Remember "Bookworm" in one second.

  "What's going on? Out of the blue, General Wang is doing a boatman's job?"

  Mr. Ling had a habit of taking an afternoon nap, and after waking up from his sleep, he subconsciously glanced out the window. As soon as he looked, he suddenly felt that something was off.

  Isn't the person with the awkward posture wiping the deck just Wang Tong beside Prince Ta Sun?!

  Such a despicable thing, even the old boatman wouldn't deign to do it. The majestic Eastern Palace's Crown Prince's Guard Commander, how could you stoop to doing such a thing?

  Mr. Ling felt more and more that something was wrong, so he specially called Ling Xi to ask him what's going on.

  Ling Xi coughed and said vaguely, "Probably Wang Tongling did something wrong or said something wrong, which displeased the Crown Prince, so he was punished to wipe the shipboard."

  Well, saying so doesn't count as lying!

  As for Ling Jingyi and Ta Sun's quarrel, it's better not to tell Grandpa Ling about it... or Father will be frightened!

  Ling Da Ye wasn't so easily fooled either, and he looked at Ling Xi with suspicion: "What's going on? Why would the Crown Prince suddenly get angry? Are you hiding something from me?"

  "How could this be." Ling Xi's expression didn't change as he lied, his face full of sincerity: "If I knew the inside story, would I dare to hide it from Father?"

  Ling Xi has always been filial and obedient, so it's unlikely that she would hide anything from herself.

  Ling Da Ye quickly came to his senses, thought for a moment and said: "I'll go ask Tai Sun Gong Zi for a favor right away, spare Wang Tong Ling's punishment. Just in time to make amends with Wang Tong Ling."

  Ling Xi: "......"

  Watching Ling Dage already standing up, Ling Xi hastily spoke: "Father, this is not right."

  "What's wrong?" Old Man Ling asked, raising an eyebrow.

  As soon as he went, the things he wanted to cover up would be thoroughly exposed. With the temperament of the Crown Prince, being poked at his sore spot, he might vent his anger on Ling Dage's body.

  After racking her brains, she finally thought of a suitable excuse and put on a worried look:

  "Father, the Crown Prince's emotions are difficult to fathom, perhaps he has a reason for punishing General Wang that he doesn't want others to know. If you go plead on behalf of General Wang like this, what if it offends the Crown Prince? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?"

  Ling Da Ye thought for a moment, nodded in approval: "Your concerns are not unreasonable. Forget it. Wang Tongling's punishment has nothing to do with us, and it doesn't matter if we don't plead for him."

  Why must you risk offending the Crown Prince for the sake of one Wang Tong?

  Ling Xi let out a silent sigh of relief.

  Ling Da Ye patted Ling Xi's shoulder with a relieved smile: "Ah Xi, you've really grown up now. You think things through more thoroughly than before."

  Ling Xi endured Ling Dage's praise with a thick face: "Thank you, Father, for your praise."

  In her heart, she secretly prayed that tomorrow when she went to pay respects to the Crown Prince, His Highness would not mention this matter on his own initiative.

  ......

  The fleet set sail from the dock again soon, and slowly started its journey.

  The guards on the boat left only a few on the deck to keep watch, and the rest returned to the cabin to rest. The sailors rested for two hours, regained their strength, and rowed with renewed spirit.

  Poor Wang Tong, kept his head down and wiped the deck board.

  With Wang Tong's physical strength, this job is actually not that tiring. The key thing is that he can't afford to lose face in front of this person...

  Don't think he doesn't know just because he's lowering his head. The guards on several official boats are secretly enjoying the commotion!

  Once he returns to the capital, this embarrassing incident will probably spread immediately within the Crown Prince's residence. It would be strange if other guards' commanders didn't come to mock him...

  It turns out that his misfortune today was caused by being too meddlesome.

  At that time, if he had endured and not raised his head, and not made eye contact with Ling Xue, Ta Sun would not have shifted his anger to him.

  Wipe wipe wipe!

  Rub hard!

  Wang Tong held back a belly full of stagnant air and used all his strength to wipe the shipboard in front of him clean and shiny.

  Even if Duke Ethanson's temper has cooled down, he will not withdraw the order to punish. This is also a must-have for those in power - to be ruthless and unfeeling. Wiping the deck for half a day. He can't escape this...

  As expected, it wasn't until near dusk when the boat stopped to rest that the Crown Prince ordered someone to summon him inside.

  He had been rubbing the deck for half a day. Even someone as strong and vigorous as Wang Tong felt his whole body aching with fatigue. However, in front of the Crown Prince, it was absolutely impermissible to reveal this.

  Wang Tong plucked up his spirits and cupped one hand in the other to report: "Your Highness, I have already wiped down this boat's deck. There isn't a speck of dust."

  The crown prince nodded and said after a moment: "You've been busy for half a day, you don't have to attend the night watch tonight. Go back to your quarters and rest!"

  The tone is as calm and ordinary as can be.

  But for the crown prince, saying this much is already a veiled consolation.

  Wang Tong was slightly moved in his heart and hastily thanked him before taking his leave.

  Before backing down, Wang Tong quietly raised his head and glanced at the Crown Prince. The anger from earlier had vanished without a trace, and the young man in front of him had once again resumed his usual noble and aloof demeanor.

  Through this matter, Miss Lingjiu must have left a very deep impression on Prince Ta Sun.

  ......

  The next day, before departing, Ling Dajye and his son came again to the official boat where the Crown Prince was on board.

  After exchanging greetings and inquiring about each other's well-being, they carefully captured the nuances of their conversation, trying to find some common ground and create a good impression. Everything was just like usual.

  Ling Xi secretly measured the Crown Prince... and glanced at Wang Tong several times beside him.

  Only Wang Tong was as usual, standing behind the crown prince with a spirited and loyal expression.

  Ling Xi couldn't help but secretly admire him. After wiping the ship's board for half a day and coming over for one night, he was still so energetic and vigorous. To be able to become the leader of the Taizong Guards, this Wang Tong was indeed not an ordinary person.

  The crown prince suddenly asked: "Ling Lang Zhong and Ling Xiao siblings followed you to the capital, is it to go to Hui Chun Tang for medical treatment?"

  Ling Xi's heart tightened.

  Why did the crown prince bring this up? Is he still angry about yesterday's events?

  Wang Tong suddenly felt a sour pain all over his body. He inexplicably had the desolate feeling of having to wipe the deck again.

  Grandfather Ling did not expect the Crown Prince to suddenly ask about this matter, and he was stunned for a moment before responding: "Yes. I don't know why Your Highness suddenly asked about this matter?"

  The Crown Prince said faintly, "Wei Yan is a man of great discipline and will not easily grant favors to ordinary people. He only leaves the palace for medical treatment twice a month. If you wait in line honestly, it's likely that you'll have to wait several months. As a fourth-rank official from the Ministry of Works, I'm afraid Wei Yan won't even bother with you."

  Ling Da Ye: *silence*

  Even if it's true, don't say it so directly, okay? Being a bit tactful isn't going to make people not understand.

  "His Highness says..." Lord Ling's smile was somewhat stiff:

  The Crown Prince said faintly, "After returning to the capital, you and your father come to the East Palace to take my name card. In the future, take the name card to Hui Chun Tang! My humble face, Wei Yan will always give it."

  Ling Xi: "......"

  Wang Tong: "......" (silence).

  PS: Everyone happy new year, wealth and prosperity, good health, everything goes well ~ Little Qing to everyone New Year's greetings (^_^)