Chapter 10
Song Wen stood in the front courtyard, watching the servants come and go as they packed Yan Yunhe’s belongings.
Although Madam Yan was furious that Yan Yunhe was leaving the capital again so soon after his return, her personal maid, Hongyun, was there to assist Song Wen with packing Yan Yunhe’s luggage.
His usual tea, favorite snacks, familiar clothes, books for entertainment on the road, and even incense had been prepared. Even though the purpose of this trip was to suppress bandits in Yunzhou, it wouldn’t be nearly as harsh as staying on the frontier, so the supplies would be useful along the way.
Yan Yunhe finally emerged from his room, his head throbbing from his mother’s scolding. Still displeased, he noticed the large trunks in the courtyard. “Why are you packing so much? I’m leading troops to suppress bandits, not going on vacation!”
Seeing Yan Yunhe’s expression, Song Wen knew he was in for a scolding. “These are all things you use daily, my lord. They might not be easy to find on the road, so it’s best to have them just in case.”
“Just pack a few changes of clothes,” Yan Yunhe said, frowning.
Song Wen glanced at the trunks. “We’ll still need a carriage, won’t we?”
Yan Yunhe rummaged through the trunks and pulled out some clothes. “These will do. Carriages are too slow. I’m riding a horse.”
Before departing for Yunzhou, he needed the troop deployment token1 from the Ministry of War. Upon arrival, he would first assess the situation in Yunzhou before deciding on his next course of action, including whether to dispatch troops from Kaiping, which was right next to Yunzhou.
This mission required utmost discretion to avoid alerting the enemy. These bandits had proven formidable enough to force the magistrate to seek assistance from the imperial court. They were not to be underestimated.
Seeing that Yan Yunhe refused to take anything, Song Wen’s heart sank. He couldn’t help but ask, “My lord, will you at least take me with you?”
Yan Yunhe dismissively said, “What use would you be? Your martial arts are mediocre. If we come across bandits, I’d get distracted protecting you.”
Although it was clear that the empress dowager had sent Yu Qin to Yunzhou with ulterior motives, Yu Qin’s martial arts were excellent, so at least he wouldn’t slow him down.
Song Wen’s face fell. He turned around and retreated into the manor.
Given the cold shoulder by his own attendant, Yan Yunhe glanced awkwardly at Hongyun. “Look at him. You can’t say a thing to him anymore.”
Hongyun covered her mouth and laughed. “Young Master, you’ve been at the frontier for many years. It’s not just Her Ladyship who missed you.”
Having grown up together, Song Wen and Yan Yunhe shared a deep friendship. Back then, Yan Yunhe went off to war without anyone’s consent, so he naturally didn’t take Song Wen along with him.
He had been gone for so long, only returning to the capital this year.
Hongyun asked, puzzled, “Young Master, isn’t inheriting the title of Marquis of Yong’an a good thing? Why would you put your life at risk?”
Though a woman, she understood the cruelty of the battlefield. Moreover, Yan Yunhe had initially concealed his identity and started as a lowly soldier, making his situation even more perilous.
Yan Yunhe gave an indifferent smile. “The Marquis of Yong’an is nothing but an empty title. If something really were to happen, it wouldn’t be of any use.”
Hongyun didn’t understand what he meant by that. She only knew that, as long as one didn’t commit a serious offense, a hereditary title guaranteed safety.
Eight years ago, when the rebellion case made the winds howl and the cranes cry2 in the capital, the Marquis of Yong’an’s manor was not implicated, proving that staying out of court politics was the only way to survive.
Yan Yunhe’s secret enlistment had enraged the marquis, who threatened to sever their father-son ties. Yet as time passed, Yan Yunhe made a name for himself on the frontier, and the marquis relented. He sent several letters to the frontier, but Yan Yunhe refused to return.
It was only after the marquis passed away that Yan Yunhe finally made a trip back to the capital.
However, he stayed for a little over a month. During that time, Hongyun could clearly sense that Yan Yunhe had changed. That once carefree youth had been tempered into a sharp blade, his mere presence radiating an imposing aura.
She had heard the madam sigh and remark that Yan Yunhe resembled her grandfather. Even their temperaments were identical.
Madam Yan came from a distinguished family. Her grandfather had been a renowned general at the founding of the dynasty, and he had arranged her betrothal to the Marquis of Yong’an.
She knew her son had chosen a difficult path—one that would lead him through mountains of corpses and seas of blood,3 forcing him to endure countless slaughter and be tempered by endless suffering and solitude.
But someone had to lead troops into battle, defend the country and protect their home.
If Yan Yunhe possessed such talent, she wouldn’t stand in his way. She and the marquis were different in that regard. He didn’t understand why Yan Yunhe couldn’t be content with his lot, take a wife, have children, and live a peaceful, ordinary life.
Hongyun still remembered when Yan Yunhe first returned to the manor. He was unusually quiet and withdrawn, and had become fond of drinking. At night, no one was allowed in his room; he would sleep alone, clutching his sword in his arms.
Things gradually began to improve later on. The young master’s smile returned, and he would joke and chat with them, appearing to have reverted to his former self.
But Hongyun always felt that this supposed recovery was nothing more than a mask.
Unaware of Hongyun’s worries, Yan Yunhe selected a few accessories from his trunk. Traveling light didn’t mean neglecting one’s appearance.
He hadn’t arranged a meeting place with Yu Qin. When he rode his horse to the city gate, he found Yu Qin already waiting there. He was traveling light as well, riding a tall, black horse and wearing simple blue robes.
Yan Yunhe didn’t stop to greet him. He had nothing to say to this man.
Yu Qin trailed behind him, neither of them speaking along the way until they needed to rest for the night. It was then that they finally exchanged words and found themselves at odds.
“The relay station is meant for officials on business trips. Why not use it?” Yu Qin asked with dissatisfaction.
Yan Yunhe swung the jade pendant at his waist, adopting the petulant air of a pampered young master. “I insist on staying at an inn, and in the finest room, no less. If you don’t wish to join me, you’re welcome to spend the night at the relay station.”
No way. The relay station’s conditions were atrocious. Forget staying there—he had no intention of finding bugs in his dinner after a long, exhausting day of travel.
Yan Yunhe never made things difficult for himself. Even in a harsh place like the frontier, he would do everything possible to improve his living conditions.
Yu Qin’s brow furrowed deeper as he studied Yan Yunhe, estimating the likelihood of him sneaking away the next day.
Both of them had distinct roles, operating independently yet mutually restraining each other. Simply put, Yan Yunhe was responsible for leading the bandit suppression, while Yu Qin was in charge of supervising its execution. If Yan Yunhe were to ditch him and act alone, he wouldn’t be considered at fault, but it would constitute dereliction of duty on Yu Qin’s part.
Yan Yunhe didn’t bother to wait for his reply. With a flick his riding whip, he galloped off.
It wasn’t until they entered the town that he noticed Yu Qin following him closely. Yan Yunhe’s lips curved up without betraying any emotion.
The deep winter was bitterly cold at night. Yu Qin’s shoddy cultivation techniques had already damaged his body, resulting in his perpetually pale complexion. If he were to stay at a relay station in his state, Yan Yunhe wouldn’t even need to lift a finger. Yu Qin would likely freeze to death before dawn broke.
Yan Yunhe requested a room upstairs from the innkeeper, then turned to wait for Yu Qin to book his own room before they could have dinner.
To his surprise, Yu Qin asked for a room downstairs, right next to the communal sleeping area. With so many people coming and going and the poor soundproofing, at night the snoring would shake the heavens. How could anyone sleep through that?
Yan Yunhe leaned casually against the counter, his voice cool as he said, “Yu-gongzi, are you deliberately sleeping downstairs to keep watch over me? If you truly want to protect me, wouldn’t it be better to sleep in my room?”
The innkeeper couldn’t help but glance at the two gentlemen standing before the counter. They were indeed exceptionally handsome, truly dragons and phoenixes among men.4
Especially the one in blue—his features were stunning. In all his years of running this establishment, the innkeeper had never seen such a good-looking man. The moment he stepped into the inn, the voices in the hall quieted down. Many eyes, both openly and covertly, turned in his direction for a look.
And judging by what the young man in black had said, apparently this Yu fellow favored the company of men and was actually pursuing him?
The nosy innkeeper pricked up his ears, expecting them to say more, but Yu Qin didn't satisfy his curiosity. He pressed some silver on the counter and said, “A room downstairs.”
Just as the innkeeper reached for the meager amount of silver,5 someone slammed their hand on the counter and snatched it up.
With a dark expression, Yan Yunhe pulled out a silver ingot and said, “Two rooms upstairs.”
When they arrived at the inn, many people were stealing glances at Yu Qin. The innkeeper wasn’t the only one who had noticed. Yan Yunhe was more aware of it than anyone else.
He wasn’t blind, nor was he dead. How could he not sense it?
If those stares were arrows, Yu Qin would have been pierced through until he resembled a hedgehog.
And this guy wants to sleep downstairs? Sleep? He’s just waiting to be assaulted!
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