Lin Yan was unable to return home that night. Senior ministers of the court braved the night curfew to enter the palace, where the emperor and his officials held an emergency council regarding Zhao Wang's treason case—both to brief the situation and to discuss countermeasures.
The Northern Capital was a crucial military stronghold, bordering several Protectorate Generals to the north and the Three Towns of Hebei to the east. Having long governed the Northern Capital and commanded military forces, Zhao Wang was now confirmed to have colluded with foreign tribes. If he raised an army, war could engulf half of the northern territories.
Yet the situation wasn't entirely hopeless.
Zhao Wang was elderly and had suffered from respiratory illness in recent years. Of his four sons: the eldest legitimate son had died in a riding accident; the second son was imprisoned for "insubordination"; the third was weak and incompetent, uninvolved in military affairs; while the fourth—Li Yu, now hiding in an unknown location—was born of a favored concubine and deeply cherished.
The Hedong forces were ultimately imperial troops, not unwaveringly loyal to Zhao Wang. Near the Northern Capital stood the imperial Wild Goose Gate Army and Army Within the Passes. Capturing Li Yu could unsettle Zhao Wang's mind, while driving wedges between him and his subordinate forces. Securing the Three Towns of Hebei would enable a three-pronged encirclement by imperial forces, making victory achievable.
The ministers debated strategies with remarkable unity. Under other circumstances, peace advocates might have emerged, but this was regicide and treason—none dared suggest reconciliation now. Their sole focus was crushing Zhao Wang completely. Ironically, Li Yu had shown more foresight here—his annual gifts to capital nobles and officials proved utterly useless.
The council lasted until midnight. While broad strategies and military deployments were settled, finer details would wait until morning—several elder ministers simply couldn't endure further exhaustion.
When the emergency session concluded past midnight, only two hours remained before morning court. Though the emperor offered side chambers for the elderly ministers to rest, they ultimately retired with younger officials like Lin Yan to the ministerial quarters within the palace grounds.
Walking through the palace corridors, Lin Yan occasionally steadied Li Xiang on steps. Li Yue grasped his hand firmly—a silent exchange conveying everything between them.
The next morning brought fresh upheavals at court.
But these events barely concerned Shen Shaoguang. As a tavern proprietress—one whose establishment had hosted a criminal incident—her duties involved cooperating with authorities and cleaning up the mess.
Surveying shattered tables, screens, porcelain shards, and her injured waiter, Shen Shaoguang smiled bitterly. At least no serious casualties occurred among staff or innocent patrons—especially the scholars who needed to take exams soon.
She feared this incident doomed her carefully planned Cauldron Blessing Banquet meant to last "generations." The inauspicious start created psychological barriers—who'd participate next year?
Shao Jie disagreed: "This is merit for saving the emperor! You should've told me yesterday—I'd have stayed to help." His voice brimmed with fervor.Given the previous kidnapping incident, Lin Yan had initially opposed Shen Shaoguang's appearance at the East Market tavern yesterday. However, Shen Shaoguang felt she had been involved in the matter all along, and as the proprietor, her absence might arouse suspicion. So she went but left early. Before departing, hoping to save whoever she could, she invited Shao Jie under the pretext of discussing important matters.
Later, when Shao Jie learned the truth, he could only lament his missed opportunity.
As it turned out, Shao Jie wasn’t the only one.
Seeing Shen Ji open for business, with the owner, managers, servers, cooks, and other staff bustling about cleaning up, and with the capital’s constables present, some of yesterday’s patrons came to inquire. News of Zhao Wang’s treachery had spread throughout the city. Those who had been "present at the scene" were initially bewildered, then fearful. But once the dust settled, with the Imperial Guards conducting searches and the city abuzz with discussion, many scholars grew excited instead.
Standing amid the wreckage of the tavern, right where the incident had unfolded the day before, they analyzed Zhao Wang’s sinister ambitions and next steps, debated the distribution of troops near the northern capital, speculated on who might lead the imperial campaign, and strategized in detail. Their scholarly fervor was wholly devoted to the realm—pledging to serve the people and ease the emperor’s burdens.
At the height of their passion, someone called for ink and brush, demanding to draft a proclamation of war on the spot.
Another shouted for wine, as if smashing the cup afterward would signify his enlistment.
The young mistress of Shen Ji Tavern was a clever one. She provided ink when asked, wine when demanded, and, crucially, spoke fitting words: "It is precisely because of noble gentlemen like you, who worry for the nation and forget their homes, that we common folk can live in peace."
The Confucian scholars’ ultimate ideal was devotion to country and people. Shen Shaoguang’s words struck a chord, further igniting their fervor. Several composed poems on the spot, and they all agreed to reunite here next year, regardless of whether they passed the imperial exams.
"Though we may never become high ministers, as scholars, 'to serve with loyal hearts and care for the nation as our own' is a duty we dare not forget," declared one scholar.
Thus, they resolved to rename the Cauldron Blessing Banquet as the Loyal Heart Banquet.
Shen Shaoguang clapped her hands. "A splendid change!"
When Shao Jie returned from the market office and saw the scene, he too was swept up in the fervor. Later, in private, he teased Shen Shaoguang, "What did I tell you? You, a little girl, just don’t understand us men."
Shen Shaoguang: "…"
Unbeknownst to them, during the palace examination following the Ministry of Rites’ tests, the emperor would set the current northern campaign as the essay topic. Thanks to today’s events, many of the scholars gathered here would excel. Though the banquet had changed its name, it gained depth and lore, and just as Shen Shaoguang had hoped, it became an annual tradition—a must-attend event for scholars before the imperial exams.
While Shen Shaoguang endured Shao Jie’s teasing, Lin Yan praised her lavishly.
The Imperial Guards’ raid on Zhao Wang’s estate lasted a night and half a day. Though several suspects were captured, interrogation revealed none were Li Yu. The hunt for him would now rely on wanted posters.
A citywide manhunt required the cooperation of neighborhood guards and constables—a matter for the capital prefecture.
Given Li Yu’s importance, Qin Xiang personally liaised with the capital prefecture on the matter.Looking at Li Yu's portrait sketch, Lin Yan frowned slightly. The image depicted a handsome young man with striking peach blossom eyes, along with details such as his age of twenty-four, height of seven feet, and a date-sized vermilion birthmark behind his ear. At this time, many wanted posters featured similar sketches—some even less detailed than this one. Such images could be used for general screening, but relying on them to quickly locate someone in a vast sea of people was exceedingly difficult.
Lin Yan suddenly recalled Shen Shaoguang's remarkably accurate drawings. "Young Lady Shen has met Li Yu before. She's always meticulous and might remember additional details. Moreover, she excels at drawing. General, you could send someone to ask her."
Hearing him speak so familiarly and without reservation, Qin Xiang raised an eyebrow.
Lin Yan smiled. "Young Lady Shen is my betrothed."
"In that case, I should go myself," Qin Xiang replied, graciously accommodating Lin Yan.
"I'll accompany you, General."
Despite his inner anxiety, Qin Xiang couldn't help but chuckle—ah, these young men...
No sooner had she bid farewell to the concerned scholars than Shen Shaoguang found herself welcoming the Imperial Guards commander and the Deputy Chief of the Capital. She greeted them with a bow, stealing a glance at Lin Yan. His eyes were slightly sunken, and stubble had begun to shadow his face—the unmistakable look of an overworked official burning the midnight oil. Yet, his youth and good looks lent him a rugged, almost roguish charm—or perhaps sensuality.
Lin Yan simply gazed at her tenderly.
"Ahem—" Qin Xiang cleared his throat.
Shen Shaoguang turned her smile to Qin Xiang. During her years as a palace maid, she had only seen this high-ranking military official twice. Now, outside the palace, their encounters had become more frequent. There were many formidable rumors about General Qin, but in person, he seemed rather amiable.
Qin Xiang stated his purpose. "Lord Lin mentioned that you are observant and skilled in drawing. We were wondering if you could assist us by creating a portrait of Li Yu."
Shen Shaoguang was somewhat surprised that Li Yu had managed to evade capture—he hadn't struck her as particularly sharp or cautious. Then again, she reconsidered, his status likely afforded him protection. Lord Qiao would undoubtedly ensure his safety no matter what.
"At your command, General, I dare not refuse. Please wait a moment," Shen Shaoguang replied earnestly.
Shen Shaoguang had studied portrait sketching in her past life. While her skills weren't exceptional—had she set up a street stall in modern times, she might have earned fifty yuan a day at ten yuan per drawing—they were more than sufficient for a wanted poster. In fact, the result was almost startlingly impressive.
Qin Xiang was astonished. "How did you manage to capture such a striking likeness?" With a drawing like this, even if Li Yu disguised himself, sharp-eyed investigators would recognize him. The portrait was simply outstanding!
Shen Shaoguang hesitated to explain it was a skill from her previous life and instead offered a dry chuckle. "Perhaps... it's just attention to detail?"
Lin Yan shot her a reproachful look—teasing again!—but couldn't suppress a smile.
Qin Xiang hadn't intended to pry; his question was merely an expression of admiration. Noticing how she echoed Lord Lin's words and the silent exchange between the two, he inwardly clicked his tongue. Young people these days...
Once the lighthearted moment passed, Qin Xiang asked Shen Shaoguang if she remembered anything else.Shen Shaoguang said, "I've heard of a term called 'comfort zone'—people always tend to stay where they feel safe and at ease. I've interacted with that Li Silang twice. From what I can tell, he's outwardly clever, somewhat arrogant, and likely grew up spoiled. People like him, when faced with danger, cling especially close to home. Even if he has multiple false identities and could blend into the crowd, I suspect he'd still choose to hide somewhere connected to the Zhao Wang residence—a villa, a shop, or even a servant's home."
Thinking of Li Yu's hook-like peach-blossom eyes, Shen Shaoguang felt he might have another psychological comfort zone. "Li Silang seems—somewhat of a libertine," she said, blushing slightly after living in this era long enough to feel shy as a woman discussing such matters. "Perhaps the General and Lord Lin could have someone investigate pleasure quarters. In such places, he might actually feel safer."
Qin Xiang grew even more astonished and laughed in admiration. "Young Lady, you have the air of an old hand in criminal investigations. If you were a man, I'd surely recommend you to the Dali Temple or the Ministry of Justice. In truth, our Imperial Guards are also sorely lacking talents like you." He even shook his head regretfully.
Shen Shaoguang thanked him, while Lin Yan smiled subtly—though restrained, Qin Xiang could detect a hint of shared pride.
Yet Qin Xiang felt some sympathy for him. You're so pleased now, but if you ever harbor ulterior motives in the future, with such a wife, hiding them won't be easy... Then again, perhaps not. Qin Xiang recalled that beautifully executed ambush. These two were well-matched opponents. Suddenly, he remembered Han Shilang, who had recently been mocked by the emperor for being chased out of his home by his wife wielding a wooden staff. He wondered what it would look like if Shen Xiao Niangzi chased Lord Lin with a staff?
Someone arrived to report matters, interrupting Qin Xiang's "delightful imaginings." He smiled at Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang. "I have matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you further."
Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang saw him off. Shen Shaoguang said, "In the next couple of days, I'll send over a few more sketches."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Young Lady." Qin Xiang bid them farewell again and rode off with his men.
Lin Yan also had a pile of tasks and couldn't stay long. He gazed at Shen Shaoguang with a smile, and she squinted her smiling eyes back at him. Some people—just looking at them fills your heart with joy. Of course, doing something more would be even better.
Lin Yan said softly, "I must go. Take care of yourself. Don't find it troublesome to bring attendants when you go out. Some villains' hearts are unfathomable—you must guard against them acting in desperation." When planning this operation, Lin Yan had insisted on assigning Zhou Kui and a few other skilled guards to Shen Shaoguang.
Shen Shaoguang nodded obediently, then stepped closer, squinting as she whispered with a grin, "Yan Lang—say something sweet to me?"
Lin Yan was reminded of the fox that had escaped during the hunt. That fox probably looked just like this when small birds or animals wandered into its trap.
Yet Lin Yan was willing to be that small bird or animal. After a moment's thought, he lightly licked his lips and murmured, "My A Qi—is the finest young lady in all the world."
This time, Shen Shaoguang grinned like a fox that had just feasted on chicken.
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