[Hetu] [Heavenly Demon] [Episode 2] Chapter 6

Chapter Six: The Imperial Capital

As the very heart of the empire, the towering city walls and opulent mansions

exuded an aura of distinction, day and night. Even late at night, the city was ablaze with lights. Brothels

were practically ablaze with light, filled with the sounds of debauchery, while wealthy households hung lanterns everywhere. In the darkness

, the ancient city shone brightly, the scattered lights on the black earth like a dazzling night sky,

showcasing the capital's unique prosperity.

The southern part of the capital was different from the hustle and bustle elsewhere. This area was quiet, even somewhat

deserted , every alleyway empty, yet the mansions were all enormous and luxurious, each

occupying an area far beyond the reach of ordinary families. In the capital, where land was incredibly valuable, sometimes even the wealthiest person

couldn't afford such a spacious mansion! Because such luxury symbolized status and power.

Even the most secluded lanes in the south of the capital were spotless, the ground clean and almost devoid of

fallen leaves. In each long alley, only one or two families lived, all of whom were powerful officials,

meritorious officials , or relatives of the emperor. As the common people jokingly said, even dogs dared not bark here. Even

fifth-rank officials had to walk with their tails between their legs, because accidentally bumping into an ordinary person could mean they were

a relative of some high-ranking official. Therefore, this area was a dangerous place that the common people avoided.

At the entrance of the West Alley, while it was still pitch black, carriages were

already . Although the morning court session was still far off, officials not only had to spend a lot of time paying attention

to their demeanor, assessing the day's affairs, and summarizing recent

events . So, while the common people were still sound asleep, most officials had already gotten up early, bathed, and changed clothes,

preparing for the day's court session.

In front of the Yang mansion, two exquisitely decorated carriages were already waiting. Unlike other civil officials, the drivers

were not ordinary servants, but soldiers in full armor. The area in front of the mansion was bustling with

activity . Servants were busy preparing various items, including court beads for the morning audience and

pastries for the evening meal. For every official, attending court and meeting the emperor was a serious matter, and even the laziest

person dared not be negligent at this time.

"Uncle, you have not yet received your official rank, so there is no need for formalities." Yang Shu had already changed into his formal royal robes,

adorned with red coral and luminous pearls on his head, peacock feathers, and a string of pearls around his neck. The long robe, black with gold thread,

exuded a heavy and imposing aura. The lion embroidery on the King of Wu's chest was lifelike, and the auspicious clouds on his arms were

incredibly . His already imposing figure now looked even more majestic.

"Hmm, there's nothing much to prepare!" Yang Cun rubbed his eyes and yawned, almost fainting from

sleepiness .

"Arrange for the young ladies to rest." Yang Shu straightened his court robes and

instructed the female steward beside him with a blank expression.

A pair of adorable, petite women stepped down slowly from a small carriage, supporting each other. They wore identical

pink dresses and had identical sweet, beautiful faces, causing a momentary stir among onlookers. An Qiao, her face flushed, barely

dared up. With slightly unsteady steps, she stood nervously before the mansion, supported by her younger sister, An Ning

. "Miss, please come with me," the female steward hurriedly approached, smiling obsequiously. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that these

adorable twins were no ordinary maids, especially when An Qiao's shy yet happy gaze swept over Yang Cun

; even a ghost could see something amiss.

"Master, we must take our leave," An Qiao said. Both sisters seemed somewhat uneasy upon arriving at the mansion, and dared not

say anything more, immediately following the female steward into the residence.

"Go to sleep early, and don't wander around, understand?" Yang Cun instructed with concern, but seeing the

many people around, he didn't want to be overly affectionate. Besides, Gao Lianxin was there too;

there was no need to make her jealous before winning her over.

"Mm." The two young women obediently entered the mansion

. In fact, they were both very nervous and uncomfortable about suddenly arriving in the capital and staying in the Prince Zhen's mansion.

"Uncle, don't worry, I will arrange the servants in the mansion properly." Yang Shu carefully tidied up the official documents and his

court robes, showing no sign of fatigue.

"Mm." Yang Cun was far from having such good energy; he was already yawning incessantly, wishing he could just

lie down on the ground and sleep for a while.

Thinking about it, it was all Yang Shu's fault. In the massacre on the canal, more than eighty bandits were annihilated, and the scoundrels who had been

entrenched in that area and harming the people were wiped out. Although it was a bit of a show of diligence, it could be considered

a meritorious deed. However, after all, so many lives were lost, and he had to report it to the Ministry of Justice. In order to

show off his achievements, Yang Shu added Yang Cun's name to the report, making the one-sided massacre sound like a heroic

battle. Well, by the time the group returned to the capital, it was already past midnight. They should have rested

, but a messenger from the palace announced that the Emperor had summoned the two of them to the morning court session, which meant they had lost so much

sleep !

Gao Lianxin stood quietly to the side, watching the servants of the Yang family bustling about. She wanted to help, but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Looking at the two adorable little girls, her heart ached slightly. Yang

Cun had already explained their origins and vaguely mentioned that the household was short of maids, but she hadn't had a chance to

interact with the two sisters along the way. She only vaguely sensed that Yang Cun treated them differently than ordinary maids, showing them

considerable care, which made her feel uneasy.

It was her first time in the capital, and the grandeur and spaciousness of the city intrigued her. But now, Yang Cun was off to court

again . She was left alone, unsure of what to do, and a sense of unease crept into her heart. She knew that

in the hearts of people like Yang Shu, her status as a courtesan was very low. Therefore, Yang Cun was her only

support , and she truly didn't want to be separated from him, even for a single second; it would make her feel

insecure in this unfamiliar place.

"Alright, Lianxin, go and rest." Yang Cun rubbed his eyes, looking at his scholar's robes. Turning his head, he saw

a hint of loneliness and sorrow in Gao Lianxin's expression. He immediately stepped forward, took her hand, and said softly, "You've

had a long . Go lie down first. I'll come and keep you company after court!"

"Mmm!" Gao Lianxin was unaccustomed to such tenderness in front of others. Her face flushed, and she suddenly forgot her suspicions

and lingering jealousy, feeling an overwhelming sweetness in her heart.

"Someone, take Miss Gao to the west courtyard to rest." Yang Shu, seeing that everything was ready, called a

maid to lead Gao Lianxin into the mansion. Turning around, he said somewhat apologetically, "Uncle, Lord Taishan

was seriously ill some time ago. My wife made a great vow before the Buddha, and after Lord Taishan recovered, she went to fulfill her vow. She

should still be in the suburbs eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers, so it's inconvenient for her to greet you.

I apologize for neglecting you, Uncle." "This servant will take her leave now." Gao Lianxin blushed, gave a curtsy, and entered the mansion.

As she became more alert, her mind wandering back to the two adorable little sisters.

"It's alright, let's go to court first." Yang Cun looked at the carriage, not wanting to think about anything at the moment.

Looking at the spacious carriage, all he wanted was to get in and get a good night's sleep, even just a short nap. This

bumpy boat journey day and night had been truly unbearable. Who knew that upon arriving in the capital, they would have to attend some early morning court session before dawn

? Nobody could stand it!

In the end, it was all because Yang Shu was ambitious and eager for glory. This guy, in order to revitalize the Yang family, wouldn't

let go of . His reputation was good, though: the Prince of Zhen, traveling incognito, encountered a local scourge of bandits, and after a bloody battle throughout the night

, annihilated them, protecting the peace of the surrounding people. As for the extent of this achievement, Yang Cun didn't know, but as soon as they arrived in the capital and

revealed their identities at the city gate, someone immediately reported to the palace. Although it was somewhat related to Zhang Baocheng's case, it didn't give anyone

a moment's rest. This emperor was just too much!

Before dawn, two hastily prepared carriages set off. The four or five soldiers around were inconspicuous,

but the oversized green-trimmed, black-embroidered "Yang" character on the carriage seemed like a golden signboard, causing passersby

to give way. Meanwhile, many people in the capital were already busy, and the streets and alleys were filled with the enticing aromas of tofu, wontons, and

all sorts of other foods. Yang Cun almost drooled at the smells; if Yang Shu hadn't kept saying

time was of the essence, he would have loved to fill his stomach first. To hell with the morning court session—it was exhausting!

In the dim light of dawn, the roads were filled with carriages heading to the palace, carefully giving way to each other, even

the drivers smiling amicably. By the time they reached the palace gates, carriages of all sizes and types

had already crowded the entrance. Some minor officials had already alighted from their carriages and lined up in order. Those of

higher status, such as those in carriages bearing the "Yang" character, entered directly through a side gate and continued their journey along the main

road .

The palace was luxurious and grand, with its spacious courtyards and palaces, guards every ten steps and sentries every five, palace maids and eunuchs

moving , and towering walls, every door adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings. Ministers passed by

with trepidation, their mouths tightly shut, not daring to utter a sound. The palace, a symbol of supreme power,

exuded an indescribable sense of oppression; even in the absence of any noise, one could still feel its supreme

dignity and the oppressive aura of absolute dominance.

Unfortunately, Yang Cun couldn't see any of this. He had barely boarded the carriage when he fell into a deep sleep,

practically dead inside. The lives of the wealthy were indeed comfortable; the mats were of the finest jade, and the carriage was not only equipped with pillows

but also warm, delicate cashmere quilts. Such an environment was heaven for someone who had traveled for days.

Yang Cun was truly carefree, showing no nervousness whatsoever about his audience with the emperor, so for him, a good night's

sleep was more important than anything else.

"My lord, my lord..." Having slept for an unknown amount of time, so comfortably he hadn't even dreamed, Yang Cun's consciousness began to clear

slightly when he felt a hand gently nudging him. The voice was strangely

high-pitched and extremely cautious, making him feel uneasy.

"Damn it, I want to sleep a little longer!" Yang Cun grumbled impatiently, turning over and pulling

the pillow next to him over his face. By now, the carriage had stopped bumping, and the surroundings were quiet—

perfect for sleep.

"My lord, wake up! The Emperor summons you!" The strange, high-pitched voice was frantic!

It nudged Yang Cun again, the force as light as a mosquito bite.

"Which Emperor? Ah!" Yang Cun muttered impatiently. His drowsy mind finally grasped the

words, and he remembered he had come to see the Emperor to request an official position. A shiver ran through him, all sleepiness vanished, and he immediately

sat up.

"Yes, Your Highness, please come with me to the palace!" A eunuch, about forty years old, stood before him with a wry smile.

Countless palace officials were always trembling with fear before court, so cautious they dared not even drink too much water,

lest they suddenly need to relieve themselves. This Duke Jing, however, was sound asleep, not even taking court

seriously. Yang Cun had never seen such a distracted attitude before.

"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch!" Yang Cun then remembered he was in the palace, quickly got up, straightened

his clothes , got off the carriage, and casually pulled out a silver note, handing it to the eunuch. He said apologetically, "I've had a long journey

and have been very rude. This is just a small token for you to have some tea, please don't take offense."

"How could I dare? Please come with me, Your Highness." The eunuch immediately stuffed the silver note into his sleeve, his attitude instantly

becoming extremely attentive. Yang Cun knew the saying that petty devils were difficult to deal with. With these kinds of people, small expenses

were necessary, but they would be much more convenient if needed.

Blue-and-white stone path, double-dragon carved pillars, white stone steps, a dragon painting in the center. Step by step, Yang Cun looked at the

incredibly spacious palace, his heart pounding uncontrollably. The magnificent palace, the wide and tall dragon pillars—

feelings he had never understood before were now fully experienced. The power of an emperor,

the power of a dynasty, even in this silent solemnity, made you clearly aware of

the extraordinary nature of this place. Even every stone you walked on seemed to possess a unique nobility, giving you an

unprecedented sense of majesty.

The enormous golden hall was right in front of him, with its high threshold and densely packed figures inside. Although

it was , you could clearly feel the solemnity within the stillness. In just an instant, it felt like Mount Tai was pressing down on you,

making your heart almost unable to bear it. "Summon Yang Cun, enter the hall!" A shout interrupted Yang Cun's endless感慨(gǎnkǎi, deep feelings

) as he walked outside the golden hall .

In the hall, civil and military officials, according to their ranks, bowed slightly in an orderly fashion. The towering dragon pillars, three zhang high, and

the warriors standing guard with swords beside the hall made Yang Cun feel dizzy, especially when all eyes were

on him. His heart pounded with unease, and his vision blurred. Yet, he instinctively

imitated the actions he'd seen on television, bowing deeply and shouting, "Yang Cun greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

"Mingcheng's eldest son, well done, young hero, rise! Cough…" From the highest point of the golden hall, the voice that usually sent chills down one's

spine now clearly agitated,

coughing uncontrollably, its tone hoarse and weak.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yang Cun said, standing up after expressing his gratitude. Even now, his mind was still hazy.

He could barely make out the faces of the officials on either side, and he'd forgotten how he'd entered. Out of curiosity,

he couldn't help but look towards the dragon throne directly in front of him.

In a grand and radiant display of gold, on the dragon throne, crowned with a jade curtain and adorned with a nine-dragon embroidered robe

, the dignified old emperor watched Yang Cun with keen interest. His face was wrinkled, making him appear very old, but his

sharp, piercing eyes remained undiminished. Though over seventy years old, his body was somewhat thin,

yet he exuded a tremendous sense of oppression, especially his piercing eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through one's entire being, so

sharp that no one dared to look him in the eye. High above, with a single command, a thousand heads would fall. Years of imperial

reign had instilled in him a terrifying, unspoken authority that defied description.

"Guards, bestow the seal, bestow the robe," the old emperor coughed a few times, his words barely audible. With a wave of his hand

, even those few words seemed difficult to hear, as if he were about to breathe his last.

"Yang Cun, First-Class Hereditary Duke, receive your reward!" The old eunuch who had greeted Yang Cun earlier called out, and

several junior eunuchs immediately came to Yang Cun carrying a large pile of gifts, bowing respectfully.

"Bestowed upon Yang Cun, the Hereditary Duke of Jing, a First-Class Duke's robe, a pearl, one hundred taels of gold, a Qilin seal..."

The old eunuch immediately raised his voice, and with each call, a junior eunuch immediately brought out the gifts.

The officials in the court watched quietly, without saying a word. They were all quite wealthy, and seemed to find the emperor's

rewards unremarkable.

The long list of gifts was read out, but the court remained silent. Yang Cun

had no , nor in the seemingly dying old emperor opposite him. His eyes darted around, and

he noticed a rather strange phenomenon: in front of the officials, three people stood very respectfully, their positions

perfectly aligned , clearly of equal noble status, making them particularly conspicuous. One was Yang Shu, dressed in a lion-patterned robe

, expressionless, still with that same irritating look.

The other was a middle-aged man around forty, with a憨笑 (

a kind of simple, honest smile), a full figure, and a broad, smiling face, exuding the kindness of an elder. He was truly broad-minded and robust, with particularly amiable features. In short,

aside not being handsome, everything about him was very pleasing to the eye. Yang Shu seemed to have briefly introduced him before; this

was probably Prince Rong, Zhao Yuanqing, rumored to be reclusive, very low-key, kind, and easy to

get along —a very approachable person.

The last was a boy of about fifteen years old. Surprisingly, he wore a four-clawed python robe,

a golden feather headdress, and a particularly conspicuous blood-red coral bead on his court necklace—a standard set of crown prince

attire. The fifteen-year-old boy's body wasn't fully mature, so he appeared somewhat thin. His childish

face possessed a lewdness incongruous with his age; not only were his eyes dark-rimmed, but his complexion also

lacked any vitality. He looked utterly ravaged by wine and women. This crown prince should have been young and vigorous, full of life,

but now, at first glance, he even seemed somewhat drowsy.

"Ah..." Just as Yang Cun's mind wandered, a sudden gasp of surprise arose in the court.

Officials turned their heads and whispered amongst themselves. Even the usually composed Yang Shu showed a rare

flush of excitement on his face.

"Your Excellency, these rewards will be delivered to your residence by the Imperial Household Department later." The old eunuch smiled with narrowed eyes

, showing off a robe in his hand with a hint of flattery, saying, "His Majesty specifically instructed that

after so many years, he doesn't know how tall or old Your Excellency is. If this robe doesn't fit you, have the Imperial Household Department make

a new one."

The dark black first-class robe in front of him was exquisitely crafted and looked particularly beautiful, but in Yang Cun's

eyes, it looked more like a theatrical costume. Especially the monster embroidered on the chest—it was truly

bizarre. It was impossible to identify the animal; its body resembled a dragon, but its head looked like

a jackal with unicorn horns. Even more peculiar was its gaping maw, full of fangs, holding a sharp sword. Its

round eyes, though inanimate, possessed an inexplicable menacing power; its ferocious appearance

seemed ready to tear a person apart at any moment, so lifelike. Ordinary embroidery conveyed the monster's terror; royal artifacts

were indeed extraordinary.

"Uncle, quickly thank the emperor!" Yang Shu, anxiously stomping his foot and groaning, said,

"Yang Cun thanks the emperor." Yang Cun, still puzzled, quickly knelt down according to custom and

respectfully thanked the old emperor. Putting aside everything else, the gold and silver bestowed upon him were

enough to last him for a while. Although he had been eating and drinking for free at Yang Shu's place for some time,

even Yang Cun, with his thick skin, would feel embarrassed if this continued. After all, a grown man like him could

n't .

"Court adjourned!" the old eunuch shouted. The officials knelt and bowed before leaving.

As they left, they murmured amongst themselves, casting various glances at Yang Cun—some envious, some surprised,

but mostly astonished—making Yang Cun feel very uncomfortable.

The old emperor coughed a few times and, supported by a group of eunuchs, also left, without saying much to Yang Cun.

Yang Cun was completely puzzled. It had been such a grand affair, yet by the time he entered the hall, the court session was already over. Moreover, all those

things had been taken away in one go, supposedly to be delivered to his residence by a special messenger. After all that trouble, I came here just

to receive this reward in front of so many people. The worst part is that in less than twenty minutes,

I was surrounded and stared at like a monkey. It was so awkward.

"Congratulations, Duke Jingguo." At this moment, the portly Zhao Yuanqing walked over, smiling broadly, and said, "The Duke

is from a family of loyal and virtuous officials. The Yang family is full of loyal and brave men, the foremost martial family in our Great Hua. Although Brother Mingcheng

died young , I believe he would rest in peace seeing the Emperor's favor."

"Thank you, Prince Rong!" Yang Shu seemed a little excited, but he was also pleased by the praise and

immediately returned the greeting humbly.

"Yang Cun greets Prince Rong!" Yang Cun had a good impression of this smiling fat man and immediately greeted him

. However, when he looked up, he saw that the Crown Prince, who looked as thin as a bamboo pole, had completely ignored him and run away,

which made him somewhat displeased.

"Lord Duke, Prince Zhen," Zhao Yuanqing chuckled, stroking his beard warmly, "Your Excellency is new to

the capital, and tonight I will host a welcome banquet at my residence. We'd like to have a few drinks and chat. Would you two

do me the honor?"

"I would be honored to accept, but I apologize for the intrusion," Yang Shu hesitated for a moment before agreeing. Yang Shu

knew that social obligations were inevitable in the capital, a place rife with intrigue, and although he was exhausted, he nodded.

"Very well, then I will welcome you both." Prince Rong chuckled, bowed, and left. After

the morning court session, the various departments began handling their daily affairs. Without the old emperor's supervision, the officials were surprisingly

efficient decisive. Everywhere in the palace, one could see officials jogging along, and eunuchs carrying memorials. These guys

were all trembling with fear all morning, so cautious they seemed to die if they uttered a single word. But when

the time came, they immediately perked up, handling official business with great efficiency. Whether their work was good or bad was

unknown , but their spirit and attitude certainly justified their meager salaries.

On the way out of the palace, Yang Cun followed Yang Shu, greeting unfamiliar officials along the way

. Each time someone offered a congratulatory greeting, Yang Cun would respond with a curt "Not at all," the official manner almost putting one

to sleep. Yang Cun couldn't help but recall a classic dialogue, brimming with official jargon, profound meaning, and

subtle charm:

A newbie went to his boss's house to offer New Year's greetings, bringing plenty of cigarettes, alcohol, and fine tea. The boss asked, "

What do you mean by this?"

The newbie replied, "Nothing much, just a token."

The boss said, "We're all from the same unit; this isn't enough."

The newbie said, "Thank you for your consideration; it's really just a small token."

The boss said, "Haha, you're quite something."

The newbie said, "Actually, I really didn't mean anything by it."

The boss said, "Then I'm embarrassed."

The newbie said, "Not at all, I'm the one who's embarrassed."

Great China, great Chinese characters, great civilization, great culture! Watching these things happen in officialdom,

Yang Cun couldn't help but marvel at the profound depth of the written language. Chinese remains the most formidable invention in the world; a single word

can contain so much meaning, especially when these words come from the mouth of an official—they are truly brought to life with exquisite detail.

A single word can be so versatile, even capable of accomplishing a whole task. It's undeniable that

few officials are truly unintelligent.

The profound depth and versatility of the Chinese language are so vast that even those as cunning as old foxes might struggle

to comprehend it . For instance, the fifth and fourth princes might say, "The third prince's second son is the eldest." This seemingly

simple sentence, upon closer examination of its structure and order, is utterly perplexing and mind-numbing.

Yang Shu didn't appear particularly close to the civil officials, rarely initiating greetings along the way. And as if afraid

of being overheard remained largely silent as he walked through the palace. Only after arriving at the palace gates did Yang Shu finally

contain his joy, his face flushed as he said, "Uncle, the Emperor showed you such favor just now, yet you remained unmoved.

I truly admire you. Uncle, your composure at such a young age, your indifference to fame and fortune, is something I can hardly match."

"Favor? What favor?" Yang Cun was utterly bewildered. He had entered the palace and paid his respects twice, and now he was

leaving empty-handed. He felt no sense of gratitude whatsoever! Although he had been given some gifts,

they didn't seem like much. This trip to the Golden Hall felt more like going to a temple to worship a Buddha. The old emperor hadn't even exchanged a few

words before leaving the court. From any perspective, there was no sign of favor.

"Uncle, the Emperor's grace is boundless! Didn't you see it?" Yang Shu stared wide-eyed in astonishment,

looking at Yang Cun in disbelief.

"Is that so? Tell me, where is the boundless grace?" Yang Cun said, a lewd glint appearing on his face.

"Originally, a Duke's robe should be embroidered with a Qilin to be proper, but the robe His Majesty bestowed upon you is embroidered with a Yazi.

Isn't this favor great enough?" Yang Shu seemed worried that Yang Cunzhen wouldn't understand, and quickly explained, "The dragon has nine sons

, none of whom are dragons. Each son grows up differently. Yazi is known as a ferocious beast and is even a judge of heaven.

The meaning of His Majesty bestowing you a Yazi robe is self-

evident . Although your uncle is not a son of a true dragon, His Majesty treats you as his own son and will surely give you an important position in the future. Isn't it obvious?"

"Now I understand why those guys were all talking about it." Yang Cunzhen suddenly realized that

his robe was indeed embroidered with the legendary Yazi. But was it really that exaggerated? They said it was just a mistake in the embroidery

. To see so much from a symbol on a piece of clothing, no wonder everyone says that you officials are all

cunning and scheming. Yang Shu seemed straightforward and simple, but unexpectedly, he possessed such a delicate mind.

"Excellent! My Yang family has dwindled in number, and now my uncle has inherited the title of duke." Yang Shu's face flushed with joy,

and he said with great anticipation, "In this way, my Yang family will have a king and a duke in the court. Although we are not of the same surname, we are already

unmatched by others. Back then, our ancestors were so powerful, but now we, their unfilial descendants, have fallen to this state. The Yang family is known as the foremost martial family

, yet we only have the title. When we achieve great things, we can restore our family's glory. I believe our ancestors, if they knew this in the afterlife, would

smile in ."

"By the way, why is that crown prince so young?" Yang Cun wasn't really interested in these things, especially since

Yang Shu spoke in such a flowery and literary way, which he found awkward, so he immediately changed the subject.

"You mean the Crown Prince? Well…" Yang Shu sighed a few times, shook his head, and looked at him with a disappointed

expression: "The Crown Prince is fifteen this year, and he's the Emperor's most beloved grandson. Years ago,

when , he encountered assassins. In that moment of crisis, the Crown Prince shielded his father from the sword and sacrificed himself for the country, thus saving the Emperor's life."

" But by then, the Emperor had also developed an illness, and his health deteriorated day by day. His Majesty, moved by the Crown Prince's great loyalty and filial piety, and with the support of

the court officials , established his eldest son as the Imperial Grandson. The other princes, I don't know what they were thinking, seemed somewhat dissatisfied..."

"What about Prince Rong?" Yang Cun pondered for a moment, seeing his hesitation, and guessed the gist of it.

This Imperial Grandson must be very favored by the Emperor, and his personal conduct is probably not good! Judging from his appearance, he's

definitely a connoisseur of drinking, gambling, and womanizing. I don't know about his governing abilities, but his social skills are certainly questionable.

"Prince Rong is one of the two princes who wield real power in the court." The two squeezed into the same carriage, and

after Yang Shu confirmed the surroundings were safe, he began to speak eloquently: "Prince Rong has always been in charge of the Shuntian Prefecture in the capital, managing

many affairs within the imperial city, and his protégés are numerous throughout the land. Prince Ding

, on the other hand, has spent his life in the military, enjoying high prestige not only among the common people but also within the army. Of the Emperor's sons, those who died young are all idle princes scattered across the land

. Only these two are free from the airs of spoiled brats and possess the talent to govern the country; they can be considered the Emperor's right-hand men, which is why

they hold important positions in the court."

"With so many children in the family, things become more complicated," Yang Cun thought for a moment, then smiled, his eyes narrowing.

It seemed the Emperor's household had many affairs; judging from Yang Shu's evasive manner, there were probably many hidden secrets.

"Haha!" Yang Shu, not wanting to discuss royal matters further, immediately laughed when he saw that Yang Cun seemed to understand

.

The carriage wound its way through the bustling city and slowly returned to the Yang residence. The two chatted mostly about

the chaotic , discussing who was who, what departments controlled what powers. Yang Cun

's basic knowledge of this era was practically nonexistent; being completely ignorant was tantamount to being an idiot. Yang Shu smiled wryly,

surprised, attributing it to the aftereffects of Yang Cun's years of seclusion in the mountains, and didn't dwell on it,

patiently explaining the rules of this world to Yang Cun.

"By the way, what about Zhang Baocheng's case? Why didn't the Emperor ask about it today?" As they entered the residence, Yang Cun was still

processing this new information when the sensational case of the Imperial Preceptor, which had shaken the entire nation, suddenly came to mind, prompting him to casually ask.

"I asked, and His Majesty was furious this morning!" After signaling his servants to close the gates, Yang Shu

lowered his voice and said, "The Imperial Preceptor is a celestial master of three dynasties. His Majesty has regarded him as his revered teacher since childhood.

To put it bluntly, the Imperial Preceptor's position in His Majesty's heart is no different from that of a godfather. In this Tianjin case,

His Majesty assigned Prince Ding to handle it, and we have also captured several bandits. However, it seems that His Majesty will not let this go

. Those guys in the Censorate are the best at interpreting His Majesty's intentions. I think... even if Xiao Jiu doesn't die this time, he will be severely punished." "

As expected." Yang Cun sneered. It seems that Prince Ding is busy investigating the case in Tianjin right now!

Although that guy looks harmless, he is definitely not stupid. The most important thing now is to destroy all connections

with . Once Xiao Jiu is implicated in the Zhang Baocheng case, he will definitely sacrifice a pawn to save the king. Prince Ding

is probably still observing the reaction in the court. He will likely be able to respond immediately to any disturbance.

He's quite the old fox.

"The Emperor is in a bad mood right now," Yang Shu said in a low voice. "According to news from the palace,

after Prince Ding's memorial was presented, the Emperor was so angry that he fainted several times. Later, he secretly summoned some ministers and reportedly dispatched several groups

of men , as well as palace experts, determined to retrieve the items buried with the Imperial Preceptor."

"Not simple!" Yang Cun paused for a moment, then sneered. "I guess those so-called bandits are

all dead, right?"

"Uncle is indeed incredibly insightful." Yang Shu nodded, his face grave. "Prince Ding's memorial said

that some of the bandits committed suicide by poisoning themselves, while others bit their tongues and committed suicide under heavy escort on the way to the capital. Before even

reaching the capital, all the survivors were dead, cutting off all leads, which is why the Emperor is so furious!"

"Forget it, don't think about it. For now, it's none of our business." Yang Cun shook his head. Even a fool could

sense that this matter was extremely complicated and there was definitely something fishy going on, but it didn't seem to concern him. Thinking about it too much wouldn't do any

good , so why waste his brain cells?

"Your Highness, you're back." The two had just reached the inner courtyard when they saw Di Nu sitting cross -legged

in front of the gate, sulking. Upon seeing Yang Shu return, he immediately stood up, his booming voice almost deafening

.

"What's wrong?" Yang Shu resumed his expressionless demeanor.

"I'm hungry!" Di Nu rubbed his enormous belly, somewhat angrily saying, "I listened to all

the rules , like not entering the inner courtyard, not looking at the women, and so on.

I stayed by that little garden and didn't go anywhere. But the kitchen staff gave me the same amount of food as everyone else—

not even enough to fill a tooth gap! It's outrageous! The steward and the others are out, and I can't find anything to eat. I don't even know where the kitchen is, so I had to

wait here for you."

"Brother Di Nu, how much do you eat in one meal?" Yang Cun broke out in a cold sweat. This guy's appetite was ridiculously large

. He could probably swallow a whole cow whole. Just how hungry was he to be sitting here waiting for

Yang Shu to return?

"I'm sorry to have troubled you. I forgot to tell the new cook." Yang Shu shook his head helplessly,

bid farewell to Yang Cun, and immediately led the servants, who were rushing towards the kitchen. Yang Cun watched from behind, utterly

speechless. This guy also called him "Your Highness," but his attitude didn't seem very respectful to Yang Shu. Instead, his personality

was like a clingy child, which was really strange. Even Yang Cun wondered

if this guy was hiding outside the window when Yang Shu and his wife were in bed together.

In the capital, he inexplicably found himself in the center of the empire's power, in the Zhang Baocheng case in Tianjin, with the

elusive demonic woman and the incredibly mysterious man in black. Zhang Baocheng's belongings seemed to involve many things,

not just those chaotic supernatural beings. It seemed that even the people in the capital were paying extra attention to this matter. Strange,

truly strange.

Led by the maid, Yang Cun finally returned to his villa. Yang Shu specifically instructed that the entire west wing be tidied up

. The courtyard of the west wing was filled with flowers and plants, with a small bridge and flowing water, making it quite exquisite. Yang Cun just stepped in and

immediately saw an incredibly graceful figure approaching him under the peach blossoms. Her pretty face was full of expectant

joy, her peerless beauty, coupled with a touch of shyness, truly made her more beautiful than the flowers, a sight to behold.

"My lord, you're back!" Gao Lianxin greeted him with joy, like a young wife, as if he were a stranger.

In the unfamiliar Zhenwang Mansion in the capital, without Yang Cun present, she felt a void. Not only did she

feel like , but she also felt an indescribable unease. She paced nervously through the courtyard, and despite the attentive

service of maids and servants, the intense sense of alienation made her restless.

"Yes!" Yang Cun smiled and took her hand. Looking at her light blue, fitted long dress, which

accentuated her already graceful curves, he couldn't help but smirk lewdly. He licked his lips and asked, "Little

darling, your... you should be almost done, right?"

"Ah!" Gao Lianxin's face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, murmuring shyly,

"F-Master, how could you ask such a shameful question!"

"Husband and wife are one, this is human relations, this is the great way, do you understand?" Yang Cun immediately adopted a very

serious expression, looking at her charming appearance with lust, and coaxed her gently, "Think about it, sharing the same bed,

seeing each other naked, from now on you are in me, and I am in you, what's the difference between you and me? These things are just bedroom talk,

it's okay to say them, what's there to be afraid of?"

"I don't want to hear your nonsense." Gao Lianxin was so ashamed she didn't dare lift her head, but she held Yang Cun's hand tightly.

"My little darling, my little sweetheart, come on, let's go back inside." Yang Cun chuckled. Their time together

had solidified their relationship, and Gao Lianxin had become even more obedient. If it weren't for that damned aphrodisiac,

he probably would have already slept with this beauty on that canal.

"Ah..." Gao Lianxin's heart pounded. Pulled by Yang Cun, she followed him, her steps weak.

Her face was burning red. Even in the most promiscuous people of that era, expressions of love were still relatively subtle,

often involving love poems and songs. Yang Cun, who had been so refined before, was now speaking so

bluntly ; for a virgin like her, it was truly shocking.

Inside the side room, besides a reception room, there was only the main room. Although there was a small room outside,

it was for maids and servants. Given Gao Lianxin's status, even without a formal title, she couldn't possibly live in

such a place. Yang Cun glanced around and couldn't help but laugh shamelessly: Yang Shu was truly too filial; this

environment of a lone man and woman, this scene of being alone in a room, was truly a prime location for committing a crime.

In the master bedroom, the spacious attic was exquisitely furnished, with sheer curtains everywhere, and

simple yet sophisticated cabinets and dressing tables. The most striking feature was the enormous bed, almost two meters wide,

easily accommodating three or four people. The red sheets were neatly made, almost as if inviting

you to mess them up, subtly arousing a peculiar desire within Yang Cun.

"Little darling, come, let's sit down." Without further ado, Yang Cun pulled Gao Lianxin to a chair.

Amidst her shy gasp, he suddenly pulled her into his arms, his hand unceremoniously encircling her slender

waist.

"My lord, no, no..." Gao Lianxin stiffened instantly, struggling with feigned modesty. Her face gradually

flushed, and her breathing became erratic. A strong masculine aura enveloped her, and when his strong

arms encircled her waist, her mind began to spin uncontrollably.

"We'll just hug, it's innocent." Yang Cun swallowed hard. Good heavens! Holding her soft, warm

body in his arms, the girl's softness, warmth, and that almost maddening scent instantly stirred Yang Cun's

heart . Especially when her pert buttocks wiggled against his legs, even

through the thin fabric, the sensation was so intoxicating that it made his mind go blank.

"Just a hug..." Gao Lianxin couldn't resist Yang Cun's combination of coaxing and force, and finally, blushing, she curled up in

Yang Cun's arms. Her heart trembled. From their first meeting, his eloquence that night, to their days together, Yang Cun had always

been polite, but now he suddenly said such vulgar things, making her feel embarrassed, yet

also reluctant to waste this time together.

"Yes, just a hug." Yang Cun held her small waist, feeling her soft body. He rubbed his face against her

back a few times, inhaling her fragrance and the fresh scent of her long hair, and his blood began to heat up.

Gao Lianxin stiffened, her small hands nervously gripping the hem of her skirt, her face flushed as she lowered her head, letting Yang

Cun rub his face even more boldly against her smooth back.

Yang Cun really wanted to carry her to bed and enjoy her full breasts with his hands, but unfortunately, there was

a banquet for Prince Rong that evening, and with the evening glow filling the sky, there was simply no time. So he could only suppress

the increasingly and continue to deepen their relationship with an extremely romantic embrace. However, girls in this era

were very strict about physical intimacy, and Yang Cun wasn't sure if she could accept premarital sex, so

he had to test the waters little by little. Some customers might ask, "With such a high-ranking official, why not just force yourself on her?" Unfortunately,

Yang Cun advocated for the union of spirit and flesh. If it were merely a matter of releasing desire, and the woman strongly resisted,

the physical pleasure derived, aside from satisfying a particular psychological preference, would be far less than that from using his

right hand .

Yang Cun occasionally told a crude joke to tease Gao Lianxin. Although he could feel his penis was

almost bursting with erection, he restrained the urge to pounce on her immediately. He kept playing with her dark

hair , breathing hot air into her ear, teasing her repeatedly. Gao Lianxin was now completely limp, her eyes

watery and incredibly alluring. Occasionally, she would turn around and glance back, the subtle allure in her eyes almost

driving Yang Cun to madness.

The sky gradually darkened, and under a red candle, the beauty's blushing face was even more captivating. Yang Cun

's rationality began to waver; he even considered whether to attend that tedious banquet. After all, drinking with a

grown man is nowhere near as enjoyable as making love with a beautiful woman; any man can tell the difference.

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived… The Prince ordered me to fetch you… Ah…" At that moment, a maid

rushed in, saw the two of them embracing intimately, cried out, and ran away again.

"It's all your fault!" Gao Lianxin hurriedly stood up, so ashamed she was about to cry.

"Yes, yes, it's all my fault." Yang Cunzhen was reluctant to let her go, thinking lewdly to himself. This

girl's strangeness probably wasn't because he was being intimate with her, but because he forgot to close the door while they were being intimate! Women

can ; they're clearly coaxed into being as docile as lambs, yet they're secretly trying to hide it from others.

"I love that coquettish charm so characteristic of a virgin.

" "You...you should go and see!" Gao Lianxin blushed deeply, her face flushed with a hint of ecstasy. Despite

her embarrassment, she stepped forward, her slender hands beginning to straighten Yang Cun's slightly wrinkled clothes. She said

sweetly , "Lianxin is waiting for you. Don't drink too much; it's bad for your health."

Her tender gesture, like that of a devoted wife, immediately moved Yang Cun. He couldn't help but

pull her into his arms, kissing her smooth, delicate face as she shyly closed her eyes. He said softly,

"I know. I'll be back as early as possible tonight. I won't let you worry!" "

Mmm." Gao Lianxin trembled, her body going limp, but she still gave a soft, obedient hum.

"Lianxin, you're so beautiful!" Yang Cun was momentarily mesmerized, his hands gently caressing her fair, jade-like face.

He gently

in front of him. He kissed her incredibly soft palm and whispered, "After a few days, let's go back to

Jiangnan together. When we get back, I'll make you the happiest woman."

"You...you're saying such embarrassing things!" Gao Lianxin immediately blushed and scolded him, the tickle in her palm making her

heart tremble. Just listening to Yang Cun's affectionate words and looking into his deep, unfathomable eyes, her heart

was captivated, and her whole body began to go weak uncontrollably.

"I'll do even more embarrassing things in the future!" Yang Cun's desire was aroused by her shy and coquettish appearance.

He couldn't help but grab her hand, touch her cheek, and pant heavily as he said, "Lianxin, do you regret following me?"

"Lianxin..." Gao Lianxin's heart pounded so fast she could hardly stand it. Facing Yang Cun's affectionate gaze,

her eyes reddened slightly. She lowered her head and whispered, "Lianxin doesn't regret it. Lianxin is still scared when she thinks about it now.

If we had drunk Yakult that night, I, Zhou Shu, would never forgive myself, even if I went to hell for ten lifetimes."

"Don't say that!" Yang Cun grabbed her small hand and said softly, "You have to believe that when you are

happy and look back, it will be a very special and beautiful encounter."

"Yes, I believe you!" Gao Lianxin was deeply moved. Her watery eyes, with a charming glance, were filled

with a sweetness that almost melted one's heart.

The scene was intimate, filled with their deep gazes and the breathtaking beauty so close to her. The subtle

fragrance Yang Cun lose control again. He moved closer, inching towards her trembling, alluring lips. Gao

Lianxin seemed to sense Yang Cun's impulse; though a blush rose in her heart, she was filled with tenderness and

closed her eyes shyly.

They drew closer, their sensitive skin already feeling each other's breaths. Just as their lips were about to

touch, a rather rude knock sounded at the door, accompanied by a cough, startling

the couple lost in their sweet embrace.

Gao Lianxin blushed instantly and quickly turned away, head bowed. Yang Cun gritted his teeth in anger,

but when he turned around, his rage was nowhere to be found. At the doorway, a girl in a white dress pouted

, her beautiful eyes fixed on the two of them.

"What's wrong?" Yang Cun was a little dazed, not because he'd been caught flirting, but because he couldn't

tell if the girl in front of him was An Qiao or An Ning, and his mind went blank for a moment.

"Someone's come from the front courtyard." The girl pouted and immediately put on a very obedient look, saying, "

It's time for the banquet, please set off early, sir, so as not to be late."

"I know." Although her voice was equally sweet, the slight liveliness in her tone made

Yang Cun immediately realize that the girl in front of him was the lively An Ning, not the docile and shy An Qiao.

"Then this servant will take her leave." An Ning looked thoughtfully at Gao Lianxin, then glared

at , and immediately ran away.

"Master, I'll take my leave too." Gao Lianxin was mortified and immediately ran back to her room.

Men, what a miserable life...

Yang Cun sighed helplessly, watching the two beauties walk away. He felt a little depressed.

He and Gao Lianxin were having a secret rendezvous. Logically speaking, it would be normal for An Qiao to be jealous if she saw them. But An Ning, I

didn't do anything to her, so why is she jealous?

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