Chapter 50
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At the entrance of Marquis An Nan’s residence, everyone made sure to carry out their duties properly.
“Lord Marquis, rest assured, I have arranged the matter of retrieving the dowry,” Madam Ru handed a list to the steward in the residence.
The steward, someone trusted by Madam Ru, took the list and approached Marquis An Nan for instructions. “My Lord, the Young Lady has been married for over three years. It may not be possible to recover everything listed on this document.”
Marquis An Nan, mindful of his reputation, couldn’t afford to make things too ugly. He said, “We’ll see when the time comes…”
“I believe the Ying family won’t make things difficult. After all, returning the dowry when the marriage ends is a well-established rule. Otherwise, it would be their family losing face,” Lin Qingyang’s voice suddenly came from behind.
As soon as Madam Ru heard Lin Qingyang’s voice, she felt a headache coming on. When she turned around, not only did she see Nanny Ding standing behind Lin Qingyang, but there were also six people dressed as martial artists.
Marquis An Nan also looked at Lin Qingyang with confusion.
Lin Qingyang stepped forward and said, “Father, these are my newly hired helpers. They are strong and detail-oriented. Let them assist. Moving Eldest sister’s dowry, the people Aunt Ru sent would need to make several trips to get it all done.”
Marquis An Nan was momentarily stunned, looking at the group of people. Except for one woman among them, the others had arms thicker than the legs of ordinary servants, indeed possessing considerable strength. He asked, “Why did you hire so many helpers again?”
“No choice, I’ve been encountering bad people lately, and I don’t feel secure. ” Lin Qingyang smiled and waved his hand.
Nanny Ding respectfully stepped forward, holding a list in her hand. “Back when the Young Lady got married, all the dowry passed through the hands of this old servant. It would be better if this old servant went. After all, some precious things are treasures of the County Princess. It wouldn’t be good if they were mistakenly taken.”
This was obviously directed at the Ying family, and Madam Ru’s face flushed.
Marquis An Nan didn’t have any objections and said, “Alright, you know better. You go.”
Madam Ru finally couldn’t hold back her anger. “Isn’t that just causing trouble for Nanny Ding?”
“Naturally, it won’t be troublesome. This old servant is delighted and full of energy.” Nanny Ding smiled, her expression both sly and inscrutable. No one was foolish enough not to understand the underlying meaning. Whether the Ying family concealed some items or the steward peeled off a layer for Madam Ru, it was hard to say. Even if those things weren’t missing, letting bad people gain an advantage was nauseating.
Without waiting for Madam Ru to speak, Nanny Ding bowed to Marquis An Nan and left confidently with her entourage. The people from Marquis An Nan’s residence followed behind like dejected chicks.
Lin Qingyang chuckled and then turned to go to his mother’s side. Lin Qinglan was naturally accompanying her. After receiving the divorce letter, Lin Qinglan’s whole demeanor changed. It was as if the dark clouds that had obscured the stars in the sky had finally moved away, revealing a glimmer of light.
“Everyone went?” County Princess Yawen asked when she saw Lin Qingyang return looking relaxed.
Lin Qingyang nodded.
“You really are a little fox. How do you understand those matters in the inner courtyard? You even think in the same way as Nanny Ding,” County Princess Yawen laughed.
Lin Qinglan also looked at him curiously.
Lin Qingyang couldn’t say that he had read a lot of ancient novels before. He had absorbed some similar plotlines, more or less.
“The Ying family can cause so much trouble, always giving the impression that they are capable of such things. It’s better to be cautious,” Lin Qingyang said casually.
“Oh, by the way, why did you bring a group of martial artists to pay us a visit just now? Did you hire them specifically to retrieve the dowry?” Lin Qinglan asked, puzzled.
Lin Qingyang’s face changed slightly, and he spoke slowly, “They are not martial artists; they are skilled escorts from a security agency.”
The expressions of the two opposite her changed at this explanation.
Lin Qingyang explained further, “Five days ago, I communicated with someone in Jiangnan.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the two changed.
“I told eldest cousin and little uncle that I needed some capable assistance here, and they quickly replied, saying they would send these people to help. They run a security agency business in Jiangnan, so they have plenty of skilled personnel,” Lin Qingyang explained.
“Why… why did you bother them? They are already struggling over there. We can’t offer much help…” County Princess Yawen spoke, her eyes turning red.
Lin Qinglan’s face was even paler.
“In fact, I’ve troubled them before to find something for me. They… are doing fine, and they are more than willing to help us. Mother, do you understand? They are very willing,” Lin Qingyang added.
Originally, they were close relatives, but due to a disaster that separated them geographically, the Jiangnan feared causing trouble for the capital and thus refrained from contacting too often. On the other hand, the capital felt guilty for being unable to help the Jiangnan, so they hesitated to make contact. Both sides believed that the other was facing difficult times and were reluctant to burden each other. However, there was a lingering concern and a desire to re-establish contact.
Lin Qingyang unreasonably demanded gifts once, and they went all out to fulfill the request. It was evident that they cared deeply for each other. The original body didn’t know how to appreciate this, but Lin Qingyang, upon receiving a inkstone, immediately had Shuncai prepare the best and latest jewelry in the capital to send back to the female members of the Liu family in Jiangnan.
With this back-and-forth, the contact was reestablished. Whether it was about Lin Qinglan or the matter of the addictive substance, Lin Qingyang no longer trusted the people in the Marquis An Nan’s residence. Therefore, he urgently needed capable individuals around him who could assist when needed. So, he sought help from those who genuinely treated them well.
At that time, Lin Qingyang had not anticipated the connection between her eldest cousin and eldest sister. Now, with her eldest cousin sending people to help retrieve the dowry, even Lin Qingyang himself found it a bit strange.
After listening to Lin Qingyang’s words, County Princess Yawen could no longer hold back her tears. “They are suffering, yet still thinking of us. Chen’er is like the eldest brother. He’s outstanding and capable since childhood. With him around, I’m sure he can take good care of his sister-in-law and the others. It’s all my fault for being useless and making them worry.”
Lin Qinglan, with red eyes, hurriedly comforted her mother and then looked at Lin Qingyang, struggling to find words. Lin Qingyang naturally understood her feelings, but this was truly unexpected.
Clearing his throat, Lin Qingyang said, “Mother, don’t be like this. Although they can’t come to the capital, sending people they trust to check on us shows their concern. When mother’s health improves, we can find time to visit them in Jiangnan.”
Although Lin Qingyang was not optimistic about County Princess Yawen’s condition, he still believed that having more motivation to live, focusing on reasons beyond one’s own illness could bring an additional layer of hope for survival.
Hearing Lin Qingyang’s words, County Princess Yawen couldn’t help but say, “I also… miss them very much.”
Lin Qingyang smiled and took out a letter from his pocket, placing it in his mother’s hands. “This is the letter they brought when they came. It’s from Aunt-in-law to you.”
County Princess Yawen’s eyes lit up. While scolding Lin Qingyang for not showing it earlier, she eagerly opened the letter.
The content of the letter was simple. It briefly mentioned their situation in Jiangnan, reassuring County Princess Yawen not to worry. It also inquired about their situation in the capital. It mentioned that the eldest cousin was engaged in business everywhere, the little uncle was obsessed with martial arts, and despite both being over twenty, neither showed any inclination to marry. This caused some concern for the eldest cousin’s mother. They hoped that when County Princess Yawen replied, she could help scold them a bit. They always listened to County Princess Yawen’s words.
County Princess Yawen looked at the letter, feeling a mix of tears and laughter as she reminisced about the past, recalling moments with Lin Qinglan.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyang was reading a book in the outer room, still engrossed in the book Chu Lishu had sent the night before. Until lunchtime, the three of them had their meal in County Princess Yawen’s quarters.
Lin Qingyang occasionally glanced outside. County Princess Yawen thought he was worried about the dowry and assured him it wouldn’t happen so soon.
Lin Qingyang awkwardly smiled. In reality, he was wondering why Chu Lishu hadn’t returned yet. He had instructed Shuncai to keep an eye on the main entrance and report any news, but there was still no word.
Chu Lishu had left early in the morning, and by midday, he hadn’t returned or sent any message. Where could he be?
At this moment, Chu Lishu was knocking on the gate of a residence.
The gatekeeper came to open the door, looking at him with curiosity.
Chu Lishu respectfully bowed, “I am a student from the Imperial Academy, Chu Lishu. I have an appointment with Mr. Cao and have come to deliver a book. Please inform him on my behalf.”
The gatekeeper hurriedly returned the gesture and ran inside.
Mr. Cao, at this time, was deep in thought in his study, holding a small jade gourd pendant.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Mr. Cao acknowledged it, and the steward walked into the room. “Sir, there is a young scholar outside who claims to be Chu Lishu, a student from the Imperial Academy. He says he has an appointment with you to deliver a book.”
Mr. Cao was momentarily taken aback.
The steward asked, “Shall I send him away?” Most scholars wanted to get close, especially now that Mr. Cao had significant influence regarding matters related to entering the palace for a study companion position. However, not many dared to come directly to him, as it was widely known that Mr. Cao disliked being disturbed.
After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Cao raised his hand and said, “Invite him in.”
The steward was quite surprised but turned around to escort the visitor into the room.
Soon, Chu Lishu was brought into the room.
“Mr. Cao,” Chu Lishu bowed.
“When did I make an appointment with you?” Mr. Cao was filled with doubts, so he cut to the chase.
Chu Lishu didn’t say much. Instead, he directly took out three books from his book bag. However, the text on them was not in the language of the Great Zhou Dynasty but in that of the Tianheng Kingdom.
The Tianheng Kingdom was the greatest adversary of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the country that had dealt a severe blow to Yuan Ran three years ago.
Seeing the three books, memories immediately flooded back to Mr. Cao. It took him back to the scene three years ago, just before the Crown Prince set out for war, where they bid farewell under the plum blossom tree.
Back then, the young prince was full of spirit, shining brightly like the morning star in the sky, as if he could lead the Great Zhou Dynasty towards the brightest future.
“Sir, you’ve always expressed a liking for the lengthy historical novels from Tianheng Kingdom. This time, returning from the campaign, I brought you a few rare books as a birthday gift. How about that?”
“As long as His Highness returns safely, it will be the greatest gift for this old servant.”
Mr. Cao still vaguely remembered the moment when he said those words. The Crown Prince and the confident smiles of the young men behind him, as if they were just going to engage in the easiest battle. But, in the end, they never returned.
Trembling, Mr. Cao reached for the three books and looked up at Chu Lishu. “Who… who are you?”
“The items, did you retrieve them?” Chu Lishu replied with another question.
Almost instantly, Mr. Cao recalled the jade gourd pendant. Unable to resist, he took it out and carefully examined it, his eyes showing signs of shock. “Were you intentionally leading me to East Market’s Tongfang Bookstore?”
Chu Lishu had mentioned that he found the prince’s discourse on flood management at a Tongfang Bookstore in East Market. Nostalgic, Mr. Cao couldn’t resist seeking it out. During the reception process, he discovered that a laborer at the bookstore had a jade gourd hanging from his waist—remarkably similar to the gift he had given to the crown prince years ago. Excited, Mr. Cao questioned the laborer.
The laborer claimed that he won the jade gourd in a gambling game, and Mr. Cao had no choice but to purchase it.
While it was not the same as the one he crafted years ago, and the quality was far inferior, the appearance was identical. However, this seemed impossible because Mr. Cao personally carved the original jade gourd.
“This jade gourd is also your creation. Why? What…. is your relationship with the Crown Prince?” Mr. Cao’s excited gaze changed.
Chu Lishu looked at the emotionally stirred Mr. Cao, his eyes showing little fluctuation. “Upholding justice, diligent in governance, treating the people like his own children. Sir, the student fears he has failed the trust placed upon him.”
Mr. Cao’s eyes widened in an instant.
‘Upholding justice, diligent in governance, treating the people like his own children’ were the words he engraved on the base of the gourd.
“You… you are…”
Chu Lishu performed a gesture, somewhat different from usual.
This was a semi-gesture. Currently, only the emperor and the Crown Prince could perform such a gesture towards their teachers. In the past, Yuan Ran had always paid his respects to Mr. Cao in this manner.
“Plop,” the elderly man, advanced in age, knelt straight down in front of the young man.
Even with drastically altered features, even with a changed status, even with… the most unbelievable circumstances.
Even as Chu Lishu lowered his head, Mr. Cao, still trembling, kowtowed, performing a grand ceremony.
“Old servant… greets the Crown Prince, greets… greets the Crown Prince…” The aged voice carried a tone of sorrow, as if pulling everything back to three years ago.
Chu Lishu slowly closed his eyes, feeling no bitterness anymore.
Mr. Cao, on his knees, approached Chu Lishu, reaching out with trembling hands to grasp the hem of his clothes. It was as if he feared that the person before his eyes was a mere illusion. Tears streamed down the old man’s face as he choked out, “Your Highness, Your Highness, you have suffered.”
Chu Lishu helped him up. “Teacher, I am now a person without status. There is no need for you to kneel before me.”
“In the eyes of this old servant, you will forever be the most esteemed Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
“Teacher, do you not blame me for bringing calamity to the Great Zhou?”
“This old servant does not believe!” Mr. Cao, still supported by Chu Lishu, sat down but continued to hold his hand. “This old servant does not believe those pieces of evidence. I only believe in Your Highness. Your Highness is my student, and I know your nature better than anyone else. I only know that Your Highness must have suffered a lot, endured many hardships, to become…”
Mr. Cao looked at the face that bore little resemblance to Yuan Ran, truly affected.
Chu Lishu touched his own face. “It’s my master’s Tianxuan Pill.”
Mr. Cao might not know what the Tianxuan Pill was, but he was aware of the kind of person Chu Lishu referred to as his master—an outsider, a highly cultivated individual who, guided by destiny, came to the imperial palace to take the Crown Prince as his disciple, imparting martial arts and some mystical arts. Mr. Cao had some interactions with this person, who always carried some strange things. If he said that a drug capable of changing a person’s appearance came from his hands, Mr. Cao wouldn’t find it hard to believe.
“Your Highness, why didn’t you reveal your identity sooner?” Mr. Cao had just asked the question but then answered it himself, “Well, considering Your Highness has experienced great hardships, you naturally cannot easily trust anyone. I suppose I, too, had to pass Your Highness’s test to be recognized.”
Chu Lishu did not conceal anything, sharing his experiences at the Imperial Academy and his intentions with Mr. Cao. His departure this morning was to confirm whether the two chess pieces he had set in motion were effective.
“I prepared things in advance that could make people doubt my identity. I intentionally lost to two individuals—one is a laborer that you might encounter, and I gave him a replica of the jade gourd you once gifted me. The other is a gambling man who often pawns items at the Cheng Pawnshop, and I gave him a replica of the jade finger protector Cheng’s family gave me.”
“Your Highness, you didn’t disappoint me. You only bought the jade gourd, and the laborer is still doing well. No one has investigated the bookstore.”
Cao Lao immediately understood that the second faction that Chu Lishu wanted to test was Cheng’s family.
“What about Cheng’s family?”
“The person who went to pawn the item was arrested the next day. The Imperial Guards secretly investigated the gambling den the gambler frequents. However, they probably quickly realized that the jade finger protector had differences from the original. In the end, they treated it as a coincidence and let it go.”
Mr. Cao’s expression was unpleasant. “The Cheng family reported directly to the emperor.” The Golden Armored Army, the emperor’s private guards.
Although on the surface, the emperor might be lenient towards Crown Prince Yuan Ran, everyone knew deep down that as long as Crown Prince Yuan Ran was alive, the emperor would never let him set foot in the imperial palace alive. The Cheng family was one of the four major families and the maternal family of empress Cheng. As the current crown prince’s maternal relatives, how could they not be aware of the intricacies involved?
Yet, they chose to directly report to the emperor, aligning themselves with him, seeking Crown Prince Yuan Ran’s life.
“Why would they do this?!” Mr. Cao exclaimed in agitation.
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