AYM Chapter 24

In a private room of the largest teahouse in the capital, Du Cheng’en looked at Li Xuanjing in surprise, his expression visibly nervous. Although the two had been as close as brothers in their childhood, now that they each held their own official duties, it was inappropriate for them to meet in private.

 

“Your Highness, why are you still in the capital?” Du Cheng’en’s concern was sincere. After much hesitation, he still couldn’t help but offer a warning, “There’s too much unrest in the capital now. It would be best for Your Highness to leave as soon as possible.”

 

“I’ll ask you one thing, has there been any news about Yihuan?”

 

Du Cheng’en looked at Li Xuanjing in shock. The matter of Yan Yihuan’s disappearance was being investigated by the Youluo Jian[mfn]幽罗鉴: 幽 (yōu) – hidden, secret, mysterious. 罗 (luó) – to net, to catch, to gather. 鉴 (jiàn) – mirror, reflection, or by extension: a watchful eye, a discerning lens.[/mfn] under Ming Zhang’s command. As commander of the Imperial Guards, Du Cheng’en had some general knowledge of the situation, but he didn’t know the details. He hadn’t even disclosed this matter to his own father, so how could Li Xuanjing have learned of it?

 

Seeing the confusion in Du Cheng’en’s eyes, Li Xuanjing recounted how he personally witnessed Yan Yihuan being taken away, though he merely claimed it was something he’d come across by chance while out enjoying himself that day.

 

Du Cheng’en knew that Li Xuanjing always doted on Yan Yihuan since childhood, caring for him more than for his own younger brother. But no matter how worried Li Xuanjing was, Du Cheng’en still couldn’t reveal the complete truth. After careful thought, he lowered his voice and said:

 

“Has Your Highness heard of the Youluo Jian? It’s a secret organization the current Emperor formed back when he was still the Crown Prince. The members of that group are all death warriors[mfn]死士 (sǐ shì): refers to warriors who are prepared to die in service, Most death warriors are martial artists from the jianghu, who risk their lives in service of nobles or lords, either for wealth and glory or to repay a debt of gratitude. Their primary duties involve assault missions and assassinations.[/mfn], and their movements are kept strictly confidential.”

 

Li Xuanjing nodded. Only after the Emperor ascended the throne had the Youluo Jian gradually surfaced. However, apart from Ming Zhang and Han Zhen, no one in court had access to it, so it was natural that Du Cheng’en wouldn’t know much either.

 

“Ever since Yihuan was left in the capital, it has been Han Zhen who has been in charge of him, along with a few eunuchs. Although I’m in charge of the security within the palace, my authority is only on the surface.”

 

Du Cheng’en was speaking the truth, but he deliberately kept silent about the fact that Yan Yihuan had come to his residence to find him. After all, while they had once shared everything as children, now he had no choice but to hold some things back.

 

“Your Highness, no matter what reason you’re staying in the capital for, you really shouldn’t remain here any longer,” Du Cheng’en thought for a moment and still tried to advise him, “You must consider the safety of the Residence of King Qin.”

 

This conversation with Du Cheng’en made Li Xuanjing realize that relying solely on his own people would not be enough to find Yan Yihuan. He had never felt so conflicted before. Should he continue searching or give up?

 

What Du Cheng’en said wasn’t wrong. If he remained here any longer, it would certainly bring trouble upon the Residence of King Qin.

 

A sudden urgent knock on the door broke Li Xuanjing’s train of thought. He frowned in displeasure, but the next moment, his subordinate rushed in to report while panting heavily,

 

“Your Highness, an imperial edict has arrived at the inn. The Emperor has summoned you to the palace!”

 

Li Xuanjing shot to his feet, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

 

—

 

Inside the imperial palace, Li Xuanjing, who had been granted a seat and served tea, already had fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He couldn’t figure out why the emperor had suddenly summoned him, because although he was being treated courteously, the emperor ignored him completely, focused intently on reviewing memorials.

 

Li Xuanjing lifted the teacup and took a sip, but his eyes secretly glanced towards the imperial desk. The emperor was frowning, seemingly displeased, so Li Xuanjing didn’t dare ask anything, growing increasingly uneasy.

 

“Lord Ming has arrived!” The loud announcement came from afar and drew closer. Startled, Li Xuanjing hurriedly set down his teacup, and looked towards the entrance with slightly narrowed eyes.

 

Today was a gloomy day, dull and chilly. The palace attendants waiting at the door all hunched their necks slightly, trying to fend off the cold. Yet Ming Zhang’s figure remained tall and upright, his features appearing even more refined and flawless against the dark red of his official robes. He truly embodied the phrase, clear wind and bright moon[mfn]光风霁月 direct translation: 光 bright/clear, 风 wind, 霁 refers to the clear sky after rain/snow has stopped, 月 moon. 光风霁月 may be used to literally describe beautiful weather, but it is commonly and poetically used to portray noble character, peaceful times, or a tranquil atmosphere. Source: https://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_780d8f1a0101aere.html[/mfn].

 

No wonder there were rumors of something ambiguous between him and the emperor, Li Xuanjing secretly criticized inwardly.

 

Ming Zhang’s expression was very grave. After entering and greeting both Li Xuanming and Li Xuanjing, he cast a deep glance at the latter, then reached into his sleeve and took out a dark object. Li Xuanjing’s brows twitched the moment he saw it, and he instinctively straightened his posture.

 

“Your Majesty, this was found on the bodies of several corpses in an abandoned courtyard twenty li[mfn]二十里 twenty li – 1 li is equal to 500 meters, 20 li is equal to 10 kilometers[/mfn] outside the capital,” Ming Zhang said as he presented the item forward.

 

Its shape was unmistakable, it was a token of a royal residence[mfn]王府令牌 [/mfn]. Every vassal king had one, the only differences being the engraved patterns and the name carved on it.

 

“Crown prince of Qin,” Li Xuanming tossed the token to the corner of the table. “Explain yourself.”

 

Li Xuanjing’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly picked up the token. Without needing to look closely, he could tell that this indeed belonged to his residence.

 

“This… this is indeed my residence’s token, but why is it in Lord Ming’s hands? What do you mean by those corpses earlier?”

 

Li Xuanming slightly tilted his chin towards Ming Zhang, who immediately understood and turned to Li Xuanjing.

 

“I believe Your Highness the Crown Prince must have heard of Third Young Master Yan’s disappearance by now?”

 

Seeing that Li Xuanjing remained silent, Ming Zhang continued, “His Majesty has been investigating this matter closely. Eventually, four corpses were discovered in an abandoned house twenty li outside the capital. Three were dressed as kidnappers, and the last one, hacked beyond recognition… was Third Young Master Yan.”

 

A sharp, shattering sound rang out in the room, piercing in the stillness. Tea spilled, and shards of porcelain scattered across the floor.

 

Normally, such a commotion would have brought palace attendants in at once to clean up. But today, the silence remained unbroken. Not a single person appeared.

 

Li Xuanjing’s face turned deathly pale. He clutched the edge of the table to steady his swaying body. He looked up at Li Xuanming in disbelief, his lips trembled visibly.

 

“Th… Third Young Master Yan, he…?”

 

Seeing his reaction, Li Xuanming felt a flicker of suspicion in his heart, but his face remained calm and unreadable. He gave Ming Zhang a faint glance, Ming Zhang gave a slight nod and continued. 

 

“Although we were a step too late and couldn’t save Third Young Master Yan, the culprits hadn’t yet managed to escape. We found the Residence of King Qin’s token on them.”

 

Li Xuanjing had not yet recovered from the blow of Yan Yihuan’s death, and now this statement struck him like a bolt from the blue. His pupils shrank in an instant, his went numb, and cold sweat broke out all over him.

 

“Your Majesty, this minister has been wronged!” Without caring for the shattered porcelain on the floor, Li Xuanjing dropped to his knees, “The Residence of King Qin has never done such a thing. This must be a deliberate setup by someone seeking to sow discord and frame us, Your Majesty!”

 

“Zhen is well aware that King Qin has always been a man of integrity. However, with this token here, how can Zhen rely solely on your word?”

 

The sun wasn’t bright today. Even with the lamps lit, the room was still dim. Li Xuanjing really wanted to raise his head and take a look at the emperor’s expression, but after a moment’s hesitation, he still kept his head lowered.

 

“If this were truly done by the Residence of King Qin, how could they carry such an obvious token on them? This minister…” Li Xuanjing clenched his teeth and finally looked up. “This minister also went out during the Qiyuan Festival, and happened to witness the scene of Third Young Master Yan being kidnapped. This minister had originally planned to return after the festival, but who would have thought such a thing would happen.”

 

As he spoke, his eyes stung with an uncontrollable sourness. He hurriedly lowered his head to hide it. “Moreover, Third Young Master Yan and this minister have been friends since childhood. This minister treats him… even better than my own younger brother. It is impossible that this minister would…”

 

Li Xuanjing’s voice carried a choked sob he could not suppress. Unable to continue, he took a deep breath and bowed deeply.

 

“This minister implores Your Majesty to see the truth clearly!”

 

“Friends… since childhood, is it?”

 

It was a long moment before Li Xuanming’s voice finally drifted down from above, his tone unfathomable.

 

Why did the emperor deliberately repeat those words?

 

Li Xuanjing felt an inexplicable doubt in his heart, but before he could think much about it, Li Xuanming continued,

 

“Zhen knows of King Qin’s loyalty. This matter is indeed suspicious. Perhaps Prince Qin should also think about who might be trying to frame King Qin.”

 

That person would be Yan Yihuan’s murderer!

 

Li Xuanjing clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot, and bowed with force, knocking his head against the ground.

 

“This minister accepts the decree!”