AYM Chapter 94

Yan Yihuan looked at Ming Zhang standing before him in confusion. Why was he here in the royal bedchamber so early in the morning?

 

“Brother Ming Zhang, where is His Majesty?”

 

“There has been far too much state business piling up lately. His Majesty is discussing important matters with Grand Chancellor Cui. He probably won’t be back until dark.” Ming Zhang’s eyes curved as he smiled, the same obvious indulgence as always hidden within it. “The moment you open your eyes, you’re already looking for His Majesty. Does His Majesty really treat you that well?”

 

Inside the bedchamber, Yan Yihuan felt completely at ease. Seeing Ming Zhang’s long unseen expression again, warmth spread through him, and he smiled as well.

 

“Yes, very well. That’s why I feel confused too.”

 

“Oh? What is there to be confused about?”

 

“Brother Ming Zhang.” A trace of expectation appeared on Yan Yihuan’s face. “I usually confide in my second brother, but I’ve kept the things between me and His Majesty a secret from him. I want to tell him, but I don’t dare to.

 

“Ever since the journey to the capital, I felt you were like an older brother to me. The difference is you’re not overly serious like my eldest brother, nor are you like my second brother, who always makes me want to punch him. I just thought it would be nice to have an older brother like you, Brother Ming Zhang.”

 

“Tsk. Saying such sweet words for no reason. What do you want?”

 

Yan Yihuan chuckled. The morning light reflected in his eyes, making them as clear as amber. “Since I can’t openly discuss my affairs with His Majesty with my family, and it’s not appropriate to ask His Majesty directly, only Brother Ming Zhang, who knows the truth, can clear up my confusion.”

 

Yan Yihuan had originally wanted to ask what Ming Zhang thought about His Majesty treating him so well. But after turning the words over in his mind again, he hesitated when they reached his lips. After mumbling a few times, he swallowed them back down.

 

Ever since these events happened, Yan Yihuan had also sensed a subtle change in his relationship with Ming Zhang. Although he did not know the reason, it was no longer the same as before, when there had been no barriers between them at all.

 

Or perhaps it was simply unease in his heart. He always felt a kind of dread, as though if things continued this way, something would happen. In the end, he merely shook his head and said, “Actually, he’s not that good. He only knows how to order me around.”

 

“You’ve learned to lie to me now?”

 

Although his tone sounded teasing and relaxed, Yan Yihuan’s heart jolted, and even his face turned pale. “Brother Ming Zhang, what are you talking about? Why would I lie to you?”

 

“And you say you’re not?” Ming Zhang suddenly bent closer and reached out to hook a finger into Yan Yihuan’s collar before quickly withdrawing it again. “Don’t tell me the Son of Heaven’s bedchamber has so many mosquitoes that they bit your whole body red with marks.”

 

Yan Yihuan froze for a moment, looking down to see the marks clearly visible under his loose collar. Before he could raise a hand to straighten his clothes, Ming Zhang had already done it for him, tidying them neatly as he said calmly,

 

“I could already tell he’s treating you very well.”

 

“Oh right, Brother Ming Zhang. His Majesty is discussing state affairs today, so why didn’t you go?”

 

Unwilling to continue discussing the matter, Yan Yihuan hurriedly changed the subject, but Ming Zhang replied,

 

“What they are discussing today is about King Qin’s army having already crossed the river. It’s about war. I am merely a Grand Secretary. How could I possibly involve myself in everything?”

 

He spoke as though it were casual conversation, light and easy, yet Yan Yihuan instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He stared blankly upward. Although he desperately wanted to ask whether his father and brother were also involved, he forced himself to hold back.

 

“I-Is that so? Then have they been stopped?”

 

“This…” Ming Zhang, who rarely hesitated, stopped and started, worry clouding his expression. As though he had finally made up his mind, he slowly said, “King Qin’s forces’ southward advance went as smoothly as though entering unopposed territory. If this continues, they may reach the city closest to the capital in less than half a month. That is why His Majesty is so anxious, even secretly summoning Grand Chancellor Cui first thing this morning.”

 

“Is King Qin really that formidable…?” Yan Yihuan murmured. Although he didn’t ask aloud, seeing Ming Zhang’s expression, he already understood most of it in his heart. His father and brothers were certainly among them.

 

“Actually, although King Qin’s troops have always been brave and skilled in battle, their speed this time is mainly thanks to the vanguard’s ferocity.”

 

“Brother Jing’s riding and archery were outstanding ever since childhood.” Yan Yihuan forced a smile onto his face, though he had no idea how unnatural his expression looked. “He was good at military strategy too. The elders praised him often when we were young.”

 

“It is not the Qin heir.” Ming Zhang also seemed unable to maintain his deliberately relaxed manner any longer. Under Yan Yihuan’s horrified gaze, he let out a deep sigh. “It is the heir of King Yan, Yan Zheng.”

 

The moment the surname “Yan” entered his ears, Yan Yihuan’s eyes widened abruptly. Yet no matter how hard he tried, his gaze seemed unable to focus. Everywhere he looked spun around him.

 

He suddenly lowered his head and covered his eyes with both hands, unwilling to let Ming Zhang see the loss of composure he could barely maintain. Yan Yihuan trembled. He did not understand why, despite being in the heat of summer, waves of coldness kept spreading from deep within him.

 

“Eldest Brother…” Yan Yihuan murmured. His worst fear had come true. His Majesty had probably known long ago yet still indulged him here, so carefree and thoughtless, never letting him see the slightest hint of anything amiss.

 

Could it really be as His Majesty had said? Even if the entire Yan family rebelled, he would still protect him?

 

But this was treason, a monstrous crime punishable by the execution of nine generations of one’s family[mfn]诛连九族 – Nine familial exterminations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_familial_exterminations)[/mfn]!

 

Whether the final outcome would be the Yan family’s blood staining the long streets, or His Majesty being overthrown and slain by rebels, either possibility was as painful to him as having flesh carved from his heart.

 

“What is it?” Ming Zhang’s worried and puzzled voice sounded beside him as a hand rested on his shoulder. “They’ve been fighting for so long already. Has His Majesty really never told you?”

 

Afraid that the moment he spoke he would break into sobs, Yan Yihuan did not even lift his head and merely shook it.

 

“He truly never told you? Then you definitely do not know about Yan Rong either.”

 

“Second Brother?!” Yan Yihuan looked up in shock. His reddened eyes could no longer hold back the tears brimming with anxiety, and a large tear rolled down his cheek. “My second brother only does business. Like me, he has never involved himself in these matters. What could possibly have happened to him?!”

 

“This…” Ming Zhang frowned deeply as he wiped away Yan Yihuan’s tears. “It should not have been my place to say anything, but just now you said you regarded me as an older brother, and I too think of you as a younger brother. How could I bear to let you remain kept in the dark?”

 

“Brother Ming Zhang!” Yan Yihuan grabbed tightly onto Ming Zhang’s sleeve. “Things have already come to this, so I will tell you the truth as well. In fact, I was long mentally prepared for my father and eldest brother aiding evil forces, but my second brother is innocent. Please, tell me quickly what happened to him!”

 

“When he entered the capital last time, he met several times with Song Qingyan of the Court of Judicial Review. That alone already aroused His Majesty’s suspicions, so agents from Youluo Jian were secretly sent to monitor him.”

 

Yan Yihuan instantly held his breath. He had never expected Song Qingyan to become implicated as well. Although he desperately wanted to explain, he still restrained himself and continued listening to Ming Zhang.

 

“It is a grave taboo for the son of a feudal king to associate frequently with a court official. However, Song Qingyan’s rank was low, so it was only routine surveillance at first. At most, it would have ended after a month. But unexpectedly, after Yan Rong returned to Linjing, he remained unusually active, and in the end, a secret letter was intercepted.”

 

All color had drained from Yan Yihuan’s face by now, and his lips trembled uncontrollably. “That secret letter… was it meant for my father and eldest brother?”

 

Ming Zhang let out a soft sigh upon hearing this. “Exactly so. Which is why Yan Rong is not in Linjing at the moment. In truth, he is very close to you.”

 

What?!

 

Yan Yihuan nearly forgot how to breathe. He stared fixedly at Ming Zhang’s moving lips. The voice by his ear sounded both near and impossibly distant, unreal beyond belief.

 

“Yan Rong is in the palace right now. He… has been imprisoned in the imperial prison.”

 

The author has something to say:

Regarding Ming Zhang’s role: Since this story is probably not far from ending, so at this point in the plot, his role as the “antagonist” is very important. He is also part of the side CP.

 

Thank you all for supporting the story until now!