AYM Chapter 14

The hungover Yan Yihuan slept until the sun was high in the sky. It wasn’t until the familiar bed canopy came into view that he realized he had somehow returned to the private retreat. A-Ying was standing nearby when he noticed Yan Yihuan had awakened, so he quickly used a warm towel to wipe his face and help him feel refreshed. Yan Yihuan sat up, dazed for a moment, and asked:

 

“Wasn’t I at Cheng’en ge’s house? When did I return to the retreat?”

 

“I don’t know either,” A-Ying replied helplessly. “I was not allowed to follow yesterday, so I got anxious in the evening and wanted to stand guard here, but they said someone was attending to you and wouldn’t let me in.”

 

“Yesterday… I think I saw Zhao Chufeng,” Yan Yihuan murmured, rubbing his forehead. “I’m not sure…”

 

With lingering unease, Yan Yihuan shifted his body but felt no discomfort. He then lifted the blanket to check beneath his clothes and found no unusual marks.

 

Did he just have a spring dream last night? And the other person in the dream was even none other than the accursed Zhao Chufeng!

 

But Yan Yihuan distinctly remembered the intimate murmurs in his ears and the trembling hand that brought him to the peak of ecstasy. If it was really just a dream, then it was far too vivid. He frowned and racked his brain, but no more details came to mind.

 

At that moment, Li Jiang entered the room. After hesitating for a long while, Yan Yihuan finally asked:

 

“Eunuch Li, how did I return last night?”

 

Li Jiang paused in the act of setting the breakfast table, turned to Yan Yihuan, and bowed as he replied:

 

“Third Young Master was drunk last night and returned in a sedan chair.”

 

A sedan chair?

 

The word seemed to instantly unlock Yan Yihuan’s memories. It felt as if he was back in that dim and cramped space, under Zhao Chufeng’s control. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free, and even his cries were repeatedly swallowed by Zhao Chufeng.

 

A chill ran down his spine.

 

“Eunuch Li, was there anyone else with us when we returned last night?”

 

Yan Yihuan leaned forward in shock, his voice trembling. But Li Jiang replied in a calm tone, with his expression steady as usual, 

 

“It was this servant who accompanied you back. There was no one else.”

 

But if it wasn’t a dream, then he had no way to explain those unbearable memories and his body’s reaction during that time in the sedan chair with Zhao Chufeng. 

 

“Then were there any… strange noises coming from inside the sedan last night?”

 

Li Jiang’s fingers twitched almost imperceptibly before he looked up, his gaze steady and forthright.

 

“Third Young Master was drunk and passed out in the sedan chair last night. This servant heard nothing.”

 

A trace of fear emerged in Yan Yihuan’s eyes. He was almost certain of Zhao Chufeng’s presence, but how could those who accompanied him on the way back fail to notice anything at all?

 

After thinking carefully, although this Zhao Chufeng was merely a minor official, he seemed to possess extraordinary abilities. Putting aside the suspiciously coincidental events at the painted boat and Fengyue Tower, purely his brazen disregard and fearlessness towards imperial authority was unmatched in the world. There’s probably no one else in the world with such audacity as him.

 

Then, recalling the cold-faced beauty back in Linjing who had always been indifferent to him, Yan Yihuan felt he was getting closer to uncovering the truth. That truth is—

 

Zhao Chufeng might be possessed by some kind of spirit or demon!

 

Yan Yihuan shivered as a chill rose up his back, cold sweat breaking out instantly.

 

“Third Young Master, are you getting up?”

 

Li Jiang approached the bedside when he heard his movements.

 

“The medicinal soup from last night has yet to be taken. It would be best for you to take it as soon as possible, Young Master. If you delay any longer, the servants will be in serious trouble.”

 

Yan Yihuan seemed not to hear a word and remained deathly pale. He was deeply pondering about what kind of entity could have possessed Zhao Chufeng, it was even bold enough to act recklessly in imperial territory. What should he do if it came to find him again tonight!?

 

“Eunuch Li, can you please find me a Daoist priest,” Yan Yihuan’s eyes were filled with terror. “This place is not clean.”

 

Li Jiang’s expression finally faltered. “Third Young Master, you must be joking. This is a royal retreat, and right next door is Qingxiao Temple. How could it possibly be unclean?”

 

How was he supposed to explain this!

 

Yan Yihuan found it hard to articulate his fears and could only grab onto Li Jiang’s sleeve. “Since Qingxiao Temple is so close, please summon someone to take a look.”

 

“This servant cannot make such decisions,” Li Jiang replied with a troubled expression. “But I will report this to the palace.”

 

Matters concerning the royal retreat were not taken lightly, and by that very afternoon, the news had already reached the palace.

 

Shen Zhaoqian brought over a cup of tea and whispered a few words into someone’s ear. The hand holding the teacup froze momentarily before its owner gave a smile that was not like a smile,

 

“‘Unclean’? Is that what he said?”

 

Shen Zhaoquan seemed ready to speak further, but at this time, a note was delivered from outside. Li Xuanming let out a cold laugh when he opened and read its contents before tossing it to the ground. Shen Zhaoquan glanced at it from the side, 

 

‘Li Xuanjing humbly requests an audience with His Majesty.’

 

“What is Your Majesty’s wish?” Shen Zhaoqian picked up the note, awaiting instructions.

 

“Throw it.” Setting down his teacup, Li Xuanming’s face remained expressionless as he picked up another memorial from the towering stack in front of him, not sparing the note another glance.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Shen Zhaoquan swiftly stamped a black seal onto the note, obscuring the writing instantly, “However, it seems the heir apparent of Qin has been inquiring everywhere.”

 

“While everyone else couldn’t wait to leave the capital after the palace banquet, he alone seems reluctant to depart.” The atmosphere in the hall turned icy, all the other palace attendants lowered their heads to their chests, and only Shen Zhaoquan maintained a faint smile.

 

“This servant has investigated. His Highness the Prince and the heir apparent were indeed acquainted as children, but they have not seen each other for several years.”

 

“Ke.” Li Xuanming couldn’t suppress a cold laugh. “Even after years of not seeing each other, their bond remains so deep, it truly is touching. Zhaoquan.”

 

“Your servant is here.”

 

Li Xuanming appeared ready to give an order, but then he seemed to have thought of something, “Forget it. Ignore him.”

 

If Li Xuanjing was willing to risk his safety and that of the Residence of King Qin’s just to stay behind, Li Xuanming was curious to see what exactly Li Xuanjing’s intentions toward Yan Yihuan were. Could it be that he had unwittingly come between a pair of ill-fated “lovers”?

 

“Zhaoquan, Zhen recalls there’s an uncarved piece of warm jade in the treasury,” Li Xuanming remarked while continuing to review memorials. “Go fetch it for Zhen.”

 

Before long, two attendants brought in a piece of jade. It was delicate and smooth, entirely milk-white, and about two feet wide and one foot tall. Its surface was polished to perfection, but its natural form remained uncut and unshaped.

 

Li Xuanming placed his hand on the jade. Unlike ordinary jade, which was cool to the touch, this one radiated warmth, a rarity indeed.

 

This piece of warm jade had been presented as tribute by a neighboring nation during his father’s reign. Such a large and exquisite piece of warm jade was almost unheard of. The late emperor had considered many designs for it, but ultimately couldn’t bear to have it carved. So it was left untouched in the royal treasury for ten years.

 

A satisfied expression crossed Li Xuanming’s face, then he gave quiet instructions to Shen Zhaoquan. For a moment, even the usually composed Shen Zhaoquan looked surprised. He couldn’t help but glance at the warm jade before he personally escorted it to the Silverworks Bureau.

 

Author’s Note:

Little Yihuan, your husband is preparing a gift for you! (*^ ^*)