They had arrived so quickly.
Ye Xian closed his eyes to think for a moment, then immediately smiled and said: “Have your men guard this place. Since the Minister has come from afar, I should personally welcome him.”
He glanced back at the warm yellow light filtering through the window lattice, where Gu Jin Chao was having her evening meal.
He vaguely experienced a strange feeling—as if Gu Jin Chao would be waiting for him to return, the two of them harmoniously together.
Turning his head back, he strode toward the hall, inwardly mocking himself—after all, Gu Jin Chao belonged to someone else, and she wasn’t waiting for him.
The autumn night air was heavy with dew. The main gate of the Marquis’s mansion creaked open, and a cold wind arose.
Chen Yan Yun walked in wearing his usual cloak over his crimson second-rank official robes. Chang Hai wore an imperial-bestowed flying fish robe, standing behind Chen Yan Yun with a smiling face. Numerous guards and officials poured in, quickly positioning themselves around the hall, making Ye Xian frown.
Chen Yan Yun had brought so many people—if he suddenly turned hostile, Ye Xian’s men might not be enough.
Chang Hai smiled first: “Since the Young Master hasn’t retired for the night, we shouldn’t be considered intruders!”
Ye Xian completely ignored him, looking coldly at Chen Yan Yun.
Chang Hai felt somewhat awkward, but fortunately, he was always a carefree person who never cared about such things.
He and the Marquis of Changxing were old acquaintances, but this heir was simply too arrogant. No one could please him. Fortunately, he was just an heir—if he were someone else, such a temperament would have been enough to kill him hundreds of times in officialdom.
Chen Yan Yun, however, smiled: “Even if the Young Master dislikes us, surely you can offer a cup of clear tea?”
…He could still smile! Ye Xian felt even more uncomfortable seeing Chen Yan Yun’s calm demeanor. But thinking about it, she was just a woman after all. Would Chen Yan Yun ever lack women? With Gu Jin Chao missing, what did he have to be sad about?
Ye Xian finally smiled: “Of course, tea will be served. I was just thinking that since you two have come from afar, and brought so many people, I was wondering if I should immediately summon the Iron Cavalry Camp, lest a fight breaks out and I don’t have any help. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”
Chen Yan Yun looked at him and said softly: “How could that happen? Since the Young Master has committed no crimes, why worry that we would take action?”
Ye Xian then led them into the hall, and servants quickly brought in the finest Hanyang Cloud Mist tea.
Chang Hai then said: “We haven’t come to your residence without reason. A group of bandits has entered the capital. These people are extremely vicious, having committed over ten murders in Baodi. Someone saw the bandits heading toward Yuliu Alley, so we brought soldiers to investigate. We hope the Young Master can cooperate. We’ll leave after searching! If we discover any suspicious individuals, they must be arrested immediately.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xian sneered.
“Is my Marquis of Changxing’s mansion somewhere you can search whenever you please? Two years ago, would you, Duke Zheng, have dared to challenge the Marquis of Changxing? The Marquis’s mansion is heavily guarded; no one could break in. There’s no need for you to trouble yourselves with a search.” He took something from his sleeve and handed it to his guard at his side. “Summon three thousand elite troops, and have Deputy General Feng bring more heavy forces.”
“Young Master Ye, why must you be so confrontational! We are on official duty, protecting the peace of the common people. This is the capital region—if you summon troops into the city, won’t that disturb the citizens?” Chang Hai became somewhat angry. His Duke Zheng’s household might not match the Marquis of Changxing’s, but he was a proper Duke. Ye Xian, a young man who hadn’t yet inherited his title, dared to speak to him this way.
Ye Xian smiled faintly: “What does Duke Zheng mean by that? You come to search my Marquis’s mansion in the middle of the night, and that’s not disturbing? Outside, everything is in chaos, the outer city of Beijing has been sealed—isn’t that disturbing the people?”
Chang Hai couldn’t help but angrily retort: “We are trying to capture bandits. May I ask, Young Master, how are you disturbing the people?”
Chen Yan Yun pressed Chang Hai’s hand. He looked up at Ye Xian.
Strike at the vital point—no one could win an argument with Ye Xian.
They had searched Jiuchun District. These people’s movements were very unusual. Through small clues, he had quickly found the bandits’ hideout, but these people were too clever and skilled in martial arts. After sensing danger, they tried to escape by climbing over walls. Several were shot dead on the spot, but a few actually escaped and were now being pursued. Inside the house, Cai Fu and Mama Song were still tied up, but there was no sign of Gu Jin Chao.
Chen Yan Yun personally interrogated the two captured men. They were extremely stubborn, and only after Chen Yan Yun used severe torture when they were at death’s door, did they confess. Chen Yan Yun learned they had come to the capital to seek someone, though they couldn’t clearly state exactly who, only saying it was a young master, and that their leader had connections with this young master’s subordinate.
Chen Yan Yun immediately judged this person to be Ye Xian.
Jin Chao might be with Ye Xian.
After he brought troops to surround the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion and saw the tight security, with Ye Xian coming out to greet him without any surprise, he became even more certain.
The angrier he became, the calmer his mind grew.
Chen Yan Yun then slowly said: “Young Master, don’t be angry. I have interrogated those bandits. They came to the capital seeking advancement. Even if the Young Master obstructs our search, that’s fine, and naturally, there’s nothing wrong with summoning the Iron Cavalry Camp. But if you were misunderstood as being in league with criminals, conspiring with bandits for-profit and murder, that charge would be too serious… Don’t you agree, Young Master?”
Chen San wanted to pin the bandits’ crimes on him. How convenient.
Ye Xian said indifferently: “Minister Chen is making quite an accusation! I can’t bear such a burden. I wonder if Minister Chen has heard a saying: Food can be eaten carelessly, but words cannot be spoken recklessly.”
Chen Yan Yun looked directly at him, his tone gentle: “I have confessions and evidence in hand. Young Master, don’t be too willful. The Marquis of Changxing’s household can’t afford any missteps from you now, don’t you think? You probably also know what my true purpose is. If you return what belongs to others, I will leave with my men immediately. If you remain so stubborn…” Only then did he smile. “Young Master should know that my methods are often not very honorable. How many of your father’s weaknesses are in my hands—I don’t need to tell you, do I?”
Ye Xian was silenced by him and looked at Chen Yan Yun in silence.
Chen Yan Yun, however, picked up his teacup and drank a sip of tea, expressionless.
His eyelids lowered, revealing nothing. But Ye Xian knew that Third Master Chen was famous for his good temperament—if he had started threatening people, it meant he was extremely angry inside.
Ye Xian didn’t want to return Gu Jin Chao to Chen Yan Yun because he felt Chen Yan Yun still didn’t value her enough. He understood clearly—if Chen Yan Yun didn’t value her, he wouldn’t have revealed so many of his cards to save her, which would only invite suspicion from the ambitious.
He sighed lightly. Let it be. He was going to return her anyway. He stood up and said to Third Master Chen, “Have them all withdraw, and I’ll bring the person out.”
Ye Xian added, “The matter of these bandits has nothing to do with me. I’ve already captured that person; you can take him back for questioning.” He nodded to Chang Hai. “Duke Zheng, follow me to get the person!”
Ye Xian’s sudden softening of attitude surprised Chang Hai, who had thought they would be at an impasse until dawn.
Third Master Chen merely smiled, “Thank you, Young Master.”
…
Gu Jin Chao put on her cloak, wore a hat, and followed Li Xian Huai who walked ahead. Li Xian Huai only told her to follow, without saying where they were going. The night was so deep, with only stone lamps lit along the path. They passed through the moon gate, and no one stopped them.
Li Xian Huai halted in front of the hall, which was brightly lit.
Gu Jin Chao saw many black shadows around, wearing official uniforms with embroidered spring knives—they must be government troops.
She still felt uneasy. What were these people doing here so late at night? What did Ye Xian intend to do?
She hadn’t rested properly for days and was extremely tired, but her mind kept thinking. She needed to ensure she was in an advantageous position.
Li Xian Huai stopped. “Madam, please go in. Someone is waiting for you inside.” He stepped aside.
Who could be inside?
Gu Jin Chao hesitated before walking forward. Just as she crossed the threshold, she saw a familiar back—tall and so familiar. In the flickering candlelight, she thought she was mistaken and didn’t dare approach, freezing in place.
But Third Master Chen turned around and walked toward her, coming closer and closer, then taking her into his embrace, stroking her hair and sighing: “Have you gone silly? Seeing me renders you speechless?”
Gu Jin Chao smelled the gentle sandalwood scent on him and felt her eyes grow hot. She tightly embraced his solid waist.
“Yan Yun…” She buried her head in his chest, saying something softly.
Her voice was too muffled for him to hear what she said. But holding this recovered Jin Chao, he couldn’t bear to question her about anything, only softly comforting her: “It’s all right now. I’m here. Everything is fine.”
Waves of fatigue washed over her, and Gu Jin Chao almost couldn’t stand. Third Master Chen led her to sit down, still holding her, and she nestled in his arms. She never knew she could cry so much—tears fell uncontrollably, faster than he could wipe them away.
Seeing her cry like this, Third Master Chen felt even worse. He comforted her: “Jin Chao, this isn’t the place to talk. Let me carry you to the carriage.” Gu Jin Chao wiped her tears with her sleeve and shook her head.
But Third Master Chen simply lifted her, covering her completely with a cloak.
Gu Jin Chao was lifted into the air, unable to see anything. She could only grip his clothes tightly until she was set down.
Inside the carriage, a stove was burning, making it very warm.
She pushed aside the cloak and sat up in his arms, accidentally touching his face—his chin had rough stubble.
He must have had a difficult time these past few days…
Gu Jin Chao leaned against his chest, hearing his somewhat rapid breathing, feeling even more distressed.
Third Master Chen’s arms held her tightly. After a while, he finally asked: “Jin Chao… did these people mistreat you?”
Gu Jin Chao shook her head.
Only then did Third Master Chen relax, holding her bandaged hand. “Then how did your hand get injured?”
Such a small injury wasn’t worth mentioning. Gu Jin Chao thought of something and sat up anxiously, whispering: “Third Master, after being kidnapped like this, my reputation surely can’t be preserved… You…”
“I know everything,” he gently interrupted her. “I’ve kept it from the Chen family, and these bandits will be eliminated. No one will know.” He stroked Jin Chao’s hair. “Don’t worry.”