Chapter 56: 54

The streets were very lively that night, and every family came to the market and released river lanterns.

The two walked against the current and were carried around by the crowd many times. Zhao Yelan was a little annoyed and walked into a nearby alley, planning to take a detour.

Yan Mingting followed closely behind, and just as he was about to hook his hand again, he heard someone shout: “Child, where is my child?! My child is missing, can anyone help, ah?”

The crowd started to riot, everyone looking around for the child, but not a trace was found. The woman became even more flustered, saying that someone had stolen her child.

Yan Mingting glanced at Zhao Yelan, who said: “Go, ba.”

“There are many people here, you go back to the inn first. I’ll be back soon.” After Yan Mingting gave the order, he turned around and ran back.

Zhao Yelan continued walking along the alley. However, the alleys in this canal town in Jiangnan were many and winding. After walking and walking, he reached a dead end.

He turned around to go back, but stopped abruptly, turning his head to look at the house next to him. There was no light, but there was a muffled grunt from inside, followed by the sound of a head striking the door or window.

When he went to listen carefully again, it was too quiet.

He knocked on the door, then went into the courtyard and called out: “Mother Yun, are you at home? I’m here to bring you something.”

There was a sound inside, and then a candle was lit and a man replied: “Mother Yun has already fallen asleep, come back tomorrow.”

Zhao Yelan narrowed his eyes slightly. It really wasn’t the owner’s house.

He made a gesture under the moonlight, and after a moment, Yu Dali and the others appeared quietly.

Zhao Yelan gave them a meaningful look, and everyone stood guard around the house in an orderly manner.

“Mother Yun, why is there a man in your room? Do you have another lover? Let me see who it is.” Zhao Yelan stepped forward and kicked the door open.

“Don’t move!” A black shadow appeared behind the door, strangling his neck from behind. His voice sounded hoarse, as if he hadn’t had a full meal in a few days. “Who are you?”

“I’m Mother Yun’s good friend, who are you?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“Don’t worry about it.” The person behind raised his knife and was about to make a move, but he was stopped by another person.

“Don’t do anything, he looks like he might be somebody. Maybe this is a fat sheep.” A woman came out of the shadows and questioned, “What are you giving Mother Yun?”

Zhao Yelan said: “I brought some money. Mother Yun’s life is too hard.”

“Where is the silver?” As the woman spoke, she started to take out the money on his body and there was a sudden pause. She looked down at her waist, where a short, sharp arrow protruded. Blood flowed from the wound, and she looked at the expressionless man before her in astonishment.

“Ah-Li!” The man behind hurriedly helped the woman cover her wound, and then looked at Zhao Yelan furiously. “I’m going to kill you!”

At this time, a wooden stick hit the man’s back fiercely, and Zhao Yelan realized that there was another person in the room. It was a woman, but she was wearing men’s clothes. Her face was filthy, and there was a broken rope under her feet. She should be the girl who was kidnapped by these two people.

The man was so angry that he turned around and decided to kill the woman first. However, a large group of people poured through the surrounding doors and windows, knocked the knife out of his hands, and subdued him to the ground in two or three moves.

Zhao Yelan lit a candle, and the room brightened up. He went up to the man and said: “The arrow is poisonous. If you still want to save this woman, tell me honestly, who are you? What are you doing hiding here?”

The man struggled for a long moment. Looking at the dying woman, he gritted his teeth and revealed their identities. They were the first and second masters who had escaped the bandit’s den.

The two of them were about to flee to the border of Quzhou, but then thought that the most dangerous place might be the safest place, and sneaked back. Unexpectedly, as soon as they returned here, they were discovered by a person who was also sneaking around. That person saw that something was wrong and wanted to send them to the government, and after they kidnapped her in a fit of anger, they found out that she was the Magistrate’s daughter. They were discussing whether to exchange the hostage for money or just dispose of the corpse when they heard footsteps outside.

Zhao Yelan said: “Who else is with you?”

The man held back.

Zhao Yelan picked up the knife and stabbed it into his leg. The man immediately screamed: “Ah –! I’ll talk, I’ll talk!”

After he explained everything in detail, Yu Dali asked what should be done. Originally, Zhao Yelan wanted to silence them after getting his answers, but thinking that this was Yan Mingting’s responsibility, he said: “Take them back first and hand them over to Yan Mingting for disposal.”

“Ah-Li’s poison……” The man asked hesitantly.

“There is no poison.” Zhao Yelan waved his hand and Yu Dali took the two away, leaving only a few people to protect him.

“Yan Mingting……do you know General Yan?” The woman who had been silent up to now suddenly approached and looked at him vigilantly.

“En.” Zhao Yelan also observed her. “Are you Yin Pinglu?”

“You know of me?”

“You asked Zuo Ran to go to the General’s Mansion to seek help. It would be difficult not to know of you.”

Yu Pinglu was a little surprised. Seeing that he knew everything and had an extraordinary bearing, she said: “You are that Zhao Yelan……Zhao-daren?”

Zhao Yelan nodded and glanced around: “Where are the people of this family?”

“They should have gone out to set off river lanterns. These two thieves randomly found an open house. I had wanted to go to the inn secretly to find the General and the others, but I didn’t expect to meet these two thieves on the way,” Yin Pinglu replied.

“Then let’s go back together.”

Yin Pinglu nodded. Noticing a little blood on his hands, she asked: “Are you injured?”

“No.”

“Wash them first, ba, it won’t be good if others see.”

Yin Pinglu swiftly fetched a basin of water. Zhao Yelan didn’t refuse, and saw that she was going to wash the blood from the room in the meantime, likely afraid that the owners would be shocked when they returned to this scene. He asked: “You were the one who made the knocking sound just now?”

“En, when I heard footsteps, I took desperate measures to hit the window.” When Yin Pinglu said this, her expression was polite and indifferent.

She was saved tonight thanks to this man, so she answered all of his questions. However, she also knew that this man’s reputation outside was not very good. She had learned at the border that General Yan had married him, but she still didn’t know what their true relationship was, so she dared not let down her guard easily. Everything could be discussed after meeting General Yan and Zuo Ran.

Fortunately, Zhao Yelan didn’t intend to communicate further with her. The two exited the gate in silence, and Zhao Yelan’s expression froze. He said somewhat awkwardly: “You lead the way.”

Yin Pinglu was taken aback, smiled inwardly, and then led the way without a change in expression: “The alley back here is a bit difficult to traverse. Be careful, my lord.”

“Call me Fu Qian.”

“All right, Fu Qian.”

“……” Zhao Yelan hadn’t met such a sensible person for a long time. She never voiced a word of doubt.

In the inn, as soon as Yan Mingting sat down after helping to find the child, he received a message from Yu Dali. After ordering the two to be sent to prison first, he rushed out of the inn anxiously, but was lucky enough to see Zhao Yelan’s figure right away. Relieved, he stepped forward and asked: “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, we’ll talk when we get back,” Zhao Yelan said in a low voice.

Yan Mingting watched until he entered the building before turning around to do something, but unexpectedly ran into Yin Pinglu, who wasn’t looking very good. He said in a daze: “Why are you here?”

“……I’ve been here for a while,” Yin Pinglu said. “It is only that your attention has been focused on others.”

Yan Mingting smiled in embarrassment: “It’s great that you’ve returned safely. I’m going to the prison now, you go to Zuo Ran first. She’s in the opposite room.”

Yin Pinglu nodded, glanced at his back, and then looked up at a certain room on the third floor, thinking to herself that these two seemed to get along very well, and she had been worried for nothing.

When the restaurant closed, the waiter went to the drinking table in the lobby and said: “My lords, we are going to close. You should go back to rest early.”

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“I know, I know.” Li Yucheng waved his hand, looked at the closed door, and said in a low voice, “Are you going to go back to your room? You are comfortable drinking tea, but I am about to throw up after drinking so much wine.”

Zhao Yelan got up, and Li Yucheng quickly followed with a burp: “Don’t worry, with his martial arts, no one can hurt him, ah. He will be back soon, so you can go to sleep in peace.”

Ignoring his words, Zhao Yelan went back to the room, undressed, and took a bath.

About a quarter of an hour later, he heard the sound of a door. He subconsciously grabbed the weapon that was set to the side, and only withdrew his hand when he heard Yan Mingting’s voice.

“You even left the door open for me?” Yan Mingting walked into the room with ease and saw the unfolded glass screen. He could vaguely make out the figure of the person inside, and paused. Sitting down at the table, he finally couldn’t hold back, and looked over steadily. 

Anyway, it was so opaque. The other party would never know.

Zhao Yelan wiped off his body and put on his inner robes. He stepped out from behind the screen, but suddenly stopped in his tracks, saying with a strange look: “You peeked.”

“No, no, no, what nonsense are you on about? Now could I peek?” Yan Mingting firmly denied it.

“Come here.” Zhao Yelan walked over to tug him by the sleeve toward the bronze mirror. “See for yourself what you look like now.”

Yan Mingting only felt two streams of heat billowing out of his nose, and smiled awkwardly: “It’s so hot, it’s easy to get overheated.”

Zhao Yelan gave him a sharp glance and picked up a handkerchief to staunch the bleeding, asking: “What did the interrogators find out?”

Yan Mingting raised his face and replied: “Their accomplices have been recruited. This matter may be related to the officials in Quzhou. I’ll have to go there in person.”

“When are you going?”

“Tonight.”

Zhao Yelan paused: “Why don’t you go sooner?”

“There’s no hurry, my men are preparing horses and dry food.” Yan Mingting’s bleeding stopped, and he pressed the other down on the stool, picking up a new dry handkerchief to wipe his hair. He said, “I’m leaving some people here for you. You must pay attention to your safety these few days.”

Zhao Yelan: “The terrain in Quzhou is dangerous. Those bandits have not been wiped out entirely, and are taking advantage of the terrain, so don’t be careless.”

“I know, I will take these two thieves as bait, and Zuo Ran will also go with me. She is very familiar with the terrain in Quzhou.”

“Will that Yin Pinglu also go with you?”

“She won’t, we’re going to catch bandits, and it would be inconvenient to take her with us. Aren’t you checking on the situation of the officials in Huaizhou? I have spoken to her, and she is willing to stay and assist you.”

“She listens to you, it seems that your relationship is very close, ah,” Zhao Yelan said inexplicably.

“Don’t slander my reputation, she is doing it to get herself out of trouble. If she can’t rid herself of the Yin family completely, she won’t be able to escape her fate and will be captured sooner or later, becoming a society-climbing tool in the hands of Magistrate Yin.”

Zhao Yelan let out a long sigh.

Yan Mingting spoke again: “You probably won’t be able to hide your identity for long. It’s not like there are people like you everywhere in the capital, so be more cautious.”

The two made themselves clear and Zhao Yelan’s hair was almost dry. He lay down on the bed and saw that the other hadn’t left. He said: “Still leaving?”

“Why are you urging me so hard?” Yan Mingting sat down beside the bed unhappily. “You want me to get lost so much?”

“Exactly.”

Yan Mingting choked: “You’re so cruel!”

Zhao Yelan smiled and patted the seat next to him: “Let’s lie down.”

Yan Mingting glanced at him, flattered, and his face beamed with joy. Without saying a word, he took off his outer robes and lay beside him. He didn’t seem to know where to put his hands. At first they were tightly pressed to the outside of his thighs, and then they were folded across his chest.

Catching this sight from the corner of his eye, Zhao Yelan turned sideways, propped himself up, and stared openly at his embarrassment.

Yan Mingting: “……”

The atmosphere was very good at this time, and he felt that something should be done. Yan Mingting slowly looked at Zhao Yelan and grinned: “Are you going to sleep yet?”

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows. His gaze lingered on his face, and he slowly opened his lips: “Not sleeping.”

“Then why don’t we……get to know each other better?” Yan Mingting suggested, swallowing.

Zhao Yelan glanced at him and asked in a low voice: “How do we get to know each other better?”

Yan Mingting’s ears itched, and he asked what he had kept in his heart for a long time: “Can you tell me about your past?”

Zhao Yelan paused.

Yan Mingting waited for a while, inexplicably feeling that the atmosphere had been ruined, and as expected, he was kicked out of bed the next moment.

Ever since confirming their intentions, he wanted to know more about the other party. Even though they had met previously, they hadn’t had much interaction, and he was a little disappointed that he hadn’t been able to participate in the other’s past.

His mentality had changed unnoticeably. At first, he was unwilling to take the initiative to investigate because he feared that Zhao Yelan would be hurt, but now, Zhao Yelan had completely become his other half in his eyes. It was reasonable to want to know more about the other party’s past, and even bear the pain together.

Even though the past may be painful, it was like pus, painful when squeezed out, but more conducive to recovery, ah.

“I was wrong, I won’t ask you in the future.” Yan Mingting got up and sat in front of the bed, and was quick to admit his mistake. He stretched out his hand aggrievedly. “You hit me, ba.”

Zhao Yelan sat up, stepped on his shoulder with one foot, and pinched his chin. Looking down into his eyes, he asked calmly: “Is this what you meant by getting to know each other better?”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t want me to know,” Yan Mingting said.

Zhao Yelan kicked his shoulder: “You’d better sleep on the floor, it’s cooler.”

Yan Mingting knew he was wrong and went to make the bed bitterly, but when he passed by the table, his eyes accidentally stopped on the bronze mirror.

It was facing the person on the bed. Two lotus root arms in their blue silk sleeves rested beside the pillow, and he lazily tried to hook the blanket up with his feet, but couldn’t do it for a long time.

Yan Mingting turned around to cover him with the blanket, looking down at him silently.

“……” Zhao Yelan stared at him. “You have a nosebleed again.”

Immediately covering his nose, Yan Mingting picked up the handkerchief and wiped it: “This weather is really terrible, hehehehe……”

At this time, there was a loud whistle outside as Zuo Ran signaled him.

“I have to go, you have a good rest.” Yan Mingting put on his clothes, took one last look at him, and softly walked out the door.

Zhao Yelan’s lips curved when he heard the sound of the door closing, and he got up to lock it.

Unexpectedly, when he was just a few steps away, the door was suddenly pushed open. Yan Mingting rushed in again in a hurry, stopping abruptly in front of him as if he hadn’t expected him to be up.

The two looked at each other. Zhao Yelan glanced at the door and was about to speak, when suddenly Yan Mingting cupped his cheeks, short of breath.

Zhao Yelan: “ ? ”

“I will miss you.” After saying this, Yan Mingting kissed him forcefully on the forehead. Afraid of being beaten, he turned around and ran away after the kiss.

Zhao Yelan was stunned for a moment. After locking the door, he touched his forehead and muttered: “Blockhead.”

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