent half a year crying. The days without him were so painful and difficult to endure. Although she had endured it now, her heart had died.
She finally understood that she would not be sad without expectations, so she no longer had any expectations. All she could have was the big brother in her memories.
However, the heavens were teasing her like this. When she no longer expected him to appear, he came back. His appearance made her feel at a loss. It made her feel hopeful and afraid again.
She looked forward to seeing him, but she was also afraid to see him. Did he still remember her? Or had he forgotten about her? If he still remembered her, what should she say the first time she saw him? If he had already forgotten her, what should she say to him?
"Miss, are you really not going to see Eldest Young Master?”The person who spoke was Tong Zhen's personal maid, Xiao Die. She had been by Tong Zhen's side for six years, so she should be the person who knew best how complicated and contradictory Tong Zhen's feelings were.
"Hmph, why should I go see him? His eldest young master is so arrogant. Back then, he could leave whenever he wanted, but now he can come back whenever he wants. Other people might fall for his tricks, but I won't. Don't even think about asking me to see him!”Tong Zhen was so angry that her face turned red.
It seemed that the young miss was not in a good mood. Xiao Die looked sympathetically at Tong Zhen, who was sulking alone. "Miss is right. This matter is Eldest Young Master's fault. If I were Miss, I would also be angry with Eldest Young Master.”As a bystander, she also felt that the young master who had heartlessly abandoned the young miss back then was really too wrong.
Tong Zhen rolled her eyes. "I'm not angry with him! What does his life or death have to do with me? A rotten person like him is not worth making me angry. Damn it, I'm so angry!”
The anger and resentment that Tong Zhen had accumulated over the past few years exploded in one breath today. She really hated him to death. If she saw him now, she was afraid that she would not be able to control herself and slap him twice.
" But Miss..." Xiao Die persuaded,""His highness has already sent people to invite miss three times. If miss still doesn't go, his highness will definitely be very angry. Instead of making it like this, I think miss should be wronged and go out to deal with it!”
"Don't say anymore. I mean it.”Tong Zhen sat on the edge of the bed and said stubbornly.
"Miss, I think you should go and show your face. You can hide today, but you can't hide tomorrow!”Xiao Die said.
"Humph." Tong Zhen glanced at Xiao Die, then pursed her lips tightly in dissatisfaction.
Although she was angry, she had to agree with Xiao Die. That's right. Even if she could hide tonight, what about tomorrow? She and he were family and lived under the same roof. She could hide from him for a day or two, but could she hide from him for the rest of her life? She didn't know if he wanted to see her or not, but Ma would never allow the siblings to avoid each other like enemies.
In any case, sticking her head out was a knife, and pulling her head back was also a knife. Forget it, she resigned herself to fate.
She shook her head and waved her sleeves, saying loudly to herself and Xiao Die,""Let's go. Who's afraid of who? Xiao Die, let's go."
The moment Tong Zhen walked into the hall, her first glance landed on Tong Chen's face.
He had the same thick eyebrows, the same long and narrow eyes, and the same shiny black eyes. He was still as handsome as ever. No, he was even more handsome than she remembered him to be.
The childishness of his youth was no longer visible on his face. Instead, it was replaced by a mature aura that belonged to a man. If he could turn a young girl like her into a big girl in three years, of course, he could also turn a boy into a man.
No matter how much she complained about him and how much she didn't understand, she still couldn't control herself from looking at him. His demonic eyes attracted her gaze tightly. She was stunned and infatuated.
Tong Zhen's appearance stunned Tong Chen for a moment, but he quickly recovered.
His eyes that were as bright as the stars darted around her face. She heard him say in a low voice,"Zhen 'er, long time no see. You're a beautiful girl now!”
"What big girl? She's just a wild girl!”Tong Shan glared at Tong Zhen and said unhappily,""Why are you only here now? Chen 'er has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Tong Zhen sat beside Tong Chen in silence, but underneath her forced calm expression was a turbulent heart.
Sigh! She had been persuading herself to forget him, but when she saw his face, she knew that no matter how much hatred and resentment she had for him, at this moment, her longing for him had covered all of it.
She wanted to see him, and her heart ached just thinking about it!
"Our Zhen Gege has such a big reputation. I was thinking that if you still didn't appear, I might have to get someone to carry a sedan chair and invite you out.”The Fujin said to Tong Zhen with her usual elegant smile.
Tong Zhen glared at her. Normally, she would definitely have a good " chat " with this sharp-tongued woman who hid a knife behind her smile. However, today was the big day that her brother was back, so she would not argue with her on account of her brother.
"Big brother, where have you been all these years?”Tong Zhen was determined not to talk to Tong Chen, but at this moment, her eyes were already glued to him. It was impossible for her to hold back and not talk to him.
Tong Chen slowly finished the wine in his glass, then looked at the empty glass and said slowly,""I've been to many places and can't explain it all at once. I think we should drink!”
What was this? Tong Zhen glared at Tong Chen as if fire was about to burst out of her eyes. Please, she had already let bygones be bygones and chatted with him, but he did not appreciate it at all. Wasn't that too much?
Tong Shan, who was in a good mood, did not notice the furious Tong Zhen. He raised his wine glass with a smile and said,"Everyone, let's toast to Chen 'er's safe return. Cheers!”
Prince Tong drank it, the Fujin drank it, Tong Chen drank it, and the sulking Tong Zhen drank it as well.
Damn it. Since he was so heartless, she didn't have to be polite to him.
Tong Zhen was about to stand up and leave when Tong Shan suddenly asked,""Chen 'er, you'll probably stay in Beijing this time, right?”
"Yes." Tong Chen took another sip of wine.
"That's great." Tong Shan couldn't stop smiling. "It's best if you can stay. I'm relieved. Zhen 'er." He suddenly called Tong Zhen's name.
"Yes." Tong Zhen replied listlessly.
"Do you still remember what you promised Ma?”
"What?"
"I'm just following my father at home!" Tong Shan reminded her with a smile.
"Oh, it's that!" Tong Zhen yawned. She really had to leave.
"Hehe, I can relax now.”Tong Shan grinned and said to her," Anyway, I don't think I can control you. As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. I think I'll let Chen 'er teach you well on my behalf. You young people are easier to communicate with. I believe Chen' er will definitely be able to teach you into a well-educated lady from a prestigious family."”
No way! Tong Zhen's entire body shook as if she had been struck by lightning.
She looked at Tong Chen uneasily. This person was both familiar and unfamiliar to her, this person who liked to look at wine glasses more than looking at her. Could she get along well with him?
"Ama, I…"
"It's decided." Tong Shan did not give Tong Zhen a chance to speak at all. He said firmly.
Tong Zhen looked at Tong Chen again. At this moment, Tong Chen was finally willing to look her in the eye.
He looked at her and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.
Tong Zhen's heart tightened, and she was completely stunned!#
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。