Yan Dong was like a small animal that immediately sought out the source of a familiar scent. He leaned back into the embrace filled with the fragrance of stone leaves, the familiar warmth making him curl up and instinctively wrap his arms around the neck of the person who came.
Yan Song picked up the drunkard, “I’ll take him away.”
Cui Sutang stopped Hou Yi, who wanted to accompany them, and said, “The night wind is chilly, take care, cousin. Forgive us for not seeing you off.”
“It’s cold, rest early,” Yan Song said as he carried Yan Dong away.
Yan Dong was quite obedient at the moment, lying on Yan Song’s back like a drooping fluffy tail. Yan Song carried him without any sign of burden, his long legs quickly taking them out of the warm pavilion.
“Sister-in-law, isn’t it rude not to see them off?” Hou Yi asked.
“The brothers are having a disagreement; they need a chance to talk it out. Cousin understands my intentions and won’t mind,” Cui Sutang replied.
The corridor was like a snake, the night lamps stretching endlessly. Yan Song walked steadily, carrying the drunkard out of the Zhenyuan Marquis Residence.
Chang Qingqing opened the carriage door, “There’s hangover medicine in the cabinet. Should we give it to the young master?”
Yan Song placed the drunkard inside, pushed him into the carriage, and said calmly, “No need.”
The door closed, the carriage started moving, and Yan Dong, curled up in the corner, tilted his head. He felt a familiar gaze and instinctively crawled in the direction it led him.
Yan Song looked down at the drunkard who had crawled over and curled up on his lap, half of his body facing him, his cheeks and eyelids flushed red, as if he had just cried. Yan Song paused for a moment, then covered Yan Dong with a white fox fur blanket.
Most of the streets and alleys were shrouded in darkness, with only occasional whispers. Inside the carriage, it was silent and peaceful.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Chang Qingqing said, “Isn’t Wang Zhi just returning from his duties? Truly hard-working.”
“Carrying out orders, I dare not complain,” Wang Zhi’s voice was light, like the wind passing by, “I happened to meet the heir, may I have a word?”
Yan Song kept his eyes down, his gaze fixed on Yan Dong’s face, not moving an inch, “My brother is drunk and sleeping soundly, it’s inconvenient to invite someone into the carriage for a chat, please don’t mind.”
“No problem, just a few words,” Wang Zhi said, “I heard about the matter at the National Academy. I haven’t thanked the young master for speaking up and protecting my sister.”
Yan Song replied calmly, “It’s a small matter to help when seeing injustice. My brother has done it many times before, he doesn’t take it to heart, and neither should you or Miss Wang.”
Wang Zhi could hear the coldness and distance in his words. Clearly, Yan Song not only didn’t want to associate with the Wang family himself, but he also didn’t like seeing his brother involved with them. But he was here to deliver a message, so he said one last thing, “My uncle and aunt want to host a banquet to express their gratitude. What does the heir think?”
Yan Dong turned over, burying his face in Yan Song’s waist.
Yan Song paused, reached out to block Yan Dong’s face, but the latter rested on his palm. The breath tickled, making his palm itch. His fingers curled slightly, but he didn’t withdraw his hand, saying, “No need to trouble yourself.”
Wang Zhi said, “Please, heir, go ahead.”
Chang Qingqing nodded politely, driving the carriage forward. After a while, he said, “His Majesty knows you have a grudge with Wang Zhi, yet he let him investigate the attack on Anxin Marquis’s wife alone. The emperor’s intentions are unclear.”
Yan Song’s fingers slightly tightened, covering most of Yan Dong’s face. His palm gradually became wet, and only when Yan Dong frowned and struggled did he withdraw his hand.
The suffocating feeling disappeared instantly, Yan Dong’s brow relaxed, and he soon fell into a deep sleep again.
“This matter falls within the jurisdiction of Yongjing Prefecture. It’s reasonable for Wang Yiqing to investigate. If I really did it, His Majesty would only punish, not demote. If he framed me, it would be abuse of power, eliminating dissidents. To go deeper…” Yan Song stopped there.
“That means Wang Zhi chose Anxin Marquis’s residence over Yan State Duke’s Mansion, because,” Chang Qingqing figured it out and said with a smile, “he’s siding with the Second Prince.”
The Second Prince’s mother, Consort De, is Anxin Marquis’s sister, tied together. But Yongjing Prefecture, the Court of Justice, and the Imperial Guards must be absolutely loyal to the emperor.
“Wang Zhi is a smart man. He should understand that His Majesty’s real intention is to remind the three princes.” Chang Qingqing stopped the carriage at the side gate, got off to open the door, “So, who do you think is behind the attack on Anxin Marquis’s wife?”
Yan Song carried Yan Dong out of the carriage, “The one who wants to know the answer is His Majesty.”
*
“Yes, who is so impatient,” Emperor Cheng An placed a piece, “It’s hard to guess.”
He looked at the white-robed woman sitting beside him, “Bu Wang, take a guess.”
Yan Jian was pondering the chessboard, and upon hearing this, she said, “When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. If we talk about who wants to use this matter to provoke a conflict between Anxin Marquis’s residence and Yan State Duke’s Mansion, it should be the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince… I guess the Fifth Prince.”
Emperor Cheng An asked, “Why?”
“The Third Prince is more cautious, the Fifth Prince is different,” Yan Jian pointed to her head, “He acts impulsively, as if he has a disorder.”
Emperor Cheng An laughed heartily, coughing twice, and Yan Jian quickly reached out to pat his back.
Emperor Cheng An waved his hand, his demeanor friendly and casual, just like an uncle chatting with a junior, “No problem. I don’t think it’s the Third or Fifth, the traces are too obvious, as if deliberately making the Third and Fifth the so-called ‘fishermen’, to muddy the waters further, even making the two ‘fishermen’ suspicious of each other, worsening their relationship. As for my sons, each has their strengths, but the Second is indecisive, the Third is ruthless, the Fifth is unpredictable, hard to choose.”
Yan Jian poured a cup of medicine for Emperor Cheng An, “Isn’t the Sixth Prince suitable?”
“Too young, not the right time.” Emperor Cheng An paused, “What do you think my Fourth is like now?”
“I don’t know,” Yan Jian handed the medicine cup to Emperor Cheng An, “But Your Majesty can summon the Fourth Prince back anytime, see for yourself… You must drink it.”
“‘Better to be a crane in the wild than under a rich roof,’ that’s what Consort Ming said when she looked at the Fourth before she left.” Emperor Cheng An swallowed the medicine under Yan Jian’s watchful gaze, a bitter taste spreading in his throat. He smiled, “If I summon the Fourth back, she will resent me.”
“Maybe the Fourth Prince is destined to be a stormy figure,” Yan Jian said, “My parents always said, their wishes are just wishes, the path of their children should be walked according to their own hearts.”
Emperor Cheng An was stunned for a moment, then smiled sadly, “There’s no family in the capital that spoils their children more than yours. In your family, Fengchun is the most spoiled, except for Xu Ming, no one can bear to say a harsh word to him.”
Yan Jian didn’t think there was anything wrong with that, and asked, “Your Majesty also likes Dongdong, right?”
“Yes, I like him,” Emperor Cheng An smiled and instructed the eunuch beside him, “So tomorrow, call the little guy over to chat with me.”
Lü Neishi, with a noble demeanor and fair skin, stood like a white jade gourd, nodded and complied.
*
The next day, Yan Dong woke up to find himself in Xunfeng Courtyard. He stared blankly at the familiar carved bed top for a while, then called Chang Qingqing in.
“This morning, someone from the palace came. His Majesty has summoned you to the palace in the afternoon,” Chang Qingqing brought a tray, assisting Yan Dong with his morning routine.
Yan Dong absentmindedly responded with an “Mm,” and after washing and dressing, he left the bedroom.
The people in the corridor stepped forward to greet him, “The heir instructed the kitchen to keep your breakfast warm.”
Yan Dong said he wasn’t hungry, “Where does the new person live?”
Everyone in the courtyard knew that the young master had a big fight with the heir over this person. The attendant’s heart tightened, and he said softly, “In the side room of the side courtyard.”
The side rooms in the side courtyard were for the servants of Xunfeng Courtyard. Yan Dong said “Oh,” and asked, “What is this person here for?”
“Tea master Jia De has met the young master.”
Yan Dong followed the voice and saw Song Fengmian turning the corner into the corridor.
Jia De, fake, how perfunctory.
“Since I haven’t eaten, let’s have some tea,” Yan Dong withdrew his gaze and turned to the tea room.
The attendant thought it was not good but couldn’t stop him, quickly signaling Jia De to follow, whispering, “The young master is the living ancestor of the residence, be careful with your words, don’t upset him.”
Yan Dong didn’t like him from the first meeting, it was clear, no need for him to provoke. Song Fengmian nodded obediently.
Yan Dong entered the tea room and sat behind the golden nanmu tea table. Song Fengmian followed, with a slender waist and long legs, his figure was charming, like a fox spirit from a painting!
Yan Dong withdrew his gaze and said steadily, “Sit.”
Song Fengmian was surprised. The young master was of noble status and didn’t like him. He thought he would have to kneel by the table for a long time, endure some torment, but unexpectedly, Yan Dong allowed him to sit.
“Thank you, young master.” Song Fengmian lifted his robe and sat down, “What would you like?”
Yan Dong was familiar with the tea leaves in the tea room, “Lushan Cloud Mist, it was tributed from Jiangzhou a while ago, I haven’t tried it yet.”
Song Fengmian nodded, took a can of tea leaves from the shelf, boiled water, warmed the pot and cups, his movements elegant and efficient, indeed knowledgeable about tea.
“This year’s tea leaves are good, well-formed.” Yan Dong put down the tea can, looking at the person sitting opposite, “Are you the younger brother or the older brother?”
Song Fengmian took a glass cup, poured hot water into it, his fingers white and slender. He said, “Replying to the young master, I’m the younger brother.”
“You escaped to the capital, what about your mother and brother?” Yan Dong asked.
Song Fengmian added tea to the cup, “To attract the attention of the villains and help me escape, they died under the villains’ knives.”
Was it the assailants being too reckless, or did they never intend to leave anyone alive to ask for clues? Yan Dong thought and said “Condolences,” seeing Song Fengmian’s calm expression, realizing this person’s nature was not simple, not as weak and gentle as he appeared.
“Do you want to avenge them?” he asked.
Song Fengmian smiled bitterly, “A lowly person, how can I avenge?”
The tea leaves sank into the water, some sinking straight down, others floating up and down, a dance of tea. Yan Dong clapped his hands, “So you appeared by my brother’s side.”
Song Fengmian looked up, meeting Yan Dong’s gaze, and was momentarily stunned.
Who doesn’t know the famous young master Yan? Since childhood, relying on his family background, he feared nothing, always causing trouble with someone to clean up after him. Song Fengmian used to think Yan Dong was just a pampered, pretty little playboy. But now, through a wisp of tea smoke, he realized those glassy eyes hid something deep, a sharpness that could pierce the heart, like the fangs of a wolfhound.
The tea leaves gradually unfolded, revealing green buds and leaves. Yan Dong smiled, “It smells good.”
His eyes curved, lips red and teeth white, his smile was truly bright, like the pot of pink and white eighteen scholars in the corridor. So even if there was malice hidden in those eyes, Song Fengmian was momentarily dazzled by the smile.
Yan Dong took a sip of tea, “Rich and sweet, good tea—worth savoring.”
Song Fengmian also smiled, “In the young master’s eyes, is the heir someone easily deceived?”
Yan Dong’s elbow rested on the table, his fingers turning the teacup half a circle, his gaze on Song Fengmian’s face, “So you want to tell me, my brother and you are using each other, each with their own purpose?”
“How dare I use the heir, and how could the heir allow me to use him?” Song Fengmian said, “The heir just doesn’t want me to fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives.”
Yan Dong said, “Then did you tell my brother the Fourth Prince’s secret?”
“The heir saved me, covered my tracks, I naturally told him everything. But,” Song Fengmian paused, saying meaningfully, “the heir didn’t seem surprised by this secret, as if… he already knew.”
Yan Dong paused at his words, “Then you’re useless,” he was curious, “Why didn’t my brother just kill you and bury the secret completely?”
“Yes,” Song Fengmian looked at the little wolfhound guarding its food, feeling playful, he leaned slightly towards Yan Dong, his fox eyes slightly raised, showing a hint of a smile, “Why?”
Yan Dong’s eyelids lowered slightly, staring at Song Fengmian without speaking.
Chang Qingqing said coldly, “Presumptuous!”
“Qingqing,” Yan Dong said, “let him speak.”
Song Fengmian glanced at Chang Qingqing, who seemed eager to glare a hole through him. That protective demeanor wasn’t from flattery, but genuine, it seemed the young master treated his servants with great affection.
Such a person, sentimental.
“Young master, have you noticed, your possessiveness towards the heir is too strong, not like ordinary brothers.” Song Fengmian said worriedly, “If one day the heir marries or takes concubines, or has a confidante outside, you’ll cry very sadly, won’t you?”
Yan Dong was silent for a few moments, then suddenly laughed.
Song Fengmian’s expression slightly tightened, sensing something was wrong.
Oh no, the young master is furious! Chang Qingqing silently screamed, body tense, ready to handle Yan Dong’s tantrum at any moment.
“Do you have a family?” Yan Dong asked.
The question was sudden and inexplicable, Song Fengmian was stunned before saying, “No.”
Yan Dong said, “Then follow me, how about it?”
Song Fengmian’s eyes widened, “What?”
“Follow me” had more than one meaning, but Yan Dong first asked if Song Fengmian had a family, then said this, it sounded like there was only one meaning, he wanted Song Fengmian to be his chamber person.
Little ancestor! Chang Qingqing’s knees went weak, directly kneeling on the tea mat, what kind of scene is this?!
“You’re good-looking, skilled in tea, keeping you by my side is pleasing to the eye and practical, not a loss.” Yan Dong used his fingertip to lift Song Fengmian’s chin, seriously examining him for a moment, “I’m generous to those around me, not many rules, more relaxed than here.”
Song Fengmian stared at Yan Dong, unable to tell if he was joking, awkwardly smiling, “Young master, the heir will kill me.”
“My people, how can they be killed just like that? Isn’t that right,” Yan Dong looked at the person appearing at the door, showing his canine teeth, brightly, “Brother?”