“What?” Yun Zhensong noticed that the other person’s expression looked a bit strange. His heart tightened, and he quickly stood up to shield Qi Jianshuan behind him. Suffering from a lack of vital energy, he inevitably felt dizzy and lightheaded, yet he forced himself to stand firm. “He is my bodyguard. You…”
Suddenly, Yun Zhensong heard a light chuckle coming from above. He froze for a moment, cut off mid-sentence, and turned his head sideways with a questioning look in his eyes.
“It’s nothing.” Qi Jianshuan couldn’t help himself; he raised a hand and gently ruffled the top of Yun Zhensong’s hair.
Looking similar was one thing, but being certain was another. As long as Qi Jianshuan stubbornly refused to admit it, Yun Zhensong couldn’t really do much to him.
Deng Hua: “………”
Yusheng: “???”
Li Yan was a shrewd man who instantly caught onto the subtle emotions flowing between the two. His precious treasure still maintained a high degree of vigilance toward him right now—he couldn’t coax him nor tease him. At this moment, Li Yan least wanted to see anyone showing affection in front of him. With a twitch of the corner of his mouth, he coldly dropped a single sentence: “Old Wang, take them to their rooms and explain the rules of my estate along the way.”
“Understood.” Old Wang was a long-time veteran by Li Yan’s side, carrying himself with an attitude of absolute courtesy. In reality, however, he was an old fox who spoke human words to humans and ghost words to ghosts. If he weren’t utterly loyal to Li Yan, the Prince wouldn’t dare employ such a person. “Everyone, please follow me.”
The layout of the Hanchuan Prince’s Mansion was peculiar, featuring winding corridors. Just when one felt there was no way forward, a hidden door would push inward to reveal a sudden expanse of openness. It was very easy to lose one’s way here and take a wrong turn.
Wang Younian explained with gentle refinement: “The Prince’s tone just now was a bit exaggerated. The Prince is unrestrained by nature, and there are hardly any rigid rules in the estate, but a new one was added recently.”
He paused mid-sentence, bowed with outstretched arms to indicate the direction for everyone, and purposefully did not rush to finish.
Yusheng followed closely by Old Wang’s side, craned his neck, and gave him a stepping stone: “Which one?”
Wang Younian smiled. “The main room in the South Courtyard is housing an esteemed guest of the Prince, and disturbances are strictly prohibited.”
Residences in ancient times placed the utmost importance on strict hierarchy and traditional ethics. Generally speaking, in multi-courtyard dwellings like this, the South Courtyard was the most honorable, and the main room within that courtyard belonged to the head of the house. For someone to be accommodated in the main room of the South Courtyard in the Hanchuan Prince’s Mansion, they probably weren’t just an esteemed guest—they might as well be the Prince’s own grandfather.
Neither Yun Zhensong nor Qi Jianshuan asked any further questions. Just as Wang Younian led them to their destination and was about to leave, Qi Jianshuan called out to him.
“Our magistrate has not yet fully recovered from his serious illness. I must trouble you to have a physician come take a look. Over the next few days, please have the small kitchen prepare some light meals. Thank you.”
Wang Younian did not display any emotion in front of him; he respectfully acknowledged the request and stepped out of their line of sight. Turning a corner, he happened to run into Gongsun Lin passing by, and Wang Younian paid his respects.
Gongsun Lin asked casually, “What was Uncle Wang doing over here?”
“Some guests arrived today, and the Prince ordered me to escort them to their quarters,” Wang Younian replied deferentially with a slight bow.
“Who are they?”
“Replying to the young master, they are the former magistrate of Qing County—insignificant figures whom the young master need not give a second thought to.”
“Hmm.” Gongsun Lin waved his hand dismissively, saying with unconcerned nonchalance, “I won’t be staying much longer either. After the beginning of next month, once I finish celebrating your Prince’s birthday, I’ll be heading back to Zhongzhou.”
Yusheng lacked Qi Jianshuan’s robust physique, and after adapting to a new climate and water source, his energy was somewhat depleted. Consequently, the task of taking care of Yun Zhensong was basically shouldered entirely by Qi Jianshuan.
Every night, Qi Jianshuan sat by Yun Zhensong’s bed; at the slightest movement, he would immediately wake up. The medicine was personally brewed by Deng Hua, and it was also fed spoonful by spoonful to Yun Zhensong by Qi Jianshuan himself. Yun Zhensong hated bitter things, and coupled with a delicate digestive system, he ended up vomiting the medicine out immediately after drinking it on several occasions.
Watching Yun Zhensong grow increasingly thin day by day left Qi Jianshuan feeling irritated and anxious. Late at night, once Yun Zhensong finally fell fast asleep, Qi Jianshuan would sit alone out in the courtyard with his gaze unfocused, his face as cold as frost.
Under such circumstances, the general’s mood was exceptionally terrible, and absolutely no one should dare approach to start a conversation, lest they invite disaster upon themselves.
This was an experience Deng Hua had summarized over many years.
Silently watching the general’s lonely back for a while, bathed in the cold moonlight, he radiated an indescribable sorrow and vicissitude.
During times of boundless glory, he had no one he wished to protect. Yet precisely when he was left with nothing, that person broke into Qi Jianshuan’s life. Yun Zhensong was frail and sickly, easily injured by the slightest oversight, yet simultaneously resilient and intelligent, leaving Qi Jianshuan with zero aversion toward his fragility, and instead filling him with a heart full of deep tenderness.
Decision after decision struck Qi Jianshuan like a boomerang, and his powerlessness became the driving force pushing him to escape his emotions.
When Yun Zhensong’s health had recovered quite a bit, the hearts of the other three men finally felt a good deal lighter.
[Congratulations to the host for completing the task. The reward is now being issued.]
[Reward: One year added to lifespan, five points added to luck value, two thousand gold coins granted.]
[Congratulations to the host for unlocking all items within the “Shop” and unlocking the “Parallel Plot” icon.]
Just as Yun Zhensong wanted to study it closely, the people sent to investigate Qing County returned. After reporting to Li Yan, Li Yan sent word inviting the group to the front hall for a discussion.
Yun Zhensong had no choice but to wait until evening to take a closer look.
With a satisfied smile, Li Yan said to them, “This Prince truly never expected Magistrate Yun to possess such capability, turning former barren land into fully utilized fields. Looking at it now, the crops are growing very well, and barring any accidents, a bumper harvest is certain!”
Having just recovered from a serious illness, Yun Zhensong had pale lips, but he smiled and replied, “You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“Magistrate Yun, no need to be so modest!” Li Yan pushed a stamped document across the table in front of him. “This is what I just had someone draft. It clearly lists the quantity and variety of grain that Hanchuan is borrowing from Qing County, along with an extra cart each of chickens and pigs. However, when the autumn harvest arrives, the grain must be returned in double.”
“Doing business, after all, requires caution and care,” Li Yan continued. “If Qing County can pay it back, Hanchuan will be begging to do business with Magistrate Yun in the future. But if you cannot pay it back, don’t blame this Prince for sending men to retrieve it personally.”
By the end, Li Yan’s smile carried a hint of threat, though it quickly returned to normal.
Yun Zhensong’s expression remained unchanged. Neither humble nor arrogant, he politely accepted the terms.
Li Yan clapped his hands, ordered the servants to serve the dishes, and said, “The meals in my estate are comparable to those in the imperial palace. Magistrate Yun, please have a taste.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your hospitality.” Yun Zhensong scanned the food on the table and picked a light stir-fried dish. The taste was excellent and very much suited his palate.
Li Yan glanced over a few times and suddenly remembered: “Magistrate Yun, is your health still not fully recovered? Ah, look at my memory. A few days ago, Old Wang asked me for a few prescriptions of medicine, saying they were for you to drink, and with all the busyness, I completely forgot.”
Immediately afterward, he hurriedly waved his hand and instructed a maid: “Tell the kitchen to bring over a portion of the food prepared for Young Master Qi.”
Young Master Qi?
Standing off to the side, Qi Jianshuan abruptly raised his gaze, and right on cue, Deng Hua looked over as well.
Recalling what Wang Younian had said earlier, Qi Jianshuan fell into deep thought.
It seemed he had no choice but to make a trip to the main room in the South Courtyard.
Yun Zhensong ate the subsequently delivered food with great enjoyment.
He ate slowly, but Li Yan did not rush him at all, patiently waiting instead: “No matter, take your time. I’ve always had a favorable impression of people who chew their food slowly.”
“Magistrate Yun, if you are not in a hurry, why don’t you stay in my estate for a few more days? The beginning of next month is my birthday banquet, and I would like to invite Magistrate Yun to join in the lively festivities. I wonder if Magistrate Yun would grant me the honor?”
“Food is scarce in the county; I need to send it back as soon as possible.”
Li Yan thoughtfully replied, “I will send people to transport it ahead of time. By the time you finish attending the banquet and rush back, the grain, pigs, and chickens will have already arrived as well. It won’t delay anything.”
Yun Zhensong paused for a moment and tilted his head slightly. “Is there something Your Highness requires my help with?”
Li Yan hadn’t expected him to be so clever, and he laughed with delight. “Hahaha, chatting with Magistrate Yun is truly a pleasure! To tell you the truth, this Prince has someone dear to my heart who has recently been cooping himself up in his room and refusing to come out. I’m afraid that if this goes on too long, he will fall sick at heart, so I’ve always wanted to find someone to keep him company. Yet I’ve never run into anyone whose temperament matches his. But judging from Magistrate Yun just now, you are a quite suitable candidate.”
As soon as Li Yan touched upon his beloved sweetheart, all the airs he usually put on were kicked aside by his own actions. As he spoke, he even leaned in closer. Qi Jianshuan rolled his eyes, pulled Yun Zhensong back, and coldly reminded him, “Your Highness, please mind your boundaries.”
“Oh, a bodyguard sure likes to mind other people’s business.” Li Yan frowned and glanced sideways at him, mocking him verbally before deciding it wasn’t worth arguing. He then turned back to ask for Yun Zhensong’s opinion.
He specifically kept him until the birthday banquet precisely so that Yun Zhensong could spend a few more days keeping his sweetheart company. If by any chance his sweetheart hit it off well with Yun Zhensong, what could anyone do if he decided to detain him here?
On one hand, out of consideration for the Hanchuan Prince’s face, and on the other hand, to further investigate Hanchuan’s commercial situation—since it wouldn’t delay county affairs anyway, Yun Zhensong nodded in agreement.
“Tomorrow, tomorrow I will send someone to invite you over.”
That night, Yun Zhensong wanted to check the system light screen by himself, so he didn’t keep Qi Jianshuan. As it happened, Qi Jianshuan had other matters to attend to; after making the bed for him, he closed the door and left.
Yun Zhensong eagerly tapped open the light screen. Instead of opening the “Parallel Plot” icon right away, he first went to check the “Character Directory” and had a look.
Sure enough, the names of “Li Yan (Prince of Hanchuan)” and Wang Younian had been added.
Both men’s grids were half-black and half-white, which did not surprise Yun Zhensong. What caught his attention even more was the name “Li Yan” itself.
Perhaps due to taboos regarding imperial relatives, his personal given name hadn’t been mentioned before; people only referred to him as the reigning Emperor’s own younger brother. Thus, the completely blacked-out “Li Ting” must be the Emperor.
Yun Zhensong frowned. If the Emperor was a solid, thorough villain, did this era still have any logic or reason to speak of?
Yun Zhensong sighed, thinking that when the boat reached the bridgehead, it would naturally straighten out, so he stopped dwelling on it and clicked into his “Personal Center”.
Lifespan Value: 10%
Luck Value: 25%
Skill Value: 25%
Persuasion Value: 25%
The progress bar levels left him very satisfied. After admiring them for a moment, he exited with a smile and entered the “Shop.”
In an instant, an array of dazzling goods flooded his vision. Now he finally understood why the system had called it “living a little luxuriously”—there was nothing here that couldn’t be bought; you could only fail to imagine it.
Miraculous elixirs, weapons and treasures, fine Akhal-Teke steeds, Western imported goods, craftsmanship blueprints, and a pile of other items that would be considered priceless treasures in this era were all available. Scrolling to the very end, Yun Zhensong even found “a single life” for sale, though it cost one million gold coins. Judging by the speed at which he earned gold coins, he wouldn’t be able to afford it even by the time his story ended.
Still, he could put some effort into getting the other things!
For instance, that mineral map was exceptionally attractive to Yun Zhensong, instantly filling him with high fighting spirit and making him yearn to complete more tasks to earn more gold coins!
Thinking of this, he glanced at the wallet in the upper left corner: 3,300.
Just 1,700 more, and he could buy it!
Carrying full hope in his heart, Yun Zhensong finally clicked into the “Parallel Plot.”
The page was simple and clear. The first line detailed the situation in Zhongzhou: Emperor Qinglong was cultivating three new generals, initial results were showing from his reform measures, the fiscal deficit was decreasing, yet the imperial court remained panicked with ulterior motives stirring everywhere.
The second line mentioned the nineteen northern tribes: the former tribal leader had died in battle, and his son, Halba, had taken over the position of leader, reorganizing an army of one million strong.
Yun Zhensong drew a sharp breath. The path ahead was obstructed and long indeed.