Zheng Xian sat restlessly in the inn, almost sleepless all night.
He was an official who was expelled from the Jiang Empire’s palace for his crimes. Over the years, he has been hiding and living in another country. If it weren’t for the news of the Chen capital’s recruitment of talents being passed on to that remote Daoist temple through the mouths of merchants, he might have lived his entire life like a mouse in a sewer, with no hope and no visible light.
But now, because he holds a secret, he has the opportunity to soar to the sky.
He was cautious and repeatedly confirmed that the other party could allow him to personally meet the Crown Prince of Sui. After revealing the situation, he gritted his teeth and rushed to the capital of Sui with a desperate and determined spirit.
But for some reason, the Crown Prince of Sui did not immediately summon him.
This is somewhat unusual. As far as he knows, the Crown Prince of Sui had an old grudge against the former ruler, the Crown Prince of Jiang. In the past, his subordinate almost broke his arm, so he hated the Crown Prince of Jiang very much. Therefore, he spared so much effort to build a talent recruitment platform, offered a heavy reward to collect evidence of the Crown Prince of Jiang forging a virtuous name.
The evidence he provided directly points to the bloodline of the Crown Prince and the hidden secrets of the Jiang’s palace. It should be much more thrilling than the seemingly painless evidence provided by the so-called famous people. Once exposed, it will inevitably cause a huge uproar in the entire Jiangnan region. Based on the degree of hatred the Crown Prince of Sui has towards the Jiang Empire, he should be very interested in the information he provided.
Zheng Xian’s mood swayed like the candlelight flickering by the wind on the table.
He drank a cup of tea anxiously and noticed that it was getting cold. He angrily ordered the servant to bring him a new pot of hot tea.
However, at this moment, the servants were already asleep, and no one would specifically stay outside the room to serve him. Zheng Xian couldn’t help but envy those surrounded by servants. Not only were there domestic servants personally serving them for twelve hours, but at night there were beautiful concubines responsible for warming their beds too.
He came from the palace and has seen the most beautiful and prosperous place in the world. Even if he is as humble as an ant, he dreams of rising to the top and changing his destiny one day.
Now is the best time.
As long as he seizes this opportunity, he is likely to settle down in the bustling Sui capital, owning his own mansion and beautiful concubines and servants.
With this in mind, Zheng Xian’s mood became much more peaceful.
“Even if we don’t meet today, we will definitely meet tomorrow.”
“Those who achieve great things need to remain calm and composed.”
Zheng Xian comforted and admonished himself in his heart, then took a sip of herbal tea and got up to go to bed. He took off his outer robe, shoes, and socks and prepared to go to bed to rest.
At this moment, the candlelight on the table suddenly shook violently.
Zheng Xian has been hiding all year long, and he has already acquired the sharpness that ordinary people do not have. His hands, which were removing the shoes and socks, gave a startled. He looked up warily and glanced around. There was silence everywhere. The furnishings in the small inn were simple and convenient, with tables, chairs, and round tables that were all enclosed in the candlelight without any abnormalities.
However, at this moment, the flames on the candle suddenly flickered again.
“Who?!”
Zheng Xian immediately straightened his body and stood up, shouting nervously.
Along the way, he disguised himself and turned the path without noticing anyone following him.
At the moment, the invisible fear, however, was like an invisible net, dense and enveloping him.
There was a soft “creak.”
Zheng Xian looked anxiously and realized that a window in the southeast had been blown open by the wind at some point.
The night breeze leaked in and stirred the candle light.
Zheng Xian breathed a sigh of relief, he was covered in a cold sweat in an instant. He weakly lifted his arm, wiped the sweat off his forehead, got up, and went to the window, ready to close the wooden window.
He froze as soon as his hand touched the window pane.
Because a thin shadow imprinted itself silently on the window at some point.
The figure stood silently, the side shadow was rusty, and the robe and belt were flying, elegant and unparalleled, like… a ghost.
Zheng Xian suddenly opened his eyes wide, and due to extreme fear, even with his mouth wide open, he could not make any sound.
His muscles trembled all over, like fallen leaves in the wind.
Zheng Xian ultimately had no chance to make a sound, as a thin silver thread, as thin as hair and almost invisible to the naked eye, wrapped around his neck like a venomous snake.
Although the city gates of Sui capital only officially opened at around three quarters in the Yinshi13-5am., but the vendors selling breakfast on both sides of the street are up early to prepare their ingredients, for some of the more complicated ones, they had to get up even earlier.
Li Si, who sells white sugar sponge cakes, is no exception.
There are no fewer than five bakeries on Shenwu Street that make white sugar sponge cakes, but the Li family pastry shop’s white sugar sponge cake is the most popular and well reviewed one due to its soft and sticky taste, which is sweet but not greasy, and the cake is filled with secret cinnamon sugar.
In order to have the first bite of the fresh and hot white sugar sponge cake, the high-ranking officials in the Sui capital even sent their servants to queue up in front of the Li family pastry shop early in the morning. And during lunch and evening, there is often an endless queue in front of the pastry shop, making it difficult to get a cake.
Li Si woke up earlier today. As soon as it was Yinshi, he made the first basket of white sugar sponge cakes.
He thought that no one had come to buy cakes at this moment, but as soon as he opened the shop door, he saw a young gentleman standing at the foot of the stairs, waiting.
The young gentleman was dressed in a green robe, elegant and clean, making people unable to help but think of the moon, the jade in the water, and all the beautiful things in the world when he stood under the sim morning light. His brilliance and elegance cannot be described.
Li Si was stunned.
“May I ask if you have any white sugar sponge cakes?”
A voice as beautiful as a jade falling into a clear spring awakened Li Si.
Li Si quickly nodded and said, “Yes, there are, they were just made and steaming hot.”
Jiang Yun took out a golden bean from his sleeve and placed it on the counter.
“I want one piece.”
“There’s no need for change.”
Li Si was captured by the other party’s overall charm and hurriedly went in. He personally packaged a portion of white sugar sponge cake and handed it to Jiang Yun.
“It’s a bit hot, Young Master, be careful when holding it.”
Li Si instructed.
The fragrance of glutinous rice mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus fills his face.
Jiang Yun’s eyes curled, and he thanked him before turning and walking away.
Li Si stood in front of the stairs, staring blankly at the young gentleman, who walked leisurely in the morning breeze with his green robe’s sleeves fluttering lightly. It was only then that he suddenly remembered and forgot the change. However, when he looked up again, the stunning green figure had disappeared at the end of the street and could no longer be seen in an instant.
It seems like everything just now was just his illusion.
When Sui Heng opened his eyes, he still felt drowsy and had a splitting headache.
He had never felt this kind of confusion before, and after calming down, he sat with his body propped up.
Last night, he just drank some pine cone wine. How could there be such a big reaction? He rubbed his forehead and habitually reached out to grab the side.
This time, it was a waste.
He turned his head, only to find that the inner side was empty, with the blanket neatly folded up, and he’s not in the mood to think of that figure he longs for.
Sui Heng was a bit surprised.
Last night, they were so absurd. Usually, his little lover would probably sleep until dawn before waking up, but today he got up so early.
Sui Heng immediately saw the bouquet of plum blossoms next to his pillow.
The flowers are scorching in color, and there is still dew hanging on the petals, indicating that they are newly picked.
As for who picked it, it goes without saying.
Sui Heng picked up the flower branch and played with it for a moment. He couldn’t help but laugh. What has happened these past few days? He confided his sincerity to him and even gave him flowers.
He felt as sweet as honey in his heart. He shook his head, dispelled the lingering drowsiness, and put on his robe. He got up and got out of bed, feeling refreshed.
When he got out of the bed, he found that there was no one on the couch either.
On the small table by the bed, there was still hangover soup that he didn’t drink last night.
Sui Heng vaguely felt something different but couldn’t say for a moment.
He walked out of the door in a mist and saw Ji An leading the palace attendants standing in the corridor, waiting.
Ji An has been waiting for quite some time now. It’s almost Maoshi25-7am and it’s almost time for the morning court. But his Highness is still not awake. He will probably be late. It has never happened before. Ji An was hesitating whether to go in and give a reminder when the door suddenly opened and Sui Heng walked out.
Ji An quickly stepped forward and prepared to serve him by bathing and changing clothes.
Sui Heng quickly glanced around and asked, “Where is Ah Yan?”
Ji An was taken aback for a moment.
“Isn’t Young Master Chu with Your Highness?”
Sui Heng ignored Ji An and strode towards the garden behind him.
He knows that he has a habit of morning reading, sometimes going to the pavilion or the garden early in the morning to read.
Sui Heng walked in a hurry, he didn’t even realize that he was walking urgently. However, the garden was empty, with only a few gardeners playing with the flowers and plants, and there was no figure he wanted to see.
Sui Heng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned around and walked back.
Ji An didn’t understand what had happened and rushed over with the palace attendants, asking, “What is Your Highness going to do?”
Sui Heng’s footsteps suddenly came to a halt.
He also forgot, for a moment, where he was going.
But he quickly remembered.
He walked like the wind, picked the right direction, and strode away.
Ji An became increasingly confused and could only follow behind all the way.
Sui Heng entered the West Courtyard.
He remembered that Jiang Yun had lived here before and most likely had personal belongings or books he loved to browse here, so he didn’t have time to move them back, so he came early in the morning to pick them up.
Sui Heng walked through the corridor and directly came to the innermost room.
He must be sitting behind the window, reading a book.
He actually played this game with him so early in the morning.
The corner of Sui Heng’s mouth raised, and he almost confidently pushed open the door.
The sky has already lit up, and sunlight enters through the window. Countless dust flies dance in the sunlight, but the room was empty. Sui Heng’s smile disappeared from the corner of his mouth, and he went crazy and walked to the bedside. He opened the bed curtains and found it dimly lit, with only a book beside the pillow.
There is nothing.
Your Highness…
Ji An followed in.
He had never seen such a terrifying expression on Sui Heng’s face before. He had already vaguely guessed something from His Highness’s series of strange behaviors, and after a moment of silence, he said, “Maybe-maybe the young gentleman has gone out…”
However, the private courtyard’s gates has not yet been opened and is heavily guarded.
The young gentleman is gentle and weak, and he doesn’t know martial arts. How could he go out quietly?
This sentence, however, seemed to inject a dose of cardiotonics into Sui Heng.
“Yes, he may have gone out.”
“He may go buy plum blossom cake and pine cone wine.”
As he spoke, his eyes lit up again, and he strode out of the west courtyard in the direction of the mansion gate.
The guards saw the Crown Prince’s gloomy expression and quickly bowed their heads.
Sui Heng didn’t ask why the mansion door was still closed. He ordered the guards to open the door, flipped over, got on his horse, and rushed out.
The Taibai House has not yet reached business hours, but the boss and all the staff in the building have been arrested.
The young Crown Prince sat in the lobby of the inn with sinister eyes, asking him to hand over the person.
The boss nervously stated that because they stayed up all night, the shop usually only opens at noon, and plum blossom cake and pine cone wine will never be sold at this time.
They have by no means abducted His Highness’s beloved little young gentleman without authorization.
But Sui Heng didn’t believe it.
Sui Heng forced them to recall and hand over the person.
The boss was torn between his liver and gallbladder, wanting to cry, but there was no tear, lying on the ground, unsure of what to do.
“Your Highness.”
After holding on for nearly an hour, his soldier came over and whispered, “The subordinate has searched all the streets and found someone who has seen the young gentleman.”
“The characteristics of the guest he described are very similar to those of the young gentleman.”
Li Si was brought over.
Sui Heng asked, “Have you seen him?”
“Yes, before dawn, the young gentleman once came to this humble’s shop to buy a piece of white sugar sponge cake… he… he even talked to a beggar outside the shop and gave him two golden beans.”
“What was the conversation about?”
“The young gentleman said, he… he suffered from a terminal illness and didn’t want to burden his husband. He’s going to find a place to commit s*icide.”
