In the Imperial City
The atmosphere in the study had solidified to an unbearable degree. Apart from Huai De, the other attendants stood guard outside, yet even there, none dared to breathe too loudly.
“The Third Young Master is blessed with good fortune, he will be fine.”
Only Huai De, who had taken care of Li Xuanming since childhood, would dare to utter such words at a time like this. A flicker of cold fury flashed through Li Xuanming’s eyes, but after a long silence, he merely said in a low voice,
“He will be afraid.”
Huai De’s breath hitched slightly, and he dared not speak further.
Even though his heart was ablaze with anger, Li Xuanming still found himself secretly hoping that it was Li Xuanjing who had taken him. After all, if it were him, then at least Yan Yihuan wouldn’t be in any real danger. And perhaps… he wouldn’t be so afraid.
“Lord Ming has arrived.”
Li Xuanming abruptly lifted his gaze, only to see Ming Zhang entering the palace in a hurry, without even changing into his official robes. His face could not conceal his anxiety.
“Well?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, it is likely not the Qin heir.”
Li Xuanming’s pupils contracted, his eyelids trembling in the slightest, almost imperceptible way, “It wasn’t him?”
That night, Li Xuanjing was clearly up to something shady. Combined with how much he cared about Yan Yihuan, they were almost certain that he was the one who had taken him.
“That night, the Qin heir was indeed supposed to meet someone. Our people who were secretly watching him followed him all the way to the high platform at the temple by the ancient tree,” Ming Zhang continued, still catching his breath. “But it was as if he suddenly saw something and changed his route. When our people followed his gaze, they caught sight of the Third Young Master.”
“Right after that, a commotion broke out under the tree. The Qin heir saw with his own eyes as the Third Young Master was taken away. He immediately abandoned his meeting and rushed down the platform, but he was too late.”
Li Xuanming fell silent for a moment, replaying the scene in his mind for what felt like the hundredth time. “Could he have staged it himself?”
“It’s possible, but the Qin heir hasn’t done anything these past few days except send everyone he could to search all over the capital. He seems far too anxious for it to be an act.”
If it truly wasn’t Li Xuanjing, then Yan Yihuan’s situation would be extremely dangerous. Although Li Xuanming’s expression remained composed, his hand had already clenched tightly around the dragon head of the armrest. Just who was it that was already so eager to replace him, and it wasn’t even the King of Qin, whom he had always assumed would make the first move.
“Although the people tracking the Qin heir have come up empty, but another group has locked onto a suspicious person and is currently in pursuit.”
Just as he was speaking, Ming Zhang suddenly looked towards the door and saw a person standing at the entrance, hesitating to speak. Even in this cold weather, sweat had already soaked his forehead and dampened his hair, his expression was filled with urgency.
This was the leader of the group he sent to search for Yan Yihuan. Ming Zhang excused himself to speak with him outside, only to turn deathly pale before swiftly returning to report,
“Your Majesty, they… they have found what appears to be the Third Young Master’s corpse!”
Even Ming Zhang, who had grown up alongside Li Xuanming, had never seen his expression collapse so suddenly. He was momentarily stunned before quickly stepping forward to block Li Xuanming, who was striding towards the door.
“Your Majesty, it’s already late. Allow this minister to go instead!”
With just one glare from Li Xuanming, Ming Zhang knew he couldn’t persuade him. He gritted his teeth and held onto Li Xuanming’s arm tightly, raising his head to command,
“Huai De, help His Majesty change his robes!”
An abandoned courtyard in the capital city was brightly lit. More than a dozen torches burned brightly, making the darkness as clear as day.
Before their horses had even come to a stop, they could already see a corpse surrounded by torches, lying in the center of the courtyard. Although its clothes were already stained with blood, they could still see the fabric shimmering like moonlight in the flickering flames, clearly not any ordinary material.
Li Xuanming instantly recognized the clothing as the very outfit Yan Yihuan had worn on the night of the Qiyuan Festival. Amidst the bustling streets, his garments shimmered with the light, moving elegantly with his every step.
Just a child at heart, enjoying the admiration in the eyes of those around.
But now, seeing that same radiance again, it felt as if someone had clenched his heart in an iron grip, causing unbearable pain.
Li Xuanming dismounted with his usual steady, fluid motions, yet contrary to what Ming Zhang had expected, he did not rush forward to confirm the body’s identity. Instead, he hesitated for a moment before slowly making his way into the courtyard.
How could he… come to care about Yan Yihuan to this extent?
Ming Zhang’s lowered eyelashes trembled slightly. He knew he shouldn’t be thinking about such things at this moment, but he couldn’t help it.
He even found himself wondering what was so special about this so-called frivolous young master, rumored to be nothing more than a self-indulgent libertine, that he could get the most supreme ruler under heaven to like him so much?
Perhaps, it was more than just liking.
“Lord Ming, are you not going in?”
A slightly cold and harsh voice interrupted Ming Zhang’s wandering thoughts. Han Zhen?
Ming Zhang gave a slight nod, quickened his pace, and followed behind Li Xuanming, while Han Zhen trailed after them. The moment his gaze fell upon the corpse, Ming Zhang drew in a sharp breath.
The body lying on the ground had been mutilated beyond recognition. Yet even so, its pale, unblemished skin and dark, lustrous hair were a clear indicator that this was someone who had lived a life of luxury.
Could it really be, as they had speculated, someone had deliberately murdered Yan Yihuan to sow discord between the Emperor and King Yan?
Ming Zhang instinctively looked towards Han Zhen. He had never met Yan Yihuan before, but Han Zhen had attended him for days. He was seeking confirmation from Han Zhen.
Han Zhen’s eyes were sharp and alert, his brows were furrowed, which was rare. He seemed to sense Ming Zhang’s gaze and slowly nodded in response.
But at the same time, a voice suddenly rang out,
“It’s not him.”
Their intertwined gazes simultaneously turned to surprise. Both men looked towards Li Xuanming, only to see him turn to face them, his expression carrying the same calm certainty as always.
“The clothing belongs to him, but the person isn’t. However, a red jade pendant engraved with the character ‘Yan’ is missing from his body. Go investigate.”
After finishing his words, Li Xuanming seemed unwilling to stay for even a moment and turned to leave. Ming Zhang grabbed Han Zhen.
“It’s really not him?”
“I can’t make out the face, but the physique is exactly the same.” Han Zhen stopped. He thought he was already very familiar with the Third Young Master of the Yan family and had examined the corpse carefully. Yet the Emperor had only taken a single glance before denying it outright.
“If His Majesty says it’s not him, then it definitely isn’t.”
“Han Zhen.” Li Xuanming turned around, interrupting the two, “This path was meant to mislead us. Come with Zhen to another route.”
“Your Majesty!” Ming Zhang pulled on Li Xuanming’s sleeve, “It’s already late at night, and you have morning court tomorrow. Let this minister go instead.”
Li Xuanming’s expression remained calm and unwavering, yet in the biting cold, Ming Zhang could clearly see fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead and his lips that had lost its color.
“Go back to your residence.”
Ming Zhang felt an overwhelming force. His eyelashes fluttered slightly before his fingers instinctively loosened.
“Go back and wait. Once Zhen finds him, Zhen will go straight to your manor.”
Ming Zhang was briefly stunned before he nodded, “Understood.”
The Emperor suddenly leaving the palace at midnight would undoubtedly raise suspicion, but if the Emperor were to be seen leaving his[mfn]Ming Zhang’s[/mfn] residence the next day, others would merely assume it was yet another scandalous entanglement with the emperor.
“Ming Zhang, this is an injustice to you[mfn]委屈你了 – Usually an apologetic phrase meaning “I’ve wronged you.” But as the emperor, I figured he wouldn’t need to apologize outright, so I adjusted the wording to suit his status. (kinda :P)[/mfn].”
Ming Zhang faintly curled the corners of his mouth.
“This kind of injustice is something that others can’t even beg for.”
By now, Han Zhen had also mounted his horse. In the suffocating darkness of the night, only the sound of galloping hooves remained, fading into the distance. No more words were spoken.
Author’s Note:
Darlings, in the next chapter, it’s finally time for the two of them to meet!
Also, everyone, stay safe and take care!
my heart almost jump out from my body. i thought he really dead because this story has reincarnation tag huhu. thank you for the update
Hahahah, thanks for reading.