Song Yan rose together with Song Jue to see Ye Jingchuan off, not forgetting to request leave from his master: “If there’s anything that needs doing, wait until I return to instruct me. Don’t send my brother-in-law—he’s a complete bookworm who doesn’t understand anything.”
Yesterday on Mid-Autumn Festival evening when the incident occurred, not only did Li Er not flee, he kept rushing into the bookshop to move books out, saying “what a pity, what a pity,” until several strands of his hair got burned off. If Song Yan hadn’t been protecting Master Qingfeng as they escaped and then looked back to see Li Er was missing and pulled him out, he probably would have made several more trips into the blaze. Therefore, Song Yan found him utterly unreliable and deeply feared he would get his master into trouble.
Master Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively, quite unconcerned: “I know, I know. Go early and return early—I still have many books here waiting for you to help me organize.”
Master Qingfeng loved collecting books, and most of his rooms were filled with them in great disarray. Ordinarily he didn’t organize them, and only he and Song Yan could accurately find whatever book was needed. But now with the departure for Hubei approaching, they still needed to sort things out and pack them away properly to prevent insect damage. He didn’t trust others to handle it.
Song Yan agreed with a sound of acknowledgment and went out together with Song Jue. At the city gate, they happened to run into Shen Ya, the Prince Consort of the Eleventh Princess, who had come to see Ye Jingchuan off. Shen Ya didn’t feel at all disadvantaged calling Song Jue “uncle”—they were similar in age, and having higher seniority was just higher, nothing more. But each time he faced Song Yan, he could only open his mouth with great difficulty. Seeing Song Yan, he waved to him: “Yesterday I heard you also went to Vermilion Bird Avenue. Nothing happened to you, I hope?”
Song Yan turned in a circle for him to see, indicating he was perfectly fine. Seeing that Ye Jingchuan had finished bidding farewell to Ye Jingkuan, he stepped forward and called out “Second Brother Ye,” saying things like “be careful on the road” and asking him to take care of his health. He also gave him an extra sword as a gift: “This is something I obtained from my master. Take a look and see if it feels right in your hand. If it suits you, then keep it and use it.”
Nothing that came from Master Qingfeng’s hands was ordinary. When Ye Jingchuan drew the sword, his eyes immediately lit up. Smiling, he patted Song Yan’s shoulder and thanked him, then also instructed him to be careful on his journey to Shu, pointing at Ye Jingkuan: “If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to seek help from my elder brother—it’s the same as seeking me.”
Ye Jingkuan was amused and exasperated by this, thinking his brother was quite good at doing favors using him.
Naturally, the Princess Consort of Zhennan and the others couldn’t come from the manor, and the Prince of Zhennan had also gone to court for discussion and hadn’t yet left the palace. Ye Jingchuan cupped his hands toward everyone, feeling there was nothing more to entrust, then cast one more sweeping glance around the capital and pressed his lips together before turning and mounting his horse.
Zhou Weizhao was as usual already waiting for him outside the city—this person never liked crowds, and moreover, given his current status as heir apparent, coming openly to see off the legitimate second son of the Prince of Zhennan would indeed easily invite idle gossip. Ye Jingchuan’s lips curved slightly upward as he leaped down from his horse and threw a punch at Zhou Weizhao’s shoulder: “I thought you’d be tied up by yesterday’s incident and unable to get away.”
“These matters don’t fall under my purview anymore.” Zhou Weizhao wore a pea-green long robe today, the green dyed extremely light and pale, not appearing bright in the slightest, adding several degrees of plainness: “But as for you, you must be especially careful on this journey.”
He took a letter from Qing Zhuo’s hands and passed it to him: “Military Aide Wang is the biological father of that Young Master Wang from Jinling who stirred up trouble. After the incident with Young Master Wang, he actually already has some connection with Song Yan. This is a letter I’ve written to Military Aide Wang—take it along with you to give to him.”
Naturally, the Prince of Zhennan had already paved the way for Ye Jingchuan to enter Military Aide Wang’s forces, yet Zhou Weizhao still had him bring another letter. He couldn’t help but ask: “What, is this Military Aide Wang very difficult to serve?”
Zhou Weizhao smiled: “It’s not that he’s difficult to serve, just rather stubborn. Otherwise, with his abilities, despite his many enemy kills and accumulated military merits, he wouldn’t still only hold the position of Military Aide in Taizhou. Though this person has quite a temper, his capabilities are even greater. I needn’t tell you—you should already know that the troops he trains are exceptionally brave and fierce, with defeats that can be counted on one hand. When you arrive there, you must be able to endure the hardships.”
Ye Jingchuan was just about to respond when he heard a woman’s uniquely charming laugh from inside Zhou Weizhao’s carriage behind him: “Not only must you endure hardships—Military Aide Wang doesn’t keep idle people. Being able to endure hardships isn’t particularly useful; you must also be able to make yourself useful.”
Ye Jingchuan’s brows knit together, finding the voice somewhat familiar. Just as he was wondering who would come together with Zhou Weizhao, the carriage door had already opened. Qing Ying and Qing Tao leaped down first, then extended their hands to help someone descend.
But the first to descend wasn’t Song Chuyi—it was Lu Chonghua. She looked toward Zhou Weizhao, whose face showed complete astonishment, finding the refined and handsome young man’s dumbfounded appearance rather amusing, and so she actually laughed. Only then did she cough once and look toward him: “Military Aide Wang’s wife happens to be my second great-uncle’s grandmother’s daughter—my cousin aunt. Therefore, I have some understanding of this cousin uncle-in-law as well. It was Little Yi who specifically asked me to come give you a lesson.”
Song Chuyi smiled and nodded toward Ye Jingchuan: “Originally, Chonghua was supposed to depart for Zhangzhou today, but hearing me plead with her this way, she deliberately delayed two days before leaving.”
Lu Chonghua wasted no time and immediately began speaking about Military Aide Wang’s life history, going into such detail as to tell Ye Jingchuan about his personality and preferences: “Second Young Master Ye, please don’t think this is opportunistic maneuvering. Sometimes even if you have abilities, you must be able to display them properly. Though my cousin uncle-in-law can be considered impartially stern, the fact that he’s been able to stay in such a place for so long—saying he doesn’t know how to deal with people would be somewhat forced. With your status, going there will probably mean eating idle rice in the army. At such times, catering to preferences becomes very important. Only by being attentive can people know you’re truly there to seek advancement, not just to freeload, isn’t that right?”
Ye Jingchuan wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to others’ advice. Since Lu Chonghua was so familiar with Military Aide Wang’s preferences, he was naturally happy to listen, and even cupped his hands toward Lu Chonghua in thanks.
Lu Chonghua only mentioned the important points, clearly explaining all the matters requiring special attention, then smiled: “Cousin uncle-in-law appears upright and unable to bend, but actually he’s thoroughly perceptive. Otherwise, when the Prince tried to stuff people into his ranks, how could he have agreed? Since Second Young Master Ye has his own aspirations, that’s even better. I wish Second Young Master Ye success in establishing merit and fame on this journey, achieving renowned accomplishments.”
Lu Chonghua was truly skilled at speaking. Even though Ye Jingchuan’s mood wasn’t particularly good at present, he couldn’t help but smile and thank her. He handed the letter Zhou Weizhao had given him to Changxing to put away, then solemnly took his leave of the several of them.
Song Chuyi, who hadn’t spoken until now, tucked a strand of hair blown loose by the wind back behind her temple and said softly: “Speaking of which, on this journey you’ll be dealing with sea bandits and Japanese pirates. Courage is naturally important, but strategy is equally important. I have someone here—if there’s any use you can make of him, feel free to seek him out.”
Ye Jingchuan reached out to receive the paper Song Chuyi handed him. Looking at the name “Sun Ergou” written on it, he then inverted the envelope and shook out a jade token from inside. He raised his head to look at her with some disbelief.