Since entering the new instance, Song Liang had been kept in the palace for one reason or another, without a chance to explore. Only now did he get his first proper look at Yanjing, the city described in the original novel by the saying, “The realm grows lean while Yanjing grows fat.”
Carriages thronged the streets, and people streamed to and fro. From the city gate, a broad avenue led straight toward the towering Zhengyang Gate of the imperial palace. It was wide enough for eight horse-drawn carriages to travel abreast, possessing a grandeur and majesty that little Hanshui could never match.
Shops and stalls lined both sides of the street. Song Liang had scarcely had the chance to examine ancient wares since arriving here, and before long he had bought all sorts of little trinkets. Together with the things he had wheedled out of Helan Ze, they left both Zhou An and the youth behind him carrying armfuls of parcels.
“Young master, it’s crowded outside, and you haven’t brought any guards. We should return early,” Zhou An said quietly.
Unconcerned, Song Liang pointed behind him. “It’s fine. We have him.”
The youth had changed out of his black clothes into an ordinary blue cloth tunic. His mask was gone too, revealing the clean, delicate face of a boy of fifteen or sixteen, with large, round, dark eyes. He only reached Song Liang’s ear in height. Suddenly finding two pairs of eyes on him, he froze.
Song Liang asked with a smile, “Can you protect me?”
The youth hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”
Satisfied, Song Liang patted his head. “Good boy.”
The youth blinked, as though remembering something, then asked, “Am I to attend you in bed tonight?”
Song Liang: “…”
His smile remained unchanged. “No. You only need to act as my bodyguard. I have someone else in mind for my bed.”
The youth nodded. “Oh.”
Beside them, Zhou An could not help saying, “Young master, you haven’t taken anyone into your harem yet.”
So whom exactly did you have in mind?
Song Liang was about to answer when he caught sight of a familiar figure ahead. His lips immediately curved, and he called out loudly.
“Good morning, Commander Cen!”
The shout startled passersby along half the street, and they all turned to look at Cen Huan.
Cen Huan, who had already spotted the young emperor and was pretending otherwise: “…”
“What a coincidence, Commander Cen.” Song Liang approached enthusiastically. “Where’s your prince?”
“Today is a rest day. His Highness is resting at the residence.”
Looking at the young emperor dressed as a gentleman from an established family, Cen Huan fell briefly silent. However little he thought of him, he had to admit the Chen imperial line produced remarkably handsome people.
The young emperor, dirty, sallow, and thin back in Hanshui, had now been nursed into a fresh-faced youth with rosy lips and white teeth. His smiling peach-blossom eyes were alluring and full of feeling, yet did nothing to diminish his dignity. Instead, he carried himself with an unhurried composure.
Remembering the dangerous things the young emperor had recently done at court, Cen Huan could not help asking, “Did you leave the palace without guards?”
“I brought one. He’s worth ten.”
Song Liang patted the youth’s shoulder, then eagerly continued, “Your prince is home alone? Doesn’t he get bored?”
“…”
Seeing his shamelessly lustful enthusiasm, Cen Huan immediately lost interest in worrying about his safety.
“His Highness enjoys chess,” he answered expressionlessly. “He isn’t bored at all.”
Song Liang beamed. “Chess? I love chess. I’ll keep him company.”
Cen Huan: “…”
Unable to help himself, he said, “His Highness already has someone to play with!”
“Who?”
Song Liang did not believe a word of it. He had long heard that the regent was even less popular than he was. Who would spend a rest day playing chess with him?
Clearly, Cen Huan also knew his prince was not especially well liked. After struggling for an answer, he finally said, “A concubine.”
Song Liang froze. “A concubine?”
“Indeed. His Highness has a concubine of unrivaled beauty, accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is especially skilled at chess. His Highness enjoys playing with her most.”
“…”
For a moment, Song Liang had nothing to say. He really had never asked whether Xie Yun had a concubine.
Pleased to have finally silenced him, Cen Huan clasped his hands. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
“Are you ill, Commander Cen?”
Song Liang had noticed the medicine parcel in his hand and caught a faint herbal scent, so he asked casually.
“A slight cold.”
With that, Cen Huan turned and left, showing no particular deference to the emperor. Song Liang did not hold it against him. He was busy thinking about that concubine.
Then the youth behind him abruptly said, “He’s lying.”
Song Liang’s eyes lit up. He turned toward him. “You don’t think the regent has a concubine either?”
The youth: “…”
“I meant he doesn’t have a cold.”
“…”
Song Liang’s smile instantly vanished. “I’m actually not that interested in my subordinate’s subordinate.”
The youth blinked, seemingly wanting to say more.
Song Liang could only tell him, “Go on.”
Looking at him with dark eyes, the youth answered, “That medicine contains Canshang. It’s highly poisonous.”
Song Liang’s expression stilled.
Back at the prince’s residence, Cen Huan handed the medicine to the steward and went to the study.
“Your Highness.”
He knocked once, then stopped, speaking through the door.
“I encountered His Majesty outside just now. He only had a eunuch and a guard with him. Should we send someone to watch him?”
Considering the young emperor’s previous escape from the palace over the appointment of an empress, Cen Huan had ample reason to suspect a relapse.
“He won’t,” came the calm, low voice from within. “Having openly offended the Grand Empress Dowager, leaving the palace now would be handing others an opportunity to kill him outright. Do you know where he went?”
“He seemed to be coming from the direction of Juxian Teahouse.”
Cen Huan paused, then added, “There’s an unfamiliar youth with him. He has martial training. His internal energy isn’t strong, but his fighting skills should be decent.”
“Investigate his background.”
“Yes.”
Yet after answering, Cen Huan remained where he was. Perhaps because the man inside heard no departing footsteps, he asked, “Anything else?”
“…There is one thing.”
After some hesitation, Cen Huan managed to say, “The young emperor asked what you were doing home alone. I said you were playing chess, and he said he liked chess too and insisted on coming to keep you company.”
“I thought that, in your present condition, you certainly wouldn’t wish to see anyone, so I made up an excuse.”
“What excuse?”
“…I said you had an incomparably beautiful concubine, accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, who played chess with you every day. So you had no need of him.”
“…”
“If the young emperor asks about it later, please remember not to let it slip.”
He was still the emperor, after all. He had more than enough authority to punish Cen Huan for deceiving the sovereign.
The study remained quiet for a long time before a low acknowledgment came.
“Mm.”
Cen Huan sighed in relief, then asked hesitantly, “Should we send someone to find Miss Qi?”
“No need.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Inside, Xie Yun sat motionless by the window in a dark blue-green robe. He listened as the slightly heavy footsteps outside slowly receded, finally fading into silence. His entire world seemed to sink into that same deathly stillness.
Then a familiar voice abruptly broke into it.
“Who’s Miss Qi? Your concubine?”
“…”
Xie Yun’s pupils contracted sharply. He immediately drew the sword beneath his desk and slashed ahead.
Crash—
Something heavy fell outside the window. At the same moment, Xie Yun finally placed the familiar voice.
The young emperor.
He froze with his sword in hand, trying to detect the scent of blood in the air. Instead, he smelled only a faint, fresh scent of greenery and felt the cool breeze brush his face.
No. That was not right. It was not only the cool breeze.
There was also the faintest warmth of breath.
Xie Yun’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.
Almost at the same instant, a familiar voice sounded right beside his ear. Unlike its usual teasing lilt, it carried a calm, cold edge—
“Xie Yun, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
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