Xiao Yan left quietly, and everyone thought he was still recuperating at Jiyun Alley. The palace’s supplements and rewards flowed into Jiyun Alley like a continuous stream, but for two or three consecutive days, it was Tang Ning who accepted them on his behalf.
Tang Ning stayed in the residence, pretending to care for “Xiao Yan” for three days. When his injuries allowed him to move slightly, she ordered for him to be carried in a sedan chair to the neighboring He Li Hall.
Yue Fengcheng had not seen Xiao Yan for several days. The night of the assassination attempt on the emperor had been too sudden, and he felt something was off. However, he had been assigned to investigate something else at the time, and when he returned, he learned of Xiao Yan’s severe injury.
He visited Tang’s residence, but was turned away. When he heard Xiao Yan had been moved to He Li Hall, Yue Fengcheng immediately rushed over.
"Yue Xiansheng."
Cang Lang blocked his path when he saw him outside the door. “The Commander is seriously injured, and the young lady is inside.”
Yue Fengcheng said, “I have something I wish to report to the Commander…”
“It’s better to wait a few days,” Cang Lang said with a bitter smile. “The Commander’s injury is severe. The other night, the young lady was deeply startled. I heard from Madam Qin that the Commander must rest quietly. The young lady has been watching over him these days, not allowing him to do anything.”
Yue Fengcheng, still holding his folding fan, furrowed his brows. “The Commander’s injury is that serious?”
“It’s very serious…”
Before Cang Lang could speak further, a voice came from inside. “Is that Wen An?”
Yue Fengcheng’s full name was Wen An.
Cang Lang quickly turned toward the room. “Commander, it’s Yue Xiansheng.”
“Let him in.”
Yue Fengcheng hurried into the inner room. Passing through the hallway, he entered Xiao Yan's quarters and saw Xiao Yan leaning casually against the bed, wearing simple attire.
The green gauze curtain hung half-lowered at the bed’s edge, obscuring most of his figure. However, through the gauze, his pale and weak face was still clearly visible.
The room’s lighting wasn’t very good. Xiao Yan coughed lightly. Tang Ning sat by the bed, holding a medicine bowl. The strong bitter smell of the medicine made Yue Fengcheng’s expression change slightly.
“Commander.”
“When did you return to the capital?” “Xiao Yan” asked.
“Just the night before last. I heard about your injury and was very worried,” Yue Fengcheng glanced at Tang Ning. “I wanted to visit you, but the Princess of Yiyang said you were seriously injured.”
Tang Ning seemingly didn’t notice the hidden meaning in Yue Fengcheng’s words and said directly, “It was I who stopped Yue Xiansheng from coming to see the Commander.”
“The other day, when the Commander just woke up, he was angered by the second young master of the Lu family and the fourth prince. Even though Madam Qin had already checked your injuries, those two physicians caused more trouble. Later that night, you ran a high fever, and Madam Qin barely managed to bring it down. When Yue Xiansheng came to look for you, I had the person block him.”
She blew gently on the medicine in the bowl.
“I asked Yue Xiansheng before. He said there was nothing important.”
Yue Fengcheng, looking into Tang Ning’s dark eyes, felt a momentary daze. He still remembered when he first met this young lady a few months ago. She had been like a bud on a branch, shy and delicate in her words and actions. But in just a few months, she had grown stronger, sharper, and more assertive.
“Yue Xiansheng?” Tang Ning furrowed her brows.
Yue Fengcheng quickly snapped out of his daze. “Indeed, there was nothing urgent, but the Commander’s injuries are the most important.”
Tang Ning nodded in satisfaction. After handing the medicine bowl to “Xiao Yan,” she said, “Madam Qin instructed that the Commander must rest in bed for a month, no less. His Majesty has granted permission for the Commander to recover in the residence. The Commander is not allowed to disregard the imperial decree.”
“Xiao Yan” helplessly held the bowl. “It’s not that serious…”
“Commander!”
Seeing Tang Ning’s brows furrow with anger, the person in the bed weakly compromised. “Alright, I will rest.”
Tang Ning smiled.
“Xiao Yan” finished the medicine in one go, but when he put the bowl down, he couldn’t help but cough a few times. Only after Tang Ning helped him regulate his breathing did it stabilize.
“Wen An, for the time being, stay in the capital and help Cang Lang with the matters at the Privy Council.”
“The case of the grain transport…”
“Don’t investigate it anymore.” “Xiao Yan’s” voice turned cold. “His Majesty has ordered Lu Zhao’s execution. The case ends with him.”
“But Commander, the Lu family is clearly involved in more than just Lu Zhao, and several other families are implicated as well…” Yue Fengcheng furrowed his brows.
“I know,” “Xiao Yan” responded. “But His Majesty has made his decision and does not want me to investigate further.”
Yue Fengcheng’s eyes flickered. He understood that His Majesty had plans to let the Lu family off the hook. Previously, when he knew that they were secretly investigating the grain transport case, His Majesty was dissatisfied with Xiao Yan. But now, Xiao Yan was saying he would drop the matter.
This was completely unlike the Xiao Yan he knew.
Yue Fengcheng tentatively asked, “His Majesty has always loathed the Lu family. Why would he suddenly protect them? Does the Lu family hold some kind of leverage over him?”
A moment of silence passed behind the curtain before a cold voice replied, “His Majesty is the ruler of the nation. How could he have any leverage?”
“But the Lu family…”
“The Lu family is just the Lu family. His Majesty’s intentions are difficult to fathom. Perhaps he has other plans for the noble families. Although it’s unfortunate to let the Lu family off the hook this time, I am only carrying out His Majesty’s will. Since His Majesty has decided to spare them, then the matter ends here. Recall all the secret agents and spies we sent to Jiangnan.”
Yue Fengcheng lowered his voice, “We can investigate privately…”
“No need. Recall them all.”
Seeing that Xiao Yan had already made up his mind, Yue Fengcheng said, “Alright, I’ll send a message to them shortly.”
Xiao Yan’s injury was serious, and after a few words, he looked weak and exhausted. When he started coughing again, Tang Ning frowned and suggested he rest. Yue Fengcheng then stepped out of the room.
Seeing Cang Lang waiting outside, Yue Fengcheng said, “The Commander’s injury is indeed serious.”
“Of course, those bastards in the Lu family, always using dirty tricks,” Cang Lang’s face was full of anger. “If the Commander hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve killed Lu Qin.”
Yue Fengcheng replied, “He has been exiled by His Majesty, which is well-deserved. But this time, the Lu family’s matter is truly regrettable. Without the grain transport case, it will be difficult to catch them again.”
Cang Lang grumbled, “It’s all the Emperor’s fault. I don’t know what’s going on with His Majesty, suddenly deciding to protect the Lu family. If we had known this was how it would end, we wouldn’t have spent so much effort. The Commander almost lost his life over this matter!”
Yue Fengcheng appeared to be casually talking, but his gaze remained on Cang Lang’s face. He knew that Cang Lang was always straightforward and couldn’t hide his emotions, unlike Jin Yun, who was difficult to read. Cang Lang was clearly upset and confused about His Majesty’s decision.
Yue Fengcheng finally felt reassured.
It seemed Xiao Yan really didn’t intend to continue investigating the grain transport case, nor had he delved into why His Majesty was letting the Lu family off the hook.
Once Yue Fengcheng relaxed, he said, “The Emperor’s mind is hard to understand. It’s best to speak less about it. Be careful, the walls have ears.”
Cang Lang mumbled a few complaints but didn’t say anything further.
You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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