Chapter 39: 37

The streets were bustling with activity, and the mouths of the small merchants and peddlers walking around were sweet. When they saw girls, they spoke a few words of flattery and a lot of jewelry, hairpins, and silk handkerchiefs were sold.

“It’s been so busy these days.” Yan Mingting took him back to the mansion and said anxiously, “With so many people, it would be easy for accidents to happen.”

As soon as he said this, a woman’s cry sounded in the distance: “Help, there is a thief!”

Yan Mingting rushed over immediately and saw a maid supporting her young lady. She immediately pointed to the suspicious person in the crowd.

Without saying a word, he squeezed into the crowd and pulled the man to the ground. He patted down his body and took out a purse embroidered with peonies. Fortunately there were officers and soldiers passing by, so he handed the man off to the government and then went back with the purse.

“Is this purse yours?”

“Just so, just so.” The maid happily took it.

When the lady raised her head and saw Yan Mingting’s face clearly, she was stunned for a moment. A blush appeared on her face and she saluted: “Many thanks to gongzi. Daring to ask gongzi’s name and surname, so that I may come to the door and thank him another day.”

“No need, it would be too troublesome.” Yan Mingting left directly.

“Isn’t that General Yan?” The people around said.

The lady asked: “General Yan? General Yan Mingting?”

Yan Mingting turned to look for Zhao Yelan, but couldn’t see him anywhere. He quickly asked the people nearby, but they all denied seeing him. He found another remote place and vigorously checked it for traces. 

In the end, he did find something. He used those signs to follow the trail, and finally stopped at a small farmyard. It was Zhong Yuehong’s home, and there was still smoke coming from the roof.

He walked in curiously and found Zhao Yelan sitting beneath the locust tree in the front courtyard for shade. There was a wooden basin in front of him, and he was peeling the peas in his hands.

“Why did you come here?” 

Zhao Yelan raised his head to glance at him. Without pausing his work, he said: “Have you caught the thief?”

“En, just a petty thief.” Yan Mingting walked up to him and saw that he was very skilled in his movements. He crouched to the side and picked up a handful of peas as well. “You still haven’t answered me, why did you come here all of a sudden?”

“Aiyo, the General is here too.” Mother Zhong emerged from the house, trotted over, and wiped the water on her apron with her hands, saying with a smile, “Just now, Yuehong brought Zhao-daren back, and now Zhao-daren is helping to pick vegetables, how embarrassing. I’ll do the rest, leave it to me.”

Saying this, she brought all the remaining peas into the kitchen, calling Zhong Yuehong, who was kindling the fire, out to entertain the guests.

Zhong Yuehong wiped away her sweat, and when she saw Yan Mingting coming, she explained with some embarrassment: “A-Niang and I were out just now and ran into Zhao-daren. The situation was a bit chaotic at that time, so I took Zhao-daren away first, and A-Niang insisted on inviting Zhao-daren home for dinner……I’m just afraid that the rice noodles at home won’t get to Zhao-daren’s mouth.”

Zhao Yelan usually ate fine things, as they all knew well, but she didn’t want to say this in front of A-Niang and embarrass her. She guessed that Zhao Yelan was of the same mind, as he put up a show of resistance before capitulating.

“General, you came just in time, take him back quickly.” Zhong Yuehong glanced at her busy mother in the kitchen and whispered, “I’ll tell her you were in a hurry.”

Yan Mingting looked at her, and then at the silent Zhao Yelan, and suddenly said with a smile: “Yuehong, is there anyone who treats guests like you? Zhao-daren has finished peeling the peas for you, and he hasn’t even had a chance to swallow his saliva, much less talk, before you open your mouth to drive people away.”

“I don’t mean it that way!” Zhong Yuehong waved her hands again and again. “I’m just afraid that our humble house won’t be able to entertain my lord.”

“Nonsense, he is here for the second time. If he really disliked this place, you would not be able to invite him even if you carried a big sedan chair, ah. He even peeled the peas for you, and he never does that in the mansion. Can’t you let him taste the fruits of his labor? It’s a hot day and you still haven’t gotten him some water to drink!” Yan Mingting scolded her severely and then covertly winked.

Zhong Yuehong belatedly understood his hint, and nodded hastily: “I, I’m going to serve the water right now, wait for me, my lord!”

“This girl is really inexperienced.” While pondering this, Yan Mingting looked up to observe Zhao Yelan’s expression, only to find that the other party was looking at him with a half-smile. “In hindsight, I must educate her well.”

Zhao Yelan took the opportunity to push his head down and said: “You’re just so clever, huh?”

Yan Mingting laughed, crouching down to grab his robe. Zhao Yelan quickly picked it up.

When Zhong Yuehong came out with a cup of water, she saw the two of them talking, laughing, and arguing under the locust tree and was stunned for a moment at the door, unable to move her feet.

The sunlight fell on the treetops, shining down to illuminate their profiles so fair and warm. Who would have thought that the notorious Zhao Yelan would bend the corners of his mouth in a smile in a humble courtyard, and that their heroic General Yan would be as childish as a young boy.

She put the cup under the eaves without bothering them and went into the kitchen to continue building the fire, but there was an unwitting smile on her face. “A-Niang, tell me, what is love like?”

Mother Zhong looked at her ecstatically. “Girl, do you have a man of your dreams?”

“No, I’m just curious,” Zhong Yuehong said with her hands on her face.

“It doesn’t matter, when you meet that person, you will definitely know.” Mother Zhong was very pleased. It seemed that her daughter was getting older and finally becoming enlightened. She wanted to see the girl’s love grow. “Have you ever thought about who you want to marry in the future?”

Zhong Yuehong thought for a while and then said decisively: “In any case, they cannot be a fickle and disloyal person!”

Mother Zhong knew that she was bearing a grudge against her father again and sighed: “It is common for wealthy families to have three wives and four concubines……”

“Who wants to marry those fellows with numerous concubines? I, Zhong Yuehong, won’t share with others. Whoever wants to do so may do so, but I will not. Moreover, who says that a wealthy family must have three wives and four concubines? The General married a man, and did he take concubines? In the end, those people are just greedy!” Zhong Yuehong said indignantly.

Mother Zhong smiled helplessly and comforted her: “All right, then A-Niang will go to the temple to pay respects tomorrow, and pray for our Yuehong to quickly meet a peerless hero who will love only her.”

Her words caused Zhong Yuehong to smile in amusement.

Lunch was soon ready. There was stewed chicken soup and some home-cooked dishes with fried pork and vegetables, as well as hot pea rice.

“Auntie has worked hard.” Yan Mingting scooped up a large bowl of rice and ate it up happily.

“The craftsmanship of the food the two lords are about to eat is not very good, ba.” Mother Zhong smiled shyly.

“Well, I love to eat these home cooked dishes, they’re delicious.” As Yan Mingting spoke, he subtly nudged Zhao Yelan with his knee.

Zhao Yelan cast him a look and then met Mother Zhong’s honest and earnest gaze, saying: “En……me too.”

Yan Mingting and Zhong Yuehong lowered their heads to suppress their smiles at the same time.

Zhao Yelan: “……”

After the meal, Mother Zhong still had to go out to the stall, so Zhong Yuehong was left to look after the house and sent them off together.

“Auntie, is there something you want to say?” Seeing her constantly rubbing her sleeves, Yan Mingting hesitated to speak, saying, “We are not outsiders, so if there is anything you want to say, just say it.”

“Ai……” Mother Zhong glanced back, and when they were a distance from the house, she said: “General, my lord, there is one thing I would like to ask the two of you for your help with. Your vision is wider than mine, and you should know many young talents, right?”

Yan Mingting immediately guessed what she meant: “You want to choose a son-in-law for Yuehong?”

“How could I dare choose a son-in-law, ah, who am I?” Mother Zhong waved her hands with a smile, sighing, “I’m just afraid that she will be cheated. If you have someone who you think is suitable for her, can you help make a match for her?”

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“Certainly, but is that her intention?”

“I look at her and it is as if she has been enlightened.”

“That’s no problem, if I see a suitable one, I will look into it for you. As for success or failure, it still depends on her wishes.”

“Thank you, General, I really don’t know how to thank you. I will kowtow to you here.” Mother Zhong tried to kneel down in tears of gratitude, but was stopped by the two simultaneously.

“Don’t be so polite, Yuehong is also someone who has been at my side for many years. I have regarded her as my own sister, and we have all been concerned about her marriage. You can rest assured, ba.” Yan Mingting coaxed her away by talking nonsense.

When the two returned to the mansion, Yan Mingting actually discussed the young talents in the capital with Zhao Yelan: “Tell me, what kind of talent is suitable for Yuehong? In the end, should it be a literary talent or a martial arts master?”

“How can it be so cut-and-dry?” Zhao Yelan took out a chess book. “This is not the same as playing chess, with regulations and methods. She must find a good match herself.”

“It’s not like we have the full power to make decisions for her, we can just help her pay attention.” Yan Mingting sat across from him and watched him begin to play chess, his gaze involuntarily fixed on his nimble hands.

The sounds of the pieces moving were crisp and unhurried, out of tune with his heartbeat.

“Then do you have someone you are optimistic about?” Zhao Yelan fiddled with the chess pieces while flipping through the chess book, but didn’t look at him.

“In my opinion, Kan Quan is a good candidate. Unfortunately, he already has a family, ai.”

Kan Quan loved his wife like his life, which was well-known in court. Even though he was now favored by the Emperor and had seen quite a few beautiful flowers, he had never considered taking concubines, so Yan Mingting had a good impression of him.

Zhao Yelan snapped his fingers and said with amusement: “Is he a good person who doesn’t take concubines?”

“That is only natural. At least he doesn’t have so many tricks, look how upright he is.”

Zhao Yelan was touching his black mole, rubbing it with his finger for a moment as he propped up his jaw, the corner of his mouth raised in a subtle arc: “Why do I feel that there is a deeper implication in your words?”

“Cough!” Yan Mingting cleared his throat, straightened his robes, and said in an upright manner, “Yes, men like us are really rare in the world, ah! Kan Quan’s wife understands this very well, and she worships him and shows every care towards him. This is why he is perfectly happy to be good to her alone, ah.”

Zhao Yelan smiled and said: “It sounds to me like you want to find a girl like his wife, ah.”

“Huh?” Yan Mingting clicked his tongue in amazement. “What kind of ears do you have, you don’t understand at all.”

“Heh, get out of here and don’t disturb my chess game!” Zhao Yelan drove him out, closed the door, and returned to the table to set up the game, but found that one piece was missing.

He bent down and looked around, and suddenly heard someone knocking on the window. He looked up and saw Yan Mingting leaning against the window, playing with the white chess piece in his hand and smiling at him provocatively.

“Yan Mingting!” Zhao Yelan picked up his crossbow and chased after him angrily, shooting all over the yard. The servants gathered tremblingly in the corridor to watch the scene of their General jumping up and down like a monkey.

The next day, Zhao Yelan finished his breakfast and was about to go to the Imperial Academy. Unexpectedly, as soon as he went out, he saw a woman standing outside the gate with her maid. She was accidentally bumped into by someone, sending the things in her arms scattering to the ground. The maid scolded the fleeing man a few times and then went to pick up the things on the ground.

One of the boxes happened to fall by Zhao Yelan’s feet. He bent down to pick it up, and almost touched another hand.

The young lady abruptly withdrew her hand, and when she looked up, she was taken aback again!

Zhao Yelan handed her the things and prepared to wordlessly get on the sedan chair, but was stopped by the young lady: “Many thanks to gongzi. Daring to ask gongzi’s name and surname, so that I may come to the door and thank him another day.”

Zhao Yelan looked at her doubtfully, then turned to look at the gate of the General’s Mansion. It was so obvious, could it be that she was blind?

He didn’t waste any more time and directly got onto the sedan chair, setting out for the Imperial Academy.

“Miss, what is wrong with you?” The maid patted the frozen person. “Shall we go thank the General?”

“He’s so callous, oh!” The miss came back to her senses, eyes shining. “As expected of the capital. Why are there so many beautiful men, each more handsome than the other, who like to ignore people? At first glance, they are better than those other common people, ah, I love the capital!”

“Miss, he came out of the General’s Mansion, he is not a common person at first glance,” the maid reminded.

“Uncommon is just right, this is worthy of me.” 

“However, the General’s Mansion already has two masters. The one just now might be Zhao Yelan, the one who married the General.”

“Right……”

“Then should we still give thanks? These things are broken.”

“Yes, of course we will thank them! Let’s go back and prepare these gifts again.” The miss’s eyes gleamed, jumping for joy as she made up her mind. “It’s good to feast your eyes, ah, seeing two beautiful men at once, how can there be such a blessing!”

The maid: “……”

When Zhao Yelan returned to the mansion in the evening, he received a report that the group of lieutenant generals had come to the mansion again. He nodded and went back to the room to change out of his official uniform.

“My lord, today’s things are very fresh,” Xiao Gao whispered, coming in with a basket.

Zhao Yelan paused, took the basket, and gave him a meaningful look. Xiao Gao immediately went to close the doors and windows.

Zhao Yelan took out the letter and looked it over carefully. His brow furrowed in an instant and never relaxed.

After burning the note, he strode to the armory. From a long distance away, he could hear that group of people laughing and chatting nonstop, as well as the sound of fighting.

“Zhao-daren, why are you here?” He Cuizhang was practicing his new boxing techniques, and when he saw him at the door, he put away his fists with a smile.

Zhao Yelan looked directly at Yan Mingting: “I have something to tell you.”

“What’s the matter?” Yan Mingting smiled as he walked towards him.

“Maybe he wants to speak privately.” One of them laughed and pushed Yan Mingting forward. “The General is not coming back soon.”

“Don’t mess around,” Yan Mingting pretended to reprimand, but his face was full of joy. Upon approach, he saw that there was something odd about his expression and asked doubtfully, “What is it? Is something wrong?”

Zhao Yelan inadvertently glanced at Zhong Yuehong, and she stepped forward in confusion: “Is it about me?”

Seeing that he did not deny it, Yan Mingting was about to take him back to his room when Zhong Yuehong said: “My lord, you might as well just say it straight. These are not outsiders.”

“Yeah, if something has happened, we can help,” He Cuizhang said, and the others also gathered around, waiting for him to speak.

Zhao Yelan took a deep breath and said: “Zhong Yuehong, she……may be called into the harem.”

Hearing this, everyone was astonished for a moment, and then stared at Zhong Yuehong.

Zhong Yuehong’s face turned pale, and the nine-tailed whip in her hand fell weakly to the ground.

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