But regardless, Wen Yu’s life was safe and sound, and he had also safely transported Prince Jing’an’s body back.

Although there was some delay in timing, the impact wasn’t very significant.

So—After a long silence, Old General Wen sighed and said, “Forget it. Don’t delve deeply into this matter for now. Afterward, I’ll have people thoroughly investigate. We’ll discuss it again once we’re certain! Right now, the most important thing is to properly arrange Prince Jing’an’s body. The Emperor has ordered that Prince Jing’an be buried in the imperial mausoleum with the rites of a grand funeral. So many court officials will be quite busy during this period with many matters to handle, and thus some things will have to be set aside.” He looked at Wen Yu again. “But since you did delay the timing this time, tomorrow you must personally enter the palace to ask the Emperor for forgiveness.”

Wen Yu asked, “Then Father, should I tell the complete truth? Or?”

“Of course tell the complete truth! After all, Yi Weian knows about it. If you don’t say it, he will. It’s better to speak truthfully—the Emperor won’t blame you.”

“Yes!”

Old General Wen stood up, then remembered something else. “By the way, in a few days it will be Minister Li of Ning’an Manor’s sixtieth birthday. I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend. You two brothers should go in my place and prepare a generous gift.”

“Yes!” Wen Che and Wen Yu both acknowledged.

This discussion thus concluded, but Wen Yu seemed to still have something on his mind. So just as Wen Che had returned to his courtyard, he followed right behind, sitting down inside the room and ordering someone to brew a pot of tea.

After all these days of travel and toil, he hadn’t yet had a single sip of tea in peace.

“You still have something on your mind?” Wen Che asked him.

Wen Yu let out a heavy sigh and said, “Brother, this matter… we’re just letting it go like this?”

“What matter?”

“The Su family matter.”

Wen Che’s gaze sharpened as he told him, “A’Yu, Father just said not to bring it up again. He’ll find a way to thoroughly investigate it himself.”

“But…”

“Enough, stop worrying about it. Now that you’ve returned to the capital, even if that person from the Su family wants to do something more, it’s impossible.”

“I just can’t accept it!” Wen Yu had been attacked multiple times and nearly lost his life. How could he swallow this grudge in silence? Wen Che understood his feelings, but Father had given instructions, and he never would—nor dared—to disobey. His voice grew somber, then he picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea, consoling him, “In any case, Father will handle this matter properly. Tomorrow after you go to the palace to ask forgiveness, we’ll talk more.”

Wen Yu drank the tea in one gulp without speaking.

“Go back and rest first. Don’t think about other matters.”

“Mm.” Wen Yu nodded, preparing to leave, then remembered something. His brows furrowed deeply as he said, “By the way, when we go to Ning’an Manor to celebrate Minister Li’s birthday this time, the Su family… should also be going, right?”

“Most likely.”

Wen Yu made up his mind. Wen Che saw through his thoughts and reminded him, “Don’t think about causing trouble. That’s Ning’an Manor. The people attending will all be famous figures from the martial world, plus many important court ministers. Even if you’re angry inside, you must endure it. Moreover, don’t directly clash with that person from the Su family.” Minister Li of Ning’an Manor was a great personage. When he served as an official in the court, he was deeply valued by both the late Emperor and the current Emperor. All the civil and military officials greatly respected him. After retiring from court, his students and protégés were everywhere. It was clear his sixtieth birthday would be extraordinarily lively.

Therefore, if Wen Yu wanted to make trouble with Su Ziluo, it would be equivalent to making an enemy of Minister Li. The Wen family would then be surrounded on all sides.

Wen Yu was deeply aware of this point.

He said, “I know the proper limits. I won’t act recklessly.”

“That’s good then!”

Wen Yu was also tired from the journey and didn’t discuss further before leaving.

Just as he left, Shu Tian returned.

Reporting the situation, he said, “Young Master, Miss Ji’s arrangements are all settled. The courtyard is quite clean—we tidied it all up once over. We also left maids there to serve her. There shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Wen Che acknowledged with a sound, then asked, “What about Luo Yang?”

“That brat just grumbled a few words, but otherwise he’s fine. Actually, Young Master has already treated him quite well. If it were anyone else, they would have killed him long ago. Where would they keep him here?”

“Although he kidnapped A’Yu and truly deserved to die, if it weren’t for him, you and A’Yu wouldn’t have escaped danger on that boat, and Prince Jing’an’s body might have already been soaked beyond recognition. So helping him is only proper,” Wen Che said.

Shu Tian asked, “Then what position will Young Master promise him? He has neither learning nor ability—just a glib tongue and a bit of cleverness. Such a person probably can’t do anything, and later… he might even cause trouble for you, Young Master.”

This was indeed a headache-inducing problem.

Wen Che thought it over repeatedly but couldn’t find a suitable position for Luo Yang.

That kind of person—no good at scholarly pursuits, no good at martial arts, and full of roguish air—probably wouldn’t be suitable for any position.

After a moment, he said, “Forget it. In a few days we need to go to Ning’an Manor to celebrate Minister Li’s birthday. We’ll discuss this matter afterward. Just let him stay peacefully for now, with good food and drink to attend to him.”

“Yes!” Shu Tian added, “Just now this subordinate inquired and learned that Second Master is currently at Ning’an Manor. They say he’s been there for some time, likely also to celebrate Minister Li’s birthday.”

“Oh? Uncle has already returned to the capital?”

“Yes!”

Wen Che pondered for a moment, then instructed, “Then do this—when we go to Ning’an Manor this time, bring Miss Ji along as well. Uncle will be there anyway. Otherwise, who knows how long Uncle will stay in the capital? We must seize the opportunity for him to treat Miss Ji.”

Shu Tian was shocked. “Bring Miss Ji along? This is probably…”

“No matter. After all, it’s Minister Li’s birthday—one more person just makes it livelier. Go make the arrangements and inform Miss Ji first.”

“Yes!”

Shu Tian took the order and left without further disturbance.

Wen Che sat for a while, contemplating many matters at length, before finally going to rest. The next day, Wen Yu changed into his official robes and entered the palace early to personally ask the Emperor for forgiveness. He truthfully recounted everything he encountered on the journey without daring to conceal anything. Therefore, the Emperor did not pursue the matter and even praised him, also instructing him to take good care of himself.

Thus, his merit offset his fault—no reward but also no punishment.

Wen Yu had already anticipated this result. Fortunately, the Emperor didn’t punish him, so this could be considered a close call without real danger.

Afterward, he left the palace.

But not long after he departed, someone brought news that the Emperor had issued an order granting Yi Weian permission to remain in the capital, and because he had promptly transported Prince Jing’an’s body to its destination, he was given rewards.

He was granted a residence and appointed to the Ministry of War.

Actually, this was also within expectations.

Now Yi Weian had achieved his wish. His calculations hadn’t been in vain. But such a person had excessive ambition, and having guarded Lingtang Prefecture for ten years, the integrity and aspirations in his heart were difficult to express. He would likely try every means to climb upward… Therefore, the Wen family must firmly grasp this chess piece to avoid making an enemy of him in the future!