AYM Chapter 26

Yan Yihuan struggled with indecision for two whole days. Although he was determined to return to the Residence of King Yan, he knew this would be defying an imperial decree. Zhao Chufeng who had let him go would likely face severe punishment and possibly even execution.

 

He himself spoke of the matter casually, but that only made Yan Yihuan feel even guiltier.

 

Zhao Chufeng wasn’t a good person, but if he lost his life for helping him, that wasn’t something Yan Yihuan could accept. 

 

After much deliberation, he decided he couldn’t let others bear the consequences of his actions, so he planned to return to the retreat the next day. Yet, when he awoke from a deep sleep, he found himself inside a horse-drawn carriage, moving steadily along.

 

And it was no ordinary carriage. Not only was the interior spacious and comfortable, but the soft quilt covering him was no common item either. Looking around, he noticed that Sun Zhicheng was also inside, smiling at him.

 

“Third Young Master is awake, there’s porridge warming over the charcoal fire. Third Young Master can get up and have some.”

 

Only then did Yan Yihuan realize how warm it was inside the carriage. A faint glow flickered in the brazier[mfn]围炉 [/mfn], it was burning the finest silver charcoal, no wonder there was no harsh, choking smell. 

 

Good food, comfortable accommodation, and even a doctor accompanying you. Has escaping become this high-end now?

 

“When did I leave the capital? How come I didn’t know of it?”

 

“These past two days, I’ve noticed that Third Young Master hasn’t been sleeping well. I added a few calming herbs to your medicine last night, which is why you slept so soundly.”

 

What calming herbs? Its effect is comparable to a knockout drug!

 

Yan Yihuan glanced outside. Dusk had already fallen. He had slept for nearly a full day and night. Rising from the couch, he walked to the carriage door and opened it, only to see Han Zhen driving the carriage outside. 

 

“Why is it you?” Yan Yihuan was even more surprised. He could no longer tell whose side Han Zhen was on, but that wasn’t important right now.

 

“Han Zhen, I want to go back.”

 

“The lord has ordered me to escort Third Young Master back to the Residence of King Yan. Forgive me, but I cannot comply.”

 

Han Zhen was a rigid man; Yan Yihuan had long known that. Judging by the pace of the carriage, they were likely far from the capital by now. He retreated back inside, looking at Sun Zhicheng with unease.

 

“Physician Sun, may I ask if you know what happened to Zhao Chufeng?”

 

“I am merely a physician. I don’t know anything else.”

 

Yan Yihuan studied Sun Zhicheng’s expression carefully, but he couldn’t read a single clue. He had never felt such deep guilt and anxiety before. Zhao Chufeng’s voice echoed in his mind regularly, telling him not to worry, that he would take care of everything.

 

But how could he not worry?

 

He had longed to leave the capital and return home, but now that he had, there wasn’t a trace of joy in his heart. He had no idea what had become of Zhao Chufeng, and the uncertainty only made him feel more stifled.

 

“Third Young Master.” The carriage had stopped in the wilderness, but Han Zhen appeared while carrying a bundle of steaming food, “There’s a house not far ahead that just steamed a fresh batch of yam cakes. Please help yourself, Young Master.”

 

Yan Yihuan took the food with suspicion, only to find that it was indeed warm, soft, and fragrant.

 

“That household just finished brewing a pot of red date ginger tea too, they even gave me a jar. Third Young Master, you should have some while it’s still warm.”

 

“We really have had extraordinary luck on this journey. There’s always hot food nearby when we need it. This red date ginger tea is great for the stomach, I used to drink it at home often.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Yihuan froze for a moment. Wasn’t this a bit too lucky?

 

Under normal circumstances, finding some dry rations and hot water on the road would already be considered quite good. Especially since they were on the run, often resting in the wild, often resting in the wilderness and not daring to stop in towns.

 

Yet even in the wilderness, they never had to go far before stumbling upon a household that had just finished cooking. They would not only warmly gift them food but also provide hot water and tea.

 

This escape was not as arduous and challenging as Yan Yihuan had imagined. In fact, it was even more comfortable than his journey to the capital. Just like that, they smoothly passed through the gates of Linjing Prefecture. 

 

Back in familiar territory, Yan Yihuan nearly burst into tears. Yet, his heart wasn’t as happy as he had imagined. The suffocating emotions that had been building up finally became unbearable the moment he saw King Yan, he threw himself into his father’s arms and clung tightly, unwilling to let go.

 

Seeing his beloved son, who had been carefree the last time they met, now not only pale and visibly thinner, but also with eyes filled with fear and confusion, King Yan’s heart ached unbearably.

 

He gently patted Yan Yihuan’s back, then turned to Han Zhen and Sun Zhicheng, nodding in gratitude.

 

“Thank you both for looking after Yihuan along the way. Please stay and rest at the manor for a few days before returning.” 

 

Yan Yihuan, who was clinging to his father, stiffened. After Han Zhen and Sun Zhicheng had left, he cautiously glanced around, then carefully shut all the doors and windows before solemnly turning to his father, 

 

“Father, I need to tell you the truth. Actually… actually, I secretly ran away from the capital.”

 

“Ran away?” King Yan who had a face full of heart-ache just moments ago, now looked at him in surprise. “What do you mean you ran away?”

 

“Mm!” Yan Yihuan nodded vigorously, his eyes revealing a sense of fear. He recounted his kidnapping, though he hesitated when it came to the hardships he had endured and didn’t reveal everything.

 

“After Zhao Chufeng rescued me, he was supposed to take me to the retreat, but I was too scared at the time and insisted on coming home. So Zhao Chufeng, he… ” Yan Yihuan lowered his head with guilt, “He risked defying imperial orders and secretly let me go. He even had me escorted all the way back.”

 

Speaking of Zhao Chufeng, Yan Yihuan who had never felt so indebted to anyone before felt extremely uncomfortable. “Father, can you find out what happened to Zhao Chufeng? I don’t want anything to happen to him because of me.”

 

“Zhao Chufeng?” King Yan frowned. “The Zhao Chufeng from the Censorate who came here last year?”

 

“Yes, yes, that’s him!” Yan Yihuan’s eyes lit up. “Father, you remembered him.”

 

“This…” King Yan hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively, “Do you know who he is?”

 

“He’s definitely not just a mere Censorate official,” Yan Yihuan said with a hint of confident certainty. As King Yan’s gaze became serious, he continued,

 

“Zhao Chufeng must be at least a Vice Censor-in-Chief.”

 

King Yan who was about to speak suddenly stopped at these words, letting out a light cough as if caught off guard. Then, he gently patted Yan Yihuan’s shoulder in reassurance.

 

“You have me and your brother at home, so there’s no need for you to worry too much. After all the hardships you’ve endured, you should take a good rest.”

 

“Father…”

 

“Don’t worry, since he saved you, I’ll make sure to find out what happened to him.”

 

Only then did Yan Yihuan feel half relieved, but the other half of his heart was still hanging high, afraid that Zhao Chufeng had already been implicated because of him.

 

Hadn’t he always wanted Zhao Chufeng to suffer, to pay for bullying him like that? So why did he not want anything to happen to him now?

 

Never before had Yan Yihuan experienced such conflicting emotions, yet he could only keep them to himself. His troubled expression had made his family worried too.

 

As soon as Yan Zheng, the crown prince of Yan, stepped into his younger brother’s courtyard, he saw Yan Yihuan leaning against a pillar in the corridor, lost in thought. His heart sank, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

 

“Big brother?”

 

Hearing the movement, Yan Yihuan snapped out of his daze and forced a smile. But Yan Zheng could tell it wasn’t the same as before.

 

“Yihuan, do you remember the heir of Qin?”

 

“Jing ge?” Yan Yihuan nodded, “I even met him in the capital.”

 

“He came to the residence,” Yan Zheng’s expression was somewhat odd, “It seems he’s misunderstood your situation.”