noffsinger Chapter 133: Those who are close to vermilion are red, and those who are close to ink are black
Chapter 133: Those who are close to vermilion are red, and those who are close to ink are black
It would have been better if Yinzhuo hadn't mentioned the things he took. But as soon as he did, Kangxi felt a pang of pain in his heart again. He casually tossed the chess piece he was holding into the chess box and slapped Yinzhuo on the back of the head!
"How dare you bring this up? I kindly saved you back then, and you not only didn't appreciate it, but you also tried to take advantage of my things. Now you're using my things to do favors, and you're not ashamed at all. Anyone who knows would think that I owed you something if they didn't know better."
Yinzhu didn't care about what he owed or what he stole; once the things were in his possession, they belonged to him. So he ignored the angry Kangxi and continued to gloat with Yinreng.
"Second brother, you don't know, but among that pile of things, I spotted the 'Autumn Sounds Ode' at a glance, and immediately grabbed it. Luckily, before I went into the private vault, Father promised to let me choose three things at will, otherwise he definitely wouldn't have let me take them so easily. Second brother, let me tell you, Father's private vault has quite a few good things. Do you like Huang Tingjian's 'Pine Breeze Pavilion'? If you do, I'll get it for you next time I go in..."
Yinreng thought that receiving the "Autumn Sounds Ode" today was already a pleasant surprise, but he didn't expect that he could also wish for a "Pine Breeze Pavilion". Upon hearing this, he immediately nodded.
"Yinreng, Yinzuo, I'm still here! Is it appropriate for you two to so brazenly try to take things from my private treasury? You don't think you can just take them without my permission, do you?"
Upon hearing this, Yinreng and Yinzuo exchanged a glance, then their eyes turned to Kangxi, who was sitting to the side.
"So, Father, will you agree to give me the Songfeng Pavilion Poetry Collection?"
Kangxi was clearly surprised that Yinreng would ask him for it directly. He looked at Yinreng in disbelief for a while before laughing and scolding him in an annoyed tone.
"As expected, you become like those you associate with. With that brat Yinzuo leading you around, you've all become shameless like him. But since Yinreng has spoken up, I naturally won't be stingy. Liang Jiugong, go to the storeroom and find that poem scroll to bring to your Crown Prince."
Yinreng was practically raised by Kangxi from a young age, so how could he not know his son's temperament? For someone as proud and arrogant as Yinreng to take the initiative to ask him for it, it was clear how much he liked the Songfeng Pavilion Poetry Calligraphy. Since his son had finally asked him for it, Kangxi naturally wouldn't be stingy. Besides, even if he was reluctant, didn't Yinreng have a good younger brother who was eager to take it from his private treasury to give to his second brother? Rather than having Yinreng use his things to do favors in the future, he might as well give it away himself.
Good heavens, what a gamble! Seeing his second brother get the Songfeng Pavilion Poetry Collection with just a few words, Yinzhuo was also eager to try his luck.
"Father... Waaah..."
But as soon as Yinzhu opened his mouth, Kangxi covered it with his hand. No matter how much he struggled, his father did not soften his grip. It was no joke; how could Kangxi dare to let go at this moment? After all, if he let go, he would definitely lose something again.
Seeing that Yinzhuo was struggling to break free with his father covering his mouth, Yinreng felt a pang of pity. He got up, walked to Kangxi's side, and gently pulled on Kangxi's hand covering Yinzhuo's mouth, pleading for him.
“Father, look how red Sixth Brother’s face is. Why don’t you let him go first, and we can talk things out?”
Although Kangxi was holding Yinzuo's shoulders tightly, he didn't use much force with the hand covering Yinzuo's mouth. Hearing Yinreng's words, he simply released his hand covering Yinzuo's mouth as he was being pulled. As soon as Yinzuo was free, he took a few deep breaths. Once he was breathing normally, he got up, clutched his chest, and lay down on the ground.
"Oh dear, my fragile little heart, I feel like it's about to stop beating? Did you get scared by your father? It's okay, we'll just lie here. We won't get up until he gives us that scroll of Wu Daozi's Eighty-Seven Immortals."
Good heavens, he's resorting to cheating now that he can't get what he wants. Kangxi glanced at Yinzhuo, who was lying on the ground patting his chest and refusing to get up, and rubbed his temples in exasperation.
“Liang Jiugong, go and bring that scroll of Wu Daozi’s Eighty-Seven Immortals to your Sixth Master. Believe me or not, if we don’t give him the painting, he can stay here until tomorrow morning without getting up.”
Whether Liang Jiugong believed it or not, Yinzuo didn't know, but Yinzuo himself believed it. After all, it was an authentic work by the Sage of Painting. He would be happy to lie there for ten days or half a month, let alone until tomorrow morning.
To prevent his father from going back on his word, Yinzhuo covered his chest and lay there until Liang Jiugong retrieved the two paintings and calligraphy pieces before getting up from the ground. By then, he was no longer afraid, and his heart was beating again. He walked a few steps to Liang Jiugong, took the two brocade boxes from his hands, carefully examined them, and handed one of them to Yinreng.
"Second brother, it's been a pleasure working with you. Next time you want to ask Khan for something, just remember to send someone to let me know. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'll come right away to help you."
Yinreng suddenly received two excellent works of art, and his mood was incredibly sunny. He had now fully experienced the benefits of being thick-skinned, so when he heard Yinzuo's words, he immediately nodded.
"Alright, then if Sixth Brother has any good opportunities in the future, you must think of Second Brother. Second Brother is still missing an authentic work by Emperor Huizong of Song. I just don't know if Father has one in his private treasury."
Well, before, having only one bandit like Yinzhuo was enough to keep him in check, but now even Yinreng has been led astray and is eyeing his private treasury. It seems that protecting his possessions in the future will be no easy task!
"Liang Jiugong, go and throw these two greedy bastards out of here. I shouldn't have let you call Yinzhuo over today. He's always trying to take advantage of others. It's true what they say, there are 360 professions, and every profession can produce an expert. Look at him, he's honed his shamelessness to the highest level."
Despite his angry expression, which suggested that his two sons had robbed him, Emperor Kangxi was not actually angry. A few paintings and calligraphies meant nothing to him, who ruled the world. What moved him more was the heartwarming scene of fathers and sons, brothers, getting along harmoniously.
Seeing that Liang Jiugong had indeed come over to ask him and Yinreng to leave, Yinzuo quickly grabbed Yinreng and walked briskly to Kangxi's side!
"Father, don't be so stingy. Although my second brother and I took your things, we definitely won't take them for nothing. How about this, how about your son puts on a 'Peach Garden Oath' for you today? My second brother can be a witness. Actually, I did a pretty good job!"