Chapter 42: 40

Zhao Yelan didn’t pay any attention to him all night, and began to reflect on whether he had been too talkative recently. That was why Yan Mingting was so lawless that he dared to tease him.

Although Yan Mingting didn’t ask him why he was suddenly angry, he looked at him with a smile from time to time, which made him even more annoyed.

The next day, after bathing and resting, Zhao Yelan awoke when the sky was barely light, and had just sat up when he caught a glimpse of the person lying on the ground. But this person was awake, and looked over as soon as he heard movement.

“Why didn’t you get up?”

Normally at this time, Yan Mingting was just getting back from court or on his way to the training grounds, and had never stayed in bed until this hour.

Yan Mingting crossed his arms and said unhurriedly: “I’m seeing how long someone can sleep.”

Zhao Yelan slanted him an annoyed look and got up to go bathe. No matter how closely the other party followed, he treated him as if he completely didn’t exist.

After getting dressed, he stood in front of the drawer, staring at the sachets in a daze. His hand finally stopped on the most eye-catching one, the one with sweetgrass inside.

Sweetgrass could be used as a medicine, and also be used as a spice. It was only that the scent was special. Some people liked it and some people hated it, and Yan Mingting was of the latter.

As soon as he grasped the rope of the bag, his hands were held down. Yan Mingting stood behind him and said: “Change to another, ba.”

Sneezing was too embarrassing, and hurt his handsome face.

During the silence, Housekeeper Qin walked in and saw one’s chest against the other’s back. “Ah!” He instantly covered his eyes and said: “General, my lord, there are guests outside asking to see you.”

“It’s so early, who is it?” Yan Mingting asked.

“It is the daughter of the magistrate of Zhizhou who came to thank the two masters.”

The two looked at one another, and Yan Mingting asked: “Do you know each other?”

Zhao Yelan shook his head: “You?”

“I barely know a few people in the capital, so how could I know Zhizhou?”

“Let’s go and see.”

Yan Mingting nodded, noticed that he had put down the sweetgrass sachet, and followed with satisfaction.

A young woman was standing in the foyer, wearing a lotus root-colored Liuxian skirt and a beaded hairpin on her head. Her hair was worn half up and half down, and one could tell at a glance that she was a girl not yet of age. When she saw them coming to the hall together, her eyes lit up for a moment, and she looked at them with a happy expression: “General Yan, Zhao-daren, this youngest daughter is the daughter of the magistrate for the prefecture. Her name is Sun Muyun, and unfortunately she ran into a thief on the street a few days ago. Thanks to the General’s help, her grandmother’s heirlooms were not lost.”

Yan Mingting finally remembered why she looked familiar, and said: “It was a small matter, no thanks are necessary.”

Sun Muyun stretched out her hand, and the maid handed a box to her. She offered her thanks with both hands: “General Su Wenyan made great military exploits. This little girl received a Luan jade knife, which is of no use to her. If it can be appreciated by the General, it is no loss of money.”

When the box was opened, there was a short, sharp knife inside. The scabbard placed next to it looked very extravagant and had a unique shape, inlaid with gold, jewels, and precious stones.

Yan Mingting watched in silence for a moment. Sun Muyun knew that he liked it, so she handed it over to Housekeeper Qin, who was standing nearby.

“Thank you, Miss Sun,” Yan Mingting said.

“You’re welcome.” Sun Muyun looked at him and smiled so hard that her eyes were barely visible.

Seeing this, Zhao Yelan sneered inwardly and sat down. His eyes scanned the two of them, and he said with a half smile: “Housekeeper Qin, why don’t you prepare Miss Sun some tea.”

“No need, I have already had tea.” Sun Muyun smiled and took a roll of silk from the maid, and walked up to Zhao Yelan with a meaningful look. “I bumped into Zhao-daren by accidently last time, thank you for your help. I also know that you like good brocade and silk clothes. I happened to bring a lot of silk when I came to Beijing this time, and it is all good silk selected from the Jiangnan Embroidery Workshop. I wonder if they can catch your eye?”

Zhao Yelan lowered his head for a look, and the other party thoughtfully presented the material before his eyes, explaining: “The best materials from Jiangnan Embroidery Workshop will be sent to the palace, but I have a good relationship with the embroiderers, so they sent me a few pieces. These patterns are woven stitch by stitch by the embroiderers……”

Zhao Yelan looked up at her: “You came to Beijing to take part in the draft?”

“Precisely, I came of age at the beginning of the year. According to the law, all daughters of officials will enter Beijing for the draft after coming of age.”

“Then why did you give us gifts? It is better to save them for the people in the palace,” Zhao Yelan said.

“No, my lord has misunderstood, I did not come here to curry favor with you and General Yan,” Sun Muyun hurried to explain, but it was not easy to tell them the real reason in person – you were born good-looking, and it brings me joy to look at you.

If she said this, she would be thrown out, right?

Her eyes darted away and she said: “I am just a newcomer, and I am grateful for the kindness of the two masters. This is why I want to give the knife to the hero and the silk to the beauty…..Zhao-daren.”

Zhao Yelan looked at her suspiciously, and at this moment, Sun Muyun took out a brand new brocade handkerchief: “My lord, if you don’t like the silk, take a look at the material of this handkerchief, soft and comfortable, much better than those in the capital. I personally tested it……”

Zhao Yelan became interested and rubbed the fabric between his fingertips.

Seeing them discussing the handkerchief, Yan Mingting’s expression became darker and darker. He sent a meaningful look toward Housekeeper Qin at the side, and he immediately understood, stepping forward to interrupt their conversation: “My lord, it is time for breakfast.”

“Oh, so you haven’t had breakfast yet? This one didn’t expect that the two masters had also not eaten yet,” Sun Muyun said.

“Miss Sun also hasn’t eaten?” Zhao Yelan said, “If you don’t mind, why don’t you stay for a meal?”

“Can I?” Sun Muyun looked at them in surprise. 

Can’t ! ! !

Yan Mingting roared in his heart, but remained outwardly indifferent, thinking that Zhao Yelan would understand his expression, but the other party had already led her to sit down at the table.

The two chatted happily, from the waving south of the Yangtze River, to scenery, food, and customs. Sun Muyun talked endlessly, and her words were full of longing for her hometown.

After breakfast, Sun Muyun bid them farewell again. As soon as she walked out of the General’s Mansion, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and giggled silently, saying to the maid in a low voice: “Heavens, how can Zhao-daren be so handsome and gentle, full of knowledge about economics and market conditions. Having a meal with him today, even if I die, I will have no regrets!”

The maid fell into deep helplessness. Her Miss was good at everything, but when she saw a handsome man, she couldn’t function. She said: “But General Yan looks a bit fierce.”

“What do you know?” Sun Muyun smiled inexplicably. “He was obviously jealous.”

“What? Jealous?”

“It seems that the rumors in the capital cannot be completely believed. How could anyone think that the General and Zhao-daren are incompatible?” Sun Muyun’s smile gradually became unrestrained. “I think they will be in harmony sooner or later, heehee.” 

After sending her away, Yan Mingting turned around and asked: “What did you do to help her?”

“The last time she was outside the gate, she dropped something and I picked it up,” Zhao Yelan replied.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“It was just a matter of lending a hand, but she spent a lot of time inquiring about your preferences and then came to give gifts?” Yan Mingting’s face was so dark that he could squeeze out ink. “I think she clearly has ulterior motives.”

“Oh? What ulterior motives?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“To keep you in her thoughts! Mostly because you look handsome and she wants to get close,” Yan Mingting said.

“……” Zhao Yelan said, “She is a beautiful girl, and will soon belong to the Emperor. Knowing the relationship between the two of us, but still being able to give gifts in person, how can she have ulterior motives?”

Yan Mingting was soothed by the words, “the relationship between the two of us.”

“Besides, didn’t she also give you a precious knife? Couldn’t she just be thinking of you, and only praised me in passing so that it would be easier to enter the door in the future?” Zhao Yelan said mockingly.

“How is this possible.” Speaking of the precious knife, Yan Mingting took the box and put it in front of him. “This sort of fancy and useless weapon is just what you like, so take it.”

If he had known that this woman would give Zhao Yelan silk, he wouldn’t have taken the knife and would have directly invited that person to leave.

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“Didn’t you already prepare the crossbow for me?” Zhao Yelan took the knife and played with it. “Can this thing still be used?”

“It is of little use in self-defense, but it can be played with. Don’t you love gold, silver, and jewels? You can pick all these things off the sheath.”

Zhao Yelan gave him a blank look.

Yan Mingting still had to go to the training grounds to tell Zhong Yuehong the news from the palace, so he left the house first. Zhao Yelan handed the two gifts to Xiao Gao to be put in storage, and when he returned to the room, he saw Housekeeper Qin staring at the things on the table, talking to himself non-stop. 

“What are you looking at?” Zhao Yelan asked flatly.

“My lord, may I ask where this hairpin came from, ah?” When Housekeeper Qin came to clean up, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of several hairpins on the table, and one flowing cloud jade hairpin caught his attention. He was afraid he had been mistaken, so he boldly asked.

“Yan Mingting gave it to me, why?”

“Indeed,” Housekeeper Qin said with a smile. “This hairpin was originally given to the old general by the late Emperor, and the general gave it to the old madam when they got married. But this is men’s jewelry, so the old madam gave it to the old general again. However, the general thought it was a nuisance, so he never wore it. I didn’t expect this hairpin to find a suitable owner……”

Zhao Yelan frowned. He thought that Yan Mingting had bought it, but it turned out to be a family heirloom. Fortunately, this hairpin didn’t have any “Furen” significance –

“My lord, the General is taking after the old general and giving it to you as his wife……”

Zhao Yelan froze and looked at him coldly: “Finished cleaning? From now on, you don’t need to bother with this room, just call other servants to clean it.” The kind who talked less.

Housekeeper Qin complained to Xiao Gao aggrievedly: “Xiao Gao, how did you survive by Zhao-daren’s side for so many years?”

Xiao Gao wore an honest expression: “I am good at martial arts, and I don’t talk too much. I just do what I’m told and don’t ask many questions.”

Housekeeper Qin: “……Fine, I do none of that.”

In the afternoon, Zhao Yelan went out to take care of some business. When the sedan chair passed Hongxiu House, he heard someone making a commotion from a distance and the sedan chair suddenly stopped.

“What happened?”

Xiao Gao replied: “My lord, someone fell in front of the sedan chair.”

“Go around.”

“It seems to be Li Yucheng.”

Zhao Yelan lifted the curtain and got out of the sedan chair to see Li Yucheng lying on the ground. He was yelling incessantly and pointing at the man standing across from him as he cursed: “Boy, you dare to throw me? Just you wait until I call someone!”

Zhao Yelan: “…….” This fellow always shouted so arrogantly yet barely had the power of a fart. How the hell had he survived until now?

While he was speechless, Li Yucheng spotted him and his eyes lit up. He quickly got up and ran to his side: “Zhao-xiong, Zhao-xiong, are you here to pick me up?”

Were they that familiar?

Zhao Yelan’s face darkened. He turned around and tried to leave, but was unexpectedly grabbed by the other. They seemed to hook shoulders like two brothers as one shouted at the person opposite: “I think that your claim of being the number one beautiful man in the capital is just a bunch of bragging. If you have the ability to compare with my Zhao-xiong, let’s see what you’ve got!”

Zhao Yelan looked down at his feet, which were standing on tiptoes due to his arm being over the other’s shoulders, and said: “Stop showing off.”

Li Yucheng choked.

But when that person saw Zhao Yelan, he said sternly to Li Yucheng: “Next time you try to snatch people from me, I will beat you to death!” Then he affected a confident and condescending look and fled.

“You’re capable of running away, ah, what a virtue.” Li Yucheng proudly gave his back a thumbs up, then turned around. Seeing Zhao Yelan’s gloomy expression, he gave an embarrassed smile and tidied his clothes carefully, then straightened up and said: “Thank you for your kindness, I owe you this time.”

“What will you pay me?”

“I’ll……I’ll invite you to listen to music!” Li Yucheng raised his voice. “A stunning beauty came to Hongxiu House recently. She is proficient at playing music and singing, she’s good at everything. It is hard to find one like her!”

Zhao Yelan watched him ramble on and said: “You don’t gamble anymore?”

Li Yucheng was surprised for a moment, and waved his hand: “No more gambling, no more, I quit.”

“You changed to prostitutes?”

“……Don’t say it so harshly, ah!” Li Yucheng said with a guilty conscience, “That beautiful woman is really like nothing in heaven and earth, ah. If you see her, I guarantee that you will be as fascinated as I am.”

Zhao Yelan scoffed and turned to leave, but was held back by him again.

“I have something to say to you. To save face, let’s have a meal together,” Li Yucheng said with a humble posture.

Zhao Yelan looked back at him and said: “I still have something to do, let’s talk another day.”

“What is it?”

“Going back to feed the rabbit.”

A vein twitched in Li Yucheng’s forehead: “You would rather go back and feed the rabbit than have a meal with me?”

“If you don’t take back your hand, I will ask Xiao Gao to personally escort you back.”

Li Yucheng glanced at the martial artist boy next to him and immediately raised his hands, saying with a smile: “Another day, another day.”

After getting rid of Li Yucheng, Zhao Yelan returned to the mansion to find Yan Mingting already sitting in the foyer.

“Where did you go?” Yan Mingting asked.

Zhao Yelan asked lightly: “Did you bring the message to Zhong Yuehong?”

“En.” Yan Mingting sighed deeply. “She decided to go back to the military camp.”

“Back to the military camp?”

“En, that’s what she meant to do earlier. She doesn’t like the capital, and this time she returned to Beijing only to visit her family, which is why she delayed for so long. She didn’t expect that this would lead to so many complications, so she is determined to go guard the border now,” Yan Mingting said.

“What about her mother?”

“They will leave together. I contacted someone to let Mother Zhong settle down in a border town, so that they can get together when they are free.”

Zhao Yelan nodded: “If that’s the case, then let her go, ba. Just don’t move them right now, in case the Emperor discovers this abnormality. When the general election is over, send her out on the grounds of a military transfer order.”

“En, I think so too. She will stay in Beijing for now.” Yan Mingting smiled helplessly. “It is good to go to the border, the capital is as unpredictable as clouds and waves, really bothersome.”

A few birds flew overhead, flapping their wings and soaring towards the endless sky. Zhao Yelan turned to the side, looking up at them, and said: “Yes, from now on the bird will fly free, how happy……”

Yan Mingting was taken aback for a moment. A trace of longing peeked out from the other’s expression, and he said: “Have you ever thought about leaving?”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him, then went to the study without saying a word.

“By the way, you never told me what you did today and why it took you so long to come back,” Yan Mingting said, chasing after him.

“Don’t meddle in other people’s business,” Zhao Yelan said.

Yan Mingting’s intuition told him that something was not quite right. He stopped and turned to look for Gao Tan. He saw the person feeding the rabbit in the back courtyard and asked: “Xiao Gao, where did you and your lord go today?”

Xiao Gao raised his head and averted his eyes: “We didn’t go anywhere.”

“Nonsense, I clearly saw you on the street. A good many people saw you,” Yan Mingting lied. As expected, Xiao Gao believed it and looked at him in surprise, recalling the time when there were the most onlookers……

“My lord really didn’t want to go to the brothel, it was Li Yucheng who insisted on pulling him along!”

Yan Mingting: “ ! ”

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