Yummy Yummy Yummy

Although the battle with Zhao Wang's army had already begun at the front, life in Chang'an continued as usual.

The willow trees turned green, the grass grew fresh, and birds chirped noisily—spring had arrived once more. The nobility hosted banquets to admire the season, accompanied by music and the dances of beautiful women. Commoners dug wild vegetables to mix with meat fillings for fresh dumplings, enjoying spring plates and the tradition of "biting spring." The newly minted scholars, basking in their success, rode proudly through Chang'an. On the streets, young maidens in light spring robes cast flirtatious glances, leaving young men utterly captivated...

And this wasn’t even the Shangsi Festival yet—that would be even livelier.

The Imperial Guards could do little about it. Such was the way of the world, such were the customs. In truth, even the Imperial Guards, the patrolmen, and the ward officers had grown somewhat lax. Perhaps the fugitive had long since fled?

In a modest house in Shengping Ward, several attendants blocked the courtyard gate, clasping their hands in pleading. "Fourth Young Master, it’s best if you go out less. Though the inspections outside aren’t strict anymore, your Portrait Sketch is still posted at the street intersections."

Li Yu pointed at his face. "With how I look now, could anyone recognize me?"

The attendants exchanged uneasy glances at the sight of the sickly scholar before them—his sallow complexion, drooping brows, and unkempt beard. The Fourth Young Master had always prized his appearance, and now, to see him "defile" himself like this was truly pitiable. But still...

The leader among them spoke up, "Fourth Young Master, Captain Ren will return soon with news. Could you wait for him before going out?"

Li Yu grew even more displeased. "Ren Feng isn’t worthy of making me wait!"

Ren Feng had been stationed in Chang'an for years and had grown rather glib with words. But Li Yu wasn’t a fool—he could tell the man was Qiao Hai’s agent. His smooth-tongued evasions were even more irritating than Qiao Hai’s stubbornness.

Before the assassination attempt on the emperor, Qiao Hai had put on the act of a loyal minister, kowtowing solemnly to beg forgiveness and pleading with exaggerated emotion for Li Yu to lie low. He’d spouted nonsense about how the Fourth Young Master’s status was too precious, and if anything happened to him, Qiao Hai could never atone for it. Though Li Yu thought the old man was overly cautious, he’d softened and agreed to let Ren Feng escort him elsewhere to hide.

Later, when the assassination attempt actually failed, Li Yu couldn’t deny his shock—and he was indeed somewhat grateful to Qiao Hai. Thankfully, the old man had been shrewd and careful...

But now, trapped like a caged beast in this small house day after day, unable to see the light of day—and worse, not knowing when this ordeal would end—Li Yu was utterly restless. Ren Feng said the fighting had already begun at the front. Thinking of the imperial robes already prepared at home, would A Ye ascend the throne? To stabilize the people’s hearts, would he name the Third Young Master as crown prince? Or even release the Second Young Master? He’d always doted on the Second Young Master before...

The attendants couldn’t stop Li Yu from leaving.

To avoid drawing attention, he took only two personal guards—both brought from Zhao Wang’s residence, skilled in martial arts, taciturn, and utterly obedient to his commands. Walking the streets, Li Yu was nervous at first, but when they passed through the ward gate, the ward officer barely gave them a glance. They even encountered a few Imperial Guards along the way, yet nothing happened. His courage grew.

This wasn’t Li Yu’s first time venturing out. He knew there were two places to gather information: taverns and brothels. When men drank too much, with beauties in their arms, they’d say anything. Thinking of taverns reminded him of Shen’s Shop. Li Yu pressed his lips together and headed straight for Pingkang Ward.

Entering Pingkang Ward, the air was filled with music, and his eyes were met with silk-clad beauties. Li Yu relaxed—this was the life a man should live.Li Yu found an inconspicuous yet tastefully elegant courtyard and entered, taking a seat in a corner of the main hall. He ordered some fruit drinks and pastries while listening to a courtesan play the pipa and sing.

"...A single crimson bloom, dew-laden with fragrance, Yet clouds and rain over Witch's Mountain bring naught but heartache..." It was Li Bai's "Pure Serene Music."

When she finished, someone remarked, "Anything new? We're tired of hearing the same old tunes every day."

The courtesan gave a slight bow and smiled. "With the new scholars passing the imperial exams, this season usually brings many fresh lyrics. But this year's compositions—well, they're rather too vigorous, perhaps not suitable for gentlemen enjoying their wine."

Due to the battle with Zhao Wang, or perhaps because many scholars happened to be at Shen's Shop during the assassination attempt and the subsequent "Loyal Heart Banquet," this year's new graduates wrote fewer flowery, romantic verses and more impassioned, solemn ones. Such lyrics were hardly fitting for the occasion, and few could perform them well.

The courtesan smiled. "But I do have a new song here, said to be written by a famous northern courtesan for a young nobleman."

The guests laughed. "A tale of a beauty and her lord—perfect! Sing that one!"

The courtesan demurred, saying she hadn't practiced it enough and begged the gentlemen not to laugh at her.

"No laughing, no laughing! Just sing! Even if Lady Yun merely hums, it would sound sweet," one guest teased.

The courtesan playfully scoffed at him, adjusted her pipa, and began to sing.

"When the phoenix tree sheds its leaves, as you journey far..."

Li Yu's heart jolted.

"...The night banquet in Xianyang ends late, the painted screen hides spring slumber. Fresh traces of rouge on your sleeves, do you forget your old love's devotion?"

This was unmistakably the scene of his parting with Fengniang! Because her name meant "phoenix," her courtyard was called the Green Phoenix Tree Courtyard. When he left the northern capital, the phoenix tree was shedding its leaves, the autumn at its peak. After their tender farewell, she had urged him not to lose himself in the pleasures of Chang'an and forget her.

Li Yu grew tense. Was he overthinking this? Autumn and phoenix trees were common poetic themes, and women lamenting old loves weren't unusual. But wasn't this too coincidental? A famous northern courtesan...

If this was meant for him, who was behind it? Certainly not Fengniang. Could it be his family coming to fetch him? They knew his temperament best—in a place like this, a sentimental song would raise the least suspicion, and the lyrics were full of longing for his return.

But could it be a trap set by the Imperial Guards? How would they know he'd come here? Or about Fengniang and the Green Phoenix Tree Courtyard?

Li Yu turned the possibilities over in his mind, his heart pounding. He wanted to take the gamble but feared losing.

Meanwhile, the guests finished listening to the song and called for wine and dishes. Each with a companion at their side, they began drinking.

"With the war up north, who knows if we'll still enjoy such peaceful feasts in the future."

"Tch—no need to fret."

The worrier pressed, "I hear the northern capital's forces are formidable."

"So what if they are? Haven't you heard Zhao Wang is ill? Why else would they attempt to assassinate the Emperor if not for the throne? Zhao Wang is already old, and now with this illness—"

"How come I didn't hear about his illness?"

"You've been too busy doting on your new concubine. How would you know?"

Amid the laughter and banter, Li Yu hesitated. Uneasy, he moved to another courtyard with his two attendants. There, he heard the same "famous northern courtesan's" new song again—and confirmed once more the news of his father's illness.Li Yu couldn't wait any longer, so he called the singing girl into his room to perform for him slowly.

"I wonder who taught you this song? It seems to tell the story of a friend of mine."

"This ballad was taught to me by two young masters. They said their lady missed this gentleman dearly and sent someone to the capital to find him," the courtesan replied with a smile.

She knew full well that this so-called "friend" was likely the gentleman himself. Looking at the sickly man before her, she felt rather disappointed—she had expected someone more dashing. It just went to show that the poems and lyrics of scholars were best enjoyed in song, not taken seriously.

Li Yu frowned and asked, "Did they mention where they lived?"

"They said they were at Qingyun Temple in Changxing Ward."

Li Yu nodded, smiled, and had his attendant give the courtesan some silver before walking out with his hands behind his back.

The courtesan weighed the coins in her hand, recalling his smile and the grace of his movements—there was a certain charm to him. In a place like this, she had seen all sorts of strange people and things. With a shrug, she tucked the silver into her purse and went back to singing.

When Li Yu returned to his lodgings, Ren Feng was frantic with worry. Seeing him back safely, Ren finally relaxed and was about to admonish him when Li Yu cut in, "Why didn't you tell me my father is ill?"

Ren Feng forced a smile. "The news isn't confirmed yet. Telling the Fourth Young Master would only cause unnecessary worry."

Li Yu studied Ren's slick expression and suddenly wondered—could he be Third Brother's man? If I'm delayed here... But then he dismissed the thought. Old Qiao was wholly devoted to A Ye, and Third Brother and Qiao Hai... No, impossible.

Li Yu eased his expression and told Ren Feng about the day's events.

Ren frowned. Why hadn't they contacted him? Then it struck him—the former Zhao Wang residences had all been raided by the Imperial Guards. Now they were staying at his private residence. While the Imperial Guards couldn't find them, neither could Zhao Wang's people.

Listening to Li Yu, Ren felt the same mix of temptation and suspicion.

After a moment's thought, Ren said, "Don't rush, Fourth Young Master. Let me personally scout out this temple before we decide anything."

Li Yu smiled approvingly. "Then I'll trouble you, Captain Ren."

Ren Feng grinned inwardly—getting a pleasant look from this young master was no small feat.

The next day, Ren Feng went to investigate Qingyun Temple himself.

It was well past midday when he finally returned.

"Well?" Li Yu asked urgently. But seeing Ren's expression, his heart sank.

"It's a trap. There are Imperial Guards in disguise guarding the place. Luckily, I noticed in time and got away."

Li Yu frowned at him.

"Don't worry, Young Master. I wandered around and even stopped by the East Market before coming back. No one followed me."

Li Yu relaxed, though disappointment and suspicion lingered. How had the Imperial Guards learned of his affairs?

Suddenly, the clatter of weapons erupted outside. Before anyone in the room could react, the windows and doors burst open simultaneously as a group of Imperial Guards stormed in.

Ren Feng and the others tried to shield Li Yu and fight their way out, but through the broken window, Li Yu spotted the crossbowmen stationed on the surrounding walls.

With a resigned wave of his hand, Li Yu signaled surrender.

Qin Xiang stepped forward, smiling. "Fourth Young Master, will you come with this servant to the palace?"

Once Li Yu had been taken away, Qin Xiang exhaled in relief. While this had been Lord Lin of the Jingzhao Prefecture's clever scheme, the Imperial Guards hadn't bungled things at the critical moment. Tracking a spy for hours without losing him or being detected—no one but the Imperial Guards could have pulled that off.Lin Yan felt the same way. As he explained to Shen Shaoguang how they had used intelligence gathered from the Northern Capital and her "comfort zone" theory to lay traps in Pingkang Ward, how they had "startled the snake" at the Taoist temple, and the subsequent pursuit by the Imperial Guards, he remarked admiringly, "The tracking skills of the Imperial Guards are truly unmatched—the Capital Office can't compare." His tone carried a hint of envy.

Shen Shaoguang served him a bowl of spinach and egg drop soup, smiling faintly. "The Capital Office has its own advantages. Like those lyrics—they must have been quite moving to deceive Li Yu?"

The corners of Lin Yan's lips curled upward.

Shen Shaoguang waited expectantly for his explanation.

Lin Yan licked his lips and recited them to her.

Shen Shaoguang's expression darkened further. To think he could write such... suggestive verses...

Seeing her pursed lips and wide almond eyes glaring at him, Lin Yan found her utterly adorable.

"Lord Lin—"

Lin Yan reached out to touch her hair, chuckling softly. "You've never been jealous for me before. This feeling... it's quite wonderful..."

Shen Shaoguang tilted her head away from his hand, then pinched his arm in frustration.

Lin Yan laughed even harder. "I didn't write them. When would I have time for such things? A clerk named Qian from the Capital Office wrote them." That fellow was indeed... rather licentious.

Shen Shaoguang's expression softened slightly as she warned, "Remember this—once we're married, there will be no concubines, maidservants, singers, or dancers. Even when attending banquets, you must behave properly. Otherwise—"

Before she could think of a suitable threat, Lin Yan smiled gently and said, "Before meeting you, no one ever caught my eye. After meeting you, there's been no one else."

His expression turned solemn. "A Qi, there will be no 'otherwise.'"

Shen Shaoguang couldn't help but smile, her eyes crinkling as she added another spoonful of soup to his bowl. "This spinach is very tender. You should have more, my lord."

Lin Yan's eyebrow twitched slightly.

Shen Shaoguang looked at him suspiciously. "Are you picky? I always feel like you have some prejudice against spinach."

Author's note: "Before meeting you, no one ever caught my eye. After meeting you, there's been no one else." — Adapted from Mr. Qian Zhongshu's words to his wife, Ms. Yang Jiang.