AYM Chapter 55

Xu Xinyao froze for a moment, then gave a faint smile.

 

“When Lord Ming suddenly stepped out earlier, I already had my suspicions. As expected of someone from the capital.”

 

“To my knowledge, the eldest son of the Yan family is only engaged, and the second son remains unmarried. As for Yan Yihuan, being the youngest, there’s no need to rush, let alone…”

 

“Let alone that our Xu family is merely a family of merchants?” Xu Xinyao’s eyes flickered slightly, a trace of proud triumph in his gaze as he looked at Ming Zhang.

 

“This marriage was proposed by the Residence of King Yan, not by us. It came by the parents’ will and the matchmaker’s word.”

 

Ming Zhang let out a quiet laugh. He could tell Xu Xinyao had taken him as a rival, but what surprised him was that the proposal had actually come from the Residence of King Yan.

 

In reality, whether Yan Yihuan was serving as an official or held in the capital as a hostage, the Residence of King Yan should not have acted so rashly. It did not align with King Yan’s usual calm and steady way of handling things.

 

Seeing Ming Zhang fall silent, Xu Xinyao felt a ripple of satisfaction, 

 

“The crown prince[mfn]t/n: Should be referring to the Crown Prince of Yan, Yan Zheng, Yan Yihuan’s eldest brother.[/mfn] and I were classmates, and are good friends. So Yihuan and I have known each other since we were young, naturally our bond runs deep.”

 

“For his sake, and for yours, I advise you not to mention this matter to Yihuan during this visit.” Yan Yihuan would be coming back anytime soon, Ming Zhang had on a serious face, his tone steady and sincere, “As for the reason behind this, I can’t tell you just yet.”

 

Hearing this, Xu Xinyao’s expression darkened at once. “The elders of both families have already reached an agreement, and the date of the engagement has been set. I came this time not only to see Yihuan, but also to inform him of this.” 

 

Footsteps sounded from outside, and Xu Xinyao cut off Ming Zhang just as he was about to speak,

 

“We both know why Yihuan was summoned to the capital. His thoughts are simple, and staying here will do him no good. If you truly care about him, you should let go sooner rather than later.”

 

Ming Zhang rubbed his forehead with a faint smile and shook his head lightly,

 

“I’m willing to advise you because I also respect Elder Xu very much. Whether you listen or not is up to you.” Saying that, Ming Zhang turned his head and called out, “You’re back?”

 

As soon as Yan Yihuan came in, he sensed that the atmosphere wasn’t quite right. He figured it was probably because the two of them weren’t familiar with each other, and things had naturally turned awkward once he stepped out. So he tried even harder to ease the tension between them. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Yan Yihuan asked Xu Xinyao, 

 

“Brother Xu, where are you staying during your visit to the capital?”

 

“At the inn next to this restaurant.”

 

“My father told me to treat you well. How could I possibly let you stay at an inn?” Yan Yihuan patted his chest, “I have a house near the main street. You should stay with me.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, one face lit up with delight, while the other was filled with helplessness.

 

Unable to hold back, Ming Zhang poked Yan Yihuan under the table with his finger, cutting off his cheerful chatter. Yan Yihuan looked at Ming Zhang in mild surprise, as if suddenly remembering something, and choked mid-sentence. Then he blinked at him, giving a meaningful look.

 

Seeing the exchange between the two, Xu Xinyao felt a stab of jealousy. Afraid that Yan Yihuan might change his mind, he quickly said,

 

“In that case, I can’t refuse Yihuan’s kind invitation. I must go take a look no matter what.”

 

By the end of the meal, each of them had their own thoughts. Only Yan Yihuan was completely satisfied. As soon as the three of them stepped out of the restaurant, he urged Xu Xinyao to go back to the inn, pack a few things, and come with him.

 

The moment Xu Xinyao’s figure disappeared from sight, the smile that had been plastered on Yan Yihuan’s face vanished. He immediately put on a pitiful look and grabbed Ming Zhang’s sleeve,

 

“Ming Zhang ge, I know that house is just something His Majesty had me keep up appearances with, but if you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, Big Brother Xu won’t know either.”

 

“You think that’s why I stopped you?” Ming Zhang raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the inn. “Then tell me, why must you insist on inviting him to your place?”

 

“This…” Yan Yihuan hesitated, a faint sorrow and helplessness flashing through his eyes. “Big Brother Xu will be leaving in a few days. When he tells his family that I’m living outside the palace, they won’t worry too much.”

 

As he spoke, Yan Yihuan glanced around, then tugged Ming Zhang closer and whispered in his ear, “After all, my family mustn’t suspect anything about my relationship with His Majesty.”

 

Ming Zhang’s eyes widened at once. He looked at the embarrassed Yan Yihuan, whose cheeks had turned bright red all the way to his ears.

 

“You actually know everything.” Yan Yihuan pouted, “Han Zhen knows too. I’ve known all along.”

 

“I really underestimated you,” Ming Zhang chuckled, unable to resist pinching his flushed cheek, “But have you thought about what His Majesty will think if you let another man stay there?”

 

“He’s like my brother, and it’s only for one night. Just don’t tell His Majesty, all right?” Yan Yihuan pleaded earnestly, glancing nervously over his shoulder, “Please, help me explain it to Brother Han too.”

 

“You’re asking us to commit a crime of deceiving the emperor,” Ming Zhang clicked his tongue. “If His Majesty decides not to punish you but comes after us instead, what are we supposed to do?”

 

“How could that be!” Yan Yihuan said with certainty. “His Majesty treats you differently from everyone else, Ming Zhang ge. I’ve noticed it long ago.”

 

“Differently, huh…?” Ming Zhang glanced toward the inn, then turned his hand to clasp Yan Yihuan’s, which had been holding onto his sleeve. “Then you’d better pray for your own good fortune.”

 

Inside the inn, Xu Xinyao could already see from afar Yan Yihuan talking to Ming Zhang with a flushed face. Ming Zhang had clearly seen him earlier, yet had deliberately taken Yihuan’s hand.

 

Although Yan Yihuan had been playful back when he was in Linjing, Xu Xinyao knew he was simple-minded, merely seeking a bit of fun. But this Ming Zhang, just one look at him and you could see his scheming nature. He must have tricked Yihuan.

 

Yan Yihuan was still wondering why Ming Zhang suddenly held his hand when he turned and spotted Xu Xinyao.

 

“Big Brother Xu, my place is along the main street in the direction of the palace. The street’s lively and bustling. How about we walk there instead of taking a carriage?”

 

When Xu Xinyao nodded, Yan Yihuan beamed and turned around to bid Ming Zhang farewell. But to his surprise, Ming Zhang had already taken a few steps forward and turned back to look at them, his expression clearly telling them to follow him.

 

“Ming Zhang ge, you’re coming too?”

 

“You think I want to?” Ming Zhang couldn’t help reaching back to knock lightly on Yan Yihuan’s head. “I’m already busy enough as it is. I’m only doing this for the two of you.”

 

Although Xu Xinyao probably wouldn’t appreciate the favor, for the sake of the bigger picture, Ming Zhang couldn’t allow the two to spend the night alone together. It would only invite unnecessary trouble at a time like this. As he strolled behind them, Ming Zhang seemed to sense something and suddenly slowed his pace. A few strides later, someone drew level with him.

 

“Han Zhen, you don’t trust me?”

 

Dusk was falling, and the shops lining the main street had already hung their lanterns. The warm yellow light flickered in Ming Zhang’s eyes, making Han Zhen pause for a moment before shaking his head, 

 

“No, Lord Ming, you’re busy with official matters. I can go with them instead.”

 

Ming Zhang chuckled softly and shook his head, “The Ming family survived that chaos back then only because of Elder Xu’s help. And besides, Xu Xinyao really is just a merchant. I’m trying to find a way to send him back to Linjing soon, before things get too entangled.”

 

Han Zhen nodded. He seemed to want to say more, yet couldn’t find the words. Ming Zhang sensed his hesitation, lifted his chin slightly, and looked at him,

 

“What is it?”

 

He saw the previously calm Han Zhen suddenly open his eyes wide in shock.

 

“… That’s His Majesty?!”

 

The startled whisper made Ming Zhang snap his head around. Following Han Zhen’s gaze forward, he saw someone standing in front of Yan Yihuan and Xu Xinyao. Although dressed only in a dark-blue silk robe and with his hair tied up by a simple gilded crown, what looked most out of place was the small pack of pastries from Xipingzhai that the emperor held in his hand.

 

It was clearly an ordinary outfit, yet he exuded such innate nobility that one could hardly look away. And yet, to stare too long felt almost like an act of disrespect. People nearby had already begun whispering among themselves, wondering which noble household’s young master he was.

 

“Yihuan, what a coincidence.” The newcomer was clearly smiling as he looked at him, yet Xu Xinyao felt as though an invisible hand had closed around his heart, and even the air around him had turned cold.

 

“And who might this be? Won’t you introduce us?”