No one had lived here for a long time. There was a dry well in the yard that led to the outside of Hanzhou City. After questioning, they learned that this family was originally traveling merchants. They traveled all over the country and rarely interacted with their neighbors. Then they never came back.
“General, it seems like it’s the method used by tomb robbers.” Cen Yelan invited an experienced old man to survey the place.
Fang Jing laughed when he heard this. “That’s strange. Why’s the tomb robbers dug a tunnel here? Is there a big tomb here?”
The old man smiled and said, “Xiao Junwang doesn’t know that although our dynasty has cut off trade with the Hu people, but there are still many merchants who do business with them privately. Those products can’t pass through the city gate openly, so they can only find another way.”
“Although this place is close to the city gate, but it is still quite difficult to dig such a tunnel.” Fang Jing smacked his lips. “Why go to such great lengths?”
The old man smiled and said, “Take the brocade on Xiao Junwang’s body as an example. If the silk in the capital costs a hundred gold coins, then it can be sold for a thousand gold coins if sold to the Hu nobles. Do you think it is worth it?”
Yuan Zheng and Fang Jing were born into a wealthy family, and had access to all kinds of food, drink, and entertainment, this was the first time they had heard of such a thing.
Yuan Zheng was thoughtful but did not speak. He tilted his head. Cen Yelan was talking to the deputy general. Torches were set up on the wall, and the dim light enveloped the stern general.
As if noticing Yuan Zheng’s gaze, Cen Yelan looked over, then turned away expressionlessly and continued, “Thoroughly check the 20-mile radius around the exit of the secret passage. Ask Lin Xiao to pay more attention to the merchants in the city. If he finds anything, don’t alert them for the time being.”
The light in the secret passage was dim. Fang Jing was very curious, so he followed the people from the general’s mansion to the front. Yuan Zheng thought about Cen Yelan’s leisurely appearance just now, with calm eyes and a sense of restraint, like a sheathed sword and the calm water surface.
Yuan Zheng couldn’t help but want to see the sword being unsheathed and causing the water to ripples.
Cen Yelan’s disgraceful appearance appeared in his mind. Yuan Zheng licked his teeth and said, “It’s not enough to just check the merchants in the city. We also have to check the customs records at the city gates. It’s impossible for everything brought into Hanzhou to stay in Hanzhou.”
Cen Yelan was thinking about something and didn’t notice that there were only him and Yuan Zheng behind him. He frowned and was about to leave.
Yuan Zheng said, “Cen Yelan.”
Cen Yelan paused and said politely, “Your Highness is right. The general will give the order right away.”
Yuan Zheng snorted and laughed, saying, “Why are you in such a hurry?” He moved closer to Cen Yelan and said, “General Cen, why do I feel like you are avoiding me? Are you so scared?”
Cen Yelan’s expression was slightly cold, and he said, “Your Highness worried too much.”
Yuan Zheng suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm, pushing him to the side. He grinned even more when he saw the shift in Cen Yelan’s expression. “Emperor Father asked me to supervise the army, and I have to do my job well. Since General Cen is the commander of the army, I have to do my job well even if I’m here for one day; otherwise, I would be deceiving the monarch.”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I have already sent the memorial to the capital at an expedited rate of 800 miles. I will definitely have Your Highness return to the capital as soon as possible.”
Yuan Zheng noticed the small mole under his right eye again and responded absentmindedly. He poked it with his finger. Cen Yelan suddenly raised his eyes and almost raised his hand to push him away, “— Yuan Zheng!”
“Hush.” Yuan Zheng laughed, revealing a lawless and dissolute vigor, and said, “They are all in the front. If there is a big commotion, they will all come over.”
Cen Yelan endured it and said coldly, “I have done what I promised you, Your Highness the Seventh Prince, please keep your promise.”
Yuan Zheng said calmly, “General Cen, don’t worry.”
One of his hands was still on Cen Yelan’s shoulder. Cen Yelan could no longer bear it and used his skill to push Yuan Zheng away with a bit of warning force. Despite the agony and numbness in his hand, Yuan Zheng didn’t back down and even moved closer, then he was hit by several punches and kicks in exchange.
“…What are you doing?” Fang Jing was dumbfounded.
Cen Yelan looked at him indifferently, loosened the hand that was grabbing Yuan Zheng’s wrist, and walked away.
Fang Jing looked at Cen Yelan’s back hesitantly, then looked at Yuan Zheng, who was leaning against the wall, and said, “Ah Zheng… what are you doing?”
Yuan Zheng: “Chatting.”
“…What can you chat about with Cen Yelan?”
Yuan Zheng rubbed his aching shoulder. His wrist was bruised. He sighed, “That surname Cen is really ruthless.”
Fang Jing wanted to say that he asked for it, but he didn’t dare to say it. After a long while, he said, “I heard that General Cen is an excellent marksman…”
Yuan Zheng thought for a moment and said, “He’s fine, much better than that commander in the Imperial Guards.”
“…You guys have already fought?”
Yuan Zheng smiled at him without saying anything. Fang Jing felt a darkness before his eyes. Thinking of Cen Yelan’s cold face, he felt that life was getting more and more difficult.
