nashuaworldcup Chapter 361 Brother
Chapter 361 Brother
An Liangchen had never directly confronted Xu Sheng before, but both were extremely arrogant and proud by nature. This subservience was truly unexpected.
If An Liangchen were in the Southern Yue palace, he probably wouldn't be able to kneel and bow to the Southern Yue king, offer grand gifts, and address himself as a junior. Such flexibility and ease are truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.
An Ran was the first to react: "Please take a seat!"
A palace servant brought over a silver tray, and another brought over a chair. Xu Sheng respectfully placed the jade unicorn on the silver tray with both hands, and then sat down in the chair.
Xu Sheng sat slightly to the side, occupying only a third of the chair, his hands folded on his knees. His expression was sincere and his eyes were earnest. Anyone unfamiliar with him would surely think he was a well-behaved, obedient, and worldly-wise young master from a noble family.
Xu Sheng said, "Although I have been living with my stepfather and mother all these years, I often dream of my childhood in the Luo family and have even seen the Dongyang Palace in my dreams. Now that my biological father, stepfather, and mother have all passed away, I am at ease knowing that my uncle and aunt are healthy."
After Luo An was born, he was taken to the palace to be raised by the Crown Princess. Later, Luo An's father brought Xu Sheng back to the Luo family mansion to Xu Nanqiao, pretending that Xu Sheng was their biological son in order to appease Xu Nanqiao.
At that time, Xu Sheng did indeed call Luo An's father "father" and Xu Nanqiao "mother." Later, Xu Nanqiao took Xu Sheng back to Nanyue and recognized Qin Feng as his father. Luo An returned to the Luo family mansion and recognized Guan Lingyue as his mother.
Those inside the Dongyang Palace knew, but those outside were unaware, and the people of Nanyue were even less informed. In the hearts of the Nanyue people, the son the Empress brought back, bearing her surname, was her biological son. Xu Sheng's surname was Xu; whether his biological father was Luo Qing or Qin Feng was irrelevant.
The facts don't matter, but if we're being serious, if Xu Sheng's biological mother is Xu Nanqiao, then his biological father must be Luo Qing. After all, everyone knows that the Empress only had one child.
Now that Xu Sheng has returned to Bianjing as Luo Qing's biological son, and refers to himself as a nephew, it is only natural that he recognizes Lord Dongyang and the Empress as his uncle and aunt.
Xu Sheng asked Luo An to take him back to Bianjing, not for peace talks between the two countries, but to claim kinship? Xu Sheng calls himself his nephew, so what is Luo An then?
What difference is there between Xu Sheng's kneeling and Goujian's humiliation and perseverance? The book portrays Goujian as extremely great, but in reality, he had no integrity or moral character whatsoever; he was nothing more than a coward.
Luo An stood by the screen, staring unconsciously at the window opposite, feeling utterly stupid: What business was it of his if Xu Sheng wanted to reunite with his family? Help him? Help him for what? Whether Xu Sheng lived or died was none of his concern!
An Ran glanced at Luo An's indifferent expression and replied, "Your Highness has come from afar, and your kindness is truly commendable. Bianjing has different customs and characteristics from Qinzhou, and Bianjing has changed quite a bit compared to Your Highness's childhood."
Since Your Highness has come, you should stay in Bianjing for a few more days. Let my son accompany you to visit the former Luo residence, see the current Bianjing city, and experience the charm of Dongyang.
My son is a year older than Your Highness, and now the child can walk all by himself, while Your Highness remains all alone. With Your Highness's closest relatives gone, I, as your uncle and elder, naturally have to take responsibility.
"How about this: tonight, we'll hold a welcome banquet for His Highness at the Hall of Heroes, inviting the daughters of all the officials. His Highness can then choose a virtuous, well-educated, and courteous girl to marry, and they can settle in Bianjing afterward, making travel easier."
An Ran didn't stop breathing, and was a little out of breath after he finished speaking. Zhao Ziyu gently patted his back to help him catch his breath.
An Liangchen immediately replied, "Father, then you rest first, I'll give the orders right away."
An Liangchen made a move to leave, and Zhao Ziyu also stood up. Neither of them intended to give Xu Sheng a chance to speak.
Xu Sheng quickly said, "Wait, Uncle and Aunt, I have something else to say. Uncle..."
An Ran suddenly started coughing, coughing so loudly it seemed like she was about to cough up her heart and lungs, and Xu Sheng naturally couldn't continue speaking.
Zhao Ziyu quickly helped An Ran lie down and called to Luo An, "Xiao An, come and take a look."
Luo An stepped forward to take An Ran's pulse, and Zhao Ziyu took out a prescription: "The Emperor insisted on going for a walk in the garden some time ago, but he encountered a strong wind and started coughing when he came back. This is a prescription from the imperial physician. Do you think it's suitable?"
"The imperial physicians are half from heaven and earth, how could their prescriptions be inappropriate?" Zhao Ziyu said. Luo An still took the prescription and looked at it; it was indeed for clearing the lungs and relieving cough.
Zhao Ziyu was quite worried: "The emperor has been taking this medicine for four or five days, but he is still not getting better."
Luo An handed the prescription back to Zhao Ziyu: "...Your Majesty need not worry. His Majesty's constitution is weak, so his recovery will naturally be slower."
Luo An wanted to call her "Auntie," but Xu Sheng had already called her "Auntie," so Luo An naturally avoided using that form of address.
Zhao Ziyu's eyes flickered: "We are relieved to hear Xiao An's words. There are many doctors in the Imperial Hospital, but none of them are as reliable as Xiao An."
The two chatted idly by the bedside, Anran lying on the bed coughing occasionally. Xu Sheng didn't say anything, but he was somewhat anxious inside.
Luo An straightened up and took a few steps back to make way: "His Majesty needs to rest. If Your Highness has nothing else to say, then..."
"Yes, yes, yes..." Xu Sheng, disregarding An Ran's cough, hurriedly said, "Uncle and Aunt, my uncle went missing in a landslide. It seems the chances of him surviving are slim. His funeral should be held soon."
Since ancient times, the maternal uncle has been considered the most important person, especially since it is the mother's father's brother. As my twin brother, Luo An cannot be absent according to custom. I am here on my maternal aunt's orders to invite my brother back to Nanyue to attend my uncle's funeral. I respectfully request your permission, Uncle.
Xu Sheng didn't dare to pause at all. He spoke so quickly that the word "brother" almost came out of his mouth, but he forced it back down.
He continued talking to himself. An Ran lay on the bed, coughing to herself. After Xu Sheng finished speaking, An Ran coughed violently again.
Zhao Ziyu cried out anxiously, "Imperial physician, imperial physician, quickly call the imperial physician."
Chaos erupted in Yishou Palace. Anran, lying weakly on the bed, waved her hand, signaling them to leave.
Having finished speaking, Xu Sheng immediately bowed and withdrew without hesitation. An Liangchen looked at Luo An and, sure enough, saw a look of bewilderment on his face.
"Luo An is my twin brother," Xu Sheng said so sincerely and naturally that even An Liangchen almost believed him, let alone Luo An.
The imperial physician came over with his medicine chest and gave Anran a pill. Anran's cough gradually stopped, and she lay on the bed with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Zhao Ziyu said to them, "His Majesty is tired, you may all leave now."
Xu Sheng stood by the plum garden in front of Yishou Palace, staring at the white plum blossoms in full bloom. Hearing footsteps approaching, he turned his head and said, "The plum blossoms in Qinzhou have all fallen, but the plum blossoms here are in full bloom. The seasons in the north really do come later."
Rumor has it that Xu Sheng is witty, sharp-tongued, and unconventional, even his military leadership is unlike that of ordinary generals. However, his behavior at the Dongyang Palace is the opposite of what's been said. Seeing is believing, and this certainly applies to him.
An Liangchen was tricked by Xu Sheng, but he was not upset. He didn't show it on his face and said in a relaxed and smiling tone: "I dare not disobey Father's wishes. We will hold a banquet in the Hall of Heroes that night to welcome you both."