I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 50: Is My Brother Being Fought Over?

"The water has receded!"

Someone shouted, and the exhausted crowd suddenly snapped to attention.

Despite his age, the old imperial doctor ran swiftly. Hearing the call, he quickly went to take a look and returned, nodding excitedly, "It’s true! Now, the floodwater outside only reaches my knees."

At this moment, a group of officials entered the Wenyuan Pavilion, and the sound of orders being disputed followed.

"Reconfirm whether the canal connections outside East Splendor Gate, West Gate, and Xuanwu Gate have been fully cleared."

"They have been cleared!"

"General Zhao, please take a squad of guards to inspect the parapet on the other side of Xuanwu Gate; that section of the wall is very old, and its condition is uncertain."

"Understood."

"Eunuch Zhang, kindly send the Inner Supervision to Yong Street and the Imperial Court again. These areas are low and remote, and people might still be trapped there."

"I am aware."

"Lord Yan, do you think there is a problem with this culvert?"

"The green bricks here have long been loose, and they surely have collapsed by now. No wonder the water in the West Hall can’t be drained. Zhenghu, good thinking."

Gu Lan looked at the man giving orders to Zhang Fengcai and the military guards.

That man, who yesterday was on the brink of death, seeking to end it all...

Qin Zhenghu.

He does indeed have a talent for water management, worthy of being the future Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Industry. His understanding of the Capital City’s situation amazed the industrious officials of the Ministry of Industry with just a few words.

Qin Zhenghu held flood-resistant plans and water channel maps of the Imperial Palace, and standing beside him were several officials familiar with the palace’s architecture. They were in a heated discussion about how to clear the city moat and various canals outside the Capital City.

Eunuch Zhang brought several Imperial Physicians, and Gu Lan could finally take a break.

She turned her head and saw Rong Heng leaning against a corner on a straw mat, his eyes half-closed as if asleep.

Gu Lan plopped down beside him and shook Rong Heng’s shoulder, "Brother Hang, it’s morning. Are you hungry?"

Rong Heng abruptly opened his eyes, his cold white skin accentuating the faint blue under his eyes. His voice was cool, "Aren’t you being rude?"

He hadn’t fallen asleep. Even if he did, Gu Lan would have shaken him awake.

Gu Lan: "...Paying attention to you is more important?"

Rong Heng: ...

He, too, hadn’t slept all night, watching that busy figure while silently pondering medicinal prescriptions and secretly handling herbs for Miaoyan.

"Is there anything in your mind besides food?"

Without hesitation, Gu Lan replied, "You, of course."

Rong Heng was pressing his temples; Gu Lan’s words came so naturally that he thought he heard wrong, only understanding after a few breaths.

A sudden violent tremor came from within his ribs and chest.

He opened his mouth, his voice low and his tone pleasingly melodic, earnestly questioning:

"Gu Lan, do you really want so much to be someone else’s younger brother?"

After considering for a moment, he thought it wasn’t entirely impossible...

Gu Lan’s eyes lit up, "Yes, but to correct you, not a brother. I want to be Brother Hang’s friend—"

"Zhenghu thanks Young Master Gu for saving my life!"

A firm and loud voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

Both raised their heads simultaneously, their eyes sharp and fierce, locking onto the suddenly appearing Qin Zhenghu.

Frightened, Qin Zhenghu took two steps back and asked faintly, "Did I, did I interrupt you?"

"Obviously!" Gu Lan nodded angrily.

"No."

Gu Lan looked at Rong Heng and noticed he had closed his eyes again. Clearly, Brother Hang had only briefly considered being his brother.

Such a golden opportunity was interrupted by Qin Zhenghu, and Gu Lan regretted saving his friend for the umpteenth time.

Qin Zhenghu scratched his head, unaware of what transpired, but he remembered his purpose of giving thanks. So, he bowed deeply to Gu Lan and said:

"Yesterday, if not for Young Master Gu risking his life to save mine, jarring me into awareness at a critical moment, I would have perished in the flood. Young Master Gu’s life-saving grace is forever unforgettable. From now on, I wish to always follow my benefactor’s lead!"

Gu Lan waved weakly, immersed in the sorrow of being ignored by Rong Heng, and replied, "It was a small effort, Brother Qin, not to be concerned about."

Qin Zhenghu saw Gu Lan’s calm demeanor and was even more convinced that his benefactor was a hidden, noble person.

As his mother said, seeing is believing, and rumors are unreliable. Otherwise, how could the widely rumored profligate Young Master Gu save so many people during this flood?

He thus bowed deeply again, earnestly saying, "I am a few years older than the Young Master, and since you call me Brother Qin, I must treat you as my own brother."

Gu Lan: ...She did not want to be Qin Zhenghu’s brother. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The eyes Rong Heng had just closed now opened upon hearing the words "Brother Qin."