This was an inconspicuous shop. If it wasn’t for the fact that it happened to be opposite a large jewelry store, Shadow Six and Shadow Thirteen might not have noticed it at all. And even if they did, they didn’t have much hope. Who knew… they really met the right person!
“These two longevity locks…” The craftsman had a distinct foreign accent. “I’ve made them before. Look at the one on the right. I modified the pattern on the edge.”
Whether he had modified them or not, Shadow Six and Shadow Thirteen did not know. However, after Shadow Six showed him the pattern on the front and asked him to draw the back, he drew them accurately. He was undoubtedly the craftsman who had made these two longevity locks.
“It’s the style from a few years ago. It’s not for sale anymore. Do you want to make these two types of longevity locks? We have better styles with jade embedded in them.” The craftsman who had already been promoted to half of the owner said patiently.
“We aren’t here to buy locks. We’re here to ask for information,” Shadow Six said.
The craftsman did not look happy when he heard that they were not buying locks.
“But if your information is accurate.” Shadow Six took out a gold ingot.
The craftsman’s eyes immediately lit up as he reached out for the gold.
“Hmm?” Shadow Six drew out the word warningly and brought the gold to his front.
The craftsman’s hand missed. He coughed lightly and said, “Little brother, if you have anything to ask, feel free to ask!”
Shadow Six asked, “It’s about these two longevity locks. When did you start making these longevity locks and how long have you been selling them?”
The craftsman replied, “These two locks aren’t from the Capital. They were from Gong City two to three years ago. They’re exclusive to our shop. When I left, our shop no longer sold such longevity locks.”
“When did you leave?” Shadow Six asked.
“About two years ago,” said the craftsman.
Shadow Six paused and said, “Do you remember a very beautiful young pregnant woman among the customers who bought this longevity lock?”
“This…” The craftsman scratched his head. “I can’t remember.”
“Sorry to disturb you.” Shadow Six gave the gold to the craftsman and left the shop with Shadow Thirteen.
“What do you think?” Shadow Six asked.
In the shop, Shadow Thirteen didn’t say anything, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t have any thoughts.
Ying Shisan said ambiguously, “Young Master slept with Miss Yan in Prefecture Xu. Miss Yan also gave birth to the children in Prefecture Xu and raised them until she returned to the Capital. During this period, it’s not that Miss Yan hasn’t been to other places. For example, she met Madam Du in Lu City near Prefecture Xu.”
“What are you trying to say?” Shadow Six cut off his smelly and long foreshadowing.
Shadow Thirteen said, “The lock was bought from Gong City. Those two children were most likely born in Gong City. I wonder how the ashes were transferred to Yan Ruyu after they died?”
Shadow Six frowned and said, “Two or three years ago, Yan Ruyu was still recuperating in Prefecture Xu, right? She couldn’t have traveled thousands of miles to Gong City.”
Shadow Thirteen sighed. “Who knows what’s going on? Forget it, let’s quickly report to the Young Master.”
The two of them returned to the Young Master Manor and told him everything they had heard.
Shadow Six said, “…The two children should have been born in Gong City. I wonder who the parents of the children are and what their relationship with Miss Yan is?”
Since Yan Xie dared to threaten Yan Ruyu with the children’s ashes, it was obvious that the ashes were very precious to Yan Ruyu. Then, the person who entrusted the ashes to Yan Ruyu must also be an extremely important person in her life.
“Miss Yan grew up in the Capital. After the Yan family’s accident, she immediately fled to Prefecture Xu. I’ve never heard of her going to Gong City. How did she know someone from Gong City? Or could it be… someone she knew in the past moved to Gong City?”
Yan Jiuchao said indifferently, “Haven’t you thought that perhaps she has been to Gong City herself?”
Shadow Six weakly took a deep breath and said, “That’s impossible, right? Judging from the time, Miss Yan was pregnant and giving birth in Prefecture Xu at that time.”
Yan Jiuchao said with a deep gaze, “Can’t we just ask her?”
“Young Master, Marquis Yan requests an audience.” Outside the study, Uncle Wan’s panting voice could be heard. Uncle Wan, who had been tortured by the three little fellows until he doubted his life, needed an indefinite long vacation!
“You guys can leave. Let him in.” Yan Jiuchao sent Shadow Six and Shadow Thirteen to “look after” the young kids. Yan Congming was led by a servant to the flower hall of the Young Master Manor.
“Did Lord Yan come to visit because of the military merit?” Yan Jiuchao sat on a chair and asked bluntly.
Yan Congming, who was sitting below, smiled brightly. “How can that be? I believe that His Majesty will make a fair decision regarding the military merits. If Young Master Yan is worried that I will take it to heart because you helped Yu Shaoqing, then there’s no need. I heard from Yu’er that Yu Shaoqing’s daughter is the savior of the children. It’s only right for Young Master Yan to take care of him. I won’t have any thoughts about it.”
Yan Jiuchao did not even bat an eyelid.
Yan Congming felt like he was sitting on pins and needles when he saw that the Young Master was treating him indifferently. He had mustered up his courage to come to the Young Master Manor today. Of course, it was for military merits. However, he could not say it out loud. Everyone was looking for Zhou Huai. He suspected that Young Master Yan had also taken action.
However, Young Master Yan had exposed his motive the moment he opened his mouth. He felt guilty and denied it without thinking and he regretted it now. But since he had already denied it, it would be hypocritical to mention it again.
Yan Congming was quite depressed after silently suffering a loss.
Of course, he did not think that Yan Jiuchao did it on purpose. How could a little profligate son who could not even study properly have the ability to see through his thoughts? It was just a coincidence.
“I’m here to… meet my grandsons,” Yan Congming said with a smile. This reason was impeccable. He would find an excuse to stay and ask him when the time was right!
The pageboy outside the reception pavilion said, “The Little Masters have been taken out of the manor by the Shadow Guards.”
Seeing that the sentence “What a coincidence, I made Marquis Yan make a wasted trip” was about to come out of Yan Jiuchao’s mouth, Yan Congming said in time, “I… I’m also here to visit Young Master on behalf of Yu’er!”
… .
An hour later, Yan Congming left the Young Master Manor happily.
“Where are we going, Master?” asked the coachman.
Yan Congming smiled and said, “Of course we’re going back. Hurry, I have good news for Yu’er!”
On the other hand, after Yan Xie let Yan Ruyu catch him with two jars of ashes, he was taught a lesson behind closed doors by Yan Ruyu.
Mrs. Yan didn’t know what had happened. Yan Ruyu didn’t even open the door when she shouted, making her anxious.
“Mother—Mother, save me—” Yan Xie cried out involuntarily.
“It’s useless even if you shout!” Yan Ruyu slashed again!
Yan Xie held his head and fled. The chair behind him was split into two.
The Yan family’s ancestral sword could cut through iron like mud. It was originally passed down to his father, but his father didn’t give it to him, the eldest son. Instead, he gave it to a girl. It angered him to death!
“Yan Ruyu, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t it just two jars of ashes? What’s wrong with me taking them to take a look?” Yan Xie became anxious and spoke without thinking.
Yan Ruyu was stunned. “What did you say?”
Yan Xie wanted to slap himself, but since he had already said it, he couldn’t take it back. He simply straightened his back and said, “Why? Did I say something wrong? Do you think you hid it well? Hmph! I’ve already discovered all your secrets! I advise you to be more polite to me, or I’ll ruin your reputation!”
This was naturally out of anger. Yan Ruyu was his sister. It was fine if he was jealous of her, but he wouldn’t really kill her. At most… he would look for her to extort some money.
Yan Ruyu was not as considerate as her brother. Her face immediately turned cold. She did not ask him how he found out. She walked forward step by step and looked at him coldly. “Who else knows about this?”
That little girl he didn’t know. Yan Xie had already made a mistake once and wouldn’t do it again. He turned his face away and muttered, “Do you think I’m a blabbermouth? Would I casually say such things? I even hid it for you!”
Yan Ruyu raised her sword. “So as long as I kill you, I can guarantee that the secret won’t leak?”
Yan Xie’s eyes widened!
“Yu’er!” Yan Congming entered the courtyard like a spring breeze.
Mrs. Yan felt as if she had been pardoned. “Aiya, Master, you’re back at the right time. Quickly go and see Yu’er. I don’t know what she did to her brother!”
Yan Congming’s arrival saved Yan Xie’s life. Yan Xie was so scared that he peed his pants and moved into Mrs. Yan’s courtyard without another word.
Yan Ruyu was so angry that she threw her sword away.
Yan Congming looked at the mess on the ground and wondered what that brat had done to make the usually calm Yu’er so angry.
“Alright, Yu’er, don’t be angry with your brother. Daddy has good news for you.” Yan Congming brought his daughter to the study and waved for the maidservant to tidy up the room.
“What good news do you have, Daddy?” Yan Ruyu suppressed her anger and asked.
Yan Congming raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Young Master Yan asked you to tour the lake with him tonight.”
Yan Ruyu’s first reaction was joy, but her second reaction was suspicion. “Why would he suddenly ask me to tour the lake?” It was difficult to even see him normally. Don’t think that she didn’t know that he was actually avoiding her.
Yan Congming smiled smugly. “This is all thanks to your father!”
Yan Congming exaggerated the fact that he had specially gone to the Young Master Manor for the sake of his daughter’s lifelong happiness. The general meaning was that as a biological father, he had used his glib tongue to praise Yan Ruyu to the point that she was unique in the world. And Young Master Yan was tempted.
Yan Ruyu was still in disbelief. “Daddy, are you sure that he asked me to tour the lake and nothing else?”
The fact that Yan Xie had discovered the urn made her become sensitive. She always felt that it was unusual for Yan Jiuchao, who usually ignored her, to suddenly ask to see her.
“Sigh, child, why don’t you believe in your father’s ability? It’s true that he doesn’t care about you, but that’s because he doesn’t know how good you are. I have thrown away my shame!” Yan Congming praised his daughter without holding back.
Everyone was willing to believe what they wanted to believe. If Yan Ruyu was not tempted, she might have thought twice before acting. However, she could not wait to see Yan Jiuchao.
“If you don’t go, I’ll get someone to reject him!” Yan Congming pretended to be calm.
“Don’t!” Yan Ruyu grabbed his arm, a hint of shyness flashing across her eyes. “I’ll go.”
… .
On the Jade Lake in the west of the Capital, the lights were dim and the sound of the pipa could be heard.
A luxurious pleasure boat slowly docked on the shore. This was the largest pleasure boat on the lake, attracting the attention of passers-by. Under everyone’s envious gazes, Yan Ruyu, dressed to the nines, boarded the boat.
She was wearing a crescent moon white dress with flowing sleeves. The skirt trailed on the ground and was blown by the night wind. It was light but not glamorous. She was beautiful and peerless, like a fairy on the moon.
The people around her let out frequent exclamations. Yan Ruyu’s lips curled up. She was originally beautiful, and after dressing up carefully, she was naturally incomparably beautiful. She wondered if Young Master Yan would be stunned and surprised when he saw her like this.
Yan Ruyu touched the veil on her face. The place where she was injured by the princess of Xiongnu had already healed, and she had regained her former beauty.
“Miss Yan, be careful where you step,” said the boatman.
Yan Ruyu nodded elegantly and nobly.
The shop assistant led Yan Ruyu to the empty deck on the first floor. There, Yan Ruyu finally saw the handsome Yan Jiuchao. He didn’t have to do anything on purpose. Just his thin back view could become the most beautiful scenery on the lake.
Yan Ruyu felt her heart skip a beat.
The servants left one after another. The huge pleasure boat was so quiet that it was as if only the two of them were left.
Yan Ruyu stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Young Master Yan.”
Yan Jiuchao glanced at her before looking at the blue lake.
Although it was just a small action, Yan Ruyu was completely relieved. In the past, Young Master Yan never looked at her directly. Today, he finally looked at her. It seemed like he really wanted to ask her to have a tour in the lake.
Yan Ruyu stood beside Yan Jiuchao and said gently, “Daddy’s sudden visit must have offended you. I hope Young Master Yan doesn’t take offense.”
“It’s fine,” Yan Jiuchao said.
Yan Ruyu had been looking forward to seeing him every day, but when she really saw him, she didn’t know what to say to him. The atmosphere instantly became a little awkward. Yan Ruyu pinched her handkerchief uncomfortably and found a topic to talk about. “How have you been recently?”
“Pretty good,” Yan Jiuchao said.
Why didn’t he ask her if she was okay? Yan Ruyu lowered her eyes and thought for a while before asking with a smile, “Why did you suddenly think of asking me out to tour the lake?”
“Don’t you like it?” Yan Jiuchao asked.
Yan Ruyu was stunned and hurriedly said, “Yu’er naturally like your invitation.”
“You’ve been in Prefecture Xu for the past few years. What do you think of Prefecture Xu?” Yan Jiuchao asked.
Prefecture Xu was Worthy Consort Xu’s hometown. Could it be that Young Master Yan knew that Worthy Consort Xu had invited her to the palace to admire the flowers, so he deliberately probed her relationship with Worthy Consort Xu?
She was not afraid of anything and said calmly, “Although Prefecture Xu is good, I miss my home in the Capital.”
“Apart from Prefecture Xu, have you been anywhere else?” Yan Jiuchao asked.
Did he dispel his doubts about her? Yan Ruyu said softly, “Lu City, An City, and Jin City are all near Prefecture Xu. I’m a woman with three children. I really can’t go far.”
She had cleverly made herself look pitiful.
Coincidentally, at this moment, a servant had set up a small table and cushions on the open deck. Yan Ruyu said to Yan Jiuchao, “Young Master Yan, the wind is strong by the ship. Let’s go there and have a seat.”
“Okay.” Yan Jiuchao walked over and sat on the mat.
Yan Ruyu knelt down opposite him. After the servants set up the tea and snacks, they tactfully left. Yan Ruyu stretched out her fair wrist, picked up the wine pot, and poured a cup of good wine for Yan Jiuchao and herself.
“To you.” She raised her glass, removed her veil, covered her face with her sleeve, and elegantly drained it.
Yan Jiuchao took a sip and frowned. “What wine is this?”
Yan Ruyu’s face turned slightly red. “It’s a ten-year-old Huadiao.”
Yan Jiuchao looked surprised. “You know this?”
Yan Ruyu was pleased in her heart, but she did not show it on her face. She smiled humbly and said, “I only know a little. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you.”
Yan Jiuchao grunted and got someone to bring another pot of wine. He asked Yan Ruyu, “What wine is this?”
Yan Ruyu sniffed it. “A five-year-old Huadiao.”
“What about this?” Yan Jiuchao pointed at the third pot of wine handed over by the servant.
Yan Ruyu still only took a sniff. “This is this year’s newly brewed plum wine. It has just left the wine cellar. If you like it, I’ll personally brew a jar and send it to Young Master Manor.”
“There’s no need.” Yan Jiuchao refused. He waved his hand and got someone to take the wine away. He looked at the stack of green balls on the table and took one to taste. “What a strange taste. I’ve never eaten it before.”
It was rare for Yan Ruyu to have a chance to show her talent in front of Yan Jiuchao. She thought of something and said, “This is a black tea crisp, made with oolong tea and flour. It’s a specialty of Gong City. In Gong City, almost every family knows how to make black tea crisp.”
Yan Jiuchao said, “You make it sound like you’ve been to Gong City.”
Yan Ruyu’s heart skipped a beat! She quickly looked at Yan Jiuchao and saw that he had already put down the black tea crisp in his hand and turned to eat other snacks. It seemed like he had just said it casually.
Yan Ruyu picked up her glass and took a sip. She didn’t drink anything before she remembered that she had already finished the wine in her glass. She put down the wine glass expressionlessly and raised her hand to take the wine pot. However, a slender hand reached over before her.
Yan Jiuchao personally poured a glass of wine for her, and she was overwhelmed by the favor.
Fifteen minutes later, Yan Ruyu lay unconscious on the table.
“Young Master.” Shadow Thirteen walked over. “She keeps saying that she’s never been to Gong City, but she’s knowledgeable when it comes to the customs of Gong City, she’s probably lying! Why would she lie?”
Yes… why would she lie? What happened in Gong City that he shouldn’t know about?’
Yan Jiuchao tapped his slender fingers on the table. “Go back to the Young Master Manor and ask Uncle Wan to find an experienced nanny.”
Shadow Thirteen was puzzled. “Young Master, why are you looking for a nanny?”
Yan Jiuchao’s eyes turned cold. “A physical examination.”