Ha! Ha!
Little Lord Yan is back again!
At the break of dawn, Yan Dong shook off the gloom of the past few days, got up swiftly, washed up, and donned a pine-green cotton robe with a white fur-lined cloak to have breakfast in the front courtyard.
After his morning boxing practice, Hou Yi changed into a dark robe with arrow sleeves, appearing halfway through, his ponytail tied high, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, looking quite like a person at first glance.
Yan Dong went up and punched him, “You’re still here? Where’s the fish?”
“Having breakfast before heading back.” Hou Yi dodged with a side flip, landing and brushing his forehead, “He was called back earlier. I heard Li Haiyue had a nightmare last night and fainted from fright. Her family from Anxin Marquis Residence went to visit her early this morning.”
Another one scared by nightmares, could Li Haiyue be like him? Yan Dong rubbed his chin, oh well, who cares.
The two of them, like dogs chasing each other, playfully made their way to the dining hall. As soon as they entered, someone said, “Yi’er, why didn’t you wear a cloak when you went out?”
Cui Fulai, with her hair adorned with a precious hairpin and lightly made up, came around the corner.
Yan Dong went up and hugged his mother’s arm, rubbing his head against the soft white fur on her shoulder, saying comfortably, “He’s full of energy, he won’t feel cold.”
Hou Yi called out, “Aunt Cui,” “I’m not cold, I can handle it even if I take off three more layers!”
“Are you saying you only wore three layers?” Yan Zong, the second brother, came around from behind the screen, raising an eyebrow, “I win—I only wore three layers.”
“If you two go out naked later, then I’ll truly respect you as real men.” Yan Jian, the third brother, pushed Yan Zong aside and waved at Hou Yi, “Mingfei, come sit.”
Hou Yi responded with an “eh” and sat down next to Yan Jian. When he turned his head, he exchanged a glance with Yan Zong on the other side, and the two of them tacitly raised their arms to compare whose arm was stronger, more streamlined, and more beautifully shaped.
Suddenly, a third arm joined in, and they both turned their heads to see a face with bright eyes and thick eyebrows, full of heroic spirit.
Yan Qingyun laughed heartily, “You two little brats, open your eyes wide and see what real iron arms look like!”
“…” Yan Jian closed his eyes.
Cui Fulai, with the “big pendant” on her arm, walked to the main seat and sat down. Yan Dong sat next to her, with the empty seat beside him reserved for Yan Song. In their family, apart from the main seat, the other seats were not strictly assigned, and the children sat wherever they liked.
Recently, with the court on break, Yan Song didn’t have any meetings this morning, so he had time to have breakfast with the family. He greeted his parents at the main seat, and the siblings all called out, “Big brother.”
Yan Dong welcomed him with open arms, “Big brother, please sit!”
Yan Song walked over, and before sitting down, he ruffled Yan Dong’s hair.
“The second brother has lessons today and went to the National Academy early, so we won’t wait for him. By the way,” Cui Fulai turned to look at Yan Dong and Hou Yi, “speaking of the National Academy, don’t forget to participate in the examination, or you’ll have a headache when school resumes after the new year.”
Hou Yi’s chopsticks, reaching for the lamb bun, trembled slightly, feeling a bit guilty, “I remember, I’ll definitely participate on time!”
Yan Dong was more straightforward than Hou Yi, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, mother, I would have forgotten. By the way, is there a reward for doing well?”
“If you do well, there’s a reward; if not, there’s a punishment.” Yan Song placed a bowl of millet porridge in front of Yan Dong, “If you fall out of the top five, you’ll have to study an extra hour in the study after school resumes, and I’ll invite a teacher to supervise you.”
Ah?!
Yan Dong was a bit shocked and a bit unwilling, seeing that no one at the table dared to stand up and help him resist the tyranny, he could only say in despair, “Oh…”
“Ahem! Let’s eat! Madam, children! Let’s eat!” Yan Qingyun glanced at the pitiful little brat, giving him a look that said “Dad will find a way to help you,” to which Yan Dong responded with a look of comfort, “Even if your strength doesn’t match, it’s the thought that counts.”
The nominal head of the family, whose power had actually slipped away, and whose position was precarious, Yan Qingyun withdrew his gaze and stuffed a large piece of bamboo shoot and meat into his mouth.
Suddenly, a spring pancake appeared on the plate, and Yan Dong turned to meet Yan Song’s gaze, shrinking his neck and burying his head in the plate, obediently eating.
He silently counted to five in his heart, then sneakily looked up, only to be caught by Yan Song, who was still watching him.
“Hehe,” Yan Dong immediately offered a shrimp, “Don’t just eat vegetables, we need a balanced diet.”
Everyone watched Yan Dong’s flattery, their brows and eyes filled with smiles, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. Yan Qingyun looked at his eldest son, who was talking to Yan Dong, and the other gradually turned into the shape of a Tianshan snow lotus and a thousand-year-old ginseng!
After breakfast, Yan Dong dismissed the servants and cleared his throat, “Everyone.”
The little master was about to speak, and everyone immediately sat up straight.
“I’ve made everyone worry these past few days, so I’ll drink this cup as an apology.” Yan Dong raised his teacup and drank it all in one go, very mysteriously, “You all must be wondering what exactly happened, right?”
Yan Zong exaggeratedly said, “Is this something you can talk about?”
“I didn’t want to say it, afraid you’d worry, and also afraid you’d think I’m possessed… hmm?” Yan Dong keenly stared at his father.
Yan Qingyun forced a gentle and loving smile, “Daddy’s precious eldest… oh no, youngest son, what’s wrong?”
Yan Dong suspiciously asked, “What emotion are you trying so hard to hide right now?”
“Guilty conscience.” Cui Fulai exposed him.
“Madam!” Yan Qingyun glared at Cui Fulai, got up, and walked behind Yan Dong, massaging his shoulders and back, “Daddy admits to having invited some monks and Taoists to the house—”
“It was a lot,” Yan Zong said, “over three hundred—mmph!”
Yan Qingyun swiftly stuffed a handkerchief into Yan Zong’s mouth and quickly returned, coaxing, “The more, the merrier! Jian’er said you weren’t sick, and Daddy couldn’t pry your mouth open, so there was really no other way!”
Yan Dong looked closely at Yan Qingyun, noticing that his already angular and handsome face had thinned a bit, with faint dark circles under his eyes. If he couldn’t eat well these days, who in the family could be happy?
He lowered his eyelids, guiltily saying, “Right—”
“By the way,” Yan Jian interrupted, “get to the point.”
“Just,” Yan Qingyun gave the little brat’s head a rub, then returned to his seat, “hurry up and confess!”
Yan Dong smiled, swallowing back his apology, and continued, “But now that the matter is resolved, there’s no harm in talking about it.”
With that, he recounted the whole story.
Nightmares and a storybook world, which isn’t shocking and frightening? As everyone listened, the dining table fell silent.
“Bang!”
Yan Qingyun stood up and slammed the table, furious, “Those brainless fools dared to try such a vicious trick on our child?! Today, I’ll go to the palace and report the Yu family and Li family. If His Majesty doesn’t deal with it, I’ll go straight to their door! I’ve been at home playing with birds, growing flowers, and feeding fish for too long, they really think I’m crippled and can’t wield a knife anymore!”
“Sit down first.” Cui Fulai held Yan Qingyun’s proud iron arm and looked at Yan Song, “Song’er, what do you think?”
Yan Song said, “The heads of both families probably aren’t aware. I’ll handle this matter and ensure those with ill intentions pay the price.”
His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Yan Dong, who was resting his chin on his hand and staring straight at him, saying, “Everyone can rest assured.”
Yan Dong stared at that calm face, nodding, “Yes, yes, I’ve already entrusted this matter entirely to big brother.”
Everyone at the table knew Yan Song’s capabilities, and hearing this, they felt much more at ease.
Yan Zong was the first to joke, “Hey, Dongdong, since we’re all characters in a storybook, what role does your most brilliant and heroic second brother play?”
“I don’t know.” Yan Dong said, a bit unhappy. He only knew he died at the beginning, and he didn’t know anyone else’s ending, how annoying!
Yan Jian said, “Judging by the name, is it a romantic storybook? The domineering heir’s little fox… lover?”
“Or a story about male love.” Cui Fulai, well-versed in many things, said.
“Mother!” Hou Yi was shocked, “How come I don’t know of any heir who likes men?!”
Not just him, nobody else knew either!
“As they say, far away in the sky, right in front of you—”
Yan Song’s hand holding the teacup slightly stiffened, but Yan Dong didn’t notice and continued to reasonably guess, “Mother, could it be cousin Cui, that flirt?”
Yan Song lowered his eyes, continuing to leisurely drink tea.
“Possible,” Cui Fulai said, “when your cousin comes to visit for the New Year, you can ask him.”
“What is male love?” Yan Zong, who poured all his enthusiasm into studying martial arts, didn’t know about trendy things, let alone other matters, “What are you all talking about?”
Everyone glanced at the clueless second brother and then got up from the table.
Yan Zong was displeased, “Hey!”
Hou Yi wrapped himself in the cloak Cui Fulai had someone fetch and bid farewell to everyone, heading home first.
Yan Qingyun and Yan Zong exchanged martial arts insights in the corridor, and before long, they started sparring. Standing by the flower stand, arranging a vase of fish-tail flowers, Cui Fulai said, “Dongdong, tell those two to be careful not to ruin the flowers in the courtyard.”
“Understood.” Lying on a pearwood chair to digest, Yan Dong got up and dashed out, conveying the “imperial decree” to the two barehanded fighters in the courtyard. Seeing them obediently crab-walk out of the courtyard, he nodded in satisfaction.
He looked around and noticed Yan Song and Yan Jian were gone, immediately starting a search plan. With his hands behind his back, he circled half the corridor and, sure enough, caught sight of the people behind the rustling plum shadows outside the fan-shaped window.
The few white plum trees in the small courtyard behind the hall were transplanted from the Cui Junwang’s residence, blooming beautifully now, each one a double-petaled white, the one under the corridor resembling a snow umbrella, almost covering the eaves under which the two siblings stood.
Yan Song, dressed in a lilac robe and draped in a black fur-lined cloak, stood with his hands behind his back. Yan Jian stood in front of him, wrapped in a fox fur cloak, though half a head shorter, she was still outstanding among the girls in Yongjing. The conversation was inaudible, but Yan Dong guessed they were discussing the matter of the medicine bottle.
Suddenly, Yan Song turned his head, his gaze piercing through the plum shadows and landing directly on him.
Yan Dong immediately covered his ears, indicating he was only peeking, not eavesdropping.
Yan Jian followed her brother’s gaze, pushing aside the layers of plum shadows, and the person outside the window, with bright eyes and delicate features, looked like the little white dog named Snowball.
She shook her head with a smile, then continued, “My teacher and I both believe that the two bottles contain one as a mind-numbing powder and the other as horse gut-twisting poison. The former can be ingested or enter the body through other senses, causing stiffness, fatigue, dizziness, and vertigo. The horse gut-twisting poison is a toxin used specifically on horses, usually ingested, injected, or inhaled, quickly driving the horse mad, and if not treated promptly, it will surely die.”
Yan Song said, “Thank you. I’ll have someone prepare a gift later to thank Director Lin for his efforts.”
“Big brother, you’re too polite. You know us, we can’t resist new medicines, we have to study and understand them thoroughly to be at ease. By the way, since Dongdong is better, I’ll head to the Imperial Hospital later. If you have any instructions, feel free to send someone to find me.”
“There is one personal matter.” Yan Song said, “Have you heard of a type of gu called Peach Blossom Dream?”
“Gu? Nowadays, except for that Hua Shisanlang in Qianzhou, most gu practitioners are almost extinct, and I have little knowledge of it. I have heard of Peach Blossom Dream before, it seems to be a love gu?” Yan Jian suddenly scrutinized Yan Song, “Big brother, you didn’t fall for that Hua Shisanlang’s trick, did you?”
“This person is related to a cult and is on the list to be captured and executed. I was ambushed by him while on duty and was careless for a moment.” Yan Song said, “Unfortunately, he bit a poison sac and committed suicide on the spot, providing no additional useful information.”
Gu poison is insidious and hard to guard against, and those not in the know are more easily tricked. But if the intent was to kill, why use a love gu? Yan Jian was puzzled but didn’t ask further, reaching out to check Yan Song’s pulse, finding it normal, she withdrew her hand, saying, “I’ll remember this and immediately start researching a method to break the gu. Rest assured, big brother.”
Yan Song said, “This matter—”
“Understood.” Yan Jian was quick to catch on, “Keep it a secret, especially from Dongdong.”
Yan Song nodded, “By the way, I bought a waist medicine pouch in Qianzhou earlier, it can store silver needles and small knives, with lively pear branch embroidery. Take a look later, if you like it, take it with you.”
“I always trust big brother’s taste… Dongdong.”
Yan Jian waved, and Yan Dong immediately entered the back courtyard, flipping over the hanging path and landing with a flourish, imitating an opera singer’s tone, “What are your orders, Third Miss?”
“This young lady is going to the Imperial Hospital.” Yan Jian beckoned Yan Dong over, cupping his face and gently rubbing it, “You’ve been worrying too much these days, I’ve prepared medicine for you, drink a bowl before bed for three days. If anything feels wrong, come tell sister immediately, don’t make sister worry.”
Such a cunning sister, saying this in front of big brother, he wouldn’t dare not take the medicine. Yan Dong puffed his cheeks, dragging his voice, “Got it.”
“Little rascal.” Yan Jian gave Yan Dong’s face a rub, bid farewell to Yan Song, and turned back to the front hall.
Yan Song took a long stride, stepping off the path, and Yan Dong followed behind, “Big brother, are you going to the office today?”
“Yes.” Yan Song said, “Are you wasting your breath?”
“I’m just asking, showing some concern.” Yan Dong pushed aside the plum branches in front of the moon gate, preventing them from hitting Yan Song, chattering, “Is there really a punishment for not doing well in the exam? Can we negotiate? I’m graduating next year, and when I choose a government office to work in, I’ll probably become very busy.”
“Graduation isn’t urgent, if you don’t do well, you can study for another year.” Yan Song said.
“But Fish and Monkey are graduating next year, and I’ll be left alone, so pitiful.” Yan Dong hugged Yan Song’s arm, bending his knees to use a move called “thousand-pound drop,” not letting him go, “Big brother, big brother, let’s negotiate.”
Yan Song slightly twisted his shoulder to the side, lifting his free hand to pinch Yan Dong’s wrinkled face, “My pen broke. One, two—”
Yan Dong instantly let go, Yan Song chuckled, turned, and left, leaving the little tail behind to immediately turn and run to the front hall.
“Madam, about the rumors of the Fourth Prince…” Yan Qingyun dismissed the second brat, squeezing in front of the flower stand to hand Cui Fulai the scissors.
“The matter was done secretly back then, if anyone would suspect and go to the trouble of finding that mother and son, it’s likely someone old by His Majesty’s side.” Cui Fulai lowered her head, trimming the side branches, “The rumors are widespread, someone is fanning the flames, and now the imperial intentions are unclear, but who knows what will happen later.”
“What’s so good about being named Zhao?” Yan Qingyun rubbed his rough palms, speaking in a deep voice, “That’s our child, I really can’t bear to let him go.”
“This matter isn’t for us as subjects to decide,” Cui Fulai thought of Yan Song’s temperament and sighed again, “nor is it for us as parents to decide.”
Yan Qingyun wanted to say more, but hearing a series of footsteps approaching, he swallowed his words.
“I’m going to Guanghu Zhai to buy a pen to bribe big brother, I’m off!” Yan Dong darted out from behind the screen and dashed out of the flower hall.
“Slow down,” Cui Fulai turned her head, raising her voice, “the road is slippery, don’t fall!”
Yan Qingyun followed, shouting, “It’s cold, come home early and get under the covers!”
“Got it!” Yan Dong waved back, running out of the front courtyard.
While his friends were out eating, drinking, and having fun, he was stuck in school with the old professor, gnawing on books. It was too miserable, he had to immediately go to Guanghu Zhai to buy the best pen to bribe big brother, to ensure peace!
Most of Yan Song’s study supplies came from Guanghu Zhai on Qinglong Street, where the goods were good, and it was said the mysterious owner was a friend of Yan Song, with businesses all over, making steady profits, and his whereabouts were a mystery, Yan Dong had yet to see his true face.
They were close enough, yet big brother still had many little secrets, Yan Dong thought with a bit of melancholy, nodding to the shopkeeper who came out to greet him, “Pick a pen.”
“Is it for you or the young master?” The shopkeeper led the young master to the second floor, opening one of the cabinets, “Inside are all newly arrived good goods, take a look.”
Yan Dong wasn’t impressed, so the shopkeeper immediately brought out a booklet, saying, “Young master, take a good look, so I can be at ease.”
“Thank you for your concern… hey,” Yan Dong looked up at the shopkeeper, “did you send something to my courtyard a few days ago?”
The shopkeeper smiled, “We merchants travel far and wide, and at the end of the year, the people below collected a box of beads, various types mixed together, though not as precious as those you handle, they all look beautiful. I thought you liked stringing beads, so I sent them to the residence, as a token of appreciation for your usual care.”
“Thoughtful of you, Qingqing showed them to me, they are indeed beautiful beads.” Yan Dong flipped through the booklet, his fair fingertips pointing to one, “I’ll take this black lacquered tube brush, and also give me a set of this month’s seasonal flower stationery.”
The shopkeeper responded with an “eh,” took out the brush, and gestured for Yan Dong to go downstairs.
There was someone familiar standing at the counter. Yan Dong walked over, placing a hand on Nong Sheng’s shoulder, who turned around, dramatically startled.
Before Yan Dong could ask, a clerk came over from the back, saying to Nong Sheng, “Sir, your pen.”
The clerk held a white jade tube brush, and Yan Dong was puzzled, “Don’t you only use lightweight, unbreakable wooden tube brushes?”
Nong Sheng gestured for the clerk to wrap it up, “It’s for the young master.”
Yan Dong paused, then said, “Big brother prefers mixed hair brushes, and he already asked me to pick a pen for him, does he really need to trouble you, the busy personal guard commander?”
“It’s not…” Nong Sheng, under the young master’s suspicious gaze, turned to the shopkeeper, “right?”
When Nong Sheng bought the pen, he only mentioned wanting a white jade tube, his attitude casual, so the shopkeeper knew it wasn’t for the young master, thus had the clerk fetch a newly arrived white jade tube wolf hair brush. Now, he could only honestly nod, “It’s not.”
“You old rascal, how do you do things!” Nong Sheng slapped the counter, “The young master prefers mixed hair, don’t you know? Go change it and pack it up!”
The shopkeeper, being used as a scapegoat, didn’t dare say more, quickly apologizing, personally fetching a new one for Nong Sheng to inspect, and only after he nodded did he pack it in a box, respectfully presenting it.
“Don’t be careless next time, luckily the young master reminded me today.” Nong Sheng glared at the shopkeeper, turned to smile at Yan Dong, and quickly left.
Yan Dong watched Nong Sheng’s figure disappear outside the shop, squinting his eyes.
Chang Qingqing muttered, “Why do I feel Brother Nong Sheng is acting strange?”
“He’s hiding something.”
“Huh?” Chang Qingqing glanced at the young master.
Yan Dong’s delicate brows and eyes curved, at first glance, he seemed to be smiling. He rubbed his ring, softly saying, “What to do, it seems big brother has a little secret he can’t let others know.”