Qi Ziqi had a youthful temperament, and all emotions and sorrows were reflected on his face.
After returning, the old man who was accompanying him saw his young master feeling unhappy, so he pondered for a moment and asked, “Did the Young Master and Han daren not have a good time strolling around?” Qi Ziqi shook his head.
Ah Weng was sent by his father to serve him from a young age, he’s just like a family member. From childhood to adulthood, he would always tell Ah Weng anything that was in his heart.
Only this time, Qi Ziqi didn’t want to say anything.
The old man, however, thought he had already guessed and asked, “Did the Young Master not find the young gentleman who is good at playing ‘Feng Qiu Huang’?”
Qi Ziqi showed a surprised expression.
“Ah Weng, how did you…”
On this journey, he clearly concealed it extremely well and did not mention the purpose of this trip to anyone.
The old man smiled and said, “The Young Master rarely goes out of the Qi capital. There must be a reason why you suddenly took the initiative to follow Tian Que daren and the others. The story of someone playing ‘Feng Qiu Huang’ at the Sui capital’s Spring Banquet has already spread to the Qi capital. The Young Master has always been kind-hearted, so you must want to come and verify it.”
“Yes.”
Qi Ziqi no longer kept it hidden and said, “My father has said that that piece of music is extremely exhausting. If one’s mind is not firm, there is a high risk of going crazy and becoming obsessed. I am not allowed to play it casually at home on weekdays. I don’t know why there are rumors circulating outside that I am good at playing ‘Feng Qiu Huang’. Since I was born, I have rarely heard my father play this song. How can I learn it? I just want to come over and see if this matter is true or false. If it is true, I need to promptly dissuade that young gentleman and let him stop at a moderate level and not delve into this song anymore.”
The old man nodded and kindly said, “Young Master is kind-hearted. What the old servant knows is that, as Young Master said, it is difficult to say whether this matter is true or false. He may also be someone who seeks fame and reputation, relying on the fact that not many people have heard this song. He used this to make a fuss and promote his reputation. Young Master’s kindness is good, but there is no need to dwell too much on this matter.”
Qi Ziqi let out an “En” and then raised his eyes and asked, “Ah Weng, do you really think ‘Feng Qiu Huang’ was written by my father? I heard that that song is very sad, and those who listen to it will be heartbroken. How could my father make such a song when he’s fine?”
“Since it’s a rumor, of course, the more bizarre it is, the more people believe it, so Young Master doesn’t have to take it seriously.”
“It’s just…”
“Young Master, stop daydreaming. This old servant had asked someone to buy delicious plum blossom cakes. This old servant heard that it’s a specialty of the Sui capital, and it tastes very good. Does Young Master want to try it?”
Qi Ziqi’s attention was immediately diverted, and he looked at the small basket of bright red plum blossom pastries. He exclaimed in surprise and said to the old man, “Ah Weng has been tired all day. Hurry, sit down, and eat with me.”
The old man narrowed his eyes and looked at the young master, who was a little sad, lovingly. He shook his head with a smile and said, “The old servant had already eaten something, and is old and doesn’t like these sweets because the old servant is afraid of a toothache. Young Master hurry up and eat them while they are hot.”
Qi Ziqi tasted it, and his eyes suddenly lit up: “It’s indeed delicious, soft, and sticky, and it melts in the mouth immediately. It’s much more delicious than the Lu Hua cake from the Qi capital. When I go back, I’ll also bring a portion for my father.”
“Plum Blossom cake?”
Jiang Yun looked at the small basket of pastries placed on the stone table and asked Sui Heng, “Why did you suddenly want to buy this?”
“Aren’t it because Gu saw you had a great time eating White Sugar Sponge Cake last time? Just now, Gu happened to pass by a pastry shop and bought some for you.”
Jiang Yun picked up a piece and slowly bit it.
Nodding, “Thank you very much.”
Sui Heng smiled and watched him eat.
Jiang Yun was already accustomed to him being like this, so he asked, “You won’t eat?”
Sui Heng shook his head and said, “Gu doesn’t like these sweets.”
Moreover, with only such a small amount, he was not willing to compete with his little lover.
Compared to eating pastries, he was more willing to appreciate his little lover’s exquisite beauty and the elegant cat-like eating posture instead.
Jiang Yun quietly ate a piece.
Sui Heng asked, “How does it taste?”
“Excellent.”
A very simple two-words review.
Sui Heng suddenly remembered something and asked, “How is your stomach disease? Is it any better?”
He had eaten the Tonghe egg for several days already, it should have had some effect, but according to Ji An’s reports, his little lover’s breakfast has been the same as the past two days, he hasn’t eaten much more.
Sui Heng was a bit skeptical about whether the Tonghe egg was really effective.
Jiang Yun knew that he had been paying attention to his meals situation, but Rome was not built in just one day, and the Tonghe egg was not a miraculous pill. How could it be possible to completely cure that old, chronic disease in just a few days?
“I already feel much better.”
Jiang Yun said.
Seeing Sui Heng still frowning, he added, “You really don’t have to worry anymore.”
Even if it cannot be cured, he also wouldn’t feel too disappointed. Tonghe Egg can bring a glimmer of hope, and he is already satisfied.
“Gu is not worried.”
He will try his best, no matter how difficult it is to cure him. If Tonghe Egg doesn’t work, he will search for White Crane and Green Crane eggs. He has admired power since childhood and firmly believes that it can conquer heaven, become a destination, and defeat all useless fatalism. It’s just a stomach disease, he doesn’t believe he couldn’t handle it.
He just felt a little heartbroken.
He is heartbroken that he has to go through the illness day in and day out. He can’t even eat the simplest three meals properly, and he doesn’t even know how he used to get by before.
Just now, while staring at his little lover quietly eating plum blossom cake, Sui Heng suddenly saw a sense of loneliness in Jiang Yun.
He always does his own things quietly, without being coquettish or arrogant, let alone making any demands of him. He seems like a person with no desires or demands.
He never mentioned his parents and relatives, nor did he mention his past life experiences.
What kind of person he is?
Sui Heng sometimes even felt that there was a layer of fog in front of him.
The beauty is like a flower separated from the clouds. But he doesn’t like the feeling of seeing people through the fog.
Sui Heng said, “From now on, the Crown Prince Mansion will be your home. Gu will treat you well and won’t let you suffer any injustice.”
Jiang Yun was taken aback for a moment, not understanding why he suddenly said such words. Just as he looked at him in confusion, Ji An came over and respectfully reported outside the pavilion, “Your Highness, Military Advisor Chen has come.”
Sui Heng said he knew. He raised his eyebrows and said to Jiang Yun, “Gu will be right back, you eat first.”
Jiang Yun nodded.
Sui Heng stood up and was about to take a step away, but felt somewhat unwilling. He turned back and showed one cheek.
Jiang Yun didn’t know what kind of stinky problem he was having, so he wrapped his arms around his neck and gave him a light kiss.
Ji An quickly lowered his head, while Sui Heng left with a satisfied expression on his face.
Chen Qi was led in by a palace attendant and walked through the courtyard. From a distance, he saw a young master in green robes sitting under the pavilion, with his eyes lowered to focus on reading the book in his hand.
Jiang Yun seemed to feel something, so he lifted his head and looked at him from afar.
At this cold and icy glance, Chen Qi’s strange sense of familiarity reappeared in his heart, but the palace attendant quickly interrupted his thoughts, saying that the Crown Prince was waiting in the hall.
Inside the pavilion, Jiang Yun slowly put down his book and lost himself in thought.
This private courtyard is Sui Heng’s private residence, probably due to the recent absence of war. The generals under Sui Heng rarely come here on weekdays, only Xu Qiao has come a few times.
Chen Qi must have something important to report. That’s why he would come to the private courtyard directly to meet Sui Heng.
Important things.
Jiang Yun thought of the news he heard from the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu. Meng Hui’s family.
Chen Qi, has he really found the whereabouts of Meng Hui’s family? Meng Hui is a man of love and affection, and his wife has a deep love for him. If Chen Qi really uses his family to blackmail him, Meng Hui may not be able to withstand this pressure and suffering…
Jiang Yun rubbed his forehead.
Ji An stood by all the time and quickly asked, “Is Young Master feeling unwell?”
Jiang Yun shook his head and gently said nothing’s wrong.
At this moment, Shi Fang and Fan Qi came over together.
Fan Qi had already removed the bandage from his head, and the injuries on his face and body had also healed. However, when he saw Jiang Yun, he still didn’t feel uncomfortable. He refused to come forward to greet him, but he didn’t go far either. He squatted on the side and looked around aimlessly.
Just as Gao Gong and the palace attendants passed by, Fan Qi jumped up and asked Gao Gong if there was chicken noodle soup left.
Gao Gong took him to eat.
Shi Fang shook his head in silence and went to the pavilion to greet Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun asked, “Why did the two Deputy Generals have time today?”
Although Shi Fang was Sui Heng’s guard, he also held a position and a salary in the military.
Jiang Yun picked up a plum blossom cake and handed it to Shi Fang.
Shi Fang thanked him with a cheeky grin and nonchalantly took a bite and said, “Brother Fan is taking a break from his duties, and this subordinate is here to deliver bow and arrows to His Highness.”
“Bow and arrows?”
“Yes, today His Majesty hosting a banquet for the envoys of Qi in the palace. One of them is a military general who’s skilled in horseback archery. He insisted on competing with His Highness in horseback archery. It is said that there are also many martial arts enthusiasts in Qi, and His Highness cannot refuse. He specially asked this subordinate to take the heavy bow he commonly used from the army here.”
Jiang Yun was stunned.
“Envoys from the Qi capital?”
“Yes, they just arrived at the capital of Sui today.”
Jiang Yun stayed in the private courtyard all along, and Ji An and other attendants would not discuss external matters in front of him, so Jiang Yun did not hear about the envoy sent by the Qi Kingdom to the Sui capital.
Jiang Yun said, “I heard that Qi is very wealthy. I wonder which envoy came?”
This matter has already spread throughout the Sui Empire, and it’s not a secret. Shi Fang said, “There is Marquis Duan’s son, the Young Master of Qi, Qi Ziqi, as well as the King of Qi’s trusted subordinates, Tian Que daren, and some ministers. I don’t know much about them either. Oh yes, the one who pulled His Highness to compare arrows seems to be called Tian Meng.”
Jiang Yun was silent for a while.
He said, “Thank you for telling me.”
“Why is Young master being so polite to this subordinate?”
The plum blossom cake tasted very good, and Jiang Yun couldn’t eat too much, so he divided the rest with Shi Fang. Shi Fang was deeply moved.
He feels that there is really no more beautiful and kind-hearted young master than this young gentleman in this world.
Not long after, Chen Qi retreated from the hall.
Jiang Yun casually said, “I heard that in order to reward Military Advisor Chen, you guys gave him a very large mansion outside the palace. Have you seen it?”
Shi Fang shook his head and said, “Military Advisor Chen rarely interacts with us. He spends more time with General Xu and his companions. By the way, I heard that when Military Advisor Chen moved to a new house, although His Highness did not show his face, he sent Fan Qi to send a gift. According to Fan Qi, the house was quite large, and the location was very good.”
Jiang Yun smiled and said, “A talent like Military Advisor Chen is naturally worth recruiting with a lot of money.”
Chen Qi did indeed come for the affairs of Meng Hui’s family. He mobilized almost all his connections and put in a lot of effort to catch Meng Hui’s family, who were hidden on a rural farm.
For Sui Heng, this is naturally commendable.
Because Meng Hui is in Muyun Pass and his wife and he are senior brother and junior sister, who have been studying together since childhood. They have a good relationship, and they have a son and a daughter. Meng Hui will never abandon his wife and children.
Chen Qi has managed to send someone to convey the message to Meng Hui.
As long as Meng Hui receives the news, he has a way to make the other party submit.
Sui Heng naturally had to personally examine such an important hostage, so shortly after Chen Qi left, Sui Heng also left the mansion.
Jiang Yun still goes to wander in the garden.
When he was walking near the rockery, he ran into Fan Qi who was hiding there.
Mother Fan has recently arranged a marriage for her son, but the other party was a famous b*tch. Fan Qi doesn’t like her, but he also dares not openly violate his mother. When she was resting, he sneaked out on the pretext of running errands for His Highness.
As soon as Fan Qi saw Jiang Yun, he was like a mouse seeing a cat and immediately wanting to run away.
Jiang Yun said gently, “Deputy General Fan, please stay.”
Fan Qi stopped and asked with a pale expression, “Is there-there something?
Jiang Yun nodded and said, “There is indeed a hidden matter on my mind that I cannot relate to outsiders. I can only plead with Deputy General Fan for help.”
Fan Qi: “……”
Fan Qi’s goosebumps all fell to the ground because the little vixen had never spoken to him in such a gentle tone before.
“What-what’s the matter?”
Jiang Yun said, “I want Deputy General Fan to help me find someone.”
“What kind of person?”
“A musician, the one I once competed with at the Spring Banquet.”
Fan Qi frowned, “I don’t even know him.”
“It’s fine as long as I know him. I know that he probably lives at Military Advisor Chen’s house. That musician, he… lost against me in the competition before, but he refused to admit defeat and cursed me in public. There’s something in my heart that just won’t go away. Later, when I tried to get along with him, he also ignored me. Deputy General Fan has also been bullied, so you should be able to understand my feelings.”
Fan Qi simply understands too well.
Fan Qi did not expect that this clever little vixen would still be cursed at by people.
He said, “What do you need me to do?”
“There’s no need to do anything, Deputy General Fan just needs to help me keep an eye on where he’s going these two days. When I’m free, I’ll find an opportunity to go see him.”
Fan Qi didn’t think it was a big deal, so he nodded and agreed.
This way, it would be even between him and the little vixen, saving him from having to raise his head to look up in front of the little vixen all the time.
Sui Heng naturally didn’t ask for any valuable information from Meng Hui’s wife. Because Meng Hui did not reveal much to his wife when he left, and since arriving at Muyun Pass, he has not communicated with her either.
Moreover, Meng Hui’s wife and children, who were suddenly captured and brought to the capital of Sui, were already frightened. The three mother and children trembled and huddled together, afraid to look at Sui Heng directly. Sui Heng knew that this matter was urgent, and the most important thing was to use it to force Meng Hui to submit.
Although this method is a bit excessive, there is really no better way besides that. Moreover, when the two armies engage in war, they have always been fighting to the death and wouldn’t consider morality.
Soon after Sui Heng returned, Han Xiao came over.
Han Xiao’s heart was full of ups and downs. After chatting aimlessly, he politely reported that Qi Ziqi, the Young Master of Qi, wanted to see Jiang Yun.
“That Young Master of Qi has heard that the young gentleman is skilled at playing ‘Feng Qiu Huang,’ and he really wants to see it with his own eyes.”
Sui Heng sneered.
“What is he? Gu’s person, if he wants to see, he can see as he pleases?”
The most important thing is that his little lover doesn’t like the hustle and bustle, and Sui Heng doesn’t want to force him to attend such a boring banquet.
Han Xiao knew this was the result, but he still tried to struggle, “When Qi Ziqi came to the capital of Sui, he made such a request. It’s not a big deal to refuse him at this moment, but in case he finds out that the person is in Your Highness’s mansion in the future…”
“What’s wrong with Gu’s mansion?”
Sui Heng remained indifferent and said, “If he has any objections, ask him to come and talk to Gu.”
Han Xiao is completely helpless.
At this time, Jiang Yun came out of the house and said, “I can go with you.”
