AYM Chapter 20

Although the surroundings were bustling with people engaged in all sorts of activities, most were heading towards the same destination, which was the two thousand-year-old ancient trees standing at the very heart of the capital. And tonight, Li Xuanming had come for the same reason. 

 

Although they were two separate trees, centuries of growth had brought them closer together, their branches intertwining like a pair of lovers unwilling to part. Their vast canopies had merged into one, making it impossible to distinguish where one ended and the other began. This was why people flocked here to pray for lasting love and harmonious relationships

 

On this particular day, the area around the ancient trees was so crowded that people were shoulder to shoulder. The imperial guards and the capital’s garrison had even been deployed to maintain order.

 

Under Li Xuanming’s protection, Yan Yihuan slowly made his way towards the ancient trees. From a distance, his eyes were drawn to the countless brocade pouches swaying from the massive canopy, leaving him so awestruck that he was momentarily speechless.

 

“Zhao Chufeng.” The surroundings were too noisy, so Yan Yihuan leaned in and spoke loudly into his ear. “Why are there so many brocade pouches hanging from the tree?”

 

Perhaps because he was enjoying himself, Yan Yihuan momentarily forgot that the person beside him was someone he both feared and resented. His actions were very natural and unguarded.

 

“These pouches contain the names of lovers. It is believed that when two names are placed together and hung high on the tree, it can bless them with a long and lasting relationship.” Yan Yihuan’s unintentional intimacy put Li Xuanming in a good mood, and a gentle expression unconsciously slipped out onto his face, which made Yan Yihuan’s heart skip a beat. He silently thought, ‘Good thing he changed his appearance. Otherwise, who knows how many people would have been entranced along the way.’

 

“That’s different from our customs in Linjing, but the countless pouches on the tree are truly beautiful.”

 

“Do you have a name you’d like to write together with yours?” Li Xuanming’s sudden question startled Yan Yihuan for a moment, but he responded without hesitation,

 

“No.”

 

Li Xuanming’s smile instantly froze on his face. Yan Yihuan met his gaze with an honest and serious expression, making it clear that he wasn’t being perfunctory and he truly meant it.

 

For a moment, Li Xuanming didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved. At the very least, Yan Yihuan hadn’t said Li Xuanjing’s name.

 

“Do you have one?” Perhaps from all the walking, Yan Yihuan’s face was a bit flushed. But he didn’t seem to care much about Li Xuanming’s answer, instead, he exclaimed happily, “We’re here!”

 

Unknowingly, they had already arrived beneath the ancient trees.

 

All around them, men and women nestled close, entwined in affection. Even in the midst of a thousand onlookers, their eyes held only each other as they carefully tied their brocade pouches onto the highest branches they could reach.

 

The Northern Jin Dynasty had an open-minded society, so it was not only men and women forming these pairs beneath the trees. Yan Yihuan had no intention of hanging a pouch himself, but he curiously observed his surroundings with great interest. However, a figure suddenly flashed in his peripheral vision, instantly capturing his attention. His breath hitched as he focused his gaze.

 

That fleeting figure was indeed Li Xuanjing!

 

Yan Yihuan’s heart immediately started pounded fiercely. He had assumed that Jing Ge would have returned to the Residence of King Qin after being unable to find him after the palace banquet. How could he appear here?

 

One should know that among all the kings, King Qin’s status was the most sensitive. He was the elder brother of the late emperor, and a direct descendant of the empress of that time.

 

However, the empress had passed away when King Qin was just three years old, and her family had gradually fallen into decline. In the end, the crown prince position was lost, triggering a storm of political turmoil that shook the entire capital, only to end in failure.

 

The late emperor, known for his kindness, had always carried a sense of guilt toward his elder brother. Ignoring opposition from the imperial faction, he insisted on granting him the title of King Qin and entrusted him with guarding the southern borders of Northern Jin.

 

For years, the situation seemed calm, but the past struggle for the throne was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts. Everyone knew that the current emperor was no longer the late emperor who always felt guilty towards his elder brother. Moreover, no one could say for certain what was in King Qin’s mind, whether he was truly willing to submit to the new emperor.

 

Therefore, Li Xuanjing’s situation was extremely awkward, he shouldn’t stay in the capital for so long!

 

Yan Yihuan immediately grew anxious. ‘Could it be that Jing Ge stayed because I had begged him to take me away during the palace banquet?’ He glanced around uneasily. At this moment, Li Xuanming unintentionally let go of his hand, which he had been holding tightly, and looked up toward the tree canopy.

 

Just then, Li Xuanjing’s figure reappeared on the high platform of the temple to his front-left. Yan Yihuan glanced nervously at Zhao Chufeng who was not far away, secretly clenching his fist inside his sleeve, his heart tangled with worry.

 

Could Zhao Chufeng’s official business today be related to Jing Ge? Was it possible that trouble had not only befallen the Residence of King Yan but the Residence of King Qin as well?

 

The new emperor had barely ascended the throne, yet he had already begun targeting these old feudal lords. It was understandable to be wary of King Qin, but the Residence of King Yan had been unwaveringly loyal for generations, yet they were still caught in his schemes!

 

Lost in his thoughts, Yan Yihuan’s footsteps moved unconsciously with the surrounding crowd, drifting a little bit farther from Zhao Chufeng.

 

When he finally snapped back to reality, he saw Zhao Chufeng retrieving something from his robe and gripping it tightly in his hand, his gaze still scanning the trees above. But before Yan Yihuan could react, two tall men suddenly stepped between them, chatting and laughing as they prepared to hang their brocade pouch on the branches.

 

It was an entirely ordinary scene, yet for some reason, the moment Zhao Chufeng disappeared from view, Yan Yihuan’s heart skipped a beat. A wave of unease crept up his spine, and he felt an inexplicable panic.

 

Steadying himself, Yan Yihuan decided to push through the crowd first and make his way back to Zhao Chufeng’s side. But just as he took a step forward, a woman’s sharp cry pierced the air, stunning everyone. In an instant, the crowd erupted into chaos. 

 

Almost everyone instinctively turned towards the source of the cry, except the two men blocking Yan Yihuan’s view. They remained completely still, as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

 

In such a tightly packed crowd, even the slightest commotion could spark panic. In an instant, Yan Yihuan felt himself being shoved about, involuntarily moving backwards. 

 

Sensing something was wrong, he tried to force his way toward Zhao Chufeng. But just as he was about to push forward, the two men who had seemed entirely focused on tying their brocade pouch suddenly turned their heads towards him in unison. A faint fragrance drifted through the air as they strode swiftly to him.

 

Li Xuanming was also drawn by the cries behind him and turned around. At first, it seemed as if a woman had simply tripped and fallen, but then it appeared intentional, as some people began shoving others, deliberately fueling the chaos.

 

But it was because of this short look backwards, Li Xuanming, who had already turned back to the front, heard another round of shocked exclamations in front of him, only to see several people had collapsed to the ground in the very spot where Yan Yihuan had been standing. Among the fallen were even some of his own hidden guards, those assigned to protect Yan Yihuan from the shadows. Yet Yan Yihuan himself was nowhere to be seen. Li Xuanming’s face darkened instantly.

 

The sudden collapse of so many people sent the crowd into full-blown panic. People began to flee in all directions, the situation under the tree instantly plunged into complete chaos. Even as the guards immediately sprang into action, it was still extremely difficult to find Yan Yihuan in such chaos.

 

“Seal the city gates at once! Send everyone to search!” Li Xuanming tried his best to suppress the unease in his heart, “Wait, don’t cause a huge commotion. We can’t risk provoking them.”

 

Li Xuanming knew that any so-called regret or blame at this moment would be useless. He had to calm down, only a clear mind could sort out all the possibilities. 

 

And yet, the composure he had always prided himself on was nowhere to be found. Even though he still appeared collected and unshaken to everyone else, only Li Xuanming himself knew that his mind had already fallen into utter turmoil.

 

Even after returning to the painted boat, Li Xuanming remained silent. His face betrayed no emotion, yet anyone who got close felt a chill rise from the depths of their hearts. The invisible pressure was like a huge rock pressing on their hearts, making even breathing difficult.

 

That night, all the news they received was ‘No news’.

 

Huai De glanced out the window, his face clouded with worry. “Your Majesty, it is nearly time for the morning court.”

 

Li Xuanming was momentarily startled. Only then did he notice that the horizon had already begun to pale with the first light of dawn.

 

“Send word to Shen Zhaoquan. Zhen will not attend court today.”

 

Huai De hesitated briefly before bowing and retreating to carry out the order. As he was leaving, he suddenly greeted, “Lord Ming[mfn]Reminder: Ming Zhang – Grand secretary (first mention: around the end of ch16)[/mfn].”

 

“Your Majesty, there are simply too many people outside. The kidnappers are blending in with the common folk, making it impossible to track them. Our manpower is insufficient to search each and every person.” Ming Zhang, who had spent the entire night combing the docks, arrived visibly exhausted. “Based on the condition of the two guards who were drugged, it’s almost certain that the Third Young Master has also lost consciousness. He was most likely hidden in a carriage or some other transport and taken away.”

 

“Since it was a kidnapping, there must be a motive.” Li Xuanming rubbed his temples and said in a low voice, “Investigate Li Xuanjing.”

 

Ming Zhang lifted his head and saw the steady and confident eyes that he had known so well now revealing a nervousness he had never seen before, one that had been forcibly suppressed.

 

“If they intended to kill him, they could have already done so on the spot. Instead, they took him away, indicating they have another goal.”

 

It was unclear whether Li Xuanming was speaking to Ming Zhang or speaking to himself. Li Xuanming pondered for a long time before suddenly looking up at Ming Zhang, who appeared deep in thought. “Today will have to trouble you to stay with Zhen until after noon before disembarking and returning to the palace.”

 

“So the one who spent the night with Your Majesty on the painted boat last night was this minister, not Third Young Master Yan.” Ming Zhang nodded in understanding, then lowered his gaze. His already cold demeanor became even more indifferent. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. This minister knows what to do.”