Yusui Chang'an

Before he knew it, Yanshu had been guarding the gate for more than two hours. As the sun rose higher, the mist had long since dissipated.

The sun was blazing and the temperature was scorching. Yanshu avoided the sun and stood under the shade of a tree. The high temperature and the constant chirping of cicadas made him even more anxious. Seeing Lingshi standing motionless under the green plum tree, Yanshu began to feel suspicious and wary.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Yan Shu hurried forward, looking at Master Yao from head to toe with worried eyes. Seeing that he looked unwell, he was about to ask about his concern, but heard Master Yao say:
"Go prepare some delicious food and get a pot of green plum wine."

Yan Shu's eyes were filled with surprise, and he glanced at An Zhixian curiously before agreeing.
I thought that since An Zhixian came to give gifts in such a ostentatious manner, he would be kicked out by his master, but I didn't expect that not only did he chat for half a day, but he was also invited to stay for dinner.

The master hasn't drunk alcohol for many years... and he's even reluctant to give away this green plum wine...

What surprised Yanshu even more was that during the meal, Master Yao did not let him serve him, but instead asked him to take good care of Ling Shi. After the meal, he pulled An Zhixian aside to have a long conversation, as if he had endless things to say.

When An Zhixian left, the sun had already set in the west. Master Yao stood in the observation pavilion high up, watching them go for a long time with reluctance, until he could no longer see the shadow of the carriage. Then he withdrew his gaze, sighed with sorrow and nostalgia, and turned to look at the green plum tree in the courtyard:
"Next time he comes looking for me, just invite him in. No matter where I am or what I am doing, don't stop him."

Upon hearing this, Yanshu could no longer suppress his curiosity:

"Miss, I still need to pass on the message to you. Who is he that deserves such kindness from you?"

Master Yao looked deeply at the green plum tree, as if he had seen the tragic death of his favorite disciple, and flames of hatred burst out from his eyes:

"He is the son of an old friend. Spread the news that I have recovered and want to serve the country while I am still strong and willing to return to the court to fulfill my duties as a subject."
-
When An Zhixian left the city, Lin Jinyan also got on the carriage to the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion.

The three people from the Marquis' Mansion exchanged some polite words and sat down. Marquis Pingyang dismissed the servants and asked directly who Lin Jinyan was investigating.

Lin Jinyan looked at the solemn-looking Marquis of Pingyang, and understood more clearly why An Zhixian had rushed to see her last night. The old Marquis seemed to be careless, but in fact he was meticulous: "To be honest with you, Marquis, I am investigating the Han family."

Pingyang Hou was surprised and puzzled by the unexpected answer. What Lin Jinyan wrote on the paper was clearly the Prince Ling that Yao Yunting had mentioned yesterday:

"Han family? Why are you investigating the Han family?"

Lin Jinyan told the words she had thought of last night:

"In the final analysis, to fight for that position, the most important thing to rely on is military power. Among the several princes, only the mercenaries of the Qin King's mother's family must be guarded against. As the saying goes, only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win. This is why I have made some plans early."

Pingyang Hou thought carefully, and found that the Han family did have someone whose age matched the one on paper. He also thought that the Han family had indeed traveled back and forth between Zhangzhou and Kyoto for many years, and his suspicions were reduced by half:

Am I really just catching wind and figment of my imagination?

Seeing that Pingyang Hou believed her explanation, Lin Jinyan felt relieved and inexplicably lost in thought as she relaxed:
To meet an old friend, he would have to revisit the bloody past, which must have been hard for him...

"Ms. Lin, how did you know that His Majesty would send me on an errand?"

Hearing Feng Sinian's question, Lin Jinyan suddenly came back to her senses, and her ears felt hot. She calmed down and replied:

"Because, His Majesty wants to unify the world, he needs to cultivate people who are loyal to him to prevent civil strife. The Crown Prince has severed ties with the Duke's Mansion, and is a brother to the unambitious Prince Qi." (End of this chapter)