Chapter 30 A blessing in disguise
Deng Qianqiu looked surprised: "I came to Nanjing?"

"Yes, you have arrived in Nanjing and have been promoted." Zhu Gang said cheerfully, "I told you long ago that my father would not do anything to you for my sake. Now you know how powerful I am, right? Not only you, but even I... hehe... have returned to Beijing. Speaking of which, we are really good brothers. We have shared happiness and hardships, and have been in jail together. Now it is time for us to enjoy a good life together."

When Deng Qianqiu heard that he was eating and drinking delicious food, he felt a headache.

He said with lingering fear: "Are we innocent now?"

Zhu Gang nodded repeatedly and said, "Not only is he innocent, he has also made contributions."

Deng Qianqiu said, "Our workshop..."

Zhu Gang smiled and said, "Of course I will return it in full! From now on, we will move all our business to Nanjing. After all, this is the best place, the thoroughfare to the world, and it is much better than Fengyang."

Deng Qianqiu cheered up: "Were our silver returned to us?"

"Of course." Zhu Gang said happily, "All the money will be returned in full, not a penny less. Of course, I have a small problem here."

"I wonder what the problem is?"

Zhu Gang said, "My father said that I am still young and he is afraid that I will spend it recklessly. He said that my share will be temporarily stored in the inner treasury for safekeeping by my parents. After one or two years, when I grow up a little, they will definitely return it to me."

Deng Qianqiu was stunned and looked at Zhu Gang with a strange look.

But Zhu Gang didn't show any sign of frustration, and he couldn't help but say in his heart, "Fuck, no way, you really believe it?"

Of course, Deng Qianqiu was determined to keep this to himself and not say it even if he was beaten to death.

Zhu Gang said, "This Xianliang Temple is where I usually live. In a few days, you will have to go to the palace to take up duty. Don't worry, I know the palace very well. With me here, I will see who dares to offend you. If there is any trouble, I will take care of it."

"Xianliang Temple..."

Xianliang Temple is actually a complex of buildings next to the Nanjing Imperial City. Although it is called a temple, in reality, it is a collective dormitory where older princes temporarily live before they are enfeoffed. Even some high-ranking officials who come to Beijing can stay here temporarily.

What Deng Qianqiu didn't know was that, thanks to Zhu Gang, he had such a good place to live as soon as he settled down in the capital.

Seeing Deng Qianqiu's depressed look, Zhu Gang couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Qianqiu seems to be worried?"

Deng Qianqiu sighed slightly and said, "I have come to Nanjing City for no reason, but what should I do with my father?"

Zhu Gang listened, and his eyes showed admiration. He said, "I was not wrong about you. You and I are both the most filial sons in the world. At this time, you still care about your father."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment and said, "Your father's situation is easy. I'll have someone bring him to the capital in a few days so that we can reunite. There is nothing in this world that I can't do! Qianqiu, we've known each other for so long, don't you know me?"

Deng Qianqiu thought to himself that the provincial examination would be held in some time. Fengyang also belonged to Nanzhili, and the provincial examination was originally held in Nanjing City. After calculating, he thought it was about time to come to Nanjing.

The only thing that worried him was that his father would not be lazy during the time he was away. What if his father did not work hard?

For now, this is the only option.

At this moment, a eunuch suddenly peeked in outside.

Zhu Gang said angrily, "Bajinli, what are you doing sneaking around like that?"

The eunuch named Bajinli came in tremblingly, looking anxious, and said, "Your Highness, there is... there is something important..."

"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be sneaky. There are no outsiders here."

Ba Jinli swallowed a few words before saying, "This...this...the queen is ill. I heard it from the Forbidden City..."

"Ah..." Zhu Gang said: "My mother?"

Bajinli nodded.

Zhu Gang immediately revealed a look of agony: "My poor mother..."

Bajinli said hurriedly: "Your Highness, Your Highness... This is not allowed." Zhu Gang stopped crying and said to Deng Qianqiu: "You stay here first, I have to go see my mother. Don't worry about anything. I will take care of it if there is any problem."

After saying this, this most filial son in the world ran away like the wind.

Deng Qianqiu felt as if he was in a dream and has not yet recovered from his shock.

But what is certain is that he not only avoided this crisis, but also seemed to have been promoted.

A centurion of Yiluansi! In later times, this would be a company commander of the inner guards.

Deng Qianqiu couldn't help but think of the person who interrogated him. Could it be that the person who interrogated him said good things about him in his confession?

It’s a pity that he didn’t know this person’s name, otherwise he would have to thank him.

After being in prison and traveling all the way for these days, Deng Qianqiu felt extremely tired. Now in this comfortable and warm room, Deng Qianqiu seemed unable to care about so many things and fell asleep immediately.

This sleep was exceptionally sweet. When I woke up, I heard hurried knocks on the door.

Deng Qianqiu slipped on his shoes and went to open the door, and saw Zhu Gang coming back with red and swollen eyes: "Qianqiu... I forgot what you told me. Since you want to bring your father to the capital, you have to write a letter as proof, otherwise my uncle will mistakenly think that I want to kidnap him. You also know that I often make such misunderstandings."

Deng Qianqiu’s eyes suddenly widened and he thought: Damn, you have actually kidnapped someone before.

Based on his understanding of Zhu Gang, what this guy did would generally not lead to misunderstandings.

So Deng Qianqiu hurried back to his room to get pen and ink, took out a piece of note, and hurriedly wrote a few words.

After the ink was dried, he handed it to Zhu Gang and asked, "How is the queen now?"

Zhu Gang hung his head in frustration and said, "Not good, very bad, the situation is terrible."

Zhu Gang usually acted arrogant and domineering, as if he was the best in the world. But if he was judged by the emperor, he would immediately cry and wail as if he had been wronged.

But it is rare to see him looking as listless as a newly castrated rooster.

Deng Qianqiu couldn't help but ask, "I wonder what disease the queen has?"

"The imperial doctors are not sure either." Zhu Gang said, "But some people said that it might be heat entering the blood. They said that her body was swollen, she had a fever, she was listless, and she had palpitations. She had not eaten for a day before, and she seemed to feel worse after she ate a little."

Deng Qianqiu couldn't help but frown after hearing this: "Are these the symptoms?"

"And... and..." Zhu Gang thought for a moment and said, "It's probably dizziness, headache, fatigue, weakness, vomiting, etc. I can't really say."

Deng Qianqiu uttered an "oh" and nodded: "Is that so... My body is swollen again, I feel dizzy and have a headache, I am tired and weak, and I am vomiting... Could it be that I am pregnant?"

When Zhu Gang heard this, his face instantly turned red. He grabbed Deng Qianqiu's collar and said, "What did you say? What did you say? Are you crazy, Qianqiu? You insulted my mother."

Deng Qianqiu was at a loss for words and said, "This...how can this be called an insult."

Zhu Gang said angrily: "My mother is already forty years old, at this age...ah, bah, bah..."

People in ancient times matured early, and many women might get married in their teens. In addition, sanitary conditions were limited at that time. Therefore, due to various gynecological diseases and the constraints of sanitary conditions, it was rare for most women to get pregnant in their thirties, let alone forty.

In the eyes of the ancients, when one reached the age of 40, he or she had basically entered the ranks of the elderly. After all, by this time, one already had grandchildren. If one had married earlier, his or her grandchildren might already be able to help out.

This is very different from later generations, where women in their forties or fifties are still called pretty girls or little sisters.

Deng Qianqiu did find some symptoms of pregnancy. The reason he had this idea was that in his heart, being pregnant at the age of 40 was a common thing.

Moreover, many of these symptoms do meet the characteristics of older pregnant women.

Deng Qianqiu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, whether you are pregnant or not, I am just guessing, why are you so anxious?"

(End of this chapter)